“Your Party” Conference Plagued by Internal Strife
The inaugural conference of the new left-wing party, “Your Party,” was thrown into chaos on Saturday, November 29, 2025, amid deep divisions between its co-founders, Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana. Sultana boycotted the first day’s proceedings in protest of delegates being expelled over alleged links to the Socialist Workers Party, which she described as a “witch-hunt”. Corbyn, in his opening address, called for unity and indicated a preference for a single leadership model, while Sultana advocated for collective leadership. The party’s spokesperson defended the expulsions, stating that members of another national political party had violated membership rules.
New Restrictions on Asylum Seeker Transport and Accommodation
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced new measures that will ban asylum seekers from using taxis for most medical appointments starting in February. Taxi use will be restricted to “exceptional” cases, such as physical disability, pregnancy, or serious illness, and will require Home Office approval. This policy change follows a review of transport arrangements and is part of a broader effort to overhaul the asylum system and reduce costs. Additionally, the Home Office has delayed plans to house asylum seekers at military camps in Crowborough, East Sussex, and the Scottish Highlands, stating that the sites must be “fully operational and safe” before they can be used.
Immigration Policy Faces Criticism
An exiled leader of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement, Nathan Law, has expressed concerns that proposed changes to UK immigration routes, including extending the period for permanent residency to a decade, could undermine the UK’s commitment to people from its former colony. Law argued that the UK has a moral obligation to all those fleeing political persecution from Hong Kong, not just those with British National (Overseas) status.
Concerns Over National Defence Preparedness
A report by MPs has warned that the UK is progressing at a “glacial pace” in developing a national plan to defend itself from foreign attacks. The Defence Select Committee stated that cross-government work on homeland defence and resilience is inadequate, and decision-making processes are slow and opaque. This comes amid ongoing threats from Russia and China.
UK’s Stance on Gaza and International Relations
The UK has halted trade talks with Israel and summoned the Israeli ambassador in response to the “cruel” Gaza blockade. Prince William, the Prince of Wales, met with severely ill children evacuated from Gaza who are receiving treatment in the UK, expressing that he was “moved by the courage” of the children and their families. Meanwhile, European leaders are increasingly viewing Russia as a significant destabilizing power, with the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasizing the need for deterrence against potential Russian expansionism.
Teachers’ Union Considers Strike Action
The National Education Union (NEU), the UK’s largest teaching union, has agreed to conduct an indicative ballot among its members regarding potential strike action over “better pay and funding”. The ballot, scheduled for February, will gauge members’ willingness to strike over perceived continued austerity in education. The union plans to campaign for improved pay and funding by engaging with the government, parents, and the profession.
Sources used for this analysis include The Guardian, ITV News, Sky News, and AFP.