7 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

8 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

9 h. ago Labour MP suggests he would give up seat for Andy Burnham Commons return

The Greater Manchester mayor would need to become an MP to launch a leadership bid.

Events

17 h. ago Starmer’s squandering of a historic election victory is a tragedy nearing its finale | Rafael Behr

The tactics that gave Labour its huge majority in 2024 were no preparation for government – and the prime minister has proved he has nothing more to offerThe mood among Labour MPs these days follows Edgar’s law. This states that the scale of any misfortune can only be measured against unknown future disasters. As Shakespeare has the banished son of the blinded Earl of Gloucester say in King Lear: “The worst is not, so long as we can say ‘this is the worst’.”According to Edgar’s law, there is no opinion poll so gloomy for Labour that it can’t be followed by one even bleaker; no fiscal forecast so bad that the Treasury can’t aggravate it with contradictory signals on tax; no misgivings about Keir Starmer that can’t be amplified by malevolent briefing about a leadership challenge; no social policy so nauseating to the party faithful that it can’t be made grosser still with a relish of cruelty.Rafael Behr is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...

Politics

41 h. ago Now is not the time for a Labour leadership election | Polly Toynbee

The focus should be on talking up this government’s achievements so far – and preventing a Reform victoryThe dominant political force sweeping across Europe is the “throw the bastards out” party, whoever happens to be in power. Discontent and distrust spread as global democracy declines. Only 6.6% of the world’s people live in a full democracy, according to the Economist’s global index, down from 12.5% 10 years ago. Europe is still the most democratic place, but it’s turbulent.Britain is an insular country that needs reminding it is not alone in its political turmoil after an omnishambles week for Keir Starmer’s government. The rumbling earthquakes beneath No 10 also shake the ground under the Élysée Palace and other official residences. A number of European countries have thrown out old governments in the past three years, including Finland, Germany, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden and the UK (Starmer is Britain’s sixth prime minister in less than a decade)...

Politics

4 d. ago Lucy Powell slams 'unacceptable' Labour infighting and explains what needs to change

Speaking in a week that saw a briefing war emerge over Keir Starmer’s leadership, the Deputy Labour leader Lucy Powell called for a 'cultural reset' in how politics was done

Politics

6 d. ago Ed Miliband says Keir Starmer will sack No 10 briefer who sparked leadership row if found

The cabinet minister says the PM would not have backed attacks on Wes Streeting but will 'get rid' of the culprit who suggested Health Secretary was looking to oust him

Politics

6 d. ago The Guardian view on 10 Downing Street: not up to the job | Editorial

The Labour leadership briefing furore highlights failures at the centre of government. Keir Starmer needs to raise his gameSir Keir Starmer went to north Wales on Thursday to announce the building of a new nuclear power station. This is a significant policy event, with local and national implications. However, the prime minister did not spend much time in Wales promoting solutions to UK energy needs. Instead, he spent it trying to draw a line under the Labour leadership briefing row, telling reporters that No 10 had not, in fact, briefed against the health secretary’s ambitions earlier this week.As such, Sir Keir’s day was a microcosm of what his prime ministership has now become more generally. On the one hand, he wants his government to be doing, and to be seen to be doing, important things. On the other hand, he is unable to achieve this because of the way he – and to an extent the country more generally – now does politics and government.Do you have an opinion on the issues...

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 Keir Starmer leadership chaos as Labour MP says 'Prime Minister employs kids'

Civil war erupted on Wednesday Health Secretary Wes Streeting lashed out at the 'toxic culture' in No10 and one MP compared aides to characters from the Thick of It

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 No 10 says Starmer has confidence in Morgan McSweeney after PM condemns attacks on cabinet members – UK politics live

PM’s spokesperson says he has confidence in his chief of staff after Starmer challenged over ‘toxic culture’ at Downing StreetThe No 10 briefing row is not the only story around this morning. Amy Sedghi is writing a live blog about the ongoing turmoil at the BBC and she has details of Donald Trump saying he has an “obligation” to sue the BBC.In a related development, Reform UK has pulled out of a BBC documentary about the party amid a row over the broadcaster’s editing of the Trump speech. Robyn Vintner has the story. Continue reading...

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 Starmer says any attack on his cabinet is ‘completely unacceptable’ and adds Streeting is doing a great job – UK politics live

Kemi Badenoch probes Starmer over ‘toxic culture’ at Downing Street The No 10 briefing row is not the only story around this morning. Amy Sedghi is writing a live blog about the ongoing turmoil at the BBC and she has details of Donald Trump saying he has an “obligation” to sue the BBC.In a related development, Reform UK has pulled out of a BBC documentary about the party amid a row over the broadcaster’s editing of the Trump speech. Robyn Vintner has the story. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago Watch live: Keir Starmer faces PMQs as Wes Streeting denies leadership coup rumours

Watch live as Sir Keir Starmer faces Kemi Badenoch at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday (12 November).

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