News about Keir Starmer

Putting a brave face on grim results, Rishi Sunak admitted that voters are 'frustrated' but argued that Keir Starmer has not sealed the deal. Mr Sunak is willing Mr Street to join Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen in securing a third term this afternoon, with the outcome thought to be on a knife edge. Lord Houchen's success has seemingly helped Mr Sunak quell a fresh coup bid from rebels, most of whom who have now conceded the leader will not change before the general election. However, the broader picture for the Conservatives was relentlessly grim, with the party likely to end up losing 500 councillors in one of the worst showings for 40 years. It was not all plain sailing for Sir Keir though, with experts warning that a slump in support in areas with large Muslim populations suggested he was 'in trouble'.

Votes are being counted in the capital with Sadiq Khan's allies on high alert for Tory candidate Susan Hall to pull off a shock upset. Polls in the run up to the ballot on Thursday had shown Mr Khan with a comfortable lead of between 10 and 22 points. However, jitters started spreading through Labour circles yesterday amid rumours of a spike in turnout in outer London - typically dominated by Conservative voters and where anger about the ULEZ expansion has been most fierce. Supporters of Mr Khan are worried that he could have been damaged by a wider trend of Muslim voters shunning Labour over Keir Starmer 's strong support for Israel . However, on a visit to Mansfield this morning Sir Keir insisted he is 'confident' that Mr Khan can keep control of City Hall.

Earlier today, the Prime Minister suffered the indignity of seeing of seeing a Labour mayor win in his own constituency as the party hemorrhaged councils and seats. The Conservatives lost Gloucester, which they had previously held for 20 years, and Dorset to the Liberal Democrats . Lord Ben Houchen's re-election on Teesside was a crumb of comfort as the party lost more than half of its councillors up for re-election across England, just months away from a general election. Labour's David Skaith became the inaugural elected mayor of York and North Yorkshire this afternoon, a new position that covers the Prime Minister's Richmond constituency. It was one of the final blows in a day of reverses for the ruling party, including in many areas the Tories need to win to have any chance in the general election later this year. All eyes now turn to mayoral contests in London and the West Midlands, the results of which will be declared on Saturday.

Labour's David Skaith became the inaugural elected mayor of York and North Yorkshire this afternoon, a new position that covers the Prime Minister's Richmond constituency. It was one of the final blows in a day of reverses for the ruling party, including in many areas the Tories need to win to have any chance in the general election later this year. Despite a bright spot with the Tory Tees Valley mayor winning re-election, the bad news has kept rolling in for the PM after a disastrous set of local authority votes. Labour gained Adur in West Sussex from the Conservatives this afternoon after scooping eight seats - the first time the party has controlled the council. There was an even more extraordinary turnaround in Nuneaton and Bedworth, where Keir Starmer's party racked up 15 more seats to take control, with the Tories down 14. Labour also seized overall control of Milton Keynes for the first time since 2000 after adding three councillors. It followed the shock win in Rushmoor in Hampshire this morning, a council it has never before controlled.

Residents in Oldham blamed the demise of their town and the cost of living crisis as much as the Gaza protest vote for Labour losing control of their council. The party lost overall control of the council after independents picked up seats in an apparent backlash over the Gaz a war with Sir Keir Starmer admitting the conflict was a 'very strong factor' in losing.

BBC reporter Rob Mayor has claimed that a Labour source told him that 'once again Hamas are the real villains' because they believe they have lost the West Midlands Mayoral election over the Israel-Palestine conflict. Claiming Labour believes that Conservative incumbent Andy Street will hold on after Muslim voters failed to back them, the same nsider said: 'It's the Middle East, not West Midlands, that will have won Street the Mayoralty'. Muslims and Muslim groups have branded the source's words 'Islamophobic'. One critic said: 'So this is what Labour thinks of Muslims'. MEND, a NGO formed to support British Muslims, tweeted: 'Islamophobic briefing to media has started again from Labour', adding: 'The Muslim vote is being haemorrhaged by Labour'. A Tory spokesman has called it 'vile' and insisted Andy Street is still in a fight to win. When asked about the assessment, Labour apologised and called it 'racist'. A spokesman said: 'The Labour Party has strongly condemned this racist quote which has not come from anyone who is speaking on behalf of party or whose values are welcome in the party'.

Rishi Sunak is hunkering down for a grim day as results continue to flow in, with experts warning the Conservatives are on track for their worst showing in 40 years. Labour's Chris Webb secured a massive 26 per cent swing in Blackpool South to become the newest MP in the Commons - and in a particularly alarming sign the Tory candidate barely managed to push Reform into third place, by just 117 votes. Visiting the constituency this morning flanked by Angela Rayner , Keir Starmer said voters wanted to 'turn the page' on the government. As English councils started to declare, Labour also claimed a 'truly historic result' to take Rushmoor - the home of the British Army - from the Tories and end nearly a quarter-of-a century of Conservative control. Polling guru Professor John Curtice said the Tories could be on track to lose 500 councillors and critics are already stepping up calls for Mr Sunak to go. MPs warned that Mr Sunak cannot have a 'bunker mentality' and 'there's no such thing really as a safe Tory seat anymore'.

It has been impossible for weeks to find a Tory who thought they would win the Blackpool South by-election. The party's previous MP left under a cloud, and it only required a 5.5 per cent swing to turn the seat red. But at 26 per cent, the scale of the swing to Labour will still have come as a huge blow to Rishi Sunak . That reinforces the idea that Keir Starmer is on track for power - and will set MPs' nerves jangling. However, perhaps what will alarm them most is the Reform performance.

Sir Keir Starmer 's party has lost power in the town in Greater Manchester - and outgoing councillors say the leader's face has been plastered on leaflets of independents who took their seats. Despite gains all over England from the Tories in yesterday's local elections , Labour lost control of Oldham after gains by Independents. The party's national campaign coordinator Pat McFadden has admitted the crisis in Gaza has been an 'issue' on the doorstep and 'does get raised' when asked about Labour's loss of control in Oldham. One Labour Councillor in the own who lost their seat told the BBC : 'The main reason for this is Gaza and anger that the Labour Party took too long to call for a ceasefire' . Labour is still the largest party on 27 seats - but have lost control because there are now 16 independents as well as nine Lib Dems and eight Tory councillors. Retiring Labour councillor Paul Fryer said last night: 'Labour have been in power in Oldham for 13 years, perhaps people are a bit tired of Labour. In some parts of the borough it's the Gaza issue that may lose them the seat'.

Rishi Sunak is hunkering down for a grim day as results continue to flow in, with the most striking so far Keir Starmer seizing Blackpool South. Chris Webb secured a massive 26 per cent swing to become the newest MP in the Commons - and in a particularly alarming sign the Conservative candidate barely managed to push Reform into third place, by just 117 votes. It is the seventh parliamentary seat the Tories have lost in a by-election since Mr Sunak became PM in October 2022, six of which have now been won by Labour - underlining that Sir Keir looks to be on track for Downing Street. As English councils started to declare, Labour also claimed a 'truly historic result' to take Rushmoor - the home of the British Army - from the Tories and end nearly a quarter-of-a century of Conservative control. Sir Keir also saw wins in Hartlepool and made other gains in key general election battlegrounds Thurrock and Redditch as they enjoyed early success.

Rishi Sunak is hunkering down for a grim day as results continue to flow in, with the most striking so far Keir Starmer seizing the Lancashire seat.

Rishi Sunak (top right with wife) last night warned Labour (leader Sir Keir Starmer bottom right with wife) was a 'soft touch' on migrants. He hit out at opposition politicians for supporting two protests that stopped the Home Office moving migrants from costly hotels to the Bibby Stockholm barge. A Labour mayor led a blockade that forced one operation to be abandoned. And one of the party's MPs shared a call for 'comrades' to join another roadblock that ended in clashes with police and dozens of arrests (left; inset). Protesters had swarmed a coach, slashing its tyres to stop it from leaving.

Rishi Sunak and Akshata posed for pictures out campaigning in Chelsea, while the Labour leader went to vote with wife Victoria. Other politicians gave a glimpse into their family lives, with Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen carrying his baby into a polling station - and many beloved dogs on show. Tories fear they could lose up to half of the council seats they are defending, with rebels circling if Mr Sunak fails the electoral test. The premier is hoping that Mr Houchen and Andy Street in the West Mids can hold on to give him positive news to trumpet.

The New Deal for Working People, championed by Angela Rayner, included commitments to ban zero-hour contracts. The package, unveiled in 2021, also contains pledges to give workers a 'right to switch off' and not be contacted outside working hours, as well as making flexible working 'a day one right'. However, there are rumours a 'finessed' package of measures is set to be published within weeks. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham warned 'a red line will be crossed' if the party U-turns on previous employment pledges while TUC president Matt Wrack said any weakening of policy will draw a 'hostile reaction'.

Polling stations are open with Tories fearing they could lose up to half of the council seats they are defending. As rebels prepare a fresh coup bid, Rishi Sunak (right) is hoping that two mayors - Ben Houchen in Tees Valley and Andy Street in the West Mids (inset top) - can hold on to give him positive news to trumpet. But the bleak wider picture was underlined today with a Westminster poll suggesting Keir Starmer's (top) Labour has a massive 26 point lead, with the Tories on 18 per cent - just three points ahead of Reform UK.

Rosie Duffield (left), the Labour MP for Canterbury, said Sir Keir Starmer's shifting views on gender have been shaped by 'pressure from social media', as well as 'pressure from very young people'. Ms Duffield has claimed for years, despite criticism from her Party leader and others, that biological sex is unchangeable. Sir Keir later confirmed that he agrees only women have a cervix, despite years of saying otherwise. 'Biologically of course she is right about that,' he said. Sir Keir added: 'Rosie Duffield and I get on very well. She's a much respected member of the parliamentary labour party, and I want to have a discussion with her and anybody else about how we go forward in a positive way.' Speaking on LBC, Ms Duffield said of Sir Keir: 'He's a perfectly decent man but we don't really have the opportunity to get on because I barely ever see him, actually.'

Dr Poulter, who also works as an NHS medic, crossed the floor last week ahead of the local elections after 14 years as the Tory MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich. He used his defection to lash out at the government's handing of the health service. But he faced clapback from former colleagues who suggested he had been performing his role half-heartedly for some time. After Sir Keir Starmer welcomed his new recruit, the Prime Minister was greeted with laughter and cheers when he responded: 'I'm glad to actually see (Dr Poulter). That's because he recently pointed out that residents of his local Labour council are, and I quote in his words, ''charged much more in council tax but in return receive lower quality services''.'

Keir Starmer pledged to reverse what he called a 'Shoplifters' Charter' introduced under the Tories in 2014, whereby theft of goods under £200 is considered 'low value' allowing these offences to be dealt with by post. It emerged last week that shoplifting has risen to the highest level since records began in 2003, with 430,104 offences recorded by police last year. Labour's analysis of Home Office figures showed almost a quarter of a million cases were closed without a suspect being found or because further action was considered not in the public interest. The Mail launched a campaign last year calling for the police, Crown Prosecution Service and courts to be much tougher with such offenders and for a change in the law to make abuse or violence towards shop workers a specific offence.

Sir Keir Starmer has said he does not need to check Angela Rayner's legal advice about the sale of her former council house because he believes her. The Labour leader attempted to claim that the document was similar to medical advice as he said he did not need to look at it. He denied claims that he wanted to maintain plausible deniability if a police investigation into her living situation finds she has broken rules.

The German sportswear giant said its Samba and Gazelle designs are flying off the shelves, helping total sales at the company rise 4% to £4.7bn in the first three months of the year. The Prime Minister jokingly gave a 'fulsome apology' to other lovers of the Samba shoes last month after he was accused of ruining their cool credentials when wearing them in Downing Street with navy chinos and a white shirt.

This is the dramatic moment a brave female police officer confronted a sword-wielding man after a 'random' attack which left a teenage boy dead and two of her colleagues wounded. CCTV footage emerged showing the female cop, flanked by her male colleagues, demanding the man in a yellow hoodie puts down the weapon after her vaulted a fence into a driveway in Hainault this morning. As officers close in on the man, the unarmed officer can be seen advancing on the man  before tasering him despite the fact he was still brandishing his sword. She then stands over him before armed colleagues move into the arrest the man, moments after they were scrambled to east London , following reports that a van had rammed into a home just before a knifeman started prowling the streets. A 14-year-old boy who was 'on his way to school' was fatally injured while two other members of the public were also attacked, in what police believe was a 'random' incident. In the ensuing action, two police officers were injured before a suspect was eventually cornered, tasered and arrested seconds before armed reinforcements arrived. The injured officers were rushed to hospital with 'serious' injuries. Two members of the public were also treated following the horror rampage that unfolded. Police say, the suspect has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in hospital where he is being treated for injuries he received when he crashed his van into a home.

A 14-year-old boy has died in a terrifying sword attack in east London on Tuesday morning. Police raced to the scene in Hainault after reports a van had rammed into a home and a sword-wielding suspect was prowling the streets. A 36-year-old man was later tasered by police and arrested. Five people - including two police officers - were injured in the horrifying incident in the quiet residential area. Police are not treating it as a targeted attack, and do not believe it is terror-related. This is the the terrifying sword attack unfolded:

The Tories today demanded Sir Keir Starmer 'grasp the details' of Angela Rayner 's housing row after the Labour leader again defended not looking at her legal advice. Sir Keir reiterated his strong backing for his deputy as he faced a fresh TV grilling in the weeks-long row over Ms Rayner's past living arrangements. 'I don't need the legal advice to tell me whether I believe Angela Rayner,' the Labour leader told ITV 's Good Morning Britain . He also denied he was declining to examine Mr Rayner's legal advice as a case of 'see no evil, speak no evil'. But Conservative Party chairman Richard Holden suggested Sir Keir could be 'deliberately turning a blind eye to the scandal engulfing his deputy leader'.

Mr Yousaf announced he would resign four days after he tore up the power-sharing agreement he had with the Scottish Greens. He admitted he 'clearly underestimated' the level of 'hurt and upset I caused Green colleagues'. His resignation and the party's other difficulties are likely to give Labour a major boost in the forthcoming general election - and could set the Scottish independence cause back a generation. After a weekend of reflection, Mr Yousaf said: 'I've concluded that repairing our relationship across the political divide can only be done with someone else at the helm.'