hit me up on x at goodwin mj. but for now, it's x at goodwin mj. but for now, wsfime x at goodwin mj. but for now, it's time for the news bulletin with sam francis. >> very good evening to you. a recap of the top stories at just after 8:00. we'll start in the united states, where on day 19 of donald trump's second term in office, japan has committed to doubung office, japan has committed to doubling its defence spending by 2027. well, a joint news conference has just wrapped up where donald trump has pledged the full strength of american defence to its ally as both nafions defence to its ally as both nations ramp up cooperation against china and tackle north korea's nuclear ambitions. japan's prime minister, shigeru ishiba, promised $1 trillion of investment in the united states, calling it unprecedented. the leaders also both vowed to lead the world in al, semiconductors and energy development across the indo—pacific. turning now to the indo—pacific. turning now to the middle east, where hamas has named the next hostages to be freed in gaza this wee

as ever, let me know your views at gbnews.com/yoursay and hit me up on x at goodwin mj. now it's time for the news bulletin with mark white. >> good evening. the latest headunes >> good evening. the latest headlines from the gb news centre . conservative leader kemi centre. conservative leader kemi badenoch has criticised the prime minister's style of leadership over claims he broke covid lockdown rules. speaking to gb news, the tory leader questioned the explanation sir keir starmer gave for meeting with a voice coach during lockdown. miss badenoch branded sir keir a lawyer, not a leader. >> i think it's just how hypocritical. keir starmer has been.i hypocritical. keir starmer has been. i don't know anyone who needs emergency voice coaching on christmas eve. i think that keir starmer is a lawyer, not a leader, and i think he knows exactly what he can and cannot say to get himself out of trouble. >> meanwhile, gb news can confirm that the prime minister has met in private with victims of the southport attack today. it's the third time sir keir has visited the merseyside

now, as ever, let me know your views at gbnews.com/yoursay or tweet me at x at goodwin mj. now i'm joined by the trade unionist, trade unionist, pardon me and the writer paul embery. paul me and the writer paul embery. paul, you have an intimate understanding of the labour party and the people who have been moving from the labour party over the last decade or so, over to nigel farage to ukip, the brexit party and now reform. let me just ask you a very simple question. do you think after all that time, after the last 15 years or so, do you think the labour party really gets the scale of the threat that's about to come to the labour party at the next general election, from nigel farage and reform? reform ? >> reform? >> well, good evening matt. i think some of them do. we've seen this red wall caucus of mps who i think have correctly identified the threat from reform in their constituencies. they know it's important to get immigration numbers down. they know it's important to get economic growth. they understand the importance of reducing nhs waiting lists, tackling the housi