Labour MP to stand down to allow Burnham run for byelection amid leadership row

Labour MP for Makerfield, Josh Simons, will stand down, triggering a byelection and creating an opportunity for Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to return to Parliament. Burnham confirmed he will seek permission from Labour's National Executive Committee to contest the seat, aiming to lead the party and address national issues like the cost of living crisis. This move follows previous attempts by Burnham to re-enter Parliament, which were reportedly blocked by current leader Keir Starmer. Senior Labour figures anticipate the NEC will approve Burnham's candidacy, amidst ongoing pressure on Starmer's leadership following recent election results. Reform UK has indicated it will heavily contest the byelection, viewing Burnham as a significant opponent.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing significant pressure to resign following substantial Labour Party losses in recent local elections. Over 80 Labour MPs have called for his resignation, and six ministerial aides have quit. Starmer's cabinet is reportedly divided on his leadership, with a meeting scheduled for Tuesday. Despite these demands, Starmer has stated he will not step down, citing the potential for leadership chaos. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is among those understood to have advised Starmer to oversee a transition of power. The election results saw Labour lose over 1,400 seats and control of Wales, with gains for Reform and the Greens. A leadership contest would require the endorsement of 81 Labour MPs.

Keir Starmer's leadership of the Labour Party is facing significant pressure following substantial losses in recent local elections. Dozens of his own lawmakers, including several ministerial aides who resigned, are publicly calling for him to set a departure timetable or resign. Reports indicate that some senior cabinet ministers have also urged Starmer to announce a plan for his exit. While a formal leadership contest has not yet been triggered, the widespread dissent among his party members suggests a serious challenge to his position. The calls for his departure stem from the party's poor performance in the local elections, with Starmer's appeal for more time seemingly unheeded by a significant portion of the parliamentary party.

Online safety campaigners have expressed frustration with Keir Starmer's perceived lack of leadership on blocking child abuse images on children's phones. This sentiment was highlighted following Jess Phillips' resignation from government, where she cited stalled progress on this issue. Campaigners, including the Internet Watch Foundation, have been advocating for tech companies to implement technology that prevents children from taking or sending naked images. They believe this measure, which they presented over a year ago, could significantly reduce the creation of child sexual abuse material at its source. Despite the urgency, progress has been slow, with the government's violence against women and girls strategy only promising collaboration with tech companies rather than mandatory legislation. Recent data shows a significant increase in self-generated imagery within reported child sexual abuse cases.

Long-term UK borrowing costs have reached their highest point since May 1998, with 30-year government bond yields hitting 5.794%. This surge, alongside a falling pound and stock market, is attributed to investor uncertainty surrounding potential leadership changes within the Labour party. Following significant election losses, a minister resigned urging Keir Starmer to quit, though Starmer stated the leadership challenge process had not been triggered. Markets are concerned that any successor might prioritize increased public spending, potentially impacting fiscal rigour and inflation. The benchmark 10-year gilt yield also rose, and the pound weakened against the dollar and euro.

Following Labour's poor election results, MPs from the party's left are reportedly planning to ask Ed Miliband to consider a leadership bid. This comes as Keir Starmer faces potential challenges from within his party next week. Former minister Catherine West has stated she will launch a bid if no other cabinet ministers come forward by Monday, aiming to break an "impasse." While some MPs support Andy Burnham as a replacement, his return to Parliament is uncertain. Other potential candidates like Wes Streeting have had their ambitions denied by allies. The left-leaning MPs are reportedly concerned about a "Streeting coronation" and believe Angela Rayner lacks sufficient support, leading them to consider Miliband as an alternative.

Following a significant local election defeat, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces a leadership challenge. A former minister has stated she will run for the Labour Party leadership if no other candidate emerges, signaling growing discontent within the party. Labour experienced its worst municipal election losses since 1995, leading to increased calls for Starmer's resignation from his own lawmakers. In an effort to strengthen his position, Starmer appointed former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and former Deputy Labour Leader Harriet Harman as advisors earlier on Saturday. This situation highlights the pressure on Starmer's leadership after the recent electoral setback.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour Party faces significant local and devolved elections on Thursday, potentially marking a sharp setback after two years in power. Analysts predict Labour could experience its worst results in decades due to policy shifts and controversies, with gains expected for Reform UK on the right and the Green Party on the left. In Wales, Plaid Cymru is also polling strongly, challenging Labour's long-standing dominance. These elections are seen as a crucial indicator of the UK's increasingly fragmented political landscape, moving beyond typical local issues to reflect national sentiment. The first-past-the-post voting system, traditionally favoring two-party contests, is now being tested by a multi-party environment where votes are more dispersed.

European election monitors from the Council of Europe have reported instances of voters being turned away from polling stations in England due to confusion over new photo ID requirements. While not considered widespread, these incidents were noted by the 17-member delegation observing local elections in England, as well as government elections in Scotland and Wales. The observers, comprising politicians from various European states, are assessing issues including polling station organization, staff training, accessibility, and any potential harassment or interference. Their findings will be detailed in a report to be published on Friday, with the observation mission also touching upon broader concerns of foreign interference in democratic processes.