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Harriet Symonds

Harriet Symonds

@harriet_symonds

How Ruthless Will Starmer's Reshuffle Be?
Political parties
How Ruthless Will Starmer's Reshuffle Be?
The expectation that Keir Starmer will carry out his first significant reshuffle is at the forefront of many minds as Parliament prepares to return in September.
“Farage’s Fillies”: How Reform UK Is Trying To Win Over Women
Home affairs
“Farage’s Fillies”: How Reform UK Is Trying To Win Over Women
Typically viewed as a party for men, today Reform UK launched their ‘Women for Reform’ campaign, focused on the safety and security of women and girls.
Reform UK Send Candidates For Psychiatric Testing To 'Avoid Another Rupert Lowe'
Political parties
Reform UK Send Candidates For Psychiatric Testing To "Avoid Another Rupert Lowe"
Reform UK’s vetting process requires their parliamentary candidates to undergo psychiatric testing to assess mental health and check for problem behaviour.
Labour MPs In Heated Row Following Jeremy Corbyn's Gaza Vote
Parliament
Labour MPs In Heated Row Following Jeremy Corbyn's Gaza Vote
A heated row between a government whip and backbench Labour MP over a Gaza vote earlier this month forced parliamentary doorkeepers to intervene.
Tory MPs On Lib Dem Defection Watch
Political parties
Tory MPs On Lib Dem Defection Watch
Liberal Democrat figures believe Conservative MPs could be tempted to defect as the Tories prepare for a stark internal divide over the European Convention on Human Rights.
Inside The Shock Zia Yusuf Resignation That Caught Reform UK Off Guard
Political parties
Inside The Shock Zia Yusuf Resignation That Caught Reform UK Off Guard
Zia Yusuf’s resignation as Reform UK chairman stunned senior party figures and raises questions for Nigel Farage's professionalisation push.
Ex-Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe “Open” To Joining The Tories
Political parties
Ex-Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe “Open” To Joining The Tories
Rupert Lowe says he is “open” to joining the Conservative Party after meeting Robert Jenrick for a private lunch in Mayfair last Thursday.
Reform Hopes The World Of Business Will Flock To Its Party Conference
Political parties
By Harriet Symonds
Reform Hopes The World Of Business Will Flock To Its Party Conference
Reform UK is planning a major business presence at its Autumn conference as part of the party's wider bid to show it is a professionalised political force.
Top Starmer Aide: Reform Voters Are 'Labour People' – They're Just 'Pissed Off'
Political parties
By Harriet Symonds
Top Starmer Aide: Reform Voters Are 'Labour People' – They're Just 'Pissed Off'
Reform UK voters are “our people” but are “pissed off” with Keir Starmer’s government, Labour’s political director has said.
Tory MP Lincoln Jopp: I Am Up For The Fight With Nigel Farage
Defence
Tory MP Lincoln Jopp: I Am Up For The Fight With Nigel Farage
Lincoln Jopp is the latest Conservative MP whose journey to Westminster was via the Scots Guards. The former soldier believes his bruised party has two years to make itself a serious electoral force again, and warns Nigel Farage that he is "up for the fight".
Kemi Badenoch Tells Tory Candidates She Is 'Deeply Sorry' For Local Elections Losses
Political parties
Kemi Badenoch Tells Tory Candidates She Is "Deeply Sorry" For Local Elections Losses
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has said she is “deeply sorry” for her party’s heavy local election losses in a letter to candidates seen by PoliticsHome.
How Reform UK Won: 'The More They Sing Our Tune, The More We Win'
Political parties
How Reform UK Won: "The More They Sing Our Tune, The More We Win"
Reform UK sent shockwaves through British politics after making significant gains at the local and mayoral elections, turning two-party politics on its head.
Keir Starmer Would Harm Labour’s Chances In Runcorn By-Election, Say Labour MPs
Political parties
By Harriet Symonds
Keir Starmer Would Harm Labour’s Chances In Runcorn By-Election, Say Labour MPs
Keir Starmer would do “more harm than good” if he visited Runcorn and Helsby before the by-election on Thursday, say Labour MPs who have campaigned there.
Nigel Farage Hopes Net Zero Will Help Him Win Over Union Members
Political parties
By Harriet Symonds
Nigel Farage Hopes Net Zero Will Help Him Win Over Union Members
Union leaders say they are fully aware that Nigel Farage is trying to win over their members. “It’s something we’re taking seriously," one figure told PoliticsHome.
Tory Chairman: We Need To Brace For A Challenging Local Election Night
Political parties
Tory Chairman: We Need To Brace For A Challenging Local Election Night
Nigel Huddleston, tasked with rebuilding the Tories’ election-winning machine, tells Harriet Symonds about how he plans to get them back in the game.
Mark Francois: I Hope Trump Will Now See Putin For The Murderous Tyrant He Is
Defence
Mark Francois: I Hope Trump Will Now See Putin For The Murderous Tyrant He Is
Mark Francois tells Harriet Symonds about Donald Trump’s tariff war, plans for an Israeli-style ‘Iron Dome’ in the UK and claims Reform has gone AWOL on defence
Security Stepped Up For Local Election Candidates In Wake of 'Unacceptable' Rising Abuse
Political parties
By Harriet Symonds
Security Stepped Up For Local Election Candidates In Wake of "Unacceptable" Rising Abuse
Local election candidates have received more security protection in the wake of rising abuse at the last general election.
Alastair Campbell Tells Labour To Set Up MP Group To Attack Reform
Political parties
By Harriet Symonds
Alastair Campbell Tells Labour To Set Up MP Group To Attack Reform
Alastair Campbell, who was director of communications to former Labour prime minister Tony Blair, has urged current party strategists to set up a group of backbench MPs dedicated to taking the fight to Nigel Farage's Reform UK.
Tories Drawing Up Plans For Israeli-Style 'Iron Dome' In The UK
Defence
Tories Drawing Up Plans For Israeli-Style 'Iron Dome' In The UK
The Conservatives are considering putting an Israeli-style ‘iron dome’ at the heart of their defence policy.
Chris Law On Growing Up In Care: 'It’s A Dirty Stain Of Shame'
Social affairs
Chris Law On Growing Up In Care: 'It’s A Dirty Stain Of Shame'
SNP MP Chris Law says being taken into care when his disabled mother could no longer cope was a ‘godsend’ – but tells Harriet Symonds that the law needs to address the stigma that blights those with similar experience. Photography by Tom Pilston
Florence Eshalomi: 'Where’s the outrage that so many children have died in temporary accommodation?'
Communities
By Harriet Symonds
Florence Eshalomi: 'Where’s the outrage that so many children have died in temporary accommodation?'
Labour’s Florence Eshalomi tells Harriet Symonds about Keir Starmer’s need to loosen up, her friendship with Kemi Badenoch, and the pain of knowing that children are still experiencing what she did in unsuitable temporary accommodation. Photography by Louise Haywood-Schiefer
The new rules of the workplace
Economy
By Harriet Symonds
The new rules of the workplace
Technology, the pandemic and generational shifts are changing workplace etiquette. Parliament in particular is struggling to find its way, writes Harriet Symonds. Illustrations by Tracy Worrall
Inside Reform's Bid To Get Serious
Political parties
Inside Reform's Bid To Get Serious
Reform UK’s fag-in-mouth, pint-in-hand public image belies a determined effort to professionalise the insurgent party to maximise its electoral potential, reports Harriet Symonds
SNP MP Stephen Gethins: “I've Got No Feeling Of Britishness'
Political parties
By Harriet Symonds
SNP MP Stephen Gethins: “I've Got No Feeling Of Britishness"
After a five-year break from Parliament, SNP MP Stephen Gethins tells Harriet Symonds the migration crisis is "entirely of Westminster’s own making" and politicians must "take Reform on".
Can Donald Trump Help Reform UK Win The 'Bro Vote'?
Foreign affairs
Can Donald Trump Help Reform UK Win The 'Bro Vote'?
What can Nigel Farage learn from Donald Trump’s victory in the United States? Harriet Symonds explores how Reform can win the ‘bro vote’ in the UK
Are weight loss drugs really 'miracle' medicines?
Health
By Harriet Symonds
Are weight loss drugs really 'miracle' medicines?
With new weight-loss drugs hailed as ‘miracle’ medicines, Harriet Symonds explores whether their increasing popularity should be treated with more caution
The New Tory MP Who Nearly Didn't Vote In The Leadership Contest
Political parties
By Harriet Symonds
The New Tory MP Who Nearly Didn't Vote In The Leadership Contest
The new youngest Conservative MP, Shivani Raja, talks to Harriet Symonds about her unlikely journey to Parliament, why she almost didn’t vote in the leadership election, and her crush on David Cameron. Photography by Elio Zhang
Gavin Williamson vs The Bishops
Political parties
By Harriet Symonds
Gavin Williamson vs The Bishops
As hereditary peers are readied for the exit, Sir Gavin Williamson wants bishops to follow them out of the door. Harriet Symonds finds out if they have enough support to stay in the most secular Parliament in history. Illustrations by Tracy Worrall
Who is footing Labour's energy bill?
Energy
By Harriet Symonds
Who is footing Labour's energy bill?
Labour sold its green energy plan as a win for consumers at the election, but critics and supporters want it to be clearer on who meets the short-term bills for the long-term gain. Harriet Symonds reports
Richard Tice: 'Despite my views on net-zero, I do have a Tesla'
Political parties
By Harriet Symonds
Richard Tice: 'Despite my views on net-zero, I do have a Tesla'
Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice talks to Harriet Symonds about his relationship with the Conservative Party, rumours of a rift with Nigel Farage, and why he drives an electric car. Photography Louise Haywood-Schiefer
Who Will Be Keir Starmer's Ambassador To The US?
Foreign affairs
Who Will Be Keir Starmer's Ambassador To The US?
Alongside the tight race to the White House, the coveted job of UK ambassador to the US is up for grabs. Harriet Symonds finds out who’s in the running for the job and digs into how Labour is preparing for a renewed special relationship with the US. 
'You Are Scared”: Uma Kumaran Says Abuse Nearly Made Her Give Up Dreams Of Being An MP
Political parties
"You Are Scared”: Uma Kumaran Says Abuse Nearly Made Her Give Up Dreams Of Being An MP
Former Keir Starmer aide Uma Kumaran talks to Harriet Symonds about working for Loto, a gloomy economic forecast, and fears for her safety. Photography by Louise Haywood-Schiefer
Where Could Lib Dem Tribes Emerge?
Political parties
By Harriet Symonds
Where Could Lib Dem Tribes Emerge?
With more MPs than ever before, the Liberal Democrats have a task on their hands to keep the newly expanded party in line. Can the 72 stay united?
The Lib Dem MP Who Took Ex-Offenders To Work In Trump's Embassy
Political parties
By Harriet Symonds
The Lib Dem MP Who Took Ex-Offenders To Work In Trump's Embassy
Lib Dem rising star Josh Babarinde talks to Harriet Symonds about marching against the Coalition, his friendship with Labour’s prisons minister and taking ex-offenders into the US embassy. Photography by Tom Pilston
Helen Grant Vows To Make Parliament More Family Friendly If She Becomes Deputy Speaker
Parliament
By Harriet Symonds
Helen Grant Vows To Make Parliament More Family Friendly If She Becomes Deputy Speaker
Helen Grant would make history again by becoming Parliament’s first ever Black deputy speaker. “Another glass ceiling will come crashing down,” says the former minister.
Tory MP Accuses New 1922 Chair Of Lacking 'Proper Mandate'
Political parties
Tory MP Accuses New 1922 Chair Of Lacking "Proper Mandate"
Conservative MP Mark Francois angrily confronted the newly elected chair of the 1922 Committee Bob Blackman in a parliamentary bar on Tuesday night, accusing Blackman of not having “a proper mandate”.