'Keir Starmer is sowing the seeds of bigger political battles ahead'
Skyrocketing military spending is Keir Starmer's Achilles' heel when funding a dubious splurge will make the welfare crisis appear a picnic.
Because thinking of a number, doubling it then adding some more without a clue where the cash comes from- fresh deep cuts, tax rises, higher borrowing? - is a £30billion ticking time bomb. Our under-fire Prime Minister could be forgiven should he go to bed cursing not Vladimir Putin but Donald Trump when the Kremlin's Oval Office bullies him and other European leaders into squandering precious extra resources on rearmament.
Britain's near £60billion last year confirmed us in the world's half-dozen top spenders, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, and there's little confidence a wasteful, profligate Ministry of Defence would deploy the windfall wisely. Starmer's sowing the seeds of bigger political battles ahead even as he utters mea culpas for a battered first 12 months.
Stick to the panicky Nato 3.5% or 5% target, both figures would be damaging when the UK's below 2.5% and the raided aid budget is shrivelled, and a 2028 or 2029 General Election will be a minefield for whoever is Labour leader or, for that matter, heading the Tories, Reform and Lib Dems. Enhancing living standards and transforming key public services such as education and justice, health enjoying deservedly reviving injections, would be nigh on impossible to promise realistically in a second term manifesto alongside tanks, destroyers and nuclear bombers.
Distracted Starmer blaming international summits and the Middle East for taking his eye off the benefits ball, failing to appreciate Labour rebels put their country first, party second to champion the disabled, is a potential reset, a restart, a relaunch, ahead of Friday's anniversary of a Westminster landslide from a different age. The optimism's vanished, vanquished by own goals over winter fuel, free spectacles and, Tuesday's Commons vote will attest, welfare, yet all is far from lost for him and Labour.
Deeply unhappy Labour MPs are heard contemplating life after Sir Keir, ears of deputy Angela Rayner and Health Secretary Wes Streeting likely to be buring. Up in the polls, Nigel Farage and Reform could repeat the shooting star crash of Roy Jenkins and the SDP back in the early 1980s.
David Cameron and George Osborne were pronounced for the hot pot during the 2012 pasty tax furore before winnin a Tory majority in 2015. Starmer may have up to four years to put it all right but the PM needs a plan to avoid plummeting into that defence black hole he dug to appease Trump.
Obscenity not glamour was paraded in Venice with Forbes calculating the Jeff Bezos-Lauren Sanchez grotesque nuptials may have cost upwards of £20million. As the only Socialist Senator in the USA, Bernie Sanders, reminded us, kids go hungry and 60% of Americans live paycheque to paycheque while a super-wealthy oligarchic class party at the expense of the impoverished many.
Britain has its filthy rich and dirt poor too with relatively lightly taxed tycoons now threatening to up sticks and flee abroad should a wavering Treasury require this entitled bunch to pay a slightly fairer share, Eggheads Kate Pickett and Richard Wilkinson's groundbreaking 2009 study, The Spirit Level, demonstrated how equality is better for everyone and fairer societies are happier countries.
So to put a smile on our faces I'm offering to drive to Heathrow in my nine-year-old Sunderland-built Nissan Qashqai any bloodsucking parasites doing us a favour by leaving.
I Don't Want to Talk About It when I'm a big fan of his music but rock legend Rod Stewart can be a leg end over politics. Long viewed as a Tartan Tory despite a 2024 Labour flirtation courtesy of influential wife Penny Lancaster, there are two reasons why It's a Heartache that Rod's suddenly giving, as he puts it, Nigel Farage a chance.
The first is ignorance, Rod falling hook, line and sinker for the lie Starmer sold out Scottish fishing when the PM in fact netted a big catch for the industry by persuading the EU to cut export red tape while rolling over Boris Johnson's trawler deal.
And the second is fishy Farage is essentially the same slippery Putin fan boy criticised by Rod in 2024 for parroting the Kremlin line that the West provoked Russia into invading Ukraine. Music and politics are never plain Sailing.
It's no wonder some asylum seekers work on the side when they receive not untold riches but £1.42 a day in accommodation with meals provided or £7.03 if they must buy their own grub, clothing and toiletries. The only folk who earn a fortune from a multi-billion broken system bequeathed to Labour by incompetent Tories are spiv bosses exploiting willing hands barred from employment and Fat Cat landlords and hoteliers milking taxpayers.
Ending the ban on newcomers legally taking jobs while awaiting decisions on whether they stay or go would allow them to pay their own rent and bills as well as tax and save us a small fortune. It's a no-brainer. The Reform, Tory and Labour politicians opposed are the ones costing up a packet.
With foreshortened limbs the Commons' only visibly physically disabled member, talk of Marie Tisdall's fraught call with Rachel Reeves emphasised the value of the Penistone MP's insights and why the Chancellor was dangerously marooned on the wrong side of benefit cuts.
Tory ex-Minister George Freeman reporting himself for investigation despite insisting he broke no rules leaves us wondering when these money-grabbing second-jobber will learn after emails showed the MP asked a company paying him £5,000 a month for eight hours work to help draft Parliamentary questions.
'ALL life is sacred. And I find it pretty revolting we've got to a state in this conflict where you're supposed to sort of cheer on one side or the other like it's a football team.' I'm with Wes Streeting after Glastonbury rapper Bob Vylan nauseatingly led crowds chanting 'death, death to the IDF [Israel Defense Forces]' yet the bigger outrage at the mo is the actual relentless, ongoing wholesale slaughter of innocent Palestinians in Gaza and settler killings in the occupied since West Bank since that horrific Hamas pogrom.
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The Guardian
39 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Starmer's disability benefit concessions are not enough, says rebel Labour whip
The Labour whip who resigned in protest against disability benefit cuts has said Keir Starmer's concessions do not yet go far enough to win her over, as No 10 launched a fresh attempt to stem the revolt against its welfare bill. Vicky Foxcroft, who quit her frontbench role over the welfare bill a little more than a week ago, urged the government to work jointly on the changes with disabled people and to publish the review of the system before bringing in cuts. In an interview with the Guardian, Foxcroft said she had not made up her mind how to vote on Tuesday but would need assurances about further improvements. 'I would hope that actually we start to ensure we listen to disabled people and their organisations right across government. This isn't just about warm words. This is about making sure we get policy right,' she said. Starmer is facing a challenging 48 hours as No 10 battles to persuade Labour MPs to back the welfare bill now that the government has promised that current claimants of personal independence payment (Pip) will not be subject to proposed cuts. It also pledged that the health element of universal credit will rise at least in line with inflation. The Department for Work and Pensions will on Monday publish the terms of reference for a review of personal independence payment (Pip) to be undertaken by a minister, Stephen Timms, which the government says will be 'co-produced' with disabled people. It will set out £300m of employment support to be brought forward over the next three years, and publish draft regulations on the 'right to try' – allowing disabled people to try work without risking their financial support. Liz Kendall, the work and pensions secretary, said: 'This is about delivering a fairer, more compassionate system as part of our plan for change which supports people to thrive, whatever their circumstances.' However, critics of the welfare cuts will be looking carefully at the timetable for the Timms review, as many want to see it published before the reduction in Pip due in November this year. Alternatively, they want to see the cuts delayed until after the review of the system is published. Dozens of Labour MPs appear yet to be convinced, with estimates that 50 to 60 would like to see further changes, although one of the leading original critics, Louise Haigh, the former transport secretary, said she was now likely to back the legislation. Meg Hillier, the Treasury committee chair, has also switched to say she will back the bill, but many others are waiting to see further details. In her first interview since quitting, Foxcroft said it was 'good to hear that people won't be losing their benefits who are currently on them' but said there were 'areas where I still think there's need for movement'. The MP said one of the biggest issues was the need for co-production with disabled people and disability groups, and that should have happened 'absolutely from the start'. 'This is the problem. And this is why a lot of people have said, 'Can we delay this? Can we pause this until we ensure that we properly get it right?' Right now, we're kind of tinkering in terms of things to make it the least worst situation we can, and we need to learn lessons from that and make sure that we get these things right going forward,' she said. The former shadow minister for disabled people said she would also like to see the Pathways to Work review by Timms published before the implementation of the bill that would bring in cuts. The 12-week consultation period began on 7 April. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion Foxcroft said she did not see herself as a rebel and had not wanted to resign but felt welfare bill plans would hurt the most vulnerable and she knew she could not whip or vote for something she did not believe in. She said the whips had been 'raising … for months' that Labour MPs were not happy with the disability cuts and that potentially part of the problem for Downing Street had been 'maybe ensuring that you listen to what the chief whip says'. But she said it was important that the prime minister 'appreciates he needs to be in listening mode more … and I think you've got to really respect it when somebody does come out and say that'. Starmer acknowledged in an interview with the Sunday Times that he did not get a grip on the Labour rebellion over disability benefits earlier because he was focused on foreign affairs. The prime minister acknowledged he had not got it right, and said he would have wanted to make the concessions earlier. 'I'd have liked to get to a better position with colleagues sooner than we did,' Starmer said. 'I'm putting this as context rather than an excuse.' Foxcroft is one of dozens of Labour MPs who remain worried about the changes, despite concessions made by Kendall in a midnight email on Thursday. Marie Tidball, a Labour MP who has a disability and chairs two all-party groups on autism and disability, wrote in the Guardian on Sunday that she wanted the bill to be produced along with disabled people, to promise more consultation over the summer, and to do better on enabling more people to work. 'Fundamentally, I will be looking for further reassurances that the detail will fulfil Labour's manifesto commitments to disabled people,' she said. Olivia Blake, one of the few Labour MPs with a disclosed disability, also accused the government of creating an 'unethical two-tier system' by its welfare bill concessions – and urged rebels to stand firm. The Disability Labour-affiliated group is also asking all MPs to oppose the legislation. In another development, a legal opinion commissioned by the union Equity and given by Jamie Burton KC of Doughty Street Chambers, concluded that 'the aggressive measures set out in the government's proposals will inevitably result in very serious breaches of the UK's obligations under the UN convention on the rights of persons with disabilities and the international covenant on economic, social and cultural rights.' He added: 'They are likely to be condemned by the treaty-monitoring bodies, who have become all too familiar with very similar reforms designed to cut the welfare bill and promote work, but which ultimately result in yet further and longstanding human rights violations for disabled people.' A DWP spokesperson said: 'The secretary of state has carefully considered, and will continue to consider, all her legal obligations and is satisfied that these reforms are lawful.'
Scotsman
42 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Ann Budge stepping down as Hearts chairwoman
Edinburgh club looking for a new figurehead as season 2025/26 nears Sign up to our Hearts newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Hearts have begun the process of seeking a new chairman after Ann Budge announced she is stepping down from the role. The club's AGM in December this year will be Budge's last as she ends a 12-year stint in and around the Tynecastle Park boardroom. She has advised fellow directors of her plan to step back at the age of 77 and will now focus more time on her family. However, she retains a seat on the board through her shareholding in the club. She leaves a lasting legacy as the woman who helped save Hearts from going out of business, and who changed the face of Tynecastle forever with the building of a new main stand. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Budge worked in conjuction with the fan group Foundation of Hearts to help the Edinburgh club out of a year-long administration at the end of season 2013/14. She opened the stadium's new main stand in 2017 and also oversaw European campaigns and cup runs. Recently, she has been involved in bringing new investment to the club through Tony Bloom's £9.86m deal. Budge 'thought long and hard' before making decision to step down from Hearts position Explaining her decision to stand down, Budge told the official Hearts website: 'This is something I have thought long and hard about. Having discussed this with the board, I feel now is the right time to confirm that I intend to step down later this year. 'When I first got involved with the Foundation of Hearts in 2013, I could not have envisaged the journey it would take me on. Initially, the aim was to stabilize the club before even thinking of growth. Now, 12-years later, as I look at where the club stands, I can allow myself to feel a sense of pride at what we have achieved. 'With Tony Bloom's investment now complete, and the supporters ensconced as custodians of the club, I believe I have done what I set out to achieve. The appropriate time for reminiscing and saying goodbye will come after the AGM in December but until then, my full focus will remain on what it has always been, and that is doing my very best for Hearts and our fans.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Andrew McKinlay, the chief executive Budge appointed at Tynecastle in 2020, added his thanks: 'It cannot be overstated just how much Ann has done for Heart of Midlothian and on behalf of everyone at the club, I extend both my thanks and my gratitude. As we get closer to December's AGM we will update our supporters on our succession plans, but for now we will continue to enjoy and benefit from working with Ann until the end of her tenure as the club's chair.' Foundation of Hearts Chairman Gerry Mallon said: 'Ann will leave a remarkable legacy when she departs the club and we are extremely fortunate to have had 12 years of her knowledge and experience at the helm of Hearts. 'In particular, her participation during the birth of the Foundation of Hearts can never be downplayed, neither can the instrumental role she played in saving the club from the abyss and taking it back up to the top end of Scottish football. For that, I will be forever grateful to Ann, as I'm sure Hearts fans everywhere will be too.' A statement issued by Hearts also thanked Budge for years of service in Gorgie: 'Ann Budge has advised the Board that she will be stepping down from her role as chair of the club in December of this year, following the 2025 AGM. The search for a new Chair is now underway. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Working with the Foundation of Hearts, and with the backing and commitment of the fans, Ann played a vital role in rescuing the club, enabling it to exit from administration in 2014. Since then, she has spent more than a decade driving Hearts forward and has been a pivotal figure in the club's resurgence. 'Under her leadership, and with the financial backing of fans, sponsors and benefactors - once again proud to be associated with Hearts - the club has reestablished itself both on and off the pitch. 'We have seen the delivery of a number of major infrastructure projects, including the Museum, the Memorial Garden, a new state-of-the-art pitch, and, of course, the magnificent new Main Stand incorporating the Tynecastle Park Hotel. Investment in infrastructure has not stopped at Tynecastle, with substantial investment in facilities for our players, at all levels, up at Oriam. 'Hearts has also reaffirmed its position as a community champion during Ann's time in charge. With the saving of our charity, Big Hearts, coupled with the creation of our Community and Heritage Department, Hearts sits firmly at the very heart of the community. Fans and the local community alike have access to community football for all ages, amazing educational opportunities through our Innovation Centre and a whole range of family support services through Big Hearts. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'On the football front, Ann has also overseen the redevelopment of our youth academy, including the creation of our own performance school. She has also been totally committed to helping establish the Women's game here in Scotland, ensuring comparable facilities for both men and women at Oriam. 'During her tenure, our fans have had numerous visits to Hampden to support not just our men's first team but also our women's team. They have seen multiple third-place finishes in the league and have enjoyed many memorable European adventures, including the men's first team securing European football for a historic three years in a row.'
The Independent
43 minutes ago
- The Independent
Labour benefits cuts latest: Starmer battles to quell 50-strong MP rebellion with just hours left until vote
Sir Keir Starmer is launching a last-minute attempt to win over dozens of Labour MPs rebelling against his welfare reforms. Around 50 Labour MPs are still thought to be planning to vote against the bill in a crunch vote on Tuesday, despite the prime minister offering concessions on the legislation last week. The original welfare bill proposed to introduce a higher bar for eligibility for the Personal Independence Payment (Pip), and cut the health-related element of universal credit. But after more than 100 Labour MPs called for these changes to be scrapped, the government said its proposed rules will now only apply to new claims from November 2026. Plans to cut the health-related element of universal credit have also been rowed back, with all existing recipients to have their incomes protected in real terms. The Government will amend the Bill at the Commons committee stage to put the changes in place ahead of the second reading on Tuesday. However, it is estimated around 50 to 60 Labour MPs are still planning to rebel against the bill, with some saying the concessions are not enough. A minister did not answer when asked whether any Labour MPs that rebel over welfare this week will have the whip removed. Baronesss Jacqui Smith was asked by Times Radio whether rebels would have the whip removed, she told the station: 'I think what's important and from – as you say – from my experience as a former chief whip, is to keep talking, keep explaining the moves that the Government has already made to recognise some of the concerns.' Pushed again on whether the whip would be removed, she later said that people would hear more from ministers on Monday. Athena Stavrou30 June 2025 09:35 Starmer's disability benefit U-turn not enough, says rebel Labour whip Sir Keir Starmer 's £3bn U-turn on his planned welfare cuts does not go far enough, a leading rebel who quit her frontbench job over the changes has warned. The prime minister is still facing the prospect of around 50 Labour MPs voting against his welfare reforms, with former government whip Vicky Foxcroft among those calling for fresh concessions. Ms Foxcroft dramatically quit this month in protest at the plans, saying she could not back cuts that will harm disabled people. And, in an interview with The Guardian after Sir Keir's U-turn, she said it was 'good to hear that people won't be losing their benefits who are currently on them' but said there were 'areas where I still think there's need for movement'. Athena Stavrou30 June 2025 09:33 Starmer battles to quell 50-strong MP rebellion with just hours left until vote Sir Keir Starmer is launching a last-minute attempt to win over dozens of Labour MPs rebelling against his welfare reforms. Around 50 Labour MPs are still thought to be planning to vote against the bill in a crunch vote on Tuesday, despite the prime minister offering concessions on the legislation last week. The original welfare bill proposed to introduce a higher bar for eligibility for the Personal Independence Payment (Pip), and cut the health-related element of universal credit. But after more than 100 Labour MPs called for these changes to be scrapped, the government said its proposed rules will now only apply to new claims from November 2026. Athena Stavrou30 June 2025 09:31
