Monday briefing: How Budapest Pride became a huge show of anti-Orbán defiance

<p>In today’s newsletter: Hungary has relentlessly cracked down on LGBTQ+ rights – but banning Pride proved a step too far, as European politicians joined its biggest ever crowd</p><p></p><p>Good morning. In 1997, Budapest became the first capital in central and eastern Europe to hold a Pride parade. Three decades later, the march is firmly established as Hungary’s biggest LGBTQ+ event, and, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/apr/17/viktor-orbans-latest-clampdown-bans-budapest-pride-but-he-wont-stop-us-marching">in the words of one opposition MP</a>, “a vital expression of joy, resistance and visibility”.</p><p>On Saturday, Budapest Pride took on the illiberal ambitions of Viktor Orbán and, rainbow flags flying high under a cloudless blue sky, as many as 200,000 marchers from 30 countries – the biggest turnout ever – <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/28/tens-of-thousands-defy-hungarys-ban-on-pride-in-protest-against-orban">were there to say it won</a>. At least, for the time being.</p><p><em><strong>Welfare</strong></em> |Vicky Foxcroft, the Labour whip who resigned in protest against disability benefit cuts, has said Keir Starmer’s concessions do not yet go far enough to win her over, as No 10 launched a fresh attempt to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/jun/29/starmers-disability-benefit-concessions-are-not-enough-says-rebel-labour-whip">stem the revolt against its welfare bill</a>.</p><p><em><strong>NHS </strong>| </em>Britain’s health service is estimated to be spending £50m a year on the effects of poverty and deprivation. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jun/29/britains-medieval-health-inequality-is-devastating-nhs-experts-say">One senior NHS figure said</a> there were “medieval” levels of illnesses among poorer communities</p><p><em><strong>Glastonbury </strong></em>| The organisers of Glastonbury have said they are “appalled” by comments made by Bob Vylan after the punk duo appeared to incite violence, something the festival <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/jun/29/glastonbury-bob-vylan-remarks-kneecap-police">said went against its ethos</a> of “hope, unity, peace and love”.</p><p><em><strong>Environment </strong></em>| Wildlife activists who exposed horrific conditions at Scottish salmon farms were subjected to surveillance by private spies-for-hire, including being followed and photographed, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/29/revealed-spies-for-hire-salmon-farm-activists">the Guardian can reveal</a>.</p><p><em><strong>Weather </strong></em>| Today’s temperature in the UK is expected to rise to 34C,<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jun/29/uk-weather-heatwave-could-result-hottest-start-to-wimbledon"> just short of the record</a> for the hottest ever June day, 35.6C, recorded in Southampton in 1976.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/30/monday-briefing-how-budapest-pride-became-a-huge-show-of-anti-orban-defiance">Continue reading...</a>