Politics

Published: 2  March 2026The English Chronicle DeskThe English Chronicle Online As voters in Scotland and Wales prepare to go to the polls on 7 May for devolved parliamentary elections, top polling expert Sir John Curtice says several core issues are shaping how people plan to cast their ballots — and could decide the outcome of both contests. A recent poll conducted for the BBC suggests that concerns over the economy, health and...

Published: 2 March 2026The English Chronicle DeskThe English Chronicle Online Former Labour MP Jonathan Ashworth is making progress in his recovery after suffering a stroke earlier this week, his family and representatives have confirmed, with friends and colleagues offering messages of support as he continues to recuperate. Ashworth, who served as Member of Parliament for Leicester South and held senior roles in Labour’s front bench team including Shadow Health Secretary, was taken...

Published: 02 March 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. The future of the GCAP fighter jet has taken a new turn after comments from Tufan Erginbilgiç. The Rolls-Royce chief said he would welcome Germany joining the ambitious defence programme. His remarks come as Europe reassesses military cooperation amid rising geopolitical pressure. The GCAP fighter jet, also known as Tempest, is central to Britain’s long-term defence strategy. The...

Published: 2 March 2026The English Chronicle DeskThe English Chronicle Online The UK government has announced significant reforms to the national asylum system, with a new suite of measures set to come into force in the coming weeks aimed at tightening controls, accelerating decision timelines and reshaping how asylum claims are processed. Ministers say the changes are designed to reduce backlogs and discourage dangerous irregular migration, but critics from across the political spectrum...

Published: 2 March 2026The English Chronicle DeskThe English Chronicle Online With just three months to go until the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off across the United States, Canada and Mexico, geopolitical tensions between Iran and the United States are casting a rare shadow over one of the world’s biggest sporting events. The crisis began with a U.S.‑Israeli military strike on Iran, sparking an escalation of violence in the Middle East and...

Published: 02 March 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. The UK teen social media ban debate has entered a decisive new phase. Hundreds of young people will soon take part in trials testing restrictions. The government hopes these pilots will shape future online safety laws. The consultation could lead to strict national limits for under-16s. Ministers say urgent action is needed to protect children’s wellbeing. Under proposals...

Published: 02 March 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. The refugee status overhaul announced by Shabana Mahmood has ignited fierce political debate across Britain. From Monday, every successful asylum applicant will receive temporary protection lasting just 30 months. The change marks a sharp break from previous rules granting five years before settlement eligibility. The refugee status overhaul means protection will no longer guarantee a long-term future. Instead,...

Published: 2 March 2026The English Chronicle DeskThe English Chronicle Online Teams from BBC News are reporting from Beit Shemesh in central Israel, where a ballistic missile strike attributed to Iran has devastated a residential area and a public bomb shelter, killing multiple civilians and injuring dozens more amidst the deepening conflict between Tehran, Israel and the United States. The strike — part of a broader Iranian retaliation for joint U.S.‑Israeli attacks on...

Published: 02 March 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. The debate over OBR reform has intensified as the spring forecast approaches. An unusual alliance of thinktanks is urging Chancellor Rachel Reeves to rethink the powers and purpose of the Office for Budget Responsibility. They argue that without meaningful OBR reform, Britain risks underinvesting in its future at a critical economic moment. The intervention comes just days before...

Published: 3 March 2026The English Chronicle DeskThe English Chronicle Online In one of the most closely watched political developments in North Korea in years, speculation is mounting that Kim Jong Un’s teenage daughter, Kim Ju Ae, could be groomed as the next leader of the isolated state — a succession that would represent an unprecedented continuation of dynastic inheritance in Pyongyang’s rigid political system. Analysts and intelligence officials say recent state media appearances...