Prime Minister goes to Paris to meet Macron for Armistice Day and talks on Trump and Ukraine.
“Sir Keir Starmer and President Macron will meet on Monday to discuss the importance of free trade and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine amid uncertainty about the global repercussions of Donald Trump’s re-election. The prime minister will become the first British leader to attend Armistice Day commemorations in Paris since Winston Churchill in 1944, joining French and British veterans and laying wreaths at war memorials before attending a ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. He will meet Macron before the ceremony and the two men are expected to discuss Trump’s pledge to impose blanket tariffs of up to 20 per cent on imports.” – The Times
- Starmer plots to thwart Trump on Ukraine – The Telegraph
- Mandelson frontrunner to be US ambassador amid fears of trade war with Trump – The i
- Starmer and Macron to discuss Trump victory in Paris talks – Guardian
- UK must become ‘bridge’ between US and EU amid fears for Ukraine, experts say – The i
- Fury as Labour minister admits upping defence spending to hit 2.5% of GDP may NOT be delivered within five years – Daily Mail
- Trump victory will not make Ukraine less safe, Defence Secretary insists – Telegraph
- Kremlin says reports of Trump-Putin call about Ukraine are ‘pure fiction’ – Guardian
- Revenge assassination plot that could still push the world to the brink: Why Iran wanted to kill Trump on US soil… and how Donald could wreak vengeance – Daily Mail
COMMENT
Will Keir Starmer defy Labour and strike a deal with Donald Trump – Harry Cole The Sun
Trump, bizarrely, has offered Starmer a get out of jail free card – Kamal Ahmed Telegraph
TODAY>
How do you solve a problem like the Donald?
Labour Government faces mounting criticism on a range of policy areas post Budget: On farming
“Rural tradespeople are among the first to suffer from the inheritance tax raid on agricultural land as farmers pull the plug on investments such as barns and machinery. From April 2026, farms worth more than £1 million will be subject to a 20 per cent levy under changes announced in the budget last month. There are fears that it will have more widespread consequences for the rural economy, with machinery dealers and other associated trades go out of business as a consequence.” – The Times
On Employers’ National Insurance contributions
“Rachel Reeves is set to reveal a raft of pension reforms this week, which aim to funnel funds into infrastructure and private businesses. In her inaugural Mansion House speech in the City of London, the Chancellor is expected to “spell out the next phase” of Labour’s governmental plan, following her key promise in October’s Budget to “fix the foundations” of the economy. Her address on Thursday will be delivered amidst criticism from the hospitality sector, including signatories of a letter coordinated by UKHospitality, who cautioned that alterations to employers’ National Insurance contributions could result in job losses. ” – Daily Express
- Tell us how we can cut Whitehall waste, Rachel Reeves begs industry – The Times
- Cash-strapped councils warn social care bill for the disabled to increase by more than 50pc by 2030 – Telegraph
- Starmer pushes climate goals as world leaders snub talks– The Times
- Flat owners face £66,000 bill each for council’s new green heating – The Times
- Consumer anger over high prices piles pressure on politicians – FT
- Treasury minister admits big business will have to ‘suck it up’ when dealing with Budget tax hikes – The Sun
- ‘We can’t believe how s**t Labour are’: How Badenoch’s Tories aim to win again – The i
‘Smash the gangs won’t work’: Home Office officials doubt Labour small boats plan
“Home Office officials do not believe Labour’s plan to “smash the gangs” will work as a way of bringing down illegal migration to the UK. They say that civil servants in the department have been “underwhelmed” by the approach that was being outlined again this week by Sir Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper. The insiders say “nobody” understands how the much-vaunted Border Security Command – that the Government says will take the lead on combating people smugglers running small boats – will operate. The i has been told that there is “cynicism” within the department about whether the command will be any more successful than previous units operated under the Conservatives” – The i
Archbishop still under pressure to resign over knowledge of abuser
“The archbishop of Canterbury is under growing pressure to resign over failures to pursue a sadistic abuser of children when allegations were brought to his attention. Members of the Church of England’s ruling body, the General Synod, have launched a petition calling on Justin Welby to quit, “given his role in allowing abuse to continue”. Welby had “lost the confidence of clergy,” Giles Fraser, a London vicar, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. “This needs to be our watershed moment in the church, where we look at the culture of deference, the way in which many of our senior leadership rally to defend each other.” – Guardian
- Evangelicals have questions to answer over the John Smyth scandal – Spectator
SNP minister criticised for using chauffeur driven car to see football matches
“Scotland’s SNP health secretary has been heavily criticised after it was revealed that he was driven to Hampden Park by a taxpayer-funded chauffeur to attend matches involving his favourite football team while claiming his visits were for official business. Neil Gray was given VIP seats on three occasions at the national stadium to watch Aberdeen play Hibernian, Rangers and Celtic in cup fixtures. The Airdrie & Shotts MSP was promoted to health secretary this year after Michael Matheson resigned over a parliamentary iPad bill for roaming charges of £11,000, run up when his sons streamed a Scottish football match while on holiday abroad.” – The Times
News in Brief
The economic gamble at the heart of national conservatism – CapX
Labour is killing British farming – The Critic
Peanut the squirrel shows Elon Musk is wrong about the mainstream media – Spectator
