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 and minimise suffering on the ground, as he urged Israel to renew efforts for a ceasefire and called for more relief for civilians.
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.
“British sovereignty on the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar and the sovereign base areas, is not up for negotiation. The situations are not comparable.”
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
Rachel Reeves backs away from tax raid on pensions
The chancellor is expected to call off plans for a tax raid on pension savings after No 11 warned the move could be unfair to public sector workers.
Senior Treasury officials have reportedly told Rachel Reeves that reducing 40 per cent of tax relief on higher earners could hit those with lower incomes.
A government figure told The Times it would be “madness” to hit nurses and teachers with large tax rises, just months after giving them a pay rise.
Under the plans, a nurse earning £50,000 would be hit with an extra tax bill of up to £1,000 a year.
Another government source claimed Labour’s U-turn on implementing a cap on the lifetime allowance on pension savings would hit junior doctors.
“The government will take into account the impact on public sector workers,” they said.
But the warnings leave the chancellor with limited options to raise £16 billion in taxes to fill the “black hole” in public finances.
The chancellor will finally reveal her “major measures” to the Office for Budget Responsibility, the fiscal watchdog, this Wednesday.
PM says ‘we must stand with Jewish community’ as he marks October 7 anniversary
Sir Keir Starmer has said that “we must unequivocally stand with the Jewish community” and reiterated his calls for a ceasefire as he marked the first anniversary of the October 7 attacks.
Monday is one year since the Hamas attacks in Israel, which triggered Israel’s subsequent conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon.
Sir Keir described October 7 2023 as “the darkest day in Jewish history since the Holocaust” and said that “collective grief has not diminished” in the year since.
“Over a thousand people were brutally murdered. Men, women, children and babies killed, mutilated, and tortured by the terrorists of Hamas. Jewish people murdered whilst protecting their families, young people massacred at a music festival, people abducted from their homes,” the Prime Minister said.
“Agonising reports of rape, torture and brutality beyond comprehension which continued to emerge days and weeks later.
“As a father, a husband, a son, a brother – meeting the families of those who lost their loved ones last week was unimaginable. Their grief and pain are ours, and it is shared in homes across the land.
“A year on, that collective grief has not diminished or waned.”
ICYMI: Sue Gray quits as Starmer resets top team in bid to regain control
Sir Keir Starmer has been forced to accept the resignation of his chief of staff Sue Gray in the latest attempt by the prime minister to regain control of the political agenda and end the chaos in his government.
After less than three months in office since the election, the loss of Ms Gray – who he personally recruited to ensure he could drive through his policies through Whitehall once in power – is a major blow for Sir Keir.
You can read the full story below:
Sue Gray quits as Starmer resets his top team in bid to regain control over chaos
This comes after weeks of speculation around tensions between Gray, outgoing cabinet secretary Simon Case and Keir Starmer’s director of political strategy Morgan McSweeney
Sue Gray to take pay cut to £170k in new position
The former chief of staff will take a generous pay cut in her new role after quitting Sir Keir Starmer’s cabinet, The Telegraph reports.
On Sunday, Ms Gray announced she would leave Downing Street to become the prime minister’s new envoy for the regions and nations.
But just as she is set to transition to her new role, a leak revealed that she earned £170,000, which is more than the prime minister’s salary.
The whopping figure sparked fury among some frustrated Labour figures who have been on lower pay since entering government.
Healey not backing Emmanuel Macron’s demand for full arms embargo on Israel
John Healey has not backed Emmanuel Macron’s call for a full arms embargo on Israel when it comes to the war in Gaza.
During an interview with Sky News, the defence secretary sent his thoughts to families of hostages and those who lost loved ones on the anniversary of the “horrifying” 7 October attack.
Asked whether he agreed with the French president’s view, he said: “No, we work a different system.
“We as a government don’t supply anything directly to Israel, but where there are export licences that have a clear risk that may breach international law, then we’ve suspended those licences where they could affect the lives in Gaza.”
ANALYSIS | Could Starmer’s strategic shake-up regain control of Number 10?
In a pivotal moment for Sir Keir Starmer, significant changes have been implemented behind the iconic black door of Number 10, to recalibrate the government’s operations.
With the clock ticking toward his first 100 days, the Labour leader has displayed a decisive edge by replacing Sue Gray with Morgan McSweeney, his former chief of staff and head of political strategy.
Sir Keir’s patience is waning as he strives to reassert control after a tumultuous start to his premiership.
Despite Ms Gray’s previous contributions, her tenure has been marred by controversy and criticism, particularly surrounding the “freebie-gate” scandal.
Insider sources told Sky News that her departure was mutually agreed upon, with Ms Gray transitioning to a new role as envoy for the nations and regions.
One said: “This is about a PM wanting to regain grip.”
The prime minister’s decision reflects a broader strategy to streamline operations at Number 10, especially after a lacklustre performance following a successful election campaign.
The reshuffle not only promotes Mr McSweeney but also enhances the communications team, bringing in seasoned professionals to fortify the government’s messaging.
While some view this as a capitulation to internal dissent, it’s clear that Sir Keir is committed to unifying his team and addressing operational weaknesses.
Defence secretary: Sue Gray became ‘lightning rod for criticism’
On the morning media round, John Healey said that “sadly it’s nothing new” to see a senior staffer in Number 10 become “a lightning rod for criticism”.
The defence secretary said Sir Keir Starmer’s administration owes Sue Gray for her “massive role” in helping it prepare for office but “I respect her decision to step aside”.
“I’m glad she’s still going to be working with us,” he told Times Radio.
Asked whether he would have accused the Tories of being a “total shambles” if their chief of staff had stood down within three months in office, Mr Healey said: “In the end what counts for people is what government does. We’re getting on with the job people elected us (to do).”
Morgan McSweeney has “a strong track record” and “was at the heart of what was a historic election win for the party,” the minister said.
He repeatedly refused to say whether Mr McSweeney would be paid more than Sir Keir.
Asked whether there had been problems with Ms Gray, he said: “I really respect her decision to step aside” as it “allows us more clearly” to set out a mission for government, citing Ms Gray’s own statement in which she said commentary relating to her had become a distraction.
Good morning
Welcome back to the politics live blog.
Today marks one year since Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza, triggered by Hamas’ attack in Israel.
Sir Keir Starmer has celebrated the 7 October anniversary by calling for a ceasefire, claiming that the “collective grief has not diminished” in the year since.
We will also hear from defence secretary, John Healey, on the media round this morning. And we can expect foreign secretary David Lammy to make a statement on the Middle East war in the Commons later today.
Monday also marks the return of MPs to Westminster after days of party conference.
While members kick start an adjournment debate, Unite will protest outside parliament against Labour’s decision to mean-test winter fuel payments.
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