Newslinks for Wednesday 18th June 2025

Trump says US won’t kill Iran’s supreme leader, ‘at least not for now’

“Donald Trump said the US was not going to assassinate Iran’s supreme leader “at least not for now” as Sir Keir Starmer played down the prospect of an imminent American intervention in the Middle East crisis. The US president abruptly left Sir Keir and allies at a major global summit amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. The Prime Minister said “nothing” he had heard from the US president suggested Washington was poised to get involved as western leaders continue to press for de-escalation between the two long-time foes. But within hours, Mr Trump said his patience was wearing thin with Iran and suggested Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was an “easy target” who the US could “take out” if it chose.” – The Standard

• Trump debates bombing Iran in pivotal moment for presidency – The Washington Post
• Israel-Iran air war enters sixth day, Trump calls for Iran’s ‘unconditional surrender’ – Reuters
• Starmer picked up papers to avoid security stepping in – BBC News
• Starmer dismisses concerns over Trump’s health after document gaffe – Daily Telegraph
• ‘A Little Windy’: Trump Drops U.S.-Britain Trade Papers – The New York Times

Comment:

• Starmer’s Trump deal is a success – but it might cost him his dignity – Kitty Donaldson, The i
• G7 leaders are paralysed by their fear of upsetting Donald Trump – Rafael Behr, The Guardian
• Starmer’s trade deal with Trump is an unforgivable betrayal of British farmers – Jamie Blackett, Daily Telegraph
• Bibi Netanyahu’s big gamble throws Israel into a long fight – William Hague, The Times

Inflation higher than expected

“UK inflation defied expectations of a fall today as Rachel Reeves’ hopes for the economy suffered another blow. Official figures showed headline CPI stuck at 3.4 per cent in May, worse than the 3.3 per cent analysts had pencilled in. Rising food prices offset easing air fares and transport costs, dashing hopes that Brits would get some respite after ‘Awful April’ bill hikes pushed prices up at their highest pace for a year. Economists said the ‘dismal’ numbers meant the Bank of England is almost certain to hold off cutting interest rate cuts when the Monetary Policy Committee meets tomorrow. Ministers have been looking to Threadneedle Street to help kick-start UK plc’s stalling activity.” – Daily Mail

• Worry for families and no time for complacency – opposition parties react – BBC News
• Inflation higher than expected ahead of interest rate decision – Daily Telegraph
• Reform says ‘everything is up for debate’ over Bank of England – The Times
• Rachel Reeves reconsiders non-dom tax changes to halt exodus – The Times

Comment:

• Why is the ONS saying inflation has gone down? – Michael Simmons, The Spectator
• Labour is locking Britain into a high-tax, low-growth doom loop – Simon Clarke, CityAM
• The next big economic shock is just around the corner – Jeremy Warner, Daily Telegraph

Labour welfare rebellion brewing

“Government officials have admitted they made a mistake by making the financial case for cutting benefits as they steel themselves for as many as 50 Labour MPs rebelling against the welfare bill that is being published on Wednesday. Sources told the Guardian that they now believed the party should have focused on the moral case for reforming the welfare system, arguing that it was letting down millions of people who could be supported into work. Labour insiders believe they could have kept more MPs on side if they had not highlighted the £5bn savings the Treasury would make as a result of the cuts to health and disability benefits that have so angered the party.” – The Guardian

• Benefits reform must be pushed through, says PM – BBC News
• Battle to convince MPs to back benefit cuts to more than three million households – Sky News
• MP once on benefits calls cuts ‘brutal’ – but colleague says ‘moral’ case for reform – BBC News
• Keir Starmer’s biggest U-turns since Labour came to power – The Guardian

Comment:

• Cutting PIP benefits will be Starmer’s undoing – Andrew Fisher, The i

MPs vote to decriminalise abortion

“Women will no longer be prosecuted for aborting their pregnancies at any point up to birth. MPs have voted with a majority of 242 to decriminalise seeking an abortion at any stage of gestation for any reason, which means that women will no longer face an investigation or arrest for doing so. Abortion in England and Wales is a criminal offence, but is legal with an authorised provider up to 24 weeks, with very limited circumstances allowing one after this time. It is also possible to take prescribed medication at home if a woman is less than 10 weeks pregnant. The Offences Against the Person Act 1861 – which outlaws abortion – is to be amended so that it will no longer apply to women ending their own pregnancies.” – Daily Telegraph

• MPs back controversial abortion change in historic Commons vote – Daily Express
• MPs vote in favour of measures to decriminalise abortion in move to make biggest law change in more than 50 years – Daily Mail
• How your MP voted on decriminalising abortion at any time during pregnancy – The i

Comment:

• Is Stella Creasy Britain’s worst politician? – Stephen Pollard, Daily Telegraph
• MPs have opened the door to infanticide – Melanie McDonagh, The Spectator

> Yesterday: Georgia L. Gilholy: Abortion up to birth has no place in Britain

News in brief:

• Why liberals ignored the grooming gang scandal – Nick Tyrone, The Spectator
• Inside the mind of Benjamin Netanyahu – Ami Dror, The New Statesman
• G7 disarray shows Starmer is no ‘Trump whisperer’ – Bethany Elliott, Unherd
• Women are not dolls – Victoria Smith, The Critic
• Could fantasy football make free markets popular? – Camille Cross, CapX