Farage says a Reform UK government would stop unions funding Labour if they block £72m donations – UK politics live

Party leader claims proposed new retrospective laws are unfair and Reform would retaliate with a crackdown on union funding if elected Every part of the country must be prepared to take in asylum seekers, a cabinet minister said as a village held a symbolic independence referendum in protest at plans to house more than 1,000 migrants at a former military base. As the Press Association reports, the proposal, which would mean 1,256 male asylum seekers moving into the base near Piddington in Oxfordshire has sparked anger and fear among many village residents. PA says:Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds acknowledged “none of this is pleasant” but the disused military site was more suitable than housing asylum seekers in hotels.There was “no imaginary place these people can go”, he said.The deputy prime minister is here. Good to see you Pat.Jab at Wes I: “Last time [Streeting] gave an after-dinner speech he had a few jokes about us both,” Rayner said, referring to herself and Louise Haigh. “I remember it well. I’d just come back from meeting the pope. I was also introduced to a young ambitious cardinal tipped for the top — or the Vatican’s Wes Streeting as they called him. He didn’t get the votes either.”Jab at Wes II: “Anyway, Louise and I were delighted Wes joined us back in Cabinet. I think Louise advised the prime minister to make him defense secretary because he’s the one Cabinet member we know can’t organize a coup.” Continue reading...