Inside Politics: Labour MPs hold love-in, as Iran war fears grow

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Wednesday 08 January 2020 08:54 GMT

Rebecca Long-Bailey becomes sixth MP to announce Labour leadership bid

What is they say about politics being showbiz for ugly people? Stick a bunch of argumentative attention-seekers in any contest together and watch the sparks fly. As ITV bosses reveal the full Love Island line-up, our Labour leadership hopefuls have begun grafting for special connections among the parliamentary party, cracking on at a Westminster villa hustings event last night. Many MPs seem to be buzzing about Keir Starmer, rumoured to be the inspiration for the dishy Mr Darcy in the Bridget Jones series. Can Rebecca Long Bailey turn anyone’s head with her talk of red-hot socialism? And can any of rest avoid getting pied off before the ballots go out? I’m Adam Forrest, and welcome to The Independent’s daily Inside Politics briefing.

Inside the bubble

Our political commentator Andrew Grice on what to look out for today:

Boris Johnson, who has kept a remarkably low profile since his Caribbean holiday, will face Jeremy Corbyn at Prime Minister’s Questions for the first time since last month’s general election. He will have little time to gloat – the Iran crisis is set to dominate the session. Later the PM will host his first meeting with Ursula von der Leyen, the new European Commission president, in Downing Street. Iran, as well as the EU trade negotiations, will probably be on the agenda. And in Labour land, attention will turn to the election of Tom Watson’s successor as deputy leader, with the runners in a crowded field taking questions from Labour MPs later.

Daily briefing

TOP MARKS: As talk of war builds, Labour leadership candidates are in love, peace and solidarity mode as they flatter colleagues for support. Keir Starmer got a good reception at last night’s hustings after telling MPs: “We have got the talent in this room ... I do believe we can force a way to victory.” Jess Phillips and Lisa Nandy won applause after their calls for change. Nandy made the pointed warning: “If we do not change course we will die and we will deserve to.” As for Rebecca Long Bailey, one MP told The Guardian she was “boring … was like watching paint dry”. Long Bailey spent the day insisting she was nobody’s continuity fool, but said she would give Jeremy Corbyn “10 out of 10” for his record in the job. What would she give someone who actually won elections? Corbyn, who said he wouldn’t be endorsing anyone, was later asked about the 10 out of 10 thing. “I never mark my own homework,” he replied.

HIDING TO NOTHING: Could the threat of conflict lead to a brief outbreak of bipartisan harmony? Little chance of that, by the looks of things. Corbyn accused Boris Johnson of “hiding” behind his defence secretary Ben Wallace and said it was “very odd” that the prime minister “couldn’t be bothered to come and answer questions” in parliament on the Iran crisis. Wallace retorted by explaining the PM was “running the country” – something Corbyn would never do. The defence secretary confirmed British ships and helicopters have been put on standby for deployment, and said “non-essential” personnel had already been moved out of Baghdad. But after Iran fired more a dozen ballistic missiles at two bases used by US and coalition forces in Iraq last night, it feels increasingly unlikely we can lie low and hope it blows over. Foreign secretary Dominic Raab has condemned the strikes, but we’ll finally hear from Johnson himself at PMQ’s today.

SPRECHEN SIE BREXIT: Johnson will be looking forward to his appointment with Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission’s new president. Today’s catch-up meeting at No 10 isn’t actually the opening of trade deal talks – so no doubt he will smother the German official with pointless piffle and smarm. Michel Barnier, the commission’s chief negotiator, is also tagging along – so a bit of Brexit stuff will get politely discussed. According to The Telegraph, Barnier has raised “issues of concern” in a letter to the Brexit secretary Steve Barclay. Urging the government not to dilute protections for EU citizens in the UK after our exit, Barnier wants a “generous interpretation” of the rules for people applying for settled status here.

MORAL HAZE: The issue of EU citizens was fiercely debate in the Commons on a Tuesday, but three opposition amendments aimed at getter greater protections for them in the Brexit bill were defeated. Today sees MPs scrutinise the bill again, and attention turns to a Labour amendment urging the government to guarantee unaccompanied child refugees are reunited with family in the UK. The party is hoping a letter can help Tory politicians locate their consciences. Labour’s Lord Dubs – who came to this country as a child to escape the Nazis – said the government’s decision to remove a pledge on child refugees from the withdrawal bill was “appalling and deeply distressing”. The peer and Keir Starmer have written to Conservatives MPs pleading with them to take a “moral stance”. No chance, is there?

WIRED TO THE SPOON: As anger, fear and uncertainty stalks the land, is there anyone out there coming to save us? How about spoon-bending guru Uri Geller? Apparently the weirdo-misfit has taken Dominic Cummings call for “weirdos and misfits” to apply for No 10 jobs seriously. According to The Telegraph, Geller has sent Cummings his CV. The formerly-famous psychic said his work for Boris Johnson had “already begun” – since the Tory leader’s election triumph was of course down to Geller’s gift of a spoon “energised with mind positivity”. A source close to the attention-seeking Israeli told the newspaper: “He concedes that his application might be one of the more unusual received by Dominic Cummings, but hopes that he can see the potential value of having Uri on board.” Well then Dom, what are you waiting for?

On the record

“We urge Iran not to repeat these reckless and dangerous attacks, and instead to pursue urgent de-escalation.”

Dominic Raab responds to Iran’s missile strikes on coalition bases in Iraq.

From the Twitterati

“Labour frontbencher after PLP leadership hustings: “Lisa Nandy smashed it. The one to watch.””

Politics Home editor Kevin Schofield on Nandy’s surprisingly good performance...

“Many Labour MPs and Peers telling me after Leadership hustings @lisanandy won amidst a talented set of 6 impressive candidates with her stunningly persuasive appeal: I agree!”

...while Labour peer Peter Hain, a Nandy backer, says many thought she “won” the event.