Alex Wickham: NEW: Bloomberg Saturday read…
NEW: Bloomberg Saturday read — Will Keir Starmer survive? His rivals say it’ll take a perfect storm of disastrous events happening in quick succession for the PM to be ousted next month: more Mandelson revelations, an “emotional” response by MPs to the locals, and a cabinet revolt. — The first seems possible. Philip Barton is expected to back up Olly Robbins on Tuesday. The key is if he can produce evidence No10 did pressure the foreign office. Then Starmer will be accused of misleading parliament. In theory he could be called to the privileges committee. — Some in govt also suspect there is more to emerge about how Mandelson conducted himself as ambassador that could come out either in leaks to the media or humble address disclosures. Starmer is so badly wounded that any further revelations could take him into resignation territory. — The second factor his opponents say is needed is what they call an “emotional” reaction by MPs after the local elections. It is priced in that Labour will lose upwards of 2,000 councillors. A sober response might see MPs say local election results are not a reason to change a PM, or at least wait until an obvious successor emerges. A more emotional one, triggered by the sight of so many lifelong local colleagues losing their jobs, could see MPs beyond the usual suspects come out and call for Starmer to go. If that coincided with more Mandelson revelations, momentum may build in the days after May 7. — If it really builds, it could spread to the cabinet. That’s the third factor seen as required to oust the PM. Most think it will ultimately fall on cabinet ministers to tell him his time is up. If one-by-one enough do, not just one or two but enough that Starmer finds it impossible to form a government, he’d have to agree to step down pending the result of a leadership contest. — While rival camps are gaming all this out, for most MPs who spoke to Bloomberg this week it is not their base case. Most still seem to think the lack of a credible plan to replace Starmer means he will get through May. — The issues are well-versed. The left don’t like Wes Streeting. The right don’t like Angela Rayner, whose tax issues are ongoing. Neither has a policy platform. Neither poll well. A contest between them would be deeply divisive and whoever wins will have no mandate from the public. Farage’s calls for an early general election would be hard to argue against. Voters will see Labour as the Tories 2.0. — Some on the left want to wait for Andy Burnham. They think he will make clear in the aftermath of May 7 that he wants to stand for parliament again and that Starmer won’t be able to block him this time. He at least polls better than the others. But some say he isn’t as popular with MPs as people think. And who knows how long it’ll take him to make it to Westminster. — That all leads many MPs to conclude the most likely scenario is still that Starmer muddles on through May. But it leaves Labour in a bleak position of their own making: stuck with a PM few really back, who they brief against constantly, but they don’t have a plan to replace. @Joe_Mayes
Liz Webster: RishiSunak calling it straight in today’s Times…
RishiSunak calling it straight in today’s Times. He is right to say the Mandelson appointment wasn’t a failure of process but a failure of political judgment. The responsibility absolutely sits squarely with the Prime Minister. Sunak: “The responsibility for the decision rests with the prime minister.” “Process is no substitute for judgment.” Time to cut through all the deflection and endless reviews, the sacking of Olly Robbins, the whataboutery claims that “I wasn’t told”. 😈 You can add more bureaucracy. You can sack more officials. You can hide behind process. But the decision to appoint Mandelson, despite the red flags, despite the vetting failure, despite the Epstein links, was political. And that decision belongs 💯 to Keir Starmer, even if McSwindle made it for him. This is the same PM who publicly defended the appointment, claimed full process was followed, and then claimed he was kept in the dark. Sunak’s point lands hard: own the call. The gremlin project wasn’t derailed by bad process. It was driven by bad judgment at the top. And now even the man Starmer replaced is saying what everyone can see: accountability starts with the Prime Minister. #MandelsonEpstein
Andrew Bridgen: Former Labour MP calls for Starmer…
Former Labour MP calls for Starmer to face Commons committee over Mandelson vetting Karl Turner the former Labour MP has written to the Speaker of the House of Commons asking the PM to be investigated over the Mandelson vetting scandal. Well done !Liz Webster: This 👇 Mandelson development just changed the game…
This 👇 Mandelson development just changed the game. The EU’s anti-fraud office (OLAF) is now investigating possible misconduct during his time as European Trade Commissioner. This is no longer just a UK political story. It internationalises the scandal. Suddenly we have an independent European body with its own powers, evidence thresholds, and access to documents from outside direct UK government or parliamentary control. That means: 💥 Less exposure to No.10 pressure 💥 Different scrutiny and timelines 💥 The story can’t be fully managed or contained domestically. Even if Whitehall withholds files, OLAF can request them. This is an investigation, not a conviction. It focuses on his EU commissioner years (2004–2008), including alleged favouritism and leaks. But the timing couldn’t be worse for Starmer. The gremlin project was always about elite networking across borders. Now that networking is coming under external investigation both here (Met Police) and in Europe (OLAF).
'Just f***ing approve it'
'Just f***ing approve it'. That is how #Mandelson became our man in Washington, despite failing security vetting. Olly Robbins did not create this culture, but he embodies it. Labour slipperiness laid bare. A must read on @TheConWom from Julian Mann.
Andrew Feinstein: Please come to hustings for local election…
Please come to hustings for local election candidates in Somers Town, Camden - Starmer’s constituency. The Camden People’s Alliance has 3 great local candidates representing the politics of my campaign against Starmer: no to austerity, no to constantly increasing defence spending; yes to affordable properly maintained social & council housing, more for the NHS, our schools & care homes. No to benefits for corporations & the super rich; yes to benefits increasing in line with inflation. No to cosy relationships with billionaire donors & corporations, yes to serving the community’s real needs. No support for genocide! Let’s get rid of Starmer’s Labour
Adam Brooks: If the Labour Cabinet had any balls and sense…
If the Labour Cabinet had any balls and sense, they’d force him out now before the May elections. Labour will get decimated anyway… but even an interim PM may give them a tiny ‘ new manager ‘ bounce. Who is advising these people? It’s common sense. The man is HATED.
Diane Abbott: Ministers have turns a blind eye…
Ministers have turns a blind eye to Israeli war crimes. Starmer tried to justify them, and the governmenthas authorised all kinds of support, including arms' sales. This is complicity. Foreign Office closes unit monitoring Israeli breaches of the lawLiz Webster: Starmer’s EU reset is running out of time and momentum…
Starmer’s EU reset is running out of time and momentum, it is more of a tactical survival than genuine strategic pivot. Despite Starmer’s stronger language the reset remains very limited by his unworkable red lines. The July summit package (SPS/food checks, carbon pricing link, possible youth mobility) is expected to deliver only 0.3% GDP boost over 15 years; a tiny fraction of the 4–8% Brexit hit estimated by economists. EU officials are sceptical and frustrated: they see it as “old wine in new bottles” - Britain still wants cherry-picking without paying (budget contributions) or conceding on movement. Industry welcomes small steps but warns it’s nowhere near enough. The reset is hampered by slow negotiations, bureaucratic resistance and competing UK priorities ESPECIALLY the US 🇺🇸 deals. Internal Labour pressure is growing for a bolder approach (including from figures like David Lammy), but Starmer is constrained by politics. Polling shows shifting public opinion, majority want closer ties or even rejoining, but Starmer’s caution risks pleasing no one. ⚠️ 🚩 Analysts @anandMenon1 , Sir Ivan Rogers, @CER_Grant warn the status quo is unsustainable and time is running out for any meaningful pivot. 🔗Andrew Feinstein: Well said @ZackPolanski…
Well said @ZackPolanski Starmer & his reactionary ilk believe that only Jews who share their odious politics r worth caring about. This is a natural consequence of their weaponisation of antisemitism for their own factional political purposes. Their belief that all Jews should have the same attitude towards Israel is offensive. Jews have always prided ourselves on our diversity of thought & opinionKathy Gyngell: Veterans in their 70s and 80s...
Veterans in their 70s and 80s, some suicidal, some with severe PTSD, are being hounded through the courts for following orders. Meanwhile IRA killers are protected. This is a betrayal of the worst kind. @daniel39025 on @Keir_Starmer 's decisions.Liz Webster: Looks like planned, procedural exit...
Significant Times piece by @patrickkmaguire Looks like planned, procedural exit for Starmer after the expected May 7/8 local election disaster: • Cabinet ministers are now privately concluding that Starmer cannot survive the fallout. • The favoured scenario is not an immediate coup, but an “orderly transition” where Starmer is persuaded (or pressured) to announce a timetable for stepping down. • A new leader would be in place by Labour Party conference (late September / early October 2026) • Maguire names @AndyBurnhamGM as a central figure in this thinking. He notes that soft-left powerbrokers (Miliband, Rayner, Haigh) see Burnham as a viable route back into frontline politics and the leadership contest. Maguire writes that this “bloodless regicide” would suit most of the cabinet: it buys time, avoids a messy immediate leadership election, and gives Burnham a runway to return to the Commons and prepare. https://thetimes.com/article/8d388f0a-08b1-4855-b62b-f3a07118a5e1?shareToken=f6b69a12a142b6752de9a01cbe533118Andrew Bridgen: President Trump says Starmer has...
President Trump says Starmer has to go , he has no chance ! It’s unprecedented for a US President to publicly call for a UK Prime Minister to resign isn’t it ?
James Foster: They’re already in an “electoral death spiral”...
They’re already in an “electoral death spiral” and it’s being led by @Keir_Starmer . You’d may wish to continue being his chief fluffer, @MatthewStadlen , but @UKLabour MPs (having seen the disaster in May) will be concerned for their seats.Kathy Gyngell: The St George flag stands ...
How dare you @Keir_Starmer The St George flag stands for all you are not The beta-male morally devoid shameless hypocrite that you are is the very antithesis of bravery, chivalry, and the triumph of good over evilAlex Wickham: That was process-y but pretty ...
That was process-y but pretty extraordinary evidence by Cat Little. We seem to be in the middle of a flame war between the Cabinet Office and Foreign Office who are both offering contradictory versions of events on the key matter in MPs’ minds as they weigh Keir Starmer’s future
Patrick Christys: Keir Starmer is being told to...
Keir Starmer is being told to f*** off at the football, f*** off at the darts & f*** off at the races…Kemi needs to stop trying to get him on a technicality and just go after him personally. The bloke’s a walking meme. Humiliate him.
Howard Beckett: Starmer & Mandelson had been in...
Now we know: •Starmer & Mandelson had been in discussions for “many years” •They couldn’t wait to “work together” •Starmer considered Mandelson to be “brilliant” A damning insight into the judgement of Starmer And a stark reality: Starmer was Mandelson’s puppet.Liz Webster: Starmer promised a “Brexit reset” that ...
Starmer promised a “Brexit reset” that would make travel easier. Instead, we have punch-ups in queues, 3.5-hour waits, missed flights and airports suspending the new post-Brexit EES checks. From Lisbon to Milan to Paris, holidaymakers are paying the price for the halfway-house reset that delivers neither frictionless travel nor real sovereignty. This is Brexit reality 10 years on. https://inews.co.uk/news/stuck-queue-post-brexit-checks-fights-broke-out-4370350Read more