Starmer’s position is not secure into the weekend. Labour MPs continue to call for him to sack his chief of staff and ‘Starmerism’ architect Morgan McSweeney over his close relationship to Mandelson and insistence that his mentor was given the ambassador job. While many Labour MPs have confined their criticisms to a barrage of anonymous quotes to Lobby hacks, a growing number are going on the record. So far the following backbenchers have called for the McIavelli’s sacking:
If McSweeney goes, Starmer’s days will be numbered…
Home Office minister Mike Tapp has doubled down on Starmer’s oblique blame of the security and vetting officials who quizzed Mandelson prior to his appointment as ambassador. Cowardly – they won’t like that…
Speaking on Sky News Tapp said:
“He wasn’t the vetting officer here… We do know that there were lies told during that vetting procedure. Now that’s not me saying putting any blame on anybody else. The government ultimately oversees this and makes the decision. And that’s why the apology is really important. And when we see the information laid out for the public, of course, we have to act on that and ensure that nothing like this can ever happen again… what we’ve got to bear in mind is that the apology Keir Starmer has given is that he was clearly lied to during that vetting process. And I trust that I trust the prime minister. Let’s see what comes out from the documents. I think transparency is vital government and that’s what we’re getting from this government.”
Tapp also laughably claimed Starmer had acted “quickly on this.” It’s always someone else’s fault – until it isn’t…
It’s another setback for Starmer’s Chagos deal as the enabling legislation has been delayed again. Government whips decided this afternoon they will not return the Bill before the February recess…
Meanwhile reports overnight that Trump has changed his mind and now backs the deal have come to nothing so far. Falling apart…
Remember what they said. Remember how gleeful they were.
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The SNP’s ‘business conference’ this year is in London. Tickets are going for £750 per person:
“Following a sold-out Business Day in Edinburgh last year, SNP Business Day 2026 offers senior business leaders and public affairs professionals based in and around London a rare opportunity to engage directly with senior SNP figures at a pivotal moment for Scotland’s economy, investment landscape, and relationship with Westminster.”
On 16 March John Swinney will give a keynote address followed by a panel with Kate Forbes and “networking with SNP Representatives.” Also on the agenda is the SNP’s “influence at Westminster”…
That’s all rounded off with a beer event with Stephen Flynn. The “ticket also includes exclusive access to an invitation-only reception on the evening of Monday 16th March, also in London.” Write your own jokes…
Speaking at his speech on how to achieve “progressive capitalism” Wes Streeting fired a dig and Andy Burnham:
“Bond markets are not bond villains and fiscal rules matter.”