Politics LIVE: Britain 'sinking to Third World status', Nigel Farage says as he slams 'broken and untrustworthy' political system

Nigel Farage will accuse Britain of sinking to "third world status" after allegations of so-called family voting in last week's Gorton & Denton by-election.

The Reform UK leader has claimed that foreign-born voters cost his party victory in last Thursday's poll, which was lost to the Green Party's Hannah Spencer with a majority of over 4,000.

Mr Farage has since pledged that if his party wins the next General Election it will ban the practice as well as an end to most postal voting.

At a press conference later today, Mr Farage is expected to say: "Last Thursday's by-election result in Gorton and Denton, where foreign-born nationals holding foreign passports, many of whom do not speak English, were allowed to vote, was an absolute disgrace.

"It's left part of our country balkanised, with communities living in enclaves. It's imported backwards practices like family voting, sharia courts and cousin marriage, and allowed them to spread.

"It's even become so ingrained that we've seen instances of the police pandering to the Muslim community because they fear disorder.

"We're sinking towards Third World status...Sir Keir Starmer is overseeing a politics in Britain that is broken with an electoral system that is no longer trustworthy."****

****Speaking to GB News after last week's by-election victory, Green Party leader Zack Polanski said Mr Farage was a "sore loser."

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Yvette Cooper says the Government is allowing US to use UK bases

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has said the Government is allowing the US to use bases to attack missile sites for "defence" reasons.

She told Sky News: "This is about the defence of our partners in the Gulf and defence of countries where we have so many British citizens and interests in those those countries.

"We continue to believe that we want to seek negotiated solution, a diplomatic process.

"That’s always been our view and it’s one of the reasons why we made a deliberate decision not to be involved or provide support for the US strikes that took place over the weekend."

"It’s a specific, limited agreement about the defence of Gulf countries, and many of those Gulf countries were not involved in any of the strikes on Iran."

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Children could face mandatory curfews on social media

Children could face mandatory curfews on their social media use under plans being considered by Labour.

A consultation is set to be launched later today Technology Secretary Liz Kendall is examining widespread measures to curb the impact of social media on young people's lives.

One of the touted measures is banning children from accessing social media at night to stop addictive apps and platforms from disrupting their sleep.

Here's what's happening today in Westminster

Good Morning. Here's what's happening today in Westminster and beyond.

All eyes are on the Middle East with Sir Keir Starmer's Government coming under increasing pressure to clarify its position over Britain’s involvement in Donald Trump’s war on Iran.

We'll be joined by the Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer later this morning.

Closer to home, our Political Editor Chris Hope sat down with the Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood in Copenhagen for a wide ranging interview. You can read Chopper's interview here.

Later this morning, Reform's Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick will reveal a "scandal" involving Chancellor Rachel Reeves at 8.30am on social media. He'll also appear alongside party leader Nigel Farage a press conference from 11am.

As the fallout from losing the Gorton & Denton by-election to the Green Party's Hannah Spencer (who will be sworn in as the fifth Green MP later today), Sir Keir will use his address to the Parliamentary Labour Party at 6pm to try to convince his MPs to stand by him.

Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch will be making a keynote speech at Policy Exchange at 1.30pm, while Plaid Cymru Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth will be appearing at the Institute for Government to discuss devolution and Plaid’s vision for Wales.

Welsh Labour Leader Eluned Morgan will be announcing the party’s Senedd election pledges in a speech later today, with Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar outlining his priorities for Scotland’s transport infrastructure.

Here on GB News, we'll be joined this morning by Mr Falconer, Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge and Shadow Defence Minister Mark Francois.

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