Brexit is dead. Now a senior minister reveals truth to me about Starmer's Surrender Summit - and why Europeans have acted like 'f****** b*******': DAN HODGES
'It's time to look forward – to move on from the stale old political fights and to find common sense, practical solutions that improve the lives of British people,' Keir Starmer declared as he announced the successful completion of his EU 'Surrender Summit'.
To his credit, he managed to refrain from the saying what he privately wanted to say. ' Brexit is dead.'
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The Independent
40 minutes ago
- The Independent
Starmer offers major concessions on benefit cuts after crisis talks with Labour rebels
Sir Keir Starmer has caved to a Labour rebellion and offered major concessions to his backbenchers on his planned benefit cuts. In a screeching £1.5bn U-turn, people currently receiving personal independence payment (Pip) will be protected in a move the prime minister hopes will spare him a humiliating defeat on Tuesday. Adjustments to universal credit will also see existing claimants' incomes protected, work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall confirmed in a letter overnight. The U-turn followed crisis talks with backbenchers, with some 126 Labour MPs within the party having signed an amendment that would hve killed the flagship welfare bill. It cuts £1.5bn from the £5bn the government had hoped to save through the changes, and blows a hole in Labour's spending plans that economists warn will need to be filled with either tax hikes or spending cuts elsewhere. Speaking after the U-turn was announced, care minister Stephen Kinnock refused to say how the £1.5bn shortfall would be made up, pointing to the chancellor's Budget this autumn. He said he was 'really pleased with the way that the dialogue happened' and that the changes were a 'step in the right direction'. And he went as far as accusing critics of the original welfare proposals of spreading 'misinformation', claiming that Labour had always planned to 'protect the most vulnerable in society'. Sir Keir's Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill has its second reading on Tuesday, the first opportunity for MPs to support or reject it. The major concessions announced overnight should be enough to win back the support of tens of rebels and get the measures over the line. A Downing Street spokesman said: 'We have listened to MPs who support the principle of reform but are worried about the pace of change for those already supported by the system. 'This package will preserve the social security system for those who need it by putting it on a sustainable footing, provide dignity for those unable to work, supports those who can and reduce anxiety for those currently in the system. 'Our reforms are underpinned by Labour values and our determination to deliver the change the country voted for last year.' The government's original package restricted eligibility for the personal independence payment (Pip), the main disability payment in England, and limited the sickness-related element of universal credit. Existing claimants were to be given a 13-week phase-out period of financial support in an earlier move that was seen as a bid to head off opposition by aiming to soften the impact of the changes. In her letter, the work and pensions secretary said: 'We recognise the proposed changes have been a source of uncertainty and anxiety. 'We will ensure that all of those currently receiving PIP will stay within the current system. The new eligibility requirements will be implemented from November 2026 for new claims only. 'Secondly, we will adjust the pathway of Universal Credit payment rates to make sure all existing recipients of the UC health element – and any new claimant meeting the severe conditions criteria – have their incomes fully protected in real terms.' She said a ministerial review would ensure the benefit is 'fair and fit for the future' and will be a 'coproduction' with disabled people, organisations which represent them and MPs. 'These important reforms are rooted in Labour values, and we want to get them right,' she said. The change in Pip payments would protect some 370,000 existing claimants who were expected to lose out following reassessment. If the legislation clears its first hurdle on Tuesday, it will then face a few hours' examination by all MPs the following week – rather than days or weeks in front of a committee tasked with looking at the Bill. The so-called 'reasoned amendment' tabled by Treasury select committee chairwoman Dame Meg Hillier had argued that disabled people have not been properly consulted and further scrutiny of the changes is needed. She said: 'This is a good deal. It is massive changes to ensure the most vulnerable people are protected… and, crucially, involving disabled people themselves in the design of future benefit changes.' While the concessions look set to reassure some of those who had been leading the rebellion, other MPs remained opposed before the announcement. Speaking before the U-turn, Rachel Maskell said: 'As the government is seeking to reform the system, they should protect all disabled people until they have completed their co-produced consultation and co-produced implementation. 'I cannot vote for something that will have such a significant impact … as disabled people are not involved, it is just a backroom deal.' One MP said that ministers would need to 'go back to the drawing board' to make the Bill acceptable. Another said they expected the legislation would get through second reading if the government conceded the key sticking points relating to existing Pip claimants, the health element of universal credit and a policy consultation. 'It would need to be in the Bill, not just a commitment,' they said. Speaking in the Commons on Wednesday, Sir Keir told MPs he wanted the reforms to reflect 'Labour values of fairness' and that discussions about the changes would continue over the coming days. He insisted there was 'consensus across the House on the urgent need for reform' of the 'broken' welfare system. 'I know colleagues across the House are eager to start fixing that, and so am I, and that all colleagues want to get this right, and so do I,' he said. 'We want to see reform implemented with Labour values of fairness. 'That conversation will continue in the coming days, so we can begin making change together on Tuesday.' There was a mixed reaction among charities to the prospect of concessions. Learning disability charity Mencap said the news would be a 'huge relief to thousands of people living in fear of what the future holds'. 'It is the right thing to do and sends a clear message – cutting disability benefits is not a fair way to mend the black hole in the public purse,' director of strategy Jackie O'Sullivan said. But the MS Society urged rebels to hold firm and block the Bill, insisting any government offer to water down the reforms would amount to 'kicking the can down the road and delaying an inevitable disaster'. Head of campaigns at the charity, Charlotte Gill, said: 'We urge MPs not to be swayed by these last-ditch attempts to force through a harmful Bill with supposed concessions. 'The only way to avoid a catastrophe today and in the future is to stop the cuts altogether by halting the Bill in its tracks.' The Tories described concessions as 'the latest in a growing list of screeching U-turns' from the government. Shadow chancellor Mel Stride said: 'Under pressure from his own MPs, Starmer has made another completely unfunded spending commitment. 'Labour's welfare chaos will cost hardworking taxpayers. 'We can't afford Labour.'
Times
an hour ago
- Times
Call him Daddy … How flattery and fanfare warmed Trump to Nato
There was little doubt about it, the survival of the 75-year alliance was at stake. But with Iran firing missiles at US bases and Europe divided once again over defence spending, would the president of the United States turn up? By the end of the week, though, they were calling Donald Trump 'daddy' at Nato. The conclusion of a summit that many feared would result in browbeating not backslapping left leaders across Europe sighing with relief. 'It didn't get out of hand,' said Dick Schoof, the Dutch prime minister, expressing a 'combination of relief and happiness'. One diplomat went further. 'We made it through the minefield,' they said. 'There was so much that could have gone wrong, beginning with a no show. There were no bust ups, the agreement made it over the line and the mood music was good even if it was too cheesy for squeamish tastes.' The subjects of division were many, not least European reluctance to endorse America's bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities, actions which President Macron of France and others decried as illegal. Then there were the problems closer to home to consider. The Spanish, led by the embattled prime minister Pedro Sánchez, were digging in over defence spending. A summit communiqué with a firm nod in the direction of Washington had said the members would finally commit to spending 5 per cent of GDP on defence, a long-standing demand from Trump. Sánchez, rocked by a corruption scandal at home and constantly in the headlines for the wrong reasons, seemed set on asserting Spanish sovereignty by taking on Trump. It might have looked good to Spaniards, but it looked bad for Nato. Anxiety was heightened as the ceasefire in the Middle East threatened to unravel. Then, there was a leak to contend when a broadcaster reported that Trump would stay the night as the guest of the Dutch king. Hardly Watergate, but embarrassment was to be avoided at all costs. 'Is he coming? Until he steps on the red carpet, I won't believe it,' said one official, 'I am genuinely terrified.' • Behind the scenes of Trump's ceasefire deal Mark Rutte, the Dutch Nato secretary-general often described as the 'fluisteraar' or 'Trump whisperer' was taking no chances. 'Congratulations and thank you for your decisive action in Iran,' he wrote before Trump had set foot on Air Force One. 'You are now flying to another great success in the Hague,' Rutte added as he himself flew into a storm for, effectively, lending Nato's backing to Trump's actions in the Middle East. There was a promise to conclude: 'Europe is going to pay in a BIG way, as they should, and it will be your success!' Trump was on his way but he was in a bad mood. 'They don't know what the f*** they're doing,' he said of Israel and Iran as he left the White House for the Hague. It got worse. On the flight across the Atlantic, he questioned whether the US would automatically come to the aid of European allies, such as Spain, under the alliance's Article 5 mutual defence clause. 'Depends on your definition,' he said. But the Dutch, like other nations that still have a royal family, had a secret weapon to deploy. After emerging from the presidential jet in his white Maga cap, Trump was whisked off to be welcomed with full fanfare by King Willem-Alexander. There was charred tuna, veal and chocolate cake in the splendour of the Oranjezaal, or Orange room, in the Huis ten Bosch palace. Trump sat between the king and Giorgia Meloni, the populist Italian prime minister and a rare European admirer of the president. He was clearly enjoying himself. There was a ceasefire deal between Israel and Iran to celebrate. 'I had a good line of sight,' said Schoof. 'The president was very animated in conversation, there was a relaxed atmosphere.' An even more relaxed atmosphere was to be found where Trump would spend the night. He had an unprecedented invitation by the Dutch royal couple to stay the night in their 17th-century place that nestles in green woodlands at the Hague. The following morning Trump had breakfast with Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima, describing them as 'beautiful and spectacular people'. Invited to wax lyrical about Trump, the Dutch king merely said: 'What happens in the palace, stays in the palace.' Then came the moment that could for many people define Trump's visit to the Netherlands. Speaking alongside Rutte, Trump was discussing how the Middle East powers were behaving like 'two kids in a schoolyard'. 'Daddy sometimes has to use strong language,' interrupted Rutte, a reference to Trump's previous use of the F-word. Trump was delighted and the cameras caught Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, shaking his head in disbelief and laughing. All of a sudden Trump was ebullient and the mood was good. Sánchez backed off his fight, choosing not to mention spending targets and talking about Spain's important military contribution to the alliance, promising to meet the operational targets. Many leaders, including Sir Keir Starmer, flagged military spending on US hardware, such as F-35 fighter jets and Patriot air defence systems. Rutte, though, would face a backlash for his supplicant approach to Trump. He admitted that his comments were 'a bit of a question of taste'. The president was not complaining. 'He likes me,' he said of the Dutchman. 'And if he doesn't, I'll come back and I'll hit him hard. He did it very affectionately. You're my daddy.' It was all a bit much for many working behind the scenes. 'We were told that Rutte was a Trump whisperer but this is indecent,' said one diplomat. • 'Daddy' Trump takes centre stage as Nato bows to his demands Schoof, as summit host, described the Nato gathering as 'historic' but was less sure how history would judge the flattery. 'I don't know,' he admitted, 'for us, the summit had to be a success. You do everything to put the government leaders at ease. Some more than others.' It's not only Europeans paying their way that was pleasing Trump. His new nickname was too. The White House released a video showing the president as he glad-handled assorted alliance leaders set to a song by Usher, who sings 'so all my ladies, say, 'Hey, hey, hey, daddy'. After the song came the 'official TRUMP DADDY shirt', sold by the Trump National Committee, a fundraising vehicle, which gives 77 per cent of the cash to Trump's Never Surrender campaign used for his legal, consulting, travel, staffing and other expenses and funding candidates. A minimum donation of $35 will buy a bright orange T-shirt emblazoned with Trump's mugshot and the single word 'DADDY' in black capital letters. The shirt colour may have been chosen to reflect Rutte's home country. 'When Biden was president, we were LAUGHED at on the world stage,' Trump wrote in an email to supporters. 'But thanks to your favourite president (ME!) we are respected once again. Moments ago, Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte called me DADDY on the world stage. How nice! So for a limited time, I want YOU to own the official TRUMP DADDY shirt!'
Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
Hungary's PM Orban warns of legal consequences over banned Budapest Pride march
BUDAPEST, June 27 (Reuters) - Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday there would be "legal consequences" for organising or attending a Budapest Pride march in violation of a police ban on the event, planned for Saturday. "We are adults, and I recommend that everyone should decide what they want, keep to the rules ... and if they don't, then they should face the clear legal consequences," Orban told state radio. He said police could disperse a banned event but Hungary was a "civilised country" and the task for police was to convince people to follow the law.
