In his new year message, Prime Minister Keir Starmer says his government will "defeat the decline and division offered by others" and that 2026 will see people feeling "positive change" in their lives.[1]
In her new year message, the leader of the opposition, Kemi Badenoch says that in 2025 there was "no growth, higher taxes and record unemployment" and that the plan for her party would "back business and fix our economy so we can fund our armed forces, police, schools, NHS and build something that we feel proud of".[1]
The leader of the Liberal Democrats, Ed Davey, says that his party could "win again in 2026" after their "record-breaking success" in the previous local elections. He also said he would "stop Trump's America becoming Farage's Britain" and "change our country for the better".[1]
Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, which has led in national opinion polls since early 2025, says that his party is offering "hope" and "change", predicting that May would be "the single most important set of elections between now and the next general election" and that the country is getting "gloomier" and "poorer", and that with higher unemployment and debt is "running completely out of control".[1]
Rachel Millward, the Green Party's co-deputy leader, says they would "do everything" they can "to stop Nigel Farage getting anywhere near Downing Street". Mothin Ali, the other co-deputy, said the party had gained 110,000 new members since the summer and that they are "here to replace Labour".[1]
Starmer says that the future of Greenland is up to the Danish territory after Trump suggests the US could invade it.[4]
Dame Emily Thornberry, who chairs the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, describes the US action in Venezuela as a breach of international law, and says that the UK should make clear it is "unacceptable".[5]
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper tells the House of Commons she has reminded her US counterpart of that country's obligations under international law following the capture of Maduro.[6]
6 January –
A Scottish Parliamentary investigation finds that Justice Secretary Angela Constance broke the ministerial code after making controversial comments about a grooming gangs expert in parliament.[7]
The Scottish Parliament confirms that MSPs will receive a 4.3% pay rise from April, taking their annual income from £74,507 to £77,710.[8]
9 January – Liberal Democrat councillor George Percival for Shirley on Southampton City Council resigns his seat 15 months after winning a by-election.[13]
The UK government drops plans to require people to sign up to their digital ID card scheme in order to prove their eligibility to work in the UK.[21]
Finance Secretary Shona Robison delivers the 2026 Scottish budget, which includes changes to tax thresholds, an increase in taxation on residential properties worth over £1m and an increase in the Scottish Child Payment.[22]
14 January – Reform UK announces that 20 local councillors – 14 Conservatives, five independents and one from the Green Party – have joined its number.[23]
Jon Burrows is the only candidate for the Ulster Unionist Party leadership election after deputy leader Robbie Butler announces he will not seek election to the post.[27]
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