live
Nigel Farage celebrates after last week's local election wins (Image: Getty)
Sir Keir Starmer faces a mutiny from Labour MPs after Reform's overwhelming victory in last week's local elections.
He vowed to go "further and faster" after Labour lost the Runcorn and Helsby by-election, and nearly two thirds of the council seats it was defending. But this has worried many Labour MPs, who will return to Westminster today for the first time since the vote.
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
It's a Movie Buff's Dreamtopchicdeals | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Former Transport Secretary Louise Haigh says this response is "alarming". She said: "It failed to acknowledge any need to change course but simply committed itself to double down on the plan, whilst haemorrhaging votes to the parties of our left and right." And she warned that cuts to winter fuel payments and disability benefits had made Labour unpopular.
Labour MP Dan Carden warned: "It was the working class that turned its back on Labour last Thursday. They understand that the present system is not working in their interests or for their values. People feel abandoned – not just economically, but morally."
Powered By
00:00/12:54
10 Sec
31.2K
7
Sir Keir Starmer visits a Jaguar Land Rover plant in the West Midlands - full Q&A
Next
Stay
And fellow Labour MP Emma Lewell said: "Strong governments admit mistakes and change."
Sponsored
BetterBuck | Sponsored Sponsored
Read More
J.P. Morgan Says a Recession Is Coming, Here’s How Smart People Are Prepping
Undo
But whether Keir Starmer will listen remains to be seen.
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
5 days ago17:32 Steph Spyro
Visit our politics page for more updates
Our live blog has now closed. Our team will be back from 7.30am tomorrow ahead of Sir Keir Starmer's first Prime Minister's Question since the bruising local elections last week.
Until then, please visit our politics page for the latest.
MD: Building Muscle After 60 Comes Down To This 1 ThingApex Labs | Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
5 days ago13:58 Steph Spyro
Kemi Badenoch 'confident' she will be Tory leader at next election
Kemi Badenoch has said she is “confident” she will still be Conservative leader at the next general election.
Mrs Badenoch dismissed suggestions of a leadership challenge, telling broadcasters at a school in Putney: “There are always talks of leadership challenges, but we need to focus on the message that the public gave, and that’s that they are not yet ready to trust the Conservatives.”
She added: “We do need to change as quickly as possible, we have some time but we don’t have much time.”
Asked whether she was confident that she would still be leader at the next election, she said: “Yes, I am confident, but what I really want to do is make sure that I’m delivering for the people of this country.
“There’s so much that is going wrong. Throughout that campaign, everywhere I went people were talking about winter fuel payments, about how it had really, really made life difficult.
“Business owners and even employees were talking about the jobs tax, NI rises, everything getting more expensive and no solution in sight.
“Our economy is not improving, growth has halved, inflation is up, unemployment is up, who is going to fix that? It’s the Conservatives. We are the only credible alternative.”
5 days ago13:57 Steph Spyro
Badenoch not reintroducing national service policy
Kemi Badenoch denied reports the Conservatives were considering a proposal to reintroduce national service, saying she had never agreed with the policy.
She told reporters: “I don’t know where that came from, but people are always speculating.
“What we said is that we want to hear all the ideas people have about what a policy platform for the Conservatives could look like, that is actually going to rewire and rebuild the state.
“We do want to see more young people participating in civic life, but I never agreed with the policy on national service. I can say that now that government is over.
“It came in at a very late period, people didn’t understand what it was about, many people thought it was compulsory national service, I think it was a review.
“That’s the kind of thing I’m stopping now. We’re not just rushing out, saying things without the rest of the party understanding what problem it’s solving or where the ideas come from.
“This is new leadership. This is the leadership that the country wants to see, a party with a plan, not just announcements, but carefully thought-through things that we can deliver in government – not what Labour has done, which is just try and win an election and start working it out after that.”
5 days ago13:55 Steph Spyro
'No change!' Fury as No 10 doubles down on winter fuel payment cut despite election defeat
Sir Keir Starmer has insisted there will be “no change” to the Government's winter fuel payment cut despite calls to soften the blow following disastrous local election results.
The Prime Minister’s press secretary insisted Labour will not be “blown off course” by demands to change the policy.
Read the full story here.
Healthy Glam | Sponsored Sponsored
Man Continues to Tease Royal Guard, Turns Pale When Something Unexpected Happens
Undo
AdvancedBionutritionals | Sponsored Sponsored
MIT Scientists Identify the Leading Cause of Senior Fatigue
Undo
6 days ago10:08 Steph Spyro
Nigel Farage's future constituencies could face this major issue because of climate change
Nigel Farage’s Reform UK is set to win in eight of the top 10 most flood-prone constituencies in England at the next general election despite its “climate u-turns”, campaigners have said.
Current Reform MP Richard Tice’s Boston and Skegness constituency came in the top spot with 38.5% of properties at medium or high risk of flooding from rivers and seas.
Read the full story here.
6 days ago09:14 Steph Spyro
Starmer to convene Cabinet amid Reform's local election victories
Keir Starmer will lead a full Cabinet meeting this morning, followed by a political Cabinet without civil servants.
This will be the perfect opportunity for his top team to mull over the challenge from Reform to Labour-held seats across the country — particularly in its traditional working-class base up north. Several of those around the table will also have the Guardian’s splash on their minds.
6 days ago08:45 Michael Knowles
Doctors union told to 'hold your horses'
Health Secretary Wes Streeting urged the doctors' union to "hold your horses" ahead of a planned ballot for strike action among resident doctors.
Asked on BBC Radio 4's Today programme what he would say to doctors considering industrial action, he said: "We haven't made the pay offer yet, so I would just say to the BMA (British Medical Association), hold your horses for a moment, wait until you get the pay offer.
"Then make a decision about where you think we are."
The BMA said on Friday three weeks had passed since it warned the Government of the "consequences of the absence of a reasonable, timely pay offer".
Mr Streeting said: "I think it will be a good pay offer and I think it will be, once again, further proof for resident doctors, after years of trust being battered after a very bad relationship with the previous government, that they finally have a Labour government that believes in the NHS."
See Why Women Are Raving About This New Eye Bag RemoverRenewaSkin | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
6 days ago08:31 Michael Knowles
Winter fuel cuts have hit Labour, Wes Streeting admits
Wes Streeting has refused to answer whether Labour will "look again" at cuts to winter fuel payments.
"These sorts of decisions are always taken around budgets and spending reviews. I wouldn't be close to those discussions," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
"There isn't a formal review or anything like that going on. I do know that. But look, we are reflecting on what the voters told us last Thursday at the ballot box."
He added: "I'm not going to insult your listeners, or indeed the voters, by pretending that winter fuel hasn't been an issue on the doorstep.
"Of course it has, but whether it's winter fuel allowance or employers' Nics, which were opposed by the other parties too, or the changes we're making to non-doms, or the ending of tax breaks and VAT exemptions for private schools, all of these things, taken together, are the means through which we are investing in our NHS to deliver results."
6 days ago08:27 Michael Knowles
Labour: 'We take the results on the chin'
Health Secretary Wes Streeting told LBC: "We have to take that on the chin, and we are. In Government, we're genuinely impatient for change.
"We are going hard at the challenges that the public has set for us.
"And we're under no illusion - and I think the voters have sent us a fundamental message 'we voted for change with Labour last year, if you don't deliver change, if we're not feeling it, we'll vote for change elsewhere'.
"So we've got that message loud and clear. We take the results on the chin.
"We're back in Parliament today, picking ourselves up, dusting ourselves down, and with things like the GP announcement today showing the country we've got the message, when the Prime Minister said 'go further and faster', we're on the case."
6 days ago08:11 Michael Knowles
Wes Streeting promises 'significant increase' in GP appointments
Health Secretary Mr Streeting told Sky News that being able to offer up to eight million more appointments through reforming buildings was "an estimate".
He added: "Once we've got these practices built, we should be seeing up to eight million more appointments.
"Over the course of the next year or two, I would hope to see a significant increase in those GP appointments."
He said the NHS waiting list results so far were encouraging, with the hospital waiting list dropping for the last six months.
He said he wanted to reassure people that "change has begun" and "the best is still to come".
Lashes Grow Like Weeds in Weeks (Do This Every Night)Beauty News Daily | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
6 days ago08:02 Michael Knowles
New NHS guidance on same-sex spaces will be issued 'before the Summer'
Asked about the Supreme Court ruling on gender, Wes Streeting told Times Radio: "The guidance from NHS England will be issued before the summer.
"I think, frankly, employers and service providers across the country are looking at the judgment and reflecting on what it means for services.
"Single sex spaces in the NHS should always have been there, by the way, in terms of things like hospital wards and for good reason that go far beyond the debate about gender and biological sex - there have been breaches; there are resource pressures and turning that situation around does take time.
"But I do think biological same-sex spaces are really important, particularly for women and for women's safety, but we also need to make sure that we're providing dignity and care and compassion and respect for trans people.
"That's the approach this Government is taking - after years of what has been quite a rancorous and sometimes toxic debate, we want to move forward in a way that brings people together, that protects women's rights, voices and spaces and also protects trans people from harm, discrimination and hatred."
6 days ago08:00 Michael Knowles
Wes Streeting defends 'unpopular' decisions
Health Secretary Wes Streeting defended the "unpopular" decisions made by the Government on means-testing winter fuel payments and hiking employers' national insurance contributions (Nics).
He told Times Radio: "The reason why we chose to target winter fuel allowance at the poorest pensioners and remove it for others and the reason why we took the decision on employers' Nics and on tax breaks for private schools and on non-doms is because we needed to rescue our public services from the depths of the crises they are in."
He added: "Sometimes you do, in government, have to make unpopular decisions in pursuit of the outcomes you want to see.
"And we've made unpopular decisions, knowing they might be unpopular, because we genuinely believe they were the right decisions for the country."
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Keir Starmer faces huge Labour rebellion as 40 MPs issue warning
18 Comments
Winter fuel payment update as Rachel Reeves 'involved in talks about major change'
309 Comments
Keir Starmer told 'raise taxes to fight off Nigel Farage' as Labour in panic mode
641 Comments
Labour turmoil over winter fuel allowance cuts intensifies as Starmer rules out U-turn
44 Comments
Keir Starmer humiliated on TalkTV as Labour MP vows to 'rebel' against leader
1 Comments
POLL: Which Labour Cabinet member should Keir Starmer sack first?
183 Comments
Labour MPs spark civil war with damning letter to Keir Starmer slamming Rachel Reeves
36 Comments
Labour civil war erupts as MPs slam 'unpopular' Starmer - 'He's wrong!'
402 Comments
Keir Starmer and Lisa Nandy appointed Labour donor to ￡130k football watchdog job
43 Comments
Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves face pensioner backlash over winter fuel payment cuts
42 Comments
Rachel Reeves told to restore Winter Fuel Payment for EVERY pensioner
602 Comments
'No change!' Fury as No 10 doubles down on winter fuel payment cut despite election defeat
57 Comments
Labour warns of more 'bumps in the road' on top of local elections disaster
38 Comments
Keir Starmer doubles down on triple lock policy when quizzed during PMQs
10 Comments
She Was Everyone's Dream Girl In 90's, This Is Her Recently.The Latest Article | Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Keir Starmer 'forced into winter fuel payment u-turn' after election disaster
908 Comments
Desperate Starmer could reverse winter fuel cuts by Christmas to avoid Reform 'wipeout'
193 Comments
Jesus' Tomb Is Opened And Scientists Find Something UnbelievableNovelodge | Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Keir Starmer facing growing Labour rebellion over welfare cuts as 80 MPs sign letter
62 Comments
Nightmare for Keir Starmer as critics inside Labour Party plot to gang up on him
45 Comments
Why Cat Lovers Adore This Unique LampSherum | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
BBC Question Time's Fiona Bruce skewers Labour minister with winter fuel jibe
106 Comments
BBC Question Time panelist eviscerates Labour with three simple words
207 Comments
Obama’s former summer home in Massachusetts hits market for $39 millionHomes.com | Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Keir Starmer faces huge Labour rebellion as 40 MPs issue warning
18 Comments
Winter fuel payment update as Rachel Reeves 'involved in talks about major change'
309 Comments
Seniors Can Now Fly Business Class For the Price Of EconomyInsider | Travel Deals | Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Keir Starmer told 'raise taxes to fight off Nigel Farage' as Labour in panic mode
641 Comments
Labour turmoil over winter fuel allowance cuts intensifies as Starmer rules out U-turn
44 Comments
Doctors Stunned: New ED Med Works in Just MinutesMens Health | Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Keir Starmer humiliated on TalkTV as Labour MP vows to 'rebel' against leader
1 Comments
POLL: Which Labour Cabinet member should Keir Starmer sack first?
183 Comments
Cool Down a Room Quickly While Saving Electricity with This Air Cooler.Frozzia | Sponsored Sponsored
Read More
Undo
Labour MPs spark civil war with damning letter to Keir Starmer slamming Rachel Reeves
36 Comments
Labour civil war erupts as MPs slam 'unpopular' Starmer - 'He's wrong!'
402 Comments
Man Fights Nail Fungus for 15 Years…Until He Found This New Brush-On "Pen"Lunavia | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Keir Starmer and Lisa Nandy appointed Labour donor to ￡130k football watchdog job
43 Comments
Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves face pensioner backlash over winter fuel payment cuts
42 Comments
Cinnamon: The Hidden Blood Sugar Enemy? Try This Tonight!Cinnamon Help | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Rachel Reeves told to restore Winter Fuel Payment for EVERY pensioner
602 Comments
'No change!' Fury as No 10 doubles down on winter fuel payment cut despite election defeat
57 Comments
Do You Have Mice in Your Home? This Natural Trick Works Without PoisonVamoose | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Labour warns of more 'bumps in the road' on top of local elections disaster
38 Comments
Keir Starmer doubles down on triple lock policy when quizzed during PMQs
10 Comments
Keir Starmer 'forced into winter fuel payment u-turn' after election disaster
908 Comments
Desperate Starmer could reverse winter fuel cuts by Christmas to avoid Reform 'wipeout'
193 Comments
Keir Starmer facing growing Labour rebellion over welfare cuts as 80 MPs sign letter
62 Comments
Nightmare for Keir Starmer as critics inside Labour Party plot to gang up on him
45 Comments
BBC Question Time's Fiona Bruce skewers Labour minister with winter fuel jibe
106 Comments
BBC Question Time panelist eviscerates Labour with three simple words
207 Comments
Keir Starmer faces huge Labour rebellion as 40 MPs issue warning
18 Comments
Winter fuel payment update as Rachel Reeves 'involved in talks about major change'
309 Comments
Keir Starmer told 'raise taxes to fight off Nigel Farage' as Labour in panic mode
641 Comments
Labour turmoil over winter fuel allowance cuts intensifies as Starmer rules out U-turn
44 Comments
Keir Starmer humiliated on TalkTV as Labour MP vows to 'rebel' against leader
1 Comments
POLL: Which Labour Cabinet member should Keir Starmer sack first?
183 Comments
Labour MPs spark civil war with damning letter to Keir Starmer slamming Rachel Reeves
36 Comments
Amazon's Best Spring Dresses (And Most Are on Sale)Country Living
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
We Put ThirdLove To The Test - Our Editor's Honest ReviewThirdLove
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Nevada: Gov May Cover Your Cost To Install Solar If You Live In These Zip CodesEnergy Bill Cruncher
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Cardiologists: How to Quickly Lose a Hanging TummyHealth Wellness Journal
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
6 days ago07:59 Michael Knowles
Labour: We get it.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said Labour got the message "loud and clear" from voters following the by-election defeat and council contest losses last week.
He acknowledged anger about the decision to strip winter fuel payments from millions of pensioners but insisted it was necessary to help put money into public services.
He told BBC Breakfast: "I think the message that we got loud and clear last Thursday - and believe me, we did get the message looking at those results - is that people voted for change with Labour at the last general election.
"They want to feel that change and if they don't feel that change, they will look for change elsewhere."
On the NHS, he said "things are beginning to move in the right direction, but I appreciate that not everyone will be feeling that yet".
In response to speculation that No 10 is considering changes to the winter fuel payment squeeze, Mr Streeting said: "At this stage, ahead of a spending review or budget where these sorts of decisions are normally taken, I wouldn't be close to those sorts of discussions."
But he added: "I know that people aren't happy about winter fuel allowance, in lots of cases. We did protect it for the poorest pensioners but there are lots of people saying they disagree with it regardless."