Andy Burnham has pledged to Labour MPs that he will not use party discipline to "stifle debate" if he becomes leader. He aims to foster a culture of open discussion and respect for differing opinions, contrasting with Keir Starmer's approach.
Loyalist cabinet ministers are urging against a leadership contest, backing Andy Burnham to succeed Keir Starmer. While some MPs are pushing Darren Jones to run to avoid a "coronation" and scrutinize Burnham's economic policies, many believe Jones lacks sufficient support. Concerns exist over Ed Miliband potentially becoming chancellor.
The UK, alongside Australia, France, and Norway, has imposed sanctions on seven entities involved in financing West Bank settler violence. However, the UK stopped short of a trade ban, issuing updated advice to businesses instead, drawing criticism for being "too little too late."
More than 100 Labour MPs have signed a statement saying it's 'no time for a leadership contest' as Keir Starmer faces calls to quit after devastating election results.
Soft-left Tribune group issues thinly disguised attack on Keir Starmer, calling for bold policy renewalBusiness live – latest updatesUK politics live – latest updatesAn influential group of MPs has said that Labour needs an urgent renewal of economic strategy to offer voters “more than better management of decline” before the next general election.With Keir Starmer fighting to ward off a leadership challenge, the leading backbenchers from the soft-left Tribune group published a series of essays calling for bolder action to salvage its remaining time in power. Continue reading...
Downing Street begins fightback against predictions of imminent challenge to Keir StarmerLabour MPs are calling for a close to the “endless drama” of leadership speculation, as Downing Street begins a fightback against predictions of an imminent challenge to Keir Starmer.Some backbenchers warned that repeated briefings about how and when the prime minister could be toppled were putting off voters, who similarly had disliked the Conservatives’ repeated shuffling of leaders when in power. Continue reading...
Prime Minister Keir Starmer survived an opposition attempt to refer him to the privileges committee over his appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, after the government deployed whips to secure Labour MP support. The vote, tabled by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, failed 335 to 223. Badenoch accused Starmer of appointing Mandelson before security vetting was complete and forcing MPs to exonerate him before facts were tested. The controversy stems from revelations that Foreign Office officials overruled UK Security Vetting's recommendation to deny Mandelson clearance.
Keir Starmer has insisted the 'vast majority' of the parliamentary Labour party supports his leadership despite calls for his resignation over the Peter Mandelson ambassadorial appointment controversy. The Prime Minister told the Sunday Times he believes Labour can still win the next general election, while his former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney is expected to testify before the foreign affairs committee on Tuesday about the circumstances surrounding Mandelson's hiring.
MPs jeered as PM said it is ‘incredible’ he was not told full story and he was wrong to appoint Mandelson as US ambassadorAt his press conference Nigel Farage was asked about reports saying that Keir Starmer knew about the security concerns about Peter Mandelson that led to him failing his security vetting interview. That was a reference to the Telegraph splash, which says:Senior Whitehall sources told The Telegraph that the UKSV [UK Security Vetting] findings largely restated security risks that had already been drawn to Sir Keir’s attention.One senior source with knowledge of the process said: “The reality is that Starmer had already been warned about the major risks and he had waved them away.”Sources have told The Independent that MI6 failed to clear the Labour peer largely because of concerns over his business links to China.However, there were also worries that his past links to the disgraced financier and convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein “would compromise him”.It’s impossible for the prime minister to say the warning lights weren’t flashing.And if you were prime minister and there were news reports last September that your ambassadorial choice had failed vetting, you would have thought perhaps he might have had some curiosity to try to find out whether this had really happened or not. I just find the whole thing totally incredible. Incredible. There is no way the prime minister couldn’t have known.The Labour backbenchers are not yet of a mood to get rid of their prime minister, although after 7 May they just might be. Continue reading...
Keir Starmer told MPs he did not mislead the Commons over the Peter Mandelson vetting controversy, accepting that information should have been provided to Parliament but denying he lied. The Prime Minister survived a parliamentary session where Kemi Badenoch failed to table a no confidence motion. The controversy stems from Starmer's decision to appoint Mandelson despite concerns about his business record and friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, with claims that Olly Robbins used discretion to overrule the vetting recommendation. Critics argue the appointment was made because Mandelson was seen as a suitable interlocutor for Donald Trump.
A senior UK minister has criticised the Foreign Office for withholding information from senior ministers about a UKSV recommendation to deny Peter Mandelson development and clearance. The minister described it as beggaring belief that such information was not shared, stating it should have been available to Parliament and the British people.
PM tells MPs he was wrong to appoint Peter Mandelson ambassador to US in his update to parliament Judgment day for PM over Mandelson scandalAt his press conference Nigel Farage was asked about reports saying that Keir Starmer knew about the security concerns about Peter Mandelson that led to him failing his security vetting interview. That was a reference to the Telegraph splash, which says:Senior Whitehall sources told The Telegraph that the UKSV [UK Security Vetting] findings largely restated security risks that had already been drawn to Sir Keir’s attention.One senior source with knowledge of the process said: “The reality is that Starmer had already been warned about the major risks and he had waved them away.”Sources have told The Independent that MI6 failed to clear the Labour peer largely because of concerns over his business links to China.However, there were also worries that his past links to the disgraced financier and convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein “would compromise him”.It’s impossible for the prime minister to say the warning lights weren’t flashing.And if you were prime minister and there were news reports last September that your ambassadorial choice had failed vetting, you would have thought perhaps he might have had some curiosity to try to find out whether this had really happened or not. I just find the whole thing totally incredible. Incredible. There is no way the prime minister couldn’t have known.The Labour backbenchers are not yet of a mood to get rid of their prime minister, although after 7 May they just might be. Continue reading...
Downing Street has signalled that Keir Starmer accepts he inadvertently misled MPs by not telling them that Peter Mandelson failed his security vetting interview for ambassador to the US. The PM's spokesperson said parliament should have been given the information about the security vetting that led to a recommendation that Mandelson should not be approved, but Starmer did not knowingly mislead parliament. Under the ministerial code, only knowingly misleading parliament is a resignation offence.
Downing Street has signalled that Keir Starmer accepts he inadvertently misled MPs by not telling them that Peter Mandelson failed his security vetting interview for ambassador to the US. The PM's spokesperson said parliament should have been given this information, but Starmer did not knowingly mislead. Under the ministerial code, only knowingly misleading parliament is a resignation offence. Starmer will update parliament with the full facts. Meanwhile, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage claimed Starmer 'lied' and said Labour MPs may oust him after May election.
