Keir Starmer has been “abandoned by the working class” after a new poll found union members are just as likely to show support for Reform UK as they are for Labour.
The polling by JL Partners found Reform and Labour tied at 28 per cent among union members, with Sir Keir Starmer’s party suffering a 20-point drop since 2024.
According to the poll Reform beats Labour among Unite members by 36 per cent to 30 per cent, and by 31 per cent to 22 per cent among GMB members.
Reform leader Nigel Farage told The Times: “This polling tells me exactly what I have seen on the campaign trail. Labour is no longer the party of the patriotic working class.
“That mantle now belongs to Reform, which is now the party of those who work hard but for whom the system doesn’t work.”
However, newly-appointed Health Secretary James Murray dismissed the poll, telling GB News: “We are two years into a five-year parliament and we always said things would take time.
“Don’t forget, union members care about increases to minimum wage which Reform opposed. Union members care about workers’ rights, which Reform also opposed.”
Gary Smith, from the GMB, said: “Reform are no friends of workers. They want to cancel hugely important union rights and are targeting the pensions of the low paid. But Labour has to show working-class people it can be on their side, as it did with last week’s essential help for our ceramics industry.”
However, Unite union chief Sharon Graham said: “Labour has abandoned the working class, and the working class have abandoned Labour.”
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UK house prices fall for first time in 2026 as mortgage rates surge
Property prices across Britain fell for the first time this year after growing instability in global markets weakened buyer confidence and pushed mortgage rates higher.
Figures released by Nationwide Building Society showed average property values declined by 0.6 per cent between April and May.
The latest figures also showed annual house price growth slowed sharply to 1.7 per cent in May, compared with 3 per cent recorded the previous month.
The average home in Britain is now valued at £278,024, down from £278,880 in April.
Our Money Reporter Joe Sledge has the full story here.
Former UUP leader resigns over ‘toxic atmosphere’ in party
Former Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) leader Doug Beattie has resigned from the party, citing “a toxic atmosphere”.
The MLA for Upper Bann has said he will continue to serve as a unionist independent.
Mr Beattie posted a statement on social media addressed to current party leader Jon Burrows where he wrote: “It has become clear that my continued membership of the Ulster Unionist Party is no longer tenable.”
He said, following Mr Burrows’ election as leader, “MLAs were increasingly marginalised, ignored, isolated and discredited. Your leadership style became dismissive and overly centralised, empowering individuals to actively undermine elected representatives.
“In the absence of any coherent policy direction from the leadership, a toxic atmosphere has been allowed to flourish within the party.”
Wes Streeting set for showdown with Ed Miliband as he calls on Labour to drill in North Sea
Mr Miliband and Mr Miliband are set to clash
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GETTY
Wes Streeting is set for a showdown with Ed Miliband as the former health secretary called for Labour to drill for oil and gas in the North Sea.
The Ilford North MP set out a series of policies ahead of a potential leadership contest expected by many in Westminster within the coming months.
Speaking to the Sunday Times, he also reiterated his support for the UK’s eventual return to the EU, while saying the party should stick to its manifesto commitments on Europe in the short term.
Mr Streeting argued Labour should issue more North Sea oil and gas licences, not because it would reduce bills but because it would provide additional tax revenue.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE.
Second tranche of Mandelson papers expected to be published
Hundreds of documents relating to the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US are expected to be published this week.
The release, said to be the second largest publication to the House of Commons in history, is the second tranche of documents on the peer’s appointment.
MPs voted in February to demand ministers publish a wide range of documents relating to the appointment using an archaic parliamentary procedure known as a “humble address”.
The vote followed the launch of a police investigation into Lord Mandelson and concerns about the vetting process involved in his appointment.
A first tranche of documents, released in March, showed Sir Keir Starmer was warned of a “general reputational risk” because of Lord Mandelson’s connection to the late paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The second set of documents is expected to include messages between Lord Mandelson and ministers and Government advisers, including Sir Keir’s former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE.
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