Chaotic scenes in the Commons yesterday as ministers scrambled to resuscitate Starmer’s Chagos deal. As co-conspirators know, Trump slammed the plan, and the deal is now effectively dead…
But it’s not just Reform and the Tories who are on the march. Even Labour MPs are going cold on the government’s plan – with Blackley and Middleton South MP Graham Stringer already having spoken out against it. Now Liverpool Walton MP Dan Carden has weighed in:
“I am sorry that I am the only Labour backbencher who wants to speak… I have followed this matter as closely as possible, and I have gone along with the Government up to this point, but it has been against my instincts. I still cannot understand exactly what we are doing here. International agreements do not protect us against our enemies or our allies; sovereignty does. I genuinely think that the people we represent will be asking, “Why can the Prime Minister not step forward, assert sovereignty over these islands, and make it clear that we have the military defence to defend them?”Guido has spoken to multiple Labour MPs in private who oppose the deal. Will Starmer listen to his own MPs on Chagos?
Mark your calendars…
Starmer has spoken to the cameras for the first time since blocking Andy Burnham’s attempt to ride south. He insisted the by-election bid was ‘unnecessary’, would have ‘diverted’ party resources, and the real ‘fight’ is against Reform. Andy Burnham is ‘doing a great job’, says the man gritting his teeth so hard his jaw is about to explode…
The NEC voted 8-1 against him. Only Lucy Powell voted in favour. Grab the popcorn…
UPDATE:
Statement from the Labour Party:
“Directly Elected Mayors and Police and Crime Commissioners must seek the express permission of Labour’s ruling body, the National Executive Committee, before seeking nomination as a Labour candidate for the Westminster Parliament in accordance with Chapter 5, Clause IV, 2 of the Labour Party Rule Book. This rule was put in place to avoid the party incurring unnecessary costs of running two simultaneous political campaigns.
Yesterday, Andy Burnham sought such permission from the NEC to stand in the Gorton and Denton Parliamentary by-election, which would have led to a mayoral by-election in Greater Manchester. The NEC has decided not to grant Andy Burnham permission to stand.
The NEC believes that causing an unnecessary election for the position of Greater Manchester Mayor would have a substantial and disproportionate impact on party campaign resources ahead of the local elections and elections to the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Senedd in May. Although the Party would be confident of retaining the mayoralty, the NEC could not put Labour’s control of Greater Manchester at any risk.
Andy Burnham is doing a great job as Mayor of Greater Manchester. We believe it is in the best interests of the party to avoid an unnecessary Mayoral election, which would use substantial amounts of taxpayers’ money and resources that are better spent tackling the cost of living crisis.
We look forward to fighting and winning the upcoming by-election in Gorton and Denton and the positive campaign ahead, which will be firmly focused on tackling the cost of living and bringing investment to the local area.”
It’s on.
I have today written to the Chair of Labour’s National Executive Committee seeking permission to enter the selection process for a candidate for the forthcoming Gorton and Denton by-election.
Read my letter here.👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/TwKgADsuSB
— Andy Burnham (@AndyBurnhamGM) January 24, 2026
Housing Secretary Steve Reed confirmed to the House today:
“In December, the minister for local government and homelessness wrote to 63 councils due to hold elections in May 2026 to hear their views. I have carefully assessed over 350 representations from those councils with elections scheduled in May and from others who are interested in the outcome. I have carefully considered arguments made about capacity, reorganisation and democracy, and I’m grateful to everyone who took the time to express their views. I can now confirm my decisions to the House – I have decided to bring forward legislation to postpone 29 elections.”
Essex has requested a delay at the last minute, which is expected to be approved by ministers, taking it to 30 councils. That’s 5.6 million votes cancelled. Let the people vote…
UPDATE: MHCLG is ringing round outlets asking for this to be referred to as “delayed” rather than “cancelled” elections. Desperate…
Read the full list of cancelled council elections below:
Continue reading “Labour Confirms 29 Local Elections Cancelled”
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.”