BEN CHACKO reports on fears at TUC Congress that the provisions in the legislation are liable to be watered down even further

THE results of the elections to Italy’s parliament and senate make grim reading.
The right-wing alliance took a majority of the votes with Giorgia Meloni’s Fratelli d’Italia (FdI) on 26.1 per cent, having cannibalised much of its allies’ support. Lega, Matteo Salvini’s outfit, took just 8.9 per cent – down from 17 per cent – while former premier Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia limped in on 8.3 per cent, down from 14 per cent.
This new architecture on the right sets the scene for an internal challenge to Salvini’s leadership, while for Silvio Berlusconi mother nature’s clock is ticking away behind the Botox.

US tariffs have had Von der Leyen bowing in submission, while comments from the former European Central Bank leader call for more European political integration and less individual state sovereignty. All this adds up to more pain and austerity ahead, argues NICK WRIGHT

Starmer sabotaged Labour with his second referendum campaign, mobilising a liberal backlash that sincerely felt progressive ideals were at stake — but the EU was then and is now an entity Britain should have nothing to do with, explains NICK WRIGHT

Deep disillusionment with the Westminster cross-party consensus means rupture with the status quo is on the cards – bringing not only opportunities but also dangers, says NICK WRIGHT

Holding office in local government is a poisoned chalice for a party that bases its electoral appeal around issues where it has no power whatsoever, argues NICK WRIGHT