Seema Malhotra

Sir Keir Starmer is facing a growing resistance over his views on the Middle East crisis, with half of Labour backbenchers expressing their displeasure with a slew of local councillor resignations. 37 Labour MPs have signed a parliamentary motion expressing their "deepest" concern about Israel's military bombardment and siege of Gaza. Former shadow minister Richard Burgon's 'collective punishment of the Palestinian people' is also condemned in the motion, as well as calls for a cease-fire.' Although the attack is aimed solely at Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the government, the motion is adding to the heat on Sir Keir. Following the Hamas terror attacks earlier this month, Labour leader David Cameron has consistently defended Israel's right to defend itself. Sir Keir's reaction angered some of his party's members, with more than 20 local councillors having resigned in protest against the leader's stance. Councillors in Cambridge, Gedling, Gloucester, Haringey, Hounslow, Hounslow, Islington, Manchester, Manchester, Merthyr Tydfil, Milton Keynes, Nottingham, Oxford, and Stroud have all been fired from office. Labour MPs are likely to be concerned over the swath of resignations, since their constituencies are affected. These include frontbenchers David Lammy, Lucy Powell, Anneliese Dodds, Lilian Greenwood, Seema Malhotra, Helen West, Afzal Khan, Ruth Cadbury, Daniel Zeichner, Gerald Jones, Mike Kane, and Jeff Smith.

According to the Federation of Small Businesses, late payments have "spiralled out of control" and are pushing small businesses to their limits. We take a look at how late payments are impacting small businesses and what steps might be introduced to support.

Natasha Hamilton has claimed that the 'bullying' she saw in The Real Housewives of Cheshire reminded her of her 'tough' school days. The atomist Kitten singer, 40, joined the ITVBe reality show in its 16th season earlier this year, but doesn't appear to have fond memories of filming. Lauren Simon, Seema Malhotra, Rachel Lugo, Hanna Kinsella, Nicole Sealey, Lystra Adams, Sheena Lynch, and Katie Alex are among the current cast members focusing on the personal and professional lives of many women in or around Cheshire.