Neil MacDonald

Scottish engineer. Labour Leader of Ipswich Borough Council.

[Neil MacDonald @IpswichNeil]

Promoted by and on behalf of Neil MacDonald of 33 Silent St, Ipswich, IP1 1TF

[Antonello Guerrera @antoguerrera]

BREAKING. Joint Statement of the Leaders of France, the United Kingdom, Germany and Ukraine.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the United Kingdom, President Emmanuel Macron of France, and Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany met on 7 June with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine to reiterate their unwavering support for Ukraine in its defence against Russia’s illegal invasion and next steps in negotiations to support a just and lasting peace. They underlined that Europe had an important role to play in any settlement, as a steadfast supporter of Ukraine. Leaders were clear that all efforts should be conducted in closest cooperation with Ukraine, wider European partners, and the US.

They welcomed recent Ukrainian successes on the battlefield, including the recent liberation of territory and ground-breaking use of drone technology. They condemned Russia’s large-scale missile and drone attacks - including the repeated use of the Oreshnik missiles - on Ukrainian cities with a tragic toll on civilians, as well as irresponsible and dangerous Russian drone incursions into NATO territory. They expressed their condolences to all the victims.

They discussed how to use the upcoming G7 summit at Evian, the next meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, and the NATO summit at Ankara to best coordinate further support for Ukraine based on its prioritised needs, including further pressure on Russia’s war economy and an increased pledge of military and defence support for Ukraine at the NATO Summit. The leaders underlined the urgent need to scale up the production of interceptors and co-develop anti-ballistic missile and deep strike capabilities, and to support the future sustainability of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.  They also discussed how the Alliance can learn from Ukraine’s battlefield expertise and how to increase long-term industrial cooperation with Ukraine to strengthen Europe’s own defence. 

They emphasized the inextricable link between Ukraine’s security, prosperity and sovereignty and wider Euro-Atlantic security. On negotiations, they discussed the conditions that would need to be in place for a just and lasting peace.

First, a stop to the fighting. They called on President Putin to agree to an immediate and complete ceasefire.

Second, the current line of contact should be the starting point for negotiations. International borders must not be changed by force, and Ukraine’s sovereign right to choose its own security arrangements and alliances must be fully respected.

Third, Ukraine must have robust and legally binding security guarantees in place once a ceasefire enters into force, building on commitments made in Berlin in December 2025 and Paris in January 2026. This includes the deployment of the Multinational Force – Ukraine.

Fourth, Russian assets will remain immobilised until Russia ceases its war of aggression and compensates Ukraine for the damage caused by the war.

Fifth, that European security interests must be safeguarded in any deal.  Elements of any negotiation related to the EU and NATO would need the consent of the EU and its Member States and NATO Allies respectively.

Leaders commended President Zelenskyy’s call for an end to the war, negotiated by diplomatic means, as set out in his letter to the President of the Russian Federation of 4 June 2026. They supported the proposal for a direct dialogue between Ukraine and Russia - with active US and European participation - to bring about a ceasefire and support further negotiations. They confirmed they would continue to stand firmly with Ukraine.

[Home Office @ukhomeoffice]

The number of visas issued to foreign workers has halved since its peak in 2023.

Over 100 occupations have been prevented from accessing overseas labour.

We are protecting British workers from being undercut while welcoming the high-skilled talent that our economy needs.

[Matthew Stadlen @MatthewStadlen]

Net migration down (48%)
Immigration down (20%)
Emigration down (6%)
Asylum applications down (12%)
Returns and deportations up (7%)
Arrivals by small boat down (41%) - 1st Jan - 20th May

Labour delivering

[UK Prime Minister @10DowningStreet]

NEW: Fuel duty will not rise this year.

When global events push up prices, working people feel it first. That’s why we’re acting to keep costs down, extending the cut on fuel duty for the rest of the year.

This will support millions of drivers and protect household budgets.

[Darren Jones MP @darrenpjones]

It's not everything, and there's more to do.

But in government, delivery matters.

[Martin Lewis @MartinSLewis]

NEWS: The work mileage allowance for under 10,000 miles will rise by 10p to 55p backdated to April 2026.

So this means if you drive for work in your own car (like many care workers for example) you can be given up to 55p a mile tax and NI free. And if you're not given that level you can claim the tax back on the difference between what you're given and that amount

Eg so if you're given 30p /mile. You can reclaim tax paid on your wages for the 25p/mile difference.

[Shabana Mahmood MP @ShabanaMahmood]

Net migration down 82%.

Net migration is now at 171,000, down from a high of 944,000 under the Conservatives.

This Government is restoring order and control to our borders.

[Home Office @ukhomeoffice]

Asylum decisions have quadrupled.

The asylum backlog is now down from its peak of 175,000 to 49,000 people awaiting a decision - the lowest level since 2019.

More decisions mean more asylum hotel closures and more illegal migrants removed or deported.

[Paul Lewis @paullewismoney]

Events that would destroy most politicians slide off NF like a curling stone on ice

[Fraser Nelson @FraserNelson]

What he could have said: “Today we have taken basic net migration down to the tens of thousands. Tories promised this for years. Labour delivered.

Controlling borders is crucial for a cohesive society. Tories lost control. Labour has taken it back.”

[Paul Mason @paulmasonnews]

This is exactly the kind of rebuttal to disinformation that needs to happen every day of the week 💥🇬🇧

[Lewis Goodall @lewis_goodall]

On basis of these results Great Yarmouth has claim to be the most right wing place in the country.

[Damian Low @DamianLow3]

Labour have halved the asylum backlog, yet the media never mention it.

Why is that?

[Politics In The U.K. @politixintheuk]

Times columnist Fraser Nelson pointed out over the weekend that new Home Office statistics paint a striking picture: net migration has fallen dramatically since Labour entered government, now sitting around 80 per cent below the record highs reached under the Conservatives.

And it is not just the headline figure shifting. Remove international students from the equation and long-term immigration levels are now “probably at a multi-year low”, Nelson wrote on his Substack — a remarkable turnaround after years of Tory chaos, broken promises and soaring numbers.

The asylum backlog is also being rapidly reduced under Labour. After ballooning in the aftermath of Covid while successive Conservative ministers appeared paralysed and unwilling to grip the crisis, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has begun making serious progress in clearing the system.

Away from the Westminster psychodrama and endless Reform stunts, an uncomfortable reality is emerging for Labour’s opponents: the Government may quietly be delivering results where the Tories failed for years.

Source: The London Economic

[SullyTech @SullyDrummer]

This is a misleading claim. Unsurprisingly. In terms of the total welfare bill the number of households taking home £50k in benefits is sub 1% of all claims. They are rare edge cases that are generally complex and involve serious disability. In fact only about 1-2% of households are actually reaching the cap (22-25k). The remaining 97% percent of claims are all well under the cap.

To focus on the exceptionally tiny minority of cases to make the claim that everyone on benefits is taking the piss is pure fantasy. Helen Whateley as an MP is more guilty of stealing a living than anyone else she’s targeting.

[Daniel Lismore @daniellismore]

On 23 June 2026, Britain marks ten years since the Brexit referendum. We were promised £350 million a week for the NHS. We were promised the easiest trade deals in history. We were promised sunlit uplands.

Research now shows the economy is 6-8% smaller, business investment fell 18% and 63% of us would vote to rejoin.

And you want to vote the man that hurt so many of our pockets and got us here? Vote tactically on the 7th of May. Stop Refrom. We deserve better. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧☕️🫖

https://t.co/rPRzb4qcTN

[Victoria Derbyshire @vicderbyshire]

Latest data on small boat arrivals from Home Office as of 1 May, 2026

1 January 2026 to 30 April 2026 = 6,416 people

That’s 42% down on same period in 2025

https://t.co/6bhdAZy4Gh

[Julia Smith @juliasm18659356]

@ElizabethBangs Johnson lost 1000 council seats and control of 11 local councils during his tenure but didn't resign or get booted out.

Sunak then lost 470 council seats and control of 20+ and also didn't resign or get booted out - until the general election

[Jack Abbott MP @jackabbott90]

We have to talk about last weekend.

The @BTCipswich All Dayer. What a way to kick off Ipswich's summer.

Thousands of people supporting talented local artists. Every venue packed. The whole town alive.

Now comes THIS weekend, with the whole town getting ready...#ITFC