Latest news with #NickRobinson
Daily Mail
18-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
The historic town drowning in sewage... and why YOUR area could be next thanks to Labour's new plans
There's a plumber connecting the dishwasher in Nick Robinson 's kitchen, plus a newly installed bespoke counter and a smell of fresh paint. After eight months, his Buckingham home is nearly ready for him to move back into. Yet memories of the sewage that spewed through drains outside and flooded his floors last November are not so easily fixed.
Daily Mirror
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
9 things we learned about 'hard b*****d' Keir Starmer from Trump to family life
Prime Minister Keir Starmer admitted the last few days have been 'tough', but said he and his team will keep 'punching through' during an interview with BBC's Nick Robinson The Prime Minister has been branded a "hard b****d" as he prepares for his second year in power. In an interview with the BBC's Political Thinking podcast, Keir Starmer admitted that the past week has been "tough" - but maintained he has not "lost the dressing room". Mr Starmer also opened up about his relationship with Donald Trump, saying he understands what "anchors" the President. He vowed to "keep punching through" after a difficult first 12 months in Downing Street, and said he is proud of what Labour has achieved. But he admitted mistakes have been made - including failure to engage with disgruntled backbenchers over welfare changes. The PM also threw his support behind Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who was seen crying in the Commons on Wednesday. Here we look at some of the stand-out things he told host Nick Robinson in the wide-ranging interview. Whether he's a hard b****d The PM was told by Mr Robinson: "One of your friends who plays football with you, he says his words, you're a hard b******. Now, being this far behind in the polls with a Chancellor who people lack confidence in, with a Labour Party that's denied you a Parliamentary majority on something you believe in, are you a hard enough b****** to look in the mirror and say, I've got to change the party's got to change something serious has to change." The PM replied: "We'll keep on punching through. I'm a hard enough b****** to find out who it was who said that so I can have a discussion with him." 'I've not lost the dressing room' After a difficult few days, Mr Starmer said he has not "lost the dressing room". He said: "Yes, it's been tough. I'm the sort person that then wants to reflect on that, to ask myself what do we need to ensure we don't get into a situation like that again. And we'll go through that process "But I also know what we will do, and that is we will come through it stronger. And that's what I've always done." He later added: "A s we go through the long list of things that we've achieved this year the Labour dressing room, the PLP (Parliamentary Labour Party) is proud as hell of what we've done." What went wrong on welfare The Prime Minister admitted he should have engaged with Labour backbenchers better as concerns came to light. But he said the need for reform remains. He was forced to roll back on his plans after MPs refused to back plans to cut access to personal independence payments (PIP) and health aspects of Universal Credit. The PM said: "We didn't get the process right. As I say Labour MPs are absolutely invested in this. It matters to them to get things like this right. And we didn't get that process right. We didn't engage in the way that we should have done." On Rachel Reeves' tears The interview happened hours after Chancellor Rachel Reeves was seen crying in the Commons chamber at PMQs. He denied it was anything to do with political matters. He said: "She's made it clear it's a personal matter and I'm not going to go into the personal matter of a colleague." And he continued: "She's done a fantastic job. She and I work together, we think together... We're in lockstep." "It's got nothing to do with politics, nothing to do, with any discussion between me and Rachel, nothing to do with the matters of this week... She will be Chancellor for a very long time to come." Why changed view on grooming gangs The Prime Minister described himself as a "pragmatist". He said: "So just to very briefly guve the example of grooming gangs., way back 15 years ago I prosecuted the first of these cases of the grooming cases. "So I know firsthand what it means for victims and calling for things like mandatory reporting in these cases for a very, very long time. And it matters to me that we get it right. " Having had lots of inquiries, I thought we should get on with implementing the recommendations that we had. But I did ask Louise Casey to do an audit check for me, that that would help me out." He went on: "I asked Louise, I said, I need to be sure that we're in the right place on this. Louise Casey has got a reputation for getting to bottom of matters. She did an audit.. "I read it through, from end to end. And she herself had actually gone into the review thinking we didn't need a national inquiry. She then uncovered things which changed her mind. "I went through that and I decided the right thing to do was to follow her recommendation." Spending too much time overseas? The Prime Minister defended the amount of time he has been spending overseas, amid questions about whether it is affecting domestic policy. Mr Starmer shot back that good relations with world leaders brings real-world benefits to Britons. He said: "It is important to have a good relationship with, President Trump, rooted in the national interest, but it also helped us when we were negotiating a trade deal, which wasn't good. So why don't you do it?" The PM added: "The car manufacturing industry was likely to be hit with a hefty tariff if we didn't get a trade deal of 27.5%." He went on: "Building those relationships with international leaders is hugely important. Getting to know people, what their instincts are, that is in the national interest." The PM said he'd had "a glass of wine" with French President Emmanuel Macrobn which paved the way for a trade agreement with the EU. "That helped when we got to the reset that delivered for us and the SPF agreement, which means that the prices will come down in a supermarket near you," he said. Secret visits to Leeds Hospital to see dying brother Before and after the general election, Mr Starmer secretly visited his brother Nick, who died on Boxing Day. He would use the porters' lift in order to evade being spotted, he revealed. The PM said: "It's really hard to lose your brother, to cancer. He was a very vulnerable man. He had difficulties when he was growing up and never really had security in his life. "That's why I do understand firsthand what it means to have respect and security. That's why it's hard wired into my politics. And he was that diagnosed, with stage four lung cancer. "I wasn't sure how he would cope with that. I made it my business to be there in the hospital when he was told so I could begin to help look after him. I don't think he would have wanted or withstood any public, knowledge of where he was at, and I wanted fiercely to protect him. And that's why, both before the election and after the election, I went secretly to see him in hospital. "He was intensive care for a long time." The PM said this often involved using a porters lift so he was not spotted. "The staff there were absolutely brilliant, as they always are," he said. Flat is 22 seconds from office The PM said it is really important for him to spend time with his family despite the pressures of his job. He said: "There is, an upside (to living in Downing Street) because the flat is 22 seconds from my office. I've timed it, but it means I can see the children, I can pop up when they're around. "And I do, because it is really important. Because, look, my family really means a huge amount to me. My wife Vic is an absolute rock. by my side and my kids are my pride and joy." Wouldn't swap worst day in power for opposition The Prime Minister said that he found being in opposition frustrating - and he wouldn't swap the worst day in power for his old life. Mr Starmer said: "I came into politics to change lives, having had nine long years in opposition, frustrated that we were in opposition, unable to change lives. I wouldn't swap a single day of the last year with opposition. And we've done some fantastic things ."
Telegraph
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Starmer: I'm a hard bastard
Sir Keir Starmer has claimed he is a 'hard bastard' as marked the first anniversary of his time in Downing Street. The Prime Minister made the quip in an interview with Nick Robinson on BBC Radio 4's Political Thinking podcast one year on from the general election. Mr Robinson said he had been told by one of Sir Keir's five-a-side football teammates that he was a 'hard bastard'. The presenter asked: 'Are you a hard enough bastard to look in the mirror to say I've got to change, the party's got to change, something serious has to change in year two for Keir Starmer?' Sir Keir responded: 'We need to reflect on where things haven't gone according to plan [...] but we also need to emphasise the very many good things we have done.' Adding that he was 'really proud' of his record in office, he said: 'I'm a hard enough bastard to find out who it was who said that, so that I can have a discussion with him.' The first year of Sir Keir's premiership has seen Labour tank in the polls, two ministers quit his front bench and a number of about-turns on major policies. He was forced to tear up large parts of his flagship welfare Bill to starve off a Labour revolt. Asked if was a football manager who had 'lost the dressing room' after 49 MPs voted against his reforms, Sir Keir said: 'Absolutely not, Nick. As soon as we go through the long list of things that we've achieved this year, the Labour dressing room – the PLP [Parliamentary Labour Party] – is proud as hell of what we've done. 'And their frustration, my frustration, is that sometimes the other stuff, welfare would be an example, can obscure us being able to get that out. But you'll be hearing a lot from me about that.' Sir Keir also expanded on the bond he has struck up with Donald Trump since the US president returned to the White House in January, despite a sharp contrast in their policies and leadership styles. The Prime Minister admitted last week that a focus on international affairs had distracted him from the recent rebellion over welfare reforms. Asked if he was spending 'too much time' with the likes of Mr Trump instead of his own MPs, he replied: 'It is important to have a good relationship with President Trump – it is in the national interest. 'But it also helped us when we were negotiating a trade deal.' When it was pointed out that he and Mr Trump were very different, Sir Keir said: 'We are different people and we've got different political backgrounds and leanings, but we do have a good relationship and that comes from a number of places. 'I think I do understand what anchors the president – what he really cares about – but also we have a good personal relationship. 'The first time I ever spoke to him was when I picked up the phone to him after he had been shot when he was at a rally before he became president. 'And that was a phone call really to ask him how it was and in particular I wanted to know how it had impacted on his family. So that was the beginning of his relationship.' Discussing the relationship they have beyond 'important matters of state', he added: 'I think for both of us we really care about family and there's a point of connection there in terms of how we care about our families. 'In having a good relationship with President Trump we were able to do a trade deal.' The UK-US trade deal came into force on Monday after being signed in June and has reduced tariffs for the British automotive and aerospace sectors. Sir Keir recalled receiving a call from Mr Trump a few days after Nick Starmer, his younger brother, died on Boxing Day after fighting cancer. Reflecting on the loss of his brother, Sir Keir said he had been a 'very vulnerable man' and that he would not have wanted his stage-four diagnosis to come under the spotlight. 'I made it my business to be there in the hospital when he was told so that I could begin to help to look after him,' he added. 'I don't think he would have wanted or withstood any public knowledge of where he was at. And I wanted fiercely to protect him and that's why both before and after the election I went secretly to see him at home, secretly to see him in hospital, he was in intensive care for a long time.' Sir Keir continued: 'It was important for me to do that to support him and very important for me not to share that with the world because this was my brother – I deeply cared about him and I wanted to and would always have protected him and his privacy.'
Glasgow Times
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Keir Starmer says he understands what ‘anchors' Donald Trump
The Prime Minister told the BBC Radio 4 podcast Political Thinking With Nick Robinson it was 'in the national interest' for the two men to connect. He said: 'We are different people and we've got different political backgrounds and leanings, but we do have a good relationship and that comes from a numbers of places. 'I think I do understand what anchors the president, what he really cares about. 'For both of us, we really care about family and there's a point of connection there.' Sir Keir said in the interview to mark a year in office he has a 'good personal relationship' with Mr Trump, and revealed the first time they spoke was after the then-presidential candidate was shot at a campaign rally in July last year. He said Mr Trump had returned the phone call a few days after the Prime Minister's brother Nick had died on Boxing Day. Sir Keir said he secretly visited his 60-year-old brother before and after the general election during his cancer treatment. Sir Keir Starmer being interviewed by Nick Robinson (Jeff Overs/BBC/PA) He said: 'It's really hard to lose your brother to cancer. I wanted fiercely to protect him. 'And that's why both before the election and after the election, I went secretly to see him at home, secretly to see him in hospital. 'He was in intensive care for a long time.' Addressing recent political turmoil, Sir Keir said he will always 'carry the can' as leader after coming under fire over a climbdown on welfare reforms and that he would 'always take responsibility' when asked questions. 'When things go well… the leader gets the plaudits, but when things don't go well, it is really important that the leader carries the can – and that's what I will always do.' Sir Keir also backed Rachel Reeves and said she would be Chancellor 'for a very long time to come', after the politician was visibly tearful in the House of Commons on Wednesday following a U-turn to welfare reform plans that put an almost £5 billion black hole in her plans. "It was a personal matter." Sir Keir Starmer has told @bbcnickrobinson that Rachel Reeves' tears at PMQs had "nothing to do with politics". The prime minister has backed Rachel Reeves to remain as chancellor in an interview on BBC Radio 4's Political Thinking.#R4Today — BBC Radio 4 Today (@BBCr4today) July 3, 2025 Ms Reeves said it was a 'personal matter' which had upset her ahead of Prime Minister's Questions. The Government had seen off the threat of a major Commons defeat over the legislation on Tuesday after shelving plans to restrict eligibility for the personal independence payment, the main disability benefit in England. Sir Keir said he cannot 'pretend… that wasn't a tough day', and stressed the welfare system 'isn't working for the people that matter to me'. 'In the world that isn't politics, it is commonplace for people to look again at a situation and judge it by the circumstances as they now are and make a decision accordingly,' he said of the changes. 'And that is common sense, it's pragmatic, and it's a reflection of who I am. 'It was important that we took our party with us, that we got it right. 'And Labour politicians come into public life because they care deeply about these issues.
South Wales Argus
04-07-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Keir Starmer says he understands what ‘anchors' Donald Trump
The Prime Minister told the BBC Radio 4 podcast Political Thinking With Nick Robinson it was 'in the national interest' for the two men to connect. He said: 'We are different people and we've got different political backgrounds and leanings, but we do have a good relationship and that comes from a numbers of places. 'I think I do understand what anchors the president, what he really cares about. 'For both of us, we really care about family and there's a point of connection there.' Sir Keir said in the interview to mark a year in office he has a 'good personal relationship' with Mr Trump, and revealed the first time they spoke was after the then-presidential candidate was shot at a campaign rally in July last year. He said Mr Trump had returned the phone call a few days after the Prime Minister's brother Nick had died on Boxing Day. Sir Keir said he secretly visited his 60-year-old brother before and after the general election during his cancer treatment. Sir Keir Starmer being interviewed by Nick Robinson (Jeff Overs/BBC/PA) He said: 'It's really hard to lose your brother to cancer. I wanted fiercely to protect him. 'And that's why both before the election and after the election, I went secretly to see him at home, secretly to see him in hospital. 'He was in intensive care for a long time.' Addressing recent political turmoil, Sir Keir said he will always 'carry the can' as leader after coming under fire over a climbdown on welfare reforms and that he would 'always take responsibility' when asked questions. 'When things go well… the leader gets the plaudits, but when things don't go well, it is really important that the leader carries the can – and that's what I will always do.' Sir Keir also backed Rachel Reeves and said she would be Chancellor 'for a very long time to come', after the politician was visibly tearful in the House of Commons on Wednesday following a U-turn to welfare reform plans that put an almost £5 billion black hole in her plans. "It was a personal matter." Sir Keir Starmer has told @bbcnickrobinson that Rachel Reeves' tears at PMQs had "nothing to do with politics". The prime minister has backed Rachel Reeves to remain as chancellor in an interview on BBC Radio 4's Political Thinking.#R4Today — BBC Radio 4 Today (@BBCr4today) July 3, 2025 Ms Reeves said it was a 'personal matter' which had upset her ahead of Prime Minister's Questions. The Government had seen off the threat of a major Commons defeat over the legislation on Tuesday after shelving plans to restrict eligibility for the personal independence payment, the main disability benefit in England. Sir Keir said he cannot 'pretend… that wasn't a tough day', and stressed the welfare system 'isn't working for the people that matter to me'. 'In the world that isn't politics, it is commonplace for people to look again at a situation and judge it by the circumstances as they now are and make a decision accordingly,' he said of the changes. 'And that is common sense, it's pragmatic, and it's a reflection of who I am. 'It was important that we took our party with us, that we got it right. 'And Labour politicians come into public life because they care deeply about these issues.
