Ukraine 1) Trump ‘very encouraged’ by Zelensky’s commitment to peace process
“President Trump is “very encouraged” by Ukraine’s commitment to peace, Pete Hegseth, the US defence secretary said, as America prepared for talks with the country’s government next week to draw up a framework agreement. Speaking at the Pentagon alongside John Healey, the UK defence secretary, Hegseth said that the US freeze on weapons to Ukraine was not a permanent move but a “pause — pending a true commitment to a path to peace”. Hegseth said that Trump was paying close attention to what Ukraine was “saying and doing about committing to that peace process”, adding: “And we’re very encouraged by the signs we’re seeing.” – The Times
- US and Ukraine officials to meet next week to discuss peace plans, Zelensky says – BBC
- About 20 countries could join Ukraine coalition, UK says – BBC
- Trump needs EU support to end the war in Ukraine, says Ursula von der Leyen – Daily Telegraph
- Calling Trump pro-Russia is garbage, says Hegseth – Daily Telegraph
- Britain ‘must prepare in case Trump pulls support for Trident’ amid fears that nuclear deterrent could not be maintained without US help – Daily Mail
- UK to supply new US-made ‘suicide drones’ to Ukraine – Daily Telegraph
- Defence chiefs want to boost army reserves for ‘bigger, longer war’ – The Times
- Trump to deport Ukrainian refugees – Daily Telegraph
- Opportunist or sycophant? JD Vance is both – Gerard Baker, The Times
- NATO shake-up gives UK chance to ensure Nelson doesn’t spin in his grave – Duncan Barkes, Daily Express
>Yesterday: Stewart Harper on Comment: Why defence and development should go hand in hand in building British security
Ukraine 2) Hermer accused of delaying use of frozen Russian assets for defence funding
“Lord Hermer is being accused of holding up a plan to use frozen Russian assets to pay for the defence of Ukraine. The attorney-general has been criticised by some in government for warning ministers against seizing Russian assets that have been in limbo since President Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. There is said to be a “live discussion” in government about options for using Russian assets to plug the gap left by the pause in US military assistance to Ukraine. On Sunday, Sir Keir Starmer discussed options with other European leaders for using about £230 billion held across the continent amid signs that reluctance from France and other countries is softening.” – The Times
- UK may fight Abramovich in court to get £2bn from Chelsea FC sale for Ukraine – The Guardian
Farage hits back after leadership criticism
“Nigel Farage has hit back at one of his own MPs after he said Reform UK remains a “protest party led by the Messiah” under his leadership. In an interview with the Daily Mail, external, Great Yarmouth MP Rupert Lowe questioned Farage’s approach to leading the party and said he would need the “right people” around him to “deliver the goods”. Responding in an interview on TalkTV, external, Farage said Lowe was “completely wrong”. Farage added that Reform UK was a “positive party” – and insisted his loyal following was a “good thing”. “We’ve got a lot of development to do, but we’re absolutely not a protest party,” Farage told the programme. When asked why Lowe had gone public with his remarks, Farage said: “Perhaps he wants to be prime minister. Most people in politics do.” He added: “His comments are wrong, we are making gigantic strides.” – BBC
- Plan to limit political parties’ donations from overseas – The Times
- Reform claims Scottish membership will outstrip Labour this month – The Times
>Today:
Justice Secretary threatens to strip Sentencing Council of powers
“The Justice Secretary has threatened new laws to overrule the Sentencing Council after a row over “two-tier justice.” In a letter to the council’s chairman, Shabana Mahmood said she would legislate “if necessary” to block its decisions after it announced rules for judges which give special treatment to criminals from ethnic, religious and gender minorities. She urged Lord Justice Davis, its chairman, to reconsider the guidelines “as soon as possible,” expressing her “displeasure” at the council’s decision to recommend differing approaches for those from “ethnic minorities, cultural minorities and/or from a faith minority background”. At present, ministers can only make recommendations to the council as it is a judicial-led body independent of Parliament.” – Daily Telegraph
- ‘Softer sentencing’ for minorities was based on David Lammy report – The Times
- A two-tier system would damage faith in British justice – Leader, The Times
- Labour and its shame over two-tier justice – Leader, Daily Mail
- Labour must act now to stop judges handing out softer punishments for ethnic minority & trans criminals – Leader, The Sun
MP eases proposal to ban smart phones in schools
“The MP behind a bill campaigners hoped would ban smart phones in schools has admitted to watering down his proposals to gain government support. Josh MacAlister told BBC News he was now “focused on the areas where we can get government support so that we actually get some action in this area”. MacAlister, the Labour MP for Whitehaven and Workington, had earlier said the legislation would give headteachers legal backing to make schools mobile free. The new version of the so-called safer phones bill instead calls for further research, as well as advice for parents on smart phone and social media use by children.” – BBC
- It’s the age of regret: gen Z grew up glued to their screens, and missed the joy of being human – Gaby Hinsliff, The Guardian
- Social media must be safer, say almost 75% of young Brits as they blast ‘addictive’ platforms – The Sun
>Yesterday: Lord Ashcroft on Comment: Birth rates are crashing around the world, we need to acknowledge the scale of the problem and address it
Conservative peer apologises for Holocaust memorial comments
“Conservative peer Lord Hamilton has apologised after saying the Jewish community should “pay for their own” Holocaust memorial because they have “an awful lot of money”. The former minister said his comments in a House of Lords debate on plans for a memorial near Parliament were “insensitive” but “not intended to be antisemitic”. A Conservative Party spokesman condemned the comments as “completely unacceptable” and “flagrantly antisemitic”. Responding to calls for him to be suspended from the parliamentary party, leader Kemi Badenoch said: “I have intervened in the situation. Lord Hamilton misspoke and he’s apologised and I think that should be the end of the matter.” – BBC
- Antisemitic abuse rises within NHS and staff are the ‘worst culprits’ – The Times
>Today: John Penrose on Comment: Want better behaved Tory MPs? Decide what we’re looking for in candidates and ministers
Reeves promises to cut welfare spending
“Rachel Reeves insisted she does want to slash benefits today as she frantically hunts for cuts to balance the books. The Chancellor said reducing the welfare bill is the ‘right thing to do’ as she battles to avoid the need for tax rises at the Spring Statement later this month. And she hinted that so-called ‘NEETs’ are in her sights, saying that the ‘majority’ of the million young people not in education, employment or training should be working.” – Daily Mail
- How Labour can avoid the Harman trap – Patrick Maguire, The Times
- Labour MPs are agitated – and benefit cuts have made it worse – Kitty Donaldson, The i
- Don’t expect much change from Labour – Leader, Daily Telegraph
- Labour is punishing Middle England to fund the dysfunctional underclass – Sam Ashworth-Hayes, Daily Telegraph
- Business chiefs set to increase their prices after Labour’s National Insurance rise – hitting customers in the pocket – The Sun
- UK Treasury eyes spending cuts at GB Energy in blow to Ed Miliband – Financial Times
- Lloyds shifts skilled IT jobs from UK to India – Financial Times
Conservatives raise twice as much in donations as Labour
“The Conservatives raised twice as much in donations as Labour at the end of last year, including £250,000 from Michael Ashcroft. Despite some Tory donors flirting with Nigel Farage’s Reform UK and others switching to Labour at the election, the party managed to raise almost £2m in the last three months of 2024 as Kemi Badenoch took over the leadership. Labour raised £1m from donors, at least half of which came from trade unions. One party source said Labour had struggled to gain enthusiasm from businesses to donate amid worries about the impact of the national insurance rise and other tax choices.” – The Guardian
>Yesterday: Xander West on Comment: Party splits over Europe and beyond tell us much about what it will take to rebuild
Other political news
- Give us a seven-day rail service, Transport Secretary tells unions as she demands end to current ‘patchwork mess’ – The Sun
- Thames Water faces nationalisation as cash crisis deepens – The Times
- Labour MPs urge investors to support defence firms – BBC
- Far-Right gang convicted over plot to overthrow German government – Daily Telegraph
- Jonathan Reynolds vows to ‘stand up’ for British steel as US tariffs loom – Financial Times
- Fury as BBC ‘fleecing licence fee-payers’ by hiring diversity chief on £125k a year – The Sun
- Starmer’s proposed copyright exceptions for AI firms may break international convention, top lawyer says – Daily Mail
- Trump rows back on Mexico and Canada trade tariffs – The Times
- Black kept ADHD diagnosis private at ‘toxic’ Westminster – BBC
- UK house prices dip in February with end to stamp duty holiday, Halifax says – Financial Times
- Migrants and refugee families in the UK denied childcare funding, report finds – The Guardian
- Ireland vows to do ‘anything we can’ to unpick Brexit by helping the UK get closer to the EU – Daily Mail
- Council tax in Scotland to reach record high with 15% rise in some areas – The Guardian
- Trump restrains Doge as concern mounts over scale of job losses – Financial Times
- MP opens up about long recovery from gunshot wound – BBC
News in brief
- Two-tier justice is taking over the courts – David Spencer, The Spectator
- Political diaries of a Chief Wet – Harry Phibbs, The Critic
- What Britain must learn from her former colonies – Tim Dier, CapX
- Should the Scottish Tories ignore the Reform threat? – Andy Maciver, The Spectator
- The Blob Comes for Starmer – C.J. Strachan, Daily Sceptic
