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The power of AI is worrying senior Labour figures – as is the fear of ‘falling behind the public’

17 October 2026 at 07:33

Westminster appears to be waking up to warnings over AI safety, with concerns over its use by extremist groups and bad actors

“I have this sense that, within a few months, AI is going to be all anyone is talking about,” said one cabinet minister, with an ominous stare.

It was Labour conference, with everyone from ministers to activists jubilant at Andy Burnham’s takeover and a bounce in the polls after the change of leader.

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© Photograph: MASTER/Getty Images

© Photograph: MASTER/Getty Images

© Photograph: MASTER/Getty Images

No 10 leaves option open to impose Chinese EV tariffs if UK joins EU scheme

Beijing warns against ‘discriminatory’ step after France drops opposition to British role in Made in Europe package

No 10 has left the door open to imposing tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles as part of the Made in Europe package, prompting a warning from Beijing that such a move would be “discriminatory”.

Downing Street said on Friday that it would “welcome the objective to have the UK included in the Industrial Accelerator Act” after France dropped its opposition to Britain joining the scheme.

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© Photograph: Nick Carey/Reuters

© Photograph: Nick Carey/Reuters

© Photograph: Nick Carey/Reuters

Six-figure payout for senior civil servant sacked over Peter Mandelson vetting

16 October 2026 at 12:44

Former head of Foreign Office Olly Robbins applied for judicial review after Keir Starmer dismissed him in April

Olly Robbins, the former head of the Foreign Office sacked by Keir Starmer over his role in vetting Peter Mandelson, has received a six-figure payout from the government over his dismissal.

Robbins had applied to the high court for a judicial review of the prime minister’s decision to remove him as the top civil servant at the Foreign Office after he was dismissed in April.

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© Photograph: Mark Kerrison/Alamy

© Photograph: Mark Kerrison/Alamy

© Photograph: Mark Kerrison/Alamy

Revealed: Nigel Farage adviser had unpublicised role at polling firm

12 October 2026 at 09:42

Exclusive: Chris Bruni-Lowe used Redfield & Wilton Strategies role to develop potential campaign tactics, sources say

A close adviser to Nigel Farage had an influential role at a national polling company despite not being publicly associated with the firm, the Guardian can reveal.

Chris Bruni-Lowe, Farage’s private pollster for many years, played an important role in the operations of Redfield & Wilton Strategies and used it to develop potential campaign strategies, according to several sources who have worked there.

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© Photograph: MJ-Pictures.com

© Photograph: MJ-Pictures.com

© Photograph: MJ-Pictures.com

Parties prepare for byelection in Farage seat amid speculation over £5m gift inquiry

9 October 2026 at 13:52

Tories said to be ready to fight in Clacton, with standards investigation rumoured to be nearing its end

Nigel Farage’s rivals are gearing up for a byelection in Clacton in the months ahead, amid speculation that the standards inquiry into his £5m gift is nearing a conclusion.

Conservative sources said the party was ready to fight in Farage’s seat, although senior figures in the shadow cabinet are divided about whether it would be winnable, given Farage’s victory in a byelection over the summer.

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© Photograph: Temilade Adelaja/Reuters

© Photograph: Temilade Adelaja/Reuters

© Photograph: Temilade Adelaja/Reuters

‘People are scared of her, to be honest’: Kemi Badenoch remakes Tories in her image

At Conservative conference, some worry about becoming a one-woman party, while others say party should thank their lucky stars they have her

Kemi Badenoch has long said that the Conservatives were “under new management”, but in a TV interview to mark the end of a party conference at which she has been front and centre of more or less everything, she took the analogy further.

“Your viewers will know that sometimes you have a football team that’s disappointing,” the Tory leader told GB News. “There’s a new captain, there’s a new coach, there’s a new owner, effectively – which is all me.”

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© Photograph: Ian Forsyth/Getty Images

© Photograph: Ian Forsyth/Getty Images

© Photograph: Ian Forsyth/Getty Images

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