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The Liberal Democrats have issued a fresh appeal to moderate Tories to join their party. Responding to what Kemi Badenoch said about the new, centrist Conservative group Prosper (see 9.21am), Daisy Cooper, the Lib Dem deputy leader, said:
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[Badenoch’s] slapdown of Ruth Davidson and Andy Street sent a clear message to moderate, centre-ground Conservative voters across the country: she doesn’t want their support.
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The Liberal Democrats will offer a home to all those let down by the old two parties and who believe in British values of decency, tolerance and the rule of law.
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Here is the list of MPs down to ask a question at PMQs.
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In her speech today Kemi Badenoch said that she was looking for a new generation of candidates to stand to be Conservative MPs. She said:
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This is the message I want to leave you with today.
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The Conservative party is now looking for its next generation of MPs.
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I’m looking for excellence. Excellence in standards, conduct, discipline and culture.
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We are building an army that is going to deliver meritocracy, dismantle the bureaucratic class, and get Britain working again.
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We want people with life experience.
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People who want to get on with the job.
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It is hard to get onto our candidates list. And it should be.
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Because when people see the next generation of Conservative MPs, they will see the best of the best.
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The Tories may find it hard to attract good recruits. The results of More in Common’s latest MRP poll suggest, if an election were held now, only 70 Tories would be elected.
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Badenoch arriving for her speech at Church House today.","caption":"Kemi Badenoch arriving for her speech at Church House today.","credit":"Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA"}}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1769599896000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"06.31 EST","blockLastUpdated":1769600261000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"06.37 EST","blockFirstPublished":1769600262000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"06.37 EST","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"06.37","title":"Badenoch says Tories looking for ‘next generation of MPs’","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Wed 28 Jan 2026 07.47 EST","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Wed 28 Jan 2026 03.51 EST"},{"id":"6979e8858f08495dd88b0223","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
Q: What do you feel about the past comments by Matt Goodwin, the Reform UK candidate in Gorton and Dention, implying some minority ethnic people born in the UK are not fully British?
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Badenoch said this was Nigel Farage’s problem, not hers. She went on:
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\n
There are people who run around trying to police other’s identity. It used to be the ones on the left that I was fighting when we were in government. Now we are seeing some who claim to be on the right.
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It’s all identity politics, it’s all grievance politics.
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Trying to tell people who is or who isn’t British based on their personal opinion is divisive. That’s not what the Conservative party is about. That’s where you find the Reform people.
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I do ask people to think what would happen if such people came into government if they do not think large sections of the population, including former prime ministers [ie Rishi Sunak], are British. What do you think they’re going to do if they get into government?
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And that is why we need to make sure that we have Conservatives in place, the only party really on the right, the only party that doesn’t spend time on grievance politics, identity politics, but that is focused on making sure we can give a better life to everyone, and especially to the next generation.
\n
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Badenoch is right to say that nativism, and the implication that minority ethnic people cannot be fully British, is a feature of Reform UK politics. But there are some Tories who have dabbled in this too, like Katie Lam in a Sunday Times interview last year.
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In the past Badenoch (who was born in the UK, to Nigerian parents, and who was brought up in Nigeria before moving to Britain as a teenager) has tended to avoid criticising identity politics when practised by people on her side of the political spectrum, and these may be her strongest words yet pushing back at rightwing nativism.
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Badenoch giving a speech at Church House today.","caption":"Kemi Badenoch giving a speech at Church House today.","credit":"Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA"}},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
Goodwin has not withdrawn his comments, as Josh Halliday reported yesterday.
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Q: [From the Telegraph] The Telegraph is reporting today that Keir Starmer was a lead barrister on the case that ultimately led to the Ministry of Defence to order fresh inquiries into deaths in Iraq, triggering years of criminal investigations into soldiers who then wrongly accused. Do you think he should apologise for that?
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front page on Wednesday with the headline ‘Starmer led “witch-hunt” against Iraq veterans’","credit":"Photograph: Daily Telegraph"}},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
Yes, says Badenoch. She says the way “veterans have been harassed through the courts is a complete disgrace”. She goes on:
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We have been doing everything we can to protect them. What Labour is doing with this legislation it is doing because it does not believe in our veterans.
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Whether it’s Keir Starmer or his attorney general Lord Hermer, where they have had the opportunity – pro bono, not cab rank – they have gone to help the people who are acting against our country’s national interests.
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Those veterans put their lives on the line to defend us and I want them to know that the Conservative party will always have their back.
\n
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In his Telegraph story, Robert Mendick says:
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The now-prime minister worked free of charge alongside his close ally, Lord Hermer, now the attorney general, and the now-disgraced solicitor Phil Shiner on a human rights claim in 2007 that reshaped the law governing troops in war zones.
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Court documents unearthed by The Telegraph reveal Sir Keir was a lead barrister on the case, which ultimately led the Ministry of Defence to order fresh inquiries into deaths in Iraq. It triggered years of criminal investigations into soldiers who had been wrongly accused, at enormous cost to the taxpayer …
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As part of the 2007 case, Sir Keir and Lord Hermer urged the courts to order a fresh inquiry into a British soldier who had already been cleared twice of murder over the death of an Iraqi man in 2003 (see extracts below), telling judges that earlier investigations had been “perfunctory” and “wholly inadequate”.
\n
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Q: Do still regard the Republicans in the US as a sister party?
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Badenoch replies: “Yes, absolutely.” She says she has a great relationships with Republicans.
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Q: Would you be going to China if you were PM?
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Badenoch says, if she were PM, she would not be going to China now.
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She says Keir Starmer should be focusing more on countries aligned with the UK’s interests.
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I think that that is what a prime minister should be talking about, and he needs to show strength, not approving a super-embassy, which many people think is going to become a spy hub. He looks like he gives way every time things get difficult. And that is the difference between Keir Starmer and myself.
\n
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UPDATE: Badenoch started her reply saying:
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You asked, would I be going to China? No, not now, because I don’t think that this is the time to do that. We need to be talking to those other countries who are worried about the threat China is posing to them.
\n
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Kemi Badenoch used her speech to accuse Tories who have defected to Reform UK of behaving like kids having a tantrum. She said:
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I was not elected to reheat the party with 1990s policies, and I was not elected to dismantle the party so that Nigel Farage can finally have a go.
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I was elected by Conservative party members to renew and rebuild. That is exactly what I am doing.
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But we’re not just renewing with policy. We are also renewing with standards, conduct, discipline and our culture – and the people who don’t agree with this direction need to get out of the way.
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There are people in politics who don’t really know what they are doing, or why? They just want to be in the room. They want to be on top. They want access, attention and advancement. And when they don’t get their way, they create drama …
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To those who are defecting, who don’t actually disagree with our policies, I will say: I’m sorry you didn’t win the leadership contest. I’m sorry you didn’t get a job in the shadow cabinet. I’m sorry you didn’t get into the Lords, but you are not offering a plan to fix this country.
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This is a tantrum dressed up as politics.
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When my kids have a tantrum, I don’t give up or change my mind. I send them to their room. And I say to everyone else: if that tantrum ever found its way into government, we would all pay the price.
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At Davos last week there was wide consensus that the most significant speech was that given by Mark Carney, the Canadian PM. Donald Trump may have recieved more attention, but Carney was more coherent and profound. He argued that the world has changed, and that “middle powers” like Canada must accept that.
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Here is our report of his speech.
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Here is the full text. And here is an extract.
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For decades, countries like Canada prospered under what we called the rules-based international order. We joined its institutions, we praised its principles, we benefited from its predictability. And because of that we could pursue values-based foreign policies under its protection.
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We knew the story of the international rules-based order was partially false. That the strongest would exempt themselves when convenient. That trade rules were enforced asymmetrically. And we knew that international law applied with varying rigour depending on the identity of the accused or the victim.
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This fiction was useful. And American hegemony, in particular, helped provide public goods: open sea lanes, a stable financial system, collective security and support for frameworks for resolving disputes …
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We participated in the rituals. And we largely avoided calling out the gaps between rhetoric and reality.
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This bargain no longer works.
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Carney said that what was happening in the world was “a rupture, not a transition”. And he said that said “middle powers” had to “act together because if we’re not at the table, we’re on the menu”.
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Keir Starmer was asked about this when he spoke to reporters on his flight to China. Asked if he agreed with Carney, he implied that he did not fully accept his argument. He told reporters:
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I’m a pragmatist, a British pragmatist applying common sense.
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I’m pleased that we have a good relationship with the US on defence, security, intelligence and on trade and prosperity, and it’s very important that we maintain that good relationship.
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Equally, we are moving forward with a better relationship with the EU. We had a very good summit last year with 10 strands of agreement.
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We’ll have another summit this year with the EU, which I hope will be iterative, as well as following through on what we’ve already agreed. And I’ve consistently said I’m not choosing between the US and Europe. I’m really glad that the UK has got good relations with both.
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Keir Starmer has arrived in China on the first visit by a British Prime Minister in eight years, PA Media reports. PA says:
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A delegation of almost 60 representatives of British businesses and cultural institutions is accompanying the prime minister as he continues his efforts to build bridges with Beijing.
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But concerns over the risk China poses to national security and Xi Jinping’s record on human rights mean Starmer’s visit is politically sensitive.
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Speaking to reporters on the flight to Beijing, the prime minister said: “The evidence there are opportunities is the fact that we’ve got so many CEOs with us on this flight, that we’ve got 60 coming out to explore those opportunities.”
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Stamer added that this “reflects back at home in terms of the benefit that it brings back to the United Kingdom”.
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The head of MI5 Sir Ken McCallum has warned that “Chinese state actors” present a national security threat to the UK “every day”.
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Starmer receiving a bouquet of flowers upon his arrival.","caption":"Keir Starmer receiving a bouquet of flowers upon his arrival.","credit":"Photograph: Kin Cheung/AP"}}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1769593405000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"04.43 EST","blockLastUpdated":1769594030000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"04.53 EST","blockFirstPublished":1769593963000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"04.52 EST","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"04.52","title":"Starmer arrives in Beijing","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Wed 28 Jan 2026 07.47 EST","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Wed 28 Jan 2026 03.51 EST"},{"id":"6979d8328f08e98f5feb3786","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
In her speech this morning Kemi Badenoch will also accuse Reform UK of promoting “leftwing fantasy” politics.
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According to extracts released in advance, she will say:
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\n
Labour believe the answer is more state control.
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Reform believe the same thing, they just want their hands on the levers instead.
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The Conservatives don’t believe in more control. We believe in you.
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We will do our job and get out of the way so that you can do yours.
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We’ve done the work and committed to leave the ECHR, so that we can finally deal with illegal immigration.
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We’ve done the work and said we’ll repeal the Climate Change Act, so we can bring down energy bills and stop deindustrialising.
\n
We’ve done the work and have a fully funded plan to scrap stamp duty, so we can unglue our housing market and make owning a home a reality again for young people.
\n
We’ve done the work and set out plans to save £23bn from welfare, so we can pay down the deficit, cut taxes and get Britain working again.
\n
My Conservative party has moved to the right every day since I became leader.
\n
What have Reform done in that time?
\n
An unfunded plan to scrap the two-child benefit cap …
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An unworkable plan to nationalise British steel.
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This is leftwing fantasy.
\n
The Conservatives are proudly the party of the right. The only party of the right.
\n
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Kemi Badenoch is going to give a speech today denouncing the “PSYCHODRAMA” of Labour and Reform UK. The all-caps emphasis is from the preview text sent out by CCHQ overnight. It sounds like a personal Badenoch touch – as well as being reminiscent of the tone Donald Trump adopts in his social media output.
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Here is the key extract.
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At a time when Nato has been under threat.
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At a time when Conservatives were simultaneously working day and night in parliament to find ways to stop the government surrendering British territory in the Chagos Islands, and piling the pressure on Labour to save Britain’s pubs…
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What were the other parties doing?
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PSYCHODRAMA!
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The Labour party … scheming to get a new leadership contender to Westminster to challenge Keir Starmer.
\n
Meanwhile, Reform UK dressed up a defection rally as a veterans event. Shameful.
\n
Neither are serious and the public are thoroughly fed up with this style of politics.
\n
So who is going to fix this country’s problems?
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Is it the people who are knuckling down day in, day out, holding the government to account for its many failings …
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Or is it the party who only call a press conference when they are announcing another defection?
\n
","elementId":"7820bcc5-4fc8-445d-8988-4ed80b3c4f92"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
Critics will say that the Tories have not been holding back themselves when it comes to supplying the Westminster demand for psychodrama. After Suella Braverman defected to Reform UK, Tory HQ even issued a statement (which they later retracted) speculating about the psychological health of their former MP. The party said it had been sent out in error, but Braverman said it had echoes of something Badenoch herself had said about her in the past.
","elementId":"e487393a-5be5-4730-8ba0-1bafb38d3b9a"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
And, while claiming that the Conservatives are the only party “serious” about policy, Badenoch is also going to use her speech for a bit of internal faction-fighting – blasting Prosper, the new group launched by Ruth Davidson and Andy Street arguing for “moderate” Conservatism.
","elementId":"eeb6cc04-05bc-42ef-8b38-85cf6cf149e8"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
In the extract sent out overnight, Badenoch does not name Prosper. But she clearly refers to them, saying:
","elementId":"3260a56b-4dde-49af-b8e0-0afa400ec83e"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement","html":"
\n
There’s another group of people who seem to think that if we just pretend that nothing bad is happening, everything is going to be OK …
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… as long as we say nice things and don’t mention immigration.
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This is my message to them.
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We’re about the future, not the past.
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We’re not trying to recreate 2006 and it’s not 2016 any more.
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We aren’t refighting those battles. It’s 2026 and the world has changed.
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This is about the future. I am building a Conservative party for the next decade and the next generation.
\n
","elementId":"71a46c1d-fc81-42f5-a9e3-0e767b9a49ea"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1769590647000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"03.57 EST","blockLastUpdated":1769592178000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"04.22 EST","blockFirstPublished":1769592105000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"04.21 EST","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"04.21","title":"’It’s not 2016 any more’ – Badenoch criticises group pushing moderate Conservatism in speech denouncing ‘psychodrama’","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Wed 28 Jan 2026 07.47 EST","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Wed 28 Jan 2026 03.51 EST"},{"id":"6979c1948f08e3f5cdc22fec","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
Good morning. Keir Starmer will be landing in China shortly, and he has been speaking to journalists on his flight over. As usual when a PM travels abroad, while they may want to focus on foreign issues, domestic politics never gets forgotten.
","elementId":"2cc95232-890a-4a62-ad2e-66a2c8b2f10a"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
As Pippa Crerar reports, Starmer was asked about the Gorton and Denton byelection, where yesterday Reform UK named a GB News presenter and hard-right commentator, Matt Goodwin, as its candidate. Starmer claimed only Labour could beat Reform in the constituency. He said:
","elementId":"d2653517-416a-4561-af34-f0a04a9c3f98"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement","html":"
\n
There’s only one party to stop Reform and that’s the Labour party. We can already see what the bybelection is going to be about, which is Labour values which are about delivering on the cost of living with a strong record in that constituency of what we’ve already done versus Reform.
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You can see from their candidate what politics they’re going to bring to that constituency: the politics of division, of toxic division, of tearing people apart. That’s not what that constituency is about, it’s not what Manchester is about, so this is a straight fight between Labour and Reform.
\n
","elementId":"a65b7238-2d4a-4582-8aed-84c39c9da213"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement","prefix":"Related: ","text":"Starmer says Reform pursuing politics of ‘toxic division’ after Matt Goodwin unveiled as byelection candidate","elementId":"d5e447a4-b800-4d1c-a570-e5a07a586a88","role":"thumbnail","url":"https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jan/28/reform-matt-goodwin-byelection-keir-starmer-reaction-toxic-division-ntwnfb"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
The Greens won’t agree with that. And the bookmakers don’t either.
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As Pippa reports, Starmer also said that he would “raise the issues that need to be raised” on human rights with China’s leader, Xi Jinping, when they meet tomorrow.
","elementId":"3326e77c-a65a-4d05-88e5-ca6db338632a"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement","prefix":"Related: ","text":"Starmer vows to raise issues ‘that need to be raised’ with Xi amid push to free Jimmy Lai","elementId":"87d9122f-310a-4e61-960a-7a374442e47b","role":"thumbnail","url":"https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jan/28/keir-starmer-jimmy-lai-human-rights-china-xi-jinping"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
Here is the agenda for the day.
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Around 9.30am (UK time): Keir Starmer arrives in Beijing. He will be giving a speech to a business delegation (around 11.45am UK time).
","elementId":"e2b27821-db3c-490d-a703-66fc0aadee32"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
10am: Kemi Badenoch gives a speech criticising the the ‘psychodrama’ of both Reform UK and Labour.
","elementId":"57c13807-eef4-4736-bc71-f45b2e28b00f"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
Noon: David Lammy, the deputy PM, takes PMQs on behalf of Starmer.
","elementId":"0261cad5-4409-42fe-a3f8-e128ae9f79d1"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
1.30pm: John Swinney, Scotland’s first minister, gives a speech in Edinburgh on international affairs.
","elementId":"45bee2a1-f96e-4fd9-af05-2c1e511dbfa4"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
If you want to contact me, please post a message below the line when comments are open (between 10am and 3pm), or message me on social media. I can’t read all the messages BTL, but if you put “Andrew” in a message aimed at me, I am more likely to see it because I search for posts containing that word.
","elementId":"52314fbd-2465-4bf2-b093-98e369aff10b"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
If you want to flag something up urgently, it is best to use social media. You can reach me on Bluesky at @andrewsparrowgdn.bsky.social. The Guardian has given up posting from its official accounts on X, but individual Guardian journalists are there, I still have my account, and if you message me there at @AndrewSparrow, I will see it and respond if necessary.
","elementId":"4781db1a-a314-4f5a-8828-2d35927e3c40"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
I find it very helpful when readers point out mistakes, even minor typos. No error is too small to correct. And I find your questions very interesting too. I can’t promise to reply to them all, but I will try to reply to as many as I can, either BTL or sometimes in the blog.
","elementId":"b27953ab-aa18-46d1-a8d9-ab07a3d63c1a"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1769590264000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"03.51 EST","blockLastUpdated":1769592578000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"04.29 EST","blockFirstPublished":1769590264000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"03.51 EST","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"03.51","title":"Only Labour can beat Reform in Gorton and Denton byelection, Starmer claims","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Wed 28 Jan 2026 07.47 EST","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Wed 28 Jan 2026 03.51 EST"}],"filterKeyEvents":false,"id":"key-events-carousel-mobile","renderingTarget":"Web","serverTime":1769604926459}”>
Key events
Keir Starmer told business delegates they were “making history” as he kicked off his trip to China, PA Media reports.
Addressing business figures in the lobby of their hotel in Beijing, the prime minister said:
They say eight days is a long time in politics, try eight years, because it’s eight years since a British prime minister stepped on Chinese soil.
On this delegation, you’re making history. You’re part of the change that we’re bringing about.
That’s consistent with everything we’ve done in government, particularly internationally.
We are resolute about being outward-looking, about taking opportunities, about building relationships … and always being absolutely focused on our national interest.
Bob Blackman (Con) says something described as a anti-zionist rally is taking place outside parliament today. Chants at these rallies are antisemitic, and the intention behind them is antisemitic. He says we have seen where that leads, with the killings in Manchester. Will the goverment drive antisemitism out of the country?
Lammy says he has worked on this with Blackman before. He says the nature of antisemitism at some of these protests is unacceptable.
Patricia Ferguson (Lab) asks if the government backs calls for the former first minister to give evidence to the Glasgow hospital infected water scandal inquiry.
Lammy says this is a huge scandal, and an example of why Scotland needs Anas Sarwar as first minister.
James McMurdock (independent) asks about a steel firm in his constituency. He says contracts are going offshore. Why is that?
Lammy says the government stepped in to save British Steel. And it will publish a steel strategy shortly.
Lee Anderson (Reform UK) says the TV was reporting yesterday Labour MPs were revolting. That is a matter of opinion, he says.
(MPs shout, ‘Where is your TV licence? Anderson has said he has not got one, despite being a GB News presenter.)
Lammy says he once campaigned with Anderson when he was Labour. It was said when he defected that he increased the average IQ both of the party he was leaving, and the party he was joining.
Sarah Olney (Lib Dem) asks about Iran. The US cannot show moral leadership. Will the UK step up and proscribe the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps).
Lammy says it is long-standing policy not to say what bodies are about to be proscribed. But sanctions have been employed against Iran, and further measures are being considered, he says.
Melanie Onn (Lab) criticises what Donald Trump said about the armed forces. She asks what is being done to help homeless veterans.
Lammy says the government is dealing with homelessness amongst veterans, and he pays tribute to the valour of members of the armed forces.
Vicky Foxcroft (Lab) says reforms to the asylum system should support, not undermine, efforts to ensure that refugees get proper support.
Lammy says the goverment wants a proper asylum system. But that must involve making the system less attractive, he says.
John Lamont (Con) asks if Scottish Labour MPs are right to think their party will be slaughtered in the Scottish elections.
Lammy says Scots certainly won’t be voting Tory.
Richard Foord (Lib Dem) says his constituents in the south-west are under water. The government needs to invest more in flood defences there. Will Lammy invite JD Vance to a fishing trip there?
Lammy jokes that, if he does, this time he will get a licence. But he acknowledges this is a problem.
Alex Barros-Curtis (Lab) asks about funding for youth services in his Cardiff West constituency.
Lammy says a Labour government is making a difference for Wales.
Jim Allister (TUV) says now GB cars cannot be sold in Northern Ireland because of the post-Brexit rules in place. He asks what sort of government allows a foreign power to impose rules on its territory like this.
Lammy says he looked at this when he was foreign secretary. There is no evidence of serious disruption at the border, he says.
John Slinger (Lab) says Andrew Rossindell, the Tory who defected to Refom UK at the weekend, is on record as saying he would not mind replacing the NHS with an insurance system.
Lammy says Labour would never allow that.
Daisy Cooper, the deputy Lib Dem leader, says the Chinese are still holding Jimmy Lai in prison. But Keir Starmer has gone to China asking for a trade deal. What consequences will China face if they do not stop their campaign of espionage against the UK>
Lammy says China is too big to ignore. The UK has to engage, as countries like France and Canada are doing.
Cooper says Lammy could not name a single consequence China will face if they don’t stop spying on the UK. She says defence spending has to be ramped up now. Will the government consider the Lib Dem plan to raise £20bn through defence bonds.
Lammy says the goverment was spendinng 2.5% of GDP on defence when Labour left office. It was cut when the Lib Dems were in power with the Tories.
