Latest news with #ReformUK
West Australian
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Neighbours star Holly Valance and UK reform billionaire Nick Candy divorce after 13 years of marriage
Australian singer and former Neighbours star Holly Valance and UK billionaire Nick Candy, a key figure in the Reform UK party, have separated after 13 years of marriage. Friends told The Sun that the couple, who married in 2012, recently split following a challenging period balancing family life, public commitments, and Nick's demanding work schedule. Despite the separation, the pair remain focused on co-parenting their two daughters. Nick Candy, 52, is a property tycoon and treasurer of Nigel Farage's Reform UK party. He met Holly, 42, in 2009 and proposed two years later. The couple tied the knot in a lavish $6.3 million ceremony in Beverly Hills, California, attended by 300 guests including Simon Cowell. Holly first rose to fame as Felicity 'Flick' Scully on Neighbours before launching a pop career with hits like the chart-topping 'Kiss Kiss.' Nick began his property business with his brother Christian in the early 1990s and now holds a vast portfolio including the luxury One Hyde Park development in London, valued at over $2 billion AUD. In March Last year, Valance made headlines with a viral interview in which she spoke candidly about her political views and high-profile connections, further cementing her role as a prominent figure in Britain's conservative circles. Valance spoke openly about her shift to conservative politics the month earlier, saying, 'Everyone starts off as a leftie and then wakes up at some point after making money, working, trying to run a business, trying to buy a home, then realises what crap ideas they all are.' Her candid remarks about her political evolution quickly went viral. In her sit-down interview with GB News' Political Podcast hosted by Chris Hope, nothing was off the table for discussion, from controversial climate activist Greta Thurnberg to Australia's 'wokeness' and COVID hard borders to praising Donald Trump. On Greta, she said: 'I don't understand why you have this, like, demonic little gremlin high priestess of climatism as the goddess in classrooms, Greta (Thunberg). 'And the kids are all coming home with depression and anxiety. Why would you go to your music lesson or bother doing your homework or get out of bed if you think we're all going to be dead in five years anyway? I mean, 'They told me in class, Greta told me'. 'Why would you bother, it doesn't give anybody hope.' On Australia, she criticised Down Under for how 'woke' it had gone and said she had no plans to return. 'I'll get a ticket within the first two hours of arriving, doing something, parking in the wrong place, going one K over the 30 or 25 K speed limit,' she said. 'The Australia I grew up in was unreal. It was so fun, and we didn't seem to have all these problems. The woke stuff's really gone big in Australia.' She even got stuck into the Australian school curriculum. 'I don't think children and sexuality should be in the same sentence,' she said. 'You don't know about mine, I don't know about yours, why would we? 'That stuff really irks me'. Valance claimed she missed her sister's wedding because of Australia's COVID lockdown. She also revealed she was an anti-vaxxer. 'If you are fit and healthy, you should be fine, your body will know what to do,' she said. Valance was sighted alongside former president Donald Trump in 2022, describing him as 'extremely warm, extremely gentlemanly'. She argued that people needed to 'harden up', particularly in regards to his often polarising remarks about women. 'People say nasty things all day,' she said. 'I have had disgusting things said to me … Did I cry? No.' At first, the social media pile-on against Holly Valance was swift. 'The vile opinions of a washed-up soap star, one-hit wonder, out-of-touch billionaire's wife,' was the kind of stuff tweeted fast and furious. But, then, it emerged she had just as many supporters. 'Holly Valance is speaking nothing but the truth,' was the kind of stuff being tweeted just as fast and just as furious. Both Holly and Nick have been influential in right-wing politics. Nick left the Conservative Party last year to join Reform UK, pledging to raise millions for the party. Holly has also become a prominent figure in conservative circles, attending high-profile events such as Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago and Boris Johnson's wedding. A family friend said: 'This has been a very difficult period for both Nick and Holly, and they are keeping things private out of respect for their family. The joint parenting of their two amazing daughters remains their top priority.' A spokesperson for the couple declined to comment further, stating: 'This is a private matter and we will not be making any further comment.'
The Independent
an hour ago
- Business
- The Independent
Starmer to warn of ‘backroom stitch-up' in Welsh elections
Sir Keir Starmer will warn of a 'backroom stitch-up' between the Tories, Reform UK and Plaid Cymru ahead of key elections in Wales next year. In a speech to the Welsh Labour conference, the Prime Minister is set to say that a coalition of those parties would be a 'return to the chaos and division of the last decade' and risk rolling back the progress his party is starting to make. Welsh First Minister Baroness Eluned Morgan meanwhile will call next year's polls a 'moment of reckoning' and 'serious threat' as Reform UK is 'rising' and Plaid Cymru 'mobilising'. And Labour will announce funding to help those made redundant by the Tata Steel closure in Port Talbot. Reform UK is eyeing an opportunity to end Labour's 26 years of domination in the Welsh Parliament at the Senedd elections in May next year. Labour performed poorly in this year's local elections in England, which saw Nigel Farage's party win a swathe of council seats. Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has not ruled out making deals with Plaid Cymru or Reform at the next Senedd election. Welsh Labour leader Baroness Morgan will say the election is not going to be a 'routine affair'. She will add: 'It will be a moment of reckoning. Reform are rising. Plaid are mobilising. And across the country, people are asking big, serious questions about the kind of future they want for Wales. 'This is not a moment to look away. This is the moment to look forward – a moment of maximum opportunity and, yes, also of serious threat. It's time to stand up. It's time to get involved.' The conference in Llandudno comes on the heels of Sir Keir's U-turn on welfare policy to avert a major backbench rebellion that will leave Chancellor Rachel Reeves facing a scramble to fill a potential hole in her budget this autumn. Ahead of marking a year in office next week, Sir Keir will point to moves his Government has made since the election that he says bring direct benefits to Wales, including international trade deals that give a boost to brands such as Penderyn whisky and legislation to bolster workers' rights. Wales Secretary Jo Stevens is set to announce a new £11 million fund for businesses offering skilled employment in Port Talbot as it seeks to help those left unemployed by Tata Steel's closure of the steelworks. The fund is made up of £6.78 million from the Government and £5 million from Tata Steel. 'The Tories abandoned our steelworkers. Reform want to cancel the Electric Arc Furnace, throw away 5,000 jobs, and send people back down the mines. 'We have the backs of our steelworkers, their families and local businesses,' Ms Stevens will say. Sir Keir will tout the advantages of having parallel Labour governments in Westminster and Wales, with Baroness Morgan leading the latter as a 'fierce champion'. 'This is the party that has got wages rising faster in the first 10 months than the Tories managed in 10 years. This is the government that is cutting bills and creating jobs. This is the movement that will rebuild Britain and renew Wales,' Sir Keir is expected to say. Labour is the party with the 'interests of working people at their heart' and 'it always will be', he will say. 'Or, there's the other option. The risk of rolling back all the progress we're beginning to make. A return to the chaos and division of the last decade. 'A backroom stitch-up between the Tories, Reform and Plaid. And once again, it will be working families left to pick up the bill. 'Whether that's with Reform, or with Plaid's determination to cut Wales off from the rest of the country – with no plan to put Wales back together.' The Conservatives have said that Labour has 'let Wales down for far too long'. Shadow Welsh secretary Mims Davies said: 'Divisions between a complacent Welsh Labour and Starmer's failing UK Government in Westminster have simply not improved Wales's outlook, despite the fabled benefit of two Labour Governments in Wales, which is absolute bunkum.' She also added: 'Labour has let Wales down for too long, taken people for granted and now the PM is making a mess of the entire United Kingdom.'
ITV News
2 hours ago
- Business
- ITV News
Starmer to warn of ‘backroom stitch-up' in Welsh elections
Sir Keir Starmer will warn of a 'backroom stitch-up' between the Tories, Reform UK and Plaid Cymru ahead of key elections in Wales next year. In a speech to the Welsh Labour conference, the Prime Minister is set to say that a coalition of those parties would be a 'return to the chaos and division of the last decade' and risk rolling back the progress his party is starting to make. Welsh First Minister Baroness Eluned Morgan meanwhile will call next year's polls a 'moment of reckoning' and 'serious threat' as Reform UK is 'rising' and Plaid Cymru 'mobilising'. And Labour will announce funding to help those made redundant by the Tata Steel closure in Port Talbot. This is the party that has got wages rising faster in the first 10 months than the Tories managed in 10 years Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer Reform UK is eyeing an opportunity to end Labour's 26 years of domination in the Welsh Parliament at the Senedd elections in May next year. Labour performed poorly in this year's local elections in England, which saw Nigel Farage's party win a swathe of council seats. Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has not ruled out making deals with Plaid Cymru or Reform at the next Senedd election. Welsh Labour leader Baroness Morgan will say the election is not going to be a 'routine affair'. She will add: 'It will be a moment of reckoning. Reform are rising. Plaid are mobilising. And across the country, people are asking big, serious questions about the kind of future they want for Wales. 'This is not a moment to look away. This is the moment to look forward – a moment of maximum opportunity and, yes, also of serious threat. It's time to stand up. It's time to get involved.' The conference in Llandudno comes on the heels of Sir Keir's U-turn on welfare policy to avert a major backbench rebellion that will leave Chancellor Rachel Reeves facing a scramble to fill a potential hole in her budget this autumn. Ahead of marking a year in office next week, Sir Keir will point to moves his Government has made since the election that he says bring direct benefits to Wales, including international trade deals that give a boost to brands such as Penderyn whisky and legislation to bolster workers' rights. Wales Secretary Jo Stevens is set to announce a new £11 million fund for businesses offering skilled employment in Port Talbot as it seeks to help those left unemployed by Tata Steel's closure of the steelworks. The fund is made up of £6.78 million from the Government and £5 million from Tata Steel. 'The Tories abandoned our steelworkers. Reform want to cancel the Electric Arc Furnace, throw away 5,000 jobs, and send people back down the mines. 'We have the backs of our steelworkers, their families and local businesses,' Ms Stevens will say. Sir Keir will tout the advantages of having parallel Labour governments in Westminster and Wales, with Baroness Morgan leading the latter as a 'fierce champion'. 'This is the party that has got wages rising faster in the first 10 months than the Tories managed in 10 years. This is the government that is cutting bills and creating jobs. This is the movement that will rebuild Britain and renew Wales,' Sir Keir is expected to say. Labour is the party with the 'interests of working people at their heart' and 'it always will be', he will say. 'Or, there's the other option. The risk of rolling back all the progress we're beginning to make. A return to the chaos and division of the last decade. 'A backroom stitch-up between the Tories, Reform and Plaid. And once again, it will be working families left to pick up the bill. 'Whether that's with Reform, or with Plaid's determination to cut Wales off from the rest of the country – with no plan to put Wales back together.' The Conservatives have said that Labour has 'let Wales down for far too long'. Shadow Welsh secretary Mims Davies said: 'Divisions between a complacent Welsh Labour and Starmer's failing UK Government in Westminster have simply not improved Wales's outlook, despite the fabled benefit of two Labour Governments in Wales, which is absolute bunkum.'
The Herald Scotland
2 hours ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Starmer to warn of ‘backroom stitch-up' in Welsh elections
Welsh First Minister Baroness Eluned Morgan meanwhile will call next year's polls a 'moment of reckoning' and 'serious threat' as Reform UK is 'rising' and Plaid Cymru 'mobilising'. And Labour will announce funding to help those made redundant by the Tata Steel closure in Port Talbot. Reform UK is eyeing an opportunity to end Labour's 26 years of domination in the Welsh Parliament at the Senedd elections in May next year. Labour performed poorly in this year's local elections in England, which saw Nigel Farage's party win a swathe of council seats. Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has not ruled out making deals with Plaid Cymru or Reform at the next Senedd election. Welsh Labour leader Baroness Morgan will say the election is not going to be a 'routine affair'. She will add: 'It will be a moment of reckoning. Reform are rising. Plaid are mobilising. And across the country, people are asking big, serious questions about the kind of future they want for Wales. 'This is not a moment to look away. This is the moment to look forward – a moment of maximum opportunity and, yes, also of serious threat. It's time to stand up. It's time to get involved.' The conference in Llandudno comes on the heels of Sir Keir's U-turn on welfare policy to avert a major backbench rebellion that will leave Chancellor Rachel Reeves facing a scramble to fill a potential hole in her budget this autumn. Ahead of marking a year in office next week, Sir Keir will point to moves his Government has made since the election that he says bring direct benefits to Wales, including international trade deals that give a boost to brands such as Penderyn whisky and legislation to bolster workers' rights. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer praised Wales's First Minister Baroness Eluned Morgan (Andy Buchanan/PA) Wales Secretary Jo Stevens is set to announce a new £11 million fund for businesses offering skilled employment in Port Talbot as it seeks to help those left unemployed by Tata Steel's closure of the steelworks. The fund is made up of £6.78 million from the Government and £5 million from Tata Steel. 'The Tories abandoned our steelworkers. Reform want to cancel the Electric Arc Furnace, throw away 5,000 jobs, and send people back down the mines. 'We have the backs of our steelworkers, their families and local businesses,' Ms Stevens will say. Sir Keir will tout the advantages of having parallel Labour governments in Westminster and Wales, with Baroness Morgan leading the latter as a 'fierce champion'. 'This is the party that has got wages rising faster in the first 10 months than the Tories managed in 10 years. This is the government that is cutting bills and creating jobs. This is the movement that will rebuild Britain and renew Wales,' Sir Keir is expected to say. Labour is the party with the 'interests of working people at their heart' and 'it always will be', he will say. 'Or, there's the other option. The risk of rolling back all the progress we're beginning to make. A return to the chaos and division of the last decade. 'A backroom stitch-up between the Tories, Reform and Plaid. And once again, it will be working families left to pick up the bill. 'Whether that's with Reform, or with Plaid's determination to cut Wales off from the rest of the country – with no plan to put Wales back together.'
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Rod Stewart urges voters to 'give Nigel Farage a chance' as he reveals what he really thinks about Keir Starmer
Rod Stewart has urged voters to give Nigel Farage a chance as he criticised both Sir Keir Starmer and the Conservatives. The singer, who is well known for hits such as Baby Jane and Maggie May, said he thinks the Reform UK leader is coming across well. Meanwhile, Sir Rod, 80, was critical of the Prime Minister's decision to cut off fishing in Scotland and give it back to the EU, saying this move has not made him popular. He also thinks the nation is fed up of the Tories. The rock legend told The Times: 'We've got to give Farage a chance. He's coming across well. Nigel? 'What options have we got? I know some of his family, I know his brother, and I quite like him.' Sir Rod, who is due to sing at Glastonbury on Sunday, explained that he doesn't think he is out of touch with ordinary people, even though he his 'extremely wealthy'. His comments on the UK's political landscape come after he previously spoke about about a problem with potholes around his £4.6million Essex mansion. In 2022, he delighted fans as he donned a high-vis jacket to fill in the craters outside his home. Sir Rod had said he was driven to take action 'as no-one can be bothered to do it'. The issue, however, continued to persist even after the local council said it would re-lay the road to fix the issues with the surface. And last November, he announced he was considering selling his Italian supercar collection over the pothole issue. Sir Rod wrote in a post on Instagram: 'I am extremely fortunate and eternally grateful to be the owner of these five beautiful hybrid sports cars, which, in my opinion, are true "works of art". 'Unfortunately, because of the potholes on our roads, I may have to find new owners for them. 'I've been driving these iconic Italian cars since the seventies, and I absolutely love and adore them.' Sir Rod was also quick to nip any criticism of his broadside in the bud. He added: 'This post is for my fans—thank you, as you are the sole reason I own them. And to all the trolls… don't bother; I never read the comments.' Sir Rod is due to perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset on Sunday. The legend who has not sung at the event since 2002, confirmed that his Faces co-star and Rolling Stones guitarist, Ronnie Wood, will be making an appearance.
