With his premiership imploding, Boris Johnson famously observed that: “As we’ve seen at Westminster, the herd instinct is powerful – and when the herd moves, it moves.”
The words will already be familiar to Sir Keir Starmer, who, in 2022, in a series of superb performances as leader of the opposition, did so much to bring down the then prime minister.
Now, he is finding out first hand something of what Mr Johnson experienced: being under constant attack from his own MPs, many of whom owe their parliamentary seats to his general election victory, and being ground down by a series of ministerial resignations that reach a crescendo when some of his most senior colleagues quit in protest.
Certainly, the Labour “herd” has been moving – with far less justification – and in a manner reminiscent of what eventually secured Mr Johnson’s downfall. Indeed, a similar exercise in what might be termed incremental regicide ensured Tony Blair’s exit in 2007, although he was adept enough to avoid an ugly denouement.
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Sir Keir is proving more stubborn in office than either of those forebears. That he should also fall victim to a political assassination is not inevitable – in a rearguard action, more than 100 backbenchers have pledged their loyalty to him. However, pressure is noisily building, and the discontent is real.
The prime minister pulled a surprising tactic by saying he wasn’t going to go just as cabinet was sitting down. In effect, he ambushed them – and his hijack of the initiative is what pushed them into acquiescence. It gives him breathing space, albeit for who knows how long?
There is no point in denying it. More than 81 MPs have now called for him to go, the number needed to trigger a leadership contest if they were to rally behind a single candidate, which has not yet happened. Some favour Wes Streeting, the health secretary and reputed leading replacement candidate who, in the words of TheIndependent’s chief political commentator John Rentoul, would bring “fluency, clarity and humour to the serious business of government”, but who is also “sometimes described as smug, too smooth, too young (he is 43) and too pleased with himself”.
For all his support on Labour’s soft left, Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor, lacks the necessary Westminster seat from which to launch a leadership campaign, and – following his party’s washout in last week’s local elections – would face an enormous challenge were he to mount a bid in a by-election.
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Angela Rayner, having urged Sir Keir to move harder to the left to stay in office, has made clear she is prepared to run if the role becomes available. Meanwhile, Shabana Mahmood’s spokesperson has confirmed that the home secretary, who was among a number of ministers calling for Sir Keir to set out a timetable for his resignation, now wants to get on with her own job rather than make a bid for the prime minister’s.
Which means that all that the public denunciations, the frustrated letters of resignation and the multifarious grievances aired on social media have achieved so far is to make Labour look unworthy of holding power.
First, fundamentally, they have merely demonstrated that while there is a great deal of disappointment internally with Sir Keir, it is still not substantial enough to oust him. Collectively, they don’t know who they want to replace him. As the prime minister forcefully reminded his colleagues around the cabinet table, there is no party mechanism for facilitating a vote of no confidence in the occupant of No 10. Sir Keir has said he will fight anyone who dares challenge him.
The second unfortunate feature the Labour Party has chosen to flout in front of a dismayed public is how utterly divided it is, and how confused are the various personalities now seeking to supplant an elected prime minister.
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Third, if they did ever manage to seize power on the back of the votes of about 300,000 unrepresentative Labour Party members, the chances are that one of the soft-left candidates would win, and the bond markets would panic – with good reason. The cost of UK borrowing is already starting to spike higher in anticipation and, as Sir Keir keeps trying to warn his comrades, that is now damaging hard-pressed businesses and households, as well as adding to the interest burden – about £100bn a year – on the national debt.
None of the likely alternatives to Sir Keir has a convincing alternative strategy for government, and those on the left would implement policies sharply different to the 2024 manifesto on which they were entrusted with government. The sense of betrayal among the public if they tried to steer the party towards heavier taxes, more costly regulation and higher borrowing would keep Labour out of power for years, if not decades.
Harking back to Mr Johnson’s valedictory address, the outgoing prime minister added, perhaps not entirely sincerely, that: “No one is remotely indispensable, and our brilliant and Darwinian system will produce another leader, equally committed to taking this country forward through tough times.” As it turned out, Britain got Liz Truss.
Quite apart from her disastrous dash-for-growth mini-Budget – another pertinent warning from history – her elevation to her party leadership, by about 140,000 out-of-touch reactionary Tory activists, only added to their problems and deepened their unpopularity. Changing leader didn’t work, and when Rishi Sunak arrived, the position was irrecoverable.
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Labour would do well to avoid unleashing similar demons and making parallel mistakes, and not least because they promised to abolish such silly psychodramas. They should instead get on with governing and supporting their prime minister, as boring as it, and Sir Keir, can sometimes be.
Bollards are always there, unmoving, unflinching, and even when struck, they bounce back up.
Mr Starmer, at the time of writing at least, is still in No 10. He’s taken a hell of a battering but he has bounced back into position at the head of the Cabinet table.
More than 100 Labour backbenchers have signed a letter giving him their support, and their arguments are sound. The British people punished the Tories for chopping and changing leaders and they questioned Rishi Sunak’s legitimacy when he popped up as leader at a distance from the General Election mandate. If Labour swops out Mr Starmer, it will be accused of doing the same as the Tories.
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Yet all the stuff that has been said about Mr Starmer in the days since the local election humiliation cannot be unsaid. All the stuff about a lack of vision and direction, a lack of urgency and charisma, a lack of political nous, a lack of connection with his own MPs letalone with the great British public, a large chunk of which it is now openly said actually loathes – a very strong word – the Prime Minister. All of that still derogatory stuff stands, and it came from 80-plus Labour MPs and even six Cabinet members.
So the great bollard of Downing Street is still there, stubbornly refusing to be moved, but he has been so badly damaged and undermined – even by his own side – it is hard to see that the questions and the plotting will ever go away. How can he regain the political strength to deliver the change the country needs and that Labour promised?
He remains, for the time being at least, a very diminished Prime Minister. Let’s hope the bollard does not block Britain from moving forward.
On Tuesday morning, chief secretary to the prime minister Darren Jones avoided direct questions about Starmer’s plans to stay in post.
He told Times Radio: “The prime minister is talking to colleagues, obviously a number of them have said publicly yesterday that they want him to take a particular course of action.
“As any leader would, he’s talking and listening to those colleagues. I can’t get ahead of what the prime minister may or may not decide.”
Presenter Stig Abell asked: “So actually he’s considering setting out a timetable to step down before the next election?”
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Jones replied: “It’s for the prime minister to decide what he may or may not want to do in the future.”
“It’s right for any leader to listen to members of their team if they want to express their views on these issues. And it’s right that he’s listening to them. I think it’d be worse if he wasn’t,” he added.
Asked if Starmer’s job is “up for grabs”, the minister said: “Look, in politics, it always is.
“But as I say, it’s for the prime minister to decide one way or another about what he wants to do in the future.
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“He was very clear with us yesterday what he thought the right way through was. And no doubt he’ll continue to be talking to colleagues today.”
But he insisted the King’s Speech, which marks the start of a new parliamentary term, will still go ahead on Wednesday.
Jones also claimed the “vast majority” of the Parliamentary Labour Party still wants to get on with the job.
In a jibe to those championing Starmer’s rivals, he added: “It’s a gruelling job.
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“I think anybody who thinks that they can just walk into the job of prime minister and like the second coming of the Messiah, fix all of our problems probably hasn’t really thought carefully enough about how difficult it is.”
The minister also told Sky News’ Sophy Ridge that he’s “a bit sad” about the state of the party.
Jones added: “I’m a bit sad, to be honest Sophy, because I’m sad that we’re in this situation in the first place.
“I’m sad about the election results last Thursday when we lost many brilliant colleagues across the country, some of whom had served their local communities for many decades.
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“So I’m sad that my team, my party, has ended up with a poor set of results.
“And I’m sad that a number of colleagues yesterday, have felt the need to have this conversation in public as opposed to internally within the party.
“So I am a bit sad about that, to be honest, but I’m also optimistic about the future because we’ve only been in government now for less than two years.”
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Today, Keir Starrmer has said he will “get on with governing” despite another day of increasing pressure on him to resign from the Labour party.
Four ministers resigned on Tuesday, and more MPs have called for the Prime Minister to stand down. But so far no formal leadership contest has been triggered.
Meanwhile more than 100 MPs are understood to have signed a statement backing the PM, saying “this is no time for a leadership contest”. Adam, Chris and Alex reflect on whether Starmer can survie the pressure.
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President Donald Trump on Tuesday refused to close the door on illegally sending federalized National Guard soldiers or Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents to voting sites in Democratic areas during the November midterm elections despite the complete lack of any legal basis for doing so.
The president was pressed on whether he’d try to send federal resources to intimidate voters as he departed the White House for a state visit to China.
Asked whether he’d send National Guard or ICE to voting locations, Trump replied: “I do anything necessary to make sure we have honest elections.”
In the social media post, he claimed his 2024 election win over Kamala Harris was due to the thousands of poll watchers Republicans had sent into polling stations nationwide,
“During my Historic Election in 2024, when I won every single Swing State, and decisively won both the Electoral and Popular votes by wide margins, the Republicans had an Election Integrity Army in every single State to preserve the sanctity of each legal vote. We will be doing the same again in 2026, but it will be much bigger and stronger,” Trump wrote.
President Donald Trump speaks to reporters as he leaves the White House for travel to Beijing (AP)
Trump did not elaborate on who would be part of the “Election Integrity Army” or how large it would be.
Since returning to office last January, Trump has remained fixated on his 2020 loss to Biden and has attempted to use his authority to make it far more difficult for Americans to vote by mail, citing widely debunked allegations of fraud in that election.
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Earlier this year, he signed an executive order attempting to restrict mail-in ballot voting by directing the government to create a list of eligible voters and demanding that the U.S. Postal Service only send ballots to voters on that list.
He has also demanded Congress pass federal voter ID laws and sought to have Republican-led states redraw congressional maps in their party’s favor.
When his party has lost, as it did during last month’s Virginia referendum on a new congressional map (that has been tossed out by the state’s top court) he immediately took to Truth Social to falsely allege that the Democratic victory was the result of subterfuge.
He screamed in all caps that a “RIGGED ELECTION” had taken place despite there being absolutely no evidence of any irregularities or fraud in the conduct of the plebiscite the previous evening in which 1,575,288 voters cast ballots in favor of a constitutional amendment which permits the implementation of new districts drawn by Virginia’s Democratic-led General Assembly, bypassing an independent, bipartisan commission which has drawn district lines since 2020.
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No irregularities were reported during the voting on Tuesday, and Democrats had indicated that they expected to win based on heavy turnout in Arlington, Fairfax, Loudon, Prince William and Henrico Counties, all of which are home to hundreds of thousands of federal workers, many of whom have been affected by the Trump administration’s efforts to slash federal employment rolls to punish what GOP loyalists believe is an anti-Trump “deep state.”
Trump nonetheless claimed Republicans had been “winning” the referendum “all day long” — until what he described as a “massive ‘Mail In Ballot Drop’” changed the GOP’s fortunes.
Katie Price’s husband, Lee Andrews, has branded critics ‘gremlins’ in unearthed social media comments, after followers questioned their marriage.
Lee Andrews’ vile rants against social media followers have been uncovered, following his marriage to Katie Price. The lovebirds stunned fans when they tied the knot at the beginning of the year, after a whirlwind relationship. The businessman currently lives in Dubai and has yet to meet his new wife’s family, including her five children.
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After facing scrutiny over their romance, the 41-year-old lashed out at critics in unearthed Facebook comments, branding a family “ugly gremlins” and slamming a “pig looking rat bag”. Underneath a picture of Lee posing beside a horse, one Facebook fan said he “liked big teeth”.
Having none of it, he shared a photo seemingly of their family, spitting back: “The Absolutely ugliest gremlins and family I’ve ever seen not the care bear . But the rest Jeaus help my eyes.
“And these poor beings .. the world is so unfair .. and has been super harsh this lot. I’d start a make a wish list but I’m sure the few Pennie’s wouldn’t help. They might go a long way at that 2nd rate theme park your at .. good for you I bet it’s someone’s birthday . Well done saving up for this. Best mum vibes [sic].”
“Go be with your ugly Mrs,” he urged one commenter, before telling another: “Concentrate on that pig looking rat bag you call a Mrs In your profile picture not our beautiful relationship jealous a**e.”
“You pair of mingers behave, stay with that sewage rat of a Mrs in your profile picture .. then make that comment,” the entrepreneur told a hater.
Katie is no stranger to the headlines, but she has barely been out of the news since marrying Lee in January. However, he is yet to meet her family as he currently lives in Dubai, with the former glamour model travelling back and forth to the UK.
Host Susanna Reid took the opportunity to warn the I’m A Celebrity star over the marriage, questioning whether he was “telling her everything”. Insisting that he was “reliable”, she urged the hosts to “interrogate” her over the relationship, so that she could clear up any doubt.
“What I love about you Katie is that you’re very open, but I just wonder if he’s telling you everything,” Susanna said, to which Katie replied: “I know no one believes me, your face says it all.
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“I can’t keep going to Dubai because I’ve got work and my kids here. He pays for it anyway but I can’t keep going to Dubai so he’s shifting over here. I said ‘I keep flying to you, you’ve got to come to England now.’”
Keir Starmer has told his cabinet he will not quit despite mounting calls for him to resign as prime minister.
The PM told the weekly meeting of his top team: “The country expects us to get on with governing. That is what I am doing and what we must do as a cabinet.”
In a direct message to those who want his job, he said Labour “has a process for challenging a leader and that has not been triggered”.
The PM said: “As I said yesterday, I take responsibility for these election results and I take responsibility for delivering the change we promised.
“The past 48 hours have been destabilising for government and that has a real economic cost for our country and for families.
“The Labour Party has a process for challenging a leader and that has not been triggered.
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“The country expects us to get on with governing. That is what I am doing and what we must do as a cabinet.”
Government sources have since contradicted Starmer’s claims, saying the prime minister promised to only speak to cabinet ministers about the elections or his leadership individually.
The insiders claim Starmer then refused to see cabinet ministers individually after the meeting.
Starmer’s comments pile pressure on his leadership rivals to break cover and directly challenge him.
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Any challenger would need the support of 81 MPs to trigger a contest, and Starmer would automatically go on the ballot paper.
However, Labour MPs are deeply split over who should take over, which is helping to keep the PM in his job for now.
Subscribe to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.
People claiming Universal Credit are being reminded to check DWP rules before travelling abroad this summer as leaving the UK may affect their benefit payments
Linda Howard Money and Consumer Writer and Ashlea Hickin Content editor
20:07, 12 May 2026
Individuals receiving Universal Credit are being urged to review Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) regulations before heading overseas this summer, as international travel could impact their benefit entitlements.
Universal Credit payments can typically be maintained for up to one month during foreign trips, as long as recipients continue fulfilling their claim requirements. Nevertheless, claimants must declare alterations to their circumstances, including overseas journeys, via their online Universal Credit portal.
These regulations are applicable to claimants across Scotland, England and Wales. Information on GOV.UK confirms that individuals receiving Universal Credit “may be able to continue getting it for up to one month while you’re abroad”.
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Recipients may still be required to attend scheduled appointments, actively seek employment or fulfil claimant obligations while overseas, unless they have arranged alternative measures with their work coach.
Those receiving Universal Credit who neglect to declare changes to their situation could face postponements, excess payments or complications with their claim upon returning home, reports the Daily Record.
Extended periods overseas may be permitted under specific circumstances, including:
receiving medical treatment
dealing with the death of a partner, child or close relative
escaping domestic abuse
accompanying a child receiving medical treatment
According to GOV.UK information, certain individuals may qualify to receive Universal Credit for up to six months when travelling abroad for medical care or supporting a child undergoing treatment.
The DWP advised claimants to always verify the regulations prior to travelling, as entitlement depends on personal circumstances and the duration of time spent overseas. Universal Credit is a means-tested benefit intended to support those on a low income, out of work, or unable to work with their everyday living costs.
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The sum an individual receives is determined by their personal circumstances, taking into account factors such as earnings, housing costs, and whether they have children or health conditions.
Those in receipt of Universal Credit can report any changes to their circumstances via their online Universal Credit account or by calling the Universal Credit helpline.
Claimants who are planning holidays or trips abroad this summer are also being urged to keep a record of their travel dates and return plans, should they be required to provide further information regarding their absence from the UK.
Guidance on GOV.UK also cautions that Universal Credit payments may be halted if a claimant remains outside the UK beyond the permitted period and does not meet the criteria for an exemption under DWP rules.
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As a result, claimants are advised to carefully review the latest guidance before booking or embarking on any trips outside the UK.
Further information regarding travelling abroad while claiming Universal Credit can be found on GOV.UK.
York Council’s Executive backed trialling Tuesday closures this year to improve accessibility including for disabled people, despite hearing that up to £7.8 million less could be spent in the city centre as a result.
Disabled people told councillors on Tuesday, May 12, the move sent a powerful message they they were an equal part of the local community.
But traders warned the move could put visitors off, pile pressure on the event when it is open and cause further harm to the already struggling hospitality industry.
Cllr Pete Kilbane, the council’s Labour economy spokesperson, said they had to strike a difficult balance but they would not bar people from the city centre during the event.
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It follows the introduction of restrictions barring Blue Badge holders and other vehicles from driving into the city centre during the event last year following a North Yorkshire Police request.
The Anti-Terror Traffic Regulation Order (ATTRO) is now available to use year round but is expected to be activated only during future markets and other events on a case-by-case basis, in consultation with the council and other emergency services.
The police said last year the restrictions were needed to deter terror attacks.
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Tuesday’s executive meeting heard the national terror threat level had recently been raised to severe, meaning an attack is highly likely.
But disabled people said in the run up to last year’s market the measures would restrict their access to the city centre, resulting in the event’s opening times being pushed back.
The approved plans are set to see the market open from 10.30am to 7pm every day except Tuesday.
York Christmas Market is set to close on Tuesdays this year (Image: Staff)
Blue Badge holders will be able to use the ‘Goodramgate loop’ between Deansgate, King’s Square and Colliergate but Church Street would be closed.
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Extra hostile vehicle measures would be put in place as a result, costing an estimated £50,000 in extra running costs.
The council and other bodies would monitor the measures during the event and make any changes deemed necessary.
Council city development lead Garry Taylor said the measures would allow the city centre to run as normal, as well as allowing access to disabled people and Blue Badge holders.
But he added the estimated loss of spending in the city centre could be between £2.6 million and £7.82 million, 1.87 and 5.62 per cent of total spend respectively during the market.
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Amanda Cooper, of the York Disability Rights Forum, told councillors disabled people found it very difficult to be in the city centre when the market is on.
Ms Cooper said: “Restricting access to essential services including banks could cause some to go into financial difficulties or debt.
“Those who oppose this may themselves become disabled one day, they should reflect on that.”
But organisations including York’s High Street Forum, Business Improvement District (BID), Made In Yorkshire and others all objected to the plans warning of their impact on the local economy.
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Market trader Nick Miller said closing one day a week would mean having to stop production and potentially hire fewer staff for them.
The trader said: “We had 241 applications for jobs on our stall last year, it’s worrying that that many people need a job in York.
“The market’s already busy at peak times, this could put more pressure on the market as a whole.”
Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Cllr Paula Widdowson said the saga showed the issue of Blue Badge access to the city centre should never have been turned into a political football.
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Cllr Widdowson said: “We’re talking about safety in the city centre during one of the busiest periods of the year, this shouldn’t have been left to politicians balancing competiting priorities.”
Economy and Culture Executive Member Cllr Kilbane said a return to a seven-day market was not ruled out in the future as officials continue to work on long term solutions to access issues.
The executive member said: “No city has cracked making events such as the Christmas Market fully accessible but we will turn over every stone to make sure all residents and visitors can access the city centre while it’s on at a bare minimum.”
Ireland was the first to withdraw in the immediate aftermath, followed by Spain, The Netherlands and Slovenia, with Iceland becoming the fifth around a week later.
This year’s song contest is now about to get underway with the first live semi-final on Tuesday night, with three of the five boycotting nations not airing any coverage of Eurovision in 2026.
On Thursday, Ireland’s RTÉ will show a special episode of the travel show The End Of The World With Beanz featuring former Eurovision champion Niamh Kavanagh.
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In place of Saturday’s live final, meanwhile, they’ll be reairing an old episode of Father Ted centred around the Eurovision Song Contest.
A classic episode of Father Ted will air on RTÉ on Saturday night in place of the usual Eurovision final
Father Ted creator Graham Linehan has became a prominent voice in the anti-transgender movement in recent years, and is also staunchly pro-Israel.
It was already announced that Slovenia’s national broadcaster RTV would be dedicating their Saturday night scheduled to platforming Palestinian artists and creators, while Spain’s RTVE has put together its own alternative musical celebration called The House Of Music.
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Back in February, Spain went ahead with its Eurovision selection show Benidormfest, changing the prize from a spot at the international song contest to a cash prize.
Eurovision will take place in Basel, Austria last year following JJ’s win in 2025
Meanwhile, The Netherlands and Iceland will air Eurovision 2026 as planned, despite not taking part themselves.
Eurovision director Martin Green said in response to Ireland, Spain, The Netherlands, Slovenia and Iceland’s choice to pull out of the 2026 contest: “All of us here respect their position and decision. We will continue to work with them as friends and colleagues in the hope they return to the contest soon.
That, it seems, shows my age. TikTok scrolls in the past few weeks have brought some surprising treats to my virtual doorstep, not unlike an eager, ironic-ish e-cat with babygirlified prey in its mouth.
Fancams are fan-made edits of a star, designed to show them at their most beautiful, charming, funny, powerful, or generally appealing. People use music and filters to celebrate and “sell” their fave: it’s a bit like a thirst trap.
They’re usually associated with people like K-pop idols, famous actors, and sometimes, sidelined characters fans want to convince others to appreciate. Fancams can be used to “ship”, or create the appearance of a romantic relationship between, celebs and characters that aren’t together in real life.
(No, Tony Blair and Brown have not dodged that particular application of the format.)
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So effective is the format that companies have started to create their own fan edits (though I suppose those are just “edits”). Take these clips of Penn Badgley in Easy A, compiled by streamer Peacock, for instance.
I feel I should add at this point that earnest fancams are almost universally horny.
Right. And Gordon Brown is in these?
Yes. It’s worth noting that The Kids have been making ironic fancams for a while: I think this edit of the bee in The Bee Movie, for instance, might not be so much an outpouring of uncontrollable lust as it is a gentle ribbing of the movie’s absurd premise.
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Clips that ship Brown and Blair seem to have been posted with tongue firmly in cheek (the posters’ in their own, not the ex-PMs in each other’s), too. “Don’t even joke,” one commenter wrote under a viral Blair-Brown video.
But others seem a tad more sincere.
“JESUS HAS RESURRECTED,” one video, which has racked up over 24,000 views on the shortform clip app, reads. The title referred to Brown’s recent appointment to the role of Starmer’s Special Envoy for Global Finance.
In the comments, the account behind the Bernie Sanders mashup clip said they were celebrating the role because they feel Brown “basically saved Europe from financial destitution during the financial crash and he knows more about political economics than probably anyone else in this country”.
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They added that the video was “hopecore,” while another app user said, “WE MIGHT BE OK”.
That’s not to say that Gen Z don’t know the format is funny, or that these fancams are meant as a straight-faced commentary. Even the most earnest posts acknowledge these are “memes”.
And Gordon isn’t the only politician to have been fancamed. But he is, it seems, especially likely to receive the treatment ― “My first thought when I heard the news was I can’t wait for all the Gordon edits we’re about to get,” a comment below an edit which played Hozier’s Do I Wanna Know? reads.
“Guys this is the third edit I see of this guy pls explain to me why do you love him,” another commenter asked.
I can’t say I have answers. Maybe it’s a combination of Gen Z’s naughties nostalgia, a throwback to when we had fewer PMs in quick succession, or simply because some find him “cute” (yep, Brown has gotten the babygirl treatment online too).
Whatever the reason, keep an eye on your timeline: a heavily edited Brown clip might be coming soon to small screens near you.
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