The Conservative Party is set to force a vote on scrapping the government’s planned fuel duty increase as oil and petrol prices soar amid the Middle East crisis.
Kemi Badenoch’s party will also use the opposition day debate on Wednesday to call for reforms to student loans after Rachel Reeves admitted the system was “broken”.
It comes as Sir Keir Starmer repeatedly dodged questions on Peter Mandelson when the Tory leader pressed him over the scandal at PMQs.
The prime minister changed the topic or refused to answer three times when Ms Badenoch asked him if he spoke to Mandelson about vetting documents ahead of his appointment as ambassador to the US.
Sir Keir faced the grilling after Angela Rayner warned that the Labour Party is “running out of time” to deliver change and cannot “go through the motions in the face of decline” as she issued her clearest challenge to the prime minister so far.
Labour Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham sided with Ms Rayner, telling BBC Radio 4’s Today programme “I certainly know where she’s coming from” when asked if he agreed that the clock is ticking for the party.
Key Points
- Tories to force vote on fuel duty freeze and reforming ‘broken’ student loans
- PMQs: Back to Mandelson for Starmer
- Analysis: Starmer is floundering in PMQs desperately trying to change topics
- Rayner calls Starmer's immigration reforms 'un-British'
- Rayner warns Labour ‘running out of time’ in apparent challenge to Starmer’s leadership
- 'I understand frustration people feel': Burnham backs Rayner
Ed Davey asks whether Ofcom impartiality rules are ‘fit for purpose’ at PMQs
14:40 , Tara CobhamSir Ed Davey has questioned whether impartiality rules for broadcasters are “fit for purpose”, amid fears GB News had demonstrated “glaring breaches of impartiality”.
The Liberal Democrat leader referred to a report by former Guardian editor-in-chief Alan Rusbridger, who claimed Nigel Farage’s Reform UK had “effectively ended up with its own television station”.
Responding at Prime Minister’s Questions, Sir Keir Starmer said Sir Ed had raised “an important question of free speech”.
Published by The New World newspaper, Mr Rusbridger wrote in his report: “GB News has essentially become Reform TV. The broadcasting regulator Ofcom has more or less given up the ghost. And Nigel Farage is laughing all the way to the bank.”
According to the report, The New World put together a team of 20 journalists to review 15 hours of prime-time GB News programmes, as well as the broadcaster’s interview with US President Donald Trump.
“They found numerous glaring breaches of impartiality,” The New World found.
Sir Ed told the Commons: “A New World investigation into GB News has found hundreds of shocking breaches of the rules of impartiality and accuracy yet Ofcom has repeatedly refused to take action.”
He added: “We cannot let GB News propaganda turn our great country into their version of Trump’s America. Either the Government rules aren’t fit for purpose or Ofcom isn’t properly enforcing them. Prime Minister, which is it?”
Sir Keir replied: “He’s right to raise an important question of free speech and our media. It is a matter for Ofcom and it’s important we let them deal with it.”
Watch: Starmer accuses Tory party of 'having a problem with Muslims' in heated PMQs
14:20 , Tara CobhamLabour delay in ending Tories’ Rwanda migrant deal leaves taxpayers on hook for £100m bill, court hears
14:00 , Tara CobhamLabour failed to exit the Tories’ doomed Rwanda deal when it took office, leaving taxpayers on the hook for a £100m bill, an international court has heard.
Sir Keir Starmer boldly pledged on his first day in office in July 2024 that the Rwanda scheme was “dead and buried”, but the government failed to quit the deal until December 2025, the Court of Arbitration in the Hague, Netherlands, has heard.
Rwanda says this means it is owed £100m in payments promised under the deal and is also seeking a further £6m in compensation for the UK’s failure to receive vulnerable refugees under the terms of the agreement, court submissions revealed. Rwanda is arguing that Britain should have taken in 300 refugees, likening the approach to the one-in, one-out deal with France.
Social affairs correspondent Holly Bancroft reports:
Labour failure to end Rwanda migrant deal leaves UK with £100m bill, court hears
Tories to force vote on fuel duty freeze and reforming ‘broken’ student loans
13:39 , Tara CobhamThe Conservative Party will force a vote on Wednesday on axing the government’s planned fuel duty increase amid spiralling oil prices and reforming student loans after Rachel Reeves admitted the system was “broken”.
It comes amid widespread concerns about costs for graduates and fears over soaring oil prices caused by the Middle East crisis.
Kemi Badenoch’s party will use an opposition day debate to call for “real interest” on student loans to be stopped, as well as calling for the salary repayment threshold to be lifted. It comes after the chancellor suggested the issue was not a priority for the government.
“Real interest” is the interest charged above the rate of inflation, commonly measured as Retail Prices Index (RPI) + 3 per cent, a form of interest which makes the loan more expensive over time.
The party will also table a motion to try to block the proposed September fuel duty rise, but it is unlikely to pass because of Labour’s large Commons majority.
Watch: Starmer repeatedly avoids Mandelson questions as Badenoch presses him over scandal at PMQs
13:20 , Tara CobhamStarmer repeats apology to Epstein's victims as he's pressed on Mandelson apoointment
13:00 , Tara CobhamSir Keir Starmer has repeated his apology to Jeffrey Epstein’s victims, as he was pressed on Lord Peter Mandelson’s appointment at Prime Minister’s Questions.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said: “The Prime Minister tried to avoid scrutiny on the Mandelson files by releasing the documents immediately after Prime Minister’s Questions last week.
“So let me ask him now, did the Prime Minister personally speak to Peter Mandelson about his relationship with the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein before appointing him as our ambassador to Washington?”
The Prime Minister replied: “Let me start where I must. This was my mistake in making the appointment, and I’ve apologised to the victims of Epstein, I do so again. The Government is complying with the humble address in full, but we are also continuing to support the police in their investigation.
“The matter of process was looked at by the independent adviser on ministerial standards. It’s clear the appointment process wasn’t strong enough, and that’s why I’ve already strengthened it.
“But it was my mistake, and I’ve apologised for it. She should follow suit and apologise for her gross error of judgment in calling for the UK to join the war in Iran without thinking through the consequences.”
Starmer: Farage has 'absolutely no judgement' and is 'not fit to be PM'
12:45 , Tara CobhamPolitical correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Sir Keir Starmer has said Nigel Farage has “absolutely no judgement” and is “not fit to be prime minister” in a furious attack on the Reform leader over his position on the Iran War.
It came after Labour MP Steve Witherden accused the Reform leader of wanting to rip up Labour’s employment rights act.
He told the Commons: "I spent 20 years as a secondary school teacher in Wales. We worked hard. Labour has given them the biggest upgrade of rights in a generation, rights that millions of us fought hard to win.
“But the Honorable Member for Clacton wants to chuck it all in the bin. Does the prime minister stand by these rights and agree that only a vote for Labour in May will enshrine these fundamental workers rights?”
Responding, Sir Keir said: "I am very proud of our Employment Rights act. It delivers strong rights and protections including for all of our brilliant school staff.
"Reform, he’s right, would rip up those protections. They have nothing to offer but grievance and division. And, Mr Speaker, they have no judgement. Because just like the leader of the Opposition, the Member for Clacton said we should do all we can to support the US strikes and he said ‘I make that perfectly perfectly clear’.
“It was perfectly perfectly clear he got it completely wrong. And perfectly perfectly perfectly clear that he is now desperately trying to U-turn.” The PM added: "Absolutely no judgement. He’s not fit to be prime minster.”
Lib Dem leader hits out at GB News ‘propaganda’
12:35 , Tara CobhamWhitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:
Sir Ed Davey said an investigation by the New World newspaper into GB News had “found hundreds of shocking breaches of the rules of impartiality and accuracy.
"Yet, Ofcom has repeatedly refused to take action.”
He added: “Mr Speaker, we cannot let GB News propaganda turn our great country into their version of Trump's America. Either the government rules aren't fit for purpose or Ofcom isn't properly enforcing them. Prime Minister, which is it?"
Sir Keir Starmer responded: "He's right to raise an important question of free speech and our media. But it is a matter for Ofcom and it is important we let them deal with it."
Badenoch asks why Starmer failed to 'do his duty' and speak to Mandelson before US ambassador appointment
12:33 , Tara CobhamKemi Badenoch has asked why Sir Keir Starmer failed to “do his duty” and speak to Lord Peter Mandelson before appointing him as US ambassador.
Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions, Mrs Badenoch said: “He is right, it is about his judgment. He has repeatedly told us that Peter Mandelson lied to him, but he won’t tell us if he actually picked up the phone and spoke to Mandelson before appointing him. This doesn’t make any sense. The Prime Minister told us on the record, and I quote, I believed the lies he told me. If the Prime Minister didn’t speak to him, how can he say he lied to him?”
Sir Keir replied: “The process is clear. It’s been looked at by the independent adviser.”
He went on to call for shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy to be sacked for a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, where he said Muslims praying in groups in public, after an event in Trafalgar Square, was an “an act of domination”.
Sir Keir said: “She appointed the shadow justice secretary. He said last night that Muslims praying in public, including the mayor of London, practising his faith are not welcome.
“He described it as an act of domination. Straight from the Islamist playbook. If he was in my team, he’d be gone. It’s utterly appalling. She should denounce his comments and she should sack him.”
David Davis hits a raw nerve with jury trial question
12:30 , Tara CobhamPolitical editor David Maddox reports:
Veteran Tory MP Sir David Davis raises the question about the government’s plan to “abolish” jury trials in many cases.
He reads back comments from Labour MPs saying it is unworkable and quotes Sir Keir Starmer himself saying it would lead to the increase in wrongful convictions.
The question clearly angers Sir Keir who tells the veteran Tory that he “cannot look the victims of sexual violence in the eye any more” and justify continued delays to trials of their attackers.
He doubles down on the need for the reform and insists he is not abolishing jury trials in many cases.
But it was noticeable that the loudest cheers for Sir David came from Labour MPs.
Starmer declines to say whether he discussed Mandelson staying at Epstein's house after conviction
12:29 , Tara CobhamSr Keir Starmer declined to say whether he discussed Lord Peter Mandelson staying at paedophile Jeffrey Epstein’s house after he was convicted, during the appointment process for the US ambassador role.
At Prime Minister’s Questions, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said: “I know he doesn’t want to talk about the documents he tried to bury last week, he’s going to try and talk about anything else, but he’s not going to get away with it.
“I asked him a question, he did not answer. We know the Prime Minister was warned about the risk of appointing Peter Mandelson. This is not about the process.
“He knew that Mandelson stayed in Epstein’s house after Epstein had been convicted for child prostitution. He knew that. So I will ask him again, did he speak to Peter Mandelson about this before the appointment? Yes or no?”
The Prime Minister replied: “I’ve already made clear that he was asked questions and gave untruthful replies. The Government is complying with the humble address. the process has been set out, the independent adviser has looked at it, and he said, quote ‘the relevant process for a political appointee was followed’.
“Now, obviously this is a question of my judgment, but what about her judgment? She wanted to rush into a war with Iran without thinking it through.”
Former Tory MP charged with possession of class A drugs
12:25 , Tara CobhamFormer MP Crispin Blunt has been charged with four drugs offences, prosecutors said.
The 65-year-old, who once represented Reigate, is accused of one count of possessing a class A drug and three of possessing a class B drug.
The charges were brought after police searches of his home in Horley as part of a separate investigation, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.
Whitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:
Analysis: Ed Davey showing why he needs a new chief of staff
12:23 , Tara CobhamPolitical editor David Maddox writes:
The Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey seems to have gone off piste during PMQs to ask about the UK building its own nuclear weapons and GB News.
He is currently facing his own whispering campaign from Lib Dem MPs who are concerned about his leadership and failure to make a breakthrough with the public.
His fondness for fringe topics is part of the problem.
No wonder Sir Ed is advertising for a new chief of staff who will be “responsible for short, medium and long term strategy”.
Apart from falling into water and dancing at conferences there seems to be little strategy at the moment.
Badenoch twists the knife over Rayner
12:19 , Tara CobhamWhitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:
The Tory leader has pushed on the bruise that is Angela Rayner for Keir Starmer.
In response to attacks on her leadership from Sir Keir, Kemi Badenoch told the Labour leader: “The PM wants to talk about my leadership. I'm shocked, because his former deputy has just fired the starting gun on the race to replace him, for this weak man to be replaced by a strong woman.”
Last night Ms Rayner warned Labour is "running out of time" to deliver change and cannot "go through the motions in the face of decline", in a speech at an event held by the campaign group Mainstream.
To add to Sir Keir’s woes, Ms Rayner’s comments were defended by the Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, also seen as a possible successor to the PM, who said she had raised a "moral question" about new immigration curbs.
UK 'will not be drawn into wider war' in Middle East, PM repeats
12:16 , Tara CobhamSir Keir Starmer has repeated his pledge that the UK “will not be drawn into the wider war” in the Middle East.
The PM told the Commons: “I want to see this war end as quickly as possible. The longer it continues, the bigger the impact on the cost of living.”
Analysis: Starmer is floundering in PMQs desperately trying to change topics
12:14 , Tara CobhamPolitical editor David Maddox reports:
This is a good PMQs for Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and a bad one for Keir Starmer.
She has noted that three times she asked him if he spoke to Mandelson about the vetting documents ahead of his appointment as ambassador to the US and three times he just changed topic and refused to answer.
The PM is desperately trying to pin questions over issues in the Tories on Iran or Islamophobia rather than answer questions about his conduct or judgement.
The problem for Starmer is that it just looks evasive and a little embarrassing as a man who appears to have no answers to the questions about his leadership and judgement.
So bad is his performance that the Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has intervened to remind him “it’s not opposition questions”.
PMQs: Back to Mandelson for Keir Starmer
12:08 , Tara CobhamPolitical editor David Maddox reports:
Kemi Badenoch smells blood on the ongoing scandal regarding the appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US.
She asked him directly whether he had a personal meeting with Mandelson before his appointment.
She lists all the things that the vetting process came up with including his relationship to the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
The reason she is going after this issue is because of the gaps in the documents published so far including the apparent removal of Sir Keir’s written remarks on concerns being raised.
Sir Keir seems unwilling to directly answer the questions and instead talk about Ms Badenoch’s judgement on the war with Iran.
Starmer pays tribute to two young people who died of meningitis
12:07 , Tara CobhamPolitical correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Sir Keir Starmer has paid tribute to the two young people who died of meningitis in Kent this week, urging anyone who attended a nightclub in Canterbury on specific dates in March to come forward to receive antibiotics.
Opening PMQs, the prime minister said: "Our deepest condolences are with the families and friends of the two young people who have died following the outbreak of meningitis B in Kent. Others are seriously ill and this will be a deeply difficult time for their loved ones.
"Mr Speaker, health experts are working to identify close contacts and distribute antibiotics, and will begin a targeted vaccination programme in the coming days.
"And can I take this opportunity to ask anyone who attended Club Chemistry on March 5th, 6th or 7th to come forward please to receive antibiotics."
Starmer calls for de-escalation in Middle East to tackle cost of living
12:06 , Tara CobhamSir Keir Starmer has called for de-escalation in the Middle East as “the quickest way to reduce the cost of living”.
He told MPs: “Anyone who advocated for the UK to rush headlong into the offensive without a clear picture of what it meant for our forces, or without thinking through the economic impact for families, should stand up and apologise.”
Starmer faces MPs at PMQs
12:03 , Tara CobhamSir Keir Starmer is facing MPs at PMQs today.
The Middle East conflict and its domestic impact are likely to dominate the agenda.
Tories to force vote on fuel duty freeze and reforming ‘broken’ student loans
11:50 , Tara CobhamThe Conservative Party will force a vote on Wednesday on axing the government’s planned fuel duty increase amid spiralling oil prices and reforming student loans after Rachel Reeves admitted the system was “broken”.
It comes amid widespread concerns about costs for graduates and fears over soaring oil prices caused by the Middle East crisis.
Kemi Badenoch’s party will use an opposition day debate to call for “real interest” on student loans to be stopped, as well as calling for the salary repayment threshold to be lifted. It comes after the chancellor suggested the issue was not a priority for the government.
Political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Tories to force vote on fuel duty freeze and reforming ‘broken’ student loans
Polanski apologises again for breast enlargement comments
11:40 , Tara CobhamAthena Stavrou reports from North London:
Zack Polanski was asked once again about his comments suggesting hypnosis could increase a woman’s breast size.
The current Green Party leader made the controversial remark to a Sun newspaper journalist in 2013 before entering politics.
The Green Party leader said he “apologised 13 years ago” when he first made the comments and “I apologise again”.
“And I think people largely see that we're more than one mistake….I think it's important when you make mistakes that own up to it, and I apologise for that.”
Pictured: Starmer leaves Downing St for PMQs as Middle East conflict set to dominate agenda
11:39 , Tara Cobham
Wealth tax would be ‘day one priority’, Polanski says
11:35 , Tara CobhamAthena Stavrou reports from North London:
As part of his vision to end what he calls “rip off Britiain”, Zack polanski has laid out plans for a wealth tax as a “day one priority”.
In his first major speech as the Green Party’s leader, Mr Polanski advocated for a 1 per cent tax on wealth over £10bn and a 2 per cent tax on over £1mn.
He said: “We know a wealth tax won't fix everything, and no one has ever pretended it would. But it would be a very good place to start.”
He added: “For a truly progressive government, a wealth tax needs to be a day one priority.”
Government should commit to stopping energy bill rise, Polanski says
11:30 , Tara CobhamAthena Stavrou reports from North London:
Zack Polanski has called on the government to guarantee it will not allow energy bills to rise beyond the April-June price cap.
Speaking at his first major policy speech as the Green Party’s leader, he said the government should instead put aside £8.4bn to “prevent a rise of up to 300 pounds per house, that could be coming down the track”.
It comes amid mounting uncertainty around household bills amid the outbreak of war in the Middle East.
Analysis: Angela Rayner’s attempt to distance herself from Project Starmer opens the door for a run to replace him
11:15 , Tara CobhamSince being forced to resign as deputy prime minister, Angela Rayner has largely kept any criticisms of the government to herself.
But on Tuesday evening, she let rip. In a jaw-dropping speech to Labour activists of the leftwing Mainstream group, she warned the party had come to be seen to represent “the Establishment, not working people” and called for an urgent change of course, adding that it was “running out of time” to deliver for voters.
It was, in essence, Ms Rayner firing the starting pistol in the race to replace Sir Keir Starmer, whose beleaguered premiership has been on the ropes for months.
David Maddox writes:
Rayner’s attempt to distance herself from Starmer opens the door for a leadership run
Rayner calls Starmer's immigration reforms 'un-British'
11:04 , Tara CobhamAngela Rayner has called Sir Keir Starmer‘s immigration reforms “un-British” as she issued her clearest challenge to the prime minister so far.
In a speech at an event by campaign group Mainstream on Tuesday, the former deputy prime minister warned that the Labour Party is “running out of time” to deliver change and cannot “go through the motions in the face of decline”.
She cited immigration reform as a key concern, suggesting that changes to indefinite leave to remain for people already living in Britain would be a “breach of trust”, dubbing the reforms “un-British”.
Energy cost spikes amid war in Middle East ‘utterly unacceptable’, Polanski says
10:53 , Tara CobhamAthena Stavrou reports from North London:
Zack Polanski began his first major economic policy speech as the Green Party’s leader by addressing what he called the “illegal war” on Iran in the Middle East, and its impact on Britain’s economy.
“People across the Middle East are terrified of what Trump and Netanyahu’s war will mean to them, and the repercussions are echoing across the world as instability spreads and oil prices spike,” he said in his address in North London.
“The idea that yet again, for the second time in just a few years, that we are going to have to deal with another enormous spike in the cost of basics is utterly unacceptable.”
Polanski sets out Green economic policy in first major speech as leader
10:51 , Tara CobhamAthena Stavrou reports from North London:
It’s a sunny day in North London where the Green Party’s Zack Polanski is delivering his first major policy speech as leader.
Members of the press and Green supporters have gathered at a garden centre, where they are hearing Mr Polanski deliver his speech on the Green Party’s economic policies.
Speaking at a 40th anniversary of the New Economics Foundation, he is laying out his plans to end “rip-off Britain” and accuse the Labour government of presiding over "managed decline".
Watch: Starmer says ‘focus must remain’ on European conflict after meeting Zelensky
10:38 , Tara CobhamStarmer to face grilling from MPs at PMQs after fresh Trump criticism
10:19 , Tara CobhamSir Keir Starmer faces a grilling from MPs after Donald Trump unleashed fresh criticism of his leadership over the Iran war.
The prime minister will take questions in the Commons after the US president accused him of making a “big mistake” in failing to be “supportive” of America’s military action.
The Middle East conflict and its domestic impact are likely to dominate the agenda during Prime Minister’s Questions from noon.
The president has singled out Britain for criticism over its resistance to immediately agreeing to his calls for allies to provide assistance in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route for oil.
With the war now in a third week, oil prices remain above 100 US dollars (£75) per barrel as a result of Tehran’s continued blockade of the passage.
Speaking on Tuesday, Mr Trump said he “liked” the prime minister but felt “disappointed” with his recent position in regard to the conflict with Iran.
Asked by reporters in the Oval Office whether his relationship with Sir Keir has been damaged by the UK’s stance over the war in Iran, he said: “Well, he hasn’t been supportive, and I think it’s a big mistake.”
Mr Trump then repeated his assertion that “unfortunately Keir is no Winston Churchill”.
Sir Keir Starmer insisted on Monday the UK will not be drawn into a “wider war”, and said he was working with partners including in Europe on a “viable collective plan” to free up navigation in the region.
Manchester mayor calls on Starmer to allow 'breathing space' before immigration curbs
10:00 , Tara CobhamSimon Walters reports:
Significantly, Angela Rayner delivered her sharp critique of the government’s performance at a meeting hosted by the Labour supporting soft-left Mainstream group, which has close links to Andy Burnham.
Mr Burnham, whose attempt to stand in the recent Denton and Gorton by-election, which Labour lost to the Greens, was blocked by Sir Keir, said: "We have all got to work together on a plan to turn the country around – I understand the frustration people feel.
"We heard that at the by election and Angela is clearly reflecting that."
He called on Sir Keir to allow "breathing space" before pressing ahead with additional immigration curbs.
Mr Burnham said he feared new checks on migrants’ countries of origin could "leave some people in limbo".
Ms Rayner had raised a "moral question", he said, telling the BBC: "The government should take time to listen to people’s concerns."
Burnham says Rayner has raised 'moral question' over new immigration curbs
09:45 , Tara CobhamSimon Walters reports:
Angela Rayner’s criticism of Sir Keir Starmer has been defended by Manchester mayor Andy Burnham.
Mr Burnham, seen as a possible successor to Sir Keir like former deputy prime minister Ms Rayner, said she had raised a "moral question" about new immigration curbs.
"I certainly know where she is coming from and the party would always do well to listen to what Angela has got to say," the ex-Labour cabinet minister told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
His comments came after Ms Rayner said the government’s latest proposals to curb immigration were "un-British". She also said the government was "running out of time" to change course.
Rayner launches attack on Mahmood's immigration reforms
09:26 , Tara CobhamAngela Rayner has launched an apparent attack on Shabana Mahmood’s plans to overhaul the UK’s immigration system.
The former deputy prime minister told an audience at a Mainstream event: “Many people came here to Britain – on the understanding that if they worked in the sectors where we needed them, obeyed the law and paid their taxes, they could stay.
“If we suddenly change that, it pulls the rug from under those who have planned their lives and commitments and are contributing to our economy and to our society.
“That would be not just bad policy but a breach of trust. The people already in the system – who made a huge investment – now fear for their future, they do not have stability and do not know what will happen.
“We cannot talk about earning a settlement if we keep moving the goalposts, because moving the goalposts undermines our sense of fair play. It’s un-British.”
The home secretary has announced plans to double the time it takes for migrants to qualify for permanent residence from five to 10 years, arguing that long-term settlement is a “privilege” that must be earned.
Other requirements, such as speaking English to a higher standard, will also need to be met in order to stay in Britain, the government has said.
Government shares Rayner's 'impatience with the pace of change', minister claims
09:22 , Tara CobhamPolitical correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
The government shares Angela Rayner's “impatience with the pace of change”, a minister has claimed, after the former deputy prime minister gave a speech appearing to challenge Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership.
Asked if he agreed with the MP for Asthon-under-Lyne that Labour is going “through the motions in the face of decline”, Cabinet office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds told Sky News: “I think where I would agree, and I think everybody across government would agree, is sharing an impatience with the pace of change, and that applies to every single one of us.
“And I get the sense, I haven’t read the full context of Angela’s remarks, but I get the sense that that frustration is actually what is running through her remarks. It absolutely runs through every Government minister as well.”
Ms Rayner also criticised Shabana Mahmood’s immigration reforms, dubbing them "un-British". But Mr Thomas-Symonds claimed the reforms were "balancing up fairness, but also security at our borders".
He declined repeatedly to say whether he thought Ms Rayner would make a good party leader, stressing that there is “no vacancy” for the role.
'I understand frustration people feel': Burnham backs Rayner
09:20 , Tara CobhamAndy Burnham has said he understands “the frustration people feel” after Angela Rayner said the Labour Party is “running out of time” to deliver change.
The Labour mayor of Greater Manchester told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme “I certainly know where she’s coming from”, when asked if he agreed that the clock is ticking for the party.
“We’ve got to, all of us, haven’t we, work together to pull together a plan that turns the country around,” Mr Burnham said.
“I understand the frustration people feel. We heard that at the by-election, and of course, Angela is reflecting some of that.
“But what I do feel that the signs are becoming really clear that there is a higher ambition, particularly for the north of England.”
He added that the chancellor’s announcement on Tuesday that regional mayors could be given control of a share of income tax to invest in their areas in new plans was “a big sign of a real response” by the government.
Rayner warns Labour ‘running out of time’ in apparent challenge to Starmer’s leadership
09:17 , Tara CobhamAngela Rayner has warned Labour is “running out of time” to deliver change and cannot “go through the motions in the face of decline” in an apparent challenge to Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership.
In a speech at an event by campaign group Mainstream, the former deputy prime minister said the party had come to be seen to represent “the Establishment, not working people” and called for a change of course.
Ms Rayner cited immigration reform as a key concern, suggesting that changes to indefinite leave to remain for people already living in Britain would be a “breach of trust”.
