Kruger has been a member of the Conservative Party for 20 years and an MP since 2019.

He was previously shadow work and pensions minister under current party leader Kemi Badenoch.

The East Wiltshire MP announced the decision in a press conference today [September 15] sitting alongside Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.

He said: “There have been moments when I have been very proud to belong to the Tory party”, before adding: “The rule of our time in office was failure.

“Bigger government, social decline, lower wages, higher taxes and less of what ordinary people actually wanted.

“This is my tragic conclusion, the Conservative Party is over, over as a national party, over as the principal opposition to the left.”

Addressing the rise in Reform UK’s popularity and subsequent decrease in the Conservative’s, Kruger said: “I don’t accept that I’m simply jumping ship to save my skin.”

“The fact is I feel nothing changes when governments change, at the moment… My view now is the best hope for conservatism and for the country is Nigel’s Reform party.”

Kruger mentioned he still had “great regard” for Badenoch, however the Conservative party is “not doing anything bold or difficult or controversial.”

Responding to the defection, Badenoch said: “Danny has made his case very clear, that this is not about me.

“I can’t be distracted by that, and I’m not going to get blown off course by these sort of incidents.

“I know this is the sort of thing that is going to happen while a party is changing. I’m making sure people understand what Conservative values are.”

Kruger joins Lee Anderson in Reform, another MP who recently defected to the new party.

Anderson was previously in the Conservative Party but became an independent MP before joining Reform last year.

Scottish Conservative MSP Graham Simpson defected last month with similar reasoning, saying: “Too many people feel let down and ignored [in Scotland], they feel the system is against them, that the traditional parties don’t even care about them”.

“I’ve joined Reform because we have the chance to create something new, exciting and lasting, that puts the needs of people over the system.”

“Scotland needs fresh thinking, new ideas, and I hope to be at the heart of helping Reform shape that offer.”

Reform UK now has five MPs in Parliament, surpassing the Green Party’s four. Graham Simpson is the party’s only MSP.

Feature image credit: House of Commons

The plans will allow judges to curtail various freedoms when sentencing offenders to “make streets safer” for the general public.

Restrictions will include bans from attending football matches, driving limitations, and confinement to specific, local areas.

There will also be bans from pubs, clubs, and other public or community areas.

Judges are currently able to issue similar community and freedom based bans if they relate to the crime committed, such as imposing a football match ban if the criminal offended at a game.

However, the new change will allow criminals to be sentenced with a ban that may not relate to the criminal charge.

Offenders with a history of drug misuse will also face similar restrictions, alongside an expanded compulsory drug testing programme whilst on probation.

Criminals with no known history of drug abuse will also be included in the upscaled drug testing regime in the future, the Government says.

Shabana Mahmood, Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, hopes this will deter offenders and reoffenders from committing crimes and help ensure prisons can prioritise places for more serious offenders.

She said: “When criminals break society’s rules, they must be punished. Those serving their sentences in the community must have their freedom restricted there too.

“These new punishments should remind all offenders that, under this Government, crime does not pay.

“Rightly, the public expect the government to do everything in its power to keep Britain safe, and that’s what we’re doing.”

The Government says artificial intelligence will also be introduced to help probation staff dedicate additional time to more serious offenders.

Additionally, the Probation Service is set to receive a £700 million investment increase by 2028/29 to further support improvements.

The sector currently has an annual budget of £1.6 billion.

Employment in the Probation Service is also rising, in line with the Government’s commitment to recruit 1,300 probation officers in 2025.

Last year, the service successfully recruited 1,000 new probation officers.

The Government hopes that by boosting support within the sector and introducing social restrictions to limit criminals’ freedom, the rate of reoffending will begin to decrease.

In a report published last month, the rate of reoffending criminals in England and Wales reached 28 per cent.

Pulled from July to September 2023, the figure is a 1.5 per cent increase from the same window in the previous year.

As well as aiming to prevent reoffending, the Government has also introduced 2,400 prison places since July 2024.

Alongside this is a £7 billion investment to fund 14,000 more prison spots as the criminal population increases.

This is part of the 10-year Prison Capacity Strategy, which includes building four new prisons and remodelling existing facilities.

Featured image via Amie Johnson on Unsplash

Brendan O’Hara, SNP Middle East Spokesperson, delivered a list of “immediate” actions for the PM to undertake, crediting them as legal obligations under the Geneva Convention, Genocide Convention, and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Advisory Opinion of July 2024.

The letter came after the Israeli finance minister, Bezamel Smotrich, stated Israel’s plan is to “conquer, cleanse and stay” in Gaza.

O’Hara’s demands include a ban on arms sales to Israel, immediately recognising a Palestinian state and delivering aid to Gaza.

The MP for Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber also called on the Government to enforce an international arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his cabinet members.

The letter follows Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney describing the Gaza conflict as a “genocide in plain sight” before urging the PM to recall parliament from its summer break and “hold Israel to account.”

This comes after a UN-backed report increased the hunger levels in Gaza to Phase Five – the most severe level of famine.

The report says over half a million people in Gaza are suffering from ”catastrophic” conditions, including “starvation, destitution and death”.

Israel is continuing to block humanitarian aid into Gaza whilst describing the famine report as “Hamas lies”.

O’Hara wrote in the letter that the Government’s inaction against Israel will set a precedent that “starvation, occupation and ethnic cleansing are acceptable actions for your allies to take.”

O’Hara’s letter in full states:

“Dear Prime Minister,  

“Given your continued refusal to recall the Westminster parliament, I am writing to demand immediate action be taken regarding the genocide in Gaza. 

“In the last six weeks, the intensity with which the Israeli government has moved to forcibly displace Palestinians and permanently occupy Gaza has reached new extremes. 

“With the current rate of UK Government and international inertia, the genocide in Gaza will only end with the complete destruction of Palestine allowing a precedent to be set that starvation, occupation and ethnic cleansing are acceptable actions for your allies to take.  

“Enough is enough.  

“Israel has been blatantly killing, targeting and starving civilians, including children, for nearly two years. The death toll has now far surpassed 60,000.  “300 people, including 122 children, have been killed because Israel is intentionally starving the entire population.

“Now Israel talks of permanently occupying Gaza, in a dystopian announcement which seeks to absolve them of the responsibility for the last two years of siege and genocide.  

“I write to you today to demand that the following action be taken immediately.  

“1. Impose a complete arms embargo on Israel.

“2. Immediately recognise a Palestinian state.

“3. Formally join the prevention of genocide case at the ICJ brought by South Africa, Ireland, Spain and others.

“4. Issue a public notice to UK citizens serving in the IDF in Israel that they risk of prosecution for war crimes if they return to the UK. 

“5. Initiate an operation with allies to send naval vessels to deliver aid, breaking the siege in Gaza.

“6. Impose economic sanctions on the state of Israel.

“7. Commit to enforcing the international arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu and members of his Cabinet.

“Failure to do so is a breach of your legal obligations as per the ICJ Advisory Opinion of July 2024, ICJ Provisional Measures in the South Africa case, your obligations under the Genocide Convention and the Geneva Conventions.

“Your Labour Government cannot sit silent as a genocide unfolds in Gaza and I look forward to hearing from you. 

“Yours Sincerely,

Brendan O’Hara MP, SNP Middle East Spokesperson.”

Featured image via HM Government.

Access to Government-funded football pitches across England will be more than doubled to facilitate the increased interest in the sport from girls and women.

The pitches will be available during primetime hours in recognition of the England Women’s team’s swift increase in nation-wide popularity.

The Women’s Euros final was the most watched TV moment of 2025, raking in a peak of 16.2 million television views across BBC One and ITV with a further 4.2 million streams on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport will be honouring the Lionesses popularity and their second European Championship by dedicating flagship football facilities to the team as well as expanding access to existing pitches. 

The Government hopes that highlighting the women’s team’s journey from grassroots games to international success will inspire future footballers and help foster the “champions of tomorrow”.

Whilst celebrations are ongoing, the Government has not awarded the event a bank holiday despite Prime Minister Keir Starmer previously backing the idea when the Lionesses won the Euros in 2022. 

Starmer backed the calls, proposing a “proper day of celebration” for the major league win. 

When England reached the World Cup final in 2023, he repeated the sentiment on X saying “there should be a celebratory bank holiday if the Lionesses bring it home”.

With the 2025 Euros win, Starmer failed to meet the champions at Downing Street.

Instead, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner welcomed the winners with a garden party whilst Starmer met with US President Donald Trump.

The Government’s financial support for the expansion women’s football will be part of its £400 million investment in grassroot facilities.

The funding, announced in June 2025, is part of the Government’s aim to increase high quality sporting and fitness opportunities for young people in the UK.

A variety of sports will be provided with funding- the amount dedicated to women’s football is currently unknown.

Included in the football investment is a new grants scheme delivered by the Football Foundation in partnership with the Premier League and the Football Association. The grant will focus on creating welcoming, safe and accessible facilities at the grassroots level.

The Government hopes that within the next ten years, the plan will help the UK be seen as a leader in promoting women’s and girls’ sport.

Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy, said: “Today we’re taking decisive action to ensure that the incredible success of the Lionesses creates a lasting legacy for women and girls in sport. 

“This isn’t just about celebrating today’s achievements – it’s about building the foundations through our Plan for Change by removing barriers to participation. 

“From ensuring every girl has equal access to sport in schools through our new partnership model, to creating facilities where women and girls can thrive, we’re investing in the champions of tomorrow.”

Featured image via @ChloeKelly on Instagram

The change would require at least ten Premier League matches every season to be broadcast on free-to-air television channels, such as the BBC or ITV.

The amendment would also require the League Cup Final and the Championship, League One and League Two playoff finals to be available on free-to-air channels.

The upcoming 2025-26 season is airing under a new TV rights deal between the Premier League, Sky Sports and TNT Sports, which would air games through a subscription model.

Under this deal, fans hoping to catch each game in the season could have to fork out £660 a year.

Recent figures suggest that the soaring subscription expense could be to blame for the recent crash in Sky Sports and TNT Sports viewers.

Last year, Premier League viewership fell by 10 per cent on Sky Sports and a further 17 per cent on TNT Sports.

Currently, La Liga, Spain’s top football league, offers one free game per week to fans through the streaming service DAZN.

The Liberal Democrats, who introduced the amendment to the Bill, have suggested this model could be replicated in the UK.

As part of their 2024 election manifesto, the Liberal Democrats committed to making football games more accessible to fans.

Max Wilkinson MP, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Culture, Media and Sport said: “I’m urging MPs of all stripes to back our amendment to tear down the paywall and make Premier League games available on free to air channels.

“For too long, the jewel in the crown of British football has been locked behind an expensive barrier that keeps fans out while lining the pockets of broadcasters.

“Fans are being rinsed of every last penny to watch the beautiful game, while the next generation of Bellinghams and Bronzes are priced out of the chance to see football played at the very top level.

“That must end today – with a free to air revolution that gives the Premier League back to the country.”

Featured image via Pexels

The Private Members’ Bill by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater will now be passed to the House of Lords for approval, where a series of amendments will be discussed.

What is the Assisted Dying Bill?

The Bill will allow terminally ill people to end their lives if they:

• Are over 18, live in England or Wales, and have been registered with a GP practice for at least 12 months
• Have clear mental capacity to make the choice and can express their decision in a clear, informed, and voluntary manner
• Make two separate declarations, both witnessed and signed, stating their wish to die
• Are expected to die within six months
• Satisfy two independent doctors and a panel comprising a senior legal figure, a psychiatrist, and a social worker that they are fit to make the decision

If the House of Lords accepts the Bill, it is likely to legally come into effect within four years.

Opening the debate this morning, Ms Leadbeater said her Bill is “cogent” and “workable”, as it has “one simple thread running through it – the need to correct the profound injustices of the status quo and to offer a compassionate and safe choice to terminally ill people who want to make it”.

While MPs expressed support for the principle of assisted dying, some raised concerns about the Bill in its current form and the lack of time it has been given to debate it. 

Dozens of MPs highlighted that it lacks sufficient safeguards against coercion and does not adequately protect vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities, eating disorders, and other conditions. 

Meanwhile, others warned that passing the Bill could undermine the availability and quality of palliative care and risk opening the door to profit-driven assisted dying through private healthcare providers.

Diane Abbott’s view on assisted dying

Voting against the legislation, Mother of the House Diane Abbott said: “What could be more unjust than to lose your life because of poorly drafted legislation.

“It is perfectly possible to support assisted dying as I do but not be prepared to vote for this bill.”

However, several MPs publicly changed their minds ahead of today’s vote, warning the bill was “drastically weakened” and vulnerable people were potentially subject to harm. 

Steve Darling, the Liberal Democrat MP for Torbay, said he could no longer support it despite being sympathetic to those seeking an assisted dying option. 

He said: “I want to see that people have genuine choices at the end of life, but you’ve got to make sure the environment is right and the safeguards are there.

“Without appropriate social care and palliative care being in the right place, people might end up in ‘Hobson choice’, and that is my real fear.”

MPs initially backed the proposal at second reading in November, with 330 MPs voting in favour and 275 against.

Featured image via UK Parliament / Jessica Taylor