Sir Keir Starmer is facing a reported split within the Labour Party over some of his most controversial policies. These are said to include his unpopular new tax on farmers and Rachel Reeves' National Insurance hike for employers. There is concern that his overseas aid cut to fund a defence spending increase was also "hastily done". It comes after former international development minister Anneliese Dodds resigned last week over the move.

       The Times' political columnist Patrick Maguire has been talking to insiders. "From within the Labour Party, there is, from people of Anneliese's politcal persuasion, i.e. the soft left of the Labour Party, more receptive to more radical ideas on the economy, there is a lot of unease, and not a small amount of satisfaction that their criticisms of Keir Starmer have been viondicated by one of the most sneior standard bearers around the Cabinet table," he said on the newspaper's radio station.

       READ MORE: Starmer urged to visit France as mayor says 'we must stop bodies on our beaches' [LATEST]

       "One of those sources tells me that the overseas aid cut was hastily done, and is one of a string of decisions from Keir Starmer, and his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney.

       "They also cite Gaza, the farmers tax, the decision to hike national insurance on employers as descisions that have real and lasting concequences for groups of voters, and they cannot be ignored."

       Mr Maguire added that some in Starmer's party are also pessimistic about his stance on Trump.

       He added: "That taps into something I've heard from quite a few Labour people this week, which is a sense that Labour is not only seeking to ingratiate itself with Donald Trump, but taking its cues from him on campaigning and governance."

       READ MORE:

       Should Zelenksy resign to stop Ukraine-Russia war – vote here [POLL]

       Trump rages 'spend less time worrying about Putin' as row with Ukraine deepens [REPORT]

       Starmer and Macron to propose one-month truce between Russia and Ukraine [REPORT]

       He then said he had been told by a Government advisor: "We have a massive majority. Why are we copying him?"

       The national's farmers have told the Chancellor to reverse her decision to subject them to inheritance tax so they can afford to keep their land.

       The Express has also been told that Britain's historic piers face a perilous future as Ms Reeves' ”inhumane” Budget is gutting the industry that was once the pride of the country.

       They face recruiting less and cutting opening hours as a result of her fiscal stance and planned National Living Wage increase.