Paul Brand

Chancellor quips “oh he’s not here today” as Nigel Farage’s seat remains empty.

First mention of the Greens there.

Not sure I’ve heard them raised at a fiscal event like this before.

Shows they’ve definitely arrived in parliamentary politics.

Interesting to see Chancellor attacking reform - twice now. Similar vibe to autumn budget.

Suggests political strategy of this govt is still primarily focused on the threat from the right. No gags about the Greens yet.

#springstatement

As expected the Chancellor seizes on the conflict in the Middle East to argue that her economic plan is even more necessary / vindicated.

We’re covering the statement live on ITVX #springstatement

"The Leader of the Opposition seems to be saying that she would have joined initial strikes whether they were lawful or not", Starmer replies.

"I fundamentally disagree... where our military personnel put their lives at risk it is my duty to make sure they have a lawful basis."

"You don't need international law to say which side you're on", says Kemi Badenoch, as she asks why Keir Starmer hasn't backed the US strikes on Iran.

"Why is it that under this Prime Minister international law always seems to be at odds with our national interest?", she adds.

"We all remember the mistakes of Iraq. And we have learnt those lessons", PM insists, in a nod to those who are concerned.

"Any UK actions must always have a lawful basis and a viable thought-through plan."

"We will not join offensive action now", he says.

Starmer insists "We are not joining the offensive US and Israeli strikes"... and that UK action is purely defensive, but that's being kept under review.

PM says the drone that hit RAF Akrotiri was launched before any announcement to lend UK bases to the US.

He also says the US is not currently using Akrotiri.

NEW: Keir Starmer responds to Trump criticism:

"President Trump has expressed his disagreement with our decision not to get involved with the initial strikes.

But it is my duty to judge what is in Britain's national interest. That is what I have done. And I stand by it."

The Foreign Secretary says 300k Brits are in the Middle East. Of those 102k have registered with the Foreign Office to say where they are. She says advice is to shelter in place, but govt is looking at the “full range of options” to bring them home.

NEW: The Lib Dems are demanding MPs get a vote on allowing the US to use UK air bases.

Leader Ed Davey says:

“No matter how the Prime Minister tries to redefine offensive as defensive, this is a slippery slope. He must not let Trump drag Britain into another prolonged war in the Middle East.”

No10 say the bases will be used to stop Iran from firing missiles - ie a defensive stance, not an offensive one, in their view

BREAKING: Keir Starmer says the U.K. has given the US permission to use British bases to launch strikes on Iran

Green Party leader Zack Polanski says Keir Starmer should go on television and “condemn these illegal strikes” #BBCLauraK

a red dragon on a green and white flag ALT: a red dragon on a green and white flag

Dydd Gwyl Dewi Hapus 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Happy St David’s Day 🌼

BREAKING: Donald Trump says Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead.

BREAKING: Israel’s PM Benjamin Netanyahu says there are “growing signs” that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is “gone”.

Some clear political differences emerging between the political parties this morning:

Reform - via Nigel Farage tweet - says UK should allow US to use our bases to attack Iran.

Green Party says UK must stay out of it.

Starmer chairing COBR and so far on the fence.

NEW: @EmilyThornberry tells me on @LBC that Keir Starmer should call what she believes to be the illegality of the strikes on Iran overnight. She says she is glad the U.K. was not involved and fears escalation.

“…which we have recently bolstered. We stand ready to protect our interests.
 
“We do not want to see further escalation into a wider regional conflict.”

 “Our immediate priority is the safety of UK nationals in the region and we will provide them with consular assistance, available 24/7.

“As part of our longstanding commitments to the security of our allies in the Middle East, we have a range of defensive capabilities in the region…”

BREAKING: PM to chair COBR this morning in response to strikes to Iran.

The U.K. did not take part in military action.

Government spokesperson:

“Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and that is why we have continually supported efforts to reach a negotiated solution…”

I’ll have rolling coverage of all the breaking news out of Iran, Israel and America this morning, @LBC 10am-12pm.

“Take over your government, your hour of freedom is at hand” says Trump.

But have the lessons of past attempts at regime change been forgotten?

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BREAKING: President Trump confirms that the US has launched ‘major combat operations’ against Iran, arguing that Iran has been a threat to the US for ‘47 years’.

Angela Rayner says that Labour must be “braver” and treat Gorton and Denton as a “wake up call”. A hint of a potential leadership bid in future?

The result in Gorton and Denton mirrors the one in Caerphilly last year.

Voters piled in behind a party of the left and kept Reform out.

The potential for tactical voting at the next election will be fascinating.

It questions the presumption in the polls that Reform will win a landslide.

You have to have been a resident for twelve months

Jersey differs from the Isle of Man in allowing a doctor to end the life of a patient, rather than the patient having to do it themselves.

Where euthanasia by doctors has been allowed, laws have tended to be expanded much further, eg Canada, Netherlands, Belgium.

Way things are heading, all democratically elected chambers in the British Isles will have said 'yes' (of some sort) to Assisted Dying (tho Wales also recently said no to the principle). Only the unelected Lords will have blocked AD - opponents insist perfectly legitimately.