Alliance Party member John Blair has introduced a Stormont bill to ban the “cruel and inhumane” practice of fox hunting in the Six Counties.

Alliance also announced the move on Facebook.

By Robert Freeman

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New US CBS News boss and Israel fanatic Bari Weiss has removed the channel’s London bureau chief Claire Day for not being sufficiently pro-Israel. Day had clashed with Weiss over her coverage of Israel’s Gaza genocide and its US-backed war on Iran.

Like a ‘Hamas cell’

Weiss was installed to run CBS, despite a lack of experience, by its new Zionist owners – apparently because of her commitment to Israel. She promptly appointed or promoted pro-Israel presenters and staff. The excuse for the move on Day was a complaint from a freelance, evidently pro-Israel London cameraman that Day was running the bureau like a “Hamas cell”. Day was cleared of any bias but removed anyway.

As one insider told US press:

For Bari and Tom to discard her because she failed some undefined purity test is appalling.

Weiss has replaced Day with Shayndi Raice, a former Wall Street Journal Middle East correspondent based in Israel. Raice reportedly has no prior television or large-scale management experience. She takes up the post from 11 May 2026.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Featured image via CBS News

By Skwawkbox

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In a rare success story for Six Counties’ legislators, the Northern Ireland Assembly has passed a Sign Language Bill that in several respects goes beyond its equivalents in the Republic of Ireland and Britain.

It will be the first bill in the islands mandating the provision of sign language classes for all D/deaf children and young people up to the age of 25, along with their immediate family members.

These will be free of charge. People aged 25, or who have become deaf, will also have classes available to them, though it seems likely a small fee will be charged in these cases.

The bill is also the first to officially recognise two signed languages, British Sign Language (BSL) and Irish Sign Language (ISL).

All public bodies are required to take “all reasonable steps” to ensure D/deaf people are able to access services in their language of choice. This will include provision of interpreters or “web-based or technological means for on-site or remote interaction”.

The bill goes beyond requiring this kind of access as a “reasonable adjustment” for a disability. Instead, it is considered a linguistic right for a cultural minority.

Deaf people’s culture respected in law

The cost of fulfilling the bill’s requirements is likely to be about £3 million per year. The main justification for the bill is clearly that treating D/deaf people as equal citizens is simply the right thing to do.

However, even for those caring purely about bean counting, it’s hard to imagine the spending won’t be easily recouped by letting D/deaf communities participate fully in society.

This is the case with all similar social spending. Reactionary governments try to pinch every penny as if spending it on disabled people would be an enormous waste. In reality, enabling people to fulfil their potential more than pays for itself.

The bill’s passage was hailed by the British Deaf Association (BDA), which described the legislation as a “landmark step”.

The BDA continued:

The legislation marks a significant milestone not only for Northern Ireland, but for the wider UK and Ireland, reinforcing the importance of sign languages as living languages with their own culture, heritage and communities.

Caroline Doherty, Northern Ireland manager at the charity, said:

This is a hugely significant moment for Deaf communities in Northern Ireland. The recognition of both BSL and ISL reflects the reality of our linguistic and cultural landscape and sends a powerful message about inclusion, respect and equality.

She spoke of wanting to ensure, “Deaf people are not only included, but are actively influencing and shaping the services that affect their lives”.

This must lead to meaningful, lasting change for our community.

Chairperson of the BDA, Robert Adam, reiterated this emphasis on implementation. He said:

The hard work starts here. We need to work together to turn this legislation into meaningful change in people’s lives. The sign language community stands ready to work with government to set clear priorities and deliver real progress.

That means ensuring early access to sign language for deaf babies, children and their families; expanding the availability of public information in sign language; and empowering deaf signers to play a stronger, more visible role in shaping the decisions that affect our lives and our future.

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MLAs: Limit self-congratulation until there’s equality for all

Sinn Féin’s Colm Gildernew, chairman of the Stormont Communities Committee, spoke of the need to ensure the private sector gets on board too. He said:

The department’s future work on extending any central system outside of [the] public sector will be key to this, and something stakeholders raised consistently with the committee.

Gordon Lyons, whose Department for Communities led on the bill, said:

For generations, deaf people have built rich linguistic, cultural and social communities through sign language yet that history has too often been marked by exclusion. Legal recognition of sign language has lagged far behind lived reality.

At further consideration stage, I spoke of the Milan conference in 1880 and how its decisions led to deaf children being discouraged from learning and using their own language, and deaf people in general being marginalised in employment and civic life, often seen and treated as outsiders, as not quite belonging.

The Milan conference Lyons referred to was the Second International Congress on Education of the Deaf. There it was declared that “oral education (oralism) was superior to manual education”. A resolution then banned the use of sign language in schools.

It led to schools in Europe and North America using speech therapy without sign language in education for Deaf people. UNESCO described the impact:

The resolutions of this Congress impacted negatively on deaf people’s access to language and education in many countries, excluded deaf teachers from the profession, and contributed to the widespread devaluing of signed languages.

It’s welcome that Lyons can recognise the mistreatment of a marginalised group 145 years ago. It’s always more valuable to recognise it in the here and now, at a time when his own Democratic Unionist Party scapegoats immigrants and trans people.

There was rightly a mood of self-congratulation in the Assembly chamber during the passage of the bill. However, the cheers will echo only as hypocrisy if similar legislation isn’t extended to all of today’s marginalised communities.

Featured image via the Canary

By Robert Freeman

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4 min read1 min

We must give Britain’s campaigning organisations a better platform. Parliamentarians know how difficult it can be to make political change.

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They see this not only from their own perspective but from the perspective of campaigners who come to them asking for help.

These might be campaigners seeking redress after an injustice, or who are championing a proposal to improve legislation in a particular policy area.

These campaigners are often well-informed and highly motivated. They also have a genuine representative function. After all, many people are more interested in political issues than in political parties. Such people often find that their principal engagement with politics is through an issue-based campaign group. Campaigning groups are a vital part of our democracy. They want to influence parliamentary and public debate, and they want parliamentarians to assist them. MPs and peers will often do what they can. Unfortunately, however, the current system is stacked against them.

The struggles faced by the Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance prove the point. The subpostmasters battled hard. They had support from various parliamentarians. Their efforts, however, only met with success after ITV1 aired Mr Bates vs The Post Office. It cannot be right that you need to get a national broadcaster on board in order to make an important political argument. We should make it easier for campaigners to influence parliamentary and public debate.

This could be done by building on the existing parliamentary e-petitions system. Current arrangements allow the subject of a popular petition to be debated in the House of Commons – but instead of having MPs debate the issue, we could allow campaigners to speak for themselves in a House of Campaigns.

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The House of Campaigns would be a new chamber in Parliament. It would have no permanent membership. Rather, it would be open to Britain’s campaigning organisations. It would meet on one Friday each month. Each day would have six half-hour sessions.

Campaigns wanting to speak in the chamber would apply online. The sessions would be allocated by a House of Campaigns committee made up of representatives from across the political spectrum. The House of Campaigns committee would have a responsibility to ensure that a wide range of campaigners was invited to speak.

Instead of having MPs debate the issue, we could allow campaigners to speak for themselves in a House of Campaigns

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A participating campaign would have 30 minutes in which to make a full and persuasive argument. It would conclude with a ‘Request for Action’ asking a government department to take a specific action. While the government would not need to comply with the Request for Action, it would be obliged to respond promptly and in detail. If the government decided not to act, it would need to engage with the arguments and explain its decision. The House of Campaigns would give campaigners direct access to ministers. Importantly, however, the new house could also put campaigns on the national news agenda.

The fact that it would meet on a Friday (when the House of Commons and the House of Lords rarely sit) would give the House of Campaigns a monopoly on parliamentary reporting. Only having six sessions a month should give them a novelty value that might enable them to win media coverage. The press attention following Mr Bates vs The Post Office was transformative for the subpostmasters. The House of Campaigns may not be able to have the same impact on every occasion – but you do not need to spend much time with Britain’s campaigners to know that many could make headlines and change minds, if only they were given the opportunity. The House of Campaigns would give them their chance.

Our campaigners deserve a better deal. It is time for a House of Campaigns. 

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Richard Ellis is the founder of Campaigners in Parliament

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Arsenal arrive in Madrid with a clear line of sight, two matches stand between them and a first Champions League final since 2006.

Manager Mikel Arteta, and captain Martin Ødegaard, have framed the tie as an opportunity rather than a threat. They insist the squad is ready to take the next step after two seasons of steady progress.

This is a team built on a plan, recruitment, coaching and a style that has matured into genuine European competitiveness.

Arteta’s side have earned their place in the last four through a mixture of tactical discipline and moments of attacking quality. The narrative now is simple: convert potential into a result over two legs.

Arsenal face Atlético Madrid tonight

There are practical reasons for measured optimism. Arsenal is in back-to-back Champions League semi-finals, a sign of consistency at the highest level that the club lacked for years.

Arsenal has also shown defensive resilience in the knockout rounds, conceding just once across ties with Bayer Leverkusen and Sporting. That defensive backbone gives them a platform to play with confidence away from home.

But optimism must be balanced with realism. Arsenal’s form in recent weeks has been patchy. They have struggled for goals, managing only five in their last seven matches across all competitions.

That lack of cutting edge is the clearest vulnerability heading into a tie with Diego Simeone’s Atlético Madrid, a team built on organisation, experience and the ability to make big matches ugly for opponents.

Tactically, Arteta faces a familiar test: how to impose Arsenal’s possession-based game on a team that will happily cede the ball and strike on the counter.

The Gunners’ October meeting with Atlético was a 4-0 league phase win, which showed what they can do when they find rhythm and finish chances. But one result from the league phase does not erase the tactical discipline Atletico bring to European nights.

Gunners must be clinical and patient in equal measure

The psychological side matters as much as the tactical. Players and staff have spoken openly about the weight of expectation that comes with chasing major trophies. The pressure has shaped previous campaigns and will shape this one.

The difference now though is experience. Many of the squad have been through deep runs and know how to manage the noise.

The job for Arteta and his coaching team is to keep the focus narrow — one game, one step, one moment at a time — to reach another final.

Game management will be decisive. Arsenal’s recent reliance on defensive solidity suggests Arteta values control, but the manager has also been clear he wants to attack and decide ties rather than sit back.

That balance between protecting a lead and hunting a decisive goal will define the first leg at the Metropolitano.

Expect Arsenal to try to take the initiative early, but also to be ready for Atletico’s set-piece threat and counter-attacks.

We’ll be on the edge of our seats

For supporters, the stakes are both immediate and historic. A place in the final would be a landmark for a club that has rebuilt its identity and ambitions over several seasons. For the players, it is a chance to turn progress into legacy.

For the manager, it is a test of tactical flexibility and mental management. Win or lose, the way Arsenal approach this tie will tell us a lot about where the project stands.

Arsenal has the structure, the personnel and the belief to make history, but they must solve a recent scoring slump and navigate a tactically astute opponent. The first leg will be a measuring stick, not just of quality on the pitch but of temperament off it.

If Arteta’s team can marry discipline with the attacking intent they’ve shown at their best, they will give themselves a real chance to reach a final that has eluded the club for decades.

Featured image via Arsenal

By Faz Ali

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The post ‘Starmer can stick his digital ID’ appeared first on spiked.

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Screens showing shipping in the Middle East at the UK Maritime Trade Organisation in Portsmouth (PA Images/Alamy)

4 min read2 min

Foreign and security policy are likely to play larger roles in the UK’s national politics for years to come.

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The current Gulf war is only the latest sign of a deteriorating global multilateral order. Conflict persists in Ukraine and Sudan, while an unstable American hegemon seeks to enforce a new Monroe doctrine in Venezuela, Cuba and Greenland. These are symptoms of intensifying global power politics unrestrained by law or treaty. 

Closer to home, Russia aims to divide Europe and test Nato’s commitment to the collective security of smaller nations. The UK is regarded by the Russian strategic elite as ‘enemy number one’, being one of the leading states in Europe with the will to damage its objectives, as in Ukraine. This long-term challenge from a hostile state in the UK’s neighbourhood will mean increasing attempts to damage and weaken its society through cyber-attacks, physical sabotage and information warfare. 

In contrast to the broad foreign policy consensus in Parliament through much of the Cold War and decades since, parties are increasingly voicing divergent views. The Liberal Democrats press for an embrace of Europe, and the Conservatives tilt toward Canada, Australia and New Zealand (Canzuk). On defence too, troop deployments to Greenland, Ukraine and a new all-British nuclear deterrent have been advocated by the Liberal Democrats, and reform of Nato by the Greens. 

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While scrutiny and advocacy for alternatives are the constitutional duty of opposition parties in Parliament, weak domestic consensus can hobble execution of national security strategy.

Without broad parliamentary and public support, governments may struggle to adequately fund resource intensive priorities, deploy the armed forces, or maintain enduring alliances. Polarised political discourse is also ripe territory for exploitation by external actors to increase internal discord through information warfare campaigns. 

A FTSE 100 executive is likely to have access to better intelligence and geopolitical analysis than most parliamentarians, courtesy of London’s thriving boutique private security firms.

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National security briefings for parliamentarians on threats to the UK would allow for better scrutiny of preparedness, debate from an informed perspective and potentially greater consensus. Currently, only opposition leaders are briefed on ‘Privy Council terms’ on an ad-hoc basis and usually limited to specific incidents.

Select committees should function as the main vehicle for scrutiny of foreign and security policy, yet rely on government candour rather than access to information as of right. The Commons Defence Committee faced official barriers to assessing the UK’s defence readiness, while government continues to refuse requests from the Joint Committee on National Security Strategy to hear evidence from the National Security Adviser. Former defence secretary Sir Ben Wallace alleges excessive secrecy on the part of government, so it can “own the narrative of the threat” and contain political and public pressure on the Treasury for greater defence resources. 

A FTSE 100 executive is likely to have access to better intelligence and geopolitical analysis than most parliamentarians

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The US Congress halted the Trump administration’s plans to withdraw all American troops from Europe by 2027, whose members all have access to classified briefings by right of office.

In Estonia and Finland, as well as benefiting from published public threat assessments from intelligence agencies, nearly all legislators will have participated in a government national security course on threats and policies. In the Polish Sejm, members hand in phones before closed sessions of the whole chamber on Russian subversion activities, held at the request of government.

Parliament could receive better information in several ways. As in other Nato states, the Defence Committee should work at a ‘secret’ level, as it did in the Cold War. When the heads of MI5 and MI6 deliver public threat lectures, a closed version could be arranged for Parliament in Westminster Hall, alongside the chief of the defence staff. Members’ libraries could work with government to arrange access to ad-hoc briefings at other times. Without an ability to fairly scrutinise or build trust and knowledge, the national strategy and resourcing required for an era of increasing threats may falter. 

Robin Potter is an academy associate at Chatham House

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Tenerife is a lot more than just a holiday spot, especially for British travellers… You see, thanks to its privileged location and condition, sitting on the northwest coast of Africa, floating in the Atlantic Ocean, but still being part of Spain and Europe, the island offers a unique opportunity for a summer trip.

You get the best parts of Spain, but with better weather, stunning landscapes, and world-class attractions in a single place, while still having that familiar European comfort. This means that you can leave behind grey skies and enjoy one of the best summer holidays in Tenerife.

Whether you’re travelling as a couple, with friends, or as a family, Tenerife sure has something to offer you.

Loro Parque: A World Leader in Conservation and Animal Care

While most thing of beaches when hearing about Tenerife, what most people don’t know is that the island’s main attraction is Loro Parque. This is not just a park; it’s one of those places that leave an impression on you.

It’s educational and impressive.

The park is known as an Animal Embassy, which means that animals living there act as ambassador of their conspecifics in the wild, contributing to their protection. Loro Parque is deeply involved in protecting endangered species around the world, and you can easily see and feel that in the details you will spot on your visit.

Once there, you will notice how carefully each habitat was designed; it truly feels like the real thing. You will find anything from topical areas to forests, deserts, and specialised environments. All of that reflects a focus on animal welfare and respect for nature.

Siam Park: The Best Water Park in the World for 10 Years

After that title, Siam Park doesn’t need a huge introduction… a water park that has been named the best one in the world for 10 consecutive years by Tripadvisor. That’s HUGE! But don’t let that surprise you, the real thing will actually leave you speechless.

Yeah, you can expect consistent quality after a 10-year streak but It’s even better than that. The park is fully built in a stunning and accurate Thai theme, this give you a completely different feel from typical water parks.

By checking the design, the details, and all those things that make the thai vibe you will notice how polished everything is, to the point where you’re not just riding slides. You’re stepping into a carefully designed atmosphere.

There are high-speed rides as well as calm areas, rivers, the white sands of Siam Beach, the incredible waves breaking from the Wave Palace, and even great food!! And the best part is that it works just as well for couples as it does for families.

Mount Teide and Tenerife’s Dramatic Landscapes

While those two are part of what makes Tenerife great in recent years, what makes the island what it is to this day and has been leaving travelers speechless for ages is Mount Teide. Spain’s highest peak, and you can miss it; it can be seen from almost anywhere on the island.

Walking through Teide National Park is a unique experience; the landscapes completely change from coastal to volcanic, almost unreal terrain. It really looks like NASA’s Mars photos, like something from another planet.

You will see interesting rock formations, you have amazing trails to hike, as well as a ton of viewpoints to check, but I highly recommend that you take a cable car ride part of the way up. This not only makes the experience accessible, but it also offers some amazing views.

Once you’re up there, the views stretch across the island and beyond, giving you this sense of exploration and greatness.

Beaches, Food, and the Easy Island Lifestyle

But of course, there’s no summer holiday or visit to Tenerife without some beach, sun, and water activities… without forgetting about good food and some cultural immersion.

Because life in Tenerife is way different than life in mainland Europe, here everything is slower, fresher, and calmer. The island is home to a mix of golden and volcanic black sand beaches, each with its own thing. Some are lively and full of activity, while others are perfect for a slow afternoon.

When it comes to dining, there’s a flavour for every palate. The culinary scene presents a blend of classic Spanish dishes and distinct Canarian specialities. Options range from simple, authentic meals like papas arrugadas with mojo sauce and fresh seafood, to international favourites like burgers.

Conclusion

If you’re planning your next summer escape and want something that feels both familiar and exciting, Tenerife should be at the top of your list.

It offers the comfort of Spain, the beauty of an island in the Atlantic, and experiences that stay with you long after you return home.

From the visit to Loro Parque to Siam Park, it all fits together naturally. One day flows into the next, each experience building on the last.

So the real question is simple: why settle for an ordinary summer when you can have all of this in one place?

Image Source: Pexels, Atlantic Ambiance, under the Creative Commons license.

By Nathan Spears

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Hailey Baptiste pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the clay season, beating world number one, Aryna Sabalenka, in a wild tennis quarter-final at the Madrid Open.

The 24-year-old won 2-6, 6-2, 7-6 in a match that swung back and forth, and refused to end until the very last point.

Sabalenka started like a steamroller. She grabbed two breaks early and took the first set 6-2, hitting hard and moving the American around the court.

Surprisingly, Baptiste stayed in the game. She fought her way back in the second, breaking twice to level the match and force a decider.

The third set was a test of nerves for both players. Breaks were traded, momentum flipped and both players had chances.

Baptiste saved five match points while serving in the tenth game to stay alive, then later survived a sixth match point in the tie-break before closing out the win. The match lasted two hours and 32 minutes.

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A post shared by Hailey Baptiste (@haileybaptiste)

WATCH: Hailey Baptiste’s winning moment

This is Baptiste’s biggest win to-date. It’s also her first victory over a top-five opponent and a career milestone that will stick with her. Baptiste showed grit, big hitting when it mattered, and a calm head in the pressure moments.

For Sabalenka, the loss is a shock and a reminder of how thin the margin is at the top. She’s a three-time Madrid champion and came in as the favourite, but the clay court draw in Madrid has been brutal for the top seeds this year. The tournament has already seen the top seven seeds exit early, and Sabalenka’s defeat only added to the chaos.

Baptiste’s path now leads to a semi-final against Mirra Andreeva, who beat Leylah Fernandez earlier in the day. That match will be another big test. Andreeva is a rising star with a fearless game, and Baptiste will need to keep the same fight and focus to go further.

Nerves of steel

What stood out was Baptiste’s refusal to panic. When Sabalenka piled on pressure, Baptiste answered with clean serves and aggressive returns. She mixed power with smart placement, forcing Sabalenka into longer rallies and taking advantage when the world number one missed.

The mental edge came down to a few points and Baptiste won them.

This result will ripple through the tour. A win like this boosts Baptiste’s confidence and ranking points. Her triumph also sends a message to the rest of the field that on any given day, the top spot can be challenged.

For Sabalenka, it’s a reset moment. She’ll go back to the drawing board, sharpen the serve and work on closing out tight matches. The loss stings, but it’s also a reminder that even champions must fight for every point.

An unforgettable game of tennis

Fans got drama, tension and a classic underdog story. Baptiste’s celebration at the net was simple and earned. She’s a young player who seized her moment on one of the sport’s biggest stages.

Madrid’s clay has a way of producing surprises, and this was one of the loudest.

In short, Baptiste kept fighting, saved six match points and stunned the world number one tennis player in a match that will be replayed in highlights for days.

It was a career-defining night for her and a tough exit for Sabalenka. Baptiste’s win is proof that in tennis, the scoreboard never lies and the next point is always the one that matters.

Featured image via Reuters/ Violeta Santos Moura

By Faz Ali

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On 28 April, MPs voted on whether Keir Starmer should be probed for misleading Parliament. As we reported, this is something the PM seems to have done several times. Despite this, relatively few politicians voted in favour of Starmer facing the sort of transparency he promised to deliver in office.

Interestingly, Nigel Farage and Robert Jenrick were among those who didn’t even bother to vote:

This is why @reformparty_uk are such an unserious party.

Neither Nigel Farage or Robert Jenrick voted on this, that’s 25% of their parliamentary party simply couldn’t be bothered to vote.

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Decisions are made by people who turn up, Reform are not serious people. https://t.co/wRDGnowq28

— Mike Prendergast (@MikePrendUK) April 28, 2026

Part-timers

As we reported on 28 April:

PM Keir Starmer stands accused of multiple instances of misleading Parliament. This is why his opponents tabled a vote to try and force a probe into his behaviour – a tactic Starmer himself once deployed against then-PM Boris Johnson

Starmer described the vote as a “stunt”:

Keir Starmer, "What my political opponents are doing tomorrow is a political stunt"

Cathy Newman, "It's a stunt you pulled in opposition against the last, Conservative, government"

Keir Starmer, "The reason they're doing it is because they don't believe what we're doing as a… pic.twitter.com/QXUdZJ86jZ

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— Farrukh (@implausibleblog) April 27, 2026

The vote has now gone ahead, with Labour MPs voting against Starmer facing scrutiny. One rebel MP who voted in favour of Starmer facing accountability said the following:

My speech in today's #PrivilegeDebate https://t.co/B8cURwI3ur

— Emma Lewell MP (@EmmaLewell) April 28, 2026

Reform have sought to capitalise on this situation, with the full post from Zia Yusuf above reading:

Friendly note to Labour MPs ahead of the vote tomorrow to decide if Starmer should face an ethics probe:

If you vote against it, Reform will carpet bomb your constituency to ensure all your constituents know you voted to save the most unpopular PM of all time.

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Vote wisely.

Some are upset by the term “carpet bomb”, but come on, in this context it’s abundantly clear Yusuf isn’t planning to literally bomb voters.

Zia Yusuf. This unelected evil little waffle goblin is unhinged.
Threatening to 'carpet bomb' an MPs constituency. Does he understand what carpet bomb means. He should be reported to the police. Idiot.#BBCBreakfast #r4today #Evil pic.twitter.com/quFGiY9zly

— Alethea Bernard (@Tush27J) April 28, 2026

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We all use words like ‘explosive’ and ‘nuked’ in day-to-day language, and pretending that’s not the case comes across as cynical.

To be less fair to Reform, however, you can’t talk this strongly about a vote and then just not bother voting:

Reform threatened to ‘carpet bomb’ the constituencies of Labour MPs who didn’t vote for Sir Keir Starmer to face an inquiry over the Mandelson affair.

How did their leader Farage vote? He didn’t.

— Simon Harris (@SimonHarrisMBD) April 28, 2026

And as Reform Party UK Exposed highlighted, Farage has said questionable things about Peter Mandelson himself:

Hi @Nigel_Farage, how did you vote?

You didn’t.@ZiaYusufUK – you going to “carpet bomb” Clacton? pic.twitter.com/zR6Bf25dK2

— Reform Party UK Exposed (@reformexposed) April 29, 2026

Excuses

Nigel Farage excused his absence as follows:

The vote in Parliament tonight was great theatre, but the three-line whip meant it would never be close.

I want Starmer out, which is why I spent the day campaigning for it.

If Reform crush Labour next week, he will be gone.

— Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) April 28, 2026

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Tory candidate George McBride said this in response:

A weak defence from a man who couldn’t be bothered to turn up.

The local elections will not see Starmer leave office.

If he actually wanted Starmer out, he would have rocked up to Parliament (for once) and voted to do so.

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What an awful MP Farage is proving to be.

We hate to say it, but Farage might have a point.

The vote was never going to pass, because Labour MPs are spineless, self-serving worms with no direction or purpose. Given that, Farage was possibly correct to think it wasn’t worth losing a day of campaigning.

It’s certainly the case that his opponents are kicking up a fuss, but what do you think will get more attention today:

1. The fact that Labour MPs overwhelmingly voted in favour of not probing Starmer – forever tying themselves to the Peter Mandelson scandal?
2. Or the fact that Farage didn’t show up, even though it wouldn’t have mattered anyway?

This isn’t to say Farage doesn’t deserve criticism; this is literally an article giving him just that.

Farage’s absence is something people will highlight every time Reform try to challenge Labour’s handling of the Mandelson scandal – something which is happening already:

Your party leader didn’t even bother to turn up pic.twitter.com/Vb1RHMWzn8

— Imogen (@Imogenlemon02) April 28, 2026

While it’s fine for the public to make this point, it’s galling to see Labour MPs attempting the same thing:

(Setting aside the “carpet bomb” threat), I note that Nigel Farage and Robert Jenrick both missed the vote … that’s 25% of your MPs. Not that important to you then. https://t.co/Zq5D03xPxn

— Lucy Powell MP (@LucyMPowell) April 28, 2026

Lucy Powell – you literally voted against the transparency probe – you cannot be point scoring on this!

For reference, by the way, the following are the 15 Labour MPs who had the backbone to vote for transparency:

1. Apsana Begum
2. Richard Burgon
3. Ian Bryne
4. Mary Kelly Foy
5. Imran Hussain
6. Brian Leishman
7. Emma Lewell
8. Rebecca Long Bailey
9. Andy McDonald
10. John McDonnell
11. Graham Morris
12. Luke Myer
13. Kate Osbourne
14. Cat Smith
15. Nadia Whittome

No show

Farage’s broader problem is he has a reputation for not showing up, and this is just another example of that. It may not be the worst example, but it’s certainly one people will remind him of in years to come.

Let’s hope by then everyone realises this guy is a part-timer, and that he has no intention to seriously lead this country.

Featured image via Parliament

By Willem Moore

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