Andy Burnham to reject Keir Starmer’s ‘big role’ offer if he triumphs in Makerfield by-election

Zia Yusuf: ‘The era of soft power is gone!’

Zia Yusuf said the UK needs to focus on “hard power” over “soft” in the face of the new global political landscape, calling Britain’s current political leaders as “utterly incompetent”.

Speaking to GB News, reflect on US President Donald Trump’s hour long speech at the G7 summit, Reform’s home affairs spokesman said: “We need to be focused on our own political leaders who are so utterly incompetent.

“We haven’t had a British Prime Minister in decades able to actually drive a bargain and negotiate on behalf of the British people, and we also need to recognise this.

“Under this President of the United States, the era of hard power is here and it is here to stay. The era of soft power is gone, and therefore we need to focus on hard power.”

Defence minister refuses to say whether Britain will meet Nato spending plan deadline

A defence minister has refused to say whether Britain will present a credible plan for hitting Nato’s new defence spending target before this summer’s alliance summit in Ankara on July 7.

Nato chief Mark Rutte called for all allies to submit “clear, concrete and credible” plans for raising defence spending to five per cent of GDP by 2035, split between 3.5 per cent on core defence and 1.5 per cent on wider resilience.

Defence minister Louise Sandher-Jones declined to confirm whether the UK would meet that deadline, but said Britain would demonstrate its “strong commitment” to the alliance by pointing to what the Government called the “biggest increase in defence spending in a very long time”.

Shabana Mahmood accused of ‘waving through’ national security bill without scrutiny

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has been accused of rushing landmark national security legislation through Parliament without proper scrutiny, after the Government allocated just one day for MPs to debate it.

The National Security (State Threats) Bill would designate state-linked organisations including Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as threats to national security, cracking down on those working for hostile foreign powers.

The Tories support the bill’s intentions but shadow Home Office minister Alicia Kearns warned it could “collapse” in court without line-by-line parliamentary scrutiny, while Ms Mahmood insisted there was a “need for speed” given the current threat environment.

A Conservative bid to block the bill passing all its parliamentary stages in a single day was defeated by 233 votes to 94.

Ed Davey calls upon No10 hopefuls to drop Labour’s EU red lines

Leader of the Liberal Democrats Sir Ed Davey has called upon any Labour leadership hopefuls to “move on from the torpor and timidity” of the party’s position on the EU.

Sir Ed challenged Andy Burnham to get rid of Labour’s red lines on the EU membership if he succeeds into No10 (Makerfield by-election depending).

He said ministers are “hemmed into the red lines they set more than five years ago”, referencing how the global political landscape has changed significantly since then, with Russia invading Ukraine and US President Donald Trump returning to office.

“They are hurting the British people. And they are playing into the hands of Farage and Reform. So my message to Andy Burnham, to Wes Streeting – to whoever the next prime minister may be – is this: Drop those red lines. Drop them now,” he said.

“So we can move on from the torpor and timidity that marks out Labour’s approach to Europe so far. We can put an end to the endless talk of a ‘reset’, that so far seems to just mean saying “No” more politely than the Conservatives did.”

Liberal Democrat-led council attempts to BAN residents from hoisting flags near roads ahead of World Cup

A Liberal Democrat-led council is attempting to ban its local residents from hoisting flags in public ahead of the World Cup.

Oxfordshire County Council has kickstarted the legal process by applying for a High Court injunction to outlaw raising flags on, and even near, public highways.

Liam Walker, a Conservative councillor, said: “With the World Cup now under way and communities across the country coming together to support their national teams, many residents will also question whether this is really the right time to be escalating matters further through the courts.

“Common sense and proportionality should always guide decision-making, particularly when the costs involved are ultimately borne by taxpayers,” he told The Telegraph.

WATCH: Christopher Hope shares behind the scenes tour at the G7 Summit

GB News Political Editor Christopher Hope shares an exclusive behind the scenes tour of his journey to the G7 Summit in Evian, France.

Christopher takes GB News members on a trip to the French Alps as he prepares to interview Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

WATCH HERE.

Treasury accused of ‘undermining’ national security as Rachel Reeves snubs calls to hike defence spending

The Treasury has been accused of “undermining” national security after Rachel Reeves snubbed called to hike defence spending.

Liberal Democrats Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper grilled David Lammy over whether Labour was planning to access defence bonds to increase defence spending to protect Britain.

In response, Mr Lammy said that the UK should work alongside top allies “to join up on defence procurement and funding”.

“And of course it’s a topic of discussion for the prime minister at the G7,” he added.

MP calls for review of paramilitarism following violent disorder in Belfast last week

The leader of the SDLP has called for a review of paramilitarism following the violent disorder which broke out in Belfast last week.

Leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party in Northern Ireland, Claire Hanna, condemned the “extremism” on the city’s streets.

She added that “families were burned out based on the colour of their skin, health workers stopped for ID by masked thugs, small businesses ordered to close”.

David Lammy condemned the violence, assuring the MP that responsible individuals “will face the full force of the law”.

He said: “We are focused on bringing people together and that includes providing a further £24m to help tackle paramilitarism, acting to tackle those inciting hatred online, and our social cohesion plan is about bringing our communities together.”

David Lammy launches attack on Reform’s Makerfield candidate before voters head to the polls tomorrow

David Lammy has launched a scathing attack of Reform UK’s Makerfield candidate, just a day before voters head to the polls in the by-election.

Discussing historic comments made by Robert Kenyon, Sarah Owen said: “This exposes the rank hypocrisy of Reform politicians talking tough on VAWG [violence against women and girls], but in reality having zero respect for women.

“Does the Deputy Prime Minister agree with me that Reform has a problem with women, further highlighted by seemingly welcoming a woman-beater into their fold?”

Mr Lammy responded: “The Prime Minister has put tackling violence against women and girls at the heart of this Labour Government.

“By contrast, I’ve been utterly appalled by what we’ve heard from the Reform candidate in Makerfield from vile, sexist comments to saying Putin was ‘within his rights’ to invade Ukraine.

“When the Reform leader was asked about them, his answer was: ‘so what?’ This speaks volumes about Reform. The only way to stop their politics of grievance is to vote Labour.”

Claire Coutinho grills David Lammy over ministerial coup as Deputy Prime Minister insists defence is ‘number one priority’

Claire Coutinho has grilled David Lammy over last week’s ministerial coup while the Deputy Prime Minister insisted that defence was Labour’s “number one priority”.

The Shadow Energy Secretary took aim at Labour being unable to cough up the cash to appease the former Defence Secretary John Healey, who resigned last week, for the Defence Investment Plan.

She asked why “half the defence team” tendered their resignation if “everything is hunky dory”.

​David Lammy ‘proud’ to serve under beleaguered PM

David Lammy has said that he was “proud” to serve Sir Keir Starmer while the Prime Minister attempts to bat away leadership speculations.

“I’m proud of what this Labour Government is delivering,” he boasted.

The Deputy Prime Minister was attempting to bat away criticism of his boss’s leadership while the leader attends the G7 summit in France.

Top Tory slams ‘pointless virtue signalling’ in scathing takedown of Labour’s energy policy

Claire Coutinho has branded Labour’s banning of oil and gas licenses in the North Sea as “pointless virtue signalling”.

As part of their policy, the Government has banned new oil and gas licenses as part of its bid to accost Ed Miliband’s Net Zero agenda.

David Lammy replied: “The Tories used to believe this three years ago, now she’s forgotten because they’re desperately chasing Reform.”

‘I feel honoured!’ Claire Coutinho mocks David Lammy as ‘one of last remaining members of Labour’s original Cabinet’

Claire Coutinho mocked David Lammy across the despatch box as one of Sir Keir Starmer’s “last remaining member of Labour’s original Cabinet”.

Following a trio of ministerial resignations last week, the Shadow Energy Secretary took aim at rumours of a ministerial coup ahead of the Makerfield by-election tomorrow.

Ms Coutinho said: “It is a great privilege to be standing here with one of the few survivors of Labour’s original Cabinet who hasn’t resigned on principle or been sacked in disgrace.

“So can he start by telling me this. Why is the Labour Government for people to get its oil and gas from Russia and Qatar but not from Aberdeen?”

Mr Lammy replied: “Can I welcome the Shadow Energy Secretary to the despatch box, it’s always good to hear from someone who was at the heart of the Treasury during the biggest fall in living standards on record.”

David Lammy pays tribute to Labour giants in opening remarks during PMQs

David Lammy has paid tribute to two Labour giants in his opening remarks during Prime Minister’s Questions.

The Deputy Prime Minister hailed Jo Cox, the Labour MP who was murdered 10 years ago, as well as Roy Hattersley, who died last week.

Most MPs are donning white roses in tribute to Mrs Cox, who represented the Yorkshire constituency of Batley and Spen.

FOLLOW LIVE: David Lammy and Claire Coutinho go head-to-head at this week’s PMQs

David Lammy and “rising star” Claire Countinho are due to go head-to-head at this week’s rendition of Prime Minister’s Questions.

The Deputy Prime Minister will fill in for Sir Keir Starmer while he attends the G7 summit.

Greens support plummets as Zack Polanski’s party drops to single digits in bombshell poll

Support for the Greens has receded as Zack Polanski’s party ahs dropped to single digits for the first time in a new poll.

The pollsters from More in Common have put support for the Greens on nine per cent, down two per cent from the previous week.

Ed Miliband shunning Keir Starmer as Energy Secretary set to back Andy Burnham standing as Prime Minister

Ed Miliband is said to be shunning Sir Keir Starmer as the Energy Secretary prepares to defy his boss and back Andy Burnham as Prime Minister.

The former Labour leader has already been tipped to be in the running to replace Rachel Reeves as Chancellor if the “King of the North” is successful in his bid to win the Makerfield by-election and boot out Sir Keir from No10.

Over the past week, Mr Miliband and Sir Keir are understood to have clashed over making cuts to the former leader’s department to funnel more funds into defending Britain.

But he has been accused of declining calls from his boss while the pair remain at a crossroads over the spiralling issue, The Times revealed.

A source close to Mr Miliband denied the claim altogether and insisted the pair did speak in the end.

Mr Miliband eventually accepted a one per cent cut to his Net Zero funding.

However, he remains on Downing Street’s “resignation watch”, which left Labour officials “blindsided” when John Healey resigned from the Ministry of Defence last Thursday.

Wes Streeting would welcome ‘best and brightest’ from all over the world as he makes positive fight for immigration

Wes Streeting said he would welcome the “best and the brightest” from all over the world in a bid to make a positive fight for immigration.

The former Health Secretary said: “I’m not afraid to make the positive case for immigration.

“When Trump is creating a hostile environment for science, we should welcome the brightest minds from around the world with open arms.

“I want tomorrow’s Nobel Prize winners building the future here in Britain.”

British taxpayers to subsidise French energy bills as ‘wasteful’ rules mean £16bn sold off for cheap overseas

British taxpayers are set to subsidise French energy bills as “wasteful” rules mean an eyewatering £16billion is being sold off for cheap overseas.

Octopus Energy, which is the UK’s largest gas and electricity company, warned the ongoing issue would come at a massive expense from 2030 until 2050.

The energy experts added the cost would work out to an average of a staggering £770million a year.

But the current estimates could skyrocket if Sir Keir Starmer is successful in his bid to unite the UK’s electricity market with the European Union’s.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Russian Navy attack is ‘huge wake up call’ for Keir Starmer to ‘get serious’ on defence, Tory MP says

An attack on a British couple by the Russian Navy is a “huge wake up call” for Sir Keir Starmer, the Shadow Business Secretary has warned.

Speaking to GB News, Andrew Griffith urged the Prime Minister to “get serious” on defence and to get the Defence Investment Plan “signed off”.

On Tuesday morning, Russian warship Grigorovich fired at least four shots at a British couple on board their yacht as they sailed towards France.

Speaking to the People’s Channel, Alan and Jane Kelvey said they received no prior warning from the Russians before the shots were fired.

WATCH THE INTERVIEW HERE.

‘Andy is a great asset!’ Keir Starmer heaps praise onto leadership rival ahead of Makerfield by-election

Sir Keir Starmer has heaped praise onto his leadership rival ahead of the Makerfield by-election tomorrow.

“Andy is a great asset,” the Prime Minister said. “And, yes, I want him to have a big role in Government.”

He added that he would speak with Mr Burnham following the election results, telling Sky News: “I’ve spoken to him many times in recent weeks.

“And when I came into politics in 2015, it was Andy Burnham’s team that I joined, and we worked very well together.”

Keir Starmer instructs Andy Burnham to focus on Greater Manchester mayoral by-election if he becomes MP

Sir Keir Starmer has instructed Andy Burnham to focus on a future Greater Manchester mayoral by-election if he is successful at the Makerfield polls on Thursday.

The Prime Minister attempted to deter his leadership rival from triggering an immediate race, which Mr Burnham has threatened upon his return to Westminster.

Sir Keir said: “We’re immediately tipped into a Manchester mayoral contest by-election, one of the biggest by-elections that we’ve ever fought, because of the scale of it.

“And it’s really important to my mind that the whole of the Labour Party and Labour movement focuses on that, which is the next most immediate task.

“I don’t think there should be a challenge. I think history, particularly the last Government, shows that that isn’t a successful way for a Government to behave.

“But if there is a challenge, then I intend to fight. I’m not going to walk away from that, and I’ve been clear and consistent about that,” he told The Times.

Wes Streeting: ‘I’d be prepared to trigger a leadership contest’

Wes Streeting has said that he would be “prepared” to trigger a leadership contest if Sir Keir Starmer refuses to walk away.

The former Health Secretary, who resigned last month, said: “I think the Prime Minister should be given some space and time to reflect over the weekend and I think we should see where we are then.

“I would prefer the Prime Minister to take a decision on his own terms rather than leave it for me or Andy or anyone else to trigger a contest.

“But, if not, we can’t carry on with this uncertainty and paralysis and there will need to be a contest and I’d be prepared to do that,” he told the BBC.

Keir Starmer delivers message to GB News viewers on Labour’s vow to tackle small boat crossings with drone task force

Sir Keir Starmer has assured GB News viewers he is “absolutely determined” to tackle the small boats crisis in the Channel, and “understands the frustration” from Britons.

In an exclusive sit-down interview, the Prime Minister told GB News’ Political Editor Christopher Hope under Labour, there has been a “record number of arrests” with their plan to crack down on people smuggling gangs.

Pressed on the increasing number of Channel crossings, the editor asked the PM: “Hundreds of crossings again this week – when will we stop these crossings? That’s what our viewers are crying out for?”

WATCH MORE HERE.

Keir Starmer says Russian warship ‘reckless’ but not ‘sinister’ for firing shots at pensioners

A Russian warship was “reckless” to fire at a British yacht steered by pensioners in the English Channel, Sir Keir Starmer has told GB News.

However, the Prime Minister insisted the shots were fired from “a drifting warship rather than anything more sinister”.

The 40ft British-flagged vessel called Bright Future, owned by Jane and Alan Kelvey, reported on Tuesday morning the Admiral Grigorovich, a 409ft-long Russian frigate, had fired four or five shots as they attempted to sail past, triggering a diplomatic incident.

WATCH CHRISTOPHER HOPE’S FULL SIT-DOWN INTERVIEW WITH THE PRIME MINISTER HERE.

UK inflation holds at 2.8% but farmers warn food prices will rise after Iran conflict

UK inflation held steady at 2.8 per cent in May, defying forecasts that price pressures would begin accelerating once again.

New figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) remained unchanged from April, surprising City economists.

It was widely anticipated there would be a rise towards three per cent, with some forecasts predicting inflation could climb as high as 3.2 per cent.

The latest reading means inflation remains above the Bank of England’s two per cent target, although the stability will provide some reassurance to households and policymakers concerned about the impact of rising global tensions on living costs.

READ MORE HERE.

Andy Burnham urged to drive UK to rejoin EU single market – including free movement

Andy Burnham has been urged to drive the UK to rejoin the EU single market.

Sir Ed Davey will push the “King of the North” to ditch Labour’s hesitancy towards the matter and will tell the wannabe Prime Minister that he should start talks imminently.

Freedom of movement would be on the agenda.

Lord Hermer to condemn Nigel Farage at pro-EU gathering to mark Brexit’s 10th anniversary

Lord Hermer is set to condemn Nigel Farage and Brexit at a major pro-EU speech today.

The Attorney General will argue Brexit has done “damage” to Britain’s standing in the world as he attacks the Reform UK leader and the Conservatives.

In a speech at an event held by the European Movement campaign group, he will claim that those who once campaigned for Brexit have now fallen “uncharacteristically quiet”.

Talks of Britain’s future UK-EU relationship have reignited ahead of the Makerfield by-election and potential Labour leadership contest.

READ THE FULL WRITE-UP HERE.

Labour accused of changing election rules to stop Reform UK winning

Labour has been accused of changing election rules to stop Reform UK winning a potential mayoral race in Greater Manchester.

Lord Hayward, a Conservative peer and former MP, said the Government was rushing to change the way mayors are elected.

Peers on Tuesday approved the Combined Authorities (Mayoral Elections) (Amendment) Order 2026, which would revert mayoral elections to the supplementary vote system, where voters get a first and second preference candidate choice.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.