BREAKING: Reform UK Senedd member Sarah Cooper-Lesadd has defected to Plaid Cymru.

BREAKING WELSH NEWS Reform MS Sarah Cooper-Lesadd has defected to Plaid Cymru. She has released an absolutely damning statement regarding Reform: “Today I have left Reform UK and joined Plaid Cymru and its Senedd group. “I grew up in the care system. I stood for the Senedd to be a voice for care-experienced people, who are still badly under-represented in our politics. I want to improve people’s lives, stand up for people who are overlooked and get things done. My approach is evidence-led and rooted in what works for our communities. “Reform has no interest in the work I came here to do. They are not serious about governing Wales. They are far more interested in division, opposition and headlines than in finding solutions. There is a real appetite in the group to want the government to fail, and no interest in what that failure would mean for the people we represent. “They oppose measures without any coherent explanation. I wanted to vote for the supplementary budget, which every party should have supported, and I argued against tabling the Nation of Sanctuary debate, and I was criticised for sitting it out. Having just spoken about my own childhood trauma, I could not in good conscience sit through it. “I cannot support Reform's attacks on people seeking sanctuary or other vulnerable groups. I particularly reject the way minorities have too often been used as political targets. I do not believe anyone should be scapegoated or dehumanised to win votes, and I will not be part of a politics that does that. “The party centrally has no interest in Wales. Their Senedd group is a staging post in the effort to get Nigel Farage into Downing Street, and that was glaringly obvious at its conference this week. “To everyone who voted Reform in May: I have not stopped listening to you. You told me you felt ignored and let down. Those concerns are real, and they will be answered by delivery, not division. “Wales is a small country with enormous potential. Devolution is how that potential is realised, with decisions made closer to the people they affect. "I believe in a Wales that is confident, compassionate and ambitious. A Wales that uses the powers it has to improve people’s lives and seeks the powers it still needs. "Plaid is serious about governing, serious about delivery and serious about Wales. It is a party that believes in our communities and believes Wales can do more when decisions are made closer to the people they affect. “I know what I am asking of Plaid members who spent May campaigning against the party I stood for, and I will work to earn their trust. “I came into politics to give people a voice, improve lives and get things done, including for every child growing up in care in Wales today. Plaid Cymru is the best place for me to do that, and I am ready to get to work."

BREAKING: MPs have voted AGAINST the assisted dying bill by 286 votes to 270 That's a huge, huge moment It effectively ends the chance of assisted dying becoming law before 2030

POLICE LAUNCH MURDER INVESTIGATION INTO ANN WIDDECOMBE'S DEATH Devon & Cornwall Police: "We are deploying all of the necessary resources to find out exactly what has happened and to locate the person responsible who we believe to be a white male."

FULL STATEMENT BY DEVON & CORNWALL POLICE A murder investigation has been launched following the suspicious death of former MP Ann Widdecombe at her home on Dartmoor in Devon. Police officers were called to an address at Haytor by the ambulance service at around 11.40am on Thursday 9 July. Sadly, 78-year-old Miss Widdecombe was located deceased within the property. She had sustained serious injuries. Her next-of-kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers. Detectives from the Force Major Crime Investigation Team have launched a murder investigation and are conducting extensive enquiries into the circumstances surrounding Miss Widdecombe’s death. A cordon remains in place at the property while specialist officers continue forensic examinations. There are road closures in place around the scene. The public will see a significant police presence in the area today while detectives and officers conduct house-to-house and CCTV enquiries. Detective Chief Inspector Ilona Rosson said: "This is an extremely tragic incident and our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of Ann Widdecombe at this difficult time. “Our murder enquiry is in its early stages but moving at a significant pace. We are deploying all of the necessary resources to find out exactly what has happened and to locate the person responsible who we believe to be a white male. “I would appeal to anyone who may have information about this incident, however insignificant it may seem, to come forward and speak with us. "We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the vicinity of Haytor Vale, Haytor, or anyone with CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage which could assist with our investigation. "We have an increased uniformed police presence in the area to both support the investigation and provide reassurance to residents. Anyone with concerns can speak with our officers at the scene. “We will release further information when we are able to do so. In the meantime I would ask people not to speculate about what might have happened, particularly on social media. This is not only potentially harmful to our investigation but also deeply distressing for family and friends of Ann Widdecombe.” We have set up a Major Incident Public Portal [MIPP] for information, images or footage to be submitted to us. You can also contact us by phone on 101 or through our website, quoting reference 50260179119 and Operation Hunlen.

🚨 | BREAKING: NIGEL FARAGE HAS RESIGNED AS THE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR CLACTON AND WILL STAND IN THE SUBSEQUENT BY-ELECTION.

BREAKING: The Conservatives have gained Aberdeen South from the SNP.

Aberdeen South by-election result: Conservative GAIN from the SNP

For decades, Westminster has overseen the managed decline of towns like mine. We have talked big, then acted small, stuck in a politics of incrementalism that cannot meet the moment. We have lost the trust of those our party was built to serve. It is my unwavering belief that nothing short of urgent, radical, courageous reform will make a difference. That must start with a change in leadership. Today, I am putting the people I represent and the country I love first and will be resigning as MP for Makerfield. I am standing aside so that Andy Burnham can return to his home, fight to re-enter Parliament, and if elected, drive the change our country is crying out for. This has not been an easy decision. This is my family’s home, where only a few weeks ago, doctors and nurses at Wigan Infirmary saved our newborn son’s life. But we all must make choices and in recent days I found myself with a difficult one: defend the status quo or step forward and act. I have made my choice. I am in politics because politics is how you change lives for the better. My party has one last chance to do that: deliver for the people and places I represent, drive economic growth, secure our borders, reform our state and politics, and change a status quo that is not working. That is the fight. I believe Andy is the one to lead it.

Breaking: Josh Simons is expected to stand stand aside for Andy Burnham imminently

Rumours in Labour circles that Burnham could make a statement as soon as 5pm. Fluid situation.

BREAKING: WES STREETING RESIGNS

I have had the same conversations with MPs as @breeallegretti. The health secretary Wes Streeting, soon to be ex health secretary, is poised to launch his leadership bid tomorrow

RT @PippaCrerar: EXCL: Zubir Ahmed, health minister and another close ally of Wes Streeting, quits calling for Keir Starmer to step aside.…

Chuka Umunna (????) just walked into No 10

It is with a very heavy heart that I have offered my resignation to the Prime Minister.

Alex Davies-Jones is the third minister to quit. She says: “I implore you to act in the country’s interest and set out a timetable for your departure.”

RT @BethRigby: EXCLUSIVE: Jess Phillips, safeguarding minister, resigns from govt

I understand Starmer did not give his critics any chance to speak against him in this morning's meeting. He delivered a pre-prepared statement informing them he would not leave office, then moved the meeting on to discuss the war in Iran.