United News of Bangladesh

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing growing pressure over his leadership after his Labour Party suffered heavy losses in last week’s local elections, raising questions about his political future just months after a landslide national win in 2024. Although Labour secured a decisive victory in July 2024, the party’s popularity has since declined sharply. Many within Labour are now blaming Starmer for the setback, pointing to a mix of policy misjudgments, a lack of clear direction, concerns over the struggling UK economy, and controversy surrounding some of his key decisions. One of the most criticised moves was his appointment of Peter Mandelson as Britain’s ambassador to Washington, despite concerns over Mandelson’s past links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The next general election is not due until 2029, but under UK political rules, a prime minister can be replaced in the middle of a parliamentary term without calling a national vote. Inside Labour, some believe that changing the party leadership may be necessary to restore public confidence and counter challenges from both the political right and left. “We have to change and we have to do it quickly,” Labour lawmaker Catherine West said, calling for a clear timeline to “turn this ship around.” However, replacing a leader is not straightforward. Unlike the Conservative Party, which has a history of removing prime ministers mid-term, Labour has rarely changed its leader through internal pressure, and no Labour prime minister has ever been formally ousted in this way. One possible route for change would be Starmer voluntarily stepping down, which would trigger a leadership contest. If he resigned immediately, an interim prime minister could be chosen from within the Cabinet or party leadership, with Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy seen as a possible caretaker. To trigger a leadership contest, any challenger must secure support from at least 20 percent of Labour MPs, currently 81 members. More than 70 MPs have already called for Starmer to set a timetable for his resignation, reflecting growing dissatisfaction, though no formal challenge has yet emerged. If a contest is triggered, candidates would also need backing from local party organisations or affiliated groups such as trade unions. Party members would then vote using a ranked system, and the winner would need more than 50 percent support to become leader. The final decision would be formally confirmed by King Charles III, who would invite the winner to form a government. Starmer, however, has ruled out resigning, saying it would “plunge the country into chaos.” If he refuses to step down, potential challengers could still emerge. Health Secretary Wes Streeting is seen as a possible contender, as is former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, who left her post last year amid a tax-related investigation. Andy Burnham, the popular mayor of Greater Manchester, is also widely discussed as a strong leadership figure. However, he is currently ineligible to run as he is not a member of parliament. Some party insiders suggest that arrangements could be made for him to return to Westminster if Starmer signals a planned resignation. For now, however, Labour remains divided, and Starmer’s position appears increasingly uncertain following the party’s disappointing election performance.

Voting began across the United Kingdom on Thursday in local and regional elections widely viewed as a major test of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s leadership, with his governing Labour Party bracing for significant losses. Millions of voters are choosing around 5,000 local council members, along with several mayors in England, and representatives for semi-autonomous parliaments in Scotland and Wales. Polls opened at 7:00am and are set to close at 10:00pm (2100 GMT), with most results expected on Friday. Although local elections typically focus on municipal services, analysts say this vote has taken on national significance and is being treated as a midterm verdict on Starmer’s government. Labour, which holds about 2,500 council seats, is expected to lose ground after a difficult period for the prime minister, whose popularity has declined amid economic challenges, strained public services, and rising living costs. His government has also faced criticism over policy missteps and political controversies, including the appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington, which drew backlash due to his past association with Jeffrey Epstein. Political analysts say the election could further weaken Starmer’s position within his party, though immediate leadership change is considered unlikely. Far-right Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, is expected to be one of the biggest winners, targeting working-class voters in former Labour strongholds with an anti-establishment and anti-immigration platform. The Green Party is also projected to gain seats in urban and university areas, while the Conservative Party is expected to suffer losses, with the Liberal Democrats making modest gains. Experts say the results could signal a fragmentation of Britain’s traditional two-party system, with smaller parties increasingly challenging Labour and the Conservatives. Despite internal pressure, Starmer did not directly mention the Conservatives in his final campaign message, instead framing the vote as a choice between Labour’s “progress and a better future” and what he described as the “anger and division” of Reform and “empty promises” from the Greens. Reform UK leader Farage has suggested that a strong performance for his party could threaten Starmer’s leadership within months, while both Reform and the Greens have faced scrutiny over funding and candidate controversies. In Scotland and Wales, nationalist parties are expected to maintain strong positions, even as Reform seeks to expand its influence. Observers say Labour is contesting a highly fragmented political landscape, facing competition on multiple.  

Britain has moved closer to phasing out smoking for good after Parliament approved a new law that will stop future generations from legally buying cigarettes. Under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, anyone born after December 31, 2008 will never be allowed to purchase cigarettes. The measure, described by supporters as a landmark step in public health policy, now only needs formal approval from King Charles III before becoming law. The law also gives the government wider powers to regulate tobacco, vaping and nicotine products, including rules on flavours and packaging. Smoking is already banned for people under 18 in the UK, but the new system will gradually raise the buying age each year, effectively shutting future generations out of legal cigarette access entirely. Health campaigners welcomed the decision. Hazel Cheeseman, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health, said the move made the end of smoking “inevitable” after years of campaigning. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the policy would protect children from addiction, saying it would create “the first smoke-free generation.” Britain’s smoking rate has fallen sharply since the 1970s, but about 6.4 million people, or roughly 13 percent of the population, still smoke, according to official data. Authorities say smoking causes around 80,000 deaths every year and remains the leading preventable cause of death and illness in the country. The UK now joins a small group of countries taking strong legal steps to phase out smoking, although similar efforts in New Zealand were later rolled back.

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cook has said that the United Kingdom (UK) shares a deep and special relationship with Sylhet. “Sylhet’s relationship with the UK is very close because around 90 percent of Bangladeshis living in the UK are from Sylhet. Bangladesh’s ties with the UK are growing stronger day by day, largely due to Sylhet. The contribution of Sylhetis in the UK is remarkable,” she said. The High Commissioner made the remarks at an Iftar Mahfil organised by the British High Commission at a hotel in the city on Wednesday, in honour of representatives from various professions in Sylhet. Wishing everyone a blessed Ramadan, she said the holy month brings a message of moderation and peace every year. She added that such Iftar gatherings create an opportunity for people from all sections of society to come together. During her visit, the High Commissioner paid courtesy calls on the Divisional Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioner of Sylhet. She also held discussions with leaders of the Sylhet Chamber of Commerce and Industry and British investors working in the region. The meetings focused on issues of mutual interest, including expansion of trade and investment, climate resilience, education and migration. She said Bangladesh and the UK maintain close cooperation in these areas and expressed the UK’s interest in further strengthening bilateral relations.

Essex Police said it is assessing information related to private flights into and out of Stansted Airport following the publication of the Jeffrey Epstein files by the US Department of Justice. Police sources said the assessment does not automatically mean a full criminal investigation will be launched. A BBC investigation last year revealed that at least 87 flights linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein arrived at or departed from UK airports between the early 1990s and 2018, with dozens of additional flights to the UK identified later. Former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown wrote recently that police urgently need to re-examine whether Epstein’s victims were trafficked within the UK or taken abroad, saying the scale of abuse would become clearer through a full investigation of flight records. In a statement, Essex Police said it is reviewing information linked specifically to private aircraft movements at Stansted Airport after the release of the Epstein files. In December, the BBC reported that flight records appeared to include three British women who were allegedly trafficked, alongside other documents connected to Epstein. Lawyers representing hundreds of Epstein’s victims in the US said it was shocking that no full-scale investigation into his UK activities had ever taken place. Brown said Stansted, located about 40 miles from central London, was among the airports where women were transferred between Epstein’s aircraft. He has written to senior officers in the Metropolitan Police, Essex Police and Thames Valley Police urging renewed scrutiny. Stansted Airport said all private jets operate through independent fixed-base operators and that passengers on such flights do not enter the main terminal. Immigration and customs checks are carried out directly by UK Border Force, the airport authority added. The National Police Chiefs' Council said a new national group has been formed to support police forces assessing allegations arising from the Epstein files. Separately, Thames Valley Police is reviewing claims that a woman was sent to the UK by Epstein for a sexual encounter with Prince Andrew, who has denied any wrongdoing. Earlier this month, the Metropolitan Police launched a criminal investigation into Peter Mandelson over allegations he passed sensitive information to Epstein. Mandelson has denied any criminal conduct and previously apologised for maintaining links with Epstein.   With a inputs from BBC

Thousands of United Kingdom dual nationals are scrambling to secure British passports or official entitlement documents as new border rules come into force from February 25, raising fears that some could be barred from re-entering the country. Under the revised rules, British citizens who also hold another nationality will no longer be allowed to enter the UK using a non-British passport, even if their second nationality does not require a visa. Instead, they must travel with a valid UK passport or a digital certificate of entitlement linked to their foreign passport. The changes are part of broader immigration reforms linked to the rollout of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, which the government says is aimed at modernising and streamlining border controls. Many dual nationals say they were unaware of the changes and are now facing tight deadlines, long processing times and high costs. A British passport costs about £100, while a certificate of entitlement costs £589 and can take weeks to obtain. The new rules do not apply to Irish passport holders, but they will affect other European citizens with British nationality. Dual nationals are also not eligible to apply for an ETA and must meet the new documentation requirements instead, with airlines responsible for checking compliance before departure. According to the 2021 census, more than 1.2 million UK residents hold dual nationality. Critics say poor communication and the short notice period have left many people at risk of being stranded abroad, particularly those already travelling or living temporarily outside the UK. Campaign group the3million, which represents EU citizens in Britain, accused the Home Office of failing to adequately warn affected individuals. The group has urged the government to pause the changes or introduce a low-cost temporary travel authorisation for dual nationals. The Home Office said information about the new requirements has been publicly available since October 2024 and argued that the policy brings the UK in line with countries such as the United States, Canada and Australia. Officials said all British citizens, regardless of other nationalities, are expected to travel using valid UK documentation once the new rules are enforced.   With inputs from BBC

The United Kingdom has said it wants action to be taken following findings that Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny died after being poisoned, British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said on Sunday. Speaking on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, Cooper said European laboratory tests indicated Navalny was killed using a rare toxin derived from dart frogs, adding that the evidence pointed to a breach of international chemical weapons rules. Navalny, a prominent critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, died in a Siberian prison in 2024 while serving a sentence that Western governments and his supporters had described as politically motivated. Russian authorities have previously said he died of natural causes. Cooper said the UK and its allies had been pursuing the circumstances surrounding Navalny’s death since it occurred and were now seeking accountability through international mechanisms. She said a group of European ministers had reported the findings to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons for further action. Asked about possible steps, Cooper said Britain would continue to consider coordinated measures with its allies, including sanctions against Russia, as part of its broader response to Moscow’s actions, including the war in Ukraine. Russia’s embassy in London has denied any involvement in Navalny’s death and rejected the poisoning allegations, describing them as unfounded. The issue has renewed calls within the UK for tougher measures against Russia, with opposition figures also urging stronger enforcement of existing sanctions.   With inputs from BBC

China has confirmed that nationals of the United Kingdom and Canada will be able to enter mainland China without a visa for stays of up to 30 days from February 17. China’s foreign ministry said the visa-free entry will apply to travel for tourism, business and visits to family or friends, and the policy will initially remain in force until December 31 this year. The announcement follows British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s official visit to China last month, during which he and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to ease travel arrangements between the two countries. In a statement issued on Sunday, China’s foreign ministry said the move would further facilitate people-to-people exchanges between China and other countries. The decision brings the UK and Canada into line with around 50 other countries whose citizens are already eligible for visa-free entry to China, including France, Germany, Italy, Australia and Japan. According to official figures from the UK, about 620,000 British nationals travelled to China in 2024, meaning hundreds of thousands of travellers could potentially benefit from the new arrangement. During his January visit, Starmer said UK businesses were seeking greater opportunities to expand their presence in China. The two sides also agreed to deepen cooperation in areas such as services, healthcare, green technology and finance, though no comprehensive free trade agreement was announced. The visit marked the first trip to China by a British prime minister since Theresa May in 2018.   With inputs from BBC

The United Kingdom (UK) has said it will work closely with Bangladesh on their shared priorities of economic growth, migration, climate and security, building on the strong connections between their people. “We look forward to the new government advancing democratic, economic and social reforms,” said a spokesperson at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). The spokesperson said they welcome the parliamentary elections in Bangladesh, which took place on February 12, and noted that the peaceful electoral process delivered conclusive results. “This represents an important step forward in Bangladesh’s ambitions and the aspirations of the people of Bangladesh,” said the British government official. Earlier, the United Kingdom congratulated BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman and his party on election victory. The UK also greeted the people of Bangladesh as the country enters a new chapter. "We look forward to working together on our shared priorities: economic growth, migration, climate, and security," said the British High Commission in Dhaka on Friday in a message through its verified X handle.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that Britain will deploy a fleet of warships and fighter jets to the Arctic in 2026 to strengthen security in the region. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Starmer said the operation will involve close cooperation with the United States, Canada and other NATO allies amid rising tensions and growing military activity in the Arctic. Starmer said the move reflects the UK’s renewed role in European and transatlantic security. He also stressed the need for deeper ties with the European Union in areas such as defence, technology and the economy to face shared security challenges. The announcement comes as Western leaders discuss Russia’s actions, Arctic security and the future of the transatlantic alliance at the Munich conference. Several leaders highlighted the importance of unity among European countries and allies to counter growing threats. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Arctic security requires collective action and stressed that Greenland’s sovereignty must be respected. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said European unity remains the strongest defence against Russian aggression. The planned Arctic deployment is expected to mark one of the UK’s most significant military commitments to the region in recent years.   With inputs from BBC