Writing the summary…
Polling turns politics into one big game. There are too many of them – and that does us no good | Jonathan Liew
Source: The Guardian
Original reporting
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The Guardian
Pensioners just above threshold shouldn’t pay income tax, says No 10 – UK politics live
PM’s spokesperson says those whose only income is the state pension should not pay income tax in this parliament despite the expected rise to £13,000 The Liberal Democrats have said that they will try to introduce a cap on the amount people donate to political parties by amending the representation of the people bill as it goes through the Lords. Lisa Smart , the Lib Dem Cabinet Office spokesperson, said: We can’t keep playing whack-a-mole with each new attempt by Farage to sell out our democracy. Labour’s residency requirements aren’t good enough and the Conservatives simply sat on their hands whilst in power. For decades governments of both colours have stood by and done nothing. The scale of donations made to Reform in recent days is unprecedented in British politics and should deeply concern anyone who cares about the health and integrity of our democracy. We cannot afford to see the
BBC Politics
Unions urge ministers to soften planned changes to immigration rules
The home secretary wants to double the time it takes for most migrants to qualify for permanent residence.
The Guardian
Union leaders resist political donations cap after Reform given £72m
General secretaries say union funding is ‘cleanest money in politics’ and different to that from wealthy individual donors UK politics live – latest updates Trade unions have stopped short of backing a cap on political donations but called for further action on big money in politics, in a joint statement after Reform UK was given an unprecedented £72m from two donors . General secretaries have been split on a call for unions to back a specific cap on individual donors to political parties while protecting trade union donations, which the TUC said were the “cleanest money in politics” because it came from workers’ subscriptions. Continue reading...
BBC Politics
Unions warn against 'out of control' political spending
In a joint statement, unions say donations totalling £72m to Reform UK threaten the "integrity of democracy".
BBC Politics
Balaclava ban aims to address 'substantial' problems
Nottingham becomes one of the first cities nationally to take this step, its council leader says.
The Guardian
UK sanctions on Israel ‘fall far short’ of its obligations, legal experts say
More than 130 sign letter to PM saying international law requires further measures to stop illegal settlements More than 130 legal experts, including 18 king’s counsel (KCs), have written to Andy Burnham saying that sanctions on Israeli settlements “fall far short” of Britain’s obligations under the international court of justice’s (ICJ’s) finding that the occupation is unlawful. The foreign secretary, Ed Miliband, last week announced an import ban on goods from illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine and other measures. Signatories to the letter to the prime minister, including the leading lawyers Michael Mansfield KC and Imran Khan KC, and the former lord justice of appeal Alan Moses, say it is not enough. Continue reading...