Dan Hodges
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Articles by Dan Hodges
Dan Hodges: Kemi is right to distance herself from Trump. His toxic brand will only harm Farage
Like most things in politics at the moment, it all started with a gaffe from Nigel Farage Appearing on American podcast The Benny Show, Reform's leader casually declared that he would like to see a ‘trade' done with Donald Trump over the Chagos Islands. Asked about how he would have dealt with negotiations, Farage said: ‘I'd have gone in and said: “Right, you know what, mate? Chagos, it's yours.
Opinion: This by-election humiliated Polanski and boosted Burnham
The most important thing about Zack Polanski 's humiliation in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election is it represents a resounding rejection of racism and hate. Less than a week before polling day, his Green Party had passed a resolution effectively advocating the eradication of the state of Israel. A second motion, extending protection to Jews attending their place of worship, had also been roundly defeated.
Opinion: Tories losing to Farage in snap poll next year would be fatal
Last month I was chatting to an old Labour adviser who had worked for Neil Kinnock in the 1980s. Conference season was approaching and our conversation turned to Kinnock's famous 1985 attack on Militant. ‘That was the most important speech in Labour Party history,' he said. ‘Yes, Neil went on to lose the election a couple of years later. But that wasn't the point. ‘We went into that campaign in 1987 knowing we almost certainly couldn't beat Thatcher.
Reform's record-breaking £72m donations impressed people and earned me respect, says Farage
Nigel Farage has insisted that a record £72million donation from two crypto-billionaires 'impressed people and earned him 'grudging respect'. The influx of cash to Reform from Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne - £36million each - caused a political earthquake last month and triggered calls for a major tightening of funding rules.
Defectors to Reform 'will be let back into Tories after six-month quarantine'
Reform defectors will be placed in 'quarantine' for six months if they want to return to the Tory fold, under plans being drawn up by party chiefs. The Mail on Sunday understands MPs who want to ditch Nigel Farage in favour of Kemi Badenoch must first sit as independents in the Commons. Insiders believe the plan would both 'detoxify' those returning from the insurgent Right-wing party and prevent defectors going back again.
Reform's record-breaking £72m donations impressed people and earned me respect, says Farage
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D-day 'imminent' for Nigel Farage as watchdog concludes probe into £5m gift from crypto billionaire
Nigel Farage faces an 'imminent' decision from a standards watchdog over whether he breached Westminster rules by not declaring a £5 million donation. The Mail on Sunday understands that an inquiry into the undeclared gift from crypto-billionaire Christopher Harborne has now been completed – with sources predicting it will conclude that the Reform UK leader should have made it public. If so, Mr Farage could be hit with a lengthy Commons suspension and even a second by-election in a few months.
Defectors to Reform 'will be let back into Tories after six-month quarantine'
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D-day 'imminent' for Nigel Farage as watchdog concludes probe into £5m gift from crypto billionaire
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Dan Hodges: Like it or not, the PM has seized control of the political agenda
The praise for Andy Burnham was effusive: ‘He has articulated a clear social-democratic vision for Britain. And attacks about returning the country back to the 1970s won't work because most voters can't remember or don't even know about the 1970s.' Yet what was most surprising was that this message to me came from a senior figure within Reform ‘The biggest shame for me was Burnham getting the bounce on the triple-lock.
Opinion: Burnham can win an election but he can't leave it too late
If Andy Burnham was preparing to call a snap general election next year, then his first conference speech as Labour leader would have been brave and bold. Confirmation of his commitment to establishing a new national social care system. The abolition of the current pensions triple lock. A pledge to introduce a new system of proportional representation for Westminster. Up until this moment, mystery had shrouded his plans for Government, and the nation.
Dan Hodges: An hour after Burnham's social care pledge, his ally texts, 'The election?' 'In May.'
To be fair to Andy Burnham , no one can say they don't know what he stands for anymore. Appearing on the BBC 's Laura Kuenssberg show, the Prime Minister made the boldest commitment of his premiership by announcing the establishment of a National Care Service, free at the point of use, paid for by everyone.
Opinion: Insiders say Burnham is plotting a Lib Dem pact to stay on
Ed Davey isn't quite prepared to echo David Steel's notorious 1981 instruction to his party to ‘go back to your constituencies and prepare for government!'. But the current Liberal Democrat leader is upbeat about his odds of returning to office. ‘The chances of a hung Parliament are greater than ever,' he has told The Mail on Sunday. ‘In that scenario, experience counts. The Tory-Reform axis is a deeply frightening threat.
US nuclear submarines step in to defend crucial European sea cables from Russian sabotage
The United States has sent two nuclear-powered submarines to defend critical undersea cables against potential sabotage by Russia, military sources have said – amid growing warnings that Vladimir Putin is preparing to launch attacks on Europe. The cables running between Britain and America are responsible for more than 90 per cent of the UK's international banking transactions.
Andy Burnham brings back Labour donor at the centre of the freebies row in bid to galvanise finances
The Labour donor at the centre of the freebies row under Sir Keir Starmer will be welcomed back under Andy Burnham , The Mail on Sunday can reveal. Lord Alli, who was Sir Keir's biggest personal backer, will return to revive Labour's business connections and boost their ailing finances. The television executive, worth a reputed £200million, was engulfed in scandal after paying for designer suits and glasses for the former PM.
Opinion: Security sources tell me Russia has alarming plans for UK
Andy Burnham has chosen to stand up to Vladimir Putin . And Putin is already plotting his revenge. 'The chatter we've been picking up over the past two weeks indicates the Russians are preparing for something,' a senior security source revealed to me. 'They're planning some sort of action against UK interests. They're going to test Burnham.' On Monday, the Prime Minister arrived in Ukraine – and he came bearing gifts.
Andy Burnham warned that Britain faces impending Russian 'attack' over its support for Ukraine
MARK GALEOTTI: If he chooses, Putin could order attacks that would cause chaos... and serious loss of life Andy Burnham has been warned that Britain faces Russian retaliation over its support for Ukraine Security experts have told the Prime Minister to be prepared for a 'direct response' from Vladimir Putin .
Opinion: British press faces a pincer movement from right and left
On Friday morning Reform chairman Lee Anderson took to X to hail his party's victory in Thursday's Harraby South (Cumberland) Council by-election. In reply, I pointed out that Reform had contested two other local authority by-elections that evening, both of which they had lost. It earned me the following response: ‘Dan as rule I don't often respond to your posts.
Backbenchers warn Andy Burnham against calling 'carnage' snap general election
Get your news delivered straight to you by 7am - sign up to our new Morning Mail newsletter for FREE Andy Burnham has been warned by his backbenchers that calling a snap general election will mean 'carnage' for scores of new MPs. The Prime Minister was urged by one to 'get on with the job of governing – not plunge us into uncertainty'. Last week, The Mail on Sunday revealed that the new PM's inner circle was considering an election next spring in a bid to get him a mandate from the people.
Backbenchers warn Andy Burnham against calling 'carnage' snap general election
Get your news delivered straight to you by 7am - sign up to our new Morning Mail newsletter for FREE Andy Burnham has been warned by his backbenchers that calling a snap general election will mean 'carnage' for scores of new MPs. The Prime Minister was urged by one to 'get on with the job of governing – not plunge us into uncertainty'. Last week, The Mail on Sunday revealed that the new PM's inner circle was considering an election next spring in a bid to get him a mandate from the people.
Backbenchers warn Andy Burnham against calling 'carnage' snap general election
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Backbenchers warn Andy Burnham against calling 'carnage' snap general election
Get your news delivered straight to you by 7am - sign up to our new Morning Mail newsletter for FREE Andy Burnham has been warned by his backbenchers that calling a snap general election will mean 'carnage' for scores of new MPs. The Prime Minister was urged by one to 'get on with the job of governing – not plunge us into uncertainty'. Last week, The Mail on Sunday revealed that the new PM's inner circle was considering an election next spring in a bid to get him a mandate from the people.
Opinion: Reform peaked, Labour's honeymoon won't last. All signs point to one thing
The Westminster consensus surrounding Nigel Farage 's victory over Count Binface on Thursday is that it has changed nothing. The parliamentary investigation into his undeclared £5million gift will recommence. The scrutiny of shady donations to and from his closest allies will continue. The decline in his personal approval ratings, and party's national polling, will continue. But I now believe the result will have one major additional impact. A 2027 election is now all but guaranteed.
Politician expelled from Tories for 'sending lewd photo' has been given new job with Reform
A Reform politician expelled from the Tories for allegedly sending an unsolicited picture of 'his private parts' is now involved in preparing the party's would-be MPs for the next election. A leaked email revealed that Nigel Farage 's party has now given Essex county councillor Jaymey McIvor 'a new role supporting the management of our parliamentary candidates'.
Politician expelled from Tories for 'sending lewd photo' has been given new job with Reform
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Opinion: Farage has re-secured approval. But at what price?
Yesterday morning, just as the voters of Clacton were going to the polls, broadcaster, commentator and prominent Nigel Farage supporter Adam Brooks took to social media to send the following motivational message: 'If you'd rather a [expletive] in a bin costume to represent everyday British people in parliament, over an experienced politician… you're sick in the head. 'A complete whack job. Your contempt for our political system and the people of Clacton is clear. Embarrassing'.
David Lammy plots bid to be London mayor if Sadiq Khan decides not to run for fourth term
Former deputy prime minister David Lammy plans a bid to be London 's mayor if Sir Sadiq Khan decides not to run for a fourth term, say Labour sources. Mr Lammy, ousted from Cabinet when Andy Burnham entered No 10, is understood to believe the sinking fortunes of Zack Polanski 's Greens mean Labour is 'back in play' for the mayoralty.
Opinion: Nigel Farage's poll ratings are in freefall
The senior Reform member wasn't pulling any punches. ‘There's no way Nigel puts this behind him now,' he told me. ‘The five million quid isn't going to go away. George Cottrell isn't going away. I don't understand what he was thinking. But it doesn't matter. I don't see how we move on from it.' Another Reform insider was equally scathing of their leader. ‘The Clacton stunt was madness. He's totally marginalised himself and the party. Recess is the moment we traditionally capitalise. But we're nowhere.
UK faces direct challenge from Putin 'within months' to test Burnham government, insiders say
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UK faces direct challenge from Putin 'within months' to test Burnham government, insiders say
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UK faces direct challenge from Putin 'within months' to test Burnham government, insiders say
Britain and its NATO allies face a direct challenge from Vladimir Putin 'within months' to test Andy Burnham 's new government and Donald Trump 's focus on Iran , UK intelligence sources have warned. They say that Putin will seek to take advantage of any difference in UK resolve now that Mr Burnham has replaced Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister.
Insiders: Miliband's 'furious' reaction to Burnham's 'U-turn' on Chancellor
Dan Hodges Ed Miliband is angry. Reports that the former Labour leader has been ditched as Andy Burnham 's chancellor have apparently turned Red Ed a peculiar shade of puce. 'His office has been preparing to make the move to the Treasury,' one cabinet source told me, 'and all the briefing has been that he's been lined up for the job. If he loses out now he's going to be really [expletive]'. Another source explained: 'Ed's spent the best part of a year talking to Andy about his economic strategy.
Reform facing demands for probe into source of church warden's £200,000 donation
Reform is facing demands for a formal probe into the source of a church warden's £200,000 donation. John Richard Simpson, who works for the family of a secretive Kazakhstan-born billionaire, split the sum over seven payments between June and August last year. His company is so small it does not have to file audited accounts – and questions are now being asked how such a modest operation could afford to bankroll the party to the tune of six figures.
Reform facing demands for probe into source of church warden's £200,000 donation
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Reform facing demands for probe into source of church warden's £200,000 donation
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Dan Hodges: My sources tell me Keir has decided to stand down, but he'll do it on his terms
Keir Starmer has told close friends he intends to stand down as Prime Minister and set out an orderly timetable for his departure. A member of the Cabinet told me late yesterday afternoon: ‘Keir understands the political reality. ‘He realises the current chaos is unsustainable. He simply wants to be able to do it in a dignified way and in a manner of his own choosing. He will set out a timetable.' According to another Cabinet source, it is still unclear precisely when that announcement will be made.
Opinion: No10 spin machine spent the day goading Streeting and Burnham
Dan Hodges In America they call it The Perp Walk. It's the moment when the police triumphantly parade a suspect in front of the waiting media to signal to the world: ‘We've got our man.' Yesterday morning, as Wes Streeting strode confidently along Downing Street following his ‘cup of coffee' with Keir Starmer , it was clear he had finally made up his mind to go and get his man as well. The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
Microsoft Cares About Your Privacy
The mayhem began, ironically enough, with the Prime Minister finally accepting his fate. According to one of Starmer's allies, as Monday's trickle of MPs calling for his resignation turned into a flood, he finally acknowledged that his position had become untenable. As his longest day stretched into the evening, he began to reach out to senior members of his Cabinet to discuss with them how he could end the crisis devouring his premiership.
Dan Hodges: Angela Rayner has a lot to offer Britain, but it would be a disaster if she became PM
Continue reading Dan Hodges For The Daily Mail While Angela Rayner has a lot to offer the Labour Party , the Government and the country, her appearance at Strangers bar has proven if she were elected Prime Minister, it would be a disaster for her and for Britain. I, as I'm sure most of the public would agree, would never begrudge an MP indulging in a drink, or even getting drunk.
Opinion: Deceit and deception finally catching up with Starmer
Continue reading Continue reading Dan Hodges There is something almost Shakespearean about the way it has come to this. Remember where it began – on that grey July morning, with Keir Starmer striding confidently up Downing Street , pledging not just to renew British politics but cleanse and purify it. Now the man who vowed to restore standards, dignity and trust to our nation stands finally, and fully, exposed. A liar. A charlatan. A capricious fool.
Starmer should be toppled as PM because of the economic damage he has caused, Burnham ally says
SirKeir Starmershould be toppled as Prime Minister because of the damage his Government has caused to the economy, a key ally of Manchester MayorAndy Burnhamhas said. Sacha Lord, who spent seven years as an adviser to Mr Burnham, declares in an article for The Mail on Sunday that it is 'time to give someone else a go' in No 10.
Labour veteran: 'Keir Starmer's blown it'
Dan Hodges For The Daily Mail The Labour veteran was scathing. ‘Starmer's blown it already,' he said. ‘He's kicked off the local election campaign by saying to the voters, “I don't care what you do, I'm staying.” He's basically sticking two fingers up to them. And they're going to punish him.' Over the past week, Downing Street has certainly been pushing a clear and consistent narrative. The results of next May's elections will be bad for Labour.
Opinion: Trump has lost. His war has only emboldened Iran
This morning there are still many unanswered questions surrounding last night's announcement of a two-week ceasefire in the Middle East conflict. Yet if, as seems likely, it really does presage the end of the 2026 US/ Iran war, one thing is clear. Iran has won it. When the bombing commenced, many observers struggled to determine what Donald Trump 's war aims were, given the seemingly incoherent nature of the President's objectives and the fact they changed on a daily basis.
Opinion: Trump has lost. His war has only emboldened Iran
Continue reading Continue reading This morning there are still many unanswered questions surrounding last night's announcement of a two-week ceasefire in the Middle East conflict. Yet if, as seems likely, it really does presage the end of the 2026 US/ Iran war, one thing is clear. Iran has won it.
Suspended Labour MP says No10 behind mental health smears after he challenged Starmer on jury reform
A Labour MP who was suspended from the party after claiming that SirKeir Starmer's former aide Morgan McSweeney lied about his phone being stolen has publicly accused No 10 of trying to smear him by questioning his mental health. Karl Turner, the MP for Kingston uponHullEast, who has campaigned against plans to limit jury trials, told The Mail on Sunday he had made it clear to the Prime Minister that 'being principled did not make me mentally ill'.
Andy Burnham 'to cut a deal with Polanski' as Manchester mayor tops poll to replace PM
Glen Owen and Dan Hodges and Brendan Carlin Andy Burnham would forge an alliance with the Green Party and rip up the first-past-the-post electoral system if he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister, supporters of the Manchester mayor have said. Labour 's devastating defeat in Thursday's Gorton and Denton by-election has left his leadership rivals circling ominously, with Mr Burnham the favourite among both Labour voters and the wider electorate – even though he is not an MP.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor 'forced out Queen's top adviser who warned he was harming monarchy'
11 hours ago All three brides called on top designers to dress them for their big days. When it’s time for a royal wedding, the Crown spares no expense. Princess Diana and Prince Charles’s lavish nuptials cost $48 million, or the equivalent of $140 million today. Princess Catherine and Meghan Markle similarly …
Andy Burnham 'to cut a deal with Polanski' as Manchester mayor tops poll to replace PM
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