Menu
Thu, 4 June 2026
Search

Follow us:

PoliticsHome

Matilda Martin

@matilda__martin

matildamartin.bsky.social

Matilda Martin is a Political Reporter at PoliticsHome. Previously, she was a Senior Reporter at the Times Educational Supplement

Mandelson Said The Starmer Operation Needed 'Complete Revamp', New Messages Show
Political parties
Mandelson Said The Starmer Operation Needed "Complete Revamp", New Messages Show
The former UK ambassador to the US, Peter Mandelson, told a cabinet minister that Keir Starmer's No 10 operation required a "complete revamp and infusion of purpose" in a series of WhatsApp messages last year, the latest tranche of documents relating to Mandelson’s appointment show.
The First Restore Britain University Societies Are Being Created
Education
The First Restore Britain University Societies Are Being Created
The University of York's Restore Britain society is the first to be ratified at a Russell Group institution. PoliticsHome speaks to its president about how the society hopes to help Rupert Lowe and why billionaire Elon Musk's support for the party could be a "double-edged sword".
Making Money Shouldn't Be Universities' Priority, Says Zack Polanski
Education
Making Money Shouldn't Be Universities' Priority, Says Zack Polanski
Exclusive: The UK should stop treating university students like customers, Green Party leader Zack Polanski will say on Thursday.
Vetting System 'Needs Improvement', Senior Green Admits
Communities
Vetting System "Needs Improvement", Senior Green Admits
The Green Party’s vetting system “needs improvement”, a party leader has told PoliticsHome, amid reports of anti-semitism within Zack Polanski's ranks.
Children Are Turning To AI Chatbots For Mental Health Support
Health
Children Are Turning To AI Chatbots For Mental Health Support
New data shows young people are turning to AI chatbots for mental health support. Could the trend be an effective way of relieving pressure on an overburdened health service, or are we already playing catch-up in our attempts to limit the fallout? Matilda Martin investigates
Wes Streeting Resigns As Health Secretary
Political parties
Wes Streeting Resigns As Health Secretary
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has resigned from the Cabinet, saying it is "now clear" that Keir Starmer will not lead the Labour Party into the next general election.
What We Can Expect From The King's Speech
Parliament
What We Can Expect From The King's Speech
On Wednesday, Charles III will deliver the King's Speech in Parliament, setting out the government’s plans for policies and legislation for the coming parliamentary session. 
Labour Mayor Says Andy Burnham's Return To Government Should Not Be Blocked
Political parties
Labour Mayor Says Andy Burnham's Return To Government Should Not Be Blocked
Exclusive: Labour mayor Helen Godwin has told PoliticsHome that Manchester mayor Andy Burnham "should not be blocked" from returning to Westminster and that she "wouldn't dislike the idea" of Burnham being Prime Minister.
We're Going To Need A Bigger Stick: Britain Seeks AI Sovereignty
Foreign affairs
We're Going To Need A Bigger Stick: Britain Seeks AI Sovereignty
Britain has now made clear that it wants AI sovereignty, of a kind. But there are numerous hurdles in the way, reports Matilda Martin. For a seat at the table with the US and China, say experts, we’re going to need a bigger stick
'Beyond A Shit Show': Labour MPs In London Push For Comms Change
Communities
"Beyond A Shit Show": Labour MPs In London Push For Comms Change
Labour’s grip on two-thirds of councils in London came to an end on Thursday, with the number of red councils falling from 21 to just nine. London Labour MPs are angry, after the city, long seen as safe Labour territory, suffered heavy losses on Thursday as voters looked to register their dissatisfaction with Keir Starmer’s government.
Sadiq Khan Says Labour Faces 'Existential' Crisis And Warns Greens Are The Biggest Threat
Political parties
Sadiq Khan Says Labour Faces "Existential" Crisis And Warns Greens Are The Biggest Threat
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has warned that the Labour Party faces an "existential" threat nationwide, and described London's results as "bitterly disappointing".
The Reform Wave Reaches Kemi Badenoch's Backyard
Political parties
The Reform Wave Reaches Kemi Badenoch's Backyard
Reform's dominant victory in Essex will likely be one of the local election results most worrying Kemi Badenoch.
'We Can't Be Going Backwards': Tories Warn Party Against Local Elections Complacency
Political parties
"We Can't Be Going Backwards": Tories Warn Party Against Local Elections Complacency
This week’s local elections will be painful for the two main parties. The scale of the Labour losses and the implications for Keir Starmer’s future mean the Conservatives will avoid being the main headline this weekend. However, there is concern among some Tories that their party is complacent about its own electoral situation.
Complaints Against Councillors Soar Since Last Year's Local Elections
Communities
Complaints Against Councillors Soar Since Last Year's Local Elections
Complaints made against councillors' conduct have risen sharply at local authorities that held elections last year, figures obtained by PoliticsHome show.
Labour MP To Push For Domestic Political Donation Cap
Political parties
Labour MP To Push For Domestic Political Donation Cap
Exclusive: Donations to political parties made by people in the UK would be capped at £1m under plans being drawn up by a Labour MP.
Sir Robert Buckland: Politicians Who 'Bleat On' About Overdiagnosis 'Literally Don't Know What They're Talking About'
Education
Sir Robert Buckland: Politicians Who "Bleat On" About Overdiagnosis "Literally Don't Know What They're Talking About"
Former cabinet minister Robert Buckland, a SEND campaigner and parent to an autistic child, speaks to Matilda Martin about why the government’s approach could fail those with the most complex needs, and what lessons can be learned from mistakes made by the Tories
Companies Housing Vulnerable People Could Face New Conditions To Receive Taxpayers' Money
Communities
Companies Housing Vulnerable People Could Face New Conditions To Receive Taxpayers' Money
The government could bring in stipulations for companies that receive public money to house vulnerable people, like Travelodge, PoliticsHome understands.
PM Says It Is 'Staggering' And 'Unforgiveable' He Wasn't Told About Mandelson Vetting Failure
Foreign affairs
PM Says It Is "Staggering" And "Unforgiveable" He Wasn't Told About Mandelson Vetting Failure
Keir Starmer has said he is "absolutely furious" that he wasn't told that Lord Mandelson failed security vetting before being appointed US ambassador.
Asylum Reforms Could Put More Pressure On Mental Health Services, Home Office Warned
Health
By Matilda Martin
Asylum Reforms Could Put More Pressure On Mental Health Services, Home Office Warned
A group of charities and medical organisations has warned the Home Secretary that stricter rules for people claiming asylum in the UK could put "further pressure on over-stretched NHS mental health services".
Labour MP Says 'Harmful' Jury Trial Reforms Are A 'Distraction' As Rebellion Grows
Communities
Labour MP Says "Harmful" Jury Trial Reforms Are A "Distraction" As Rebellion Grows
The plan to reduce the use of jury trials is a "distraction" from the real reasons for the court backlog, a Labour MP has said, as the government braces for the prospect of a major backbench rebellion over the reforms.
Student Loans To Be Capped At 6 Per Cent As Iran War Drives Inflation
Education
By Matilda Martin
Student Loans To Be Capped At 6 Per Cent As Iran War Drives Inflation
Interest rates on some student loans will be capped at six per cent from September amid the conflict in the Middle East, the government has announced.
Are The Lib Dems Still Haunted By Tuition Fees?
Education
Are The Lib Dems Still Haunted By Tuition Fees?
The issue of student loans has recently exploded into life, with the government's decision to freeze the repayment threshold prompting outrage and a debate about major reform. Now that more than 15 years have passed since their highly-damaging tuition fees U-turn, are the Lib Dems ready to talk about student loans again?
Travelodge Given Almost £70m In Public Money Since 2022 Hotel Room Assault
Communities
Travelodge Given Almost £70m In Public Money Since 2022 Hotel Room Assault
There are growing questions over whether Travelodge should continue to receive taxpayers' money after PoliticsHome revealed that the public sector had given the hotel chain over £68m since a woman was sexually assaulted in one of its rooms in 2022.
Rail And Bus Fares Should Be Cut To Protect Public From Iran Petrol Spike, Says Ed Davey
Economy
Rail And Bus Fares Should Be Cut To Protect Public From Iran Petrol Spike, Says Ed Davey
Ed Davey has called for the government to reduce public transport fares to protect people from cost-of-living pressures triggered by the Iran war.
PM Warns Reopening Strait Of Hormuz 'Will Not Be Easy'
Economy
PM Warns Reopening Strait Of Hormuz "Will Not Be Easy"
Keir Starmer has warned that attempts to resume the vital flow of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz "will not be easy" in a Downing Street statement on the Iran war.
Labour Suspends Outspoken MP Karl Turner
Political parties
By Matilda Martin
Labour Suspends Outspoken MP Karl Turner
Karl Turner MP has had the Labour whip suspended after a series of strong public criticisms of No 10 and government policy. 
PM Says Iran Conflict Is 'Not Our War'
Energy
PM Says Iran Conflict Is "Not Our War"
Keir Starmer has reiterated that the conflict in Iran is "not our war" and the UK is "not going to be dragged into it" as the government tries to protect households from the economic impact of the conflict.
If Labour Doesn't Revamp The Civil Service, Reform UK Will Dismantle It, Warns Hermer
Political parties
By Matilda Martin
If Labour Doesn't Revamp The Civil Service, Reform UK Will Dismantle It, Warns Hermer
Attorney General Richard Hermer has warned that failure by the Labour government to improve Whitehall delivery will pave the way for Reform UK to "dismantle" the civil service.
PM Warns Iran War 'Could Go On For Some Time'
Defence
PM Warns Iran War "Could Go On For Some Time"
Keir Starmer has told MPs that the country must not fall into "false comfort" thinking that there will be "a quick and early end" to the Iran conflict and that he is planning on the basis that "it could go on for some time".
Public Backs Long-Term Protection For BBC, Poll Suggests
Communities
By Matilda Martin
Public Backs Long-Term Protection For BBC, Poll Suggests
A poll shared exclusively with PoliticsHome has found widespread public support for the BBC charter being put on a permanent footing, in a move which the government has said will help protect the corporation from "culture wars".
Travelodge Pulls Out Of Meeting With MPs About Hotel Security
Communities
Travelodge Pulls Out Of Meeting With MPs About Hotel Security
Travelodge has pulled out of a planned meeting with MPs who wanted to raise issues of room security with the hotel chain.
Labour MP Bringing Forward Law To Tighten Hotel Security After Travelodge Assault
Communities
Labour MP Bringing Forward Law To Tighten Hotel Security After Travelodge Assault
A Labour MP is working up a new law to improve hotel security after a woman was sexually assaulted in a Travelodge in 2022 by a man given a key card to her room by hotel staff.
PM Says His Principles Are The Same As Public On Iran War
Defence
PM Says His Principles Are The Same As Public On Iran War
Keir Starmer has said he believes that his principles on how to approach the Iran war "are shared by the British people" as he set out support for UK households using heating oil.
Are New Right-Wing Parties A Problem For Nigel Farage?
Political parties
By Matilda Martin
Are New Right-Wing Parties A Problem For Nigel Farage?
Last month, former Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe launched a new party: Restore Britain. Some former Reform councillors have signed up. Another former colleague of Nigel Farage, Ben Habib, leads Advance UK. What effect, if any, will these right-wing parties have on Reform?
MPs Urge Support For Homeowners Threatened By Coastal Erosion
Communities
By Matilda Martin
MPs Urge Support For Homeowners Threatened By Coastal Erosion
After a year of unprecedented rates of coastal erosion, Matilda Martin visits a Suffolk village where she finds homeowners left liable for the costs of demolishing their own homes – but only after a bat survey
Everything We Just Learned About Government Plans For Digital ID
Technology
By Matilda Martin
Everything We Just Learned About Government Plans For Digital ID
The government has launched its long-awaited consultation on digital ID. Here is what we learned, as well as questions that remain unanswered.