The UK plans to restart trade talks with India in early 2025, aiming to elevate the relationship with Delhi to a “new strategic partnership” covering trade, energy, and security, as confirmed by Sir Keir Starmer following a meeting with Indian prime minister Narendra Modi at the G20 summit. The goal is to boost economic growth, support jobs, and increase trade between the fifth and sixth largest economies, with discussions initially aiming to double trade to £86bn by 2030. While Boris Johnson had set a target date of October 2022 for a deal, Rishi Sunak’s administration did not specify a deadline for signing off on an agreement, which had previously stalled under the last government.
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How the ‘Prescott Punch’ came to define him as Labour’s firebrand – and a total necessity for Blair
John Prescott, Labour’s Deputy Prime Minister, made headlines during the lacklustre 2001 general election campaign when he punched a protester who hit him with an egg, leading to a moment captured on camera that dominated the news. Despite fears of resignation, Tony Blair downplayed the incident, emphasizing Prescott's importance in embodying traditional Labour values and connecting with party activists. Prescott's upbringing, working-class roots, and political journey, from academic struggles to union activism to high ministerial...
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