Ben Riley-Smith

EXC: Keir Starmer is set to finally unveil his new sleaze watchdog within days. Plans being put in place to announce the Ethics and Integrity Commission before MPs break for the summer on Tuesday. It will take over the powers of Acoba (which overseas lobbying rules) and the…

BREAKING: 16 and 17-year-olds will be able to vote at the next general election for the first time, ministers announce. Election strategy unexpectedly published just now. Automated voter registration also proposed. telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/07/1…

'If the PM thinks a punishment beating of just seven of the 127 Labour MPs who defied him over welfare will bring this rebellious backbench to heel, he may be in for a nasty surprise' Read @benrileysmith's analysis ⬇️ telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/…

Some real anger from Labour welfare rebels who were told by the PM ‘I’ve heard you’ after U-turn and now have had seven colleagues punished. As one summed up the No10 stance: “I demand that morale improves within the PLP and I will continue to shoot people until that happens.”

Chris Hinchliff is being tipped to potentially join the Greens after having the Labour whip suspended. He led the amendment to the planning bill - a flagship bit of Starmer's program- to protect the environment. One Labour MP dubs him the party's "Nimby-in-Chief", reckons…

All 7 voted against the welfare bill on second reading x.com/benrileysmith/…

NEW. Seven Labour MPs have been punished for repeated breaches of party discipline Four lose the whip: * Neil Duncan-Jordan * Chris Hinchliff * Brian Leishman * Rachael Maskell Three more no longer trade envoys: * Rosena Allin Khan * Bell Ribeiro-Addy * Mohammed Yasin…

Confirmed this morning. Palace has announced the Trump state visit dates are September 17-19… conveniently after Commons goes into recess on Sep 16.

Donald Trump will **not** be given the honour of addressing Parliament during his state visit in September, @Telegraph understands. The dates deliberately are being timed for after Sep 16th when the House of Commons breaks for party conference. The perfect excuse for the UK -…

Britain will send back 50 migrants per week under a trial of the scheme – the equivalent of 2,600 a year, according to @LeMonde_EN More than 44,000 migrants have arrived in the UK since Labour won the general election last July.

After Emmanuel Macron’s declaration that it’s time for Britain and France to become less dependent on (Trump’s) America, doesn’t sound like No10 is full square behind the idea. “They are an indispensable partner. I think that says it all,” remarks Starmer’s spokesman.

PMQs latest: Keir Starmer won’t rule out freezing income tax thresholds or Kinnock’s wealth tax idea. Says won’t write the autumn Budget today. A long old summer of tax rise speculation beckons…

Here was the emotive ending to Emmanual Macron's address to Parliament, with a nod to Vera Lynn: “I came here today to renew the French people’s message of friendship and fraternity. “Yes, finally, we meet again. And let’s be sure that we will meet again for years and decades.…

Macron calls Brexit "deeply regrettable" in his speech to Parliament. Follow live here: telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2…

Interesting. Macron uses his big Parliament speech to call for recognition of Palestinian state. Says it it the only way to peace. Piles pressure on Starmer to do likewise. We unpacked differences behind the scenes on timing and conditions on Sat: telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/…

EXCL: Bayeux Tapestry to return to England for first time in 900 years Deal to be announced during Emmanuel Macron's UK visit Tapestry will be swapped for Anglo-Saxon Sutton Hoo treasures telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/07/0…

Event titled "Breaking the Two Party Nightmare" With the candidates who stood against Wes Streeting and Keir Starmer at the last election x.com/benrileysmith/…