{"id":16512,"date":"2026-01-28T11:21:40","date_gmt":"2026-01-28T11:21:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/?p=16512"},"modified":"2026-01-28T11:21:40","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T11:21:40","slug":"approving-super-embassy-before-china-trip-makes-starmer-look-weak-says-badenoch-as-pm-arrives-in-beijing-uk-politics-live-politics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/?p=16512","title":{"rendered":"Approving super-embassy before China trip makes Starmer look weak, says Badenoch, as PM arrives in Beijing \u2013 UK politics live | Politics"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"liveblog-body\"><gu-island name=\"EnhancePinnedPost\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{}\"\/><\/p>\n<div id=\"pinned-post\" data-gu-marker=\"pinned-post\" data-component=\"pinned-post\" class=\"dcr-r5tmyr\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"pinned-post-checkbox\" name=\"pinned-post-checkbox\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"dcr-11n52fl\"\/><\/p>\n<div id=\"collapsible-body\" class=\"dcr-1axsptg\">\n<article class=\"block dcr-1xlsn8h\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Starmer arrives in Beijing<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Keir Starmer<\/strong> has arrived in China on the first visit by a British Prime Minister in eight years, PA Media reports. PA says:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>A delegation of almost 60 representatives of British businesses and cultural institutions is accompanying the prime minister as he continues his efforts to build bridges with Beijing.<\/p>\n<p>But concerns over the risk China poses to national security and Xi Jinping\u2019s record on human rights mean Starmer\u2019s visit is politically sensitive.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking to reporters on the flight to Beijing, the prime minister said: \u201cThe evidence there are opportunities is the fact that we\u2019ve got so many CEOs with us on this flight, that we\u2019ve got 60 coming out to explore those opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Stamer added that this \u201creflects back at home in terms of the benefit that it brings back to the United Kingdom\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>The head of MI5 Sir Ken McCallum has warned that \u201cChinese state actors\u201d present a national security threat to the UK \u201cevery day\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<figure id=\"733b4c56-1ac1-4d12-9ebf-2fc9741b68aa\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div id=\"\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><picture class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/e0827dde932eff42c3bd4b73f9ddadb74eff59b3\/0_0_5616_3744\/master\/5616.jpg?width=700&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 660px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 660px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/e0827dde932eff42c3bd4b73f9ddadb74eff59b3\/0_0_5616_3744\/master\/5616.jpg?width=700&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 660px)\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/e0827dde932eff42c3bd4b73f9ddadb74eff59b3\/0_0_5616_3744\/master\/5616.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 320px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 320px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/e0827dde932eff42c3bd4b73f9ddadb74eff59b3\/0_0_5616_3744\/master\/5616.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 320px)\"\/><img alt=\"Keir Starmer waving upon his arrival at an airport in Beijing.\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/e0827dde932eff42c3bd4b73f9ddadb74eff59b3\/0_0_5616_3744\/master\/5616.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"465\" height=\"310\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"\/><\/picture><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Keir Starmer waving upon his arrival at an airport in Beijing.<\/span> Photograph: Kin Cheung\/AP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"82024488-2751-4aff-b8c9-bf020e099011\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div id=\"\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><picture class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/ec0e734ad4d53b3add39827a76386fe61b4307cc\/0_0_4623_3082\/master\/4623.jpg?width=700&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 660px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 660px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/ec0e734ad4d53b3add39827a76386fe61b4307cc\/0_0_4623_3082\/master\/4623.jpg?width=700&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 660px)\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/ec0e734ad4d53b3add39827a76386fe61b4307cc\/0_0_4623_3082\/master\/4623.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 320px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 320px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/ec0e734ad4d53b3add39827a76386fe61b4307cc\/0_0_4623_3082\/master\/4623.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 320px)\"\/><img alt=\"Keir Starmer receiving a bouquet of flowers upon his arrival.\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/ec0e734ad4d53b3add39827a76386fe61b4307cc\/0_0_4623_3082\/master\/4623.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"465\" height=\"310\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"\/><\/picture><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Keir Starmer receiving a bouquet of flowers upon his arrival.<\/span> Photograph: Kin Cheung\/AP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/jan\/28\/keir-starmer-labour-reform-uk-gorton-and-denton-byelection-andy-burnham-conservatives-politics-latest-news&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-6979da3d8f08e3f5cdc230bd&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-6979da3d8f08e3f5cdc230bd&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Approving super-embassy before China trip makes Starmer look weak, says Badenoch, as PM arrives in Beijing \u2013 UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Approving super-embassy before China trip makes Starmer look weak, says Badenoch, as PM arrives in Beijing \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/jan\/28\/keir-starmer-labour-reform-uk-gorton-and-denton-byelection-andy-burnham-conservatives-politics-latest-news?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6979da3d8f08e3f5cdc230bd#block-6979da3d8f08e3f5cdc230bd\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a0<time datetime=\"2026-01-28T09:53:50.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Wednesday, 28 January 2026 at 09:53 Greenwich Mean Time\">09.53 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<p><label for=\"pinned-post-checkbox\" id=\"pinned-post-button\" class=\"dcr-zw7tgl\"><span id=\"svgminus\" class=\"dcr-yhdhkr\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M1 10.75v2.5h22v-2.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span id=\"svgplus\" class=\"dcr-yhdhkr\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"m10.8 13.2.425 9.8h1.525l.45-9.8 9.8-.45v-1.525l-9.8-.425-.45-9.8h-1.525l-.425 9.8-9.8.425v1.525z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/label><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-90inr0\"><gu-island name=\"KeyEventsCarousel\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;keyEvents&quot;:[{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;6979e8858f08495dd88b0223&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Q: What do you feel about the past comments by Matt Goodwin, the Reform UK candidate in Gorton and Dention, implying &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/2025\/nov\/13\/reform-uk-accused-racism-student-organisation-matthew-goodwin\\&quot;&gt;some minority ethnic people born in the UK are not fully British&lt;\/a&gt;?&lt;\/em&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;cad7e279-cbee-4a7e-bd34-459420395463&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Badenoch&lt;\/strong&gt; said this was Nigel Farage\u2019s problem, not hers. She went on:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;a34a0d0e-6843-48f1-9d10-9592527c0b8b&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;There are people who run around trying to police other\u2019s identity. It used to be the ones on the left that I was fighting when we were in government. Now we are seeing some who claim to be on the right.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;It\u2019s all identity politics, it\u2019s all grievance politics.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Trying to tell people who is or who isn\u2019t British based on their personal opinion is divisive. That\u2019s not what the Conservative party is about. That\u2019s where you find the Reform people.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;I do ask people to think what would happen if such people came into government if they do not think large sections of the population, including former prime ministers [ie Rishi Sunak], are British. What do you think they\u2019re going to do if they get into government?&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;And that is why we need to make sure that we have Conservatives in place, the only party really on the right, the only party that doesn\u2019t spend time on grievance politics, identity politics, but that is focused on making sure we can give a better life to everyone, and especially to the next generation.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;5d9cc913-c850-43a0-ac06-b39c89933d4d&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Badenoch is right to say that nativism, and the implication that minority ethnic people cannot be fully British, is a feature of Reform UK politics. But there are some Tories who have dabbled in this too, like Katie Lam &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/2025\/oct\/20\/tory-mp-criticised-after-demanding-legally-settled-families-be-deported\\&quot;&gt;in a Sunday Times interview last year.&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;a1c37fd6-b817-4a18-a224-940851057bd1&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;In the past Badenoch (who was born in the UK, to Nigerian parents, and who was brought up in Nigeria before moving to Britain as a teenager) has tended to avoid criticising identity politics when practised by people on her side of the political spectrum, and these may be her strongest words yet pushing back at rightwing 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British&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;8391cc3a-2df4-4850-ad38-e9b30aac75ca&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;thumbnail&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/2026\/jan\/27\/matthew-goodwin-gorton-and-denton-reform-uk-minorities&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1769597061000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.44\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1769598598000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.09\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1769598212000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.03\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;11.03&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Badenoch suggests nativist, 'identity politics' of Reform UK should be worry to minority ethnic Britons&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Wed 28 Jan 2026 11.20 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front page on Wednesday with the headline 'Starmer led \\&quot;witch-hunt\\&quot; against Iraq veterans'&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Photograph: Daily Telegraph&quot;}},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Yes, says &lt;strong&gt;Badenoch&lt;\/strong&gt;. She says the way \u201cveterans have been harassed through the courts is a complete disgrace\u201d.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;b267a32a-3198-4383-ba8f-2f23c151363b&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;In his Telegraph story, &lt;strong&gt;Robert Mendick&lt;\/strong&gt; says:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;f264272f-58d7-4b7a-b6f4-49d510a2fee9&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;The now-prime minister worked free of charge alongside his close ally, Lord Hermer, now the attorney general, and the &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/archive.is\/o\/1ZXgg\/https:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/news\/2024\/12\/10\/disgraced-lawyer-phil-shiner-avoids-jail\/\\&quot;&gt;now-disgraced solicitor Phil Shiner&lt;\/a&gt; on a human rights claim in 2007 that reshaped the law governing troops in war zones.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Court documents unearthed by The Telegraph reveal Sir Keir was a lead barrister on the case, which ultimately led the &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/archive.is\/o\/1ZXgg\/https:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/ministry-of-defence\/\\&quot;&gt;Ministry of Defence&lt;\/a&gt; to order fresh inquiries into deaths in Iraq. It triggered years of criminal investigations into soldiers who had been wrongly accused, at enormous cost to the taxpayer \u2026&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;As part of the 2007 case, Sir Keir and &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/archive.is\/o\/1ZXgg\/https:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/lord-hermer\/\\&quot;&gt;Lord Hermer&lt;\/a&gt; urged the courts to order a fresh inquiry into a British soldier who had already been cleared twice of murder over the death of an Iraqi man in 2003 (see extracts below), telling judges that earlier investigations had been \u201cperfunctory\u201d and \u201cwholly inadequate\u201d.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;b258105f-d5ea-4655-9afb-614e36db4918&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1769596423000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.33\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1769597141000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.45\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1769596866000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.41\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;10.41&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Badenoch says PM should apologise for past work as lawyer pressing MoD to agree proper inquiries into Iraq abuse claims&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Wed 28 Jan 2026 11.20 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Wed 28 Jan 2026 08.51 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;6979e5c18f08495dd88b020a&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Q: Do still regard the Republicans in the US as a sister party?&lt;\/em&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;e80225e7-89af-4840-8bd2-dd0fcda902c2&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Badenoch&lt;\/strong&gt; replies: \u201cYes, absolutely.\u201d She says she has a great relationships with Republicans.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;51930f9b-1788-4c62-b9ce-4827a23f8d63&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1769596353000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.32\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1769596974000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.42\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1769596410000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.33\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;10.33&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Badenoch confirms Tories still view Republicans in US as sister party, saying relationships are 'great'&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Wed 28 Jan 2026 11.20 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Wed 28 Jan 2026 08.51 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;6979e4f48f08dd1e7e73caa7&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Q: Would you be going to China if you were PM?&lt;\/em&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;ac32fe94-b894-4bfe-8328-165f4f5339fb&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Badenoch&lt;\/strong&gt; says, if she were PM, she would not be going to China now.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;b2962ee0-ad25-4752-9476-c2de51843ec6&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;She says &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/keir-starmer\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;Keir Starmer&lt;\/a&gt; should be focusing more on countries aligned with the UK\u2019s interests.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;5d0eefb5-195d-4eb4-8326-b95f12d68494&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;I think that that is what a prime minister should be talking about, and he needs to show strength, not approving a super-embassy, which many people think is going to become a spy hub. He looks like he gives way every time things get difficult. And that is the difference between Keir Starmer and myself.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;0e79020f-fd3d-4125-8b48-2092fd6ef8de&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1769596148000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.29\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1769596368000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.32\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1769596337000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.32\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;10.32&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Badenoch says approving embassy application just before China trip makes Starmer look weak&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Wed 28 Jan 2026 11.20 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Wed 28 Jan 2026 08.51 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;6979e2028f087547d76a438b&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Kemi Badenoch&lt;\/strong&gt; used her speech to accuse Tories who have defected to &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/brexit-party\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;Reform UK&lt;\/a&gt; of behaving like kids having a tantrum. She said:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;69b7bb32-93b4-4b0f-91c3-1688ef6bbaf5&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;I was not elected to reheat the party with 1990s policies, and I was not elected to dismantle the party so that Nigel Farage can finally have a go.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;I was elected by Conservative party members to renew and rebuild. That is exactly what I am doing.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;But we\u2019re not just renewing with policy. We are also renewing with standards, conduct, discipline and our culture \u2013 and the people who don\u2019t agree with this direction need to get out of the way.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;There are people in politics who don\u2019t really know what they are doing, or why? They just want to be in the room. They want to be on top. They want access, attention and advancement. And when they don\u2019t get their way, they create drama \u2026&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;To those who are defecting, who don\u2019t actually disagree with our policies, I will say: I\u2019m sorry you didn\u2019t win the leadership contest. I\u2019m sorry you didn\u2019t get a job in the shadow cabinet. I\u2019m sorry you didn\u2019t get into the Lords, but you are not offering a plan to fix this country.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;This is a tantrum dressed up as politics.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;When my kids have a tantrum, I don\u2019t give up or change my mind. I send them to their room. And I say to everyone else: if that tantrum ever found its way into government, we would all pay the price.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;5b183699-5280-4c18-bcb7-c5007b85cc02&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1769595394000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.16\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1769596022000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.27\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1769595881000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.24\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;10.24&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Badenoch says Tories defecting to Reform UK are like kids having a tantrum&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Wed 28 Jan 2026 11.20 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Wed 28 Jan 2026 08.51 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;6979dd3d8f087d9994deffad&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;At Davos last week there was wide consensus that the most significant speech was that given by &lt;strong&gt;Mark Carney&lt;\/strong&gt;, the Canadian PM. Donald Trump may have recieved more attention, but Carney was more coherent and profound. He argued that the world has changed, and that \u201cmiddle powers\u201d like Canada must accept that.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;bb53bf51-521b-48da-8458-90b416d6f611&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Here is our report of his speech.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;e8590779-5042-4149-ba6b-6644fc6957f8&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Mark Carney tells Davos the old world order is \u2018not coming back\u2019 as Trump heads to Switzerland&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;77b06ec6-93e3-487c-83dc-60603c81ed8d&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;thumbnail&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/jan\/21\/mark-carney-davos-old-world-order-trump-switzerland-greenland&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Here is&lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/news\/politics\/mark-carney-speech-davos-rules-based-order-9.7053350\\&quot;&gt; the full text&lt;\/a&gt;. And here is an extract.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;3f1cba7c-dadc-4b6a-a99c-60550d8eeb84&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;For decades, countries like Canada prospered under what we called the rules-based international order. We joined its institutions, we praised its principles, we benefited from its predictability. And because of that we could pursue values-based foreign policies under its protection.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;We knew the story of the international rules-based order was partially false. That the strongest would exempt themselves when convenient. That trade rules were enforced asymmetrically. And we knew that international law applied with varying rigour depending on the identity of the accused or the victim.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;This fiction was useful. And American hegemony, in particular, helped provide public goods: open sea lanes, a stable financial system, collective security and support for frameworks for resolving disputes \u2026&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;We participated in the rituals. And we largely avoided calling out the gaps between rhetoric and reality.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;This bargain no longer works.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;91ca4761-8ba6-426b-8470-22eada91717a&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Carney said that what was happening in the world was \u201ca rupture, not a transition\u201d. And he said that said \u201cmiddle powers\u201d had to \u201cact together because if we\u2019re not at the table, we\u2019re on the menu\u201d.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;0b575a84-7d2d-44ae-a2e8-15bb4d141b64&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Keir Starmer&lt;\/strong&gt; was asked about this when he spoke to reporters on his flight to China. Asked if he agreed with Carney, he implied that he did not fully accept his argument. He told reporters:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;67cbb3ac-276b-40d1-8885-4f97a8ad6aed&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;I\u2019m a pragmatist, a British pragmatist applying common sense.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;I\u2019m pleased that we have a good relationship with the US on defence, security, intelligence and on trade and prosperity, and it\u2019s very important that we maintain that good relationship.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Equally, we are moving forward with a better relationship with the EU. We had a very good summit last year with 10 strands of agreement.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;We\u2019ll have another summit this year with the EU, which I hope will be iterative, as well as following through on what we\u2019ve already agreed. And I\u2019ve consistently said I\u2019m not choosing between the US and Europe. I\u2019m really glad that the UK has got good relations with both.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;e19fa40f-34ca-4999-9d97-dc88efff205b&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1769594173000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.56\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1769595113000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.11\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1769595113000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.11\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;10.11&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Starmer says he's 'British pragmatist', as he suggests he does not fully accept argument in Mark Carney's Davos speech&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Wed 28 Jan 2026 11.20 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Wed 28 Jan 2026 08.51 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;6979da3d8f08e3f5cdc230bd&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Keir Starmer&lt;\/strong&gt; has arrived in China on the first visit by a British Prime Minister in eight years, PA Media reports. PA says:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;0907517b-f61b-458c-b481-4b3965c89bbe&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;A delegation of almost 60 representatives of British businesses and cultural institutions is accompanying the prime minister as he continues his efforts to build bridges with Beijing.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;But concerns over the risk China poses to national security and Xi Jinping\u2019s record on human rights mean Starmer\u2019s visit is politically sensitive.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Speaking to reporters on the flight to Beijing, the prime minister said: \u201cThe evidence there are opportunities is the fact that we\u2019ve got so many CEOs with us on this flight, that we\u2019ve got 60 coming out to explore those opportunities.\u201d&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Stamer added that this \u201creflects back at home in terms of the benefit that it brings back to the United Kingdom\u201d.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;The head of MI5 Sir Ken McCallum has warned that \u201cChinese state actors\u201d present a national security threat to the UK \u201cevery 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Starmer receiving a bouquet of flowers upon his arrival.&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Keir Starmer receiving a bouquet of flowers upon his arrival.&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Photograph: Kin Cheung\/AP&quot;}}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:true,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1769593405000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.43\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1769594030000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.53\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1769593963000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.52\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;09.52&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Starmer arrives in Beijing&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Wed 28 Jan 2026 11.20 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Wed 28 Jan 2026 08.51 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;6979d8328f08e98f5feb3786&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;In her speech this morning &lt;strong&gt;Kemi Badenoch&lt;\/strong&gt; will also accuse &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/brexit-party\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;Reform UK&lt;\/a&gt; of promoting \u201cleftwing fantasy\u201d politics.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;fed28b47-998e-430d-83a2-b81a47f404f4&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;According to extracts released in advance, she will say:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;b7bf8436-38d7-4479-9568-f70fe8ddb0bb&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Labour believe the answer is more state control.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Reform believe the same thing, they just want &lt;em&gt;their &lt;\/em&gt;hands on the levers instead.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;The Conservatives don\u2019t believe in more control. We believe in you.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;We will do our job and get out of the way so that you can do yours.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;We\u2019ve done the work and committed to leave the ECHR, so that we can finally deal with illegal immigration.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;We\u2019ve done the work and said we\u2019ll repeal the Climate Change Act, so we can bring down energy bills and stop deindustrialising.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;We\u2019ve done the work and have a fully funded plan to scrap stamp duty, so we can unglue our housing market and make owning a home a reality again for young people.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;We\u2019ve done the work and set out plans to save \u00a323bn from welfare, so we can pay down the deficit, cut taxes and get Britain working again.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;My Conservative party has moved to the right every day since I became leader.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;What have Reform done in that time?&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;An unfunded plan to scrap the two-child benefit cap \u2026&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;An unworkable plan to nationalise British steel.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;This is leftwing fantasy.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;The Conservatives are proudly the party of the right. The only party of the right.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;d5aeadf0-86a1-4bc6-869e-37b94f619086&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1769592882000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.34\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1769593357000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.42\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1769593357000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.42\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;09.42&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Badenoch accuses Reform UK of 'leftwing fantasy' politics, and says Tories have 'moved to right every day' under her leadership&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Wed 28 Jan 2026 11.20 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Wed 28 Jan 2026 08.51 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;6979cf778f087d9994deff37&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Kemi Badenoch&lt;\/strong&gt; is going to give a speech today denouncing the \u201cPSYCHODRAMA\u201d of Labour and &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/brexit-party\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;Reform UK&lt;\/a&gt;. The all-caps emphasis is from the preview text sent out by CCHQ overnight. It sounds like a personal Badenoch touch \u2013 as well as being reminiscent of the tone Donald Trump adopts in his social media output.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;f185421f-70db-45a1-9681-37903e00cc64&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Here is the key extract.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;3bc70ad6-dd06-4ac2-9d47-22526f248506&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;At a time when Nato has been under threat.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;At a time when Conservatives were simultaneously working day and night in parliament to find ways to stop the government surrendering British territory in the Chagos Islands, and piling the pressure on Labour to save Britain\u2019s pubs\u2026&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;What were the other parties doing?&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;PSYCHODRAMA!&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;The Labour party \u2026 scheming to get a new leadership contender to Westminster to challenge Keir Starmer.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Meanwhile, Reform UK dressed up a defection rally as a veterans event. Shameful.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Neither are serious and the public are thoroughly fed up with this style of politics.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;So who is going to fix this country\u2019s problems?&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Is it the people who are knuckling down day in, day out, holding the government to account for its many failings \u2026&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Or is it the party who only call a press conference when they are announcing another defection?&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;89e676c7-4277-4d68-b133-82a8057f6c56&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Critics will say that the Tories have not been holding back themselves when it comes to supplying the Westminster demand for psychodrama. After Suella Braverman defected to Reform UK, Tory HQ even issued a statement (which &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/jan\/26\/labour-andy-burnham-byelection-blocked-police-reforms-starmer-streeting-farage-uk-politics-live-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-69778c5a8f083db31f3c1a61#block-69778c5a8f083db31f3c1a61\\&quot;&gt;they later retracted&lt;\/a&gt;) speculating about the psychological health of their former MP. The party said it had been sent out in error, but &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/jan\/26\/labour-andy-burnham-byelection-blocked-police-reforms-starmer-streeting-farage-uk-politics-live-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6977a1568f084b0be58caf81#block-6977a1568f084b0be58caf81\\&quot;&gt;Braverman said&lt;\/a&gt; it had echoes of something Badenoch herself had said about her in the past.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;0402bf9a-b89d-49a8-a1ea-3528a80a5c58&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;And, while claiming that the Conservatives are the only party \u201cserious\u201d about policy, Badenoch is also going to use her speech for a bit of internal faction-fighting \u2013 blasting Prosper, the new group launched by Ruth Davidson and Andy Street &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/jan\/26\/labour-andy-burnham-byelection-blocked-police-reforms-starmer-streeting-farage-uk-politics-live-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-69779eb58f084b0be58caf65#block-69779eb58f084b0be58caf65\\&quot;&gt;arguing for \u201cmoderate\u201d Conservatism.&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;547532ae-6737-4e4d-8b6e-27dcdf42c892&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;In the extract sent out overnight, Badenoch does not name Prosper. But she clearly refers to them, saying:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;2cdc0c7f-0730-4df6-ad81-83f1c9a4ab19&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;There\u2019s another group of people who seem to think that if we just pretend that nothing bad is happening, everything is going to be OK \u2026&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;\u2026 as long as we say nice things and don\u2019t mention immigration.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;This is my message to &lt;em&gt;them&lt;\/em&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;We\u2019re about the future, not the past.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;We\u2019re not trying to recreate 2006 and it\u2019s not 2016 any more.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;We aren\u2019t refighting those battles. It\u2019s 2026 and the world has changed.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;This is about the future. I am building a Conservative party for the next decade and the next generation.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;572959da-0da9-4e4b-b52f-784e5f49f0c1&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1769590647000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;08.57\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1769592178000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.22\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1769592105000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.21\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;09.21&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;'It's not 2016 any more' - Badenoch criticises group pushing moderate Conservatism in speech denouncing 'psychodrama'&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Wed 28 Jan 2026 11.20 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Wed 28 Jan 2026 08.51 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;6979c1948f08e3f5cdc22fec&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Good morning. &lt;strong&gt;Keir Starmer&lt;\/strong&gt; will be landing in China shortly, and he has been speaking to journalists on his flight over. As usual when a PM travels abroad, while they may want to focus on foreign issues, domestic politics never gets forgotten.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;b7d88014-7b36-47e8-a651-264c62c45dd7&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;As &lt;strong&gt;Pippa Crerar&lt;\/strong&gt; reports, Starmer was asked about the Gorton and Denton byelection, where yesterday &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/brexit-party\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;Reform UK&lt;\/a&gt; named a GB News presenter and hard-right commentator, Matt Goodwin, as its candidate. &lt;strong&gt;Starmer&lt;\/strong&gt; claimed only Labour could beat Reform in the constituency. He said:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;a041a480-c933-4c8d-88be-98b209c5da7b&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;There\u2019s only one party to stop Reform and that\u2019s the Labour party. We can already see what the bybelection is going to be about, which is Labour values which are about delivering on the cost of living with a strong record in that constituency of what we\u2019ve already done versus Reform.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;You can see from their candidate what politics they\u2019re going to bring to that constituency: the politics of division, of toxic division, of tearing people apart. That\u2019s not what that constituency is about, it\u2019s not what Manchester is about, so this is a straight fight between Labour and Reform.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;715e7ee9-4a78-43e0-adf6-78a28563f3bb&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Starmer says Reform pursuing politics of \u2018toxic division\u2019 after Matt Goodwin unveiled as byelection candidate&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;9553ee17-4aa7-4c40-ab1f-190c15f2698a&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;thumbnail&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/2026\/jan\/28\/reform-matt-goodwin-byelection-keir-starmer-reaction-toxic-division-ntwnfb&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The Greens won\u2019t agree with that. And the &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.oddschecker.com\/politics\/british-politics\/gorton-denton-by-election\\&quot;&gt;bookmakers don\u2019t either.&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;dc92d328-88aa-44bf-a91a-92dc8b525bb4&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;As Pippa reports, Starmer also said that he would \u201craise the issues that need to be raised\u201d on human rights with China\u2019s leader, &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/xi-jinping\\&quot;&gt;Xi Jinping&lt;\/a&gt;, when they meet tomorrow.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;f4cb01ef-1b77-45b5-8d21-073ac6389770&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Starmer vows to raise issues \u2018that need to be raised\u2019 with Xi amid push to free Jimmy Lai&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;3d22dbc0-6b48-412a-acff-232bbc2bc5cc&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;thumbnail&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/2026\/jan\/28\/keir-starmer-jimmy-lai-human-rights-china-xi-jinping&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Here is the agenda for the day.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;56b4fc5e-8415-415b-a917-6725e0dc54ad&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Around 9.30am (UK time):&lt;\/em&gt; Keir Starmer arrives in Beijing. He will be giving a speech to a business delegation (around 11.45am UK time).&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;c8f9e986-7ba0-47c7-830c-09d2155ca9bd&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;10am:&lt;\/em&gt; Kemi Badenoch gives a speech criticising the the \u2018psychodrama\u2019 of both Reform UK and &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/labour\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;Labour&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;443ca5e8-233f-42f3-aed7-56fe083a270a&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Noon:&lt;\/em&gt; &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/david-lammy\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;David Lammy&lt;\/a&gt;, the deputy PM, takes PMQs on behalf of Starmer.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;56c1f477-4416-4886-8bb8-5e62a2310e42&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;1.30pm:&lt;\/em&gt; John Swinney, Scotland\u2019s first minister, gives a speech in Edinburgh on international affairs.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;60943e3a-0301-4ec7-8987-df432e7ce857&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;If you want to contact me, please post a message below the line when comments are open (between 10am and 3pm), or message me on social media. I can\u2019t read all the messages BTL, but if you put \u201cAndrew\u201d in a message aimed at me, I am more likely to see it because I search for posts containing that word.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;30691b19-816b-4db1-874e-b9a596e58a86&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;If you want to flag something up urgently, it is best to use social media. You can reach me on Bluesky at @andrewsparrowgdn.bsky.social. The Guardian has &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/media\/2024\/nov\/13\/the-guardian-no-longer-post-on-x-twitter-elon-musk\\&quot;&gt;given up posting from its official accounts on X&lt;\/a&gt;, but individual Guardian journalists are there, I still have my account, and if you message me there at @AndrewSparrow, I will see it and respond if necessary.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;60dd70fd-9eb4-4235-8b28-91f84ccc1c7e&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;I find it very helpful when readers point out mistakes, even minor typos. No error is too small to correct. And I find your questions very interesting too. I can\u2019t promise to reply to them all, but I will try to reply to as many as I can, either BTL or sometimes in the blog.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;7e063e75-97d8-4be9-9f86-97dea32b8e97&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1769590264000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;08.51\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1769592578000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.29\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1769590264000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;08.51\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;08.51&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Only Labour can beat Reform in Gorton and Denton byelection, Starmer claims&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Wed 28 Jan 2026 11.20 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Wed 28 Jan 2026 08.51 GMT&quot;}],&quot;filterKeyEvents&quot;:false,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;key-events-carousel-mobile&quot;,&quot;renderingTarget&quot;:&quot;Web&quot;,&quot;serverTime&quot;:1769599267647}\"><span id=\"key-events-carousel-mobile\"\/><span class=\"dcr-90inr0\"><\/p>\n<p>Key events<\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/gu-island><gu-island name=\"FilterKeyEventsToggle\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;filterKeyEvents&quot;:false,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;filter-toggle-mobile&quot;}\"><span id=\"filter-toggle-mobile\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-alru3r\"><label id=\"filter-toggle-mobile-switch_description\" data-component=\"filter-key-events\" data-link-name=\"filter-key-events-on\" class=\"dcr-rrspei\"><button id=\"filter-toggle-mobile-switch\" role=\"switch\" aria-checked=\"false\" aria-labelledby=\"filter-toggle-mobile-switch_description\" class=\"dcr-dh5oqp\"\/>Show key events only<\/p>\n<p><span>Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/label><\/div>\n<p><\/gu-island><\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"block-6979f0e88f0820220d857475\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<figure id=\"5ced93de-b187-4734-9fd4-b1aefdf5771a\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Keir Starmer arriving in Beijing, where he was met by the British ambassador to China Peter Wilson and Chinese finance minister Lan Foan<\/span> Photograph: Carl Court\/Reuters<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/jan\/28\/keir-starmer-labour-reform-uk-gorton-and-denton-byelection-andy-burnham-conservatives-politics-latest-news&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-6979f0e88f0820220d857475&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-6979f0e88f0820220d857475&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Approving super-embassy before China trip makes Starmer look weak, says Badenoch, as PM arrives in Beijing \u2013 UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Approving super-embassy before China trip makes Starmer look weak, says Badenoch, as PM arrives in Beijing \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/jan\/28\/keir-starmer-labour-reform-uk-gorton-and-denton-byelection-andy-burnham-conservatives-politics-latest-news?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6979f0e88f0820220d857475#block-6979f0e88f0820220d857475\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container ad-slot-desktop dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-6979e8858f08495dd88b0223\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Badenoch suggests nativist, &#8216;identity politics&#8217; of Reform UK should be worry to minority ethnic Britons<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>Q: What do you feel about the past comments by Matt Goodwin, the Reform UK candidate in Gorton and Dention, implying <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/2025\/nov\/13\/reform-uk-accused-racism-student-organisation-matthew-goodwin\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">some minority ethnic people born in the UK are not fully British<\/a>?<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Badenoch<\/strong> said this was Nigel Farage\u2019s problem, not hers. She went on:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>There are people who run around trying to police other\u2019s identity. It used to be the ones on the left that I was fighting when we were in government. Now we are seeing some who claim to be on the right.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s all identity politics, it\u2019s all grievance politics.<\/p>\n<p>Trying to tell people who is or who isn\u2019t British based on their personal opinion is divisive. That\u2019s not what the Conservative party is about. That\u2019s where you find the Reform people.<\/p>\n<p>I do ask people to think what would happen if such people came into government if they do not think large sections of the population, including former prime ministers [ie Rishi Sunak], are British. What do you think they\u2019re going to do if they get into government?<\/p>\n<p>And that is why we need to make sure that we have Conservatives in place, the only party really on the right, the only party that doesn\u2019t spend time on grievance politics, identity politics, but that is focused on making sure we can give a better life to everyone, and especially to the next generation.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Badenoch is right to say that nativism, and the implication that minority ethnic people cannot be fully British, is a feature of Reform UK politics. But there are some Tories who have dabbled in this too, like Katie Lam <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/2025\/oct\/20\/tory-mp-criticised-after-demanding-legally-settled-families-be-deported\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">in a Sunday Times interview last year.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">In the past Badenoch (who was born in the UK, to Nigerian parents, and who was brought up in Nigeria before moving to Britain as a teenager) has tended to avoid criticising identity politics when practised by people on her side of the political spectrum, and these may be her strongest words yet pushing back at rightwing nativism.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"ca4e8659-d376-4b74-bc05-809e4fd4a6c4\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Kemi Badenoch giving a speech at Church House today.<\/span> Photograph: Stefan Rousseau\/PA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Goodwin<\/strong> has not withdrawn his comments, as <strong>Josh Halliday<\/strong> reported yesterday.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"804fc966-e48e-4b99-b14b-6bea8a68465d\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><gu-island name=\"RichLinkComponent\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{&quot;richLinkIndex&quot;:7,&quot;element&quot;:{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Reform byelection candidate refuses to disown claim that people born in UK not necessarily British&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;804fc966-e48e-4b99-b14b-6bea8a68465d&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;inline&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/2026\/jan\/27\/matthew-goodwin-gorton-and-denton-reform-uk-minorities&quot;},&quot;ajaxUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/api.nextgen.guardianapps.co.uk&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;isInStarRatingVariant&quot;:false}\"\/><\/figure>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/jan\/28\/keir-starmer-labour-reform-uk-gorton-and-denton-byelection-andy-burnham-conservatives-politics-latest-news&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-6979e8858f08495dd88b0223&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-6979e8858f08495dd88b0223&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Approving super-embassy before China trip makes Starmer look weak, says Badenoch, as PM arrives in Beijing \u2013 UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Approving super-embassy before China trip makes Starmer look weak, says Badenoch, as PM arrives in Beijing \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/jan\/28\/keir-starmer-labour-reform-uk-gorton-and-denton-byelection-andy-burnham-conservatives-politics-latest-news?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6979e8858f08495dd88b0223#block-6979e8858f08495dd88b0223\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a0<time datetime=\"2026-01-28T11:09:58.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Wednesday, 28 January 2026 at 11:09 Greenwich Mean Time\">11.09 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-6979e6078f08dd1e7e73cab5\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Badenoch says PM should apologise for past work as lawyer pressing MoD to agree proper inquiries into Iraq abuse claims<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>Q: [From the Telegraph] The Telegraph is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/news\/2026\/01\/27\/starmer-unleashed-witch-hunt-british-soldiers-iraq\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">reporting today<\/a> that Keir Starmer was a lead barrister on the case that ultimately led to the Ministry of Defence to order fresh inquiries into deaths in Iraq, triggering years of criminal investigations into soldiers who then wrongly accused. Do you think he should apologise for that?<\/em><\/p>\n<figure id=\"18ca7eaf-5741-4bb4-8be3-1c8d94dadced\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span> Photograph: Daily Telegraph<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Yes, says <strong>Badenoch<\/strong>. She says the way \u201cveterans have been harassed through the courts is a complete disgrace\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">In his Telegraph story, <strong>Robert Mendick<\/strong> says:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>The now-prime minister worked free of charge alongside his close ally, Lord Hermer, now the attorney general, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/archive.is\/o\/1ZXgg\/https:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/news\/2024\/12\/10\/disgraced-lawyer-phil-shiner-avoids-jail\/\">now-disgraced solicitor Phil Shiner<\/a> on a human rights claim in 2007 that reshaped the law governing troops in war zones.<\/p>\n<p>Court documents unearthed by The Telegraph reveal Sir Keir was a lead barrister on the case, which ultimately led the <a href=\"https:\/\/archive.is\/o\/1ZXgg\/https:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/ministry-of-defence\/\">Ministry of Defence<\/a> to order fresh inquiries into deaths in Iraq. It triggered years of criminal investigations into soldiers who had been wrongly accused, at enormous cost to the taxpayer \u2026<\/p>\n<p>As part of the 2007 case, Sir Keir and <a href=\"https:\/\/archive.is\/o\/1ZXgg\/https:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/lord-hermer\/\">Lord Hermer<\/a> urged the courts to order a fresh inquiry into a British soldier who had already been cleared twice of murder over the death of an Iraqi man in 2003 (see extracts below), telling judges that earlier investigations had been \u201cperfunctory\u201d and \u201cwholly inadequate\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/jan\/28\/keir-starmer-labour-reform-uk-gorton-and-denton-byelection-andy-burnham-conservatives-politics-latest-news&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-6979e6078f08dd1e7e73cab5&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-6979e6078f08dd1e7e73cab5&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Approving super-embassy before China trip makes Starmer look weak, says Badenoch, as PM arrives in Beijing \u2013 UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Approving super-embassy before China trip makes Starmer look weak, says Badenoch, as PM arrives in Beijing \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/jan\/28\/keir-starmer-labour-reform-uk-gorton-and-denton-byelection-andy-burnham-conservatives-politics-latest-news?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6979e6078f08dd1e7e73cab5#block-6979e6078f08dd1e7e73cab5\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a0<time datetime=\"2026-01-28T10:45:41.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Wednesday, 28 January 2026 at 10:45 Greenwich Mean Time\">10.45 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container ad-slot-desktop dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-6979e5c18f08495dd88b020a\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Badenoch confirms Tories still view Republicans in US as sister party, saying relationships are &#8216;great&#8217;<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>Q: Do still regard the Republicans in the US as a sister party?<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Badenoch<\/strong> replies: \u201cYes, absolutely.\u201d She says she has a great relationships with Republicans.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/jan\/28\/keir-starmer-labour-reform-uk-gorton-and-denton-byelection-andy-burnham-conservatives-politics-latest-news&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-6979e5c18f08495dd88b020a&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-6979e5c18f08495dd88b020a&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Approving super-embassy before China trip makes Starmer look weak, says Badenoch, as PM arrives in Beijing \u2013 UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Approving super-embassy before China trip makes Starmer look weak, says Badenoch, as PM arrives in Beijing \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/jan\/28\/keir-starmer-labour-reform-uk-gorton-and-denton-byelection-andy-burnham-conservatives-politics-latest-news?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6979e5c18f08495dd88b020a#block-6979e5c18f08495dd88b020a\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a0<time datetime=\"2026-01-28T10:42:54.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Wednesday, 28 January 2026 at 10:42 Greenwich Mean Time\">10.42 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-6979e4f48f08dd1e7e73caa7\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Badenoch says approving embassy application just before China trip makes Starmer look weak<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>Q: Would you be going to China if you were PM?<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Badenoch<\/strong> says, if she were PM, she would not be going to China now.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">She says <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/keir-starmer\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Keir Starmer<\/a> should be focusing more on countries aligned with the UK\u2019s interests.<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>I think that that is what a prime minister should be talking about, and he needs to show strength, not approving a super-embassy, which many people think is going to become a spy hub. He looks like he gives way every time things get difficult. And that is the difference between Keir Starmer and myself.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/jan\/28\/keir-starmer-labour-reform-uk-gorton-and-denton-byelection-andy-burnham-conservatives-politics-latest-news&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-6979e4f48f08dd1e7e73caa7&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-6979e4f48f08dd1e7e73caa7&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Approving super-embassy before China trip makes Starmer look weak, says Badenoch, as PM arrives in Beijing \u2013 UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Approving super-embassy before China trip makes Starmer look weak, says Badenoch, as PM arrives in Beijing \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/jan\/28\/keir-starmer-labour-reform-uk-gorton-and-denton-byelection-andy-burnham-conservatives-politics-latest-news?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6979e4f48f08dd1e7e73caa7#block-6979e4f48f08dd1e7e73caa7\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a0<time datetime=\"2026-01-28T10:32:48.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Wednesday, 28 January 2026 at 10:32 Greenwich Mean Time\">10.32 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-6979e4748f08495dd88b01fd\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>Q: Can you guarantee that there will be no more defections?<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Badenoch<\/strong> says she cannot guarantee that people won\u2019t be unhappy. But she goes on to criticise the people who have left.<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>I was elected to renew and rebuild the Conservative party, and that is what I\u2019m doing.<\/p>\n<p>There is far too much time spent on who\u2019s jumping from one party to another. A defection is not like being baptised and washed away of all your sins previously. We want people who acknowledge that mistakes were made. I acknowledge the Conservative party made mistakes.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/jan\/28\/keir-starmer-labour-reform-uk-gorton-and-denton-byelection-andy-burnham-conservatives-politics-latest-news&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-6979e4748f08495dd88b01fd&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-6979e4748f08495dd88b01fd&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Approving super-embassy before China trip makes Starmer look weak, says Badenoch, as PM arrives in Beijing \u2013 UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Approving super-embassy before China trip makes Starmer look weak, says Badenoch, as PM arrives in Beijing \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/jan\/28\/keir-starmer-labour-reform-uk-gorton-and-denton-byelection-andy-burnham-conservatives-politics-latest-news?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6979e4748f08495dd88b01fd#block-6979e4748f08495dd88b01fd\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-6979e3f28f087547d76a4398\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Badenoch<\/strong> is now taking questions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Asked if she agreed with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/brexit-party\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Reform UK<\/a> that Britain is broken, Badneoch said she believed that it can be fixed.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/jan\/28\/keir-starmer-labour-reform-uk-gorton-and-denton-byelection-andy-burnham-conservatives-politics-latest-news&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-6979e3f28f087547d76a4398&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-6979e3f28f087547d76a4398&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Approving super-embassy before China trip makes Starmer look weak, says Badenoch, as PM arrives in Beijing \u2013 UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Approving super-embassy before China trip makes Starmer look weak, says Badenoch, as PM arrives in Beijing \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/jan\/28\/keir-starmer-labour-reform-uk-gorton-and-denton-byelection-andy-burnham-conservatives-politics-latest-news?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6979e3f28f087547d76a4398#block-6979e3f28f087547d76a4398\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-6979e2028f087547d76a438b\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Badenoch says Tories defecting to Reform UK are like kids having a tantrum<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Kemi Badenoch<\/strong> used her speech to accuse Tories who have defected to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/brexit-party\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Reform UK<\/a> of behaving like kids having a tantrum. She said:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>I was not elected to reheat the party with 1990s policies, and I was not elected to dismantle the party so that Nigel Farage can finally have a go.<\/p>\n<p>I was elected by Conservative party members to renew and rebuild. That is exactly what I am doing.<\/p>\n<p>But we\u2019re not just renewing with policy. We are also renewing with standards, conduct, discipline and our culture \u2013 and the people who don\u2019t agree with this direction need to get out of the way.<\/p>\n<p>There are people in politics who don\u2019t really know what they are doing, or why? They just want to be in the room. They want to be on top. They want access, attention and advancement. And when they don\u2019t get their way, they create drama \u2026<\/p>\n<p>To those who are defecting, who don\u2019t actually disagree with our policies, I will say: I\u2019m sorry you didn\u2019t win the leadership contest. I\u2019m sorry you didn\u2019t get a job in the shadow cabinet. I\u2019m sorry you didn\u2019t get into the Lords, but you are not offering a plan to fix this country.<\/p>\n<p>This is a tantrum dressed up as politics.<\/p>\n<p>When my kids have a tantrum, I don\u2019t give up or change my mind. I send them to their room. And I say to everyone else: if that tantrum ever found its way into government, we would all pay the price.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/jan\/28\/keir-starmer-labour-reform-uk-gorton-and-denton-byelection-andy-burnham-conservatives-politics-latest-news&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-6979e2028f087547d76a438b&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-6979e2028f087547d76a438b&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Approving super-embassy before China trip makes Starmer look weak, says Badenoch, as PM arrives in Beijing \u2013 UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Approving super-embassy before China trip makes Starmer look weak, says Badenoch, as PM arrives in Beijing \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/jan\/28\/keir-starmer-labour-reform-uk-gorton-and-denton-byelection-andy-burnham-conservatives-politics-latest-news?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6979e2028f087547d76a438b#block-6979e2028f087547d76a438b\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a0<time datetime=\"2026-01-28T10:27:02.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Wednesday, 28 January 2026 at 10:27 Greenwich Mean Time\">10.27 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container ad-slot-desktop dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-6979e0f78f08e98f5feb37bb\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Kemi Badenoch<\/strong> is delivering her speech now. There is a live feed<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=amiryoyJeCk\" data-link-name=\"in body link\"> here.<\/a><\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/jan\/28\/keir-starmer-labour-reform-uk-gorton-and-denton-byelection-andy-burnham-conservatives-politics-latest-news&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-6979e0f78f08e98f5feb37bb&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-6979e0f78f08e98f5feb37bb&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Approving super-embassy before China trip makes Starmer look weak, says Badenoch, as PM arrives in Beijing \u2013 UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Approving super-embassy before China trip makes Starmer look weak, says Badenoch, as PM arrives in Beijing \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/jan\/28\/keir-starmer-labour-reform-uk-gorton-and-denton-byelection-andy-burnham-conservatives-politics-latest-news?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6979e0f78f08e98f5feb37bb#block-6979e0f78f08e98f5feb37bb\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-6979dd3d8f087d9994deffad\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Starmer says he&#8217;s &#8216;British pragmatist&#8217;, as he suggests he does not fully accept argument in Mark Carney&#8217;s Davos speech<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">At Davos last week there was wide consensus that the most significant speech was that given by <strong>Mark Carney<\/strong>, the Canadian PM. Donald Trump may have recieved more attention, but Carney was more coherent and profound. He argued that the world has changed, and that \u201cmiddle powers\u201d like Canada must accept that.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Here is our report of his speech.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"1b58e779-fa29-4d4a-a098-9ac0faf5f3e3\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><gu-island name=\"RichLinkComponent\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{&quot;richLinkIndex&quot;:2,&quot;element&quot;:{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Mark Carney tells Davos the old world order is \u2018not coming back\u2019 as Trump heads to Switzerland&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;1b58e779-fa29-4d4a-a098-9ac0faf5f3e3&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;inline&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/jan\/21\/mark-carney-davos-old-world-order-trump-switzerland-greenland&quot;},&quot;ajaxUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/api.nextgen.guardianapps.co.uk&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;isInStarRatingVariant&quot;:false}\"\/><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Here is<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/news\/politics\/mark-carney-speech-davos-rules-based-order-9.7053350\" data-link-name=\"in body link\"> the full text<\/a>. And here is an extract.<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>For decades, countries like Canada prospered under what we called the rules-based international order. We joined its institutions, we praised its principles, we benefited from its predictability. And because of that we could pursue values-based foreign policies under its protection.<\/p>\n<p>We knew the story of the international rules-based order was partially false. That the strongest would exempt themselves when convenient. That trade rules were enforced asymmetrically. And we knew that international law applied with varying rigour depending on the identity of the accused or the victim.<\/p>\n<p>This fiction was useful. And American hegemony, in particular, helped provide public goods: open sea lanes, a stable financial system, collective security and support for frameworks for resolving disputes \u2026<\/p>\n<p>We participated in the rituals. And we largely avoided calling out the gaps between rhetoric and reality.<\/p>\n<p>This bargain no longer works.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Carney said that what was happening in the world was \u201ca rupture, not a transition\u201d. And he said that said \u201cmiddle powers\u201d had to \u201cact together because if we\u2019re not at the table, we\u2019re on the menu\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Keir Starmer<\/strong> was asked about this when he spoke to reporters on his flight to China. Asked if he agreed with Carney, he implied that he did not fully accept his argument. He told reporters:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>I\u2019m a pragmatist, a British pragmatist applying common sense.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m pleased that we have a good relationship with the US on defence, security, intelligence and on trade and prosperity, and it\u2019s very important that we maintain that good relationship.<\/p>\n<p>Equally, we are moving forward with a better relationship with the EU. We had a very good summit last year with 10 strands of agreement.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ll have another summit this year with the EU, which I hope will be iterative, as well as following through on what we\u2019ve already agreed. And I\u2019ve consistently said I\u2019m not choosing between the US and Europe. I\u2019m really glad that the UK has got good relations with both.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/jan\/28\/keir-starmer-labour-reform-uk-gorton-and-denton-byelection-andy-burnham-conservatives-politics-latest-news&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-6979dd3d8f087d9994deffad&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-6979dd3d8f087d9994deffad&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Approving super-embassy before China trip makes Starmer look weak, says Badenoch, as PM arrives in Beijing \u2013 UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Approving super-embassy before China trip makes Starmer look weak, says Badenoch, as PM arrives in Beijing \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/jan\/28\/keir-starmer-labour-reform-uk-gorton-and-denton-byelection-andy-burnham-conservatives-politics-latest-news?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6979dd3d8f087d9994deffad#block-6979dd3d8f087d9994deffad\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-6979da3d8f08e3f5cdc230bd\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Starmer arrives in Beijing<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Keir Starmer<\/strong> has arrived in China on the first visit by a British Prime Minister in eight years, PA Media reports. PA says:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>A delegation of almost 60 representatives of British businesses and cultural institutions is accompanying the prime minister as he continues his efforts to build bridges with Beijing.<\/p>\n<p>But concerns over the risk China poses to national security and Xi Jinping\u2019s record on human rights mean Starmer\u2019s visit is politically sensitive.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking to reporters on the flight to Beijing, the prime minister said: \u201cThe evidence there are opportunities is the fact that we\u2019ve got so many CEOs with us on this flight, that we\u2019ve got 60 coming out to explore those opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Stamer added that this \u201creflects back at home in terms of the benefit that it brings back to the United Kingdom\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>The head of MI5 Sir Ken McCallum has warned that \u201cChinese state actors\u201d present a national security threat to the UK \u201cevery day\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<figure id=\"3c4e2fc5-5855-4401-9fa4-75e9e274f69f\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Keir Starmer waving upon his arrival at an airport in Beijing.<\/span> Photograph: Kin Cheung\/AP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"76683dc7-46d2-40fa-a096-03238f8b9232\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Keir Starmer receiving a bouquet of flowers upon his arrival.<\/span> Photograph: Kin Cheung\/AP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/jan\/28\/keir-starmer-labour-reform-uk-gorton-and-denton-byelection-andy-burnham-conservatives-politics-latest-news&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-6979da3d8f08e3f5cdc230bd&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-6979da3d8f08e3f5cdc230bd&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Approving super-embassy before China trip makes Starmer look weak, says Badenoch, as PM arrives in Beijing \u2013 UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Approving super-embassy before China trip makes Starmer look weak, says Badenoch, as PM arrives in Beijing \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/jan\/28\/keir-starmer-labour-reform-uk-gorton-and-denton-byelection-andy-burnham-conservatives-politics-latest-news?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6979da3d8f08e3f5cdc230bd#block-6979da3d8f08e3f5cdc230bd\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a0<time datetime=\"2026-01-28T09:53:50.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Wednesday, 28 January 2026 at 09:53 Greenwich Mean Time\">09.53 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container ad-slot-desktop dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-6979dad98f08e98f5feb3795\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<figure id=\"cf8e05a6-8132-403d-9b03-76b6c4ddd094\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">A worker sets up a British national flag next to a Chinese national flag ahead of Keir Starmer\u2019s visit to Beijing.<\/span> Photograph: Ng Han Guan\/AP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/jan\/28\/keir-starmer-labour-reform-uk-gorton-and-denton-byelection-andy-burnham-conservatives-politics-latest-news&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-6979dad98f08e98f5feb3795&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-6979dad98f08e98f5feb3795&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Approving super-embassy before China trip makes Starmer look weak, says Badenoch, as PM arrives in Beijing \u2013 UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Approving super-embassy before China trip makes Starmer look weak, says Badenoch, as PM arrives in Beijing \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/jan\/28\/keir-starmer-labour-reform-uk-gorton-and-denton-byelection-andy-burnham-conservatives-politics-latest-news?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6979dad98f08e98f5feb3795#block-6979dad98f08e98f5feb3795\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-6979d8328f08e98f5feb3786\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Badenoch accuses Reform UK of &#8216;leftwing fantasy&#8217; politics, and says Tories have &#8216;moved to right every day&#8217; under her leadership<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">In her speech this morning <strong>Kemi Badenoch<\/strong> will also accuse <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/brexit-party\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Reform UK<\/a> of promoting \u201cleftwing fantasy\u201d politics.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">According to extracts released in advance, she will say:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>Labour believe the answer is more state control.<\/p>\n<p>Reform believe the same thing, they just want <em>their <\/em>hands on the levers instead.<\/p>\n<p>The Conservatives don\u2019t believe in more control. We believe in you.<\/p>\n<p>We will do our job and get out of the way so that you can do yours.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ve done the work and committed to leave the ECHR, so that we can finally deal with illegal immigration.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ve done the work and said we\u2019ll repeal the Climate Change Act, so we can bring down energy bills and stop deindustrialising.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ve done the work and have a fully funded plan to scrap stamp duty, so we can unglue our housing market and make owning a home a reality again for young people.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ve done the work and set out plans to save \u00a323bn from welfare, so we can pay down the deficit, cut taxes and get Britain working again.<\/p>\n<p>My Conservative party has moved to the right every day since I became leader.<\/p>\n<p>What have Reform done in that time?<\/p>\n<p>An unfunded plan to scrap the two-child benefit cap \u2026<\/p>\n<p>An unworkable plan to nationalise British steel.<\/p>\n<p>This is leftwing fantasy.<\/p>\n<p>The Conservatives are proudly the party of the right. The only party of the right.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/jan\/28\/keir-starmer-labour-reform-uk-gorton-and-denton-byelection-andy-burnham-conservatives-politics-latest-news&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-6979d8328f08e98f5feb3786&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-6979d8328f08e98f5feb3786&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Approving super-embassy before China trip makes Starmer look weak, says Badenoch, as PM arrives in Beijing \u2013 UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Approving super-embassy before China trip makes Starmer look weak, says Badenoch, as PM arrives in Beijing \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/jan\/28\/keir-starmer-labour-reform-uk-gorton-and-denton-byelection-andy-burnham-conservatives-politics-latest-news?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6979d8328f08e98f5feb3786#block-6979d8328f08e98f5feb3786\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-6979d9a68f087d9994deff92\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Keir Starmer<\/strong> has landed in Beijing.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"30e0b80c-d61a-4640-93c9-28947ec41e30\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">A Chinese honour guard preparing for the arrival of Keir Starmer at an airport in Beijing.<\/span> Photograph: Kin Cheung\/AP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/jan\/28\/keir-starmer-labour-reform-uk-gorton-and-denton-byelection-andy-burnham-conservatives-politics-latest-news&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-6979d9a68f087d9994deff92&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-6979d9a68f087d9994deff92&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Approving super-embassy before China trip makes Starmer look weak, says Badenoch, as PM arrives in Beijing \u2013 UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Approving super-embassy before China trip makes Starmer look weak, says Badenoch, as PM arrives in Beijing \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/jan\/28\/keir-starmer-labour-reform-uk-gorton-and-denton-byelection-andy-burnham-conservatives-politics-latest-news?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6979d9a68f087d9994deff92#block-6979d9a68f087d9994deff92\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a0<time datetime=\"2026-01-28T09:53:21.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Wednesday, 28 January 2026 at 09:53 Greenwich Mean Time\">09.53 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container ad-slot-desktop dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-6979cf778f087d9994deff37\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">&#8216;It&#8217;s not 2016 any more&#8217; &#8211; Badenoch criticises group pushing moderate Conservatism in speech denouncing &#8216;psychodrama&#8217;<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Kemi Badenoch<\/strong> is going to give a speech today denouncing the \u201cPSYCHODRAMA\u201d of Labour and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/brexit-party\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Reform UK<\/a>. The all-caps emphasis is from the preview text sent out by CCHQ overnight. It sounds like a personal Badenoch touch \u2013 as well as being reminiscent of the tone Donald Trump adopts in his social media output.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Here is the key extract.<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>At a time when Nato has been under threat.<\/p>\n<p>At a time when Conservatives were simultaneously working day and night in parliament to find ways to stop the government surrendering British territory in the Chagos Islands, and piling the pressure on Labour to save Britain\u2019s pubs\u2026<\/p>\n<p>What were the other parties doing?<\/p>\n<p>PSYCHODRAMA!<\/p>\n<p>The Labour party \u2026 scheming to get a new leadership contender to Westminster to challenge Keir Starmer.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, Reform UK dressed up a defection rally as a veterans event. Shameful.<\/p>\n<p>Neither are serious and the public are thoroughly fed up with this style of politics.<\/p>\n<p>So who is going to fix this country\u2019s problems?<\/p>\n<p>Is it the people who are knuckling down day in, day out, holding the government to account for its many failings \u2026<\/p>\n<p>Or is it the party who only call a press conference when they are announcing another defection?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Critics will say that the Tories have not been holding back themselves when it comes to supplying the Westminster demand for psychodrama. After Suella Braverman defected to Reform UK, Tory HQ even issued a statement (which <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/jan\/26\/labour-andy-burnham-byelection-blocked-police-reforms-starmer-streeting-farage-uk-politics-live-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-69778c5a8f083db31f3c1a61#block-69778c5a8f083db31f3c1a61\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">they later retracted<\/a>) speculating about the psychological health of their former MP. The party said it had been sent out in error, but <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/jan\/26\/labour-andy-burnham-byelection-blocked-police-reforms-starmer-streeting-farage-uk-politics-live-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6977a1568f084b0be58caf81#block-6977a1568f084b0be58caf81\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Braverman said<\/a> it had echoes of something Badenoch herself had said about her in the past.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">And, while claiming that the Conservatives are the only party \u201cserious\u201d about policy, Badenoch is also going to use her speech for a bit of internal faction-fighting \u2013 blasting Prosper, the new group launched by Ruth Davidson and Andy Street <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/jan\/26\/labour-andy-burnham-byelection-blocked-police-reforms-starmer-streeting-farage-uk-politics-live-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-69779eb58f084b0be58caf65#block-69779eb58f084b0be58caf65\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">arguing for \u201cmoderate\u201d Conservatism.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">In the extract sent out overnight, Badenoch does not name Prosper. But she clearly refers to them, saying:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>There\u2019s another group of people who seem to think that if we just pretend that nothing bad is happening, everything is going to be OK \u2026<\/p>\n<p>\u2026 as long as we say nice things and don\u2019t mention immigration.<\/p>\n<p>This is my message to <em>them<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re about the future, not the past.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re not trying to recreate 2006 and it\u2019s not 2016 any more.<\/p>\n<p>We aren\u2019t refighting those battles. It\u2019s 2026 and the world has changed.<\/p>\n<p>This is about the future. I am building a Conservative party for the next decade and the next generation.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/jan\/28\/keir-starmer-labour-reform-uk-gorton-and-denton-byelection-andy-burnham-conservatives-politics-latest-news&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-6979cf778f087d9994deff37&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-6979cf778f087d9994deff37&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Approving super-embassy before China trip makes Starmer look weak, says Badenoch, as PM arrives in Beijing \u2013 UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Approving super-embassy before China trip makes Starmer look weak, says Badenoch, as PM arrives in Beijing \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/jan\/28\/keir-starmer-labour-reform-uk-gorton-and-denton-byelection-andy-burnham-conservatives-politics-latest-news?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6979cf778f087d9994deff37#block-6979cf778f087d9994deff37\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a0<time datetime=\"2026-01-28T09:22:58.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Wednesday, 28 January 2026 at 09:22 Greenwich Mean Time\">09.22 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-6979c1948f08e3f5cdc22fec\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Only Labour can beat Reform in Gorton and Denton byelection, Starmer claims<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Good morning. <strong>Keir Starmer<\/strong> will be landing in China shortly, and he has been speaking to journalists on his flight over. As usual when a PM travels abroad, while they may want to focus on foreign issues, domestic politics never gets forgotten.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">As <strong>Pippa Crerar<\/strong> reports, Starmer was asked about the Gorton and Denton byelection, where yesterday <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/brexit-party\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Reform UK<\/a> named a GB News presenter and hard-right commentator, Matt Goodwin, as its candidate. <strong>Starmer<\/strong> claimed only Labour could beat Reform in the constituency. He said:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>There\u2019s only one party to stop Reform and that\u2019s the Labour party. We can already see what the bybelection is going to be about, which is Labour values which are about delivering on the cost of living with a strong record in that constituency of what we\u2019ve already done versus Reform.<\/p>\n<p>You can see from their candidate what politics they\u2019re going to bring to that constituency: the politics of division, of toxic division, of tearing people apart. That\u2019s not what that constituency is about, it\u2019s not what Manchester is about, so this is a straight fight between Labour and Reform.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<figure id=\"f741ba0a-6356-4f52-8e78-d911c133b354\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><gu-island name=\"RichLinkComponent\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{&quot;richLinkIndex&quot;:3,&quot;element&quot;:{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Starmer says Reform pursuing politics of \u2018toxic division\u2019 after Matt Goodwin unveiled as byelection candidate&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;f741ba0a-6356-4f52-8e78-d911c133b354&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;inline&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/2026\/jan\/28\/reform-matt-goodwin-byelection-keir-starmer-reaction-toxic-division-ntwnfb&quot;},&quot;ajaxUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/api.nextgen.guardianapps.co.uk&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;isInStarRatingVariant&quot;:false}\"\/><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The Greens won\u2019t agree with that. And the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oddschecker.com\/politics\/british-politics\/gorton-denton-by-election\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">bookmakers don\u2019t either.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">As Pippa reports, Starmer also said that he would \u201craise the issues that need to be raised\u201d on human rights with China\u2019s leader, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/xi-jinping\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Xi Jinping<\/a>, when they meet tomorrow.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"d6c6b133-41da-4771-9cee-145a463bd845\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><gu-island name=\"RichLinkComponent\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{&quot;richLinkIndex&quot;:6,&quot;element&quot;:{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Starmer vows to raise issues \u2018that need to be raised\u2019 with Xi amid push to free Jimmy Lai&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;d6c6b133-41da-4771-9cee-145a463bd845&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;inline&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/2026\/jan\/28\/keir-starmer-jimmy-lai-human-rights-china-xi-jinping&quot;},&quot;ajaxUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/api.nextgen.guardianapps.co.uk&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;isInStarRatingVariant&quot;:false}\"\/><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Here is the agenda for the day.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>Around 9.30am (UK time):<\/em> Keir Starmer arrives in Beijing. He will be giving a speech to a business delegation (around 11.45am UK time).<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>10am:<\/em> Kemi Badenoch gives a speech criticising the the \u2018psychodrama\u2019 of both Reform UK and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/labour\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Labour<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>Noon:<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/david-lammy\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">David Lammy<\/a>, the deputy PM, takes PMQs on behalf of Starmer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>1.30pm:<\/em> John Swinney, Scotland\u2019s first minister, gives a speech in Edinburgh on international affairs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">If you want to contact me, please post a message below the line when comments are open (between 10am and 3pm), or message me on social media. I can\u2019t read all the messages BTL, but if you put \u201cAndrew\u201d in a message aimed at me, I am more likely to see it because I search for posts containing that word.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">If you want to flag something up urgently, it is best to use social media. You can reach me on Bluesky at @andrewsparrowgdn.bsky.social. The Guardian has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/media\/2024\/nov\/13\/the-guardian-no-longer-post-on-x-twitter-elon-musk\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">given up posting from its official accounts on X<\/a>, but individual Guardian journalists are there, I still have my account, and if you message me there at @AndrewSparrow, I will see it and respond if necessary.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">I find it very helpful when readers point out mistakes, even minor typos. No error is too small to correct. And I find your questions very interesting too. I can\u2019t promise to reply to them all, but I will try to reply to as many as I can, either BTL or sometimes in the blog.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/jan\/28\/keir-starmer-labour-reform-uk-gorton-and-denton-byelection-andy-burnham-conservatives-politics-latest-news&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-6979c1948f08e3f5cdc22fec&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-6979c1948f08e3f5cdc22fec&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Approving super-embassy before China trip makes Starmer look weak, says Badenoch, as PM arrives in Beijing \u2013 UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Approving super-embassy before China trip makes Starmer look weak, says Badenoch, as PM arrives in Beijing \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/jan\/28\/keir-starmer-labour-reform-uk-gorton-and-denton-byelection-andy-burnham-conservatives-politics-latest-news?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6979c1948f08e3f5cdc22fec#block-6979c1948f08e3f5cdc22fec\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a0<time datetime=\"2026-01-28T09:29:38.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Wednesday, 28 January 2026 at 09:29 Greenwich Mean Time\">09.29 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<p><gu-island name=\"LiveBlogEpic\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{&quot;sectionId&quot;:&quot;politics&quot;,&quot;shouldHideReaderRevenue&quot;:false,&quot;tags&quot;:[{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;politics\/politics&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Politics&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;uk\/uk&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;UK news&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;politics\/series\/politics-live-with-andrew-sparrow&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Series&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Politics live with Andrew Sparrow&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;politics\/labour&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Labour&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;politics\/keir-starmer&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Keir Starmer&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;politics\/pmqs&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;PMQs&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;politics\/david-lammy&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;David Lammy&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;politics\/conservatives&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Conservatives&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;politics\/brexit-party&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Reform UK&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;politics\/houseofcommons&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;House of Commons&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;uk\/greater-manchester&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Greater Manchester&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;politics\/byelections&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Byelections&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;type\/article&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Type&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Article&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;tone\/minutebyminute&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Tone&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Minute by minute&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;tone\/news&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Tone&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;News&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;profile\/andrewsparrow&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Contributor&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Andrew Sparrow&quot;,&quot;twitterHandle&quot;:&quot;AndrewSparrow&quot;,&quot;bylineImageUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2017\/10\/06\/Andrew-Sparrow.jpg?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=b63c46db36dd834cfdb2e7124ef11d96&quot;,&quot;bylineLargeImageUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2017\/10\/06\/Andrew_Sparrow,_R.png?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=5954dfa9a3b566f5929d1f7fab099903&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;tracking\/commissioningdesk\/uk-home-news&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Tracking&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;UK Home News&quot;}],&quot;isPaidContent&quot;:false,&quot;contributionsServiceUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/contributions.guardianapis.com&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/jan\/28\/keir-starmer-labour-reform-uk-gorton-and-denton-byelection-andy-burnham-conservatives-politics-latest-news&quot;,&quot;keywordIds&quot;:&quot;politics\/politics,uk\/uk,politics\/labour,politics\/keir-starmer,politics\/pmqs,politics\/david-lammy,politics\/conservatives,politics\/brexit-party,politics\/houseofcommons,uk\/greater-manchester,politics\/byelections&quot;,&quot;renderingTarget&quot;:&quot;Web&quot;}\"\/><\/div>\n<p>#Approving #superembassy #China #trip #Starmer #weak #Badenoch #arrives #Beijing #politics #live #Politics<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Starmer arrives in Beijing Kei&hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16513,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16512"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=16512"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16512\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/16513"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=16512"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=16512"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=16512"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}