Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Nigel Farage managed to spike the big speech delivered by Robert Jenrick, his newly minted "shadow chancellor" by disagreeing with him about the state pension triple lock. 

Jenrick's speech in the City sought to reassure the markets that a Reform government would not copy Liz Truss's policy of unfunded tax cuts and spending plans. He pledged to keep the Office for Budget Responsibility and the independence of the Bank of England. In other words, as I wrote, he retreated to Treasury orthodoxy. 

But in answer to journalists' questions, Jenrick said he supported the triple lock guarantee to uprate the state pension by inflation, earnings or 2.5 per cent, whichever is higher. Minutes later, Farage said this was still "up for debate". 

Farage also created another diversion by claiming, without evidence, that white men are losing jobs because of the Equality Act. 

Where in the world is Trincomalee?  

Answer at the bottom of today's email 

Daily briefing

Ukraine peace talks collapse in less than two hours after Zelensky slams 'unfair' Trump

Despite the setback, both sides expect the talks to continue 

Police investigate claims Labour bribed voters with food in by-election

Video appears to show people told to hold up Labour posters 'if you want to get fed'

Plans to equalise minimum wage could be delayed

Labour manifesto promised to raise rate for workers aged 18 to 20 to the same as 21-year-olds

What else you need to know today

● David Lammy, deputy prime minister: if one man made me who I am today, his name is Jesse Jackson

● Chloe Combi argues that older people should stop blaming young people's mental health and attitudes

● James Moore: Why does Reform want to tear up the vote-winning Equality Act?

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How much damage will rising unemployment do to Labour at the polls?

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QUOTATION OF THE DAY

We are the party of workers not welfare

Robert Jenrick, Reform Treasury spokesperson

Quiz answer: Sri Lanka

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