Keir Starmer refuses to rule out rejoining EU after next election following Andy Burnham U-turn

Andy Burnham emerges as most popular Labour figure among party members

A new poll has revealed Andy Burnham is the most popular figure in the Labour party, well ahead of Sir Keir Starmer.

Nearly half of members (47 per cent) rank the Greater Manchester Mayor as their first preference for Labour leadership, compared to 31 per cent for Sir Keir, with 59 per cent ranking Mr Burnham above the Prime Minister in their preferences for leader.

While 66 per cent of party members believe Sir Keir has done a good job as Prime Minister, just 28 per cent think Labour are likely to win at the next General Election if he stays leader, and 61 per cent want him to stand down before then.

Most Labour members think Wes Streeting was wrong to resign as Health Secretary (57 per cent) and would rather Sir Keir beat Mr Streeting in a leadership challenge by 65 per cent to 15 per cent.

Nigel Farage under further pressure over £5million gift from Thai-based donor

Nigel Farage faces further calls for “transparency” over a £5million gift from a Reform UK donor following reports questioning his claim he bought a house using the fee from a reality TV appearance.

The Reform leader was reported last week to have bought a £1.4million house with cash in 2024, shortly after receiving the gift from Thai-based billionaire Christopher Harborne.

Mr Farage has insisted the gift was unconnected with the purchase of the house, which a party spokesperson said had been funded by his fee from appearing on ITV’s I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here in 2023.

But analysis of Mr Farage’s company accounts, reported by the Financial Times, showed they were “not consistent” with his claims the fee from the reality show was used to purchase the property.

Accounts for Thorn In The Side Ltd, Mr Farage’s company, show the business’s cash position increasing from almost £300,000 in May 2023 to £1.7million a year later, and then again to £2million in 2025.

Mr Farage has previously said the fee from I’m A Celebrity, reported to by £1.5million, was paid to Thorn In The Side.

Tax expert Nimesh Shah, from accountants Blick Rothenberg, said the accounts were “not consistent” with the claim Mr Farage bought the house with his fee from the reality show.

In response, a Reform spokesman said anti-money laundering checks on the house purchase had been carried out in March, before Mr Farage received the gift from Mr Harborne, adding: “Nigel has multiple sources of income, as you can see from his parliamentary register.”

Zia Yusuf’s censored immigration message defended by Laila Cunningham: ‘Everything he said is true!’

Zia Yusuf has been fiercely defended by Laila Cunningham after being censored by TikTok, as she declared “everything he said” in the footage was “true”.

Speaking to GB News, Reform UK’s London Mayoral Candidate took aim at the Online Safety Act, which was cited as the reason for the video being removed from the social media site before being reinstated.

Mr Yusuf accused Labour of using the Online Safety Act to “silence their opponents” after the video was taken down.

The social media platform claimed Mr Yusuf’s video on the state of Britain’s immigration levels contained “hate speech” or “hateful behaviour”.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

By-elections confirmed for Scotland after double SNP resignations

By-elections will take place in Aberdeen South and Arbroath and Broughty Ferry, the Commons has agreed.

Stephen Flynn, the SNP’s former leader in Westminster, and Stephen Gethins have both been elected to the Scottish Parliament, so have stood down as MPs.

Kirsty Blackman, the SNP chief whip in Westminster, moved the motions for the writs to be made, and said it was a “bittersweet task” for her.

A motion to make a writ for a by-election in Makerfield, Greater Manchester, where Josh Simons stood down as a Labour MP, has not yet been moved.

Reform UK Mayor thinks Andy Burnham would ‘champion the North’ if he became Prime Minister

Reform UK’s Mayor of Hull Luke Campbell has said he thinks Andy Burnham would “champion the north” if the Greater Manchester Mayor became Prime Minister.

Mr Campbell told ITV News: “I’ve met Andy several times. I haven’t had a deep conversation with him about his politics but he seems like a really nice guy to me.”

When asked what kind of Prime Minister Mr Burnham would make, Mr Campbell said: “I don’t know. I guess we’d have to wait and see.”

Liberal Democrats slam Andy Burnham over Brexit stance – ‘Already started U-turning before he’s been elected’

The Liberal Democrats have slammed Andy Burnham, suggesting the Greater Manchester Mayor has “already started U-turning” over the European Union.

Lib Dem Europe spokesman Al Pinkerton said: “The Liberal Democrats have always been clear that Britain’s future lies back in the EU and we have a credible plan to get there, starting with a customs union.

“I know that many Labour MPs agree with us that the Government needs to show more ambition on Europe, so I hope they will back our amendment on Wednesday to send a message to the Prime Minister.”

Dawn Butler plays down reports she is planning to run for London Mayor

| Parliament TV

Labour MP Dawn Butler has played down reports that she would be announcing a run for London Mayor.

Earlier today, PoliticsJoe reported the MP for Brent East was planning to announce her candidacy for the 2028 Mayoral election “later this week.”

However, she has now said reports she was “announcing a run for Mayor of London this Wednesday simply isn’t true.”

She added: “While I have always said that being Mayor of London would be the honour of my life and I have never hidden my desire to run for Mayor of London one year, it is simply the case that there is no vacancy at the moment.

“We recently celebrated 10 years of my close friend Sir Sadiq Khan being the Mayor of London and he is doing a great job.”

However, she added: “If there is a vacancy one day I will absolutely be putting my name forward. This is the best city in the world.

“I am a Londoner through and through and I have big plans and ambitions if one day I am lucky enough to be chosen by Londoners to represent them as Mayor.

“In the meantime, I continue my work proudly representing the people of Brent East in Parliament.”

David Lammy says cuts to youth services led to ‘an entire generation sacrificed on the altar of austerity’

Justice Secretary David Lammy has suggested Conservative cuts to youth services during the austerity years led to “an entire generation sacrificed on the altar of austerity.”

Asked about a potential change to the age of criminal responsibility, Mr Lammy said: “The Bar Council is consulting on this issue, and I look forward to receiving the conclusions of their work.”

When asked how Labour will cut the number of young people held on remand, Mr Lammy said: “We want to recruit the new generation of specialist foster carers. Much better to have a responsible, loving adult.

“We used to have them, they (the Conservatives) abolished them. We want to bring them back and grow them, so we can support these young people.”

Senior Conservative suggests crime is rising due to ‘soft touch liberalism’

| HOUSE OF COMMONS

Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy said crimes carried out in towns and cities across the UK are “the results of soft touch liberalism”.

Speaking about Justice Secretary David Lammy and his predecessor in the role Shabana Mahmood, Mr Timothy said: “So desperate are they to find the causes of crime, they sometimes forget that their job is to prevent and punish crime itself.

“The truth is, Labour just don’t have it in their DNA to be tough on crime.

“They’ve let 60,000 criminals out of jail early, they’re abolishing short-term sentences, so almost all shoplifters and the majority of knife criminals will no longer be sent to prison.

“And they’re pretending they’re doing these things because they have to, but they’re doing them because they want to.”

The senior Conservative added: “The figures show young repeat offenders often start with theft and move on to drug offences and violence, yet the Government’s big idea is to stop punishing swathes of crimes committed by under-18s.

“The gangs who swarm shops to steal goods in places like Oxford Street, Ilford, and Clapham do not need to be put on a course, they need clear punishment, and that can include prison.

“The results of soft touch liberalism are visible in towns and cities up and down the country, yet the changes the Justice Secretary is announcing today risk amounting to more of the same.

“This is a big call, and if youth crime goes up as a result, it will be on this Government.”

Keir Starmer admits Labour has a ‘lot of work to do’

Sir Keir Starmer said Labour had a “lot of work to do” but could “show we can turn things around”.

Asked whether his premiership was over, the Prime Minister told reporters: “No, we’ve got a lot of work to do, and I was addressing Labour Party staff, actually this morning, reminding them that we were elected into office by millions of people to bring about change in this country.

“That’s our responsibility. My responsibility is to serve people who voted us into office, serve my country, to remind people that we have achieved already in terms of stabilising the economy, investing in the NHS, so that waiting lists are coming down.

“All those things make a material difference to people’s lives, but there’s a lot more to do, and obviously after the local election results, the results in Scotland and Wales, we need to show we can turn things around, and that’s what we’re doing.

“But I’m very focused on what I consider to be my responsibility, my duty, and that is to the country.”

Lee Anderson named as new Reform UK chairman

Lee Anderson has been named as the new chairman of Reform UK, taking over the role from Dr David Bull.

Reform confirmed that Dr Bull will now “focus on standing at the next election for the party.”

Mr Anderson became the first Reform UK MP after he defected in March 2024, having resigned from the Tories in January to rebel against Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda bill.

Speaking today, the Ashfield MP said: “Today is a proud moment for me, I’m delighted to be the chairman of Reform UK and to take on this role at such an important moment for our country.

“Reform UK is giving a voice to millions of hardworking people who feel ignored by the political establishment, and I look forward to working alongside Nigel Farage and our dedicated team.

“Together, we will continue fighting for common sense policies, secure borders, lower taxes and a government that puts the British people first.

“I will do everything I can to make sure we carry our stunning performance in the recent May elections into the next general election, where we can smash Labour’s red wall to smithereens

“I want to thank the people of Ashfield, the Capital of Common Sense, who’ve made this possible.”

Andy Burnham calls for ‘transfer of power and resources’ from Westminster to local Government

Andy Burnham has called for a “transfer of power and resources” from Westminster to local Government.

The Manchester Mayor told the Great North Summit in Leeds: “I decided to put myself forward to bring this debate to the fore. Too much of what we need to change is in the hands of others.

“The north doesn’t have all of the control that it needs to turn things around, to turn around the lives of our people, to give new life to our towns and our high streets.

“We just don’t have it. And if we’re to take what we’ve done in the last decade, and then go further and deeper in the next, there’s going to have be a serious transfer of power and resources right across the north of England.

“The places where I grew up, long ignored by national politics, are finally at the centre of the nation’s attention. And I can’t tell you how proud that makes me.”

Andy Burnham has U-turned on his stance on the European Union

Andy Burnham lays down gauntlet to Keir Starmer by warning ‘UK has been on wrong path for 40 years’ |

Andy Burnham has u-turned on his stance on the European Union, declaring that rejoining is the “last thing we should do right now”.

The Mayor of Greater Manchester previously said he hoped Britain would rejoin the EU in his lifetime.

It comes after Wes Streeting, the former health secretary, called over the weekend to rejoin the EU.

He said: “My view is that Brexit has been damaging. But I also believe the last thing we should do right now is re-run those arguments. Britain will be stuck in a permanent rut if we’re just constantly arguing and people are pulling away from each other.

“It is time surely, isn’t it, to bring people back together, to focus on what we’ve got in common, to get the growth coming to all places. That is what we need in this moment. And it’s really important that whatever comes out of this by-election, there’s a more unifying feeling about the change that we need to work towards.

“I am not proposing that the UK considers rejoining the EU. I respect the decision that was made at the referendum and it’s going to undermine everything I’ve said about strengthening democracy if we don’t respect that vote.”

Too many young people ‘written off’, says Andy Burnham

Too many young people who want to pursue technical and vocational education have been “written off”, claims Andy Burnham.

Mr Burnham said: “They’ve been written off, they’ve not featured in the national political debate.

“That is one of the things that this by-election is going to change.

“Because I’ve been speaking about them, I will continue to speak about them and their aspirations and their life chances.”

Andy Burnham apologised to residents of Makerfield for the ‘circus’ 

Andy Burnham apologised to the people of Makerfield for the “circus” of the upcoming by-election.

He added: “We’ve had to support Trafford council this year because of a poor national settlement and that’s just not how it should be.

“Local government should be given the funds it needs to discharge its statutory responsibilities but it often isn’t given that funding to do that.

“And this could threaten devolution in the north of England, because the foundations on which it is build are the local authorities that are the members of those combined authorities.

“And we really need to use this moment to tell some home truths to the people in Whitehall. Because it really can’t go on like this.”

Keir Starmer blamed for local election failure by Andy Burnham

Mr Burnham told the Great North Summit in Leeds: “If politics can’t fix something as simple as a pothole, you’ve got a very big problem.

“Why should people have faith in the ability of politics to do anything if it can’t do something as simple as that?

“And how unfair is it on those councillors who work hard in their communities and then just get swept away because of the failure of national government to protect local government, and give them the ability to make basic improvements in their communities?

“It’s not right, it’s just not right, and it needs saying that it’s not right and I’m here to do that.”

Andy Burnham: ‘UK has been on wrong path for 40 years’

Andy Burnham claims Britain has been on the wrong path for the last four decades.

The Mayor for Greater Manchester said: “My core argument is this. Britain, if you look at the last 50 years, has been on the wrong path. Forty years, 40 years on the wrong path, a path that has damaged communities across the north…

“Deindustrialisation was then compounded by deregulation, privatisation in the 90s and austerity in the 2010s. It all adds up to 40 years of neoliberalism that have not been kind to the north of England. Forty years of trickle-down economics that did not in the end trickle down very much at all to Platt Bridge and Hindley.

“In fact that system has syphoned wealth out of those places, and into the hands of those for whom life was already very good. It created an economy that didn’t work for most working people.

“It led to the loss of good jobs, the decline of our high streets, and the neglect of our towns. It led to people paying over the odds for the daily basics, energy, housing, water, transport.”

​Andy Burnham takes swipe at Keir Starmer: ‘People deserve a bigger response than politicians have given them’

Andy Burnham has taken a swipe at Sir Keir Starmer as he claimed politics is not “working properly” for the north of England as he begins speaking in Leeds.

The Labour Mayor of Greater Manchester: “Makerfield is no ordinary by-election. I’m getting plenty of advice about what I should do, the main piece being: for God’s sake, get some new running shorts.

“I believe the by-election is very necessary. In my view, the time has come for a much bigger debate about how politics needs to change if it is to work properly for the north of England, because it doesn’t, it doesn’t. And this is what we’ve got to focus on.

“People are losing faith in politics. More than anything that’s what people’s votes were saying on Thursday May 7.

“They deserve a bigger response than politicians have given them before and that’s what I intend to provide in this by-election like no other.”

Reform migration video removed by TikTok for ‘hate speech’ as Nigel Farage warns of ‘unacceptable political interference’

TikTok has been accused of “unacceptable political interference” after removing one of Reform UK’s migration videos for allegedly violating so-called “hate speech”.

In the video, which was also posted on other social media platforms, Reform UK’s home affairs spokesman, Zia Yusuf, warned that Britain has been “overwhelmed” by mass migration.

TikTok’s censors were alerted to the post under the Online Safety Act.

The legislation, which was introduced by the Tories in 2023, came into law in July 2025.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Restore Britain becomes the first party to declare candidate for Makerfield by-election

Restore Britain has become the first party to declare a candidate for the upcoming Makerfield by-election.

The party, led by Rupert Lowe, named local businesswoman Rebecca Shepherd.

She is described by the party as “understanding first-hand the pressures facing local businesses and working families across the area”.

Mr Lowe said Ms Shepherd “would fight for the interests of the community, rather than political careers”.

Andy Burnham is expected to stand as Labour’s candidate but has not officially been declared.

If successful, it is widely understood that he intends to challenge for the position of Prime Minister.

Both Reform UK and the Conservatives intend to put forward candidates.

Tories to force vote on opening up the North Sea as Labour confirms new licences ban

The Tories plan to force a vote to open up the North Sea after the Government confirmed that new licences would be banned.

Shadow Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho said her party would table an amendment to last week’s King’s Speech “to back our own energy resources in the North Sea”.

As well as demanding new licences are issued, the Conservatives will be calling for Ed Miliband to approve applications for drilling to restart at Rosebank, Britain’s largest untapped oil field, and Jackdaw, a gas field.

Work at both has been paused following legal challenges on climate grounds. The final decision rests with the Energy Secretary.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

​Andy Burnham prepares to speak at summit

Andy Burnham is preparing to speak at a summit in Leeds.

The Greater Manchester mayor, who is understood to stand as a Labour MP in Makerfield, will speak at the Great North Investment Summit.

It comes after Josh Simons officially started the process of quitting as Makerfield MP.

If successful, Mr Burnham is expected to launch a leadership campaign against the Prime Minister.

Sajid Javid shares plan for new project to unite the country and bring Britons together again

Former Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javid has discussed a new research project aimed at uniting the country and uncovering Britons’ shared vision for the UK.

Speaking to GB News, Mr Javid said: “One of the earliest memories I have is when I was seven years old. My mum dressed me and my brother up in red, white and blue and the late Queen’s Silver Jubilee. I went to school and we had Union Jack flags everywhere.

“My mum and dad had put it up in their shop, and I felt so British and so patriotic, so proud of the country and that is something that stayed with me throughout.

“And so there can be lots of different things for people, but that’s the whole point. We want to hear what people think, and that’s what matters.It’s the national conversation and everyone can take part. The more the better.”

WATCH THE FULL CLIP HERE

​The Prime Minister will fight the next election, says No10

The Prime Minister will fight the next election, says Number 10.

They insisted that Keir Starmer’s words from his Observer interview eight days ago still stand.

A spokesman said that there is “no timetable for departure, we are delivering for the British people and accelerating the pace for change.

“The PM is fully focused on it”.

No10 also added that the Prime Minister’s red lines on Brexit still stand.

David Lammy said this morning: “The next manifesto is a matter for the party. Our position is set out for the Parliament.

“We set red lines in the manifesto which we are absolutely committed to.”

Josh Simons quits as Makerfield MP paving the way for Andy Burnham’s attempt to return to Westminster

Labour’s Josh Simons has been appointed as Steward and Bailiff of the Three Hundreds of Chiltern.

The process is the formal mechanism to quit as Makerfield MP.

The Treasury announced: “The chancellor of the Exchequer has this day appointed Joshua Cameron Simons to be steward and bailiff of the Three Hundreds of Chiltern.”

The move paves the way for Andy Burnham’s attempt to return to Westminster.

This morning, Sir Keir Starmer said he would support the Labour candidate “one hundred per cent and I want every member, everyone in our movement to support them.”

‘It is Labour versus Reform!’ Keir Starmer visits Labour Party headquarters with desperate plea as PM fights for premiership

This morning, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer visited Labour Party headquarters in London.

He told staff: “I just wanted to come here to Labour Party headquarters to say a big thank you to you. The election results were not the ones that we wanted, they were really tough. But you worked your socks off.

“It’s not been easy circumstances in the last 10 days. But you have just got on with the job that we asked you to do.

“If you look at just some of the figures that came out last week. We had growth figures that were the best in the G7. That’s because of the hard work that we’ve done in government. On the economy we’ve got ourselves into a good position, having inherited a real basket case from the last government.

“The NHS figures were really good, which again vindicates what we did, which was invest in the NHS, which is what we said we would do. “And that’s on top of all the other things… The Employment Rights Act. The biggest upgrade in renters’ rights in a generation.

“And then of course all the work that we are doing around child poverty, of which I am really proud. What a game changer that will be for a whole generation and will be measured for years and years to come because the children will feel the impact for the rest of their lives. They will have chances they wouldn’t otherwise have had.

“The election results tell us that people are frustrated, they don’t feel that their lives have changed quickly enough.

“We need to build up the urgency of what we do. We need a bit more hope in there. And we need to remember at all times what we are here to do. We were elected to government to serve the people of this country.

“And I remind myself every day that in July 2024 millions of people voted for us to come into government, to get on with the job, to govern, and to bring about the change that they want.

“So I am focused on the job that I was asked to do, which is to serve my country and to carry out my duties as Prime Minister of this country.

“Delivering for the very many people who voted us into office, who are saying, ‘just get on with it, get on with the job, get on with the change that I need to see in my life’. And that is what I am going to be doing.

“We now have an important by-election coming up. It is Labour versus Reform. We will know very shortly who the candidate is.

“Whoever they are I am going to support them one hundred per cent and I want every member, everyone in our movement to support them. A Labour candidate to beat Reform. That is the fight that we are in.”

Brexit ‘betrayal’ row sparks furious backlash as Kemi Badenoch labels Labour ‘tired clowns’

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has labelled Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership rivals “tired clowns” after reigniting Labour’s Brexit civil war.

Mrs Badenoch, who voted for the UK to leave the European Union in 2016, warned Britons cannot trust Labour to negotiate with Brussels.

She argued Labour had already poorly negotiated the handover of the Chagos Islands and agreed to a “one-in, one-out” deal with France.

The Leader of the Opposition went on to suggest ex-Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham would buckle to Brussels in any reset negotiations.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Arts chief who ‘compared Reform voters to Nazi supporters’ urged to resign over ‘divisive agenda’

The chairman of the Southbank Centre has been urged to resign after he faced accusations of pushing a divisive agenda.

Misan Harriman, the Oscar-nominated filmmaker who chairs London’s largest arts venue, sparked controversy for appearing to suggest there was a media “conspiracy” to make the Golders Green knife attack about the Jewish victims.

He argued that there was no focus on a Muslim man who was allegedly stabbed by the same person in an incident earlier that day.

The comments have prompted a letter calling for Mr Harriman to resign as chairman of the London cultural landmark.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Labour leadership candidates under pressure to back new Customs Union with EU, as Lib Dems force new Commons vote

Labour leadership candidates will face pressure this week to back a new customs union with the EU, as the Liberal Democrats prepare to force a Commons vote on the issue.

This includes Wes Streeting, who is now on the backbenches and has previously hinted at support for a customs union with the EU, and on Saturday called for the UK to “one day” rejoin.

A Liberal Democrat amendment to the King’s Speech calling for the UK to start negotiations with the EU on a customs union is expected to be voted on by MPs on Wednesday.

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said: “This is a make-or-break moment for Labour MPs – especially those considering running to lead their party. Actions speak louder than words.

“Anyone in the Labour Party who is serious about changing direction and offering people hope again should back our amendment calling for a closer trade deal with the EU. That includes Andy Burnham who should encourage his Labour colleagues in Parliament to back it.

“We can’t solve the cost-of-living crisis without repairing the damage done by Nigel Farage and the Conservatives’ terrible Brexit deal.

“That starts by negotiating a customs union with the EU to cut red tape, boost businesses and turbocharge the economy. This is a vital first step towards rebuilding the UK’s relationship with Europe, putting us on the path towards EU membership in the long term.”

Angela Rayner snubbed Keir Starmer’s bid to hand her Health Secretary role

Angela Rayner snubbed Sir Keir Starmer’s bid to hand her the role of Health Secretary, it has emerged.

The Prime Minister reached out to his former deputy about replacing Wes Streeting, but she made clear she was not interested in the role, according to The Times.

Ms Rayner was contacted by No10 on Thursday after Mr Streeting left the Government with a resignation letter which set the stage for a potential leadership challenge.

Earlier that day, Ms Rayner had announced she had been cleared of tax affairs with HMRC after a dispute over £40,000 of unpaid stamp duty.

Sir Keir had repeatedly said he hoped Ms Rayner would return to the Cabinet.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Water bills set to rise for 14,000 families in controversial new trial

Water bills are set to rise for 14,000 families in a controversial new trial.

Water companies across England are preparing new billing trials that could see households with larger gardens, swimming pools and hot tubs charged significantly more under tiered pricing schemes.

Affinity Water, which serves large parts of the South East, is preparing what would become the biggest experiment of its kind, potentially covering up to 14,000 properties across the Home Counties later this year.

The plans follow a smaller pilot scheme carried out between 2023 and 2025 involving 1,500 households.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

PICTUTRED: Andy Burnham spotted outside Manchester home amid by-election ambitions

Labour MP says it was a ‘staggering level of out of touch’ to reopen Brexit debate

Labour MP Jonathan Hinder said it was a “staggering level of out of touch” to think the party should reopen the debate on Brexit.

The MP for Pendle and Clitheroe told the BBC: “We are just over a week after we took a real beating in our working-class heartlands.

“It’s a very long list – we’re talking about the Hartlepools, the Grimsbys, Barnsley, places like Wigan, where this by-election is going to be, and we were losing to a party which until recently was called the Brexit Party.

“And to suggest the solution now is for us to reopen that debate is just staggering, and the Labour Party is in an existential crisis, it really is, and the idea that we can reconnect to our working-class base by reopening this debate is just a staggering level of out of touch.”

​David Lammy refuses to say whether he wanted to rejoin the EU

David Lammy has refused to say whether he wanted to rejoin the EU.

The Deputy Prime Minister insisted the Government is “absolutely committed” to its manifesto red lines.

he told Sky News: “We set red lines in the manifesto that we are absolutely committed to.

“I see now that there’s a debate about the next election. I’m not going to make a commitment about the next election and the next manifesto.”

Asked whether he would personally like to rejoin, he said: “I’m committed to collective responsibility. The manifesto we stood on. Wes Streeting has left the Government, he can have a debate, he can comment, that is not my position.”

He added: “I think we should remember that we are in Government and the British people won’t thank us for debates and comments, they want delivery.

“Delivery is what they want to see.”

Keir Starmer will not be setting out a timetable for his departure, claims David Lammy

Sir Keir Starmer will not be setting out a timetable for his departure, David Lammy has claimed.

The Deputy Prime Minister said: “Let me be really clear, Keir Starmer remains the most resilient person I know in my life.

“I spoke to him twice yesterday. He has a strength of character, a fighting experience. There will be no timetables. What there is is getting on with the business of Government.

“We’re really crystal clear about that. At the moment there is no contest. What there is is his determination to deliver for the British people, accelerate the pace over the coming months.”

He added: “There will be no timetable for departure.”

Asked whether he would be campaigning for Andy Burnham in the Makerfield by-election, the Deputy Prime Minister said he would be “100 per cent”.

He told Sky News: “This is a Labour by-election. We’ve got quite threatened votes, Reform will be challenging hard.

“I’ve known Andy Burnham for over a quarter of a century. We were both proteges of the wonderful Tessa Jowell.

“We worked together all those years ago under Tony Blair. He will be a great addition to parliament for Makerfield. He has my full support.

“I will be up there, much of the Cabinet will be up there of course, the Labour movement will be up there to make sure we win.”

Tory Shadow Minister says the Conservatives will stand in the Mayfield By-election

Matt Vickers has confirmed that the Conservatives will stand in the Mayfield By-election.

He told GB News: “Kemi’s been really clear. There will be no deals. There will be no stitch-ups.

“The electorate in Makerfield will get the right to make that decision.

“If they want to vote for a party that is serious about reducing welfare, that’s serious about bringing back the two-child cap, that’s serious about scrapping stamp duty and about axing business rates for small businesses across the country.

“That choice is going to be on the ballot paper.

“That choice is the Conservative Party, and people will have the opportunity to have their say on it.”

Matt Vickers: ‘Labour is desperate to distract from the trashing it’s made of our economy’

The Shadow Minister of State for Illegal Immigration, Crime, Policing and Fire has claimed Labour are trying to distract the public from the issues facing Britain when questioned on Labour’s leadership rumours.

The MP for Stockton West said: “This is a Government that is desperate to distract from the trashing it’s made of our economy.”

He added: “It’s because of the jobs tax, because the increases in national insurance, because the increases in business rates that are slamming businesses on high streets throughout the country.

“It’s because of the employment rates bill and everything else that’s coming down the line, it’s because our energy prices are amongst the highest on the planet.

“That’s what’s doing these businesses in decisions made in No10 Downing Street that have real consequences.

“It’s no surprise that the Labour Party wants to talk about anything but that economic carnage that they’ve caused.”

‘A gift for Farage!’ Labour’s reverse Brexit row sparks bitter spat between Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting

Andy Burnham’s allies have accused Labour leadership rival Wes Streeting of deliberately trying to undermine the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Makerfield by-election campaign.

Mr Streeting, who threw his weight behind Mr Burnham contesting the Brexit-backing seat, appeared to put his soon-to-be opponent in a difficult position after setting out a path for the UK to rejoin the European Union.

Speaking at an event in London on Saturday, the ex-Health Secretary said: “Britain’s future lies with Europe, and one day back in the European Union.”

Mr Burnham, who expressed a similar view last year’s Labour Party conference, is offering a somewhat different message to voters in Makerfield.

However, Labour insiders fear a row over Brexit is now a gift to Reform UK in Makerfield.

A senior source told The Times: “I despair. It’s like a gift to Farage. What Wes did reeks of desperation and selfishness.”

An ally of Mr Burnham added: “Wes’s only hope at becoming the next leader is for Andy to lose the by-election. [Mr Streeting’s] comments … are counterproductive to Labour winning this by-election.”

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Labour Brexit civil war erupts as Lisa Nandy launches scathing attack on Wes Streeting’s plea to rejoin EU

Lisa Nandy appeared to have opened the door to a Labour civil war on Brexit as she accused Wes Streeting of a “fundamental misreading” of the public mood.

Announcing his intentions to challenge Keir Starmer for the leadership yesterday, the former Health Secretary called for the UK to rejoin the EU 10 years after the referendum.

Reacting to the speech of GB News, Ms Nandy described her colleague’s stance as “a bit odd” in the wake of their party’s local election drubbing by Nigel Farage’s Reform UK and Zack Polanski’s Greens.

“We got an absolute kicking at the poles, and it hurt, and it still hurts,” she told Camilla Tominey.

“To respond to that with re-entering the European Union seems to me to be a fundamental misreading of what people are asking us for,” the Culture Secretary said.

“If going back into the EU was the answer to the problems that people have in their lives, then we would be telling people in towns like mine that everything was fine in 2015. It absolutely wasn’t.”

Wes Streeting’s push to rejoin EU and Andy Burnham’s U-turn

The fiery Brexit row was sparked by ex-Health Secretary Wes Streeting declaring his support for the UK rejoining the EU.

Launching his leadership bid, Mr Streeting said: “We need a new special relationship with the EU, because Britain’s future lies with Europe and one day, one day, back in the European Union.”

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, whose allies accused Mr Streeting of sabotage, is watering down his previous calls to rejoin the Brussels bloc.

Speaking on the campaign trail in Makerfield, Mr Burnham said: “I’ve said in the long-term there is a case for that, but I’m not advocating that in this by-election.”