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Matilda Martin

@matilda__martin

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

Lord Nash: Tories Should Not Rule Out Reform Deal Before Next Election
Political parties
Lord Nash: Tories Should Not Rule Out Reform Deal Before Next Election
Conservative peer Lord Nash speaks to Matilda Martin about his successful bid to persuade the government to ban social media for children, plus why he thinks the Tories should not rule out an arrangement with Reform before the next general election
Counter Terrorism Now Leading On Investigation Into Ann Widdecombe Death
Home affairs
Counter Terrorism Now Leading On Investigation Into Ann Widdecombe Death
Counter terrorism police are now leading on the investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe "following new information and evidence", the Home Secretary has said.
28-Year Old Man Arrested After Ann Widdecombe Found Dead
Home affairs
28-Year Old Man Arrested After Ann Widdecombe Found Dead
A 28-year-old man has been arrested in South Yorkshire on suspicion of murder after politician Ann Widdecombe was found dead in her home earlier this week.
From 'Andy For Us' To 'Andy By Us': Deliberative Democracy Supporters Raise Their Hopes
Parliament
From 'Andy For Us' To 'Andy By Us': Deliberative Democracy Supporters Raise Their Hopes
The use of deliberative democracy in policymaking has been gaining traction of late. Matilda Martin finds its advocates hoping Andy Burnham embraces it in government
Nigel Farage To Resign As MP And Fight By-Election
Political parties
Nigel Farage To Resign As MP And Fight By-Election
Nigel Farage has announced that he is resigning as the Reform MP for Clacton and will fight the by-election that follows.
Caroline Lucas: The Greens Have Been 'Really Burnt' By Progressive Alliances With Labour
Political parties
Caroline Lucas: The Greens Have Been "Really Burnt" By Progressive Alliances With Labour
Former Green leader Caroline Lucas talks to Matilda Martin about her party’s new direction under Zack Polanski, how it needs to find better ways of handling its differences internally – and why she is wary of a progressive alliance
Lib Dems 'Appalled' After Party Lifts Suspension From Peer Under Investigation For Sexual Harassment Claims
Political parties
Lib Dems "Appalled" After Party Lifts Suspension From Peer Under Investigation For Sexual Harassment Claims
Exclusive: A senior Liberal Democrat has told PoliticsHome that they and their colleagues are "astonished" and "pissed off" after news emerged that Lord Rennard has had the whip restored while an investigation into claims he sexually harassed female members is still ongoing.
Jacqui Smith: 'A Million Young People Not Earning Or Learning Is A Moral Outrage'
Education
Jacqui Smith: "A Million Young People Not Earning Or Learning Is A Moral Outrage"
Skills minister and Labour veteran Baroness Smith talks to Matilda Martin about her party’s leadership troubles then and now, plus what can be learned from the Milburn review of young people and work
Rachel Reeves Sets Out Pitch To Remain As Chancellor Under Burnham
Political parties
By Matilda Martin
Rachel Reeves Sets Out Pitch To Remain As Chancellor Under Burnham
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed her support for Andy Burnham to become the next prime minister as speculation over the future cabinet heats up.
Darren Jones Says He Will Not Stand Against Andy Burnham For Labour Leadership
Political parties
By Matilda Martin
Darren Jones Says He Will Not Stand Against Andy Burnham For Labour Leadership
Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones has said he will not be standing in a leadership contest for Labour leader, bringing Andy Burnham one step closer to No 10.
PM Is Now Reflecting On 'Political Realities', Admits Cabinet Ally
Political parties
By Matilda Martin
PM Is Now Reflecting On "Political Realities", Admits Cabinet Ally
A cabinet minister has admitted that Keir Starmer is taking time to think through "the political realities" facing him amid a growing expectation that he will agree to resign.
Reform Council Leader Under Investigation For Sharing Contract With Reform HQ
Communities
By Matilda Martin
Reform Council Leader Under Investigation For Sharing Contract With Reform HQ
Exclusive: The leader of Reform-run Lincolnshire is being investigated by his own council after claiming to have shared a local authority contract with senior party figure Zia Yusuf.
Greens Will 'Throw Everything' At Manchester Mayoral Election, Says Caroline Lucas
Political parties
Greens Will "Throw Everything" At Manchester Mayoral Election, Says Caroline Lucas
Exclusive: The Greens "will be throwing everything" at the contest to replace Andy Burnham as Greater Manchester mayor, their former leader Caroline Lucas has said.
What Did Makerfield Reveal About Restore Britain's Threat To Farage?
Political parties
What Did Makerfield Reveal About Restore Britain's Threat To Farage?
Following defeat in Makerfield, Nigel Farage has urged Restore Britain supporters to "think again" about voting for Rupert Lowe's party, warning that they risk making a Labour victory at the next general election more likely. 
PM Says He Wants Andy Burnham To Have A 'Big Role' In Government
Political parties
By Matilda Martin
PM Says He Wants Andy Burnham To Have A "Big Role" In Government
Keir Starmer has suggested that he would offer Andy Burnham a cabinet job if the Greater Manchester Mayor wins the Makerfield by-election on Thursday.
PM Announces Under-16 Social Media Ban In 'Big Moment For Our Country'
Technology
PM Announces Under-16 Social Media Ban In "Big Moment For Our Country"
Keir Starmer has confirmed that the government will ban social media for under-16s. 
Dan Jarvis Appointed Defence Secretary After John Healey Resigns
Defence
Dan Jarvis Appointed Defence Secretary After John Healey Resigns
Dan Jarvis has been appointed as Defence Secretary following the resignation of John Healey on Thursday.
Healey Resignation Is 'Colossal Failure Of Government', Says Former Labour Defence Secretary
Defence
By Matilda Martin
Healey Resignation Is "Colossal Failure Of Government", Says Former Labour Defence Secretary
A former Labour defence secretary has warned Keir Starmer that his credibility "will be shot" if he doesn't rethink military spending plans in the wake of John Healey's resignation.
Meet The Royal Ballet And Opera Apprentices Proving Timothée Chalamet Wrong
Education
By Matilda Martin
Meet The Royal Ballet And Opera Apprentices Proving Timothée Chalamet Wrong
Six times a year, the Royal Ballet and Opera holds school matinees. Matilda Martin meets some of those who went from auditorium to working backstage as it tries to shake off its elitist reputation
Mandelson Said The Starmer Operation Needed 'Complete Revamp', New Messages Show
Political parties
By Matilda Martin
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
By Matilda Martin
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
By Matilda Martin
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
By Matilda Martin
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
By Matilda Martin
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
By Matilda Martin
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.