Senior figures on the soft left say Angela Rayner just isn't up to it. There are concerns she would be a 'complete liability' - and that's before you get to the outstanding HMRC inquiry
Andy Burnham is struggling to find a seat. And even if he finds a seat, secures NEC approval and manages to win it - none of which is a given - he wouldn't be in Westminster for months
We reported today that Miliband has explicitly told Cabinet colleagues that he would be prepared to stand if Streeting triggered a contest. This was denied by those close to Miliband
But ministers are today saying that it will have to be him if Streeting goes over the top. The soft-left can only have one candidate, and at the moment he is the logical choice...
So the soft left want to put in place a leader who has already been rejected by the country ! They’re insane . Why don’t they just collapse the government so we can dispense with the 3 years of Labour MPs pretending he can win an election and go right to the bit where Reform take over !
It was more than a decade ago, that's fine for a second chance.
Bad idea though.
And the alternative was David Cameron.
In 2028/9 the alternative will be Farage or Polanski.
And Miliband was up against a falsely positive view of Cameron - who was flattered by being forced to be in a coalition with the LDs who (with hindsight) significantly restricted the Conservatives' ability to do bonkers stuff, as subsequent events have shown.
What really did for Miliband was Scotland. He gained seats from both Tories and Lib Dems elsewhere.
And the LibDems losing seats to the Tories as progressives deserted them.
And Miliband was up against a falsely positive view of Cameron - who was flattered by being forced to be in a coalition with the LDs who (with hindsight) significantly restricted the Conservatives' ability to do bonkers stuff, as subsequent events have shown.
Or, to put it another way, the best government we had in the past three decades.
Senior figures on the soft left say Angela Rayner just isn't up to it. There are concerns she would be a 'complete liability' - and that's before you get to the outstanding HMRC inquiry
Andy Burnham is struggling to find a seat. And even if he finds a seat, secures NEC approval and manages to win it - none of which is a given - he wouldn't be in Westminster for months
We reported today that Miliband has explicitly told Cabinet colleagues that he would be prepared to stand if Streeting triggered a contest. This was denied by those close to Miliband
But ministers are today saying that it will have to be him if Streeting goes over the top. The soft-left can only have one candidate, and at the moment he is the logical choice...
So the soft left want to put in place a leader who has already been rejected by the country ! They’re insane . Why don’t they just collapse the government so we can dispense with the 3 years of Labour MPs pretending he can win an election and go right to the bit where Reform take over !
It was more than a decade ago, that's fine for a second chance.
Bad idea though.
And the alternative was David Cameron.
In 2028/9 the alternative will be Farage or Polanski.
And Miliband was up against a falsely positive view of Cameron - who was flattered by being forced to be in a coalition with the LDs who (with hindsight) significantly restricted the Conservatives' ability to do bonkers stuff, as subsequent events have shown.
What really did for Miliband was Scotland. He gained seats from both Tories and Lib Dems elsewhere.
Not this again.
Even if Labour had won every seat in Scotland Dave would still have had a majority.
And Miliband was up against a falsely positive view of Cameron - who was flattered by being forced to be in a coalition with the LDs who (with hindsight) significantly restricted the Conservatives' ability to do bonkers stuff, as subsequent events have shown.
Or, to put it another way, the best government we had in the past three decades.
The government that screwed any student foolish enough to go to university on false promises and via austerity created a whole set of problems for local authorities via reduced maintenance that Reform are now milking any way they can.
A council has confirmed there will be a by-election after a Reform UK councillor who posted a "defamatory" social media message about a Conservative candidate was found guilty of breaking electoral law.
Andy Osborn, 74, was chairman of the North East Cambridgeshire Reform Party in April 2025, when he posted the message.
He was convicted of making or publishing a false statement under the Representation of the People Act 1983 at Westminster Magistrates' Court last month.
Cambridgeshire County Council said Osborn, who represented Roman Bank and Peckover, "has not lodged an appeal in time, therefore, he is no longer a county councillor".
Osborn's court hearing was told he wrote on Facebook in April 2025: "Samantha Hoy worked in the care industry but allegedly was sacked for fraud no wonder Wisbech is in such a state. Reform UK will fix it."
Hoy, who works in the care industry and has never been sacked or faced fraud allegations, later responded online, describing the claims as "an absolute lie and extremely defamatory and damaging".
She is a councillor at both county and district level.
Osborn claimed that his account had been hacked, but the judge dismissed this and found him guilty of the charge.
I genuinely and sincerely believe that Andy Burnham is what Labour need. But he is reliant on snookers to even get access to the leadership contest to come.
Given a choice of Milliband or Streeting I'd take Ed any day of the week. We need some radical solutions to our crises and he has shown that he can think laterally and put forward policies which are challenging - whether you agree with them or not.
I don't share your view of Burnham, I just see him as full of himself and consistently showing poor judgment.
I do agree with you on Milliband. Streeting has limited real world and ministerial experience and doesn't have much to offer except more small c conservatism. Milliband might make something actually happen.
In terms of real world experience is Streeting as limited as you suggest?
Streeting is a former National Union of Students President, consultant for Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Chief Executive for an educational charity and a local councillor, Miliband is a former media researcher and SpAd. Streeting's back story and life experience is certainly more vivid than Milbands.
Miliband has more ministerial experience, 3 years in the Brown government, albeit as Chancellor of Duchy of Lancaster and Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, plus his current post of Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. But he's hardly Winston Churchill in terms of the range and length of his ministerial experience. Miliband manages a budget just shy of £7bn. Streeting manages a department which spends £219 billion and employs 1.5 million staff.
Moderate Labour MPs are urging Wes Streeting not to trigger a contest - warning he will lose to a more left-wing candidate.
Luke Akehurst tells me:
"Wes is a huge talent and someone I’ve considered a political ally for about two decades. I would urge him not to throw the party into further chaos by resigning.
On HS2: About which I know almost nothing. But if a transportation project makes economic sense, it should be possible to pay for it with user fees, with perhaps some help from government if there are substantial external benefits.
But perhaps I am missing something essential about the proposals.
Senior figures on the soft left say Angela Rayner just isn't up to it. There are concerns she would be a 'complete liability' - and that's before you get to the outstanding HMRC inquiry
Andy Burnham is struggling to find a seat. And even if he finds a seat, secures NEC approval and manages to win it - none of which is a given - he wouldn't be in Westminster for months
We reported today that Miliband has explicitly told Cabinet colleagues that he would be prepared to stand if Streeting triggered a contest. This was denied by those close to Miliband
But ministers are today saying that it will have to be him if Streeting goes over the top. The soft-left can only have one candidate, and at the moment he is the logical choice...
So the soft left want to put in place a leader who has already been rejected by the country ! They’re insane . Why don’t they just collapse the government so we can dispense with the 3 years of Labour MPs pretending he can win an election and go right to the bit where Reform take over !
It was more than a decade ago, that's fine for a second chance.
Bad idea though.
And the alternative was David Cameron.
In 2028/9 the alternative will be Farage or Polanski.
The same David Cameron that drove this country into the mire with the calamity of Brexit. Let’s not forget…
We the public did that. It can be argued he should not have chanced it, but he told us not to do it.
Senior figures on the soft left say Angela Rayner just isn't up to it. There are concerns she would be a 'complete liability' - and that's before you get to the outstanding HMRC inquiry
Andy Burnham is struggling to find a seat. And even if he finds a seat, secures NEC approval and manages to win it - none of which is a given - he wouldn't be in Westminster for months
We reported today that Miliband has explicitly told Cabinet colleagues that he would be prepared to stand if Streeting triggered a contest. This was denied by those close to Miliband
But ministers are today saying that it will have to be him if Streeting goes over the top. The soft-left can only have one candidate, and at the moment he is the logical choice...
So the soft left want to put in place a leader who has already been rejected by the country ! They’re insane . Why don’t they just collapse the government so we can dispense with the 3 years of Labour MPs pretending he can win an election and go right to the bit where Reform take over !
It was more than a decade ago, that's fine for a second chance.
Bad idea though.
And the alternative was David Cameron.
In 2028/9 the alternative will be Farage or Polanski.
The same David Cameron that drove this country into the mire with the calamity of Brexit. Let’s not forget…
We the public did that. It can be argued he should not have chanced it, but he told us not to do it.
Fair point. But he handled the referendum badly. And ran away when the result didn't go his way.
Sir Keir Starmer has made clear to allies that he will stand and fight if Wes Streeting succeeds in triggering a leadership contest
The prime minister has spent the afternoon meeting ministers and Labour MPs in Parliament as he attempts to see off a potential leadership challenge
Loyal cabinet ministers have also been working the tearooms urging colleagues not to "plunge the party into chaos"
They have been warning that a leadership election would paralyse the government for months
Starmer's allies are convinced that Streeting will fail to get the 81 MPs he needs to mount a formal challenge. But if he does, the message is that he will fight
Sir Keir Starmer has made clear to allies that he will stand and fight if Wes Streeting succeeds in triggering a leadership contest
The prime minister has spent the afternoon meeting ministers and Labour MPs in Parliament as he attempts to see off a potential leadership challenge
Loyal cabinet ministers have also been working the tearooms urging colleagues not to "plunge the party into chaos"
They have been warning that a leadership election would paralyse the government for months
Starmer's allies are convinced that Streeting will fail to get the 81 MPs he needs to mount a formal challenge. But if he does, the message is that he will fight
I genuinely and sincerely believe that Andy Burnham is what Labour need. But he is reliant on snookers to even get access to the leadership contest to come.
Given a choice of Milliband or Streeting I'd take Ed any day of the week. We need some radical solutions to our crises and he has shown that he can think laterally and put forward policies which are challenging - whether you agree with them or not.
I don't share your view of Burnham, I just see him as full of himself and consistently showing poor judgment.
I do agree with you on Milliband. Streeting has limited real world and ministerial experience and doesn't have much to offer except more small c conservatism. Milliband might make something actually happen.
Sir Keir Starmer has made clear to allies that he will stand and fight if Wes Streeting succeeds in triggering a leadership contest
The prime minister has spent the afternoon meeting ministers and Labour MPs in Parliament as he attempts to see off a potential leadership challenge
Loyal cabinet ministers have also been working the tearooms urging colleagues not to "plunge the party into chaos"
They have been warning that a leadership election would paralyse the government for months
Starmer's allies are convinced that Streeting will fail to get the 81 MPs he needs to mount a formal challenge. But if he does, the message is that he will fight
Could be coordinated to scupper the other candidates and turn it into a coronation for Wes.
Senior figures on the soft left say Angela Rayner just isn't up to it. There are concerns she would be a 'complete liability' - and that's before you get to the outstanding HMRC inquiry
Andy Burnham is struggling to find a seat. And even if he finds a seat, secures NEC approval and manages to win it - none of which is a given - he wouldn't be in Westminster for months
We reported today that Miliband has explicitly told Cabinet colleagues that he would be prepared to stand if Streeting triggered a contest. This was denied by those close to Miliband
But ministers are today saying that it will have to be him if Streeting goes over the top. The soft-left can only have one candidate, and at the moment he is the logical choice...
So the soft left want to put in place a leader who has already been rejected by the country ! They’re insane . Why don’t they just collapse the government so we can dispense with the 3 years of Labour MPs pretending he can win an election and go right to the bit where Reform take over !
It was more than a decade ago, that's fine for a second chance.
Bad idea though.
And the alternative was David Cameron.
In 2028/9 the alternative will be Farage or Polanski.
And Miliband was up against a falsely positive view of Cameron - who was flattered by being forced to be in a coalition with the LDs who (with hindsight) significantly restricted the Conservatives' ability to do bonkers stuff, as subsequent events have shown.
What really did for Miliband was Scotland. He gained seats from both Tories and Lib Dems elsewhere.
Not this again.
Even if Labour had won every seat in Scotland Dave would still have had a majority.
Scotland did do for Miliband. Remember "coalition of chaos" and that artwork of Miliband in Salmond's pocket? All over Conservative election literature in England.
Katie Hopkins @KTHopkins On behalf of their client, Zara Sultana, Bindmans Media and Information Law Practise Group requires that I publish the following statement on X, and that such statement must be clearly visible and pinned to my profile for a continuous period of no less than 24 hours:
“On 30 March 2026, I published a post on my X account addressed to Zarah Sultana in which I stated that she encourages and incites violence and is friends with terrorists.
Those statements are false. I was wrong and offer my sincere apologies to Ms Sultana for the harm and distress caused to her.”
It is my very great pleasure to do this, and I reiterate my sincere and repeated offer to meet with Miss Zara Sultana in person to resolve our differences.
On HS2: About which I know almost nothing. But if a transportation project makes economic sense, it should be possible to pay for it with user fees, with perhaps some help from government if there are substantial external benefits.
But perhaps I am missing something essential about the proposals.
Indeed so, but the whole project needs to be completed before any user fees can be charged, so there’s massive upfront funding and financing required.
If the project ends up late because of government issues such as land banking (eminent domain, to an American) or environmental reviews, then the interest on the accrued debt adds even more to the project cost and makes the project less viable as a purely commercial enterprise.
I genuinely and sincerely believe that Andy Burnham is what Labour need. But he is reliant on snookers to even get access to the leadership contest to come.
Given a choice of Milliband or Streeting I'd take Ed any day of the week. We need some radical solutions to our crises and he has shown that he can think laterally and put forward policies which are challenging - whether you agree with them or not.
As a prospective voter in the contest Wes v Ed would be a tough choice for me. But tough in a nice way - like when the bartender in a classy establishment asks "lemon or lime?" for your gin and tonic.
Miliband is a high quality member of the political tribe I most relate to - lefty North London intellectual. He's an authentic egalitarian. If anybody can come up with imaginative policies in that vein it is he. My worry? He might not connect too well with the public and we know what that means. It means Farage. Which simply must not happen.
Streeting is a dynamo with charisma and the gift of gab. Very clever too. A genuine working class background. He could be something special. He'd be a great campaigner against Farage. My worry? Beneath the sheen there might be nothing but overweening personal ambition and reheated Blairism. My sense is that's not the case but I can't know for sure.
So I'd be excited to vote for both and at the same time conscious of the risk of getting it wrong. I'd actually prefer it if MPs decided. They are better placed than me. But I will do my best if it comes to it.
Sir Keir Starmer has made clear to allies that he will stand and fight if Wes Streeting succeeds in triggering a leadership contest
The prime minister has spent the afternoon meeting ministers and Labour MPs in Parliament as he attempts to see off a potential leadership challenge
Loyal cabinet ministers have also been working the tearooms urging colleagues not to "plunge the party into chaos"
They have been warning that a leadership election would paralyse the government for months
Starmer's allies are convinced that Streeting will fail to get the 81 MPs he needs to mount a formal challenge. But if he does, the message is that he will fight
Yawn
Starmer hasn't enough political capital left for a fight.
He isn't a fighter otherwise he would have fought for some of the policies that he has been forced to scrap.
Far better to walk away than to be kicked out in defeat.
Go now and he might be invited back in a few years to a senior cabinet role. Hang on and be kicked our, he is never returning to public life.
Do Ed fans on here actually want him to face the electorate at the next general election given that they, the voters, rejected him more than 10 years ago, or would he just be there for a short time before being replaced by someone else before the next election?
If Miliband (or any other potential new leader) can show actual "things get better for people" results in the couple of years before the GE then he should have a decent shot at winning it. If we continue to circle the drain then he's going to be toast and nobody taking over with a few months left on the clock is likely to be able to avert disaster (since Labour have no equivalent of Boris Johnson's charisma and voter appeal). So I think MPs and Labour members should pick whoever has the best shot at getting something done, not try to guess who might have slightly more or less popularity with voters.
Do Ed fans on here actually want him to face the electorate at the next general election given that they, the voters, rejected him more than 10 years ago, or would he just be there for a short time before being replaced by someone else before the next election?
If Miliband (or any other potential new leader) can show actual "things get better for people" results in the couple of years before the GE then he should have a decent shot at winning it. If we continue to circle the drain then he's going to be toast and nobody taking over with a few months left on the clock is likely to be able to avert disaster (since Labour have no equivalent of Boris Johnson's charisma and voter appeal). So I think MPs and Labour members should pick whoever has the best shot at getting something done, not try to guess who might have slightly more or less popularity with voters.
Yes, the guesses are often wrong anyway, but if people feel ok the public are forgiving about policy.
Do Ed fans on here actually want him to face the electorate at the next general election given that they, the voters, rejected him more than 10 years ago, or would he just be there for a short time before being replaced by someone else before the next election?
If Miliband (or any other potential new leader) can show actual "things get better for people" results in the couple of years before the GE then he should have a decent shot at winning it. If we continue to circle the drain then he's going to be toast and nobody taking over with a few months left on the clock is likely to be able to avert disaster (since Labour have no equivalent of Boris Johnson's charisma and voter appeal). So I think MPs and Labour members should pick whoever has the best shot at getting something done, not try to guess who might have slightly more or less popularity with voters.
The difficulty with that is that it's Miliband's (and any other potential Labour leader's) policies of net zero zealotry and tax and spend that are the reason the country is getting worse rather than better.
I think what might conceivably save them is not any success on their part, but that the alternatives might be seen as slightly worse.
Moderate Labour MPs are urging Wes Streeting not to trigger a contest - warning he will lose to a more left-wing candidate.
Luke Akehurst tells me:
"Wes is a huge talent and someone I’ve considered a political ally for about two decades. I would urge him not to throw the party into further chaos by resigning.
But the comment is interesting because it reveals the worry on the right of the Labour Party that it opens the door to the left.
With Starmer clearly indicating that he will fight, it brings home the fact that the Starmer/McSweeney/Akehurst/Streeting faction will be putting two candidates forward to the members and union affiliates ballot. That is not going to help Streeting get beyond the first round. I expect Miliband or Rayner only to reach the members ballot and then to make it to the final round with Burnham's backing.
Senior figures on the soft left say Angela Rayner just isn't up to it. There are concerns she would be a 'complete liability' - and that's before you get to the outstanding HMRC inquiry
Andy Burnham is struggling to find a seat. And even if he finds a seat, secures NEC approval and manages to win it - none of which is a given - he wouldn't be in Westminster for months
We reported today that Miliband has explicitly told Cabinet colleagues that he would be prepared to stand if Streeting triggered a contest. This was denied by those close to Miliband
But ministers are today saying that it will have to be him if Streeting goes over the top. The soft-left can only have one candidate, and at the moment he is the logical choice...
So the soft left want to put in place a leader who has already been rejected by the country ! They’re insane . Why don’t they just collapse the government so we can dispense with the 3 years of Labour MPs pretending he can win an election and go right to the bit where Reform take over !
It was more than a decade ago, that's fine for a second chance.
Bad idea though.
And the alternative was David Cameron.
In 2028/9 the alternative will be Farage or Polanski.
And Miliband was up against a falsely positive view of Cameron - who was flattered by being forced to be in a coalition with the LDs who (with hindsight) significantly restricted the Conservatives' ability to do bonkers stuff, as subsequent events have shown.
What really did for Miliband was Scotland. He gained seats from both Tories and Lib Dems elsewhere.
Not this again.
Even if Labour had won every seat in Scotland Dave would still have had a majority.
Scotland did do for Miliband. Remember "coalition of chaos" and that artwork of Miliband in Salmond's pocket? All over Conservative election literature in England.
Senior figures on the soft left say Angela Rayner just isn't up to it. There are concerns she would be a 'complete liability' - and that's before you get to the outstanding HMRC inquiry
Andy Burnham is struggling to find a seat. And even if he finds a seat, secures NEC approval and manages to win it - none of which is a given - he wouldn't be in Westminster for months
We reported today that Miliband has explicitly told Cabinet colleagues that he would be prepared to stand if Streeting triggered a contest. This was denied by those close to Miliband
But ministers are today saying that it will have to be him if Streeting goes over the top. The soft-left can only have one candidate, and at the moment he is the logical choice...
So the soft left want to put in place a leader who has already been rejected by the country ! They’re insane . Why don’t they just collapse the government so we can dispense with the 3 years of Labour MPs pretending he can win an election and go right to the bit where Reform take over !
Could a "left-leaning" Labour Party see off Reform in 2029?
Senior figures on the soft left say Angela Rayner just isn't up to it. There are concerns she would be a 'complete liability' - and that's before you get to the outstanding HMRC inquiry
Andy Burnham is struggling to find a seat. And even if he finds a seat, secures NEC approval and manages to win it - none of which is a given - he wouldn't be in Westminster for months
We reported today that Miliband has explicitly told Cabinet colleagues that he would be prepared to stand if Streeting triggered a contest. This was denied by those close to Miliband
But ministers are today saying that it will have to be him if Streeting goes over the top. The soft-left can only have one candidate, and at the moment he is the logical choice...
So the soft left want to put in place a leader who has already been rejected by the country ! They’re insane . Why don’t they just collapse the government so we can dispense with the 3 years of Labour MPs pretending he can win an election and go right to the bit where Reform take over !
It was more than a decade ago, that's fine for a second chance.
Bad idea though.
And the alternative was David Cameron.
In 2028/9 the alternative will be Farage or Polanski.
The same David Cameron that drove this country into the mire with the calamity of Brexit. Let’s not forget…
We the public did that. It can be argued he should not have chanced it, but he told us not to do it.
Fair point. But he handled the referendum badly. And ran away when the result didn't go his way.
Senior figures on the soft left say Angela Rayner just isn't up to it. There are concerns she would be a 'complete liability' - and that's before you get to the outstanding HMRC inquiry
Andy Burnham is struggling to find a seat. And even if he finds a seat, secures NEC approval and manages to win it - none of which is a given - he wouldn't be in Westminster for months
We reported today that Miliband has explicitly told Cabinet colleagues that he would be prepared to stand if Streeting triggered a contest. This was denied by those close to Miliband
But ministers are today saying that it will have to be him if Streeting goes over the top. The soft-left can only have one candidate, and at the moment he is the logical choice...
So the soft left want to put in place a leader who has already been rejected by the country ! They’re insane . Why don’t they just collapse the government so we can dispense with the 3 years of Labour MPs pretending he can win an election and go right to the bit where Reform take over !
Could a "left-leaning" Labour Party see off Reform in 2029?
If the Greens fade and the Tories don't meekly disappear, yes.
It's funny looking back but I really wanted Ed M to become Prime Minister in 2015 because I disliked the coalition so much. Even though I'd become slightly irritated by his pursuit of illegal phone hacking but only at News International and not all the other news groups. I realise now that unlike Starmer he's a dreamer in the John Lennon sense. That bothers me.
If Starmer stands against Streeting, would Miliband also stand or would the Soft Left back Starmer on the basis Burnham is coming soon?
The risk would be if Streeting won.
OK, they might think they would then get Burnham (or Miliband if Burnham can't win a seat) to challenge Streeting.
But they would know that a third Labour PM this Parliament would mean they had repeated what the Conservatives did in the last Parliament - and it would look terrible to the public.
Do Ed fans on here actually want him to face the electorate at the next general election given that they, the voters, rejected him more than 10 years ago, or would he just be there for a short time before being replaced by someone else before the next election?
If Miliband (or any other potential new leader) can show actual "things get better for people" results in the couple of years before the GE then he should have a decent shot at winning it. If we continue to circle the drain then he's going to be toast and nobody taking over with a few months left on the clock is likely to be able to avert disaster (since Labour have no equivalent of Boris Johnson's charisma and voter appeal). So I think MPs and Labour members should pick whoever has the best shot at getting something done, not try to guess who might have slightly more or less popularity with voters.
The difficulty with that is that it's Miliband's (and any other potential Labour leader's) policies of net zero zealotry and tax and spend that are the reason the country is getting worse rather than better.
I think what might conceivably save them is not any success on their part, but that the alternatives might be seen as slightly worse.
Oh no, net zero is making us less dependent on oil & gas prices that have gone through the roof. Disaster!
Moderate Labour MPs are urging Wes Streeting not to trigger a contest - warning he will lose to a more left-wing candidate.
Luke Akehurst tells me:
"Wes is a huge talent and someone I’ve considered a political ally for about two decades. I would urge him not to throw the party into further chaos by resigning.
But the comment is interesting because it reveals the worry on the right of the Labour Party that it opens the door to the left.
With Starmer clearly indicating that he will fight, it brings home the fact that the Starmer/McSweeney/Akehurst/Streeting faction will be putting two candidates forward to the members and union affiliates ballot. That is not going to help Streeting get beyond the first round. I expect Miliband or Rayner only to reach the members ballot and then to make it to the final round with Burnham's backing.
There is only one round of voting.
Whoever gets nominations from 81 MPs + 5% of CLPs/unions goes to the ballot of members / affiliates.
Ed for me. If not Ed, then SKS. The rest are just a waste of time. Andy Burnham isn’t even a MP - are people forgetting this?
No, they think somehow Starmer can carry on for 1-2 months before Andy can get back in, and then for the period of a leadership contest (or they assume coronation).
It's not the same as a timetable to go after a contest, since the contest cannot officially start right away and Andy might not win a seat.
I wonder if the plan is for Starmer to say he'll go by year's end, Andy says 'oh very well, i'll standvl then', then Starmer goes early if Andy gets in, or to year end if he doesn't.
Moderate Labour MPs are urging Wes Streeting not to trigger a contest - warning he will lose to a more left-wing candidate.
Luke Akehurst tells me:
"Wes is a huge talent and someone I’ve considered a political ally for about two decades. I would urge him not to throw the party into further chaos by resigning.
But the comment is interesting because it reveals the worry on the right of the Labour Party that it opens the door to the left.
With Starmer clearly indicating that he will fight, it brings home the fact that the Starmer/McSweeney/Akehurst/Streeting faction will be putting two candidates forward to the members and union affiliates ballot. That is not going to help Streeting get beyond the first round. I expect Miliband or Rayner only to reach the members ballot and then to make it to the final round with Burnham's backing.
All nominated candidates successfully going through the two nomination stages go to a single preferential ballot. That maximum number is 5; that is 4 nominated + the PM who gets a bye into the final.
Moderate Labour MPs are urging Wes Streeting not to trigger a contest - warning he will lose to a more left-wing candidate.
Luke Akehurst tells me:
"Wes is a huge talent and someone I’ve considered a political ally for about two decades. I would urge him not to throw the party into further chaos by resigning.
But the comment is interesting because it reveals the worry on the right of the Labour Party that it opens the door to the left.
With Starmer clearly indicating that he will fight, it brings home the fact that the Starmer/McSweeney/Akehurst/Streeting faction will be putting two candidates forward to the members and union affiliates ballot. That is not going to help Streeting get beyond the first round. I expect Miliband or Rayner only to reach the members ballot and then to make it to the final round with Burnham's backing.
There is only one round of voting.
Whoever gets nominations from 81 MPs + 5% of CLPs/unions goes to the ballot of members / affiliates.
They vote using preferential system.
Where is the fun in that? PB should lobby Labour to adopt the Conservative system, several stages, endless opportunities for backstabbing and cock-ups and then the disappointing finale of the members' vote.
Ed for me. If not Ed, then SKS. The rest are just a waste of time. Andy Burnham isn’t even a MP - are people forgetting this?
No, they think somehow Starmer can carry on for 1-2 months before Andy can get back in, and then for the period of a leadership contest (or they assume coronation).
It's not the same as a timetable to go after a contest, since the contest cannot officially start right away and Andy might not win a seat.
I wonder if the plan is for Starmer to say he'll go by year's end, Andy says 'oh very well, i'll standvl then', then Starmer goes early if Andy gets in, or to year end if he doesn't.
Can you think of a constituency where voters are going to be happy to see their MP resign for no particular reason in order for Burnham to stand?
Moderate Labour MPs are urging Wes Streeting not to trigger a contest - warning he will lose to a more left-wing candidate.
Luke Akehurst tells me:
"Wes is a huge talent and someone I’ve considered a political ally for about two decades. I would urge him not to throw the party into further chaos by resigning.
But the comment is interesting because it reveals the worry on the right of the Labour Party that it opens the door to the left.
With Starmer clearly indicating that he will fight, it brings home the fact that the Starmer/McSweeney/Akehurst/Streeting faction will be putting two candidates forward to the members and union affiliates ballot. That is not going to help Streeting get beyond the first round. I expect Miliband or Rayner only to reach the members ballot and then to make it to the final round with Burnham's backing.
There is only one round of voting.
Whoever gets nominations from 81 MPs + 5% of CLPs/unions goes to the ballot of members / affiliates.
They vote using preferential system.
Where is the fun in that? PB should lobby Labour to adopt the Conservative system, several stages, endless opportunities for backstabbing and cock-ups and then the disappointing finale of the members' vote.
The Tory rules at least force the MPs to pick a final two meaning each has substantial MP backing and avoid a Corbyn scenario, in theory. But as Truss showed that can be an illusion.
Senior figures on the soft left say Angela Rayner just isn't up to it. There are concerns she would be a 'complete liability' - and that's before you get to the outstanding HMRC inquiry
Andy Burnham is struggling to find a seat. And even if he finds a seat, secures NEC approval and manages to win it - none of which is a given - he wouldn't be in Westminster for months
We reported today that Miliband has explicitly told Cabinet colleagues that he would be prepared to stand if Streeting triggered a contest. This was denied by those close to Miliband
But ministers are today saying that it will have to be him if Streeting goes over the top. The soft-left can only have one candidate, and at the moment he is the logical choice...
So the soft left want to put in place a leader who has already been rejected by the country ! They’re insane . Why don’t they just collapse the government so we can dispense with the 3 years of Labour MPs pretending he can win an election and go right to the bit where Reform take over !
Could a "left-leaning" Labour Party see off Reform in 2029?
One not headed by Ed Miliband might have a chance . At least Rayner would be a change and has a great back story. I know she’s gobby and very Marmite but I can’t help but like her.
I genuinely and sincerely believe that Andy Burnham is what Labour need. But he is reliant on snookers to even get access to the leadership contest to come.
Given a choice of Milliband or Streeting I'd take Ed any day of the week. We need some radical solutions to our crises and he has shown that he can think laterally and put forward policies which are challenging - whether you agree with them or not.
Making people pay a lot more than they need to for Gas and Electricity is a genius policy innit...
Senior figures on the soft left say Angela Rayner just isn't up to it. There are concerns she would be a 'complete liability' - and that's before you get to the outstanding HMRC inquiry
Andy Burnham is struggling to find a seat. And even if he finds a seat, secures NEC approval and manages to win it - none of which is a given - he wouldn't be in Westminster for months
We reported today that Miliband has explicitly told Cabinet colleagues that he would be prepared to stand if Streeting triggered a contest. This was denied by those close to Miliband
But ministers are today saying that it will have to be him if Streeting goes over the top. The soft-left can only have one candidate, and at the moment he is the logical choice...
So the soft left want to put in place a leader who has already been rejected by the country ! They’re insane . Why don’t they just collapse the government so we can dispense with the 3 years of Labour MPs pretending he can win an election and go right to the bit where Reform take over !
Could a "left-leaning" Labour Party see off Reform in 2029?
Yes but not with Ed in charge. It is not being a leftvwinger that makes him a bad choice. It is being Ed Miliband
Senior figures on the soft left say Angela Rayner just isn't up to it. There are concerns she would be a 'complete liability' - and that's before you get to the outstanding HMRC inquiry
Andy Burnham is struggling to find a seat. And even if he finds a seat, secures NEC approval and manages to win it - none of which is a given - he wouldn't be in Westminster for months
We reported today that Miliband has explicitly told Cabinet colleagues that he would be prepared to stand if Streeting triggered a contest. This was denied by those close to Miliband
But ministers are today saying that it will have to be him if Streeting goes over the top. The soft-left can only have one candidate, and at the moment he is the logical choice...
So the soft left want to put in place a leader who has already been rejected by the country ! They’re insane . Why don’t they just collapse the government so we can dispense with the 3 years of Labour MPs pretending he can win an election and go right to the bit where Reform take over !
Could a "left-leaning" Labour Party see off Reform in 2029?
Not if it is given three years, 2026-2029, to bankrupt the country. Like Reform the left rely for votes on what they are going to to, not their glittering legacy.
Ed for me. If not Ed, then SKS. The rest are just a waste of time. Andy Burnham isn’t even a MP - are people forgetting this?
No, they think somehow Starmer can carry on for 1-2 months before Andy can get back in, and then for the period of a leadership contest (or they assume coronation).
It's not the same as a timetable to go after a contest, since the contest cannot officially start right away and Andy might not win a seat.
I wonder if the plan is for Starmer to say he'll go by year's end, Andy says 'oh very well, i'll standvl then', then Starmer goes early if Andy gets in, or to year end if he doesn't.
Can you think of a constituency where voters are going to be happy to see their MP resign for no particular reason in order for Burnham to stand?
In theory somewhere Burnham is personally popular where they'd like to see him become PM and do as good a job as mayor.
But right now that's a big risk to presume liking him outweighs general 'kick Labour' sentiment.
But his whole pitch is that would be the case. So Keir announces he will go not for Andy, but it allows the party to test if the Andy thesis is right.
Senior figures on the soft left say Angela Rayner just isn't up to it. There are concerns she would be a 'complete liability' - and that's before you get to the outstanding HMRC inquiry
Andy Burnham is struggling to find a seat. And even if he finds a seat, secures NEC approval and manages to win it - none of which is a given - he wouldn't be in Westminster for months
We reported today that Miliband has explicitly told Cabinet colleagues that he would be prepared to stand if Streeting triggered a contest. This was denied by those close to Miliband
But ministers are today saying that it will have to be him if Streeting goes over the top. The soft-left can only have one candidate, and at the moment he is the logical choice...
So the soft left want to put in place a leader who has already been rejected by the country ! They’re insane . Why don’t they just collapse the government so we can dispense with the 3 years of Labour MPs pretending he can win an election and go right to the bit where Reform take over !
Could a "left-leaning" Labour Party see off Reform in 2029?
One not headed by Ed Miliband might have a chance . At least Rayner would be a change and has a great back story. I know she’s gobby and very Marmite but I can’t help but like her.
She had unresolved and not quickly resolvable tax issues - heck she didn’t even hold her hands up and quickly pay the tax as Jimmy Carr did
Senior figures on the soft left say Angela Rayner just isn't up to it. There are concerns she would be a 'complete liability' - and that's before you get to the outstanding HMRC inquiry
Andy Burnham is struggling to find a seat. And even if he finds a seat, secures NEC approval and manages to win it - none of which is a given - he wouldn't be in Westminster for months
We reported today that Miliband has explicitly told Cabinet colleagues that he would be prepared to stand if Streeting triggered a contest. This was denied by those close to Miliband
But ministers are today saying that it will have to be him if Streeting goes over the top. The soft-left can only have one candidate, and at the moment he is the logical choice...
So the soft left want to put in place a leader who has already been rejected by the country ! They’re insane . Why don’t they just collapse the government so we can dispense with the 3 years of Labour MPs pretending he can win an election and go right to the bit where Reform take over !
Could a "left-leaning" Labour Party see off Reform in 2029?
Yes but not with Ed in charge. It is not being a leftvwinger that makes him a bad choice. It is being Ed Miliband
Miliband will be portrayed as an eco zealot and the opposition will rightly say why on earth should the country elect him when they’ve already rejected him before and they’d have a point .
I genuinely can't figure out what outcome would be best for team Kemi.
Obviously we'd want a Labour PM who would swiftly become unpopular, but not with the kind of policies that would be a catalyst for a Reform surge. It's tough to know who to root for...
A council has confirmed there will be a by-election after a Reform UK councillor who posted a "defamatory" social media message about a Conservative candidate was found guilty of breaking electoral law.
Andy Osborn, 74, was chairman of the North East Cambridgeshire Reform Party in April 2025, when he posted the message.
He was convicted of making or publishing a false statement under the Representation of the People Act 1983 at Westminster Magistrates' Court last month.
Cambridgeshire County Council said Osborn, who represented Roman Bank and Peckover, "has not lodged an appeal in time, therefore, he is no longer a county councillor".
Osborn's court hearing was told he wrote on Facebook in April 2025: "Samantha Hoy worked in the care industry but allegedly was sacked for fraud no wonder Wisbech is in such a state. Reform UK will fix it."
Hoy, who works in the care industry and has never been sacked or faced fraud allegations, later responded online, describing the claims as "an absolute lie and extremely defamatory and damaging".
She is a councillor at both county and district level.
Osborn claimed that his account had been hacked, but the judge dismissed this and found him guilty of the charge.
I genuinely can't figure out what outcome would be best for team Kemi.
Obviously we'd want a Labour PM who would swiftly become unpopular, but not with the kind of policies that would be a catalyst for a Reform surge. It's tough to know who to root for...
Weirdly she might need someone who appeals to new Reformers. If it takes off even 5% ftom Reform without hurting the Tories and suddenly the party can at least claim to be top dog on the right again.
Sir Keir Starmer has made clear to allies that he will stand and fight if Wes Streeting succeeds in triggering a leadership contest
The prime minister has spent the afternoon meeting ministers and Labour MPs in Parliament as he attempts to see off a potential leadership challenge
Loyal cabinet ministers have also been working the tearooms urging colleagues not to "plunge the party into chaos"
They have been warning that a leadership election would paralyse the government for months
Starmer's allies are convinced that Streeting will fail to get the 81 MPs he needs to mount a formal challenge. But if he does, the message is that he will fight
Starmer could win again, same as how he won in 2020, as the grey compromise candidate. Labour's John Major.
Senior figures on the soft left say Angela Rayner just isn't up to it. There are concerns she would be a 'complete liability' - and that's before you get to the outstanding HMRC inquiry
Andy Burnham is struggling to find a seat. And even if he finds a seat, secures NEC approval and manages to win it - none of which is a given - he wouldn't be in Westminster for months
We reported today that Miliband has explicitly told Cabinet colleagues that he would be prepared to stand if Streeting triggered a contest. This was denied by those close to Miliband
But ministers are today saying that it will have to be him if Streeting goes over the top. The soft-left can only have one candidate, and at the moment he is the logical choice...
So the soft left want to put in place a leader who has already been rejected by the country ! They’re insane . Why don’t they just collapse the government so we can dispense with the 3 years of Labour MPs pretending he can win an election and go right to the bit where Reform take over !
Could a "left-leaning" Labour Party see off Reform in 2029?
One not headed by Ed Miliband might have a chance . At least Rayner would be a change and has a great back story. I know she’s gobby and very Marmite but I can’t help but like her.
She had unresolved and not quickly resolvable tax issues - heck she didn’t even hold her hands up and quickly pay the tax as Jimmy Carr did
Jimmy Carr had written tax advice from licenced professionals, and when HMRC challenged the whole scheme he immediately paid up.
Anglea Rayner didn’t take the specialist advise she was told to take, and when challenged tried to blame others. It’s unlikely she actually had the funds to write a cheque for the outstanding amount, even if she wanted to pay it.
Senior figures on the soft left say Angela Rayner just isn't up to it. There are concerns she would be a 'complete liability' - and that's before you get to the outstanding HMRC inquiry
Andy Burnham is struggling to find a seat. And even if he finds a seat, secures NEC approval and manages to win it - none of which is a given - he wouldn't be in Westminster for months
We reported today that Miliband has explicitly told Cabinet colleagues that he would be prepared to stand if Streeting triggered a contest. This was denied by those close to Miliband
But ministers are today saying that it will have to be him if Streeting goes over the top. The soft-left can only have one candidate, and at the moment he is the logical choice...
So the soft left want to put in place a leader who has already been rejected by the country ! They’re insane . Why don’t they just collapse the government so we can dispense with the 3 years of Labour MPs pretending he can win an election and go right to the bit where Reform take over !
Could a "left-leaning" Labour Party see off Reform in 2029?
Yes but not with Ed in charge. It is not being a leftvwinger that makes him a bad choice. It is being Ed Miliband
Miliband will be portrayed as an eco zealot and the opposition will rightly say why on earth should the country elect him when they’ve already rejected him before and they’d have a point .
Do Labour MPs have amnesia ?
The country have rejected Farage's mob how many times?
It's been said many times before and it's not fair, but Ed Milliband's main problem is the sound of his voice. It just sounds weird.
Not worse than Starmer.
Just wait until you hear it every day on every issue.
Britain: a country with apparently insurmountable problems whose political leaders keep making the wrong decisions. Britain: a country where what a politician's voice sounds like is considered a relevant factor in selecting political leaders. Could these facts perhaps be related?
I genuinely and sincerely believe that Andy Burnham is what Labour need. But he is reliant on snookers to even get access to the leadership contest to come.
Given a choice of Milliband or Streeting I'd take Ed any day of the week. We need some radical solutions to our crises and he has shown that he can think laterally and put forward policies which are challenging - whether you agree with them or not.
I don't share your view of Burnham, I just see him as full of himself and consistently showing poor judgment.
I do agree with you on Milliband. Streeting has limited real world and ministerial experience and doesn't have much to offer except more small c conservatism. Milliband might make something actually happen.
Senior figures on the soft left say Angela Rayner just isn't up to it. There are concerns she would be a 'complete liability' - and that's before you get to the outstanding HMRC inquiry
Andy Burnham is struggling to find a seat. And even if he finds a seat, secures NEC approval and manages to win it - none of which is a given - he wouldn't be in Westminster for months
We reported today that Miliband has explicitly told Cabinet colleagues that he would be prepared to stand if Streeting triggered a contest. This was denied by those close to Miliband
But ministers are today saying that it will have to be him if Streeting goes over the top. The soft-left can only have one candidate, and at the moment he is the logical choice...
So the soft left want to put in place a leader who has already been rejected by the country ! They’re insane . Why don’t they just collapse the government so we can dispense with the 3 years of Labour MPs pretending he can win an election and go right to the bit where Reform take over !
Could a "left-leaning" Labour Party see off Reform in 2029?
Not if it is given three years, 2026-2029, to bankrupt the country. Like Reform the left rely for votes on what they are going to to, not their glittering legacy.
On the other hand 3 successful years could unite the left for re-election.
I genuinely can't figure out what outcome would be best for team Kemi.
Obviously we'd want a Labour PM who would swiftly become unpopular, but not with the kind of policies that would be a catalyst for a Reform surge. It's tough to know who to root for...
More importantly it would be nice to have one who didn’t damage or destroy the country and maybe even improve it? Whilst I want a good Tory govt I also want the UK to be successful and strong - unfortunately the politicians put their games, cliques and foibles ahead of the national interest too often.
It's been said many times before and it's not fair, but Ed Milliband's main problem is the sound of his voice. It just sounds weird.
Not worse than Starmer.
Just wait until you hear it every day on every issue.
Britain: a country with apparently insurmountable problems whose political leaders keep making the wrong decisions. Britain: a country where what a politician's voice sounds like is considered a relevant factor in selecting political leaders. Could these facts perhaps be related?
It's been said many times before and it's not fair, but Ed Milliband's main problem is the sound of his voice. It just sounds weird.
Not worse than Starmer.
Just wait until you hear it every day on every issue.
Britain: a country with apparently insurmountable problems whose political leaders keep making the wrong decisions. Britain: a country where what a politician's voice sounds like is considered a relevant factor in selecting political leaders. Could these facts perhaps be related?
An Israeli party leader apparently had similar talk so they did a dubbed ad to say "listen to his words now, idiots'.
Politicians have to persuade, always have. That doesn't mean all of them have a great voice and can orate well, but it helps.
Ed Miliband is the guy I like the most for PM. But I dont think the country agrees with me.
You’re right ! I simply can’t forgive him for his role in Brexit . I know people might think I’m unhinged but he set into motion where we are now .
He was never supposed to stand and then did the Judas on his brother . David Miliband would have stopped a Tory majority .
The rest is history. I’m in no mood to see him hand the keys of No 10 to Reform .
I can't understand this perspective at all. He had every right to stand - and of course the fact he won shows he was right to do so.
For me its David who comes out looking bad from the affair. He quit the country rather than support his brother as leader and damaged him before he'd even started.
I genuinely can't figure out what outcome would be best for team Kemi.
Obviously we'd want a Labour PM who would swiftly become unpopular, but not with the kind of policies that would be a catalyst for a Reform surge. It's tough to know who to root for...
Best for them would be two more Labour PMs before the election.
Comments
Even if Labour had won every seat in Scotland Dave would still have had a majority.
We also have for next week: "It all went Wes' ", I suppose.
History won't look well upon those years.
Andy Osborn, 74, was chairman of the North East Cambridgeshire Reform Party in April 2025, when he posted the message.
He was convicted of making or publishing a false statement under the Representation of the People Act 1983 at Westminster Magistrates' Court last month.
Cambridgeshire County Council said Osborn, who represented Roman Bank and Peckover, "has not lodged an appeal in time, therefore, he is no longer a county councillor".
Osborn's court hearing was told he wrote on Facebook in April 2025: "Samantha Hoy worked in the care industry but allegedly was sacked for fraud no wonder Wisbech is in such a state. Reform UK will fix it."
Hoy, who works in the care industry and has never been sacked or faced fraud allegations, later responded online, describing the claims as "an absolute lie and extremely defamatory and damaging".
She is a councillor at both county and district level.
Osborn claimed that his account had been hacked, but the judge dismissed this and found him guilty of the charge.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr7p450kejro
Streeting is a former National Union of Students President, consultant for Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Chief Executive for an educational charity and a local councillor, Miliband is a former media researcher and SpAd. Streeting's back story and life experience is certainly more vivid than Milbands.
Miliband has more ministerial experience, 3 years in the Brown government, albeit as Chancellor of Duchy of Lancaster and Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, plus his current post of Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. But he's hardly Winston Churchill in terms of the range and length of his ministerial experience. Miliband manages a budget just shy of £7bn. Streeting manages a department which spends £219 billion and employs 1.5 million staff.
But perhaps I am missing something essential about the proposals.
BREAKING:
Sir Keir Starmer has made clear to allies that he will stand and fight if Wes Streeting succeeds in triggering a leadership contest
The prime minister has spent the afternoon meeting ministers and Labour MPs in Parliament as he attempts to see off a potential leadership challenge
Loyal cabinet ministers have also been working the tearooms urging colleagues not to "plunge the party into chaos"
They have been warning that a leadership election would paralyse the government for months
Starmer's allies are convinced that Streeting will fail to get the 81 MPs he needs to mount a formal challenge. But if he does, the message is that he will fight
But Ed M is a better option than Farage.
If the project ends up late because of government issues such as land banking (eminent domain, to an American) or environmental reviews, then the interest on the accrued debt adds even more to the project cost and makes the project less viable as a purely commercial enterprise.
➡️Ref: 29% (+3)
🔵Con: 20% (+1)
🔴Lab: 18% (-4)
🟠Lib: 14% (+1)
🟢Grn: 12% (-3)
https://x.com/LeftieStats/status/2054597003997258169
Miliband is a high quality member of the political tribe I most relate to - lefty North London intellectual. He's an authentic egalitarian. If anybody can come up with imaginative policies in that vein it is he. My worry? He might not connect too well with the public and we know what that means. It means Farage. Which simply must not happen.
Streeting is a dynamo with charisma and the gift of gab. Very clever too. A genuine working class background. He could be something special. He'd be a great campaigner against Farage. My worry? Beneath the sheen there might be nothing but overweening personal ambition and reheated Blairism. My sense is that's not the case but I can't know for sure.
So I'd be excited to vote for both and at the same time conscious of the risk of getting it wrong. I'd actually prefer it if MPs decided. They are better placed than me. But I will do my best if it comes to it.
Starmer hasn't enough political capital left for a fight.
He isn't a fighter otherwise he would have fought for some of the policies that he has been forced to scrap.
Far better to walk away than to be kicked out in defeat.
Go now and he might be invited back in a few years to a senior cabinet role. Hang on and be kicked our, he is never returning to public life.
Time to go with dignity
I think what might conceivably save them is not any success on their part, but that the alternatives might be seen as slightly worse.
But the comment is interesting because it reveals the worry on the right of the Labour Party that it opens the door to the left.
With Starmer clearly indicating that he will fight, it brings home the fact that the Starmer/McSweeney/Akehurst/Streeting faction will be putting two candidates forward to the members and union affiliates ballot. That is not going to help Streeting get beyond the first round. I expect Miliband or Rayner only to reach the members ballot and then to make it to the final round with Burnham's backing.
Plus if they avoid economic disaster.
The risk would be if Streeting won.
OK, they might think they would then get Burnham (or Miliband if Burnham can't win a seat) to challenge Streeting.
But they would know that a third Labour PM this Parliament would mean they had repeated what the Conservatives did in the last Parliament - and it would look terrible to the public.
Whoever gets nominations from 81 MPs + 5% of CLPs/unions goes to the ballot of members / affiliates.
They vote using preferential system.
Been to 151 games this season at 114 grounds
It's not the same as a timetable to go after a contest, since the contest cannot officially start right away and Andy might not win a seat.
I wonder if the plan is for Starmer to say he'll go by year's end, Andy says 'oh very well, i'll standvl then', then Starmer goes early if Andy gets in, or to year end if he doesn't.
11 minutes of under-oath testimony from a CIA whistleblower to the US covid inquiry.
https://x.com/senrandpaul/status/2054569279266131996
PB should lobby Labour to adopt the Conservative system, several stages, endless opportunities for backstabbing and cock-ups and then the disappointing finale of the members' vote.
You’ll miss Keir Starmer when he’s gone" (£)
https://spectator.com/article/youll-miss-keir-starmer-when-hes-gone/
EXCL: Keir Starmer told ministers tonight that Wes can't win because it would "destroy our party and country".
He invited all ministers into his study in the Commons.
Ministers of state in one batch, followed by parliamentary under secretarties.
One tells me the response was overwhelmingly positive re backing Starmer.
"He was there doing the hard yards. There was something in his eyes I haven't seen before. And I liked it."
But right now that's a big risk to presume liking him outweighs general 'kick Labour' sentiment.
But his whole pitch is that would be the case.
So Keir announces he will go not for Andy, but it allows the party to test if the Andy thesis is right.
Do Labour MPs have amnesia ?
Obviously we'd want a Labour PM who would swiftly become unpopular, but not with the kind of policies that would be a catalyst for a Reform surge. It's tough to know who to root for...
But to call him 'genuinely mad' and to compare him to Trump is palpably absurd.
You miss it
Not in a bad way
Anglea Rayner didn’t take the specialist advise she was told to take, and when challenged tried to blame others. It’s unlikely she actually had the funds to write a cheque for the outstanding amount, even if she wanted to pay it.
There's much more potential for good political chemistry than there was between Rayner and Starmer.
But I dont think the country agrees with me.
It wasn't an unfair critique in fairness.
Britain: a country where what a politician's voice sounds like is considered a relevant factor in selecting political leaders.
Could these facts perhaps be related?
He was never supposed to stand and then did the Judas on his brother . David Miliband would have stopped a Tory majority .
The rest is history. I’m in no mood to see him hand the keys of No 10 to Reform .
Politicians have to persuade, always have. That doesn't mean all of them have a great voice and can orate well, but it helps.
For me its David who comes out looking bad from the affair. He quit the country rather than support his brother as leader and damaged him before he'd even started.