Menu
Sat, 15 August 2026
Search

Follow us:

PoliticsHome
Harriet Symonds

Harriet Symonds

@harriet_symonds

Former Marine Emerges As Surprise Name In Race To Succeed Keir Starmer
Political parties
By Harriet Symonds
Former Marine Emerges As Surprise Name In Race To Succeed Keir Starmer
Armed forces minister Al Carns is being discussed as a wildcard candidate to succeed Keir Starmer.
Tories Stand By Chairman After He Likened Reform Logo To Nazi Badge On X
Political parties
By Harriet Symonds
Tories Stand By Chairman After He Likened Reform Logo To Nazi Badge On X
The Tories have refused to condemn a social media post by their chairman, which seemingly likened a Reform UK logo to a Nazi badge.
Will Nigel Farage's Attempt At Fiscal Restraint Work?
Economy
By Harriet Symonds
Will Nigel Farage's Attempt At Fiscal Restraint Work?
Harriet Symonds asks whether Reform UK's attempt at fiscal restraint will convince voters they are ready for government
Half of 2024 Labour Voters Have Gone Elsewhere, Party Privately Tells MPs
Political parties
Half of 2024 Labour Voters Have Gone Elsewhere, Party Privately Tells MPs
Exclusive: Half of voters who backed Labour at the last general election have deserted the party, according to internal polling shared with Labour MPs.
Nigel Farage Abandons Reform UK's Promise To Cut Taxes
Economy
By Harriet Symonds
Nigel Farage Abandons Reform UK's Promise To Cut Taxes
Reform leader Nigel Farage has abandoned plans for tax cuts, breaking from Reform UK’s previous manifesto commitments.
Tories Launch New Campaigning Unit
Political parties
By Harriet Symonds
Tories Launch New Campaigning Unit
The Conservatives have set up a new unit in a bid to sharpen their doorstep strategy.
Reform Moves To Shore Up Fiscal Credibility Ahead of Budget
Economy
By Harriet Symonds
Reform Moves To Shore Up Fiscal Credibility Ahead of Budget
With the budget looming next month, Reform has a point to prove that they are the party voters can trust on the economy.
Public Wants More Balanced Coverage Of Political Parties, New Polling Suggests
Culture
By Harriet Symonds
Public Wants More Balanced Coverage Of Political Parties, New Polling Suggests
Voters want more balanced broadcast coverage of political parties to reflect the emerging multi-party system, new research from YouGov and Cardiff University suggests.
Security Minister Says Claims That Government Collapsed China Spy Case Are 'All Untrue'
Foreign affairs
Security Minister Says Claims That Government Collapsed China Spy Case Are "All Untrue"
Security minister Dan Jarvis has described accusations that the government interfered to collapse the China spy case as “all untrue” and defended the role of Keir Starmer's national security adviser, Jonathan Powell.
'There’s No Great Conspiracy': Inside Team Robert Jenrick
Political parties
"There’s No Great Conspiracy": Inside Team Robert Jenrick
Robert Jenrick lost the last leadership race but many think he’s preparing for the next one. Harriet Symonds explores the shadow justice minister’s operation
Andy Burnham Casts A Shadow Over Labour Party Conference
Political parties
By Harriet Symonds
Andy Burnham Casts A Shadow Over Labour Party Conference
The figure of Andy Burnham is looming large over Liverpool as Labour MPs prepare to gather in Merseyside this weekend for their annual party conference.
Liberal Democrats Set To Reshuffle Top Team After Party Conference
Political parties
By Harriet Symonds
Liberal Democrats Set To Reshuffle Top Team After Party Conference
The Liberal Democrats will reshuffle their frontbench after their party conference in Bournemouth this weekend, senior party figures have told PoliticsHome.
'Morgan Is Taking Over': What We Learned From Keir Starmer's Major Reshuffle
Political parties
By Harriet Symonds
"Morgan Is Taking Over": What We Learned From Keir Starmer's Major Reshuffle
Keir Starmer's reshuffle provided a clear glimpse into the government's "phase two" priorities, but is already being described as a No 10 power grab. "Morgan [McSweeney] is taking over big time," said one Labour MP.
Concern Grows Reform Is Turning Into A Party Of Tory Rejects
Political parties
By Harriet Symonds
Concern Grows Reform Is Turning Into A Party Of Tory Rejects
Nigel Farage's party has become a home for former Conservatives – but there are concerns within Reform UK that too many Tory switchers risks doing it more harm than good.
How Ruthless Will Starmer's Reshuffle Be?
Political parties
By Harriet Symonds
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
By Harriet Symonds
“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
By Harriet Symonds
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
By Harriet Symonds
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
By Harriet Symonds
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
By Harriet Symonds
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
By Harriet Symonds
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
By Harriet Symonds
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
By Harriet Symonds
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
By Harriet Symonds
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
By Harriet Symonds
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
By Harriet Symonds
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
By Harriet Symonds
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