Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly announces he will not contest the next Stormont election
Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly announces he will not contest the next Stormont election.
Herald section
Politics
Recent reporting and significant records from the Herald archive.
It is confirmed that Hilary Benn will leave his role as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland after Andy Burnham succeeds Keir Starmer as prime minister
It is confirmed that Hilary Benn will leave his role as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland after Andy Burnham succeeds Keir Starmer as prime minister.
Following his conviction for historical child sex offences, Jeffrey Donaldson asks for his knighthood to be forfeited, and tenders his resignation from the Privy Council
Following his conviction for historical child sex offences, Jeffrey Donaldson asks for his knighthood to be forfeited, and tenders his resignation from the Privy Council with immediate effect.
Irish Government announces it will contribute €228m (£197m) towards improving rail services between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland
The Irish Government announces it will contribute €228m (£197m) towards improving rail services between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn joins first and deputy first ministers Michelle O'Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly for the formal signing of an investment deal…
Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn joins first and deputy first ministers Michelle O'Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly for the formal signing of an investment deal worth £72m for the Causeway Coast and Glens area.
Northern Ireland Local Government Standards Commissioner suspends Colin Kennedy, a Democratic Unionist Party councillor on Ards and North Down Borough Council
The Northern Ireland Local Government Standards Commissioner suspends Colin Kennedy, a Democratic Unionist Party councillor on Ards and North Down Borough Council, for three months over comments he made during 2023 in which he linked members of the LGBTQ community with Hamas.
Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn announces that the UK government will bring forward a "substantial package of amendments" to its Troubles legacy legislation
Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn announces that the UK government will bring forward a "substantial package of amendments" to its Troubles legacy legislation.
Stormont approves £19.2m of funding towards the cost of oil heating for households on top of the £17m pledged by the UK government
Stormont approves £19.2m of funding towards the cost of oil heating for households on top of the £17m pledged by the UK government.
UK government confirms the Stormont Executive will receive £1.7m to help households in Northern Ireland towards the cost of heating oil
The UK government confirms the Stormont Executive will receive £1.7m to help households in Northern Ireland towards the cost of heating oil.
Pay rise for members of the Stormont Assembly is confirmed
The pay rise for members of the Stormont Assembly is confirmed.
UK government loses its appeal over a judgement throwing out a terror charge against a member of the Irish language rap trio Kneecap
The UK government loses its appeal over a judgement throwing out a terror charge against a member of the Irish language rap trio Kneecap.
Bishop of Aberdeen in Scotland declares the sedevacantist Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer religious institute, an order associated with the Society of Saint Pius X
The Bishop of Aberdeen in Scotland declares the sedevacantist Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer religious institute, an order associated with the Society of Saint Pius X, to be excommunicated, after they consecrated a bishop without Vatican approval.
Sir Keir Starmer resigns as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and is succeeded by Andy Burnham
Sir Keir Starmer resigns as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and is succeeded by Andy Burnham.
British government announces that it will scrap the 202-year-old Vagrancy Act that criminalizes rough sleeping in England and Wales
The British government announces that it will scrap the 202-year-old Vagrancy Act that criminalizes rough sleeping in England and Wales, saying that a new law will aim at "preventing homelessness" rather than "punishing" it.
Keir Starmer announces his resignation as British prime minister and leader of the Labour Party in an address to the nation outside 10 Downing Street, London.
Keir Starmer announces his resignation as British prime minister and leader of the Labour Party in an address to the nation outside 10 Downing Street, London. He will remain as caretaker prime minister until a new party leader is elected.
Former Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is elected to the House of Commons of the United Kingdom after winning a by-election in Makerfield
Former Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is elected to the House of Commons of the United Kingdom after winning a by-election in Makerfield, setting up a leadership challenge to prime minister Keir Starmer.
John Healey resigns as the United Kingdom's Secretary of State for Defence in protest at a lack of government funding for the British Armed Forces
John Healey resigns as the United Kingdom's Secretary of State for Defence in protest at a lack of government funding for the British Armed Forces, saying prime minister Keir Starmer is "putting the country’s security at risk" at a time of "growing international threats". Al Carns, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces, also resigns.
International representatives, excluding those from the United Kingdom and the United States, meet in Mogadishu and deem the administration of Hassan Sheikh Mohamud
International representatives, excluding those from the United Kingdom and the United States, meet in Mogadishu and deem the administration of Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as the de facto Somali government. Operational Policy 7.30, a framework typically applied to countries that have lost statehood or where a government assumes power outside the country’s constitutional framework, will be utilized.
Wes Streeting resigns as the United Kingdom's Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, saying he has "lost confidence" in prime minister Keir Starmer
Wes Streeting resigns as the United Kingdom's Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, saying he has "lost confidence" in prime minister Keir Starmer following the recent local elections.
United Kingdom and United States-mediated talks in Mogadishu, Somalia, between president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and the opposition led by regional president Said…
United Kingdom and United States-mediated talks in Mogadishu, Somalia, between president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and the opposition led by regional president Said Abdullahi Deni have broken down without an agreement. The deadlock centres on bitter disputes over the country's upcoming electoral framework, technical delays, and regional vote-rigging accusations in South West State of Somalia.
Labour Party concedes defeat in Wales with Plaid Cymru and Reform UK making significant gains, while the nationalist Scottish National Party claims victory in Scotland
The Labour Party concedes defeat in Wales with Plaid Cymru and Reform UK making significant gains, while the nationalist Scottish National Party claims victory in Scotland.
Welsh Labour leader and First Minister of Wales Eluned Morgan resigns after losing her seat in the Senedd as Plaid Cymru claims victory in Wales
Welsh Labour leader and First Minister of Wales Eluned Morgan resigns after losing her seat in the Senedd as Plaid Cymru claims victory in Wales.
Reform UK take full control of Havering London Borough Council, making it the first Reform-run council in Greater London
Reform UK take full control of Havering London Borough Council, making it the first Reform-run council in Greater London.
Voters in England elect six mayors and 5,066 council seats across 136 councils.
Voters in England elect six mayors and 5,066 council seats across 136 councils. In Scotland, voters elect 129 seats to the Scottish Parliament. In Wales, voters elect 96 seats to the Senedd.
British parliament passes the Tobacco and Vapes Bill formally banning anyone in England born after December 31, 2008
The British parliament passes the Tobacco and Vapes Bill formally banning anyone in England born after December 31, 2008, from buying cigarettes and other tobacco products in an effort to create a "smoke-free generation". The age controls will enter force on January 1, 2027.
In the Republic of Ireland, the Government of the 34th Dáil wins a no confidence vote tabled by Sinn Féin over its handling of recent fuel protests
In the Republic of Ireland, the Government of the 34th Dáil wins a no confidence vote tabled by Sinn Féin over its handling of recent fuel protests.
United Kingdom announces that it will stop issuing student visas to nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan and suspend work visas for Afghan nationals,
The United Kingdom announces that it will stop issuing student visas to nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan and suspend work visas for Afghan nationals, citing a rise in asylum applications from individuals entering through legal visa processes.
Green Party candidate Hannah Spencer wins the constituency of Gorton and Denton in Greater Manchester, England, in the party's first by-election win
Green Party candidate Hannah Spencer wins the constituency of Gorton and Denton in Greater Manchester, England, in the party's first by-election win.
Keiko Fujimori is sworn in as President of Peru after winning the general election in June
Keiko Fujimori is sworn in as President of Peru after winning the general election in June.
In Australia, Victorian premier Jacinta Allan resigns, triggering a leadership spill.
In Australia, Victorian premier Jacinta Allan resigns, triggering a leadership spill. Ben Carroll is elected unanimously as the new Premier and Victorian Labor Party leader.
For the ninth consecutive day, thousands continue to protest in Kyiv, Ukraine, demanding Mykhailo Fedorov's reinstatement as Minister of Defence
For the ninth consecutive day, thousands continue to protest in Kyiv, Ukraine, demanding Mykhailo Fedorov's reinstatement as Minister of Defence.
United States House of Representatives votes 214–208 to approve war powers legislation attempting to require the president of the United States to halt military action…
The United States House of Representatives votes 214–208 to approve war powers legislation attempting to require the president of the United States to halt military action against Iran. The United States Senate votes 47–49 to stop the legislation from advancing.
Andy Burnham is elected as the new leader of the British Labour Party.
Andy Burnham is elected as the new leader of the British Labour Party. He will formally succeed Keir Starmer as prime minister on Monday.
Protests continue for a second day in Kyiv, Ukraine, near the Presidential Office Building, demanding the return of Mykhailo Fedorov
Protests continue for a second day in Kyiv, Ukraine, near the Presidential Office Building, demanding the return of Mykhailo Fedorov as Minister of Defence and the resignation of Oleksandr Syrskyi as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Protests take place in Kyiv and other cities across Ukraine against president Volodymyr Zelenskyy's decision to replace defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov
Protests take place in Kyiv and other cities across Ukraine against president Volodymyr Zelenskyy's decision to replace defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov with major-general Yevhenii Khmara.
Israel sets October 27 as the date for its legislative elections to elect the members of the Knesset
Israel sets October 27 as the date for its legislative elections to elect the members of the Knesset.
Former emir of Qatar Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani dies at the age of 74
Former emir of Qatar Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani dies at the age of 74.
Protesters in Stockholm, Sweden, gather at the Odenplan plaza to protest against Israel's attacks in Gaza, ceasefire violations
Protesters in Stockholm, Sweden, gather at the Odenplan plaza to protest against Israel's attacks in Gaza, ceasefire violations, and restrictions on humanitarian aid entering Gaza.
Former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad attends former supreme leader Ali Khamenei's funeral amidst questions surrounding his fate in the aftermath of an…
Former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad attends former supreme leader Ali Khamenei's funeral amidst questions surrounding his fate in the aftermath of an Israeli–U.S. airstrike on his home during the early stages of the war.
State funeral of former Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an airstrike on his compound by Israel and the United States during the first day of the…
The state funeral of former Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an airstrike on his compound by Israel and the United States during the first day of the Iran war on February 28, begins as his body lies in state at Tehran's Grand Mosalla. The funeral is expected to draw millions of attendees, including foreign dignitaries.
Ukraine's parliament approves the creation of a national pantheon in Kyiv for state ceremonies, reburials, and memorials to national figures
Ukraine's parliament approves the creation of a national pantheon in Kyiv for state ceremonies, reburials, and memorials to national figures, while eligibility rules and possible honorees prompt controversy over historical memory and relations with Poland.
Demonstrators rally in central Stockholm, Sweden, including the Odenplan area, against Israeli strikes against Gaza and restrictions on humanitarian aid entering the enclave
Demonstrators rally in central Stockholm, Sweden, including the Odenplan area, against Israeli strikes against Gaza and restrictions on humanitarian aid entering the enclave.
Authorities in South Sudan announce that the first general election in the country will be held on December 22, 2026, the first since its independence in 2011
Authorities in South Sudan announce that the first general election in the country will be held on December 22, 2026, the first since its independence in 2011.
Ethiopia's National Election Board reports that prime minister Abiy Ahmed's Prosperity Party will secure a parliamentary majority in the country's general election
Ethiopia's National Election Board reports that prime minister Abiy Ahmed's Prosperity Party will secure a parliamentary majority in the country's general election.
Members of Mexico's Coordinadora Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación end a 20-day strike over wages and pensions.
Members of Mexico's Coordinadora Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación end a 20-day strike over wages and pensions. The protests included demonstrations and road blockades in Mexico City, some of which targeted areas associated with the FIFA World Cup.
British home secretary Shabana Mahmood, energy secretary Ed Miliband, and transport secretary Heidi Alexander meet
British home secretary Shabana Mahmood, energy secretary Ed Miliband, and transport secretary Heidi Alexander meet with prime minister Keir Starmer and reportedly urge him to set out a timetable for his departure following Andy Burnham's win in the 2026 Makerfield by-election.
Afghanistan's Taliban government imposes a ban on smartphone use by government employees, with exemptions requiring approval from supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada
Afghanistan's Taliban government imposes a ban on smartphone use by government employees, with exemptions requiring approval from supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada.
Iranian officials and state media announce a three-day funeral plan in the cities of Mashhad, Tehran, and Qom for former supreme leader Ali Khamenei,
Iranian officials and state media announce a three-day funeral plan in the cities of Mashhad, Tehran, and Qom for former supreme leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed during the initial phase of the Israeli–US airstrikes on his compound.