UK politics live: Half of Labour voters ‘let down’ by Starmer, Jenrick vows he won’t return Tories to centre
YouGov poll reveals public’s mood as Labour government nears 100 days in office
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Sir Keir Starmer‘s popularity has hit a new low after a new poll revealed that nearly 60 per cent of the public disapproves of the government’s performance so far.
As Labour approaches its 100th day in power, the government is facing a rocky start. A YouGov survey found 59 per cent of voters feel unimpressed with the new government with only 18 per cent expressing approval.
Adding to the prime minister’s challenges, another recent poll found a concerning decline in the party’s support.
The Techne UK weekly tracker poll for The Independent has revealed voters aged 55 and over have abandoned Sir Keir’s party, with a dramatic slide to less than 30 per cent.
It comes as the prime minister chaired his inaugural devolved government summit today, but his new envoy, Sue Gray, was absent.
Defending his colleague, cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden said Ms Gray has “been through quite a lot” in recent weeks, explaining her career break.
In the Tory leadership race, Robert Jenrick has admitted regret over his decision to order the removal of murals depicting cartoon characters from a children’s asylum centre. Speaking on LBC, he reflected on his time as immigration minister and claimed “lessons have been learned”.
PM discusses growth deals with Northern Ireland leaders
The prime minister has met with Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill and her deputy Emma Little-Pengelly during the inaugural Council of Nations and Regions in Edinburgh.
This meeting comes amid growing concerns from Northern Irish leaders following the government’s announcement last month that it would pause four city and growth deals in the area.
It later emerged that the Belfast and the Londonderry and Strabane deals would not be affected because those were at a later stage.
However, two other deals, which cover Causeway Coast and Glens and the Mid South West region, are awaiting the conclusion of Labour’s spending review to hear whether the funding pause will be lifted.
The deals, which advance investment and infrastructure projects in specific areas, involve bespoke funding arrangements between the Treasury, the Stormont Executive and local partners.
Asked about the issue in Edinburgh, Sir Keir said: “We talked about city deals, we talked about growth, we talked about energy, we talked about the opportunities we have to work together to deliver across Northern Ireland.
“That’s the sort of collaboration, sleeves rolled up, working together across Northern Ireland people want to see more of.”
Picutred: Starmer hosts first meeting of council of nations and regions in Scotland
No 10 dodges questions on Welsh rail funding at Council meeting
During a press conference following the inaugural meeting of the Council of Nations and Regions, Sir Keir Starmer faced scrutiny over potential funding for Welsh rail infrastructure.
When pressed about whether Wales would receive its fair share of funding for the HS2 high-speed rail project, Sir Keir repeatedly refused to say whether the Welsh government would get its share of funding for the HS2 high-speed rail line.
The Welsh First Minister has described the country as being “shortchanged” on rail funding.
The prime minister was asked twice if the UK government would give Wales the cash.
Speaking to reporters, he said: “We’ve had a very successful first meeting of the Council of Nations and Regions and the First Minister of Wales was here with me, and we had a really good discussion about how we could harness the joint working of both governments.
“Working together on investment, on collaboration and making sure that we’ve got real investment in the jobs of the future across Wales.”
Government reports itself to watchdog after email blunder exposes billionaires contact details
The UK government has referred itself to the data protection watchdog after mistakenly sharing the personal email address of Bernard Arnault, one of the world’s richest men.
In an embarrassing slip-up ahead of a major investment summit, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) apologised for the “human error” that led to the blunder.
Mr Arnault, founder of luxury giant LVMH, with a net worth of £139 billion, is among other high-profile business leaders who have seen their contacts exposed in the email.
The DBT confirmed the breach had been reported to the Information Commissionaire’s office (ICO).
In a statement, they said: “This was caused by an administrative human error, and we apologise to those affected.
“We take data protection very seriously, and we have referred this issue to the Information Commissioner’s Office.”
The French tycoon is set to attend next week’s International Investment Summit in London next week alongside other 300 global industry figures.
Swinney praises ‘constructive’ talks with Starmer in Edinburgh
Scottish First Minister John Swinney has described his discussions with Sir Keir Starmer as “constructive” following the inaugural meeting of the prime minister’s Council of the Nations and Regions in Edinburgh.
Mr Swinney, who has been a vocal critic of the previous Tory government’s handling of devolved relations, welcomed the change in tone from Westminster.
He said previous relations with Westminster had been “absolutely shocking” and he welcomed Sir Keir’s efforts to improve things.
He told broadcasters: “It was a constructive discussion. Obviously, there is a determined effort underway by the prime minister to improve relationships with the previous United Kingdom government that were absolutely shocking and dysfunctional.
“So I welcome the progress that has been made. It is important that we have a forum in which we can put forward serious points about the future of Scotland.”
Streeting ends first meeting of G7 health ministers in Italy
Badenoch has more ‘star quality’ than Jenrick, says Osborne
Kemi Badenoch’s leadership bid has a “star quality” that puts her ahead of Robert Jenrick, former chancellor George Osborne has said.
In his Political Currency podcast, Mr Osborne said that Ms Badenoch’s appeal resonated more with the Conservative grassroots, even as she narrowly topped the most recent vote by just a single ballot.
He said: “When [Kemi Badenoch] says she’s the next Mrs T, is it Mrs Thatcher or Mrs Truss? That’s the thing her critics say. I would think she’s the current favourite. She emerged only by one vote top of the poll.
“She probably has the more kind of star quality and may get more of the Conservative press back, but Jenrick has run a better campaign than hers.”
Labour peer: UK could start rejoining EU talks in 10 years
Peter Mandelson has suggested that the UK could begin discussions on rejoining the EU within a decade.
The Labour peer said that while the political landscape on both sides Channel currently prevents such talks, the conversation could shift within ten years.
Speaking at an event in Edinburgh hosted by the think tank Reform Scotland, he said: “The very hard Brexit forced through by Boris Johnson means that we are for now driving with the economic handbrake on – we can’t let that handbrake off. It is what is.”
He added: “It is difficult to see this being reversed within the next decade. That’s not just about our politics but the politics of the European Union. We are repeating the mistakes of the Brexit economic saboteurs if we think re-entry to the EU or even renegotiation is anything like a unilateral decision on our part. It isn’t.
“So the new government will have to focus in the meantime on mitigating the higher barriers we have created to our nearest and largest market as best we possibly can.”
Starmer hails need to collaborate at Council of Nations and Regions
Sir Keir Starmer opened the first Council of Nations and Regions summit in Edinburgh with a call for deeper collaboration between the UK government and devolved administrations.
The newly formed council, which includes first ministers and metro mayors, is part of Sir Keir’s pledge to “rewire” how Westminster engages with the devolved nations.
Addressing the leaders, the prime minister emphasised the need for a cooperative approach.
He said: “This council is a statement of intent on my behalf and the government about the way in which we want to work with all of you.
“I think that is as important as the substance of what we discuss, is how we collaborate, how we work together.
“Because the UK is really strong, we’ve got so much to offer, particularly when it comes to growth and investment, but we are a bit complicated.”
The PM went on to say the UK should “harness” the different identities in the country, adding he sees facilitating collaboration between them as a “responsibility of this government”.
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