UK coronavirus live: Boris Johnson says new restrictions 'likely to remain in force for six months'

Prime minister announces new rules on face coverings and weddings for England as he also encourages more people to work from homeBoris Johnson sets out new Covid restrictions at ‘perilous turning point’Work from home if you can, says Michael GoveKeir Starmer tells Labour conference: we deserved to lose electionGlobal coronavirus updates – live 12.55pm...

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Keir Starmer’s message to the Labour party: I am not Jeremy Corbyn

Leader’s conference speech did not mention his predecessor by name, but underlined his wish to move on Keir Starmer’s first party conference speech as leader had been pitched in advance as a moment to set out his values and vision – which sceptics of his leadership have grumbled are hard to discern.Tuesday’s speech at an arts centre in Doncaster fulfilled...

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Bank of England plays down use of negative interest rates to aid recovery

Governor Andrew Bailey says policy has mixed results but will stay in Bank’s ‘toolbox’Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageAndrew Bailey has cooled expectations that the Bank of England will deploy negative interest rates in the immediate future, despite the sharp rise in coronavirus infections weighing on Britain’s economic recovery.Sounding...

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Northern Ireland health minister criticises Van Morrison anti-lockdown songs

Robin Swann describes Morrison’s condemnations of government and scientists as ‘dangerous … bizarre and irresponsible’Northern Ireland health minister Robin Swann has criticised Van Morrison, after the veteran songwriter condemned coronavirus lockdown measures as “fascist”.In the forthcoming song No More Lockdown, Belfast-born Morrison sings of “Imperial...

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'We should be ashamed': Lord Dubs berates UK ministers over Lesbos refugees

Labour peer calls on government to take in children left homeless by fire at camp on Greek islandA Labour peer who masterminded a change in the law that forced the government to give sanctuary to child asylum seekers has branded the UK’s lack of action over a devastating fire at a migrant camp in Greece an “absolute disgrace”.Alf Dubs, a former child...

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From Mary Whitehouse to the proms: Owen Jones on how ‘woke’ became a dirty word - video

By 2020 everything from the proms to sausage rolls were said to be at risk from 'woke' online warriors. But what does it even mean to be woke? Who were the original anti-woke campaigners? And who benefits and suffers when these manufactured culture wars divide us? Owen Jones – often described as 'too woke' himself – tries to find out Continue reading...

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UK politics live: Starmer tells Labour it deserved to lose last election

Labour leader addresses conference while later Boris Johnson will address the nation later as government tightens Covid-19 restrictions Work from home if you can, says Michael GoveGlobal coronavirus live: latest updates 10.54am BST 10.31am BST There were 99 deaths due to Covid-19 in England and Wales in the week to 11 September, the latest figures...

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Keir Starmer tells Labour conference: we deserved to lose election

Starmer uses first party conference speech as leader to set out how Labour has changedKeir Starmer has staked out his intention to make Labour a “competent, credible” opposition, using his first conference speech as leader to promise a new beginning for the party and to say that under Jeremy Corbyn it deserved to lose the 2019 election.Making the speech...

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The bootlicking politics of Wetherspoon will keep it in business – for now | Ruby Lott-Lavigna

Using Rishi Sunak’s face to sell cheap booze isn’t the first time the pub chain has let slip its rightwing politicsWetherspoon pubs occupy a strange place in British culture. For many, the chain represents a kind of egalitarian ideal – a communal boozing atmosphere unified by £3.99 pints and £1.60 coffees. A place where middle-class, leftwing art students...

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UK coronavirus live: PM abandons 'go to work if you can' advice ahead of of major announcement to MPs

Labour leader addresses conference while later Boris Johnson will address the nation later as government tightens Covid-19 restrictions Work from home if you can, says Michael GoveGlobal coronavirus live: latest updates 10.07am BST Here is some comment on the Starmer speech from journalists and commentators. Overall, the verdict is very positive.From...

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