Major political consequences for Farage, Badenoch and the Tories ahead in 2025

Farage wants to see a ‘British DOGE’ in county councils

Nigel Farage says Reform UK will only do a deal with other parties if they agree to review policies like “climate change initiatives” unless something akin to a “British DOGE in every county” is implemented. Mr Farage expects Reform to do “very, very well” at the local elections, which could mean the party becomes power brokers in local authorities around the country. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Farage: Keep China out of UK infrastructure

Nigel Farage says Chinese firms should have no role in UK infrastructure after ministers took control of British Steel. The government acted over the weekend amid fears its Chinese owner planned to shut Scunthorpe’s furnaces. Farage said China is “not a friend of ours” and warned the UK must “find alternatives” even if it means less investment. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Farage: Reform now main opposition in red wall areas

Nigel Farage has claimed Reform UK is now the main challenger to Labour in the Midlands, North, Wales and Scotland, pushing the Conservatives into third place. In a campaign speech, he said voters felt betrayed by the Tories over Brexit and immigration, adding that backing the Conservatives in red wall areas would be a “wasted vote.” Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Kemi Badenoch: Labour is very weak on migration

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accuses Labour of “chasing Reform”, saying “they want to sound like they’re strong on migration". Her comments come as the government introduces new measures to deny asylum seekers the right the stay in the UK if convicted of committing sexual offences. Report by Ajagbef. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Tories acknowledge ‘very competitive’ local elections

Kemi Badenoch, whose party currently holds around half the seats up for election on Thursday, acknowledges that the local elections present her with a challenge. Visiting a farm in Lincolnshire, the Conservative leader says, “it is a very, very competitive political environment” and claims Reform UK are profiting through Labour doing so “badly”. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Badenoch calls for Kneecap prosecution

Kemi Badenoch calls for prosecution of the rap trio Kneecap after a member of the group allegedly called for the death of Tory MPs. Video emerged of the group at a November 2023 gig appearing to show one member saying: "The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP." The Conservative leader accuses Kneecap of being "anti-British” and says, “they should be prosecuted”. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Tories admit local elections will be ‘challenging’

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp admits Thursday’s local elections will be “challenging” but insists the Conservative Party will not be doing a deal with Reform UK. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Tories express concern over EU youth mobility scheme

The Opposition have expressed concerns over a potential youth mobility scheme with the European Union. The home secretary and chancellor both said they are "open" to the plans which would allow Europeans to temporarily live and work in the UK. Shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith said it is a "potentially failing immigration scheme" and urged the government to be more transparent with discussions regarding the plans. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Tories insist ‘no pact’ with Reform UK

Shadow Financial Secretary to the Treasury Gareth Davies insists the Conservative Party “will not be entering into a pact” with Reform UK but will “win back the centre-right vote” at the next General Election. In an audio recording obtained by Sky News, Robert Jenrick can be heard saying that he wants the "fight" against Sir Keir Starmer's party to be "united". Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn