Ukraine told to accept cash-for-land deal with Putin
“Ukraine could be forced to lease part of its territory to Russia under a US plan to end the war. The Trump administration deal would see Kyiv cede control of the eastern Donbas region, but maintain legal ownership. Russia would pay an undisclosed rental fee for de facto control of the region, officials familiar with the deal told The Telegraph. The 28-point plan was thrashed out between the US and Russia in a recent flurry of secretive talks, renewing fears that Ukraine is being frozen out of discussions about its future. As well as forcing Ukraine to surrender territory, the deal would slash the size of Kyiv’s military in half and ban it from possessing long-range missiles.” – Daily Telegraph
- US pushes Ukraine to halve army in secret peace plan with Kremlin – The Times
- Russian and US officials draw up peace plan – FT
- Healey says Russia laser provocation ushers in ‘hard power’ era – The Times
- UK vows to ‘take on Russian spy ship’ after laser attack on RAF jet in major escalation – Daily Express
Comment
- Britain must urgently rebuild its weakened defences as Putin steps up his provocations – Editorial, The Sun
>Today:
Cabinet Secretary ‘could be ousted over Covid report criticism
“Sir Keir Starmer is set to face renewed pressure to sack the Cabinet Secretary on Thursday when the Covid Inquiry passes judgment on his performance during the pandemic. Sir Chris Wormald, who was permanent secretary to the Department of Health from 2016 until he was appointed Cabinet Secretary last year, has powerful critics within Downing Street who have wanted him gone for months. Insiders believe they will use the latest report from Baroness Hallett, who chairs the inquiry, to push for his dismissal. Sir Chris is expected to face criticism in the report, which covers core decision-making during the pandemic.” – Daily Telegraph
- Microsoft has ‘ripped off the NHS’, says MP amid call for contracts with British firms – Guardian
Labour MP offers to give up seat to let Burnham challenge Starmer
“A left-wing Labour MP has suggested he would be prepared to give up his seat to let Andy Burnham challenge Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister. Clive Lewis said he was willing to put “country before party, party before personal ambition”, as discussions about a change of leadership have intensified in recent days. Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, made pointed criticisms of No 10 and the Treasury before the Labour conference in September, in what were seen as overtures for the top job. However, the former health secretary is prevented from standing for the leadership because he is not an MP.” – The Times
- Reeves under pressure to scale back raid on expensive homes – FT
- How Reeves could come after your family home – Daily Telegraph
- Millions of pensioners to be plunged into poverty if triple lock is scrapped – Daily Telegraph
- How the OBR’s dismal record is costing taxpayers – Daily Telegraph
>Today:
>Yesterday:
Trans people could be banned from single-sex spaces based on how they look
“Transgender people could be banned from single-sex spaces based on what they look like, according to new equalities guidance seen by The Times. The guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) was handed to ministers almost three months ago, but has so far not been published by Bridget Phillipson, the minister for women and equalities. The Times has been passed a copy of the final guidance, which aims to preserve the dignity and safety of women, by Whitehall figures who are concerned that Labour is deliberately delaying publication to avoid a potential political backlash.” – The Times
- Law is clear, Labour isn’t: trans guidance delay reignites party row – The Times
Reform 1) Politician suspended from Welsh Parliament over racial slur
“Reform’s only Welsh Parliament member has been banned from the Senedd chamber for 14 days after using a racial slur to describe Chinese people. Laura Anne Jones apologised for breaking the parliament’s code of conduct over her behaviour, including the offensive comments made in a WhatsApp chat in August 2023. In an emotional statement in the Senedd, she said investigations by police and Senedd standards commissioner, which cleared her of making fraudulent expenses claims, had a hugely detrimental effect on her mental health. The suspension, imposed by fellow Senedd members, stops her taking part in proceedings for two weeks and docks her pay.” – BBC News
- Reform’s Welsh hopes damaged after Senedd member suspended for ‘vile’ racial slur – Guardian
- British Jews turn to Greens and Reform UK as support for main parties drops – Guardian
Reform 2) No 10 calls on Farage to address ‘disturbing allegations’ of past racist behaviour
“Keir Starmer has called on Nigel Farage to urgently address multiple and detailed allegations of racist behaviour during his teenage years, as the Reform leader attempted to dismiss the claims as “one person’s word against another”. Pressure was put on Farage by the prime minister over what Downing Street said were “disturbing allegations” after the Guardian reported the testimony of more than a dozen school contemporaries, including an award-winning director who claimed to have been targeted with antisemitic abuse. In the face of concerns raised by Labour, the Liberal Democrats and an extremism adviser to the last Conservative government, Farage’s spokesperson on Wednesday appeared to question whether it would be possible to remember events from the 1970s and early 1980s.” – Guardian
- ‘He used to say things like “Hitler was right”’ – Guardian
Other political news and comment
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