William Hague secures Oxford Uni post, beating rivals including Peter Mandelson

Badenoch warns Tories could lose all 2021 councils in May

Kemi Badenoch warned that the Conservatives would lose “every single” council they won in 2021 if the general election results were applied to May's local elections. The Tory leader acknowledged the party’s “greatest defeat” in history and predicted a tough battle ahead, although she hoped for slightly better results. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Tories defend local record ahead of elections

Conservative co-chairman Nigel Huddleston says the party has a strong track record of delivering value for money through better services at lower costs. He praised local Tory councillors for their commitment to community issues like road maintenance and social care, while downplaying defections as a normal part of politics. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Starmer defends Labour record ahead of spring statement

Sir Keir Starmer defended Labour’s economic record since coming into Government, amid questions from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch on why Rachel Reeves will hold her spring statement next week. The Prime Minister said: "We have delivered record investment into this country, had three interest rates cuts in a row, and wages are going up faster than prices which is a massive cost-of-living boost." Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Tories: Labour needs to be tougher on welfare reform

The Conservatives have branded the Government’s welfare reforms as too little, too late, with Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall being urged to be tougher. Shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately told the Commons: "The fact is £5 billion just doesn’t cut it. With a bill so big, going up so fast, she needed to be tougher." Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Minister: Mandelson wrong on Ukraine ceasefire

Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard says Lord Mandelson was “not right” when the British Ambassador to the US suggested Ukraine should commit to a ceasefire before Russia. The ambassador used an interview with American network ABC to say that Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky should give "unequivocal backing" to US President Donald Trump's peace initiative. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Mandelson hails Trump as a ‘very consequential president’

Lord Mandelson hails Donald Trump as a "very consequential president" as the UK seeks to avoid battles on tariffs with the White House. The newly installed UK ambassador to the US says it is a "very significant moment for our lives, between our two countries and indeed for all the freedom-loving democracies in the world". Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Starmer jokes during speech at Ambassador’s reception

Sir Keir Starmer says “taking a chainsaw isn’t my style” as he addresses “stripping away red tape” during a speech at a reception hosted by new UK ambassador Lord Mandelson in Washington DC. The prime minister also jokes about new the “new leader in town”, saying "he's a true one-off, a pioneer in business, in politics. Many people love him. Others love to hate him. But to us, he' s just.... Peter." Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Reform names Sarah Pochin for Runcorn by-election

Reform UK has revealed Sarah Pochin as its candidate for the Runcorn and Helsby by-election. The announcement comes after former Labour MP Mike Amesbury resigned, having received a suspended prison sentence for assaulting a man in the street. This marks Sir Keir Starmer's first by-election since taking office in July 2024. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn