David Weaver of Operation Black Vote said Labour risks losing Black voter support over proposed limits on jury trials and slow progress on racial equality.
Counter Terrorism Policing arrested three men, including a 39-year-old identified by Sky News as Labour MP Joani Reid’s husband, in a China-related National Security Act inquiry. Reid said she had seen nothing to suspect wrongdoing and said she will step back from Parliament while Labour investigates, voluntarily suspending herself from the whip. All three men were released on bail until May and no charges have been announced.
A YouGov Westminster voting intention poll for Sky News and The Times puts Reform UK first on 23%, with the Greens second on 21% and Labour and the Conservatives tied on 16%, while the Liberal Democrats are on 14%. Sky News said it is the first time the Greens have ranked second in YouGov’s regular series and that 21% is their highest recorded score. The poll surveyed 2,073 adults on 1–2 March, following a Green by-election win in Gorton and Denton.
Donald Trump demanded Iran’s “unconditional surrender” as US and Israeli military operations continued into a seventh day, and he signalled support for new Iranian leadership. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the air campaign would “surge dramatically,” while Iran has rejected ceasefire negotiations and said it is prepared for a possible US ground invasion, according to reported comments. Shipping disruption around the Strait of Hormuz has also been reported.
Claim: Reform UK, senior Conservatives and Donald Trump say the UK should “drill” the North Sea to bring down energy prices and boost security. Reality: UK oil and gas prices are largely set on international markets, so extra UK extraction would only marginally affect what households pay—especially in the near term. New exploration takes years (often decades) to turn into production, so it won’t change the next price-cap periods.
