Politics

Politics shapes the decisions that affect our daily lives, from the policies governing public services and the economy to local initiatives and international relations. Whether it's developments in Westminster, devolved governments, or local councils, political news influences everything from employment and healthcare to housing and education. Understanding the political landscape helps readers make informed choices about the issues and figures that matter to them.

This section covers the full spectrum of political activity: major policy announcements, electoral developments, parliamentary business, and the people driving change across the country. It includes analysis of how political decisions impact communities and the broader implications of governance at every level, from central government to local authorities.

For many readers, staying informed about politics is essential to understanding current events and their potential consequences. Whether you're interested in mainstream political developments, emerging controversies, or the human stories behind policy decisions, this topic provides the context and reporting needed to follow the political story as it unfolds.

John Swinney ‘forced to condemn terrorism’ after Sinn Fein talks

September 17, 2026

John Swinney faced criticism at Holyrood after attending a Cardiff summit with Sinn Féin and Plaid Cymru representatives to discuss independence across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Opponents said working with Sinn Féin was inappropriate because of its alleged failure to condemn IRA terrorism, while Swinney insisted he unreservedly opposed terrorism and supported victims. Swinney…
Trump’s DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin shares Washington ‘crash pad’ with best friend congressman in unusual arrangement: ‘It’s strange’

September 17, 2026

US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin reportedly shares a Capitol Hill home with his close friend, Republican Congressman Jason Smith, in an unusual arrangement that has prompted questions about living costs and House ethics rules. Mullin’s representative says he is Smith’s landlord, while sources describe the property as a part-time “crash pad” used by people…
Claude Code relaunches Projects to manage multiple AI agents in the cloud

September 17, 2026

Claude Code has launched a revamped Projects feature that enables users to manage and run multiple AI agents simultaneously within a single environment. The system provides shared memory, goals, and resources across agents, operating similarly to existing multi-agent management tools, and is significant because it allows users to orchestrate complex, parallelised work across multiple agent…
‘Delusional’ Mairi McAllan defends dismal Pisa results saying success ‘should not be judged’ on school test results

September 17, 2026

Scotland’s Education Secretary Mairi McAllan has defended the country’s worst-ever performance in the international Pisa study for 2025 by arguing that educational success should not be judged solely on test scores at age 15. Her statement drew sharp criticism from opposition MSPs, who branded her response “delusional” and accused the SNP government of prioritising ideology…
STEPHEN DAISLEY: Findlay’s voice rasped with disgust at the First Minister and his new allies: Swinn Fein

September 17, 2026

The article describes a heated exchange at Holyrood between Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay and First Minister John Swinney over Swinney’s meeting with Sinn Féin and other nationalist politicians in Cardiff. Findlay accused Sinn Féin of failing to condemn IRA terrorism and argued that Swinney’s constitutional priorities were distracting from Scotland’s public-service problems, while Swinney…
Tuchel considers England recall for Cole Palmer in Nations League squad

September 17, 2026

Thomas Tuchel is considering recalling Cole Palmer to England’s Nations League squad following the Chelsea forward’s impressive early-season form, having been excluded from the World Cup due to poor fitness and form. Palmer has since scored four goals and provided two assists this season, significantly improving his prospects of selection. Tuchel’s squad announcement on Friday…
FA chair Hewitt demands Infantino release records of failed World Cup plan

September 17, 2026

Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt has formally asked Fifa president Gianni Infantino to release documents concerning his abandoned Fifa Forward Enterprise World Cup sell-off plan and the controversial lifting of USA striker Folarin Balogun’s suspension. She is also seeking an independent review, increasing pressure on Infantino ahead of a Fifa council meeting and next year’s…
Trump says Iran war will end ‘soon’ with NEW deal on the table… as devastating photos show US bases severely damaged in Middle East

September 17, 2026

President Donald Trump said he hoped the conflict with Iran was nearing its end, claiming Tehran was willing to negotiate a new deal and that the United States was communicating with Iranian officials directly. His comments came before talks with Gulf leaders and the UN General Assembly, where the possible shape of a postwar settlement…
The Guardian view on EU-Canada relations: strategic ambition with lessons for Britain | Editorial

September 17, 2026

The European Commission has invited Canada to establish a new form of “associate membership” with the EU, creating a relationship of strategic alignment without full membership. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has embraced this proposal, calling for deep cooperation across trade, defence, industrial capacity, science, space and AI, positioning Canada’s response to Donald Trump’s hostility…
Even the King of England has his hesitations about AI

September 17, 2026

King Charles hosted a private summit at his Dumfries House estate to discuss artificial intelligence with prominent industry leaders, including executives from OpenAI and Anthropic, Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, the UK’s new AI minister, and the head of the country’s foreign intelligence service. The summit was particularly noteworthy because the royal family typically avoids wading into…