UK politics live: Tories begin latest leadership vote after cutting Starmer’s poll lead
Conservative members suggest James Cleverly is new favourite to challenge Robert Jenrick for top job
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In a dramatic twist, the Conservatives have narrowed Labour’s lead to just one point, raising alarms for Sir Keir Starmer’s party months after its sweeping election victory.
The latest More in Common poll revealed the party now sits at 29 per cent, down one percentage point, while the Tories have gained two points, reaching 28 per cent.
This represents the smallest lead Labour has seen since the pollster began tracking voting intentions last year.
Sir Keir’s government is grappling with significant backlash over plans to limit winter fuel payments to pensioners receiving pension credit and the recent gifts row.
But the boost will be welcomed by the Tories, who prepare for a pivotal leadership vote today to narrow down the field to two candidates.
Four contenders, Robert Jenrick, Kemi Badenoch, James Cleverly and Tom Tugendhat are vying to position themselves as the next leader.
Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer is to chair his first cabinet meeting today since the announcement that Sue Gray would leave her post as his chief of staff just three months after Labour came to power.
Her successor, Morgan McSweeney, could attend the meeting as the prime minister seeks to bring Labour’s policy agenda back to the fore after weeks of reported infighting.
Keir Starmer takes aim at ‘malign’ Iran and vows never to ban all arms sales to Israel
Morgan McSweeney: Who is Sue Gray’s replacement and Labour election guru behind Keir Starmer’s rise to power?
The Budget will give the prime minister a chance to correct his mistakes
How has the team in Number 10 changed and what are the potential implications?
British sovereignty on Falklands ‘not up for negotiation’, says Lammy
David Lammy has sought to reassure MPs that the deal with Mauritius to relinquish sovereignty over the Chagos Islands “does not signal any change in policy to Britain’s other overseas territories”.
The foreign secretary said: “I want to reassure the House and all members of the UK family worldwide that this agreement does not signal any change in policy to Britain’s other overseas territories.
“British sovereignty on the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar and the sovereign base areas, is not up for negotiation. The situations are not comparable.
“This has been acknowledged across our overseas territories. Fabian Picardo, chief minister for Gibraltar, vocally supported this agreement, stating that there is no possible read across to Gibraltar on the issues of sovereignty.
“And similarly, the governor of the Falklands has confirmed that the historic context of the Chagos islands and Falklands are very different.
“The government remains firmly committed to modern partnerships with our overseas territories based on mutual consent.
“After Mauritius’ elections, the government will move towards treaty signature, and it is then our intention to pursue ratification in 2025 by submitting the treaty and the Bill to this House for scrutiny.
“This is a historic moment, a victory for diplomacy. We saved the base. We secured Britain’s national interest for the long term.”
Lammy says Chagos Islands deal is ‘strongly backed’ by US
Foreign Secretary David Lammy told MPs that the deal to relinquish sovereignty over the Chagos Islands is “strongly supported by partners” and recognises the “wrongs of the past”.
He told MPs: “It is strongly supported by partners, with President Biden going so far as to applaud our achievement. Within minutes of the announcement, Secretary Blinken and Secretary Austin have also backed this successful outcome, which reaffirms our special defence relationship.”
“This agreement will be underpinned by a financial settlement that’s acceptable to both sides. Members will be aware the government does not normally reveal payments for our military base overseas, and so it would be inappropriate to publicise further details of these arrangements at this stage.
“The agreement also recognises the rights and wrongs of the past. The whole House would agree that the manner in which Chagossians were forcibly removed in the 1960s was deeply wrong and regrettable.
“Mauritius is now free to implement a resettlement programme to islands other than Diego Garcia.
“The United Kingdom and Mauritius have also committed to support Chagossians welfare, establishing an entrust fund capitalised by the UK and providing additional government support to Chagossians in the UK and the UK will maintain the pathway for Chagossians to obtain British citizenship.”
Tory MP says ‘not true’ as Lammy sets out ‘context’ of Chagos Islands deal
Tom Tugendhat repeated the words “not true” as David Lammy set out the “context” to the United Kingdom’s decision to relinquish sovereignty over the Chagos Islands.
The Conservative Party leadership hopeful repeated the phrase from the opposition benches as Mr Lammy told the Commons: “Since its creation, the territory and the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia has had a contested existence. In recent years, the threat has risen significantly.
“Coming into office, the status quo was clearly not sustainable. A binding judgment against the UK seemed inevitable and it was just a matter of time before our only choices would’ve been abandoning the base altogether or breaking international law.”
Lammy hails ‘historic’ Chagos Islands deal
Foreign secretary David Lammy is now speaking to MPs about the UK government’s deal to hand the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
Amid a backlash over the decision, Mr Lammy began by calling Thursday’s announcement “historic” and said it came after two years of negotiations “and decades of disagreement”.
He added that the treaty “is neither signed nor ratified” yet, but that formal negotiations have concluded.
Starmer asked to confirm UK will not be involved in Israeli response to Iran missile attack
Stephen Flynn of the SNP has asked Sir Keir Starmer to confirm that there “will be no British involvement – be that personnel, facilities or airbases – in any Israeli response” to Iran’s “abhorrent” attack on Israel last week.
Sir Keir replied: “I thank him for his question. I’m not – and he will understand – going in to details on the floor of the House as to our capabilities.
“But he will know that the involvement so far, for example in relation to the attack in April, was in relation to Israel’s self-defence when missiles were raining in on Israel. That is the support that we did provide and would always be prepared to provide.”
Britain must do ‘all it can’ to prevent wider war in Middle East, says Ed Davey
Britain must do “all it can” to prevent a wider war in the Middle East, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has said.
Responding to the PM’s statement on the anniversary of the 7 October attacks, Sir Ed said: “We must never forget the trauma of the hostages and their families.
“In Tel Aviv, I met Itzik Horn, a father still praying for his two sons Gair and Eitan to come home,” he said, adding that everything must be done to ensure everyone takes the steps most likely to get the hostages home quickly and safely.
He added: “The last year has seen terrible violence in the Middle East, a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and an appalling spike in hate crimes here in the UK, so we must stand firm against antisemitism [and] Islamophobia.
“We must press for an immediate bilateral ceasefire to end the terrible cycle of violence and bring about lasting peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians, and we must do all we can to prevent a regional war in the Middle East.”
He continued: “I hope the government will try to convince Israel that keeping her citizens safe and secure is best achieved by restraint, not retaliation, and the risk of regional war.”
Sir Keir Starmer replied: “The messaging is very much de-escalation across the region.”
Labour reshuffle: Who’s in and out after Sue Gray resigns
Sue Gray has resigned as Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, saying that “intense commentary” around her position had become a “distraction”.
The special adviser became a household name in 2022 when she headed a report into the Partygate scandal, criticising Boris Johnson and the Conservative government of the time.
Ms Gray was given the influential position of Downing Street chief when Labour came into power in July. However, her resignation means she will have held the role for less than 100 days.
You can read the full story below:
Labour reshuffle: Who’s in and out of Starmer’s top team after Sue Gray resigns
Sue Gray resigned less than 100 days after starting her No 10 role
Zarah Sultana urges Starmer to ban all arms sales to Israel
Suspended Labour MP Zarah Sultana has pushed Sir Keir Starmer to ban “all sales to Israel” following his statement on the anniversary of 7 October.
The MP for Coventry South said: “In light of Israel’s genocidal assault in Gaza, the violence in the West Bank and the invasion of Lebanon, I ask the prime minister if he believes that Israel right to self-defence justifies a death toll, which according to research by US medical professionals in Gaza, has now surpassed a 180,000.”
She then asked: “Will he do what is morally and legally right by ending the government complicity in war crimes by banning all arm sales to Israel including F-35 fighter jets not just 30 licenses, yes or no?”
Sir Keir bluntly responded: “No. Banning all sales would mean none for defensive purposes.”
Ms Sultana has been a fierce critic of the prime minister, not only on Israel’s war in Palestine. She was suspended after voting against her party leader on winter fuel payment cuts.
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