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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

Boney M In Talks To Play At Reform Conference
Political parties
Boney M In Talks To Play At Reform Conference
Exclusive: Disco band Boney M is in talks with Reform UK to perform at the party's conference next month, PoliticsHome understands.
Wildfires Didn't Get Proper Attention Until They Impacted The South, Says Labour MP
Environment
Wildfires Didn't Get Proper Attention Until They Impacted The South, Says Labour MP
It wasn't until wildfires affected the South of England that the issue started to receive the attention it deserves, the Labour MP who leads the Wildfires All-Party Parliamentary Group has said.
Wandsworth Council Planning Country's Largest Ever Council Tax Rise
Communities
Wandsworth Council Planning Country's Largest Ever Council Tax Rise
Exclusive: Wandsworth Council in south London is preparing England's biggest ever council tax rise, which could be as much as 160 per cent, PoliticsHome understands.
Students Urge Government To Make Registering To Vote Easier
Education
Students Urge Government To Make Registering To Vote Easier
Students have launched a campaign urging the government to make it easier for those attending university or college to register to vote.
Vape Shops Will Need Planning Permission In Push To Revive High Streets
Communities
Vape Shops Will Need Planning Permission In Push To Revive High Streets
Vape shops will need to secure planning permission before opening in reforms that Andy Burnham has said will help reverse “decades of decline” on Britain’s high streets.
Labour's Bev Craig Wins Greater Manchester Mayoral Contest
Political parties
Labour's Bev Craig Wins Greater Manchester Mayoral Contest
Labour candidate Bev Craig has been elected as the next Mayor of Greater Manchester, securing a comfortable victory to succeed the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham. 
Social Care In England As Unfair As US Healthcare, Says Burnham
Health
Social Care In England As Unfair As US Healthcare, Says Burnham
The Prime Minister has said that social care in England is “as unfair as American health care” as he pledged to do what successive governments have failed to do and reform the system.
Government Spent £15m On Digital ID Before Policy Was Scrapped
Technology
Government Spent £15m On Digital ID Before Policy Was Scrapped
The government spent around £15m on developing digital ID before the scheme was scrapped by the new Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
How Northern Is Burnham's Cabinet?
Political parties
How Northern Is Burnham's Cabinet?
Andy Burnham's Cabinet has been described as a northern takeover of government. Analysis shows one part of the North in particular is on the rise.
Confusion In Whitehall Over Burnham Plan To Scrap Digital ID
Technology
Confusion In Whitehall Over Burnham Plan To Scrap Digital ID
Prime Minister Andy Burnham's plan to scrap digital ID has created confusion in Whitehall and resulted in an apology to officials working on the scheme.
Could Andy Burnham Be About To Reform The Student Loan System?
Education
By Matilda Martin
Could Andy Burnham Be About To Reform The Student Loan System?
A Labour government under Andy Burnham could scrap the student loan system and replace it with a graduate tax or stepped repayment system.
Government To Overhaul Civil Service Recruitment
Parliament
By Matilda Martin
Government To Overhaul Civil Service Recruitment
Exclusive: The Cabinet Secretary is planning to overhaul civil service recruitment, scrapping the use of success profiles.
Sadiq Khan To Join The House Of Lords
Political parties
Sadiq Khan To Join The House Of Lords
London mayor Sadiq Khan is one of 26 new peers to join the House of Lords as Keir Starmer's premiership comes to an end.
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
By Matilda Martin
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
By Matilda Martin
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
By Matilda Martin
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
By Matilda Martin
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
By Matilda Martin
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
By Matilda Martin
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
By Matilda Martin
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
By Matilda Martin
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
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.