Coordinating Minister K Shanmugam was promoted to senior minister in a Singapore cabinet reshuffle, becoming the first to hold the title with a portfolio. Labour chief Ng Chee Meng was reinstated to the Prime Minister’s Office, alongside other ministerial appointments and a ministry renaming.
The Albanese government plans new national rules for AI in government decision-making, consumer protection, workplace safety, and privacy, led by Attorney General Michelle Rowland. It also aims to legislate a digital duty of care and regulate energy-intensive data centres, with concerns raised by the opposition.
Liberal frontbencher Melissa McIntosh suggests the party may need a rebrand to win back voters, as the Coalition hits a new polling low of 17% in Newspoll, with Labor leading at 33% and One Nation at 29%.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces pressure as Labour rival Andy Burnham secures a parliamentary seat, potentially triggering a leadership challenge. Burnham's victory in the Makerfield by-election signals his ambition to contest the Labour leadership.
A 35-year-old Singaporean, Andie Tan Kok Yong, pleaded guilty to knowingly sending a false message after sharing a doctored image of the Marina Bay Sands on fire via Facebook Messenger. A second charge related to resetting his phone will be considered during sentencing.
More than 70 Labour lawmakers are reportedly urging Prime Minister Keir Starmer to resign following significant losses in local and regional elections. Four ministerial aides have resigned, citing a loss of public and parliamentary confidence. Despite mounting pressure, Starmer has rejected calls to step down, vowing to restore faith in his leadership.
K.A. Sengottaiyan, a veteran politician with a five-decade career, has achieved a remarkable feat by becoming a 10-time legislator in Tamil Nadu. His journey began in grassroots politics in the 1970s, leading to significant roles, including School Education Minister. Following his expulsion from AIADMK, he joined the TVK party, further demonstrating his enduring political influence.
Senior UK ministers have rejected proposals for a one-year freeze on private sector rents, with Housing Secretary Steve Reed and Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook publicly criticising the idea less than 48 hours after it was revealed. The government split has fueled speculation about Chancellor Rachel Reeves' job security following reports that Keir Starmer considered sacking her after local elections. Downing Street has ruled out the rent freeze and insists Reeves retains the PM's confidence, though Starmer stopped short of guaranteeing her position at Prime Minister's Questions. City investors are watching closely, with some warning leadership uncertainty could push up government bond yields further.
PM under increasing pressure over Mandelson vetting scandal as sources say ministers spoke up at tense meetingKeir Starmer is looking increasingly isolated over his handling of the Peter Mandelson scandal with divisions emerging in cabinet over his decision to sack the Foreign Office civil servant Olly Robbins.On another difficult day for the prime minister, the Guardian learned of concerns around the cabinet table, a senior minister refused to say the dismissal was fair and several mandarins called for him to be reinstated. One Labour MP called on Starmer to quit. Continue reading...
A senior UK minister has criticised the Foreign Office for withholding information from senior ministers about a UKSV recommendation to deny Peter Mandelson development and clearance. The minister described it as beggaring belief that such information was not shared, stating it should have been available to Parliament and the British people.
Labour housing secretary Steve Reed has accused the Greens of failing to vet candidates properly and welcoming former Labour members expelled for antisemitic views. Speaking ahead of local elections on 7 May, Reed also attacked Reform UK leader Nigel Farage for failing to attend any of the 10-plus meetings of a local board deciding how to spend a £20m government grant in Clacton. The attacks come as polls show Greens potentially outperforming Labour, with both parties expected to make significant gains in English council elections and Scottish and Welsh parliaments.
Douglas Alexander says lessons need to be learned but he expects Keir Starmer will continue as PMIt was a mistake to announce Peter Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to the US before he was security vetted for the role, one of Keir Starmer’s senior ministers has said before the prime minister’s statement to MPs about the scandal.With Starmer aiming to explain to the Commons on Monday afternoon why he did not know the Foreign Office had overruled a decision to refuse Mandelson vetting, some senior government figures believe the coming week could decide whether or not he remains in No 10. Continue reading...
