UK politics live: Starmer says only viable option in Middle East is two-state solution
Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer calls for an end to the ‘living nightmare’ Palestinians are enduring
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Sir Keir Starmer has warned that a two-state solution is “the only viable long-term route through” the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, as he said Britain’s thoughts are with the Jewish people on the anniversary of the 7 October attacks.
In a speech to the House of Commons, the prime minister called for an end to the “living nightmare” Palestinians are enduring, and vowed to use the “power of diplomacy” to try to minimise suffering on the ground, as he urged Israel to renew efforts for a ceasefire and called for more relief for civilians.
He took aim at Iran, saying the launching of 200 ballistic missiles at Israel last week “exposes, once again, Iran’s malign role in the region”.
His speech comes as David Lammy sought to reassure MPs the Falkland Islands and Gibraltar are “not up for negotiation” amid backlash over his decision to hand the Chagos Islands over to Mauritius.
The Foreign Secretary told the Commons: “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.”
Sir Keir Starmer shuffles Number 10 team after Sue Gray quits as chief of staff
Who is Sue Gray? ‘Partygate’ civil servant takes up new Labour government role
Who is Morgan McSweeney? The Labour election guru replacing Sue Gray as chief of staff
Why Starmer’s reshuffle of his inner circle will help put No 10 back on track
COMMENT | Why a reshuffle of Starmer’s inner circle will put No 10 back on track
The prime minister has toughened his defences against a right-wing press vendetta against him, writes John Rentoul:
Why Starmer’s reshuffle of his inner circle will help put No 10 back on track
The prime minister has toughened his defences against a right-wing press vendetta against him, writes John Rentoul
In pictures: Pensioners protest against winter fuel payment in Westminster
No 10 rules out giving away Falkland Islands and Gibraltar
Downing Street has insisted the deal to give up sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) was due to the “unsustainable” legal position and had no impact on other disputed territories including the Falkland Islands and Gibraltar.
The prime minister’s official spokesman would not be drawn on the cost to the UK taxpayer of the deal which will see Mauritius being given sovereignty over the islands, with a 99-year agreement to secure the strategically important UK-US military base on Diego Garcia.
The spokesman said: “The government inherited a situation where the long-term secure operation of the military base at Diego Garcia was under threat with contested sovereignty and legal challenges, including through various international courts and tribunals.
“You will be aware that the previous government initiated sovereignty negotiations in 2022 and conducted a number of rounds of negotiations. This government picked up those negotiations and has reached an agreement, which means that for the first time in over 50 years, the base will be undisputed, legally secure, with full Mauritian backing.”
Asked why the BIOT should not be seen as a precedent for other sovereignty disputes such as the Falklands and Gibraltar, the spokesman said: “It’s a unique situation based on its unique history and circumstances, and has no bearing on other overseas territories.”
The spokesman added: “British sovereignty of the Falkland Islands or Gibraltar is not up for negotiation.”
Average UK house price ‘just shy of record high’ in September
House prices increased by 0.3 per cent month-on-month in September, matching a rise seen in August, Halifax said.
Year-on-year price growth ran at 4.7 per cent, the strongest rate since November 2022.
The average house price was £293,399, just shy of a record high of £293,507 set in June 2022.
ICYMI: Starmer under pressure as Labour big beasts warn he has ‘lost grip’
Sir Keir Starmer is under growing pressure as Labour heavyweights warned he has lost his grip on the political narrative, after he was forced to accept the resignation of his chief of staff over the weekend.
Sue Gray resigned from her position after weeks of reported tensions in Number 10.
Labour grandee Baroness Harriet Harman has said the turmoil that culminated in her resignation has been “uncomfortable” for the prime minister, warning that nobody wants to see political infighting on the front pages of newspapers.
Our political correspondent Millie Cooke has the full story below:
Starmer under pressure as Labour big beasts warn he has ‘lost grip’ after Gray row
Labour grandee says rows that led to resignation of PM’s top aide ‘uncomfortable’
Starmer does not have a ‘woman problem’, says Downing Street
Downing Street has rejected suggestions that Sir Keir Starmer has a “woman problem” after he replaced his chief of staff Sue Gray with Morgan McSweeney.
The prime minister was accused by Rosie Duffield of “having a problem with women” after sensationally quitting the Labour Party over his “greed”.
Asked whether the Canterbury MP was right to have said the prime minister has a problem with women given the most senior woman behind the scenes had been stood aside with a man taking over her role, his spokesman said: “I wouldn’t accept that characterisation at all.”
On whether Sir Keir believed journalists were “scumbags” after a report in The Times suggested Ms Gray used the term to refer to some members of the press, the spokesman said: “I’m not going to get into unsourced briefings.”
No 10 rejects suggestions Sue Gray will clash with ministers in new role
Downing Street rejected suggestions that Sue Gray might clash with cabinet ministers for the devolved nations in her new role as envoy.
Asked whether there was a risk of Ms Gray’s new position clashing with those of the secretaries of state for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, the prime minister’s official spokesman said: “No, no, not at all.
“They will work constructively and collaboratively within the existing set-up.”
It comes after top aides accused the former partygate investigator of alienating her colleagues during her time in Downing Street.
Pictured: Keir Starmer walks into Downing Street
No 10 refuses to say whether Sue Gray was sacked or resigned
Downing Street has tried to further clarify the fallout from the departure of Sue Gray.
Sir Keir Starmer wants to ensure he had “the right structures in place going forward to deliver change for the country,” Downing Street said when asked whether Sue Gray was sacked.
No 10 was pressed on whether the right structures had not been in place in Downing Street following Ms Gray’s departure.
A spokesman said: “I think it’s right to reflect on the first weeks and months in office to ensure that you do have the right structures in place going forward to deliver change for the country and as the prime minister said the appointments he’s made will strengthen the Downing Street operation and demonstrate his determination to deliver the change that the country voted for.”
Lunchtime bulletin
Labour ministers have marked the first anniversary of the 7 October attack by Hamas which triggered Israel’s ongoing striking in Palestine.
- Sir Keir Starmer has declared “we must unequivocally stand with the Jewish community” as he marked the first anniversary.
- The prime minister also reiterated calls for a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon amid global fears of all-out war in the Middle East.
- The foreign secretary David Lammy has visited members of the Jewish community at the South Tottenham United Synagogue.
- Away from foreign politics, Labour continues to placate backlash over the recent resignation of former chief of staff Sue Gray yesterday.
- Former Tony Blair’s political advisers Alastair Campbell and John McTernan warned the PM against taking “too many missteps” and criticised the timing of the upcoming Budget.
- In the polls, Labour has been hit by a grim reading with more than half of Britons thinking the new government has been “sleazy”, according to YouGov.
- In other news, Reform UK has threatened the home office to launch a private prosecution against the people involved in the Manchester Airport fight with police officers in July.
- In the House of Commons, the prime minister will deliver a statement, with the ongoing Middle East conflict at the top of the agenda, at around 3.30pm.
- We will then hear from the foreign secretary following the backlash over the government’s decision to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
We will bring you all the latest updates and analysis throughout the day.
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