Parliament

• Britain’s Parliament is scheduled to debate a bill to bring steel undertakings into public ownership as MPs return for a packed week starting 18 May 2026. • The Commons and Lords will also continue debating the King’s Speech, while the Private Members’ Bill ballot will give 20 MPs a chance to introduce the session’s first bills. • The agenda includes a Backbench Business Committee chair election, evidence from Armed Forces Minister Al Carns on undersea cable protection, and a Treasury Committee hearing with the Bank of England governor.

If he stands in Makerfield there will also need to be a mayoral contest to replace him in Greater ManchesterLabour’s national executive committee has approved Andy Burnham’s request to stand in the candidate selection process for the upcoming Makerfield byelection, paving the way for the Greater Manchester mayor to return to parliament.Burnham still has two more years of his term as mayor, meaning that if he stands there will need to be a mayoral byelection. Under Labour rules, sitting mayors need NEC approval to stand for Westminster. He would also need to be formally selected Continue reading...

• Iraqi lawmakers on Thursday approved a new government headed by businessman Ali al-Zaidi, ending months of deadlock in Baghdad. • The prime minister’s media office said parliament granted confidence to Zaidi’s cabinet, while the INA state news agency reported an absolute majority backed 14 ministerial nominations. • Zaidi, described as Iraq’s youngest prime minister at 40, was chosen on April 27 after growing pressure to restore a stable administration.

Greater Manchester mayor seeks to reassure his supporters after potential seats for him fail to materialiseAndy Burnham has told Labour MPs they should hold the line and that he has options to return to parliament after several seats identified by allies of the Greater Manchester mayor failed to materialise.Two seats his backers had described as “nailed on” as recently as Monday night are now out of contention after the MPs concerned got cold feet. Continue reading...

Ceremonial event marks start of new parliamentary year, and outlines government policies and proposed legislationUK politics live – latest updates Continue reading...

Tuesday’s question time seemed more suited to prime time; full of sordid allegations, only the cast seems far less likableFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastQuestion time in the Queensland parliament is not a ratings juggernaut.Nielsen doesn’t publish ratings data about the live stream from Brisbane’s George Street, but one imagines the numbers of voters tuning in to watch our state politicians flagellate on a weekday morning are relatively low: a handful of politics nerds and the odd journo who prefers to work from home. Continue reading...

• Workers' Party MP He Ting Ru highlighted Singapore as one of the most vulnerable economies to AI disruption during a parliamentary motion on AI transition. • She urged recognition of uncomfortable realities beyond the nation's praised infrastructure and upskilling initiatives. • Singapore's approach, cited by BCG, IMF's Kristalina Georgieva, and others, focuses on confronting AI opportunities and risks through worker reskilling.