More headaches for Labour: Send, strikes and small boats
Plus, with NHS doctors going on strike again and small boat crossings reaching a record high, how can the government get out of this mess? John speaks to the political correspondent and fellow host of Politics Weekly, Kiran Stacey
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The Independent
4 minutes ago
- The Independent
Starmer's historic Palestine plan is driven by weakness — not strength
Keir Starmer's announcement that the UK will recognise a Palestinian state in September (unless Israel meets stringent conditions) was undeniable theatre. But in the drama of the statement on Tuesday evening, there was a nagging sense that it was more performative than an act which would change things on the ground in Gaza and Israel. – and a majority of people believe he has – but the real issues are whether he has done it for the right reasons, and if it was an act of strength or weakness. The fury from Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who accused his British counterpart of 'rewarding Hamas's monstrous terrorism', seemed to suggest a lack of influence the UK government has collectively and Sir Keir has personally. While Labour's foreign affairs select committee chair Dame Emily Thornberry suggested that Netanyahu's reaction shows Britain does have influence, the fact is that it is quite clear that it will not shift Israeli policy one jot. But maybe that does not matter. Foreign secretary David Lammy was loudly applauded at the United Nations when he announced the intention to recognise a Palestinian state. It may not have been a complete coincidence that Arab countries including Qatar and Egypt issued a strong statement shortly afterwards, urging Hamas to disarm and give up control of Gaza. But the reality is that the last few days have underlined that only one man can influence events in the Middle East outside the participants in the ongoing war – Donald Trump. It seems highly significant that Sir Keir waited to have his meeting with Trump at Turnberry before following French president Emmanuel Macron 's lead on the recognition issue. Added to that, the decision only seemed inevitable once Trump effectively gave permission for the UK to diverge from US policy, saying he had no problem with the prospect of Sir Keir taking a position on Palestinian statehood. But in terms of money, weapons supply and political clout, it requires America to tell Israel to stop starving Palestinians and to force a ceasefire. While Trump has said he wants to stop the hunger, his appetite to force a ceasefire is still in question. Meanwhile, Sir Keir has tried to counterbalance the US power with the new E3 group - Britain, France and Germany. This latest intervention came as a result of his E3 talks on Friday and Saturday. The group's creation is viewed by some as a recognition in itself that the EU has lost some diplomatic clout as a result of Brexit and Europe's three biggest powers needed to team up again. The biggest problem he has is that whether it is Netanyahu, German chancellor Friedrich Merz or Trump, every international leader knows that Tuesday evening's theatre was more about domestic politics for Sir Keir. Factions within his cabinet and the wider Labour party, growing political pressure from the trade unions and MPs has forced his hand on Palestine to appease the domestic situation. But perhaps most of all, the emergence of Jeremy Corbyn's new party also genuinely spooked Sir Keir and his top team. Former Labour MP Jonathan Ashworth was among those who were ousted by pro-Gaza independent MPs last year, with health secretary Wes Streeting and justice secretary Shabana Mahmood coming dangerously close to losing their seats. By coming out strongly against Israel's actions in Gaza, Sir Keir will be hoping to secure the votes of wavering voters who may have been tempted to back Corbyn's new pro-Gaza party. So there is a sense that while Sir Keir has shown leadership and probably come to the right conclusion, however, the reasons that he has done so are more about weakness at home rather than strength on the international stage.
The Independent
4 minutes ago
- The Independent
Nigel Farage under investigation by parliamentary standards commissioner
Nigel Farage is under investigation by the parliamentary standards watchdog over a potential breach of the MP's code of conduct. The Reform UK leader is being investigated over a possible break of rule five, which relates to registration of an interest. The parliamentary commissioner for standards, Daniel Greenberg, opened an investigation on Monday, according to the Parliament website. A spokesperson for Mr Farage said: 'Following a complaint from a member of the House of Lords, the Commissioner for Standards is doing his job.' According to the MP's code of conduct, rule five requires that new members should register their interests and and benefits they received in the 12 months before entering Parliament within one month of being elected. It also says that MPs must register any changes to their interests. It says: 'Members must fulfil conscientiously the requirements of the House in respect of the registration of interests in the Register of Members' Financial Interests. 'New Members must register all their current financial interests, and any registrable benefits (other than earnings) received in the 12 months before their election within one month of their election, and Members must register any change in those registrable interests within 28 days.'
BBC News
4 minutes ago
- BBC News
Regulator finds 'failings' in Suffolk councils' housing services
Failings have been identified during inspections of two separate councils' housing services. The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH), a government watchdog, inspected East Suffolk Council and Ipswich Borough Council in their role as landlords and said both had "serious failings".Issues were raised around the standard of homes and interactions with tenants, although RSH said both authorities were engaging with it to make improvements. In response, both councils said they recognised the issues and had steps in place to address them. According to the RSH report, East Suffolk Council owns and manages about 4,300 social and affordable-rent the regulator found hazards including damp and mould were not fully tracked "due to the absence of policies and processes". The council had also identified that about half of its homes did not meet the decent home standard - government criteria to ensure social housing meets an acceptable level of RSH said East Suffolk Council was bringing in new procedures for managing housing Beavan, an Independent councillor who is cabinet member for housing, said the authority was "incredibly disappointed" but was "entirely committed to addressing" the issues raised."Over the last few months, we have been able to appoint additional capacity to key roles, with further recruitment planned over the coming weeks," he added. "We are committed to improving the services and quality of homes we deliver to tenants." In its inspection of Ipswich Borough Council, the RSH identified "serious failings" in the council's understanding of the "diverse needs" of also said the council was "unable to evidence" which of its homes were free of serious hazards."We observed some respectful approaches to tenants during our inspection, but also some use of language which raised concerns that Ipswich BC was not fostering a strong culture of courtesy and respect throughout its organisation," the report RSH noted the council provided "effective, efficient and timely" repairs and dealt with anti-social behaviour and hate incidents "effectively".Alasdair Ross, a Labour councillor who is the portfolio holder for housing, said Ipswich Borough Council was "committed to providing safe, decent homes".He added: "Although the regulator has acknowledged areas of good practice and high satisfaction among tenants, we recognise there is more to do."We have already taken action in several key areas and will continue to make progress with pace and transparency." Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
