Tag: 2026

  • Alastair Campbell – 2026 Comments on Nigel Farage Being Treated as a Politician

    Alastair Campbell – 2026 Comments on Nigel Farage Being Treated as a Politician

    The comments made by Alistair Campbell on 14 July 2026.

    No he is not [being treated as a war criminal]. Farage, finally, is being treated as a politician rather than a cheeky chappy commentator. He got away with so much for so long he thought he could do anything for ever. The main problem for him is that nobody thinks anyone ever gives a politician five million quid for nothing. His excuses have made it worse. And however hard Jenrick protests you just need to scroll through posts of Reform senior figures since Ann Widdecombe’s murder to see they have indeed been seeking to exploit it both to shift the narrative/avoid continuing questions over the money, and to claim they are treated unfairly by “the establishment” (basically anyone who isn’t a Farage fan) They would be wise to let the police do their job without making it harder than it already is.

  • John Redwood – 2026 Comments on Higher Taxation

    John Redwood – 2026 Comments on Higher Taxation

    The comments made by John Redwood on 14 July 2026.

    Rumours of higher taxes on capital gains and higher incomes is speeding more of the wealthy to leave the UK. If government wants to get more tax from the rich it needs to levy at rates people will stay to pay. People with plenty of money can afford air fares and a new home.

  • Adam Boulton – 2026 Apology over Ann Widdecombe Comments

    Adam Boulton – 2026 Apology over Ann Widdecombe Comments

    The comments made by Adam Boulton on 11 July 2026.

    I was seriously wrong and insensitive in one of the several media appearances I made yesterday in reaction to the death of Ann Widdecombe. I got the timing and tone of my initial word portrait of her wrong.

    Of course I shared, and share, the horror at her murder and the respect for her remarkable and feisty political career. I also know that many people loved her for her subsequent showbiz stardom. Her untimely death is a horrible thing.

    My mistaken view was that in the context of rolling news coverage, I was being asked to contribute as an obituarist who has known her and interacted with her since the 1980s. This approach was premature. At no point was I expressing my personal feelings about her, that’s not what I do.

    I was discussing her life in the round, based on the record of known facts and what she has said about herself, along with some recollections of our personal interactions. My choice of words on the spur of the moment was clumsy. I did not intend to offend though obviously I did.

  • Keir Starmer – 2026 Comments Following the Death of Ann Widdecombe

    Keir Starmer – 2026 Comments Following the Death of Ann Widdecombe

    The comments made by Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, on 10 July 2026.

    The whole country will be utterly shocked by the awful news about the circumstances of Ann Widdecombe’s death.

    Today we come together across the political divide and I pay tribute to Ann’s dedication during her many years of public service.

    My thoughts and deepest condolences are with Ann’s family and friends.

  • Ed Davey – 2026 Comments Following the Death of Ann Widdecombe

    Ed Davey – 2026 Comments Following the Death of Ann Widdecombe

    The comments made by Ed Davey, the Leader of the Liberal Democrats, on 10 July 2026.

    I’m really shocked and distressed at the news about Ann Widdecombe.

    She was a woman of deep faith who devoted her life to public service. The idea that she could have been murdered is truly horrifying.

    My thoughts and prayers are with her family and all who loved her, as they come to terms with this unthinkable news

  • Peter Tatchell – 2026 Apology After Mocking Death of Ann Widdecombe

    Peter Tatchell – 2026 Apology After Mocking Death of Ann Widdecombe

    The comments made by Peter Tatchell on 10 July 2026.

    I apologise for my insensitive comments about Ann Widdecombe’s death

    Nobody deserves to die, no matter what they believe in

    My sincere condolences to Ann’s family & friends

    I support the police investigation & want justice for Ann

  • Stella Creasy – 2026 Comments Following the Death of Ann Widdecombe

    Stella Creasy – 2026 Comments Following the Death of Ann Widdecombe

    The comments made by Stella Creasy on 10 July 2026.

    o one can deny Ann Widdecombe was a towering presence in our politics who fought for what she thought was right with determination and eloquence.

    You don’t have to agree with those views to recognise that contribution and feel for those who have lost a friend, as well as be shocked to hear of these developments.

  • Iain Dale – 2026 Comments on Peter Tatchell Mocking Death of Ann Widdecombe

    Iain Dale – 2026 Comments on Peter Tatchell Mocking Death of Ann Widdecombe

    The comments made by Iain Dale on 10 July 2026.

    I will curb my language but that tweet is disgusting. You profess to be an advocate of human rights, and the right to be treated with dignity after death is a basic human right everyone should have, yet you rejoice in her death. Yes, her religion guided her views on equality issues, and I had many disagreements with her, but as a gay man I counted her as a friend, as did many others. She was actually a profoundly kind person. She endorsed my candidacy knowing of my sexuality. She softened her views on equal marriage and told me in 2019 she would not support reversing it.
    So be ashamed of yourself today, Peter. You do some great work, but in this instance it’s you that’s the bigot. Bigoted against the dead, and bringing upset to those of us who counted Ann as a friend. Think on that.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 62 – UK General Comment on the draft resolution on women in humanitarian settings [July 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 62 – UK General Comment on the draft resolution on women in humanitarian settings [July 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 July 2026.

    UK General Comment on the draft resolution on women in humanitarian settings. Delivered by UK Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders.

    Thank you, Mr President.

    We join others in taking this opportunity to pay tribute to Colombia’s role as penholder in these difficult circumstances and wish to honour once again the memory of Ambassador Gustavo Gallon.

    The United Kingdom is pleased to join consensus on this important resolution and thanks the Core Group for its leadership throughout the negotiations. 

    As humanitarian needs continue to grow in scale and complexity, women and girls remain disproportionately affected by conflict, displacement, disasters and other crises. This resolution places the protection, participation and leadership of women and girls at the centre of humanitarian responses and reinforces the need for a comprehensive, human rights-based approach.

    We particularly welcome the references to preventing and responding to gender-based violence. Indeed, conflict-related sexual violence continues to have devastating consequences for survivors, families and communities. Preventing these crimes, supporting survivors, and ensuring perpetrators are held to account must remain a central part of efforts to build sustainable peace and security.

    The resolution also highlights the importance of ensuring uninterrupted and non-discriminatory access to healthcare, including sexual and reproductive health services, maternal healthcare, and mental health and psychosocial support. These services are essential to safeguarding the dignity, health and wellbeing of women and girls in crisis situations.

    Equally important is its emphasis on the meaningful participation and leadership of women and girls, including women-led organisations, in humanitarian preparedness, response and recovery. Women and girls must be able to shape the decisions that affect their lives and communities.

    The United Kingdom is proud to support this resolution.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 62 – UK Explanation of Position on the draft resolution on human rights and climate change [July 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 62 – UK Explanation of Position on the draft resolution on human rights and climate change [July 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 July 2026.

    UK Explanation of Position on the draft resolution on human rights and climate change. Delivered at the 62nd Human Rights Council in Geneva.

    Mr President,

    The UK thanks the Core Group, led by the Philippines, for their hard work this session.  We appreciate their engagement with us.

    The UK particularly welcomes the focus of this year’s resolution on the needs and interests of future generations. It is entirely appropriate to that theme that this resolution underscores the importance of efforts to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5 Degrees Celsius.

    The need and urgency for greater mitigation action and ambition is clear.  So, we are firmly of the view that mitigation should be more prominent in this resolution and we are disappointed that it is not. A just, orderly and equitable transition away from fossil fuels is integral to mitigation efforts, as the cross-regional General Comment has just set out.

    There is no dispute from the UK that climate change can and does impact the enjoyment of human rights.  That is properly a matter for this Council.  However, the Human Rights Council should not be used as a forum to renegotiate the climate treaties or to misrepresent the independent legal nature of the Paris Agreement.  Accordingly, the UK does not support any text in this resolution that does not accurately reflect obligations under the Paris Agreement or the decisions taken under it, including those in paragraph 28 of the Global Stocktake.  Nor should the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities be applied in a manner inconsistent with that already agreed in UN climate negotiations, so we likewise do not support any such text that does so here.  

    Whilst we appreciate the rationalisation of the text on loss and damage, we remain deeply concerned by this resolution’s framing of the provision of climate finance and loss and damage. The New Collective Quantified Goal, adopted at COP29 and which establishes the framework for climate finance through to 2035, represents a clear consensus on climate finance. It is simply unhelpful for this resolution to be inconsistent with that agreed outcome.  So, we do not support the parts of this resolution that elide obligatory and voluntary actions and introduce new terms that are not used in the UNFCCC and Paris framework.

    The UK remains strongly committed to international climate action. So, we would welcome the Core Group and others working closely with us on the scope, focus and framing of the next iteration of this resolution over the coming year.

    Thank you.