Jill Lawless reporter the Associated Press posed photo at AP Europe in London, Friday, Jan. 22, 2016. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

JILL LAWLESS

Associated Press

London correspondent covering politics and more.

Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak attends a commemorative ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the World War II D-Day" Allied landings in Normandy, at the World War II British Normandy Memorial of Ver-sur-Mer, Thursday, June 6, 2024. Normandy is hosting various events to officially commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings that took place on June 6, 1944. (Ludovic Marin/Pool via AP)

Here’s what happened this week in the UK election, from the return of Farage to tussles over tax

Britain’s July 4 election is less than a month away. The campaign has already produced drama and disputes, even before the parties unveil their manifestos with detailed lists of promises in the coming days.

First Minister of Wales Vaughan Gething speaks at the launch of Labour's six steps for change in Wales at the Priory Centre in Abergavenny, Wales, Thursday, May 30, 2024, while on the General Election campaign trail. The leader of Wales’ semi-autonomous government faces a no-confidence vote in the Welsh parliament on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, but does not plan to resign if he loses, his party said. (Stefan Rousseau/PA via AP)

The first Black leader of Wales loses a no-confidence vote but says he won’t resign

The leader of Wales’ semi-autonomous government has lost a no-confidence vote. The result is non-binding and Vaughan Gething says he won’t resign, but will continue “to serve and lead my country.”

Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak arrives at the TV studios in Manchester, England, Tuesday, June 4, 2024. Rishi Sunak, leader of the Conservative Party, and Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, are preparing to face off in the first head-to-head TV debate of the election. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Sunak and Starmer clash over tax and health in a debate as disruptor Farage roils the UK election

The two main contenders to be Britain’s next prime minister have sparred over tax, the cost of living and the country’s creaking health system in an inconclusive televised debate.

Nigel Farage speaks during a press conference to announce that he will become the new leader of Reform UK and that he will stand as the parliamentary candidate for Clacton, Essex, at The Glaziers Hall in London, Monday June 3, 2024. while on the General Election campaign trail. (Yui Mok/PA via AP)

Populist campaigner Nigel Farage makes an about-face and says he will run in the UK election

Pro-Brexit, anti-immigration campaigner Nigel Farage is returning to front-line British politics. He announced Monday that he will take the helm of the right-wing party Reform U.K. and run for Parliament in the July 4 election.

Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak buys breakfast for the travelling media as he arrives at a railway station for a Conservative general election campaign event in the South West of England, Wednesday, May 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, Pool)

What to know as Conservatives and Labour vie for votes 1 week into Britain’s election campaign

The first week of Britain’s six-week election campaign has seen frenetic activity but not much movement.

Participants take part in the annual cheese rolling at Cooper's Hill in Brockworth, England, Monday, May 27, 2024. The traditional event attracts people from around the globe who come to chase a 7lb Double Gloucester cheese down the steep Coopers Hill. (Jacob King/PA via AP)

Chasing cheese wheels or lugging sacks of wool, UK competitors embrace quirky extreme races

Dairy-loving daredevils have thrown caution to the wind for one of Britain’s most extreme annual events: Cheese rolling.

Britain's Labour Party leader Keir Starmer makes his first keynote speech during a visit to Lancing in West Sussex, England, Monday May 27, 2024, as part of the general election campaign trail. (Stefan Rousseau/PA via AP)

UK Labour leader Keir Starmer woos undecided voters with a vow to safeguard national security

British opposition leader Keir Starmer has made his first major speech of the U.K. election campaign. He told undecided voters that they can trust his Labour Party to safeguard the country’s economy, borders and security.

Britain's Prime Minister and Conservative Party leader Rishi Sunak reacts as he meets with veterans at a community breakfast during a party campaign event in the build-up to the UK general election on July 4, in Northallerton, northeastern England, on Saturday, May 25, 2024. (Oli Scarff/Pool Photo via AP)

Sunak’s plan to make 18-year-olds do national service grabs attention on UK election trail

All 18-year-olds in Britain will have to perform a year of mandatory military or civilian national service if the governing Conservative Party wins the July 4 national election.

Britain's Prime Minister and Conservative Party leader Rishi Sunak, center, visits a mechanical engineering class at Cannock College, in Cannock, central England, Friday May 24, 2024, during a campaign event in the build-up to the UK general election on July 4. (Henry Nicholls/Pool via AP)

UK Parliament breaks up ahead of election day with pomp, ceremony and hard-nosed politics

Britain’s lawmakers left Parliament on Friday for the last time before an election is held in six weeks.

FILE - Britain's Shadow Brexit Secretary Keir Starmer speaks on stage during the Labour Party Conference at the Brighton Centre in Brighton, England, Monday, Sept. 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)

Labour leader Keir Starmer is often called dull. But he might be Britain’s next prime minister

Critics say British Labour Party leader Keir Starmer is dutiful, managerial and a bit dull. The 61-year-old Labour leader is the current favorite to win the country’s July 4 election.

Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak gestures during a General Election campaign event at ExCeL London, in east London, Wednesday May 22, 2024, after setting the date of July 4 for a national election in the UK. (Stefan Rousseau/PA via AP)

UK politicians kick off a 6-week election campaign with incumbent Sunak playing the underdog

Britain’s political party leaders are crisscrossing the country on the first day of a six-week election campaign. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Party is trying to overturn a widespread sense that it will be ousted from power.

Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak delivers a statement, outside 10 Downing Street, London, Wednesday, May 22, 2024. Sunak has set the date of July 4, 2024 for the national election to determine who governs the UK. (Stefan Rousseau/PA via AP)

British prime minister sets July 4 election as his Conservatives face biggest challenge in a decade

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has set July 4 as the date for a national election as his divided and demoralized Conservative Party faces its biggest challenge to its 14-year rule..

Conservative legislator Craig Mackinlay speaks during an interview in the Central Lobby of the Palace of Westminster, London, Wednesday May 22, 2024. Mackinlay returned to work six months after sepsis put him in a coma and forced the amputation of his hands and feet. (Jordan Pettitt/PA via AP)

A UK lawmaker returns to work as ‘the bionic MP’ after losing his hands and feet to sepsis

A British lawmaker has returned to work six months after sepsis forced the amputation of his hands and feet. Conservative legislator Craig Mackinlay received a standing ovation when he walked into the House of Commons on Wednesday.

The Pink Orchid bakery and cafe and the Taste of Tehran restaurant are seen in the so-called "Tehrangeles" neighborhood in the Westwood district of Los Angeles on Monday, May 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

From London to Los Angeles, many Iranians overseas cheer, and fear, after president’s death

Among Iranian communities from London to Los Angeles, few tears are being shed over the death of President Ebrahim Raisi. He killed in a weekend helicopter crash. But there are not always loud cheers, either.

Jenny Erpenbeck, author of 'Kairos', holds the trophy after winning the International Booker Prize, in London, Tuesday, May 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

German author Jenny Erpenbeck wins International Booker Prize for tale of tangled love affair

German author Jenny Erpenbeck and translator Michael Hofmann have won the International Booker Prize for the novel “Kairos.” It tells the story of a tangled love affair during the final years of East Germany’s existence.

A protester reads a newspaper outside the High Court in London, Monday, May 20, 2024. A British court has ruled that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange can appeal against an order that he be extradited to the U.S. on espionage charges.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

WikiLeaks founder Assange wins right to appeal against an extradition order to the US

A British court has ruled that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange can appeal against an order that he be extradited to the U.S. on espionage charges.

Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer speaks during his visit to the Backstage Centre for the launch of Labour's doorstep offer to voters ahead of the general election, in Purfleet, Essex, England, Thursday May 16, 2024. (Victoria Jones/PA via AP)

The UK’s opposition Labour Party unveils its pledges to voters in hopes of winning the next election

Britain’s still-undeclared election campaign has stepped up a gear. Opposition Labour Party leader Keir Starmer on Thursday announced the key pledges that he hopes will make him the U.K.’s next prime minister.

FILE - Elton John, left, and David Furnish arrive at the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012, in Los Angeles. A new exhibition of photographs owned by Elton John opens this week at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum. It includes more than 300 pieces by 140 photographers selected from the vast collection of John and his husband David Furnish. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File)

Glamour and grit are both on show in a London exhibition of photos from Elton John’s collection

A new exhibition of photographs owned by Elton John opens this week at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum. It includes more than 300 pieces by 140 photographers selected from the vast collection of John and his husband David Furnish.

FILE - Joost Klein of Netherlands arrives on stage for the introducing of the artists at the dress rehearsal for the final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, Friday, May 10, 2024. Hours before the final, Dutch contestant Joost Klein was dramatically booted out by organizers over a backstage incident. He had failed to perform at two dress rehearsals on Friday, and contest organizer the European Broadcasting Union said it was investigating an “incident.” (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)

Dutch broadcaster furious, fans bemused after Netherlands’ Joost Klein is booted from Eurovision

A Dutch public broadcaster has reacted angrily after the Netherlands’ contestant in the Eurovision Song Contest was dramatically expelled from the competition hours before Saturday’s final.

Nemo of Switzerland, who performed the song The Code, celebrates after winning the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, Sunday, May 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Switzerland’s Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest after event roiled by protests over war in Gaza

Swiss singer Nemo has won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest with “The Code,” an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing a nongender identity.

Eden Golan of Israel performs the song Hurricane during the dress rehearsal for the final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, Friday, May 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

For Israel’s contestant, the Eurovision Song Contest comes with tight security, boos and cheers

Eden Golan is in Sweden for the Eurovision Song Contest. But she isn’t seeing much of the country. The 20-year-old Israeli singer is surrounded by security as she travels between hotel and the contest venue in the city of Malmo.

A protester shouts into a megaphone during a Pro-Palestinian demonstration for excluding Israel from Eurovision ahead of the second semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, Thursday, May 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters march in Malmo against Israel’s Eurovision participation

Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators are protesting in Malmo, Sweden against Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest.

Eden Golan of Israel performs the song Hurricane during the second semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, Thursday, May 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Eurovision explained, from ABBA to Zorra, as the Israel-Hamas war overshadows the song contest

Scores of musicians, hundreds of journalists and thousands of music fans are gathering in the Swedish city of Malmo for the exuberant, glitter-drenched final of the Eurovision Song Contest.

iolanda of Portugal perform the song Grito during the first semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, Tuesday, May 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

The Eurovision Song Contest kicked off with pop and protests as the war in Gaza casts a shadow

Competition in the 68th Eurovision Song Contest kicked off Tuesday in Sweden. The war in Gaza is casting a shadow over the sequin-spangled pop extravaganza.

This drone footage obtained by The Associated Press shows the village of Ocheretyne, a target for Russian forces in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. Ukraine’s military has acknowledged the Russians have gained a “foothold” in Ocheretyne, which had a population of about 3,000 before the war, but say fighting continues. No people could be seen in the footage, and no building in Ocheretyne appeared to have been left untouched by the fighting. (Kherson/Green via AP)

Drone footage shows Ukrainian village battered to ruins as residents flee Russian advance

Drone footage obtained by The Associated Press shows the devastation inflicted on the Ukranian village of Ocheretyne. It has been a target for Russian forces as they continue to advance in the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine.

Christian Orthodox worshippers leave the chapel basement after attending a service at the Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary in, Lypivka, near Lviv, Ukraine, Sunday, April 28, 2024. This Orthodox Easter season, an extraordinary new church is bringing spiritual comfort to war-weary residents of the Ukrainian village of Lypivka. Two years ago it also provided physical refuge from horrors outside. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Damaged in war, a vibrant church in Ukraine rises as a symbol of the country’s faith and culture

An extraordinary new church is bringing spiritual comfort to war-weary residents of the Ukrainian village of Lypivka this Orthodox Easter season. Two years ago it also provided physical refuge from the horrors outside.

Workers remove debris from the roof of a damaged DTEK thermal power plant after a Russian attack in Ukraine, Thursday, May 2, 2024. Ukrainian energy workers are struggling to repair the damage from intensifying airstrikes aimed at pulverizing Ukraine's energy grid, hobbling the economy and sapping the public's morale. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Send us Patriots: Ukraine’s battered energy plants seek air defenses against Russian attacks

Ukrainian energy workers are struggling to repair the damage from intensifying airstrikes aimed at pulverizing Ukraine’s energy grid.

This photo taken from a drone video provided by Ukraine Patrol Police, shows devastation in Chasiv Yar, an eastern Ukrainian city Russia is assaulting, Ukraine, Monday, April 29, 2024. The footage shows the community of Chasiv Yar - which is set amid green fields and woodland - reduced to a skeletal ghost town with few residents left. The apocalyptic scene is reminiscent of the cities of Bakhmut and Avdiivka, which Ukraine yielded after months of bombardment and huge losses for the Kremlin’s forces. (Ukraine Patrol Police via AP)

Drone footage shows devastation in Ukraine’s strategic eastern city of Chasiv Yar as Russians near

Drone footage exclusively obtained by The Associated Press shows months of Russian artillery pounding have devastated a strategic city in eastern Ukraine.

A building of the Odessa Law Academy is on fire after a Russian missile attack in Odessa, Ukraine, Monday, April 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Victor Sajenko)

NATO chief chides members as Ukraine’s allies say slow arms deliveries have helped Russia Release 2

NATO’s secretary general says the alliance’s member countries have failed to deliver in time what they promised to Ukraine.

Ukraine Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, left, leads his Latvia counterpart Baiba Braze after placing flowers at a memorial wall of Ukrainian soldiers killed during the war at Saint Michael cathedral in Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, April 26, 2024. Braze visited Kyiv on her first foreign trip to discuss aid for Ukraine, including a plan to build drones. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Ukraine pushes to get military-age men to come home. Some neighboring countries say they will help

Ukraine’s foreign minister has doubled down on the government’s move to bolster the pool of fighting forces by cutting off consular services to conscription-age men outside the country.