6 h. ago Labour MP hints he would give up seat for Andy Burnham to mount Starmer leadership challenge

It comes amid reports that MPs on the left of the party are pushing on with preparations for a potential leadership race

Politics

7 h. ago Labour MP 'willing to give up seat for Andy Burnham to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for leadership'

An MP has suggested he would be willing to give up his parliamentary seat as the Greater Manchester Mayor has been touted as a possible successor

Politics

64 h. ago Labour has entered its musical chairs era. Don’t fall for another pointless death spiral | Nesrine Malik

Briefing wars, toxic infighting, paranoid office politics: we’ve seen it all before. And once again, the drama at No 10 has absolutely nothing to do with us Sorry, what just happened? Before we hurtle on to the next instalment of Labour government drama, let’s pause for a second to recap. So Keir Starmer’s allies briefed against Wes Streeting accusing him of plotting a leadership challenge, then Streeting denied the claims, and Starmer apologised for them, before belatedly claiming the briefing had not come from Downing Street at all. A claim so implausible that a government source said journalists “must have all been tricked by several impostors posing as No 10 staff”.If this sounds farcical, vaguely embarrassing for all concerned and massively irrelevant to your life, you would be right. But in between the first chapter and the last (or perhaps the penultimate, given the aftershocks still reverberating through No 10), the episode acted as a masterclass in the patterns that define ...

Events

64 h. ago Labour has entered its musical chairs era – and we’re sucked into another pointless death spiral | Nesrine Malik

Briefing wars, toxic infighting, paranoid office politics: we’ve seen it all before. And once again, the drama at No 10 has absolutely nothing to do with us Sorry, what just happened? Before we hurtle on to the next instalment of Labour government drama, let’s pause for a second to recap. So Keir Starmer’s allies briefed against Wes Streeting accusing him of plotting a leadership challenge, then Streeting denied the claims, and Starmer apologised for them, before belatedly claiming the briefing had not come from Downing Street at all. A claim so implausible that a government source said journalists “must have all been tricked by several impostors posing as No 10 staff”.If this sounds farcical, vaguely embarrassing for all concerned and massively irrelevant to your life, you would be right. But in between the first chapter and the last (or perhaps the penultimate, given the aftershocks still reverberating through No 10), the episode acted as a masterclass in the patterns that define ...

Events

4 d. ago Wes Streeting still 'backs himself' as future PM after Starmer allies accuse Health Secretary of plotting leadership challenge

The Health Secretary did not deny that he would like to lead Labour in the future as he said he had to 'back himself' following a vicious internal briefing war.

Politics

6 d. ago Labour Traitors War: Starmer will sack No10 briefer who tried to 'kneecap' Streeting, says minister

The Health Secretary has slammed Downing Street sources for ‘self-defeating and self-destructive behaviour’

Politics

7 d. ago Labour Traitors War: Keir Starmer to 'investigate' who in No10 briefed against Wes Streeting amid coup frenzy

The Health Secretary has slammed Downing Street sources for ‘self-defeating and self-destructive behaviour’

Events

7 d. ago Keir Starmer latest: Half of Britons want Starmer to quit as Labour leader now after ‘coup attempt’, finds poll

The new YouGov polling revealed just over a quarter (27 per cent) of respondents think the PM should remain Labour leader and the other 23 per cent don’t know

Politics

7 d. ago A word of warning to the hounds circling Starmer: be careful what you wish for | Martin Kettle

With this level of unpopularity, the question of the PM’s future may seem simple. But what comes next could be nastily complicatedBe absolutely clear. Keir Starmer is in very deep trouble indeed. Perhaps belatedly, he himself grasps this. His team and his ministers knew it already. His party and the public get it too. For this deeply unpopular Labour prime minister, the words approval rating are a contradiction in terms.The eruption of speculation about Starmer’s future this week may have taken people by surprise. Where did that suddenly come from? The short answer is that No 10 briefed the latest twist – that Starmer expects to face and defeat a leadership challenge – on Tuesday evening. The longer one is that the Starmer leadership issue has been steadily gaining traction and credibility among MPs since the summer. This story is not a Westminster confection. Politically, it is very real. Dismiss it at your peril.Martin Kettle is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...

Events

7 d. ago Streeting hits out at ‘juvenile’ No 10 claims he wants to replace Starmer as Labour leader: Latest

The Prime minister has condemned briefings against health secretary by senior Downing Street aides overnight

Politics

7 d. ago Keir Starmer under pressure over future of Morgan McSweeney amid briefing row

Ministers and Labour MPs point finger at PM’s chief of staff over No 10 operation that targeted Wes StreetingUK politics live – latest updatesKeir Starmer is facing intense pressure over the future of Morgan McSweeney after the prime minister’s chief of staff was blamed for No 10’s pushback against a possible leadership challenge.After Starmer dodged a question from Kemi Badenoch at prime minister’s questions about whether he had full confidence in his key aide, Downing Street later clarified that he did. Continue reading...

Events

7 d. ago Starmer backs Streeting and refutes ‘completely unacceptable’ No 10 leaks over ‘coup attempt’: Latest

The Prime minister has condemned briefings against health secretary by senior Downing Street aides overnight

Politics

7 d. ago Labour Traitors war: Starmer in fiery PMQs clash over bid to 'kneecap' Streeting amid No10 coup frenzy

The Health Secretary has slammed Downing Street sources for ‘self-defeating and self-destructive behaviour’

Events

7 d. ago Humiliated Starmer admits No10 briefing war against Cabinet minister is 'unacceptable' as he dodges on demands to SACK chief aide Morgan McSweeney

Keir Starmer supporters made clear he will fight any leadership challenge in an extraordinary pre-emptive strike on plotters.

Politics

7 d. ago The three ways Starmer could be ousted as PM after Streeting coup rumours

There are several ways that a sitting prime minister can be removed

Politics

7 d. ago From Streeting to Miliband: Who could challenge Keir Starmer for the leadership?

Keir Starmer appears to be in so much trouble holding on as Labour leader and PM that Downing Street had to warn his potential successors. Political editor David Maddox looks at who could replace him

Politics

7 d. ago Streeting dares Starmer to SACK No10 aides behind frantic 'Traitors' coup briefing as Labour implodes ahead of PMQs showdown

Keir Starmer supporters made clear he will fight any leadership challenge in an extraordinary pre-emptive strike on plotters.

Politics

7 d. ago Labour's 'Traitors plot to topple Keir': Paranoid PM fights to uncover double

Keir Starmer supporters made clear he will fight any leadership challenge in an extraordinary pre-emptive strike on plotters.

Politics

7 d. ago Wes Streeting accuses Downing Street aides of 'kneecapping' him over leadership bid claim

The Health Secretary pushed back hard on claims he would challenge Keir Starmer for the leadership.

Politics

7 d. ago Labour Traitors war: Streeting says No10 aides out to 'kneecap' him as Starmer hit by coup frenzy

The Health Secretary slammed Downing Street sources for ‘self-defeating and self-destructive behaviour’

Events