In a special edition of Newscast, host Laura Kuenssberg shares her exclusive interviews with Rachel Reeves, the first Labour Chancellor to present a budget in over a decade, and Kemi Badenoch, the newly elected leader of the Conservative party. The discussions cover the parties' visions for the future and reactions from members. The episode also features information on how to join the Newscast online community and listen on a smart speaker. Tune in for daily political analysis from the BBC team.
Kemi Badenoch Elected Leader of the Conservative Party
In a historic move, Kemi Badenoch has become the first woman of color to lead the Conservative Party. Her election marks a significant milestone in British politics.
Background
Kemi Badenoch is a British politician who has served as Member of Parliament (MP) for Saffron Walden since 2017. She previously held positions as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families and Minister of State for Equalities.
Badenoch is known for her conservative views and her support for free markets and limited government intervention. She has also been a vocal critic of "woke" culture and identity politics.
Election
Badenoch announced her candidacy for the Conservative Party leadership in July 2022, after Boris Johnson resigned as Prime Minister. She positioned herself as an alternative to the frontrunner, Rishi Sunak, and gained support from members of the party's right wing.
In the final round of voting, Badenoch received 59 votes, while Sunak received 105 votes and Liz Truss received 86 votes. Badenoch's performance was seen as a strong showing, given her relatively low profile at the start of the contest.
Reactions
Badenoch's election has been met with mixed reactions. Some have praised her as a trailblazing figure who could bring new energy to the Conservative Party. Others have expressed concerns about her views on immigration and social issues.
Key Policies
As leader of the Conservative Party, Badenoch is expected to focus on the following policies:
Top 5 FAQs
1. Who is Kemi Badenoch? Kemi Badenoch is a British politician who has become the first woman of color to lead the Conservative Party.
2. How old is Kemi Badenoch? Kemi Badenoch is 42 years old.
3. What is Kemi Badenoch's political party? Kemi Badenoch is a member of the Conservative Party.
4. What are Kemi Badenoch's political views? Kemi Badenoch is a conservative politician who supports free markets and limited government intervention. She is also a critic of "woke" culture and identity politics.
5. What are Kemi Badenoch's plans for the future? As leader of the Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch is expected to focus on reducing taxes, cutting government spending, limiting immigration, and supporting traditional British values.
The Devendra Fadnavis-led government in Maharashtra has revoked government resolutions that made Hindi mandatory as the third language in primary schools, following widespread protests and opposition from various political parties, including estranged Thackeray cousins Shiv Sena and MNS. However, questions have been raised about the timing and motives behind the government's decision, with the BJP accused of trying to impose Hindi on students. This move has also sparked a heated debate on the status of Hindi in Maharashtra, a state with a large Hindi-speaking population in Vidarbha and Marathwada regions.
In an effort to combat rising drug abuse rates, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has announced the implementation of Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (Drug-Free India Campaign) in all medical colleges across India. Along with this, the NMC has also requested the formation of drug-free hostel committees, a schedule of activities, and awareness programs for students, faculty, and staff. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in collaboration with the NMC, is also planning to launch Tobacco Cessation Centres in all medical colleges to help individuals quit tobacco consumption and reduce tobacco-related diseases.
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued detailed guidelines for All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), medical colleges, and other higher educational institutions to implement Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan activities to tackle the growing issue of substance abuse among students. These measures include forming committees, conducting awareness campaigns, and creating referral systems to provide support to students. The government hopes that this collaborative approach will help curb drug trafficking and protect the student population from falling prey to substance abuse.
The Chief Minister of Goa, Pramod Sawant, announced a major step towards inclusive mobility by offering a 50% concession on bus fares for women employed in the private sector. This move aims to make daily commuting more affordable and encourage more women to join the workforce. The announcement was made at the launch of the Mhaji Bus Scheme 2025 in Sanquelim, which also includes benefits for private bus operators such as operational subsidies and upgraded technology. Sawant assured current operators that they will not be left out during the system's upgrade and urged them to join the scheme for significant annual benefits.
Former Member of the Scottish Parliament, Wendy Alexander, has accused Dundee University of pressuring her to leave her position as Vice Principal International due to her questioning of the institution's financial practices. She claims she was offered a "package and trips" as a way to leave quietly. This revelation comes after a recent report revealing financial mismanagement at the university, with the former principal, Prof Iain Gillespie, resigning last year. Alexander's comments were made in a statement to Holyrood's education committee, which also heard evidence from other former university officials expressing regret for not implementing cost-cutting measures earlier and acknowledging the pain caused to students and staff.
Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan has announced a rally in Rajgir – the hometown of his alliance partner and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar – strategically aimed at expanding his base among other Bahujan communities. The LJP (RV) has called the event "Bahujan sankalp samagam" where the 42-year-old leader will focus on a "new leadership" for the state and aim to claim a larger share in the upcoming state Assembly polls. With the key allies of the BJP-led NDA locking horns over seat-sharing, Chirag seems to be positioning himself as a major player in Bihar politics and is set to make an announcement that could potentially change the political landscape of the state.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the National Headquarters of the Turmeric Board in Nizamabad, fulfilling a major demand of farmers in Telangana. The event was attended by various BJP leaders, who welcomed Shah at the Begumpet airport. The establishment of the Turmeric Board was a key election promise by BJP Lok Sabha member D Arvind, who defeated K Chandrasekhar Rao's daughter in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. This move is aimed at improving the quality and income of turmeric farmers in the region.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the National Headquarters of the Turmeric Board in Nizamabad, Telangana. The ceremony was attended by several prominent leaders such as Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy, Union MoDS (Home) Bandi Sanjay Kumar, BJP MP K Laxman, and BJP Lok Sabha member from Nizamabad, D Arvind. This move is expected to boost the production and export of turmeric, a key spice in Indian cuisine, and support the farmers in the region.
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The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday heard arguments from ride-hailing platforms Ola, Uber, and Rapido, as well as the Bike Taxi Welfare Association, challenging a state-wide ban on bike taxis. Advocates for the petitioners argued that the ban violated their right to livelihood and hindered the service's potential to decongest roads and bridge last-mile connectivity gaps in urban areas. The ban was put in place following an expert committee report opposing bike taxis, but was later reversed to allow operations until the state issues specific guidelines. The matter is set for further hearing on July 2.