29 h. ago ‘Lots of bumps in the road’: Keir Starmer faces testing month before one

From spending review to China audit to assisted dying vote, June’s events have potential to lift or darken Labour moodAs Keir Starmer approaches his first anniversary in Downing Street, there will be several things he wishes he had done differently. But before he can contemplate that July milestone, he faces a busy month strewn with political bear traps.June has proven a difficult time for successive prime ministers: Theresa May, Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak all had to contend with deeply unhappy parliamentary parties reeling from heavy local and European election losses. Continue reading...

Politics

39 h. ago Keir Starmer's muddled politics are reaching their limit. It's time for him to make a choice | Andy Beckett

Veer left or double down on the right? Either way, the prime minister needs to commit and sell it to an impatient electorateAfter less than a year in power, Labour has reached a familiar place. Keir Starmer’s troubled government is at a fork in the road, wondering which direction to follow. With the delivery of its spending review next week after several acrimonious delays, and a Commons vote on its divisive welfare cuts expected later this month, the government’s unity and morale are fragile. The public finances are severely strained, with ever more competing demands, such as for extra defence spending. Though much more energetic than its Tory predecessor, this government often seems opaque, unable to explain its purpose in a compelling way.Many voters and journalists – even more impatient than usual after years of manic politics – are already considering what might replace Starmer’s administration. At barely 20% in the polls, Labour is as unpopular as in its most disliked days und...

Politics

60 h. ago Keir Starmer urged to introduce stricter eyesight testing rules for all drivers

Experts are demanding new eyesight testing rules for drivers.

Politics

2 w. ago Third man in court over arson attacks on properties linked to Sir Keir Starmer

It is alleged that Ukrainian national Petro Pochynok conspired with two others to commit arson with intent to endanger life.

Events

3 w. ago Keir Starmer leaves door open to changing winter fuel cuts after months of backlash

Keir Starmer told reporters in Tirana, Albania, that means testing winter fuel payments was the right thing to do, but did not deny reports that thresholds could change

Politics

3 w. ago Moment car explodes on road where Keir Starmer's £2m home was 'targeted in arson attack'

Exclusive MailOnline footage shows the dark blue Toyota Rav 4 engulfed in flames as firefighters fought the blaze on VE Day last Thursday.

Events

3 w. ago After Blair’s bombshell, will Labour stick with or abandon net zero?

Under pressure from Reform and from the former PM, Keir Starmer is facing a series of tests of his resolve on green policyPopulist politicians are striking a chord with the public in their attack on “the green agenda” because they are right – climate policies are elitist. So says the man standing to be the next leader of the UK’s Green party.“We should all be angry about net zero,” argues Zack Polanski, currently the Greens’ deputy leader. “The poorest people in our society are being expected to step up to tackle the climate crisis. But it’s the government’s fault, not the people’s fault.” Continue reading...

Events