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Alex Wickham: Keir Starmer state of play tonight…
21, April

Alex Wickham: Keir Starmer state of play tonight…

Keir Starmer state of play tonight: A brutal 48 hours leaves the PM weaker than ever, but he stays for now. Process aside, Labour MPs are ultimately weighing the bigger question: is the disastrous appointment of Peter Mandelson reason enough to cost Starmer his job and plunge Britain into a new period of political chaos? Most Labour MPs, ministers and aides who spoke to Bloomberg say they don’t think there will be a move against Starmer before May 7. But they warn the scandal increases the chance of a challenge afterwards and sinks his hopes of using Iran to rejuvenate his premiership. One MP says the events of this week leave Starmer suspended above an elephant trap. There has been no knockout blow, yet, though any further revelations could deliver one, they say. The government is concerned that fresh Mandelson developments could emerge in the coming days and weeks which might push Starmer over the edge. Another tranche of internal documents is expected to be published after the local elections at the moment of maximum danger. However, another MP argues that while the Robbins’ testimony was damning, the facts surrounding Mandelson’s vetting remain extremely complicated and too messy to be used as a reason to move against him. While there is no doubt Starmer made a terrible political error in appointing Mandelson, after the last two days it isn’t clear cut who between No10 and Robbins is right when it comes to his vetting, they say. And then there is the crucial problem of timing. Wes Streeting and Angela Rayner don’t want to blow up the government two weeks before Labour councillors try to keep their seats, MPs say. Rayner backs Starmer tonight, saying there are “more important questions” than the Mandelson process row. Allies suggest she does not want to be the one who wields the knife and she still hasn’t resolved her tax problems. Supporters of Streeting on the right of the Labour Party are wary that Rayner would likely be the favourite in a contest right now, perhaps dissuading him from moving. And some MPs on the left prefer Andy Burnham as their choice of successor to Rayner, meaning they are inclined to wait until he gets to Parliament. No-one is confident they’d get the successor they want and everyone fears a messy and protracted contest, one of the MPs says. So despite the Mandelson mess, Starmer stays for now. With @Joe_Mayes

Philip Proudfoot: Whenever heads of state have to comment on…

Whenever heads of state have to comment on, or meet Trump, I think a lot about something @ByYourLogic said about the US president. Trump is the result of all the American stupids finding their ultimate form — the most Stupid of the Stupids — and then making him their king. Then, as king, world leaders are forced into a kind of ritual humiliation, where they must bow before the stupid. Act as if he’s not stupid. Subjugate themselves before the stupid. Share tips on how to placate the stupid. Give the stupid gifts and trinkets. Ensure they avoid his wrath. Anyway, just think that’s very accurate.
Dale Vince: What’s interesting in this story...
21, April

Dale Vince: What’s interesting in this story...

What’s interesting in this story is that 'UK and European stocks lost billions’ in the last week after the government announced it was going to ‘break the link’ - presumably now the detail is out and it’s not actually breaking this link - stocks will rebound in value. That tells us all we need to know - real breaking of the link would have been bad for big business - this mere weakening of it is just bad for consumers - same as it ever was.
Liz Webster: Starmer’s project of making Brexit work…
20, April

Liz Webster: Starmer’s project of making Brexit work…

Starmer’s project of making Brexit work 👉locking Britain in a lift headed straight for deeper American ownership 👉US tech, US capital, US strategic priorities. And he turned on soothing “pro-EU reset” and “BreJoin” lift music to stop people noticing where the lift is taking us. Result? Britain becomes an Atlanticist bridgehead that clashes with the EU while surrendering sovereignty to US interests. The Mandelson appointment (despite China 🇨🇳 red flags) was the clearest signal yet. The gremlin didn’t sneak in, he was key player, invited to hold the door open.
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