Labour MP RESIGNS to clear path for Andy Burnham to challenge Keir Starmer

James Murray appointed Health Secretary

When approached by GB News, the Treasury pointed us to a written answer by James Murray confirming ‘the Chancellor will deliver an oral statement to the House’ | PA

James Murray has been appointed as Health Secretary this evening following the earlier resignation of Wes Streeting.

Mr Murray, who has previously served as chief secretary to the Treasury, will now attend the cabinet, holding one of the most senior positions in Government.

Mr Streeting resigned today, citing no confidence in Sir Keir, in an effort to force the Prime Minister to announce a timeline for his departure.

Lucy Rigby is set to take on Mr Murray’s previous role, becoming chief secretary to the Treasury – with Rachel Blake taking on Ms Rigby’s old role.

​Lib Dems slam Labour’s ‘arrogance’ as MP stands down so Andy Burnham can run

Lisa Smart MP with party leader Sir Ed Davey | PA

The Liberal Democrats have hit out at the “arrogance” and “out-of-touch contempt” of Labour politicians, following the decision by Josh Simons to give up his seat in Makersfield so that the Greater Manchester mayor can run to be an MP.

Lib Dem Cabinet Office spokeperson Lisa Smart said: “The arrogance of these men is staggering.

“To believe that representing a community is a gift to be handed to your mate shows utterly, out-of-touch contempt.

“Labour’s internal psychodrama has triggered this by-election, so they should pay for the consequences – all £5m pounds’ worth of the mayoral election.”

Labour Deputy Leader expected to support Andy Burnham’s return to parliament in speech tomorrow

Labour’s Deputy Leader Lucy Powell is expected to say Andy Burnham, Wes Streeting and Angela Rayner should all be “key players” in Labour’s team in a speech tomorrow.

Ms Powell will repeat her support for the Mayor of Greater Manchester’s bid to return to Parliament as Labour’s candidate in the Makerfield by-election when she speaks at the Fire Brigades’ Union conference.

She is expected to say: “The election results last week were deeply painful and difficult for our party, and the aftermath has been unedifying for us all too. We don’t do hostile take-overs in Labour for a reason. Keir is the leader, and I warned against bloody internal battles reflecting badly.

“If we think we don’t have further to fall, that’s a mistake, we can. We must come back together as one team to take the fight to Farage and show that mainstream progressive politics can bring about the change people are crying out for.

“That also means doing politics differently. Ending briefing wars, ending factionalism, and representing all our traditions with our strongest team on the pitch – being one Labour team.

“Andy Burnham, Wes Streeting and Angela Rayner should all be key players in our team.

“Andy wants to come back to Parliament – I’ve always supported his desire to do so, and I support that again. As deputy leader, I am confident he would have the support of the vast majority of the party and movement in doing so.”

Keir Starmer open to devolving more power from Westminster to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Sir Keir Starmer has proposed a face-to-face meeting with the leaders of the devolved governments next month after confirming he would be “open to a conversation” about devolving more powers from Westminster.

Sir Keir put forward the idea of a meeting in June during a phone call with Plaid Cymru’s newly appointed First Minister of Wales Rhun ap Iorwerth.

In a readout from the call on Thursday, the Welsh First Minister’s office said: “The First Minister made clear he will wish to negotiate on the Barnett formula, fair funding, borrowing powers, rail and further devolution.

“The First Minister noted that a Senedd majority, including the Labour group, is in favour of enhanced powers.

“The Prime Minister confirmed that he would be open to a conversation on powers relating to devolution and proposed an in-person meeting in June with the first ministers of Scotland and Northern Ireland to discuss issues of relevance.”

Mr ap Iorwerth also had phone calls on Thursday with Scottish First Minister John Swinney and First Minister of Northern Ireland Michelle O’Neill.

Keir Starmer will NOT block Andy Burnham from taking first step toward toppling PM

Sir Keir Starmer has said he will not block Andy Burnham from standing to be an MP, GB News understands.

It follows the Prime Minister previously making a speech to Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) earlier this year, encouraging them not to allow him to stand in February’s Gorton and Denton by-election.

Mr Burnham has confirmed his intention to stand in the Makerfield by-election, after former minister Josh Simmons stood down.

However, the NEC has the power to veto him from leaving his mayoral position, therefore preventing him from running.

Zack Polanski questions whether Andy Burnham will break away or ‘be more of the same’

Andy Burnham needs to make clear if he will be break away from “terrible orthodoxies” of the past or be “more of the same”, Green Party leader Zack Polanski has said.

The Green leader said: “Last week’s elections shows the country is crying out for a break from the failed status quo.

“Keir Starmer has been unable and unwilling to break with an economic model that has fuelled the affordability crisis, and this is why we have said he must go.

“Whatever happens in the coming by-election, Andy Burnham will need to make clear which version of him is going to show up.

“Is it the politician who has been part and parcel of the Labour establishment for decades, abstaining on legislation making brutal cuts to welfare, PFI and other Labour privatisations, or is it the one who has publicly supported proportional representation, been a popular mayor in Manchester and expressed support to make changes to the failed economic model?

“The country needs to know if Andy Burnham is serious about breaking out from the terrible orthodoxies from the past, or if he will just be more of the same.”

Tory councillor suspended after striking shady alliance to oust Reform administration

The Conservative Party has suspended its group leader in Worcestershire, after he struck a deal with the Green Party and others to oust Worcestershire County Council’s minority Reform UK administration.

Councillor Adam Kent’s suspension came after a full council meeting today, which saw the Tories team up with the Green Party, Liberal Democrats and independents to form an alliance.

The move saw Reform lose control of the county council after 12 months in charge.

A spokesman for the Conservative Party said: “The chairman was very clear on a number of occasions that the Conservative Party was totally opposed to the proposed arrangement at Worcestershire County Council.

“The Conservative group leader did not make our opposition clear to his fellow Worcestershire councillors and has been suspended pending investigation.

“Conservative campaign headquarters has made clear to our councillors that this arrangement must not go ahead.”

Andy Burnham faces growing wave of Reform support in Makerfield

Analysis of the local election results from May 7 shows ten wards contested on Wigan Council – that fall within the parliamentary constituency of Makerfield, either wholly or partially – Reform candidates won every single one of them.

Reform UK has promised to “throw absolutely everything” at the by-election to contest Andy Burnham’s ascent to parliament.

Richard Tice, Reform business spokesman, told GB News the party was “delighted” to face Andy Burnham in the prospective contest, and said a local candidate would be more suitable than Mr Burnham being “parachuted in”.

Work and pensions Secretary warns of ‘political risk’ Makerfield by-election will bring for Labour

Pat McFadden overseas the DWP | GETTY

Pat McFadden has warned of the “political risk” of a by-election and said it was not up to Josh Simons whether Andy Burnham could run in the seat he was vacating.

The Work and Pensions Secretary was speaking live on BBC Radio 4 when the Makerfield MP announced he was stepping down to allow the Greater Manchester mayor to run in an effort to return to Westminster.

“I think any unnecessary by-election is always a political risk,” Mr McFadden said.

“If Andy puts himself forward as the candidate for that, I don’t know if others will too. Any decision on who should be on a shortlist for the by-election would be taken by the NEC (Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee).”

Asked whether Mr Burnham should be given the green light to stand by the NEC, Mr McFadden said: “MPs don’t get to pick their successors.

“It doesn’t work like that. There’ll be a selection contest, there’ll be an NEC process, all of that will have to be gone through.”

Andy Burnham confirms we will request to stand in Makerfield by-election

Andy Burnham has confirmed he will request permission from Labour’s National Executive Committee to stand in the Makerfield by-election.

In a statement, he said: “I grew up in this area and have lived here for 25 years. I care deeply about it and its people. I know they have been let down by national politics.

“Ten years ago, I decided to leave Westminster. Why? Because, after 16 years, I came to the conclusion that our national political system does not work for areas like ours. I learnt this fighting its failure to invest in the Wigan borough, for justice for the Hillsborough families and against its treatment of Greater Manchester during the pandemic.

“Over the last decade, I have been challenging this failure from the outside and building a new and better way of doing politics. We have built Greater Manchester into the fastest-growing city-region in the UK and put buses back under public control, introducing a £2 fare cap to help people with cost-of-living pressures.

“However, there is only so much that can be done from Greater Manchester. Much bigger change is needed at a national level if everyday life is to be made more affordable again. This is why I now seek people’s support to return to Parliament: to bring the change we have brought to Greater Manchester to the whole of the UK and make politics work properly for people.

“Millions are struggling and they need the Labour Government to succeed. It has already made changes to make life better for them in its first two years. After this week, we owe it to people to come back together as a Labour movement, giving the Prime Minister and the Government the space and stability they need as the by-election takes place.

“I want to recognise the difficult decision taken by Josh Simons and the sacrifice he and his family are making. I have worked closely with him as Mayor on issues like flooding and illegal waste dumping and have seen first-hand how effective he has been. He has put the communities of Makerfield first, made a real difference for them and should take great pride in that.

“Finally, I truly do not take a single vote for granted and will work hard to regain the trust of people in the Makerfield constituency, many of whom have long supported our party but lost faith in recent times. We will change Labour for the better and make it a party you can believe in again.”

Reform to ‘throw absolutely everything’ at by-election to prevent Andy Burnham’s ascent to parliament

Reform UK has promised to “throw absolutely everything” at a by-election in Makerfield to contest Andy Burnham’s ascent to parliament.

Nigel Farage, said: “We look forward to the contest and we will throw absolutely everything at it.”

A Labour backbencher added Andy Burnham would have “a fighting chance” in Makerfield, despite Reform UK’s success in the area at this year’s local elections.

The MP, a supporter of Mr Burnham, said: “Game on. I think if we can get everything else to align, we have a fighting chance.”

Keir Starmer responds to Wes Streeting after Cabinet resignation – Letter in full

Keir Starmer responds to Wes Streeting after Cabinet resignation – Letter in full

Sir Keir Starmer has written a letter in response to the alarming resignation of former Health Secretary Wes Streeting this afternoon.

It comes as Mr Streeting became the latest Labour Party colleague to clear his desk today, confirming he had lost confidence in the Prime Minister’s leadership.

Sir Keir wrote: “Dear Wes, Thank you for your letter. I am very sorry that you have stepped down from Government. We have worked together for many years and I want to thank you for all your hard work in helping to get us back into Government and for all that you have achieved as Health Secretary.

“When we came into Government the NHS was on its knees. Almost two years on, the statistics published today are a result of your work and determination and that of the whole of the NHS.

READ THE FULL LETTER HERE

READ IN FULL: Labour MP resigns to clear path for Andy Burnham

Ex-minister Josh Simons has cleared a path for Andy Burnham to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership after announcing his will resign as the MP for Makerfield in Greater Manchester.

Mr Simons said: “For decades, Westminster has overseen the managed decline of towns like mine.

“We have talked big, then acted small, stuck in a politics of incrementalism that cannot meet the moment.

“We have lost the trust of those our party was built to serve. It is my unwavering belief that nothing short of urgent, radical, courageous reform will make a difference.

“That must start with a change in leadership. Today, I am putting the people I represent and the country I love first and will be resigning as MP for Makerfield.

“I am standing aside so that Andy Burnham can return to his home, fight to re-enter Parliament, and if elected, drive the change our country is crying out for.

“This has not been an easy decision. This is my family’s home, where only a few weeks ago, doctors and nurses at Wigan Infirmary saved our newborn son’s life.

“But we all must make choices and in recent days I found myself with a difficult one: defend the status quo or step forward and act. I have made my choice. I am in politics because politics is how you change lives for the better.

“My party has one last chance to do that: deliver for the people and places I represent, drive economic growth, secure our borders, reform our state and politics, and change a status quo that is not working. That is the fight. I believe Andy is the one to lead it.”

Gordon Brown meets with Spanish PM after reshuffle appointment by Keir Starmer

Former prime minister Gordon Brown has met with the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez today.

The visit comes after Sir Keir Starmer appointed Mr Brown to a new role last week during a cabinet reset.

Gordon Brown, who was given the unpaid and part-time role of special envoy for global finance, has sought to shore up support for the PM with a visit to Madrid, amid overwhelming calls for him to go.

Sharing a photo of the two men together, Mr Sanchez said: “We shared the urgency of renewing multilateralism in the face of global challenges.

“Spain is read to cooperate in areas such as AI governance, global health, economic justice, or biotechnology.”

Mr Brown’s appointment was met by sneering from both Labour and opposition MPs last week, while Reform UK and the Tories attacked Mr Brown’s decision as to sell off the UK’s gold reserves in the 2000s, while serving as chancellor.

Wes Streeting makes swift exit as desk cleared hours after resignation 

A civil servant has told reporters Wes Streeting’s desk is already clear, and he is not expected to return.

Officials have wasted little time in moving on, with his workspace cleared almost immediately.

The former Health Secretary resigned earlier today, saying he has “lost confidence” in Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership.

Sir Keir is yet to issue a statement on the resignation of one of his most senior cabinet members.

Labour backbenchers bash Keir Starmer’s ‘misguided approach’ to policy-making

Labour backbenchers have criticised Keir Starmer’s approach to policy-making as former Health Secretary Wes Streeting becomes the latest parliamentary colleague to quit, and call on the Prime Minister to step aside.

Measures set out in the King’s Speech fail to deliver the “bold moves” needed, a Labour MP said, as the start of a new parliamentary session fails to bring much hope.

Kate Osborne said the Government must “build on” its workers’ rights agenda, “instead of focusing on divisive commitments like the digital ID scheme and the removal of jury trials”.

The Jarrow and Gateshead East MP said her party risked opening “a gap for the far-right to move into and exploit people’s fears, desperations and their legitimate need for jobs, housing and security”.

Meanwhile, Andy MacNae said Labour had “not moved nearly far enough or fast enough to meet the needs of communities” such as in his Rossendale and Darwen constituency.

Andy Burnham could run in Scotland to tee up premiership strike on Keir Starmer

Allies of Andy Burnham say he has seat lined up | GETTY

Scottish Labour has not ruled out letting Andy Burnham run to become an MP in Scotland in order to oust Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister.

The Manchester Mayor is seen as a contender, but would need to become an MP first.

Asked whether Mr Burnham could run in a by-election north of the border, Dame Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour deputy leader and a member of the NEC, said: “You’ll just need to wait until after the NEC meeting on Tuesday.”

The election of two SNP MPs to the Scottish Parliament means there will soon be two Westminster by-elections in the seats they have vacated.

Stephen Flynn’s departure leaves the Aberdeen South seat up for grabs, while Stephen Gethins’s Arbroath and Broughty Ferry constituency will also need a new MP.

‘Internal coup’ won’t fix broken Labour Party, says former cabinet advisor

A former Labour party advisor says an “internal coup” won’t solve the party’s problems, as Wes Streeting resigns from Government.

Andrew Fisher, who served under Jeremy Corbyn from 2015 to 2019, said change isn’t just needed at the top of the party, and called for a “reset”.

He told Sky News: “There is a reason Labour got beat at the polls and beat so badly last week, because of the policies, because of the lack of change, because of the lack of direction and strategy about who Labour is for and who it’s appealing to.”

He said an “internal parliamentary coup” won’t solve Labour’s current situation, and there needs to be a broad debate about where the party stands with its policies and strategy.

Mr Fisher added: “Labour went into the last election with a very thin manifesto that really wasn’t up to the challenge of the huge challenges that any government would have inhereited had it won in 2024.

“Some of us were saying that at the time, now it’s got into government and people are saying that this hasn’t been enough and where’s the change.”

Wes Streeting boasts GP recruitment surge as he exits Government

Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting boasted his contribution to the NHS in his resignation letter delivered today, with “2,000 more GPs” recruited under his term in the role.

NHS England data shows there were 38,965 full-time equivalent (FTE) GPs as of March 31 this year – an increase of 2,002 from 36,963 FTE GPs since the first headcount after Labour entered Government on July 31 2024.

The recent figure was up by 1,924 from June 30 2024, the last measurement from before Labour entered Government.

Excluding GPs in training grades, the number of FTE fully qualified GPs rose from 27,662 in July 2024 to 28,906 in March 2026 – an increase of 1,244.

Bridget Phillipson says Wes Streeting’s resignation is a chance to ‘draw a line under all of this’

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has claimed Wes Streeting’s resignation from Government is an opportunity for Labour to “draw a line under all of this”.

She told reporters: “Wes has been a brilliant Health Secretary. He’s done a fantastic job and we saw that today, with the NHS waiting list numbers that are really encouraging and what people want to see.

“But I fundamentally disagree with the position he’s taken. I’m sad that he’s gone, but I think this is now a chance for us to pause, take a breath as a party and try and draw a line under all of this.”

Kemi Badenoch says ‘nobody is running the country’ as she takes aim at Labour

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has said “nobody is running the country” as she said Labour has been plunged into a “civil war.”

Mrs Badenoch said: “I told Wes Streeting to do his job. Instead he did a hit job on the Prime Minister.

“My team in parliament is setting out our plans for a serious Government.

“They have a vacancy. We have a plan to get Britain working again.”

Richard Tice blasts Wes Streeting’s Reform comments as ‘frankly disgraceful’

Richard Tice has said Wes Streeting’s comments about Reform UK are “frankly disgraceful.”

The former Health Secretary said Nigel Farage’s party represents “a threat to the values and ideals that have made this country great.”

In response, Mr Tice, Reform’s Business spokesman told GB News: “[Mr Streeting] cannot accept his party has been utterly rejected by the voters just literally a week ago.”

“I suspect quickly the British people will say ‘We don’t want another leader, we want a General Election'”.

Labour MP gives GB News his snap reaction to Wes Streeting’s resignation: ‘I am worried!’

Labour MP Luke Akehurst has shared his immediate reaction to Wes Streeting’s resignation from the Cabinet.

Speaking on GB News, the North Durham MP said he was “deeply disappointed” to see the now former Health Secretary appear to trigger a leadership struggle against Keir Starmer.

In his resignation letter, Mr Streeting said it was “now clear” Sir Keir would not lead Labour into the next General Election.

He said that “Labour MPs and Labour unions want the debate about what comes next to be a battle of ideas, not of personalities or petty factionalism.”

WATCH THE FULL CLIP HERE.

Labour minister ‘sorry’ that Wes Streeting has resigned

A Labour minister has said she is “sorry” that Wes Streeting has resigned, praising his work as Health Secretary.

Skills minister Baroness Jacqui Smith told the BBC: “First of all, can I say I’m very sorry that Wes has resigned.

“He has been an excellent health secretary, as we have seen…from the success that we have had in reducing NHS waiting lists, meeting the interim targets that we set ourselves, cutting the amount of time it takes for people to get treatment.

“Something delivered, I think, by the Government as a whole, but certainly championed and led really, really ably by Wes.

“I really think on the day when we’ve been able to learn about the growth that has occurred in the economy in the first part of this year, seen progress on waiting lists, understand the challenge that we face as a country from a war that Keir Starmer, quite rightly in my view, decided not to take us into, what we don’t need is a period of internal discussion and leadership contest.”

Keir Starmer ‘killed debate’ across the Labour Party, suggests ally of Wes Streeting

Allies of Wes Streeting have insisted the former Health Secretary will “set out his stall” for a broad church of support, as they accused Sir Keir Starmer of “killing” debate across the party.

A source close to Mr Streeting said: ”Labour needs to have a proper debate, to have the confidence to win the country again.

“We’re sliding into fatalism. Keir killed debate across the intellectual traditions of the Labour Party.

“Wes is truly of the party and its intellectual traditions and is relishing the chance to set out his stall.”

Wes Streeting has ‘screwed himself good and proper’, claims backbench MP

Wes Streeting has “screwed himself good and proper”, a Labour MP has said.

The backbench MP said Mr Streeting’s resignation letter “reads like he has no numbers” to make a leadership challenge himself.

They added: “He’s screwed himself good and proper.”

Allies of Wes Streeting say he has the ‘qualities to take on Farage’

Sir Keir held a 16-minute meeting with Health Secretary Wes Streeting – who is expected to resign from Cabinet imminently | PA

Sources close to Wes Streeting have been quick to insist the former Health Secretary is the man who can “beat” Nigel Farage and Reform UK.

One member of his camp told The Telegraph: “The question all Labour MPs, members and trade unionists are asking is this: who can beat Farage?

“There is consensus that Wes has the qualities to take on Farage. He now has the freedom to show that and lead the debate.”

Former ‘stalking horse’ Foreign Office minister does not rule out voting for Keir Starmer in leadership contest

Former Foreign Office minister Catherine West has said Keir Starmer could win a leadership election and did not rule out out voting for him.

This comes just days after she announced she would challenge Sir Keir for the party leadership as early as Monday afternoon, in an attempt to force the Cabinet to put forward a replacement as Prime Minister.

The MP for Hornsey and Friern Barnet told the BBC: “All the cabinet and the leader should have taken a 10 per cent pay cut and said: we know how you feel”

Zack Polanski says Wes Streeting as Prime Minister would simply be ‘more of the same’

Green leader Zack Polanski said Wes Streeting would be “more of the same, but even worse, a factional and divisive politician” and pointed to the former Health Secretary’s past association with Lord Peter Mandelson.

He said: “If Labour thinks Wes Streeting is the answer, they obviously don’t know the question the country is asking. Last week’s elections show the country is crying out for a break from the failed status quo.

“Keir Starmer has been unable and unwilling to break with an economic model that has fuelled the affordability crisis, and this is why we have said he must go.

“Wes Streeting would be more of the same, but even worse, a factional and divisive politician, a close ally of Peter Mandelson, who favours an economy even more tilted to the wealthy, and whose record as health secretary is more privatisation and more personal donations from private healthcare.”

Mr Polanski continued: “The Labour Government is failing and is not strong enough to stand up to the greatest threat facing this country, that of a Nigel Farage government.

“Labour needs to stop trying to mimic them and join the Greens in taking the divisive politics of Reform head on.”

Wes Streeting says there is a ‘vacuum’ at the top of the party

Wes Streeting said Sir Keir Starmer had “many great strengths” but that “where we need vision, we have a vacuum”, and appeared to accuse the Prime Minister of allowing others to “(fall) on their swords” too often.

The Health Secretary said in his resignation letter: “You have many great strengths that I admire. You led our party to a victory few thought possible in 2024 and I was proud to fight alongside you in the trenches of that campaign.

“You have shown courage and statesmanship on the world stage – not least in keeping Britain out of the war in Iran.

“But where we need vision, we have a vacuum. Where we need direction, we have drift. This was underscored by your speech on Monday.

“Leaders take responsibility, but too often that has meant other people falling on their swords. You also need to listen to your colleagues, including backbenchers, and the heavy-handed approach to dissenting voices diminishes our politics.”

Wes Streeting says Reform UK poses ‘existential threat’ to future of the United Kingdom

Wes Streeting has taken aim at Reform UK, calling Nigel Farage’s party an “existential threat” to the future of the United Kingdom.

He said: “For the first time in our country’s history, nationalists are in power in every corner of the United Kingdom – including a dangerous English nationalism represented by Nigel Farage and Reform UK.

“This represents both an existential threat to the future integrity of the United Kingdom, but Reform UK also represent a threat to the values and ideals that have made this country great.

“Progressives across our country understand this threat and our responsibility to confront it, but they are increasingly losing faith that the Labour Party is capable of rising to our historic responsibility of defeating racism and offering hope that Britain’s best days lie ahead through social democracy.”

Wes Streeting says Keir Starmer will not lead Labour into next General Election

| PA

Wes Streeting told Sir Keir Starmer it was “clear that you will not lead the Labour Party into the next General Election”.

The Health Secretary said in his resignation letter: “It is now clear that you will not lead the Labour Party into the next general election and that Labour MPs and Labour Unions want the debate about what comes next to be a battle of ideas, not of personalities or petty factionalism.

“It needs to be broad, and it needs to be the best possible field of candidates. I support that approach and I hope you will facilitate it.”

Wes Streeting resigns as Health Secretary

Wes Streeting has resigned as Health Secretary.

He said serving as Health Secretary had been “the greatest joy of my life” adding that “I am deeply saddened to be leaving Government this way.”

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Michelle O’Neill says Northern Ireland needs to ‘break the shackles’ of Westminster

Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill has said the British Government’s focus has been on “internal drama”, rather than the cost of living, and “we need to break the shackles” from Westminster.

The Sinn Féin Vice President told reporters outside Parliament in Westminster: “I think as the melodrama unfolds here…the people at home are left wondering, where’s the support for the cost of living? How are they going to get through these times?

“We’re engaged with the Treasury, we’re engaged in the British Government (at) minister level but their emphasis is not on those priorities, their emphasis is on this internal drama that’s happening in Westminster, so that does have a detriment to the people that we represent.

“So that’s why I think people understand, increasingly so, that their future needs to be beyond the limitations of this Westminster drama.

“They brought us Brexit, they brought us austerity, they brought us chaos after chaos. I think people want better, deserve better, we want better for them too.

“I think that’s why the conversation around breaking the link from Westminster is one that’s very acute right now.

“I think the election results over the weekend, the people of Scotland have spoken, the people of Wales have spoken, and I believe increasingly so, the people at home know that their fortunes are much better in their own hands, and I think we need to break the shackles from Westminster.”

“I think that regardless of who occupies Number 10, they never have and never will prioritise our interests.”

Reform UK loses control of county council to ‘rainbow coalition’

Reform UK has lost control of a West Midlands county council after being overthrown by a “rainbow coalition” of the Conservatives, Green Party, Liberal Democrats and independents.

Nigel Farage’s party had been running Worcestershire County Council as a minority administration, but have now been removed from power after just under 12 months.

Green councillor Matt Jenkins will become the new council leader.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage previously described the council as “bankrupt”, adding : “We didn’t make it bankrupt, we inherited it.”

The Clacton MP also said he wished the party “hadn’t bothered” to take minority control due to its financial issues.

Downing Street refuses to comment on Angela Rayner’s clearance 

Downing Street declined to comment on Angela Rayner’s announcement she has been cleared by HMRC, despite Sir Keir Starmer previously suggesting there was a path back to Government for her if she were exonerated.

Asked whether there was a route back for her or whether there were still question marks over her underpayment of stamp duty, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “I think you’re asking about hypothetical Cabinet change, which I’m not going to engage in.”

He added:”It’s not for me to comment on an individual’s tax affairs, and as I say, she’s addressed quite a lot about herself this morning.”

Here’s who would beat Keir Starmer in a head to head…

The latest head-to-head polling for the Prime Minister | LABOURLIST

Sinn Féin leader slams ‘chaos’ in Westminster

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has said “we’re witnessing, again, the kind of chaos that we experienced throughout the whole Brexit process” as she arrived in Westminster.

She told reporters outside Parliament: “We’re here after a weekend of seismic change where, again, you see Scotland on the march, Wales on the march, an increasing realisation that Westminster does not serve the interests of the people, that certainly is the case for Ireland.

“We’re witnessing, again, the kind of chaos that we experienced throughout the whole Brexit process.

“I think it’s little wonder now that people are looking increasingly towards a new constitutional arrangement, where decisions affecting Ireland are taken in Ireland, and where we forge our future together.”

Ms McDonald said “we are here for a range of political engagements” as she stood next to Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill, Sinn Fein MP Pat Cullen and Senator Conor Murphy.

Keir Starmer retains confidence in Wes Streeting 

Downing Street said the Prime Minister retains confidence in Wes Streeting as Health Secretary and the “position hasn’t changed” since yesterday.

When asked by lobby reporters whether Mr Streeting remained in his Cabinet post, Sir Keir Starmer’s official spokesman said: “Yes.”

Asked whether the Prime Minister had full confidence in him, the official said: “Yes, the position hasn’t changed.”

Downing Street insists Keir Starmer will ‘fight on’

Sir Keir Starmer continues to insist he will fight on, Downing Street said amid threats of a leadership challenge.

No10 pointed to his comment at Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting that “the Labour Party has a process for challenging a leader and that has not been triggered”.

Questions are swirling about whether Wes Streeting has the number of supporters needed to force a race, as allies of the Health Secretary were briefing he may be delaying his expected leadership campaign launch because of the growing pressure on Sir Keir to step down.

Sources close to Darren Jones deny he is telling MPs Keir Starmer is resigning

| PA

Sources close to Darren Jones denied rumours that he is telling MPs Sir Keir Starmer is going to step down.

Allies of Health Secretary Wes Streeting were briefing that he has the numbers to trigger a leadership contest and that the Prime Minister could be preparing to go.

Asked whether Mr Jones has been relaying that information to colleagues, a source close to the Prime Minister’s Chief Secretary said: “No. He spent six hours last night talking MPs down and I’ve been briefing all morning Wes is well short on numbers.”

They also said Mr Streeting’s team is “up to mischief because they know he’s short on numbers”

Allies of Wes Streeting say he ‘has the numbers’ but ‘things are shifting’ amid leadership bid rumours

Allies of Wes Streeting have claimed he “has the numbers” to launch a leadership bid but added “things are shifting.”

Cabinet ministers who had been banned from seeing Sir Keir Starmer were planning to march on Downing Street to tell him to resign, according to The Times.

However, sources close to the Health Secretary are not yet naming the Cabinet Ministers.

In addition to this, sources close to the Prime Minister have insisted Sir Keir Starmer will not be going anywhere and that Mr Streeting does not have enough supporters to trigger the leadership contest.

One very senior Labour source told The Telegraph they believe Mr Streeting will announce he plans to challenge Sir Keir without the 80 nominations needed, in the hope his resignation attracts more support.

Zack Polanski suggests Labour would not beat Reform UK if Wes Streeting became leader

The Green Party leader came under fire after an investigation by The Times raised questions over his living situation | GETTY

Zack Polanski has suggested that Labour would lose to Reform UK, if Wes Streeting became leader.

The Green Party leader said: “The next Labour leader must move decisively away from the status quo to beat Reform.

“That means giving power and wealth to working class people. It means a democratic revolution, rent controls and public ownership of water.

“It means someone who isn’t Wes Streeting.”

Manchester MP rumoured to be standing down for Andy Burnham denies reports

The Manchester MP who had been rumoured to stand down to allow Andy Burnham to run in his place has slapped down the rumours.

Afzal Khan told The New Statesman: “There is no question of me resigning.”

The MP for Manchester Rusholme added: “I keep telling everyone that. I don’t know where these rumours are coming from.”

Wes Streeting declaring leadership bid today would ‘not help us stop Farage’ claims key backbencher

The Secretary of the Socialist Campaign Group in Parliament Richard Burgeon has issued a warning to Wes Streeting, arguing that if the Health Secretary announced his leadership bid today, he would not stop Reform UK.

The Leeds East MP said: “Wes Streeting launching a leadership bid today would be deliberately flying in the face of the joint statement from all of Labour’s affiliated trade unions for an orderly transition.

“Dismissing our trade unions like this will not help us learn the lessons or help us stop Farage.”

Commons Leader tells Tories to ‘stop doom scrolling’ as he backs Keir Starmer

The Commons Leader has given his backing to the Prime Minister, insisting Sir Keir Starmer is “getting on with the job of governing”.

Sir Alan Campbell’s comments came after Jesse Norman, the Conservative shadow Commons leader, said there was “Westminster madness”, with “nearly 100” Labour members calling for the Prime Minister to set a public timetable for his departure.

Responding at Business Questions in the Commons on Thursday, Sir Alan said: “I would encourage him to stop doom scrolling.

“The Prime Minister and the Government are getting on with the job of governing, and this King’s Speech is spreading opportunity and building a fairer Britain.”

Allies of Wes Streeting insist the Health Secretary has the backing of enough Labour MPs

Allies of Wes Streeting have insisted the numbers backing him are “rock solid.”

The Financial Times reported last night that sources close to the Prime Minister said that Mr Streeting is “only on about 30” backers, well short of the total needed to trigger a race, adding “the herd is not as big as he thinks”.

However, sources close to the Health Secretary told The i Paper: “The numbers are rock solid.”

Mel Stride slams Rachel Reeves’s ‘absolutely abysmal’ record despite GDP win for Chancellor

Sir Mel Stride has slammed Rachel Reeves’s “absolutely abysmal” record on the economy, despite new data showing the UK’s gross domestic product (GDP) rising.

Speaking to GB News, the Conservative Shadow Chancellor said he “disputed” that his opposite number was “responsible in any way for a strong economy”.

This morning, fresh figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that the GDP rate for January to March 2026 rose by 0.6 per cent.

For March alone, the economy grew by 0.3 per cent despite fears from some that GDP would slip by 0.1 per cent or 0.2 per cent in response to the US-Iran war.

WATCH THE FULL CLIP HERE.

Al Carns ‘would throw his hat in the ring’ should someone trigger a Labour leadership contest

Armed Forces Minister Al Carns will join the Labour leadership race if a contest is triggers, sources have claimed.

A source close to the Birmingham Selly Oak MP told The Times: “Al Carns has said ‘he is getting on with doing his job, but if someone fires the starting gun, he isn’t afraid of gunfire”.

They added the implication was Mr Carns “would throw his hat in the ring should someone trigger a race”

Scottish Secretary says there is currently ‘no bid’ to oust Keir Starmer

Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander has claimed there was no bid as yet to oust the Prime Minister.

Mr Alexander told the BBC: “For all the headlines, there is a process by which a challenge to the Labour Party leadership can be conducted, and that process hasn’t been triggered.”

While he admitted “these are difficult days” for the party across the UK after last week’s poor election performance, he added the Prime Minister had been “clear” that he accepted responsibility for the “very bad set of results”.

The MP for Lothian East said: “The Prime Minister has my support, I am a member of the Cabinet. I think for all of the speculation, for all of the headlines, it’s worth holding on to the fact we’ve seen twists and turns in this drama even in recent days.

“There’s a process by which a challenge to the Labour Party leadership can be conducted, and that process simply hasn’t been triggered this morning.”

Darren Jones arrives in Downing Street

The Prime Minister’s Chief Secretary Darren Jones has arrived in Downing Street.

He did not stop to answer questions from reporters before heading into No10.

Mel Stride says Conservatives are in a ‘good place’ under Kemi Badenoch

Sir Mel Stride has said the Conservatives are united in a “good place” under Kemi Badenoch as he took aim at both Reform UK and the Green Party.

The Shadow Chancellor told GB News: “Whoever ends up leading Labour, you cannot get beyond the fundamental dysfunctionality of the party in Government.

“I would argue under Kemi Badenoch we have absolute unity in the Conservative parliamentary party. We have united Shadow Cabinet. We are working with true Conservative principles. That’s the direction my party is firmly headed in.

“If you contrast that with Labour or the populist, unplanned, unthought-through giveaways that Reform and the Greens will come out with, I think we’re in a good place.”

Labour leadership contest explained: How a challenger could OUST Keir Starmer as PM faces battle in hours

A potential challenger needs the support of 20 per cent of Parliamentary Labour Party colleagues | PA/HOUSE OF COMMONS

While the Conservative Party regularly contests leadership contests, this week could soon see the first challenge to a sitting Labour Prime Minister.

Labour’s rulebook undoubtedly brings about a different challenge to whoever occupies Downing Street, with a more ambiguous set of hoops for candidates to jump through.

Our Assistant News Editor Jack Walters has a handy guide here for what could happen next and how the Labour Party’s internal leadership contest works.

Andy Burnham pulls out of radio phone in

Andy Burnham has pulled out of his regular radio phone in as speculation about the Greater Manchester Mayor’s future ramps up.

He was scheduled to appear in his usual slot on BBC Radio Manchester’s Hotseat this morning, however Mr Burnham’s spokesman confirmed had to “prioritise discussions arising from last week’s elections”.

Manchester MPs Afzal Khan and Jeff Smith had been rumoured in Westminster to be willing to make way for Mr Burnham.

But GB News understands both men have denied they were preparing to stand down.

HMRC REFUSES to confirm exactly when Angela Rayner was cleared in tax probe

HMRC has refused to confirm exactly when former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner was cleared of a probe into her taxes.

When asked by GB News, a spokesman said “We don’t comment on individual cases.”

Rachel Reeves issues warning to Labour MPs over leadership contest

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said Labour MPs had an “important decision to make” as she spoke to reporters in Downing Street.

Asked if she was worried about the impact of a potential leadership race on the economic policies she has been working on these past few years, she said: “Labour MPs have got an important decision to make today.

“The numbers show that the economy is growing and that when we entered this conflict, our economy was growing strongly because of the decisions that I have made as chancellor, we shouldn’t put that at risk.”

What else is happening today?

Outside of the chaos currently engulfing the top of the Labour Party, life in Westminster goes on.

The Commons is sitting from 9.30am, with a debate on the King’s Speech from yesterday.

An adjournment debate on the impact of a third runway at Heathrow Airport will be led by Liberal Democrat Business spokeswoman and MP for Richmond Park Sarah Olney.

Economy update: UK GDP rate jumps by 0.6% despite US-Iran war in win for Rachel Reeves

UK’s gross domestic product (GDP) rate for January to March 2026 jumped by 0.6 per cent, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

For March alone, the economy grew by 0.3 per cent despite many analysts forecasts GDP to slip by 0.1 per cent or 0.2 per cent in response to the US-Iran war.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has made economic growth central to her fiscal agenda since Labour returned to Government in July 2024.

Our money reporter Patrick O’Donnell has the full story here.

Will Wes Streeting pull the trigger today?

Almost every front page is splashing on the bombshell news that Wes Streeting was preparing to quit the Cabinet, yet this morning there has been no signal from the Health Secretary’s team.

However, we don’t yet know if he has enough support from the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) to formally mount a challenge.

Allies of the Health Secretary were asking MPs to give him their votes to trigger a contest, then change allegiance once a race is underway, reports The Telegraph.

However, the Independent reports ministers aligned with Mr Streeting are on “resignation watch”, which could ramp up the pressure on Sir Keir Starmer this morning.

Despite this, a Cabinet minister loyal to the Prime Minister told the FT that Mr Streeting is “only on about 30” backers.

Labour minister outright DENIES leadership race is underway and fervently backs Keir Starmer

The Chief Secretary to the Treasury outright denied a Labour leadership race is underway this morning when confronted by news of Angela Rayner’s clearance at the hands of HMRC.

“No leadership election has been triggered,” James Murray told GB News.

“And look, I think having a leadership election would be the wrong choice for us to take as a party,” he added, pointing to reports Sir Keir Starmer would join any sort of contest.

Mr Murray added that he would “rather be talking about the King’s Speech” than any Labour civil war – and talked up his party’s Send reforms and pledges to tackle the asylum backlog.

A leadership election would be the “wrong choice” and Labour would be “looking inward” to have one, he repeated.

Then, Mr Murray claimed Labour would win the next General Election by doing what it did at the last.

Battle-lines emerge as fears of Labour civil war now reach fever pitch

The battle-lines of a potential Labour civil war have now reached a fever pitch after Angela Rayner was cleared by HMRC.

Supporters of Ms Rayner were reportedly shocked her colleagues, including Wes Streeting, were briefing against her.

They were particularly appalled supporters of the Health Secretary had accused Ms Rayner of being a “tax-dodger” in the media only a few weeks ago, Bloomberg reported.

There was also reportedly frustration towards the Ed Miliband and Andy Burnham camp, who suggested Ms Rayner could not become Prime Minister due to her personal life, and today she has denied making a deal with the Greater Manchester Mayor.

A source close to Ms Rayner has said she would run in a leadership election in order to defeat Mr Streeting if he resigns and triggers a contest today.

Although sources said she is not “dead set” on representing the left in a contest, she has said she would be willing to “play my part”.

‘Raw nerve!’ Ben Wallace reacts as Russia slaps him with ARREST WARRANT for ‘justifying terrorism’

Ben Wallace, former Defence Secretary, has reacted after Russia handed him an arrest warrant for allegedly “justifying terrorism”.

He said: “Interesting what happens when you propose a strategy that touches Putin’s raw nerve on Ukraine. The response of the Kremlin proves my point.”

The charges are believed to be linked to comments made by Sir Ben at the Warsaw Security Forum in September, where he said Vladimir Putin was “in love with the idea of dominating Ukraine” and called for Britain to help Kyiv with its long-range capabilities.

He also called for allies to “choke the life” out of Crimea and to strike the Kerch Bridge, which connects Russia to the former Ukrainian territory.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Angela Rayner opens door to entering Labour leadership contest after HMRC clearance

More on this breaking story this morning: Angela Rayner has opened the door to joining a Labour leadership, should one be triggered by Wes Streeting.

“I’ll play my part in doing everything we possibly can to deliver the change, because it’s not a personal ambition, I know the difference it makes,” she told The Guardian.

“Whatever role I can play, I will keep pushing and pushing hard because I want the people out there at the moment who are really struggling… to know that I’m putting all my energy into fighting for them,” she added.

However, sources told the newspaper Ms Rayner was not “dead set” on being the left’s candidate – with Andy Burnham and Ed Miliband still rumoured to be in the race.

She also refused to rule out endorsing a soft-left rival if they had a better chance of success in any contest…

READ THE FULL STORY ON ANGELA RAYNER HERE

BREAKING: Angela Rayner is CLEARED over stamp duty scandal by HMRC just in time for Labour leadership bid

Angela Rayner has been cleared by HMRC of “deliberate wrongdoing or carelessness” over her tax affairs – the scandal which prompted her resignation as Deputy PM.

Ms Rayner has settled £40,000 in unpaid stamp duty after initially paying the lower rate, but has not paid any penalty as a result of the investigation, The Guardian has just revealed.

This is a breaking news story. We’ll bring you the latest as it happens…

Labour leadership contest explained: How challenger could OUST Keir Starmer as PM faces battle today

While the Conservative Party regularly contests leadership contests, this week could soon see the first challenge to a sitting Labour Prime Minister.

Labour’s rulebook undoubtedly brings about a different challenge to whoever occupies No10, with a more ambiguous set of hoops for candidates to jump through.

A potential challenger needs the support of 20 per cent of Parliamentary Labour Party colleagues, totalling 81 MPs given Sir Keir Starmer’s majority…

READ THE FULL LABOUR EXPLAINER HERE

Al Carns ‘brings Labour leadership race from four to five’

Veterans Minister Al Carns is thought to be preparing his own bid to stand for the Labour leadership.

The Mr Carns is said to be ready to join any tussle for party power, with his allies telling the BBC he would likely stand if Wes Streeting were to trigger a leadership contest.

He also wrote an article in the New Statesman yesterday entitled “How Labour Can Win Again” – a pice viewed as a future leadership pitch.

Mr Carns wrote that the Labour Party “was founded to give ordinary working people security, dignity and bargaining power over their lives.

“That is exactly what I believe, and it must be our mission again. We do not need more slogans, strategies, press releases or commissions. We need action,” he added.

“The insecurity facing working people today may look different from the factory-floor struggles of the past – but emotionally, it is rooted in the same experience,” the decorated Birmingham Selly Oak MP wrote.

“It stems from the feeling that ordinary people are carrying all the risk while having less and less control over their lives.”

Across the pond… Pete Hegseth removes Britain from list of US allies after Keir Starmer’s failure to support Iran war

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has chastised Britain once again for its failure to support America’s offensive in Iran.

In a damning written statement to Congress, Mr Hegseth said allies’ refusal to join in was “unconscionable” – and warned: “We will remember.”

He then threatened “consequences” would follow for Nato members which “do not step up”.

Mr Hegseth said Nato had become “beset by free-riding” in the wake of the Cold War, and called on allies to “step up and make good on their commitments to our collective defence”.

“Not all allies have gotten the message, and where they do not step up, there will be consequences,” he said…

READ THE FULL STORY HERE