{"id":22600,"date":"2026-02-17T13:03:24","date_gmt":"2026-02-17T13:03:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/?p=22600"},"modified":"2026-02-17T13:03:24","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T13:03:24","slug":"reform-uk-would-repeal-equality-act-braverman-says-as-she-takes-on-education-and-equalities-brief-uk-politics-live-politics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/?p=22600","title":{"rendered":"Reform UK would repeal Equality Act, Braverman says as she takes on education and equalities brief \u2013 UK politics live | Politics"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"liveblog-body\"><span class=\"dcr-90inr0\"><gu-island name=\"KeyEventsCarousel\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;keyEvents&quot;:[{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;699461478f0808ac9a370ebd&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Q: &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; wants to increase the birth rate. But Suella Braverman is talking about gettin&lt;\/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;g rid of the Equality Act. If you get rid of those protections, will it lead to fewer women having children?&lt;\/em&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;d187e9c3-9e97-4611-bf8e-8343012ff14c&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Suella Braverman&lt;\/strong&gt; said she wanted to get rid of the Equality Act to get rid of the \u201cpernicious, divisive notion of protected characteristics\u201d.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;25960ad8-805d-43a9-8a26-a5e1d8f1c10a&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;But that did not mean she wanted to get rid of all employment protection, she said.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;19917b1e-1155-4413-9f6a-1855182072a0&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1771331911000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;12.38\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1771332278000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;12.44\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1771332128000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;12.42\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;12.42&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Braverman says she wants to scrap Equality Act to get rid of 'divisive notion of protected characteristics'&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Tue 17 Feb 2026 12.53 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Tue 17 Feb 2026 09.17 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;69945e1a8f0863fae0ff88d8&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Q: Zia Yousuf hinted at the weekend that he would favour a pact with the Tories, if that was needed to take on a progressive alliance of &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/labour\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;Labour&lt;\/a&gt;, the Lib Dems and the Greens. Do you agree?&lt;\/em&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;34aa3511-c419-414d-aa4a-82ad1dce6a5b&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Farage&lt;\/strong&gt; said that was not his view. In parties, sometimes people disagree, he said&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;c90855fc-d160-4437-a551-e074a64b1d75&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;He went on:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;54297a97-e81a-4ab4-8931-f19dda938d90&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;Look, I\u2019ve no intention of doing a deal and shaking hands with people that I believe to be utterly dishonourable. And that is how I view the Conservative Party.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;104b760b-c3c1-41a7-a3f1-7c17c912e1d5&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;He said he felt \u201cbetrayed\u201d by what the Tories did on Brexit after 2019.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;21339a47-db0b-4261-98f3-99b9ccee8bbc&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\u2019ve been in business a long time. I do lots of deals. Some are successful, some are failures. But you know what I do? I look people in the eye. I shake their hands because I trust them. I do not trust this Conservative party.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;ffb8862f-09a9-4c0c-b004-449d18af3803&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;He said that Kemi Badenoch was \u201cfacing both ways at the same time\u201d on Labour cancelling local elections \u2013 opposing the policy nationally, while allowing Tory councils to ask for elections to be delayed.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;82f0e2d2-9629-4bf8-bc41-40530a7fe49c&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1771331098000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;12.24\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1771331445000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;12.30\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1771331445000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;12.30\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;12.30&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Farage rules out pact with Tories, saying they are 'utterly dishonourable' and he wouldn't trust them&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Tue 17 Feb 2026 12.53 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Tue 17 Feb 2026 09.17 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;69945ce28f08d2aff32f08a3&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Q: Rupert Lowe claims Restore Britain is now polling at 10%.&lt;\/em&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;77b16029-5994-4aa2-a926-f0e152ddbd95&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Farage&lt;\/strong&gt; says polling out later today will show that Lowe\u2019s recognition is \u201cnot very high at all\u201d. So &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/x.com\/RupertLowe10\/status\/2022767014364762165\\&quot;&gt;the claim that he is at 10%&lt;\/a&gt; is \u201cutter rot\u201d, he says. He goes on:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;8c832812-2115-49d0-a71b-a3467c53fd00&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;He won\u2019t be on 1% anywhere. Not even probably in Great Yarmouth.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;2413db01-e7dd-42d2-8560-1d420f7a0e3e&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1771330786000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;12.19\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1771331056000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;12.24\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1771331057000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;12.24\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;12.24&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Farage says Rupert Lowe's claim his new party at 10% in polls 'utter rot'&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Tue 17 Feb 2026 12.53 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Tue 17 Feb 2026 09.17 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;6994598c8f0863fae0ff889d&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Q: You have not appointed a shadow foreign secretary. Is that because you are keeping that available as a bargaining chip to potential defectors?&lt;\/em&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;51320da1-928e-4f4a-8beb-cd830e7a65f3&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Farage&lt;\/strong&gt; says there are \u201cvery few\u201d people on the frontline of Tory politics that he would be interested in taking as defectors.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;84c52d81-e71c-480a-9ce6-de9be751488c&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;But he says he is still talking to potential &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/labour\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;Labour&lt;\/a&gt; defectors.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;7482c61d-5bfa-423a-afaf-21b64b70edd2&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1771329932000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;12.05\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1771330127000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;12.08\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1771330127000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;12.08\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;12.08&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Farage claims there are now 'very few' frontline Tories he would want to let join Reform UK&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Tue 17 Feb 2026 12.53 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Tue 17 Feb 2026 09.17 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;699456e78f08de71f2700735&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Q: The Tories are describing your party as \u201ca tribute act to the old Conservative party\u201d. How do you respond?&lt;\/em&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;dde5a5bf-3839-47af-b2d8-3635283a6799&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Farage&lt;\/strong&gt; says, after the local elections, the Tories will cease to exist as a national party.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;47ea177f-fd91-4de7-94b0-0b3b98e3f9d0&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The questioner was referring to this comment from &lt;strong&gt;Kevin Hollinrake&lt;\/strong&gt;, the Tory chair, released within the past 20 minutes. Hollinrake said:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;45f4f015-b862-4c5c-889b-2f389f82da6d&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;After months of infighting and leaks, Nigel Farage has unveiled a front bench dominated by ex-Conservatives - a line-up that looks more like a tribute act to the old Conservative party than a credible alternative.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Even now, some are already eyeing their next career move, while others who were clearly expecting promotion have been left out in the cold.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Today\u2019s underwhelming announcement proves Reform remains a one-man band. Only the Conservatives, under Kemi Badenoch, have the depth, experience and serious plan to Get Britain Working Again.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;817edad9-367e-4c01-b41e-7630a0abea9e&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1771329255000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.54\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1771329447000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.57\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1771329447000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.57\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;11.57&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Tories say new Reform UK line-up looks like 'tribute act to old Conservative party'&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Tue 17 Feb 2026 12.53 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Tue 17 Feb 2026 09.17 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;699455738f08f193d2fb6127&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 say to Reform members who see their party being taken over by ambitious Tories? And have you ever run anything that was not a one-man band?&lt;\/em&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;ad10cf9e-92fb-4ae2-aed7-5476926b8b63&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Farage&lt;\/strong&gt; says he has been successful in politics. He has set up organisations with specific purposes; getting us out of the EU, getting the country back on track.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;37d29991-2bbc-40d3-bc06-737b7f712cad&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;This is different, he says; it is about \u201ccreating a machine for government\u201d.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;5f517e3f-d43a-4f39-9667-b13c7b4d64c0&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;In the past his popularity and the party\u2019s were different.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;50d9c1ae-446f-482a-b1a4-17c7ccd30279&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;But now they are past that phase, he says.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;0592f293-84f0-4909-bad2-017b7e7d4049&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;If I was hit by a bus tomorrow, Reform has its own brand, Reform has its own identity, and now Reform has its own senior characters with their own departments to lead. So I\u2019m enormously proud of that.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;8c3d6317-31fc-4297-a9e7-b02d2d530284&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1771328883000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.48\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1771329214000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.53\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1771329149000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.52\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;11.52&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Farage says, if he were 'hit by a bus tomorrow', Reform UK would still succeed because it now has stand-alone brand&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Tue 17 Feb 2026 12.53 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Tue 17 Feb 2026 09.17 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;699453a88f0873cb025bb311&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Braveman&lt;\/strong&gt; ends by claiming diversity politics is out of control.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;fd1a9b9c-9520-40aa-b7e1-5abd6f32a9b5&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;She would abolish the equalities department, she says.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;14008cbb-a67b-4287-b5a5-f1aa0c0b6b32&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;(In fact, there isn\u2019t a government equalities department. There was a Government Equalities Office, but now it is the &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/organisations\/women-and-equalities-unit\\&quot;&gt;women and equalities unit&lt;\/a&gt; in the Cabinet Office.)&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;0524c031-461a-46d6-9eda-d8e711b2a246&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1771328424000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.40\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1771328787000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.46\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1771328623000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.43\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;11.43&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Braverman says Reform UK would abolish 'equalities department'&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Tue 17 Feb 2026 12.53 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Tue 17 Feb 2026 09.17 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;699452b48f081a2bad89d29e&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Braverman&lt;\/strong&gt; is speaking now.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;dfab60b1-6c22-4a22-bf97-077b704117a1&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;She says schools are in crisis.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;3078b90f-3023-4733-9669-ecf72a6db28f&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;Across our schools, a quiet crisis has taken hold. Violence and disorder have eroded the authority of teachers. Too many teachers now face to face the fear of intimidation and assault in the classroom. Discipline, once the backbone of education, has been weakened in the name of progressive ideology.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;At the same time, the foundations of knowledge, literacy and numeracy have been undermined by this Labour government. Changes to offset a dumbed down curriculum are all replacing excellence with mediocrity in some classrooms.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Children are taught to view Britain with shame rather than pride, to focus on grievance rather than gratitude. They talk more about gender ideology than biological fact. This is not education as it should be.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;8f1b5ba8-ed16-4d22-a713-bc661af3f3a7&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Braverman says she helped establish the successful Michaela community school.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;963d99ff-44ac-4a5f-bf8a-b723d27b161b&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;And she say too many young people are going to university.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;0b1e7ba0-9603-4cee-987f-0ea330563dc1&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 truth is that many of our young people have been sold a lie about university, wasting three years of their lives on Mickey Mouse courses, all while we have a chronic shortage of nurses, builders, and care workers.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;The system is broken. So I tell you what we need. Instead of Tony Blair\u2019s 50% of young people going to university, this is what we need; we need Nigel Farage\u2019s 50% of young people going into the trades.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;29492738-df1e-4b0d-8c75-d1ba5b1f07e4&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1771328180000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.36\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1771328417000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.40\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1771328417000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.40\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;11.40&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Braverman says she wants fewer young people going to university, and 50% going into trade jobs&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Tue 17 Feb 2026 12.53 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Tue 17 Feb 2026 09.17 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;699451d58f08f193d2fb60f5&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Farage&lt;\/strong&gt; says the final appointment is Suella Braverman, the former Tory home secretary. He says she will take on education, skills and equality.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;7de169ae-00ac-473c-943b-8228dd5049cb&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;She is itching to get on with this brief because \u2026 millions of parents all over this country are in a state of despair about what their children are being taught at school.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;[And there are] far too many young people being sent to university and being lumbered with heavy debts without any benefit to them in the workplace.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;a401bfab-c6b9-46e3-a6db-ff82ebd1a4bf&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1771327957000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.32\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1771328177000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.36\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1771328177000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.36\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;11.36&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Suella Braverman appointed Reform UK's spokesperson for education, skills and equalities, Farage says&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Tue 17 Feb 2026 12.53 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Tue 17 Feb 2026 09.17 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;699450148f0873cb025bb2e5&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Farage&lt;\/strong&gt; says Zia Yusuf will be \u201cshadow home secretary\u201d. And he will focus on both legal and illegal immigration.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;63504fe5-4f0b-4e38-82cb-d02878a5d249&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Yusuf&lt;\/strong&gt; starts by claiming that \u201cone in every 25 people wandering around in Britain today arrived in the last five years\u201d.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;c4b85d0f-953d-4709-8224-e63fca4231ef&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;He says, as the son of immigrants, he knows the contribution that immigrants can make.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;ee9a1661-9b06-49bc-b0ab-45de6952cf7c&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;He goes on:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;7fb26820-721b-4d49-beb6-947eee7d6346&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;But we have to be honest. The sheer scale of immigration over the last three decades has broken Britain. More people have turned up on our beaches, uninvited in the last seven years, than stormed the beaches of Normandy on D-Day. And those people, instead of being detained and deported, have been given free accommodation, free meals, free access to health care, free taxis, free leisure activities at the expense of the British people to the tune of tens of billions of pounds every single year.&lt;strong&gt; &lt;\/strong&gt;And that\u2019s just illegal immigration.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;If we talk about legal immigration just since 2010, the equivalent of the populations of Edinburgh, Leeds, Sheffield, Nottingham, Stoke, Bristol and Cardiff have been added to our populations. So is it any wonder why it\u2019s so difficult to get a GP appointment? Why everyone feels unsafe? Because violent criminals are let out of jail because of overcrowding and we don\u2019t have enough prison places. Why tens of thousands of people to our eternal shame as a country are forced to wait more than two days in accident and emergency?&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;45e923a6-2ee4-4dc0-8b39-a80fead8e0ed&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Yusuf describes mass immigration as \u201cthe most profound betrayal of the British electorate in history\u201d.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;91d78537-a17a-4de9-b0e5-c860905cbba2&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;He says, if he is home secretary, &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; will stop the boats, implement the Operation Restoring Justice programme, taking the UK out of international treaties, and tackle \u201cradical Islam\u201d. He will \u201censure that if you come to this country with the goal of upending and usurping our laws, you will be deported forcibly\u201d.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;63712188-69f3-4426-b5e5-4693dad0097d&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1771327508000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.25\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1771327996000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.33\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1771327949000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.32\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;11.32&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Farage confirms Zia Yusuf will be Reform UK's home affairs spokesperson&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Tue 17 Feb 2026 12.53 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Tue 17 Feb 2026 09.17 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;69944e7b8f0873cb025bb2c5&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Farage&lt;\/strong&gt; confirms &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/robert-jenrick\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;Robert Jenrick&lt;\/a&gt; is his \u201cshadow chancellor\u201d.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;dc2551e1-ed02-4977-8e0f-174c203c5100&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Jenrick&lt;\/strong&gt; says the economy is not working. We have had decades of mismanagment, he says. But this &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/labour\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;Labour&lt;\/a&gt; government \u201cis in a league of its own\u2019.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;239d1993-c95e-4890-82de-3646b8c45849&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;He says Labour\u2019s \u201ccrazy energy policies\u201d are a problem.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;f30194dd-1428-470d-a074-290c6b4caa21&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;And there have been tax rises worth \u00a360bn, because Labour \u201chave not got the courage to tackle our ballooning welfare bill\u201d.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;ca76a3f4-f4b5-4631-9430-3a92752ac8a0&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;He says people do not have enough money to pay for things like taking their kids out at the weekend.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;15056f11-eb1c-4ae1-a89e-fc997f9c75bd&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;He thanks Farage for giving him the opportunity to take on the \u201cwrecking ball\u201d that is Rachel Reeves.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;b06f91b1-8ed4-4d44-89e7-586666229d5d&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;He claims he will produce the most comprehensive plan of any party to revive the economy. He will work on this with people with business experience.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;e1a75f08-d679-4e1f-87bd-4afccc38a7fc&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;He claims no one in the Labour cabinet has that experience.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;2bff37c2-c53f-4c1c-a47e-a3775ddcd6e1&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;He goes on:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;c0f88423-e335-4cba-b6d7-0958babcd84e&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;Nigel and I are going to be saying more about this tomorrow [they have already scheduled a press conference] but I\u2019ll just end by saying this.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Together we are going to build an economy that serves alarm-clock Britain; the people who got up early this morning to go to work to look after their family, the people who want a hand up, not a handout, people who just want to get on in life, who want to feel better off. And there\u2019s no shame in that.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;People like my dad, Bill, who left school at 16, became an apprentice, set up a small business. People like those I grew up around in Wolverhampton and represent now in north Nottinghamshire. Decent, hardworking, family oriented, community oriented, patriotic Brits who just want to get on.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;0b590052-3810-4e6b-a099-2c51d48ca898&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1771327099000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.18\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1771327681000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.28\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1771327493000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.24\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;11.24&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Robert Jenrick says as Reform UK's Treasury spokesperson he will develop policies for 'alarm-clock Britain'&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Tue 17 Feb 2026 12.53 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Tue 17 Feb 2026 09.17 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;69944dd58f08f193d2fb60bd&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Richard Tice&lt;\/strong&gt; is speaking now.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;bb9f707c-17e7-4910-a503-ed032dcc80b3&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;He says he is qualified for this post because he has worked in business creating millions for shareholders.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;9a568f36-006f-49c5-9299-4fbe403927e1&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;He says the proposed new business department would cover housing.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;908d77c4-11d2-4819-9bcb-e41612ce1dcc&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;He says he would reindustrialise Britain.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;af37380a-87e5-4715-a2a9-0ff3417a3084&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;And he would also set up a sovereign weath fund.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;1db4bffe-d855-483f-9405-dedf177a9015&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 going to be talking this time next week in the Midlands in great detail about this, a sovereign wealth fund that backs British companies, that buys and promotes British products and that helps ensure that we build hundreds of thousands of affordable homes in our towns, our rural areas and our cities. This is how we make real progress.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;a107f5e3-b74e-43fb-978d-6f28409180ca&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1771326933000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.15\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1771327096000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.18\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1771327097000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.18\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;11.18&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Tice says Reform would set up sovereign wealth fund to help with reindustrialisation of UK&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Tue 17 Feb 2026 12.53 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Tue 17 Feb 2026 09.17 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;69944d328f081a2bad89d261&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Farage&lt;\/strong&gt; starts with &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/richard-tice\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;Richard Tice&lt;\/a&gt;, the deputy Reform leader.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;06cf3486-19e3-4426-aad4-54db59c88de2&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;He says he will be deputy PM if Reform form a government.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;a94134f9-460f-4202-a3e9-8033db864093&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;And he will also lead a Department of Business, Trade and Energy.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;dc6baf3d-0b6d-429d-9d86-b1c3849584c2&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Farage says this will be \u201ca new super economics and business department, in many ways modelled on what the Germans did after world war two\u201d.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;e86577c0-8aab-4bfc-bbe8-486d7a816748&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1771326770000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.12\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1771326928000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.15\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1771326928000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.15\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;11.15&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Richard Tice would run Reform UK's new Department of Business, Trade and Energy, and be deputy PM, Farage says&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Tue 17 Feb 2026 12.53 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Tue 17 Feb 2026 09.17 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;69944c568f081a2bad89d25d&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Nigel Farage&lt;\/strong&gt; is speaking.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;e8912e24-46ca-4594-aee6-245bb9906a98&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;He starts by saying that 4.6m voters will get the right to to vote in the local elections because of his party.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;153a4456-a25c-41e6-bfae-3275a5e8536d&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;That is a \u201cbig win\u201d for his party, he says \u2013 and for democracy.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;7ce79e15-feb3-46a3-92f1-08dffda8fc70&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1771326550000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.09\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1771326613000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.10\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1771326613000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.10\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;11.10&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Farge holds press conference&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Tue 17 Feb 2026 12.53 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Tue 17 Feb 2026 09.17 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;6994473e8f088d67a781d3a7&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The Commons business committee could investigate Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor\u2019s work as a trade envoy, its chair, &lt;strong&gt;Liam Byrne&lt;\/strong&gt;, has said.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;02da65f4-fb2a-4807-bd23-91429b8d7603&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Byrne, a &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/labour\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;Labour&lt;\/a&gt; MP and former cabinet minister, told the Today programme this morning that \u201cnothing is off the table\u201d and \u201cMPs are not in the market for letting anything slip through the cracks\u201d.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;f12860a9-b1df-44e3-8471-89952e1fe4f9&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Referring to &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/2026\/feb\/11\/prosecutors-police-andrew-mountbatten-windsor-peter-mandelson-links-jeffrey-epstein\\&quot;&gt;allegations&lt;\/a&gt; that, as a trade envoy, Mountbatten-Windsor shared information relating to trade policy with Jeffrey Epstein, Byrne said:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;c2d62c3a-2b0a-4b7f-928a-6c6a03dc6dd5&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 committee\u2019s not had a chance to reflect on these allegations because recess means Parliament isn\u2019t sitting this week. My task this week is to make sure that the committee\u2019s got options in front of them when they meet on Tuesday for how we might or might not take this investigation forward. Obviously, we can\u2019t and don\u2019t want to compromise a police investigation.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;We\u2019ve got quite strict rules about sub judice and getting involved in things that may come before the courts, but this is obviously a matter of huge concern, and I\u2019m going to make sure that my committee has got the full options available for how we take our investigations forward when they convene next Tuesday morning.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;96cbd15c-51c2-4050-9cce-8aab22a83097&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Byrne said he did not want to \u201cpre-judge where the committee is going to go on this at this stage\u201d.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;7068e794-1c89-4719-98af-cbe8d21630a0&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;But, when asked on the programme if it could potentially ask to speak to the former prince, he said: \u201cAt this stage, all I can say is, nothing is off the table.\u201d&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;f522e575-35c1-4d43-aa91-f5cffb53644c&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;He added:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;6cd8d76f-c736-4e7d-a6f4-4fbbef0d6587&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;This is something we\u2019re going to take acutely seriously, and I can guarantee you that MPs are not in the market for letting anything slip through the cracks.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;372eca92-c6db-489f-9208-b7508e3687e7&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Mountbatten-Windsor, who served as the UK\u2019s special representative for trade and investment between 2001 and 2011, has always denied any wrongdoing.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;60a8132d-179d-41c7-a10d-08f5f22463ce&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1771325246000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.47\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1771325842000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.57\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1771325763000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.56\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;10.56&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Commons business committee may investigate Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's work as trade envoy, its chair says&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Tue 17 Feb 2026 12.53 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Tue 17 Feb 2026 09.17 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;699442b48f0802091c5232b9&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Stephen Kinnock&lt;\/strong&gt;, the care minister, was giving interviews this morning in the hope of promoting &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/news\/400-cash-boost-for-disabled-adults-to-tackle-cost-of-living\\&quot;&gt;a government announcement&lt;\/a&gt; that will lead to 150,000 disabled adults getting an income boost of at least \u00a3400 each year.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;47d0c8b5-ad48-4e50-ad24-3179305700d4&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;That is because the &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/social-care-charging-for-local-authorities-2025-to-2026\/social-care-charging-for-care-and-support-2025-to-2026-local-authority-circular\\&quot;&gt;minimum income guarantee&lt;\/a&gt; \u2013 the amount of money that working-age adults who receive social care are allowed to keep, before they start having to contribute to the cost of their care \u2013 is rising by 7%.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;cf840d1a-0139-4026-90fe-cb28033ed8ac&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;In its news release, the &lt;strong&gt;Department of Health and Social Care&lt;\/strong&gt; explains:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;2439a8a7-f912-4d5c-af96-e5065671e4b3&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;Government is increasing the amount that working age adults who receive social care must be able to keep after paying for home care (known as the Minimum Income Guarantee) by 7% from April \u2013 strengthening this safety net to ensure that people have enough for daily expenses and helping to ease financial pressures.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;This is the largest above-inflation uplift in more than a decade and means working-age adults receiving care in the community will have more money left over for everyday essentials such as food, heating and bills. Those eligible for the disability premium, an additional amount for people with greater disability needs, will keep up to \u00a3510 more per year.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;ae269757-1e30-4e7f-ae94-cc48fac630a7&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The government has also announced that it is spending \u00a3723m on the disabled facilities grant next year \u2013 money available to help older and disabled people adapt their homes so that they can carry on living independently.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;cfe34562-d2e8-43ed-9954-a2a85be98746&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Kinnock said:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;1c069699-c728-4424-bba5-4760534a52a2&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;We are determined to not only reform adult social care but do it in a way that helps some of the most vulnerable people in society with the daily pressures they face.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;From April, more than 150,000 disabled adults will keep hundreds of pounds more each year - putting extra money back into their pockets to help with everyday costs.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;At the same time, we are putting more money into funding life-changing home adaptations so older and disabled people can live safely and independently.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;These steps are part of our wider plans to build a National Care Service rooted in quality, fairness and dignity for all that use it.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;f4a229b2-5993-4458-bc4e-c5972312b010&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;For adults over the age of 65, the minimum income guarantee is rising by 3.8% from April.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;ac4813bf-17d8-4a94-9918-bc50c101fe3f&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1771324084000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.28\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1771324746000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.39\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1771324747000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.39\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;10.39&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;150,000 working-age disabled adults to gain at least \u00a3400 per year as government raises minimum income guarantee by 7%&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Tue 17 Feb 2026 12.53 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Tue 17 Feb 2026 09.17 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;69943dfd8f0802091c52328f&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;A minister has sought to defend Steve Reed, the local government secretary, against opposition calls for him to resign over the U-turn on postponing May\u2019s local elections.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;cc6bede1-71d1-4a0d-a753-dc29bccbc265&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Stephen Kinnock&lt;\/strong&gt;, the care minister, said Reed was doing \u201can excellent job\u201d.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;8d93b22e-19a4-4c7b-899b-3568a188fc75&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Kinnock was doing an interview round on behalf of the government this morning and, asked about Reed\u2019s position, he told Sky News:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;ab7ba46d-3b40-4998-9023-d2a84e88e60d&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;Steve Reed is doing an excellent job as secretary of state, pushing through the Pride in Place programme, pushing through renters\u2019 reforms, bulldozing all of the bureaucracy and regulations that stops us building things in this country.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Steve is doing an excellent job as secretary of state and he will continue to do that and to deliver for the British people.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;155c7538-ddd9-4b75-947a-4b07744d57ba&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Kinnock also told LBC government legal advice originally said a delay was justified. He went on:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;34a9f9b2-09cd-405f-acc4-fb7a4f6800ed&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;That legal advice has now changed. That is not ideal. I\u2019m not going to stand here and pretend to you that it is, but we\u2019re a government that works with the rule of law.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;1c56443f-55e9-45db-85a7-94c4e6141e13&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;In &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.thetimes.com\/uk\/politics\/article\/local-elections-ministers-drop-plans-cancel-vc03tqnp3\\&quot;&gt;the Times&lt;\/a&gt;, &lt;strong&gt;Max Kendix&lt;\/strong&gt; and&lt;strong&gt; Oliver Wright&lt;\/strong&gt; say that one factor that led to change of heart was the fact that, while governments had in the past delayed local elections on a case-by-case basis, Reed had argued that this round of elections was relatively pointless anyway. They report:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;1577c585-7757-406c-b318-2984c464b5ac&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 was another difference to the previous year as well. Steve Reed, the local government secretary, had been actively promoting the idea of cancelling elections this year before he\u2019d announced which areas, if any, would be covered.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;In The Times, Reed said the public would support cancelling \u201cpointless\u201d elections to &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.thetimes.com\/uk\/politics\/article\/cancel-zombie-council-elections-steve-reed-lx077x7vg\\&quot;&gt;\u201czombie\u201d councils &lt;\/a&gt;\u2014 calling them \u201ctime-consuming\u201d.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Sources suggest these kinds of statements contributed to a final assessment by lawyers. They came back to ministers in recent days with a stark warning: if you go ahead with delays, you may well have to fight Reform UK in court, and there is a good chance you will lose.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;59194a47-da2f-4d5b-a183-234b16e5f837&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Yesterday\u2019s decision means that &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/labour\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;Labour&lt;\/a&gt; and the Conservative party are now braced for even bigger losses in the local elections.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;ca1c9d9b-73d3-41df-af04-ee184cb85a78&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;In &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/inews.co.uk\/news\/politics\/councils-starmer-lose-after-farage-forces-election-uturn-4239890\\&quot;&gt;the i&lt;\/a&gt;, &lt;strong&gt;Will Hazell&lt;\/strong&gt; reports:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;8ff331de-115f-4f94-951c-864c8f7a9429&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;According to a poll by JL Partners for &lt;em&gt;The Telegraph&lt;\/em&gt;, Labour is forecast to lose control of six councils due to elections which will now proceed: Blackburn with Darwen, Cannock Chase, Exeter, Preston, Thurrock and Worthing.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;1f0b0221-1ffa-44ea-bf4b-61c95fb22033&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;And &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/fb82b59a-7ebb-40f2-ac88-da9dfd31dbbe\\&quot;&gt;a report&lt;\/a&gt; in the Financial Times quotes &lt;strong&gt;Prof Sir John Curtice&lt;\/strong&gt;, the leading elections expert, as saying the biggest impact of the U-turn will be on the four county councils \u2014 Norfolk, Suffolk, East and West Sussex \u2014 three of which are currently controlled by the Conservatives. \u201cThose are large councils where all the seats are up for grabs, and these are the type of areas that should mimic where Reform did well last year,\u201d Curtice told the paper.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;9c53567a-96ee-494c-8aaa-98c781c0ce48&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1771322877000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.07\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1771324170000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.29\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1771323934000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.25\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;10.25&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Labour and Tories both braced for bigger losses after U-turn allows 30 local council elections to go ahead&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Tue 17 Feb 2026 12.53 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Tue 17 Feb 2026 09.17 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;699436838f0898719ade4d58&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Unemployment in the UK has risen to 5.2%, the highest level in nearly five years, while wage growth continues to slow, raising the prospect of another cut to interest rates in the spring. &lt;strong&gt;Tom Knowles&lt;\/strong&gt; has the story.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;e712ea6c-a529-4c5c-b081-d0694a681c5c&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;UK unemployment rate hits five-year high of 5.2% as wage growth cools&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;7ba5ca57-9fca-4dd9-adf9-8a8e52d8889b&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;thumbnail&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/business\/2026\/feb\/17\/uk-unemployment-rate-ons-interest-rates&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1771320963000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.36\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1771321018000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.36\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1771320996000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.36\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;09.36&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;UK unemployment rate hits five-year high of 5.2% as wage growth cools&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Tue 17 Feb 2026 12.53 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Tue 17 Feb 2026 09.17 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;699433698f0850a9db926b21&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Most people in a &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; cabinet would not be career politicians, &lt;strong&gt;Zia Yusuf&lt;\/strong&gt; has said.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;d36d224e-ee7c-4372-a2e7-3eacaeb166cd&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Today the party will announce what it calls some \u201cshadow cabinet\u201d appointments and the most prominent is likely to be &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/robert-jenrick\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;Robert Jenrick&lt;\/a&gt; as Treasury spokesperson. Less than 18 months ago Jenrick was runner-up in the contest to be Conservative party leader.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;efa9e162-44fc-4067-bd1d-eddb1d7404dc&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;But Yusuf told Times Radio this morning that ex-Tories would not dominate a &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/nigel-farage\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;Nigel Farage&lt;\/a&gt; cabinet.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;7937b3d1-bac5-43fc-9286-b569aafdbae4&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Yusuf said:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;52a8059a-9f72-4c84-99ab-f8aaef4a2ac2&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 can tell people listening to this that the majority of our parliamentary class will be people who are fresh to politics.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;I think the majority of Nigel\u2019s cabinet, if we win and he\u2019s the prime minister, will also have people who are not career politicians.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;98b7aa64-aab3-49bb-af7f-edd41675e4b6&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Farage has repeatedly talked of his desire to give cabinet jobs to people who are not MPs and who have experience outside Westminster. His appointees could be given peerages, but Farage has also floated the idea of appointing some ministers who do not sit in parliament. This is constitutionally permissible, but has only happened in the past very rarely.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;47548b9b-374a-41e2-bf57-66345a3fc296&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Yusuf himself is expected to be named today as the party\u2019s home affairs spokesperson.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;bd7f63a6-da39-4286-9527-b6ed9846b6e8&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Yusuf was critical of Jenrick &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/x.com\/ZiaYusufUK\/status\/1983281924924686590\\&quot;&gt;on social media&lt;\/a&gt; before his defection to Reform UK, and it has been claimed that he has mixed feelings about having the former shadow justice secretary as a colleague.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;b5ac4115-4dd3-4e0f-9e2a-3f3f48584e64&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;But Yusuf told Times Radio that Jenrick was an asset to the party. He said:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;935842a9-4684-41d3-bdce-445bd3b50a4f&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\u2019ve gotten to know Robert quite well. And I speak to him almost every day. He\u2019s a thoughtful, serious man. I think he does believe clearly the things that he has talked about, and he got extremely frustrated inside the Conservative party.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;And he is somebody who is already adding value in terms of helping with his experiences that he had in government.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;8422f3a5-28ba-487a-9b3e-ad9351293fd3&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1771320169000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.22\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1771323321000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.15\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1771320922000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.35\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;09.35&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Most people in a future Reform UK cabinet would not be career politicians, Zia Yusuf claims&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Tue 17 Feb 2026 12.53 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Tue 17 Feb 2026 09.17 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;699417b98f0850a9db926a7e&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;Nigel Farage&lt;\/strong&gt;, the Reform UK leader, is holding a press conference today where, according to the party, he will be \u201cannouncing members of his shadow cabinet\u201d. In Westminster politics only the official opposition (the Conserative party, for this parliament) has a shadow cabinet, but other opposition parties sometimes use the term and, &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/europe-poll-of-polls\/united-kingdom\/\\&quot;&gt;given his poll ratings&lt;\/a&gt;, it is not hard to see why Farage thinks he has a better chance of forming the next government than Kemi Badenoch.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;6433f02d-5416-4b46-a013-0c43f30bccc8&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Farage is expected to announce four appointments. &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/robert-jenrick\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;Robert Jenrick&lt;\/a&gt;, who only defected from the Conservative party recently, is expected to be appointed Treasury spokesperson. Richard Tice, the party\u2019s deputy leader, is expected to be given responsibility for business and energy, and Zia Yusuf, the party\u2019s head of policy, is expected to be given the Home Office portfolio. There will also be a fourth appointment, but there has been no proper steer as to what this will be.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;18c8b880-a6e8-443e-99bf-84b65fb6f6df&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Here is &lt;strong&gt;Jessica Elgot&lt;\/strong&gt;\u2019s preview story.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;593fb079-6754-4f20-ab6a-6ee8ac775a49&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Farage expected to name Jenrick as potential future chancellor&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;12ca9132-095e-4ebf-ab02-8269153788f8&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;thumbnail&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/2026\/feb\/17\/farage-expected-to-name-jenrick-as-potential-future-chancellor-reform-uk&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Speaking at a rally last night, &lt;strong&gt;Farage&lt;\/strong&gt; said that these appointments would show that &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; was no longer a \u201cone-man band\u201d. He said:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;c94c39c8-90d3-4fe3-8a65-c3efe0a6da9c&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 the moment to properly move away from the potential criticism that we\u2019re a one-man band has been there now for a few weeks, and that\u2019s why I\u2019m doing this.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Am I concerned? No, I\u2019m relieved actually. I\u2019m relieved that other people are taking up these big areas, and from [reporter\u2019s] perspective, on a given issue, you will know who to call.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;8f0d846a-27e7-4a4e-b619-a60183f98387&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The press conference starts at 11am in London.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;cb761337-9858-456a-a938-230862d6e4cc&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;There is not much else in the diary for today, but I will be covering other politics too, including the ongoing reaction to yesterday\u2019s U-turn on the cancellation of local elections, which &lt;strong&gt;Kiran Stacey&lt;\/strong&gt; covers here in our overnight story.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;d788599b-a3fa-450a-ab55-e517c495b719&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Starmer abandons plans to delay local elections in England in latest U-turn&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;0be05b60-6346-47ea-89ba-08bcba040e62&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;thumbnail&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/society\/2026\/feb\/16\/government-cancels-plan-to-delay-local-council-elections-in-england&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;c64d1bc1-e1af-4603-9516-4eaa48e69313&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;fdcb7491-dd95-4fb6-8f3d-5c4d3dc67a65&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;698813d9-aa1e-4f09-b228-32a9708a8727&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1771319824000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.17\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1771320947000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.35\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1771319824000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.17\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;09.17&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Reform UK no longer \u2018one-man band\u2019, Farage says as he prepares to announce \u2018shadow cabinet\u2019 appointments&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Tue 17 Feb 2026 12.53 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Tue 17 Feb 2026 09.17 GMT&quot;}],&quot;filterKeyEvents&quot;:false,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;key-events-carousel-mobile&quot;,&quot;renderingTarget&quot;:&quot;Web&quot;,&quot;serverTime&quot;:1771333403968}\"><span id=\"key-events-carousel-mobile\"\/><span class=\"dcr-90inr0\"><\/p>\n<p>Key events<\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"key-events-carousel\" class=\"dcr-1b9joha\">\n<ul class=\"dcr-1mdwrhd\">\n<li class=\"dcr-awhpi0\"><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-699461478f0808ac9a370ebd#block-699461478f0808ac9a370ebd\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 0 of 20\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\">\n<p><time datetime=\"2026-02-17T12:42:08.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Tuesday, 17 February 2026 at 12:42 Greenwich Mean Time\">21m ago<\/time><\/p>\n<p>Braverman says she wants to scrap Equality Act to get rid of &#8216;divisive notion of protected characteristics&#8217;<\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-awhpi0\"><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69945e1a8f0863fae0ff88d8#block-69945e1a8f0863fae0ff88d8\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 1 of 20\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\">\n<p><time datetime=\"2026-02-17T12:30:45.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Tuesday, 17 February 2026 at 12:30 Greenwich Mean Time\">32m ago<\/time><\/p>\n<p>Farage rules out pact with Tories, saying they are &#8216;utterly dishonourable&#8217; and he wouldn&#8217;t trust them<\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-awhpi0\"><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69945ce28f08d2aff32f08a3#block-69945ce28f08d2aff32f08a3\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 2 of 20\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\">\n<p><time datetime=\"2026-02-17T12:24:17.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Tuesday, 17 February 2026 at 12:24 Greenwich Mean Time\">39m ago<\/time><\/p>\n<p>Farage says Rupert Lowe&#8217;s claim his new party at 10% in polls &#8216;utter rot&#8217;<\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-awhpi0\"><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6994598c8f0863fae0ff889d#block-6994598c8f0863fae0ff889d\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 3 of 20\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\">\n<p><time datetime=\"2026-02-17T12:08:47.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Tuesday, 17 February 2026 at 12:08 Greenwich Mean Time\">54m ago<\/time><\/p>\n<p>Farage claims there are now &#8216;very few&#8217; frontline Tories he would want to let join Reform UK<\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-awhpi0\"><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-699456e78f08de71f2700735#block-699456e78f08de71f2700735\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 4 of 20\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\">\n<p><time datetime=\"2026-02-17T11:57:27.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Tuesday, 17 February 2026 at 11:57 Greenwich Mean Time\">1h ago<\/time><\/p>\n<p>Tories say new Reform UK line-up looks like &#8216;tribute act to old Conservative party&#8217;<\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-awhpi0\"><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-699455738f08f193d2fb6127#block-699455738f08f193d2fb6127\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 5 of 20\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\">\n<p><time datetime=\"2026-02-17T11:52:29.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Tuesday, 17 February 2026 at 11:52 Greenwich Mean Time\">1h ago<\/time><\/p>\n<p>Farage says, if he were &#8216;hit by a bus tomorrow&#8217;, Reform UK would still succeed because it now has stand-alone brand<\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-awhpi0\"><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-699453a88f0873cb025bb311#block-699453a88f0873cb025bb311\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 6 of 20\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\">\n<p><time datetime=\"2026-02-17T11:43:43.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Tuesday, 17 February 2026 at 11:43 Greenwich Mean Time\">1h ago<\/time><\/p>\n<p>Braverman says Reform UK would abolish &#8216;equalities department&#8217;<\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-awhpi0\"><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-699452b48f081a2bad89d29e#block-699452b48f081a2bad89d29e\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 7 of 20\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\">\n<p><time datetime=\"2026-02-17T11:40:17.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Tuesday, 17 February 2026 at 11:40 Greenwich Mean Time\">1h ago<\/time><\/p>\n<p>Braverman says she wants fewer young people going to university, and 50% going into trade jobs<\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-awhpi0\"><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-699451d58f08f193d2fb60f5#block-699451d58f08f193d2fb60f5\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 8 of 20\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\">\n<p><time datetime=\"2026-02-17T11:36:17.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Tuesday, 17 February 2026 at 11:36 Greenwich Mean Time\">1h ago<\/time><\/p>\n<p>Suella Braverman appointed Reform UK&#8217;s spokesperson for education, skills and equalities, Farage says<\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-awhpi0\"><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-699450148f0873cb025bb2e5#block-699450148f0873cb025bb2e5\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 9 of 20\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\">\n<p><time datetime=\"2026-02-17T11:32:29.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Tuesday, 17 February 2026 at 11:32 Greenwich Mean Time\">2h ago<\/time><\/p>\n<p>Farage confirms Zia Yusuf will be Reform UK&#8217;s home affairs spokesperson<\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-awhpi0\"><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69944e7b8f0873cb025bb2c5#block-69944e7b8f0873cb025bb2c5\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 10 of 20\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\">\n<p><time datetime=\"2026-02-17T11:24:53.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Tuesday, 17 February 2026 at 11:24 Greenwich Mean Time\">2h ago<\/time><\/p>\n<p>Robert Jenrick says as Reform UK&#8217;s Treasury spokesperson he will develop policies for &#8216;alarm-clock Britain&#8217;<\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-awhpi0\"><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69944dd58f08f193d2fb60bd#block-69944dd58f08f193d2fb60bd\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 11 of 20\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\">\n<p><time datetime=\"2026-02-17T11:18:17.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Tuesday, 17 February 2026 at 11:18 Greenwich Mean Time\">2h ago<\/time><\/p>\n<p>Tice says Reform would set up sovereign wealth fund to help with reindustrialisation of UK<\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-awhpi0\"><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69944d328f081a2bad89d261#block-69944d328f081a2bad89d261\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 12 of 20\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\">\n<p><time datetime=\"2026-02-17T11:15:28.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Tuesday, 17 February 2026 at 11:15 Greenwich Mean Time\">2h ago<\/time><\/p>\n<p>Richard Tice would run Reform UK&#8217;s new Department of Business, Trade and Energy, and be deputy PM, Farage says<\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-awhpi0\"><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69944c568f081a2bad89d25d#block-69944c568f081a2bad89d25d\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 13 of 20\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\">\n<p><time datetime=\"2026-02-17T11:10:13.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Tuesday, 17 February 2026 at 11:10 Greenwich Mean Time\">2h ago<\/time><\/p>\n<p>Farge holds press conference<\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-awhpi0\"><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6994473e8f088d67a781d3a7#block-6994473e8f088d67a781d3a7\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 14 of 20\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\">\n<p><time datetime=\"2026-02-17T10:56:03.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Tuesday, 17 February 2026 at 10:56 Greenwich Mean Time\">2h ago<\/time><\/p>\n<p>Commons business committee may investigate Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor&#8217;s work as trade envoy, its chair says<\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-awhpi0\"><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-699442b48f0802091c5232b9#block-699442b48f0802091c5232b9\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 15 of 20\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\">\n<p><time datetime=\"2026-02-17T10:39:07.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Tuesday, 17 February 2026 at 10:39 Greenwich Mean Time\">2h ago<\/time><\/p>\n<p>150,000 working-age disabled adults to gain at least \u00a3400 per year as government raises minimum income guarantee by 7%<\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-awhpi0\"><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69943dfd8f0802091c52328f#block-69943dfd8f0802091c52328f\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 16 of 20\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\">\n<p><time datetime=\"2026-02-17T10:25:34.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Tuesday, 17 February 2026 at 10:25 Greenwich Mean Time\">3h ago<\/time><\/p>\n<p>Labour and Tories both braced for bigger losses after U-turn allows 30 local council elections to go ahead<\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-awhpi0\"><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-699436838f0898719ade4d58#block-699436838f0898719ade4d58\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 17 of 20\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\">\n<p><time datetime=\"2026-02-17T09:36:36.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Tuesday, 17 February 2026 at 09:36 Greenwich Mean Time\">3h ago<\/time><\/p>\n<p>UK unemployment rate hits five-year high of 5.2% as wage growth cools<\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-awhpi0\"><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-699433698f0850a9db926b21#block-699433698f0850a9db926b21\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 18 of 20\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\">\n<p><time datetime=\"2026-02-17T09:35:22.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Tuesday, 17 February 2026 at 09:35 Greenwich Mean Time\">3h ago<\/time><\/p>\n<p>Most people in a future Reform UK cabinet would not be career politicians, Zia Yusuf claims<\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-awhpi0\"><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-699417b98f0850a9db926a7e#block-699417b98f0850a9db926a7e\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 19 of 20\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\">\n<p><time datetime=\"2026-02-17T09:17:04.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Tuesday, 17 February 2026 at 09:17 Greenwich Mean Time\">4h ago<\/time><\/p>\n<p>Reform UK no longer \u2018one-man band\u2019, Farage says as he prepares to announce \u2018shadow cabinet\u2019 appointments<\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-1vetsv0\"><button type=\"button\" aria-live=\"polite\" aria-label=\"Move key events carousel backwards\" data-link-name=\"key event carousel left chevron\" class=\"dcr-160i9tk\"><span class=\"dcr-sy54ny\"\/><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=\"M15.471 1 5 11.471v1.058L15.471 23l.982-.956L8.071 12l8.382-10.043z\"\/><\/svg><\/button><button type=\"button\" aria-live=\"polite\" aria-label=\"Move key events carousel forwards\" data-link-name=\"key event carousel right chevron\" class=\"dcr-eh80sr\"><span class=\"dcr-sy54ny\"\/><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=\"m8.482 1-.982.957L15.882 12 7.5 22.044l.982.956 10.471-10.471V11.47z\"\/><\/svg><\/button><\/span><\/div>\n<p><\/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-699463758f082624328cca70\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>Q: What do you think of Matt Goodwin, your candidate in Gorton and Denton, suggesting <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/2026\/feb\/13\/reform-matt-goodwin-fertility-comments-outcry-handmaids-tale\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">women who do not have children should be taxed more<\/a>?<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Farage<\/strong> said he would not want to see anyone taxed more in these circumstances. But he said he could see the case for linking tax breaks to having \u201cquite a few children\u201d.<\/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\/feb\/17\/reform-farage-shadow-cabinet-local-council-elections-labour-starmer-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-699463758f082624328cca70&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-699463758f082624328cca70&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Reform UK would repeal Equality Act, Braverman says as she takes on education and equalities brief \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=Reform UK would repeal Equality Act, Braverman says as she takes on education and equalities brief \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/17\/reform-farage-shadow-cabinet-local-council-elections-labour-starmer-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-699463758f082624328cca70#block-699463758f082624328cca70\" 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-699462e08f082624328cca68\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>Q: Do you think Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor should face a police investigation?<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Farage<\/strong> said \u201cclearly\u201d he should.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">But he also said he wanted to learn more about Peter Mandelson\u2019s links with Russia.<\/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\/feb\/17\/reform-farage-shadow-cabinet-local-council-elections-labour-starmer-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-699462e08f082624328cca68&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-699462e08f082624328cca68&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Reform UK would repeal Equality Act, Braverman says as she takes on education and equalities brief \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=Reform UK would repeal Equality Act, Braverman says as she takes on education and equalities brief \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/17\/reform-farage-shadow-cabinet-local-council-elections-labour-starmer-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-699462e08f082624328cca68#block-699462e08f082624328cca68\" 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-699462768f082624328cca5f\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Farage<\/strong> said that he did not accept that state involvement in some industries \u2013 a policy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/brexit-party\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Reform UK<\/a> favours \u2013 was \u201csocialist\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Jenrick<\/strong> backed this up, saying he did not accept that reindustrialisation was socialist either.<\/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\/feb\/17\/reform-farage-shadow-cabinet-local-council-elections-labour-starmer-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-699462768f082624328cca5f&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-699462768f082624328cca5f&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Reform UK would repeal Equality Act, Braverman says as she takes on education and equalities brief \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=Reform UK would repeal Equality Act, Braverman says as she takes on education and equalities brief \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/17\/reform-farage-shadow-cabinet-local-council-elections-labour-starmer-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-699462768f082624328cca5f#block-699462768f082624328cca5f\" 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-699461478f0808ac9a370ebd\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Braverman says she wants to scrap Equality Act to get rid of &#8216;divisive notion of protected characteristics&#8217;<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>Q: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/brexit-party\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Reform UK<\/a> wants to increase the birth rate. But Suella Braverman is talking about gettin<\/em><em>g rid of the Equality Act. If you get rid of those protections, will it lead to fewer women having children?<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Suella Braverman<\/strong> said she wanted to get rid of the Equality Act to get rid of the \u201cpernicious, divisive notion of protected characteristics\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">But that did not mean she wanted to get rid of all employment protection, she said.<\/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\/feb\/17\/reform-farage-shadow-cabinet-local-council-elections-labour-starmer-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-699461478f0808ac9a370ebd&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-699461478f0808ac9a370ebd&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Reform UK would repeal Equality Act, Braverman says as she takes on education and equalities brief \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=Reform UK would repeal Equality Act, Braverman says as she takes on education and equalities brief \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/17\/reform-farage-shadow-cabinet-local-council-elections-labour-starmer-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-699461478f0808ac9a370ebd#block-699461478f0808ac9a370ebd\" 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=\"2026-02-17T12:44:38.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Tuesday, 17 February 2026 at 12:44 Greenwich Mean Time\">12.44 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-6994608c8f08c070c50429ba\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>Q: Do you want to reduce the proportion of the economy devoted to services?<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Richard Tice<\/strong> said he wanted to grow the whole economy. But he said high energy prices had contributed to deindustrialisation. That has been an \u201cabsolute disaster\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He said he would like to see growth back at 3 or 4% per year.<\/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\/feb\/17\/reform-farage-shadow-cabinet-local-council-elections-labour-starmer-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-6994608c8f08c070c50429ba&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-6994608c8f08c070c50429ba&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Reform UK would repeal Equality Act, Braverman says as she takes on education and equalities brief \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=Reform UK would repeal Equality Act, Braverman says as she takes on education and equalities brief \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/17\/reform-farage-shadow-cabinet-local-council-elections-labour-starmer-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6994608c8f08c070c50429ba#block-6994608c8f08c070c50429ba\" 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-69945e1a8f0863fae0ff88d8\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Farage rules out pact with Tories, saying they are &#8216;utterly dishonourable&#8217; and he wouldn&#8217;t trust them<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>Q: Zia Yousuf hinted at the weekend that he would favour a pact with the Tories, if that was needed to take on a progressive alliance of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/labour\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Labour<\/a>, the Lib Dems and the Greens. Do you agree?<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Farage<\/strong> said that was not his view. In parties, sometimes people disagree, he said<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He 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>Look, I\u2019ve no intention of doing a deal and shaking hands with people that I believe to be utterly dishonourable. And that is how I view the Conservative Party.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He said he felt \u201cbetrayed\u201d by what the Tories did on Brexit after 2019.<\/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\u2019ve been in business a long time. I do lots of deals. Some are successful, some are failures. But you know what I do? I look people in the eye. I shake their hands because I trust them. I do not trust this Conservative party.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He said that Kemi Badenoch was \u201cfacing both ways at the same time\u201d on Labour cancelling local elections \u2013 opposing the policy nationally, while allowing Tory councils to ask for elections to be delayed.<\/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\/feb\/17\/reform-farage-shadow-cabinet-local-council-elections-labour-starmer-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-69945e1a8f0863fae0ff88d8&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-69945e1a8f0863fae0ff88d8&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Reform UK would repeal Equality Act, Braverman says as she takes on education and equalities brief \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=Reform UK would repeal Equality Act, Braverman says as she takes on education and equalities brief \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/17\/reform-farage-shadow-cabinet-local-council-elections-labour-starmer-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69945e1a8f0863fae0ff88d8#block-69945e1a8f0863fae0ff88d8\" 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<article id=\"block-69945ce28f08d2aff32f08a3\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Farage says Rupert Lowe&#8217;s claim his new party at 10% in polls &#8216;utter rot&#8217;<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>Q: Rupert Lowe claims Restore Britain is now polling at 10%.<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Farage<\/strong> says polling out later today will show that Lowe\u2019s recognition is \u201cnot very high at all\u201d. So <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/RupertLowe10\/status\/2022767014364762165\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">the claim that he is at 10%<\/a> is \u201cutter rot\u201d, he says. He goes on:<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He won\u2019t be on 1% anywhere. Not even probably in Great Yarmouth.<\/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\/feb\/17\/reform-farage-shadow-cabinet-local-council-elections-labour-starmer-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-69945ce28f08d2aff32f08a3&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-69945ce28f08d2aff32f08a3&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Reform UK would repeal Equality Act, Braverman says as she takes on education and equalities brief \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=Reform UK would repeal Equality Act, Braverman says as she takes on education and equalities brief \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/17\/reform-farage-shadow-cabinet-local-council-elections-labour-starmer-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69945ce28f08d2aff32f08a3#block-69945ce28f08d2aff32f08a3\" 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-69945be18f089851593a52db\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Farage<\/strong> welcomes the news that some Chagossians have returned to the Chagos Islands.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Their removal from the islands in the late 1960s was \u201calmost a crime against humanity, frankly\u201d, he says.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He has posted about this <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Nigel_Farage\/status\/2023692577933799614\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">on social media.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Farage also welcomes the involvement of Adam Holloway, the former Tory MP who is now a member of Reform UK. As GB News <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gbnews.com\/news\/world\/chagos-islands-return-archipelago-labour-surrender\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">reports<\/a>, Holloway was with the Chagossians as they landed.<\/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\/feb\/17\/reform-farage-shadow-cabinet-local-council-elections-labour-starmer-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-69945be18f089851593a52db&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-69945be18f089851593a52db&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Reform UK would repeal Equality Act, Braverman says as she takes on education and equalities brief \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=Reform UK would repeal Equality Act, Braverman says as she takes on education and equalities brief \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/17\/reform-farage-shadow-cabinet-local-council-elections-labour-starmer-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69945be18f089851593a52db#block-69945be18f089851593a52db\" 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-69945a818f08d2aff32f088a\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>Q: Are you worried about the threat posed by Restore Britain, the party set up by your old friend Rupert Lowe?<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Farage<\/strong> says Lowe was not really a friend. He tried to sue Farage.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He says \u201cthere is only one proper brand of centre-right politics in this country\u201d, and that is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/brexit-party\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Reform UK<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He says people like Lowe think they can copy the success of Reform UK. But \u201cit just it just isn\u2019t as easy as that\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He says Lowe favoured the \u201cmass deportation of entire communities\u201d. What he was proposing went \u201cway beyond the point of reasonableness, of decency, of morality\u201d. That is why Reform UK got rid of him.<\/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\/feb\/17\/reform-farage-shadow-cabinet-local-council-elections-labour-starmer-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-69945a818f08d2aff32f088a&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-69945a818f08d2aff32f088a&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Reform UK would repeal Equality Act, Braverman says as she takes on education and equalities brief \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=Reform UK would repeal Equality Act, Braverman says as she takes on education and equalities brief \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/17\/reform-farage-shadow-cabinet-local-council-elections-labour-starmer-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69945a818f08d2aff32f088a#block-69945a818f08d2aff32f088a\" 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-6994598c8f0863fae0ff889d\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Farage claims there are now &#8216;very few&#8217; frontline Tories he would want to let join Reform UK<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>Q: You have not appointed a shadow foreign secretary. Is that because you are keeping that available as a bargaining chip to potential defectors?<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Farage<\/strong> says there are \u201cvery few\u201d people on the frontline of Tory politics that he would be interested in taking as defectors.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">But he says he is still talking to potential <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/labour\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Labour<\/a> defectors.<\/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\/feb\/17\/reform-farage-shadow-cabinet-local-council-elections-labour-starmer-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-6994598c8f0863fae0ff889d&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-6994598c8f0863fae0ff889d&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Reform UK would repeal Equality Act, Braverman says as she takes on education and equalities brief \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=Reform UK would repeal Equality Act, Braverman says as she takes on education and equalities brief \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/17\/reform-farage-shadow-cabinet-local-council-elections-labour-starmer-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6994598c8f0863fae0ff889d#block-6994598c8f0863fae0ff889d\" 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-699459268f081ce7b9682426\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>Q: With the SNP likely to win in Scotland, and Plaid likely to do well in Wales, do you think that if you form a government, one of your first jobs will be to keep the UK together?<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Farage<\/strong> says when Brexit happened, it was claimed that would lead to the break-up of Britain. That did not happen.<\/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\/feb\/17\/reform-farage-shadow-cabinet-local-council-elections-labour-starmer-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-699459268f081ce7b9682426&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-699459268f081ce7b9682426&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Reform UK would repeal Equality Act, Braverman says as she takes on education and equalities brief \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=Reform UK would repeal Equality Act, Braverman says as she takes on education and equalities brief \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/17\/reform-farage-shadow-cabinet-local-council-elections-labour-starmer-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-699459268f081ce7b9682426#block-699459268f081ce7b9682426\" 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-699458848f081ce7b968241a\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>Q: What do you feel about Nadhim Zahawi, who recently defected to your party, <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Haggis_UK\/status\/2022261079363965418\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">complaining about someone on the street looking dodgy<\/a>. <\/em><em>Was Zahawi being too precious?<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Farage<\/strong> says people in London who claim that crime has never been lower should get out of their chauffeur-driven cars. He says he thinks <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/brexit-party\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Reform UK<\/a> will win the next mayoral election in London because of the state of crime in the city.<\/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\/feb\/17\/reform-farage-shadow-cabinet-local-council-elections-labour-starmer-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-699458848f081ce7b968241a&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-699458848f081ce7b968241a&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Reform UK would repeal Equality Act, Braverman says as she takes on education and equalities brief \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=Reform UK would repeal Equality Act, Braverman says as she takes on education and equalities brief \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/17\/reform-farage-shadow-cabinet-local-council-elections-labour-starmer-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-699458848f081ce7b968241a#block-699458848f081ce7b968241a\" 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=\"2026-02-17T12:06:59.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Tuesday, 17 February 2026 at 12:06 Greenwich Mean Time\">12.06 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-699456e78f08de71f2700735\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Tories say new Reform UK line-up looks like &#8216;tribute act to old Conservative party&#8217;<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>Q: The Tories are describing your party as \u201ca tribute act to the old Conservative party\u201d. How do you respond?<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Farage<\/strong> says, after the local elections, the Tories will cease to exist as a national party.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The questioner was referring to this comment from <strong>Kevin Hollinrake<\/strong>, the Tory chair, released within the past 20 minutes. Hollinrake 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>After months of infighting and leaks, Nigel Farage has unveiled a front bench dominated by ex-Conservatives &#8211; a line-up that looks more like a tribute act to the old Conservative party than a credible alternative.<\/p>\n<p>Even now, some are already eyeing their next career move, while others who were clearly expecting promotion have been left out in the cold.<\/p>\n<p>Today\u2019s underwhelming announcement proves Reform remains a one-man band. Only the Conservatives, under Kemi Badenoch, have the depth, experience and serious plan to Get Britain Working Again.<\/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\/feb\/17\/reform-farage-shadow-cabinet-local-council-elections-labour-starmer-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-699456e78f08de71f2700735&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-699456e78f08de71f2700735&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Reform UK would repeal Equality Act, Braverman says as she takes on education and equalities brief \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=Reform UK would repeal Equality Act, Braverman says as she takes on education and equalities brief \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/17\/reform-farage-shadow-cabinet-local-council-elections-labour-starmer-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-699456e78f08de71f2700735#block-699456e78f08de71f2700735\" 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-6994567e8f0873cb025bb336\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>Q: You have fallen out with many of the people who have worked with in the past. Won\u2019t that happen again?<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Farage<\/strong> says he has worked with some people for 20 or 30 years.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">In a reference to Rupert Lowe, he says there are people who think they can easily do what he does. He suggests Lowe\u2019s new party will soon fail.<\/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\/feb\/17\/reform-farage-shadow-cabinet-local-council-elections-labour-starmer-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-6994567e8f0873cb025bb336&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-6994567e8f0873cb025bb336&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Reform UK would repeal Equality Act, Braverman says as she takes on education and equalities brief \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=Reform UK would repeal Equality Act, Braverman says as she takes on education and equalities brief \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/17\/reform-farage-shadow-cabinet-local-council-elections-labour-starmer-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6994567e8f0873cb025bb336#block-6994567e8f0873cb025bb336\" 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=\"2026-02-17T11:54:19.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Tuesday, 17 February 2026 at 11:54 Greenwich Mean Time\">11.54 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-699455738f08f193d2fb6127\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Farage says, if he were &#8216;hit by a bus tomorrow&#8217;, Reform UK would still succeed because it now has stand-alone brand<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>Q: What do you say to Reform members who see their party being taken over by ambitious Tories? And have you ever run anything that was not a one-man band?<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Farage<\/strong> says he has been successful in politics. He has set up organisations with specific purposes; getting us out of the EU, getting the country back on track.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">This is different, he says; it is about \u201ccreating a machine for government\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">In the past his popularity and the party\u2019s were different.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">But now they are past that phase, he 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>If I was hit by a bus tomorrow, Reform has its own brand, Reform has its own identity, and now Reform has its own senior characters with their own departments to lead. So I\u2019m enormously proud of that.<\/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\/feb\/17\/reform-farage-shadow-cabinet-local-council-elections-labour-starmer-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-699455738f08f193d2fb6127&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-699455738f08f193d2fb6127&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Reform UK would repeal Equality Act, Braverman says as she takes on education and equalities brief \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=Reform UK would repeal Equality Act, Braverman says as she takes on education and equalities brief \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/17\/reform-farage-shadow-cabinet-local-council-elections-labour-starmer-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-699455738f08f193d2fb6127#block-699455738f08f193d2fb6127\" 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=\"2026-02-17T11:53:34.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Tuesday, 17 February 2026 at 11:53 Greenwich Mean Time\">11.53 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-699455398f08f193d2fb6122\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>Q: How are you going to ensure that you don\u2019t have the same psychodrama problems the Tories had?<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Farage<\/strong> says it is very simple; if people behave badly, that won\u2019t be allowed, he says.<\/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\/feb\/17\/reform-farage-shadow-cabinet-local-council-elections-labour-starmer-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-699455398f08f193d2fb6122&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-699455398f08f193d2fb6122&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Reform UK would repeal Equality Act, Braverman says as she takes on education and equalities brief \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=Reform UK would repeal Equality Act, Braverman says as she takes on education and equalities brief \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/17\/reform-farage-shadow-cabinet-local-council-elections-labour-starmer-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-699455398f08f193d2fb6122#block-699455398f08f193d2fb6122\" 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-699454e78f0873cb025bb31f\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>Q: Why don\u2019t you hold byelections when people defect?<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Farage<\/strong> claims that, of the last 200 defections, only two have resulted in byelections.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">And he says he does not have time for byelections. He restates his claim that the next general election will take place next year.<\/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\/feb\/17\/reform-farage-shadow-cabinet-local-council-elections-labour-starmer-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-699454e78f0873cb025bb31f&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-699454e78f0873cb025bb31f&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Reform UK would repeal Equality Act, Braverman says as she takes on education and equalities brief \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=Reform UK would repeal Equality Act, Braverman says as she takes on education and equalities brief \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/17\/reform-farage-shadow-cabinet-local-council-elections-labour-starmer-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-699454e78f0873cb025bb31f#block-699454e78f0873cb025bb31f\" 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<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\/brexit-party&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Reform UK&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;politics\/nigel-farage&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Nigel Farage&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;type\/article&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Type&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Article&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;politics\/local-elections&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Local elections&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;politics\/robert-jenrick&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Robert Jenrick&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;uk-news\/richard-tice&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Richard Tice&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;society\/localgovernment&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Local government&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;politics\/conservatives&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Conservatives&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;world\/disability&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Disability&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;society\/benefits&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Benefits&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;politics\/welfare&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Welfare&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\/feb\/17\/reform-farage-shadow-cabinet-local-council-elections-labour-starmer-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;keywordIds&quot;:&quot;politics\/politics,uk\/uk,politics\/labour,politics\/brexit-party,politics\/nigel-farage,politics\/local-elections,politics\/robert-jenrick,uk-news\/richard-tice,society\/localgovernment,politics\/conservatives,world\/disability,society\/benefits,politics\/welfare&quot;,&quot;renderingTarget&quot;:&quot;Web&quot;}\"\/><\/div>\n<p>#Reform #repeal #Equality #Act #Braverman #takes #education #equalities #politics #live #Politics<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key events 21m ago Braverman s&hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":22601,"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\/22600"}],"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=22600"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22600\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/22601"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=22600"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=22600"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=22600"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}