{"id":4426,"date":"2025-12-17T09:52:41","date_gmt":"2025-12-17T09:52:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/?p=4426"},"modified":"2025-12-17T09:52:41","modified_gmt":"2025-12-17T09:52:41","slug":"streeting-questioned-by-commons-health-committee-as-resident-doctors-begin-strike-uk-politics-live-politics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/?p=4426","title":{"rendered":"Streeting questioned by Commons health committee as resident doctors begin strike \u2013 UK politics live | Politics"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"liveblog-body\"><gu-island name=\"EnhancePinnedPost\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{}\"\/><\/p>\n<div id=\"pinned-post\" data-gu-marker=\"pinned-post\" data-component=\"pinned-post\" class=\"dcr-r5tmyr\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"pinned-post-checkbox\" name=\"pinned-post-checkbox\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"dcr-11n52fl\"\/><\/p>\n<div id=\"collapsible-body\" class=\"dcr-1axsptg\">\n<article class=\"block dcr-1xlsn8h\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Streeting gives evidence to Commons health committee<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Wes Streeting<\/strong>, the health secretary, is giving evidence to the Commons health committee. 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srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/fa2aa73ca84203ce3c01fd9ba1518c49630623e4\/0_0_3819_2148\/3819.jpg?width=620&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 660px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 660px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/fa2aa73ca84203ce3c01fd9ba1518c49630623e4\/0_0_3819_2148\/3819.jpg?width=620&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 660px)\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/fa2aa73ca84203ce3c01fd9ba1518c49630623e4\/0_0_3819_2148\/3819.jpg?width=645&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 480px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 480px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/fa2aa73ca84203ce3c01fd9ba1518c49630623e4\/0_0_3819_2148\/3819.jpg?width=645&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 480px)\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/fa2aa73ca84203ce3c01fd9ba1518c49630623e4\/0_0_3819_2148\/3819.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 320px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 320px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/fa2aa73ca84203ce3c01fd9ba1518c49630623e4\/0_0_3819_2148\/3819.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 320px)\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Wes Streeting answers questions at parliament committee starts \u2013 watch live\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/fa2aa73ca84203ce3c01fd9ba1518c49630623e4\/0_0_3819_2148\/3819.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" height=\"259\" width=\"460\" class=\"dcr-1qi2at0\"\/><\/picture><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1alawo7\"><svg width=\"36\" height=\"23\" viewbox=\"0 0 36 23\"><path d=\"M3.2 0l-3.2 3.3v16.4l3.3 3.3h18.7v-23h-18.8m30.4 1l-8.6 8v5l8.6 8h2.4v-21h-2.4\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Wes Streeting answers questions at parliament committee starts \u2013 watch live<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/gu-island><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">At the start of the hearing <strong>Layla Moran<\/strong>, the chair, said they would cover the resident doctors\u2019 strike in the hearing, but she said she wanted to start with other topics.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" 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props=\"{&quot;keyEvents&quot;:[{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;69427b318f085301b168f348&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Wes Streeting&lt;\/strong&gt;, the health secretary, is giving evidence to the Commons health committee. There is a live feed here.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;808f1d24-d1e6-4e0a-901f-c45973274b87&quot;},{&quot;expired&quot;:false,&quot;assetId&quot;:&quot;Mc-fGUaQ3CY&quot;,&quot;posterImage&quot;:[{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/media.guim.co.uk\/fa2aa73ca84203ce3c01fd9ba1518c49630623e4\/0_0_3819_2148\/2000.jpg&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:2000},{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/media.guim.co.uk\/fa2aa73ca84203ce3c01fd9ba1518c49630623e4\/0_0_3819_2148\/1000.jpg&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:1000},{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/media.guim.co.uk\/fa2aa73ca84203ce3c01fd9ba1518c49630623e4\/0_0_3819_2148\/500.jpg&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:500},{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/media.guim.co.uk\/fa2aa73ca84203ce3c01fd9ba1518c49630623e4\/0_0_3819_2148\/140.jpg&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:140},{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/media.guim.co.uk\/fa2aa73ca84203ce3c01fd9ba1518c49630623e4\/0_0_3819_2148\/3819.jpg&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:3819}],&quot;id&quot;:&quot;86c81e4f-51f9-444e-89c8-097c54ff425b&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;d391fe55-faae-4db4-b7cf-5fde7f81917f&quot;,&quot;duration&quot;:0,&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.YoutubeBlockElement&quot;,&quot;mediaTitle&quot;:&quot;Wes Streeting answers questions at parliament committee starts \u2013 watch live&quot;,&quot;channelId&quot;:&quot;UCIRYBXDze5krPDzAEOxFGVA&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;At the start of the hearing &lt;strong&gt;Layla Moran&lt;\/strong&gt;, the chair, said they would cover the resident doctors\u2019 strike in the hearing, but she said she wanted to start with other topics.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;d5ae8cd0-56be-44d4-a4ba-8120c8ef3dea&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:true,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1765964593000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.43\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1765964687000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.44\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1765964687000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.44\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;09.44&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Streeting gives evidence to Commons health committee&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Wed 17 Dec 2025 09.44 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Wed 17 Dec 2025 08.51 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;694274f48f085fc7033b5366&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Labour is on course to be crushed in next year\u2019s elections for the Senedd, a new &lt;strong&gt;YouGov&lt;\/strong&gt; poll implies.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;bc673b9b-c79c-4d96-aecc-5d740e01e7d7&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Previous polls have shown Plaid Cymru and Reform UK on course to be the two largest parties in the Senedd, with Labour and the Conservatives far behind, but &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.itv.com\/news\/wales\/2025-12-17\/plaid-cymru-set-to-be-largest-party-in-wales-after-election-latest-poll-says?fbclid=IwY2xjawOvU7JleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeF-6kYJwhYw-JHPgfIsNhPlpIHlHTghUpW9FJPw8KG2hSko7GRnCR0WyBLWo_aem_RH4qR9p4ixVGQYD1wvzOAA\\&quot;&gt;the new poll&lt;\/a&gt;, conducted by YouGov for Cardiff University, shows Labour\u2019s support falling even further, to 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poll for Senedd elections in 2026&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;YouGov poll for Senedd elections in 2026&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Photograph: Will Hayward Newsletter&quot;}},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;According to Jac Larner from Cardiff University, these results would result in the the following seat distribution.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;17debb03-8d94-4dfc-b635-47b89706634c&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Plaid Cymru - 39&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;a123e335-b7c0-44e8-b65d-4d72e9d91aa7&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Reform UK - 34&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;aa3e5976-8dc4-4b1d-8b0e-73a03d8bbec8&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Labour - 10&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;8b28f913-9f2a-485f-8bee-a32b2fc38533&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Conservatives - 6&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;80eb8cb1-1a95-4d18-83e4-f8ac1e01f326&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Green - 4&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;272c059b-d5b6-4095-8355-2c3f5ccc9e73&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Lib Dem \u2013 3&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;7806a6ea-ffae-4298-8115-28a7d1871a89&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Labour has been in power continuously in Cardiff since the first elections to what was then called the Welsh assembly in 1999 and a result like this \u2013 even though it is in line with that polls have been suggesting for months \u2013 would be devastating for the party.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;87a2ad6c-4507-48a3-9f49-c7ba66180e99&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Commenting on the poll in &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/willhaywardwales.substack.com\/p\/bombshell-polling-for-wales\\&quot;&gt;a post&lt;\/a&gt; on his Substack newsletter, &lt;strong&gt;Will Hayward&lt;\/strong&gt;, the Welsh political commentator, says:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;0116376d-731d-4e10-a63a-e155f4e2a595&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 magic number under the new Senedd system is 49. You need 49 seats to get a majority. As it is highly unlikely that one party will get that alone, parties will need to work together.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;With that in mind here are some key takeaways from the polling:&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;-Plaid and Labour together have exactly 49.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;-Plaid alongside the Greens and Lib Dems are on 46 - three short of a majority.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;-Together Reform and the Tories are nine short of a majority.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Once we start getting into the realms of Plaid potentially being able to form a government without Labour we are truly in uncharted waters.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;117850a5-0281-4783-ae3b-137b1d3f4ad3&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Commenting on the poll, a &lt;strong&gt;Plaid Cymru spokesperson&lt;\/strong&gt; said:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;d6045a2c-9d0c-45e4-84c4-7363ba1dad27&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;Something big is truly happening in Wales.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Coming so soon after our Caerphilly by-election win, this poll shows the momentum is firmly with Plaid Cymru and that next year\u2019s election is shaping up to be a straight choice for Wales\u2019 future.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;After years in power, Labour have given up on Wales. People are tired of broken promises and being taken for granted and yearning for something new: fairness, ambition, and a government that finally puts Wales first.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;2c33a755-56bd-4318-8e15-7c60873f4ed1&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;And a &lt;strong&gt;Welsh Labour&lt;\/strong&gt; source told ITV:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;9d183d55-af26-4f0a-80fe-b025adddb36a&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 will be many polls before May. This doesn\u2019t mean this is where we\u2019ll be by election day. Welsh Labour is focused on protecting jobs, bringing down waiting lists, supporting our communities. This is what makes a difference to everyone\u2019s everyday lives. We know we\u2019ve got work to do, but we\u2019re determined to earn back the trust that voters have put in us before.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;49850e86-fecc-4c0a-91da-687f185654a1&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1765962996000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.16\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1765963928000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.32\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1765963911000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.31\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;09.31&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Labour support on course to fall to 10% in Senedd elections, poll suggests, with Plaid Cymru set to win most seats&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Wed 17 Dec 2025 09.44 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Wed 17 Dec 2025 08.51 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;694271d68f0867fecfcdc92f&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Nigel Farage has been told to apologise for his alleged teenage racism by 26 school contemporaries who have written an open letter telling of their \u201cdismay and anger\u201d at his response in recent weeks. &lt;strong&gt;Daniel Boffey, Henry Dyer &lt;\/strong&gt;and &lt;strong&gt;Mark Blacklock&lt;\/strong&gt; have the story.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;d8b3acba-7eca-41a9-884a-118ae0cc5d6d&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Nigel Farage told to apologise by 26 of his school contemporaries&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;0ecca959-9395-49f5-9f2c-6ef1cae7bac2&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;thumbnail&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/2025\/dec\/17\/nigel-farage-told-to-apologise-by-26-of-his-school-contemporaries&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;This morning &lt;strong&gt;Anna Turley&lt;\/strong&gt;, the &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/labour\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;Labour&lt;\/a&gt; party chair, said in a statement that Farage\u2019s refusal to apologise, and to even fully account for what happened, shows that he is \u201cunfit for high office\u201d.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;79ea499c-8177-4460-b469-69cfd792b3f1&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;It\u2019s shameful that Nigel Farage\u2019s refusal to have a proper answer as to whether he racially abused people at school has led to this. He should finally do the right thing now and apologise fully to those who have bravely come forward.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;His inability to answer basic questions about his past behaviour leaves the impression he may have something to hide. It really shouldn\u2019t be that difficult for him to explain his actions, or to take responsibility for them. Once again, Nigel Farage has proven he\u2019s unfit for high office.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;6ee2499e-59bc-45c4-b6d5-0b7a0225bd8c&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;In his various comments on these stories, Farage has veered between denying the allegations in their entirety, suggesting people misremembered what happened, and dismissing the comments alluded to as banter that was not intended to cause offence.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;98d464e5-357a-414b-8f1a-791c9ca85cbc&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1765962198000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.03\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1765962636000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.10\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1765962636000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.10\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;09.10&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Labour says Farage's refusal to apologise over racism allegations shows he's 'unfit for high office'&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Wed 17 Dec 2025 09.44 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Wed 17 Dec 2025 08.51 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;694263a78f085301b168f295&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Good morning. 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tps:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/fc4578570d41e49cad82d3413a2e989b2fad81b1\/0_0_1114_1380\/master\/1114.jpg?width=480&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=82932cb65047914c914889f643e6ee4e&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:960}]}],&quot;data&quot;:{&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;Guardian splash&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Photograph: Guardian&quot;}},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The move has been welcomed by pro-EU parties. The Liberal Democrats released this comment from their universities spokesperson, &lt;strong&gt;Ian Sollom&lt;\/strong&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;36940c33-d0cd-43d0-8a58-1f7566753428&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 years of campaigning by the Liberal Democrats, we welcome the news that the UK is finally set to rejoin the vital Erasmus+ student exchange scheme from 2027.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;This is a moment of real opportunity and a clear step towards repairing the disastrous Conservative Brexit deal.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;However, while this is a welcome breakthrough, it must be viewed as a crucial first step on a clear roadmap to a closer relationship with Europe. Starting with negotiating a bespoke UK-EU customs union, and committing to a youth mobility scheme for benefit of the next generation.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;75ad415f-2295-4283-adc5-c31d05760b2c&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The SNP has also been calling for the UK to rejoin Erasmus, and it issued this statement from &lt;strong&gt;Joe FitzPatrick&lt;\/strong&gt; MSP.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;2a95fe38-6bb9-413e-9870-47d9bf7fe3a3&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;Scotland did not vote for Brexit. Our young people, our universities, and our communities have already been paying the price of Farage\u2019s campaign to leave for years while Starmer refuses to admit that the whole thing was a mistake.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\\n  The SNP has campaigned tirelessly for Scotland\u2019s access to Erasmus, while Labour and the Tories ignored the voices of the young people most affected by Brexit.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\\n  It is baffling how Labour is only now realising what Scots figured out a long time ago. This isn\u2019t leadership, it\u2019s a desperate scramble to fix a mess they helped create. Scottish students shouldn\u2019t be used as pawns in Westminster\u2019s Brexit blunders.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;a5b6aed8-ac73-46c0-84dd-ea3301464515&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;But from the Conservative party and Reform UK \u2013 so far, we\u2019ve just had silence. It is not hard to see why. Do they defend Boris Johnson\u2019s decision not to join Erasmus, and the replacement scheme, Turing, that &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/commonslibrary.parliament.uk\/research-briefings\/cbp-9141\/\\&quot;&gt;he set up as an alternative&lt;\/a&gt; (which is not reciprocal, and which is less generous)? And, if they are going to criticise the decision, do they commit to pulling out again if they win the next election \u2013 a pledge that would be unpopular with young people, and the university sector?&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;2eedacdc-91ad-436d-8347-42ec0094ca6a&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;We may find out later today, although the Tories will probably want to say as little as possible on this topic.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;99f6d1b5-f5a4-492c-9840-e9abfadae52e&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;And it is not as if there are not other issues to discuss. Here is our story about the strike by resident doctors in England starting this morning.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;8448ca2b-1c65-4470-968a-147da36ed507&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Resident doctors in England begin five days of strike action&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;063c8dc7-b400-42b6-bbd9-19c6bc94bf73&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;thumbnail&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/society\/2025\/dec\/17\/resident-doctors-in-england-begin-five-days-of-strike-action&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Wes Streeting, the health secretary, will be speaking to MPs about this within the hour.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;45289deb-0767-4ebd-8818-c9d6721283c0&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Here is the agenda for the day.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;4220ee37-70d5-442a-b9dd-178559a6b2a6&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;9.30am:&lt;\/em&gt; Wes Streeting, the health secretary, gives evidence to the Commons health committee.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;5f3d3648-eeba-4dff-b62e-70ef3d06a466&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Morning:&lt;\/em&gt; The government is due to confirm that the UK is joining the EU\u2019s Erasmus programme.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;44c1c7b3-43ff-4b27-abb5-52c0f0d117c0&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;10am:&lt;\/em&gt; Unison is due to announce the results of its leadership election. Christina McAnea, the incumbent who is seen as one of Keir Starmer\u2019s main union allies, is being challenged by a leftwinger, Andrea Egan.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;98c8fa12-7d74-4e3c-bb0c-9599ab76a43f&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;11am:&lt;\/em&gt; The Green party is due to announce what it calls a \u201csignificant\u201d defection. &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/newsletter\/london-playbook\/a-little-christmas-keir\/\\&quot;&gt;Politico says it\u2019s Jamie Driscoll&lt;\/a&gt;, the former Labour North of Tyne mayor.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;fe6d6cd0-ad46-4c06-8fa3-c0fc917d0b7d&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Noon:&lt;\/em&gt; Keir Starmer faces &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/kemi-badenoch\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;Kemi Badenoch&lt;\/a&gt; at PMQs.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;ce57e7ae-64d2-491a-b466-1307a881f388&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;With recess starting tomorrow afternoon, the government is also making 14 announcements in the form of written ministerial statements, including ones covering the local government settlement for 2026-27, the bid to buy the Telegraph, and progress on the Grenfell Tower inquiry recommendations.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;10e619a2-ebdc-4fdc-bee5-758715a8d31d&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 (normally between 10am and 3pm at the moment), 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;af83468f-de01-4c2f-a61c-2c96643271dc&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;72062576-a931-495f-8ab7-ffebbffa8aef&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;bf6bd5a7-00df-4a18-837a-bdcdc601379e&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1765961513000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;08.51\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1765962709000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.11\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1765961513000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;08.51\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;08.51&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Starmer urged by Lib Dems to ensure rejoining Erasmus is \u2018first step to closer relationship\u2019 with EU&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Wed 17 Dec 2025 09.44 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Wed 17 Dec 2025 08.51 GMT&quot;}],&quot;filterKeyEvents&quot;:false,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;key-events-carousel-mobile&quot;,&quot;renderingTarget&quot;:&quot;Web&quot;,&quot;serverTime&quot;:1765965160941}\"><span id=\"key-events-carousel-mobile\"\/><span class=\"dcr-90inr0\"><\/p>\n<p>Key events<\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/gu-island><gu-island name=\"FilterKeyEventsToggle\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;filterKeyEvents&quot;:false,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;filter-toggle-mobile&quot;}\"><span id=\"filter-toggle-mobile\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-alru3r\"><label id=\"src-component-64589_description\" data-component=\"filter-key-events\" data-link-name=\"filter-key-events-on\" class=\"dcr-rrspei\"><button id=\"src-component-64589\" role=\"switch\" aria-checked=\"false\" aria-labelledby=\"src-component-64589_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-694274f48f085fc7033b5366\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Labour support on course to fall to 10% in Senedd elections, poll suggests, with Plaid Cymru set to win most seats<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Labour is on course to be crushed in next year\u2019s elections for the Senedd, a new <strong>YouGov<\/strong> poll implies.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Previous polls have shown Plaid Cymru and Reform UK on course to be the two largest parties in the Senedd, with Labour and the Conservatives far behind, but <a href=\"https:\/\/www.itv.com\/news\/wales\/2025-12-17\/plaid-cymru-set-to-be-largest-party-in-wales-after-election-latest-poll-says?fbclid=IwY2xjawOvU7JleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeF-6kYJwhYw-JHPgfIsNhPlpIHlHTghUpW9FJPw8KG2hSko7GRnCR0WyBLWo_aem_RH4qR9p4ixVGQYD1wvzOAA\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">the new poll<\/a>, conducted by YouGov for Cardiff University, shows Labour\u2019s support falling even further, to 10%.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"fe5432dc-436e-4692-9a10-3cf6514bd5de\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">YouGov poll for Senedd elections in 2026<\/span> Photograph: Will Hayward Newsletter<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">According to Jac Larner from Cardiff University, these results would result in the the following seat distribution.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Plaid Cymru &#8211; 39<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Reform UK &#8211; 34<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Labour &#8211; 10<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Conservatives &#8211; 6<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Green &#8211; 4<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Lib Dem \u2013 3<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Labour has been in power continuously in Cardiff since the first elections to what was then called the Welsh assembly in 1999 and a result like this \u2013 even though it is in line with that polls have been suggesting for months \u2013 would be devastating for the party.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Commenting on the poll in <a href=\"https:\/\/willhaywardwales.substack.com\/p\/bombshell-polling-for-wales\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">a post<\/a> on his Substack newsletter, <strong>Will Hayward<\/strong>, the Welsh political commentator, says:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>The magic number under the new Senedd system is 49. You need 49 seats to get a majority. As it is highly unlikely that one party will get that alone, parties will need to work together.<\/p>\n<p>With that in mind here are some key takeaways from the polling:<\/p>\n<p>-Plaid and Labour together have exactly 49.<\/p>\n<p>-Plaid alongside the Greens and Lib Dems are on 46 &#8211; three short of a majority.<\/p>\n<p>-Together Reform and the Tories are nine short of a majority.<\/p>\n<p>Once we start getting into the realms of Plaid potentially being able to form a government without Labour we are truly in uncharted waters.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Commenting on the poll, a <strong>Plaid Cymru spokesperson<\/strong> 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>Something big is truly happening in Wales.<\/p>\n<p>Coming so soon after our Caerphilly by-election win, this poll shows the momentum is firmly with Plaid Cymru and that next year\u2019s election is shaping up to be a straight choice for Wales\u2019 future.<\/p>\n<p>After years in power, Labour have given up on Wales. People are tired of broken promises and being taken for granted and yearning for something new: fairness, ambition, and a government that finally puts Wales first.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">And a <strong>Welsh Labour<\/strong> source told ITV:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>There will be many polls before May. This doesn\u2019t mean this is where we\u2019ll be by election day. Welsh Labour is focused on protecting jobs, bringing down waiting lists, supporting our communities. This is what makes a difference to everyone\u2019s everyday lives. We know we\u2019ve got work to do, but we\u2019re determined to earn back the trust that voters have put in us before.<\/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\/2025\/dec\/17\/uk-politics-live-eu-erasmus-scheme-labour-conservatives-doctors-strike-wes-streeting-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-694274f48f085fc7033b5366&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-694274f48f085fc7033b5366&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Streeting questioned by Commons health committee as resident doctors begin strike \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=Streeting questioned by Commons health committee as resident doctors begin strike \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2025\/dec\/17\/uk-politics-live-eu-erasmus-scheme-labour-conservatives-doctors-strike-wes-streeting-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-694274f48f085fc7033b5366#block-694274f48f085fc7033b5366\" 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=\"2025-12-17T09:32:08.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Wednesday, 17 December 2025 at 09:32 Greenwich Mean Time\">09.32 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-6942740c8f0867fecfcdc942\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<figure id=\"309e319e-92f1-4ddc-a75b-a37a82b9cf6b\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Jeremy Corbyn speaking with resident doctors on the picket line outside St Thomas\u2019 hospital in London this morning.<\/span> Photograph: Jonathan Brady\/PA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2025\/dec\/17\/uk-politics-live-eu-erasmus-scheme-labour-conservatives-doctors-strike-wes-streeting-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-6942740c8f0867fecfcdc942&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-6942740c8f0867fecfcdc942&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Streeting questioned by Commons health committee as resident doctors begin strike \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=Streeting questioned by Commons health committee as resident doctors begin strike \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2025\/dec\/17\/uk-politics-live-eu-erasmus-scheme-labour-conservatives-doctors-strike-wes-streeting-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6942740c8f0867fecfcdc942#block-6942740c8f0867fecfcdc942\" 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=\"2025-12-17T09:26:16.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Wednesday, 17 December 2025 at 09:26 Greenwich Mean Time\">09.26 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-694271d68f0867fecfcdc92f\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Labour says Farage&#8217;s refusal to apologise over racism allegations shows he&#8217;s &#8216;unfit for high office&#8217;<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Nigel Farage has been told to apologise for his alleged teenage racism by 26 school contemporaries who have written an open letter telling of their \u201cdismay and anger\u201d at his response in recent weeks. <strong>Daniel Boffey, Henry Dyer <\/strong>and <strong>Mark Blacklock<\/strong> have the story.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"539d4b60-9ddb-4172-b53b-c298db7ac2be\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><gu-island name=\"RichLinkComponent\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{&quot;richLinkIndex&quot;:1,&quot;element&quot;:{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Nigel Farage told to apologise by 26 of his school contemporaries&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;539d4b60-9ddb-4172-b53b-c298db7ac2be&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;inline&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/2025\/dec\/17\/nigel-farage-told-to-apologise-by-26-of-his-school-contemporaries&quot;},&quot;ajaxUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/api.nextgen.guardianapps.co.uk&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0}}\"\/><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">This morning <strong>Anna Turley<\/strong>, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/labour\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Labour<\/a> party chair, said in a statement that Farage\u2019s refusal to apologise, and to even fully account for what happened, shows that he is \u201cunfit for high office\u201d.<\/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>It\u2019s shameful that Nigel Farage\u2019s refusal to have a proper answer as to whether he racially abused people at school has led to this. He should finally do the right thing now and apologise fully to those who have bravely come forward.<\/p>\n<p>His inability to answer basic questions about his past behaviour leaves the impression he may have something to hide. It really shouldn\u2019t be that difficult for him to explain his actions, or to take responsibility for them. Once again, Nigel Farage has proven he\u2019s unfit for high office.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">In his various comments on these stories, Farage has veered between denying the allegations in their entirety, suggesting people misremembered what happened, and dismissing the comments alluded to as banter that was not intended to cause offence.<\/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\/2025\/dec\/17\/uk-politics-live-eu-erasmus-scheme-labour-conservatives-doctors-strike-wes-streeting-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-694271d68f0867fecfcdc92f&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-694271d68f0867fecfcdc92f&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Streeting questioned by Commons health committee as resident doctors begin strike \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=Streeting questioned by Commons health committee as resident doctors begin strike \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2025\/dec\/17\/uk-politics-live-eu-erasmus-scheme-labour-conservatives-doctors-strike-wes-streeting-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-694271d68f0867fecfcdc92f#block-694271d68f0867fecfcdc92f\" 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-694263a78f085301b168f295\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Starmer urged by Lib Dems to ensure rejoining Erasmus is \u2018first step to closer relationship\u2019 with EU<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Good morning. As <strong>Pippa Crer<\/strong><strong>ar<\/strong> revealed for the Guardian yesterday, the government will today announce that the UK is rejoining the EU\u2019s Erasmus student exchange programme.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"341b45d8-0b11-43cb-ac7b-91f254eb23cc\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><gu-island name=\"RichLinkComponent\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{&quot;richLinkIndex&quot;:1,&quot;element&quot;:{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;UK to rejoin EU\u2019s Erasmus student exchange programme &quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;341b45d8-0b11-43cb-ac7b-91f254eb23cc&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;inline&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2025\/dec\/16\/uk-to-rejoin-eu-erasmus-student-exchange-programme&quot;},&quot;ajaxUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/api.nextgen.guardianapps.co.uk&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0}}\"\/><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"1d1db466-8c7b-4f66-a981-9aea1b4b94c9\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span> Photograph: Guardian<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The move has been welcomed by pro-EU parties. The Liberal Democrats released this comment from their universities spokesperson, <strong>Ian Sollom<\/strong>.<\/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 years of campaigning by the Liberal Democrats, we welcome the news that the UK is finally set to rejoin the vital Erasmus+ student exchange scheme from 2027.<\/p>\n<p>This is a moment of real opportunity and a clear step towards repairing the disastrous Conservative Brexit deal.<\/p>\n<p>However, while this is a welcome breakthrough, it must be viewed as a crucial first step on a clear roadmap to a closer relationship with Europe. Starting with negotiating a bespoke UK-EU customs union, and committing to a youth mobility scheme for benefit of the next generation.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The SNP has also been calling for the UK to rejoin Erasmus, and it issued this statement from <strong>Joe FitzPatrick<\/strong> MSP.<\/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>Scotland did not vote for Brexit. Our young people, our universities, and our communities have already been paying the price of Farage\u2019s campaign to leave for years while Starmer refuses to admit that the whole thing was a mistake.<\/p>\n<p>The SNP has campaigned tirelessly for Scotland\u2019s access to Erasmus, while Labour and the Tories ignored the voices of the young people most affected by Brexit.<\/p>\n<p>It is baffling how Labour is only now realising what Scots figured out a long time ago. This isn\u2019t leadership, it\u2019s a desperate scramble to fix a mess they helped create. Scottish students shouldn\u2019t be used as pawns in Westminster\u2019s Brexit blunders.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">But from the Conservative party and Reform UK \u2013 so far, we\u2019ve just had silence. It is not hard to see why. Do they defend Boris Johnson\u2019s decision not to join Erasmus, and the replacement scheme, Turing, that <a href=\"https:\/\/commonslibrary.parliament.uk\/research-briefings\/cbp-9141\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">he set up as an alternative<\/a> (which is not reciprocal, and which is less generous)? And, if they are going to criticise the decision, do they commit to pulling out again if they win the next election \u2013 a pledge that would be unpopular with young people, and the university sector?<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">We may find out later today, although the Tories will probably want to say as little as possible on this topic.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">And it is not as if there are not other issues to discuss. Here is our story about the strike by resident doctors in England starting this morning.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"2ae9dba0-31bc-4778-bc86-e7d3bc8a9761\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><gu-island name=\"RichLinkComponent\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{&quot;richLinkIndex&quot;:10,&quot;element&quot;:{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Resident doctors in England begin five days of strike action&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;2ae9dba0-31bc-4778-bc86-e7d3bc8a9761&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;inline&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/society\/2025\/dec\/17\/resident-doctors-in-england-begin-five-days-of-strike-action&quot;},&quot;ajaxUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/api.nextgen.guardianapps.co.uk&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0}}\"\/><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Wes Streeting, the health secretary, will be speaking to MPs about this within the hour.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Here is the agenda for the day.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>9.30am:<\/em> Wes Streeting, the health secretary, gives evidence to the Commons health committee.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>Morning:<\/em> The government is due to confirm that the UK is joining the EU\u2019s Erasmus programme.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>10am:<\/em> Unison is due to announce the results of its leadership election. Christina McAnea, the incumbent who is seen as one of Keir Starmer\u2019s main union allies, is being challenged by a leftwinger, Andrea Egan.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>11am:<\/em> The Green party is due to announce what it calls a \u201csignificant\u201d defection. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/newsletter\/london-playbook\/a-little-christmas-keir\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Politico says it\u2019s Jamie Driscoll<\/a>, the former Labour North of Tyne mayor.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>Noon:<\/em> Keir Starmer faces <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/kemi-badenoch\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Kemi Badenoch<\/a> at PMQs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">With recess starting tomorrow afternoon, the government is also making 14 announcements in the form of written ministerial statements, including ones covering the local government settlement for 2026-27, the bid to buy the Telegraph, and progress on the Grenfell Tower inquiry recommendations.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">If you want to contact me, please post a message below the line when comments are open (normally between 10am and 3pm at the moment), or message me on social media. I can\u2019t read all the messages BTL, but if you put \u201cAndrew\u201d in a message aimed at me, I am more likely to see it because I search for posts containing that word.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">If you want to flag something up urgently, it is best to use social media. You can reach me on Bluesky at @andrewsparrowgdn.bsky.social. The Guardian has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/media\/2024\/nov\/13\/the-guardian-no-longer-post-on-x-twitter-elon-musk\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">given up posting from its official accounts on X<\/a>, but individual Guardian journalists are there, I still have my account, and if you message me there at @AndrewSparrow, I will see it and respond if necessary.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">I find it very helpful when readers point out mistakes, even minor typos. No error is too small to correct. And I find your questions very interesting too. I can\u2019t promise to reply to them all, but I will try to reply to as many as I can, either BTL or sometimes in the blog.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2025\/dec\/17\/uk-politics-live-eu-erasmus-scheme-labour-conservatives-doctors-strike-wes-streeting-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-694263a78f085301b168f295&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-694263a78f085301b168f295&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Streeting questioned by Commons health committee as resident doctors begin strike \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=Streeting questioned by Commons health committee as resident doctors begin strike \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2025\/dec\/17\/uk-politics-live-eu-erasmus-scheme-labour-conservatives-doctors-strike-wes-streeting-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-694263a78f085301b168f295#block-694263a78f085301b168f295\" 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=\"2025-12-17T09:11:49.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Wednesday, 17 December 2025 at 09:11 Greenwich Mean Time\">09.11 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<p>#Streeting #questioned #Commons #health #committee #resident #doctors #strike #politics #live #Politics<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Streeting gives evidence to Co&hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4427,"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\/4426"}],"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=4426"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4426\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4427"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4426"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4426"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4426"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}