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Politics

Keir Starmer Nearing End Of PM Tenure

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Andy Burnham stands with supporters during the launch of his campaign as Labour's candidate for the Makerfield by-election in Makerfield, England, Friday, May 22, 2026.(AP Photo/Ian Hodgson)

Keir Starmer could hardly have been more unequivocal when asked yet again whether he would fight any Labour leadership contest.

“I don’t think it should happen, but if it does then I will fight,” the prime minister said on Friday.

“And let me just be clear with you. That’s not about personal vanity, it’s not about stubbornness. It’s out of a very deep sense of duty.”

Allies of the PM describe him as “frustrated” and “angry” that his future is even up for debate less than two years after leading his party to a landslide election victory.

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But whether he likes it or not, it is.

Former health secretary Wes Streeting has already said he will challenge Starmer, while Andy Burnham will also join any contest should he, as expected, win next week’s Makerfield by-election.

James `Lyons, who was director of communications in No.10 until last year, summed up the slightly surreal situation British politics now finds itself in.

“The full weight of the Labour Party’s still very considerable campaign machine is behind Andy Burnham to deliver the result that could end up with the prime minister being ousted,” he told HuffPost UK’s Commons People podcast.

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Lyons said Starmer himself “will still think he can turn it round”, but that reality will hit him if Burnham’s victory is confirmed in the early hours of next Friday morning.

“If it looks like Andy’s there, then I think that’s the time to start having some conversations about whether’s it’s in his interests or the country’s interests to have some sort of stable and orderly transition,” he said.

Any lingering chance that Starmer could ride out his latest crisis were killed off by defence secretary John Healey’s excoriating resignation letter on Thursday hitting out at the lack of cash being made available in the government’s Defence Investment Plan.

“The excellent and extensive cross-government work that completed in January – overseen by you, me and the chancellor – confirmed the scale of the challenge and the rising demands on defence,” Healey wrote.

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“Since then, you have been unable, and the Treasury has been unwilling, to commit the resources that the nation needs to defend the country at this time of rising threats.”

Healey’s message was even more impactful given his status as one of the cabinet’s most loyal ministers.

“John is both the most decent and most hardworking person in British politics,” one ally told HuffPost UK.

“People tend to forget that he was a Treasury minister or many years, so really understands what he’s been dealing with.

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“His resignation letter was equal parts science, art and moral philosophy. And he will have agonised over every single word and phrasing.”

Healey’s bombshell made it all the more likely that Burnham will quickly become the next prime minister should he see off the challenge from Reform’s UK’s Robert Kenyon in Makerfield.

A Labour source said: “Until John’s resignation, I was imagining a scenario where a more marginal win for Andy might allow an orderly transition over an extended period of time, or even an early Keir v Andy contest leading to the PM hanging on before making a call on his own future in a year’s time.

“But I think John going has made the period ahead much more difficult to predict.”

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Andy Burnham stands with supporters during the launch of his campaign as Labour's candidate for the Makerfield by-election in Makerfield, England, Friday, May 22, 2026.(AP Photo/Ian Hodgson)
Andy Burnham stands with supporters during the launch of his campaign as Labour’s candidate for the Makerfield by-election in Makerfield, England, Friday, May 22, 2026.(AP Photo/Ian Hodgson)

Sitting outside Burnham’s HQ, the Stubshaw Cross Community and Sports Club, Labour campaign boss Louise Haigh MP insisted they were taking nothing for granted.

She said: “We think it’s going to be close. Reform got 50% of the vote here a month ago, so we’re having to persuade people who voted Reform just a few weeks ago to come over to us, so it’s a really big ask.

“But what is absolutely clear is the Burnham bounce is real and that no other Labour candidate could be in contention.”

The campaign’s efforts in the run-up to polling day will be focused on the 16% of voters who are still undecided. If enough of them break for Burnham, then his path to 10 Downing Street becomes clear.

HuffPost UK has learned that Burnham supporters at Westminster are already gathering nominations for his leadership bid should he win next Thursday.

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They hope to collect far more than the 81 required to trigger a contest, thereby creating a sense of unstoppable momentum which they believe would be enough to quickly see him sweep to power.

Lyons, who saw Starmer work up close during his time in No.10, said: “I think there’s every chance that what we will see is a coronation and we will see a significant number of MPs nominating Andy in a way that makes it very difficult for the prime minister to fight on.

“I know in his heart he will want to [fight on], he definitely feels he is the best person to be leading the country during this omni-crisis that has been created by the conflict in the Middle East and the conflict in Europe.

“Under those circumstances, if a sizeable proportion of the parliamentary party don’t want you, I think it’s very hard to carry on.”

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Keir Starmer’s belief that he should fight on to save his job is undoubtedly sincere.

But it will soon become apparent that it is a battle he will lose and should therefore be avoided.

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.

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Strictly Come Dancing 2026: Dani Dyer Is Second Star On Line-Up

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Strictly Come Dancing 2026: Dani Dyer Is Second Star On Line-Up

Last year, the former Love Island winner was due to compete on Strictly, even filming an appearance in the launch show, where she was paired up with Nikita Kuzmin.

On Thursday morning, it was confirmed by the BBC that Dani has signed up for this year’s run, becoming the second celebrity unveiled for the line-up.

She beamed: “I am so excited to be back in the ballroom this September! I just cannot wait to get my dancing shoes back on and hopefully this time around I can actually make it to week one!

“I’m just over the moon and cannot wait to find out who else is doing it!”

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Dani was one of two celebrities who had to withdraw from Strictly 2025 before the show had even started.

He said at the time: “With a heavy heart, I have to step back from this season of Strictly Come Dancing due to unexpected medical reasons.

“I was truly looking forward to the journey, and I’m deeply sorry to disappoint anyone who was looking forward to seeing me on the dance floor. Thank you all for your support, and I will be back on my feet very soon, in every sense.”

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US bars head of Palestinian Football Association from attending 2026 World Cup

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World Cup

World Cup

Jibril Rajoub, head of the Palestinian Football Association, revealed that the United States denied his visa to attend the 2026 World Cup, despite his presence in Mexico City to participate in events for the tournament, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

As reported by the Associated Press (AP), Rajoub was unable to obtain a U.S. entry visa. This prevented him from attending World Cup matches and official functions in his capacity as head of the Palestinian FA—events that heads of national federations typically attend during the tournament.

Rajoub stated that football is supposed to be a tool for uniting people, not dividing them, arguing that barring accredited sports officials from attending the global event runs counter to the message the game seeks to promote.

Rajoub’s case emerges amid a broader crisis regarding U.S. entry visas during the 2026 World Cup, as several sports officials, referees, and journalists from various countries have faced similar difficulties despite having the necessary accreditations to attend the tournament.

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In this context, FIFA President Gianni Infantino acknowledged the existence of challenges related to visa procedures but emphasized that the organization does not have the authority to intervene in sovereign decisions regarding immigration and entry into host nations.

The exclusion of the Palestinian FA head from parts of the World Cup raises new questions about whether all accredited participants will be able to access the tournament, especially as FIFA promotes a message of inclusion and openness, describing the 2026 edition as the most expansive in World Cup history.

Featured image via Philipp Schmidli/Getty Images

By Alaa Shamali

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Freedom 250’s fair on National Mall highlights conservative groups

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Freedom 250’s fair on National Mall highlights conservative groups

The nation’s conservative advocacy groups will be well represented at the Great American State Fair, a two-week-long exposition celebrating the country’s 250th anniversary on the National Mall that is blessed by President Donald Trump and his allies.

The fair is organized by Freedom 250, a nonprofit set up by the president and his allies to promote the country’s semiquincentennial. Freedom 250 has clashed with — and overshadowed — America250, a bipartisan organization chartered by Congress a decade ago to prepare for the country’s anniversary.

Conservative organizations featured at the fair, according to a release sent on Friday by Freedom 250, include America Prays, a coalition of evangelical and other religious groups that calls for weekly prayer for the United States of America; the American Principles Project, a prominent political advocacy organization; and the Association of Mature American Citizens, which pitches itself as a rival to the AARP.

Joining them is Hillsdale College, a small Christian liberal arts school known for its conservative bent, and Focus on the Family, a prominent anti-LGBTQ+ ministry that describes its mission as one dedicated to fostering “marriages that go the distance, equip parents to raise great kids and put Jesus Christ at the center of homes worldwide.”

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Some Democrats have charged that Trump has taken the bipartisanship out of the monumental anniversary. Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) in February said that the administration was working to “hijack the country’s 250th anniversary and sell access, hide his donors and rewrite history.” Also in February, Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) launched a probe into Freedom 250’s fundraising practices.

The fair will run from June 25 to July 10, “and transform the National Mall into a living showcase of America’s past, present, and future,” organizers announced on Friday.

“PRAY.COM is honored to be participating in the Great American State Fair as an opportunity to connect with people from across the country,” Steve Gatena, founder and CEO of Pray.com — one of the lead organizers of America Prays — said in a statement. “Our mission is to grow faith and cultivate community through technology, and we look forward to sharing resources that support prayer, encouragement, and spiritual well-being.”

None of the other organizations immediately responded to requests for comment.

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Painter Scott LoBaido, whose website promotes a print of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani blowing up Manhattan, will also be doing live art at the fair, according to the Friday release.

Organizers said more than 100 states and institutions will be represented with booths at the fair. The event is also drawing companies with no specific political affiliation, from C-SPAN to Meta and tractor company John Deere.

“Americans have been arguing at the dinner table for 250 years and somehow still showed up to the same Fourth of July party,” Freedom 250 spokesperson Rachel Reisner said in a statement when asked about the conservative groups’ participation. “We’re not stopping now. The Great American State Fair, July 4 fireworks, the whole spectacular once-in-a-generation 250th anniversary blowout — it’s happening, and your neighbor with the opposing bumper sticker is going to be standing right next to you, probably enjoying it just as much. Freedom 250 is a celebration for America — which, last we checked, includes all of it. Every single star on that flag. See you there.”

But some states have chosen to sit out. At least six states — Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, North Carolina and Oregon — will officially not be sending anyone to the fair, NOTUS reported on Thursday. Freedom 250 is bringing in other institutions from those states, the outlet wrote.

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In May, several musical artists dropped out of planned performances at the fair after learning of its ties to Trump, prompting the president to announce plans to hold a political rally instead, scheduled for June 24.

“It will be special at every level — A Rally to end all Rallies!” he wrote on Truth Social last week. “We don’t want singers with no talent, but big fees to put you to sleep, we’ve told them all to stay home. All we want is you, me, a few speakers, and the Greatest Music ever played, the same Music you have listened to for years!”

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Jack Innanen Won’t Star In Heated Rivalry Season 2 After All, Source Claims

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Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams in Heated Rivalry

It seems that Canadian star Jack Innanen will not be appearing in the second season of Heated Rivalry after all.

And let’s just say, the show’s always-rational fan community haven’t exactly taken the news well.

However, on Wednesday, Entertainment Weekly confirmed that this would not be happening after all, citing a “source close to production” who claimed that Jack was offered the chance to join the cast, but had to turn it down due to scheduling issues.

While at the moment, we only have this undisclosed “source” to go off, the news has still spread quickly throughout the Heated Rivalry fandom, with many voicing their disappointment at no longer having the prospect of Jack joining the show to look forward to…

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HuffPost UK has contacted representatives for Jack Innanen and the Canadian broadcaster Crave for comment.

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Heated Rivalry became an unexpected TV phenomenon when it premiered on Crave last year, making household names of its lead stars Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams, and gaining an even bigger international audience when it was picked up by the streaming service HBO Max in the US.

Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams in Heated Rivalry
Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams in Heated Rivalry

Adapted from Rachel Reid’s Game Changers young adult novel series, the show was quickly snapped up for a second season at the beginning of this year.

Filming on the new episodes is due to get underway later this year, ahead of its release in April 2027.

Showrunner Jacob Tierney told Variety in December 2025: “We understand that everybody’s goal is to not do two years between seasons. And at the same time, I don’t want to put out a rushed shitty second season just because the show is very popular.

“But we’re very aware that our creative partners are enthusiastic and don’t want to wait too long. We’re getting back to work!”

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Season one of Heated Rivalry is available to stream on Sky and Now in the UK.

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Defence Secretary John Healey Resigns After Spending Bust-Up With Keir Starmer

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Defence Secretary John Healey Resigns After Spending Bust-Up With Keir Starmer

Defence secretary John Healey has resigned following a bust-up with Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves over spending on Britain’s armed forces.

In a blistering letter to the prime minister, he said he had been left with “no other option” after disagreement over the government’s long-delayed Defence Investment Plan (DIP).

As well as Starmer, he also accused the chancellor of blocking his pleas for more money for the Ministry of Defence.

He revealed that No.10 and the Treasury wanted to increase defence spending from 2.6% of gross domestic product (GDP) next year to just 2.68% in 2030 – well short of the 3% Healey wanted.

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It is understood that worked out at an extra £13.5 billion – less than half of the £28bn Healey had been asking for.

Healey said: “This new era for defence required further investment through the Defence Investment Plan.

“The excellent and extensive cross-government work that completed in January – overseen by you, me and the chancellor – confirmed the scale of the challenge and the rising demands on defence.

“Since then, you have been unable, and the Treasury has been unwilling, to commit the resources that the nation needs to defend the country at this time of rising threats.”

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He said that “demands on defence have increased still further”, pointing to the Iran war, threats from Russia and escalation in the Ukraine conflict.

Healey said his resignation letter was one “I never expected to write, and I do so now with great regret and reluctance”.

He said the proposed DIP, which he was shown on Monday afternoon, “falls well sort of what is required for defence and the country at this dangerous time”.

“You know what defence needs,” Healey said. “You made the argument for this powerfully in your speech at the Munich Security Conference back in February.

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“Without a DIP that meets the moment in this way, I am being forced to make decisions that would reduce the readiness of our Forces and increase the risk to personnel on operations, and could make the country less safe.

“After explaining to you that I would not be able to accept a DIP settlement that does not give our Forces the resources they need, I am now left with no other option than to submit my resignation as your defence secretary.”

A government source rejected Healey’s claims and insisted the UK is “safer because of the decisions Keir Starmer has made and we will continue to act in our national interest”.

“The Defence Investment Plan will deliver the capability our armed forces need,” the source said. “We will always do what is right, and needed, to keep the country safe.”

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A Treasury source said: “The chancellor will always do what is right and needed to keep this country safe, you can see that from her actions – a record uplift in defence spending at the spending review, and then working alongside the PM to deliver billions more to fund the Defence Investment Plan in full.”

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said his resignation showed Starmer’s “premiership is falling apart”.

She said: “His health secretary resigned two weeks ago. His defence secretary has resigned at a critical time when we are facing global threats, and he is doing so because the prime minister is trying to please his backbenchers by putting money into welfare instead of defence.

“We need to start funding defence. We need to get to 3% of GDP by the end of this parliament.

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“Keir Starmer has no plan whatsoever. I don’t see how he can stay in this job. He can’t run the country. He is paralysed because his backbenchers only want to spend money on welfare.”

Lib Dem leader Ed Davey said it was “a wake up call” for Starmer and Andy Burnham, who is favourite to be the next PM if he wins next week’s Makerfield by-election.

Stop repeating the mistakes of the Conservatives and get serious about funding our armed forces properly,” he said.

“We cannot afford years more political chaos while our national security is put at risk.”

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Green Party leader Zack Polanksi said: “This is a government in chaos, unable to govern, with no leadership, under a caretaker Prime Minister who’s expected to be replaced within weeks.”

This is a breaking news story and will be updated. Follow HuffPost UK on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

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Hunger striker nears 130 days in defence of Athens Prosfygika community

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Squatted Prosfygika

Squatted Prosfygika

Aristotelis Chantzis has entered the 130th day of a hunger strike in defence of the Community of Squatted Prosfygika in central Athens, as concerns continue to grow over plans to evict residents and redevelop the historic neighbourhood.

The second hunger striker, Suzon Doppagne, who joined the protest in solidarity on 1 May, is approaching 50 days of her hunger strike. More members of the community, some of them with serious health problems, have also announced plans to join the hunger strike.

The protest comes in response to a redevelopment plan approved by the regional government of Attica in June 2025 that would lead to the eviction of the approximately 400 residents of the Prosfygika neighbourhood. Residents include families with children, refugees, older people, oncology patients and their relatives, and people participating in rehabilitation programs.

The word “prosfygika” means “refugee settlement” and the community lives in a set of apartment blocks dating from the 1930s, when they provided housing for refugees from Asia Minor.

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Supporters of the Community say they’ve seen no concrete rehousing guarantees. The case has increasingly drawn international attention from human rights organisations, legal experts, academics, and housing advocates.

Prosfygika delegation seeks international support

Recently, a delegation of the community went to Brussels, where they had meetings with over 20 members of the European Parliament. In a press conference on 4 June, Nikos Kolokotronis, a lawyer and member of the Committee for the Promotion and Defence of the Community and its Collective Memory, said that all MEPs committed to supporting the community and its struggle for justice.

This includes the submission of questions to the European Parliament, a joint announcement of their support for the Community and the prioritisation of this struggle, due to the urgency of the Hunger Strike.

They will emphasize that the EU-funded contract to evict the community relies on severe irregularities, such as a violation of the partnership principles.

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On 27 April, Amnesty International called for the suspension of forced eviction plans and raised concerns regarding possible violations of fundamental and constitutionally protected human rights. Amnesty urged authorities to review the demands raised by the hunger strikers and residents in line with international human rights standards.

Additionally an official complaint has also been submitted to the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing, who has reportedly taken up the case following concerns regarding potential human rights implications connected to the planned eviction process.

The Community of Squatted Prosfygika calls for participation in a demonstration in Syntagma Square, Athens at 12pm on 14 June and for national and international actions in solidarity with the struggle. In its statement the community declares:

We declare once again that this fight will continue to the end. From the first moment, we knew it was a struggle for life or death, dignity or submission, resistance or destruction.

The collective decision of the Community of Squatted Prosfygika and our two comrades who have decided to go beyond their limits, to fight until the end, with an understanding of the cost and unwavering faith in our victory.

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Featured image via Save Prosfygika

By The Canary

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Madonna Lands Graham Norton Show Special For Confessions II Album

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Madonna Lands Graham Norton Show Special For Confessions II Album

Graham Norton is devoting a whole episode of his talk show just to Madonna as she gears up for the release of her new album.

On Wednesday, several outlets spotted a special sit-down with the talk show host titled simply Madonna & Graham in the BBC’s scheduling listings.

The special is due to air on Friday 26 June at 10.40pm, just one week before the Queen of Pop unveils her long-awaited 15th album, Confessions II, and is billed as an “in-depth discussion” about Madonna’s “incredible life and career”.

HuffPost UK has contacted the BBC for comment.

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Graham has interviewed Madonna on his talk show on several occasions in the past, including on the promo trails for her film W.E. and her most recent album, Madame X.

Asked about his past interviews with Madonna in 2024, the Bafta winner recalled: “She’s done [my show]. And then, I think, she fell out with me, and then the next one she did was Jonathan [Ross, in 2015]. And then she came back to me [in 2019].”

“I like Madonna, but she doesn’t make it easy,” he then admitted. “I always thought that I might become her friend.

“[When I see] her Instagram posts, I like to look behind her at the house, and say, ‘I wonder which house she’s in? Is she in London?’. Sometimes I cycle past it and think, ‘I wonder if she’s in there now?’. But rest assured, I’m not her friend, so don’t be too jealous.”

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Back in 2015, Graham was a surprise guest when Madonna brought her Rebel Heart tour to London’s O2 Arena.

Madonna’s Confessions II will be released on Friday 3 July.

The release was preceded by album cuts I Feel So Free and Love Sensation, as well as lead single Bring Your Love, featuring fellow chart-topper Sabrina Carpenter.

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Earlier this week, she also unveiled a new short film to promote the album, featuring a host of impressive celebrity cameos.

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Analysis: John Healey’s Brutal Resignation Is The Final Nail In Keir Starmer’s Coffin

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Analysis: John Healey's Brutal Resignation Is The Final Nail In Keir Starmer's Coffin

If there were any lingering doubts that Keir Starmer is in the final throes of his time in No.10, they were extinguished this morning.

John Healey’s devastating resignation as defence secretary, and his central charge that Starmer is failing to keep the country safe, means the end is near for the prime minister.

With opinion polls showing that Andy Burnham is on course to be elected the MP for Makerfield in a week’s time, there is a not-inconsiderable chance that it could all be over before MPs leave Westminster for the summer recess.

Starmer has let it be known that he intends to fight any attempt to unseat him. Healey’s resignation means there is now no chance of that.

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There have been far too many ministerial resignations in British politics over the past decade, but none have been as catastrophic for a sitting PM than Healey’s.

Healey, one of the most respected figures at Westminster, calmly and methodically set out how both the prime minister and chancellor Rachel Reeves were failing to come up with the money Britain’s armed forces needs at a time of growing global unrest.

The final straw for the now-former defence secretary came on Monday afternoon, when he was shown the full Defence Investment Plan (DIP), a document which has been delayed for months because of wrangling between No.10, the Ministry of Defence and the Treasury.

It set out how defence spending would increase from 2.6% of gross domestic product (GDP) next year to just 2.68% in 2030 – well short of the 3% Healey said was the minimum requirement.

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If he accepted that settlement, Healey said, it would see him “being forced to make decisions that would reduce the readiness of our Forces and increase the risk to personnel on operations, and could make the country less safe”.

Nor did his resignation letter spare Reeves from criticism.

“The excellent and extensive cross-government work that completed in January – overseen by you, me and the chancellor – confirmed the scale of the challenge and the rising demands on defence,” he wrote.

“Since then, you have been unable, and the Treasury has been unwilling, to commit the resources that the nation needs to defend the country at this time of rising threats.”

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Starmer, like every prime minister before him, has regularly trotted out the line that keeping the country safe is his number one duty.

It is simply impossible for him to repeat that claim when it has been so comprehensively debunked by his own defence secretary.

There are many reasons why Starmer is clearly not cut out for the job of prime minister.

But his failure, with a massive Commons majority behind him, to make and win the case for a huge increase in defence spending is surely the most damning.

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It remains to be seen whether Burnham, or whoever else comes next, is able to meet the moment.

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.

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ICJP issues Serious Crime Prevention Order letter to Met over Great Israeli Real Estate event

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Har Homa Israeli Settlement

Har Homa Israeli Settlement

The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP), in collaboration with the European Legal Support Center (ELSC) and Public Interest Law Centre (PILC), has written to the Metropolitan police asking them to assess the legal issues in relation to a London edition of the Great Israeli Real Estate event under the Serious Crime Act and if appropriate apply for a Serious Crime Prevention Order on 14 June.

ICJP previously issued a letter to the Met calling for an immediate investigation into the legality of the event and those associated with the event under UK domestic law, providing the Met with an overview of the event’s illegality.

The Great Israeli Real Estate event is one of a number of events aimed at marketing and facilitating the purchase of property in both illegal Israeli settlements located in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and cities within Israel.

According to promotional material, the event will feature consultants offering advice on property acquisitions, advertising properties as “your dream home” and providing support for:

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important life planning needs in Israel, including burial services.

The Serious Crime Prevention Order letter serves as an urgent escalation in light of the imminence of the event and ICJP has stressed the time-sensitive nature of the situation.

This is yet another attempt to ensure the police uphold their obligations to investigate events of this nature without bias and take available legal measures accordingly.

Israeli property event demands urgent attention

The matters raised in the letter require immediate consideration of investigative steps, preservation of evidence, and assessment of whether preventative or enforcement action may be appropriate within the jurisdiction of England and Wales.

ICJP has raised grounds for concern of the event’s potential illegality under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2022 (ss. 327–329), the Fraud Act 2006 (s. 1), and the Serious Crime Act 2007.

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As ICJP has previously noted, the UK government maintains that Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories are unlawful under international law.

The International Court of Justice’s July 2024 Advisory Opinion reinforced this position. It concluded that Israel’s continued presence in the territory is unlawful and that third states are under obligations not to recognise or assist in maintaining the resulting situation.

Órlaith Roe, ICJP’s public affairs and communications officer, said:

This order sets out further evidence of the serious concerns surrounding the illegality of this event, concerns we have already raised with the Metropolitan police.

Palestinian land is not for sale, and occupation is not a real estate opportunity.

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This event seeks to profit from a settlement enterprise that the UK itself recognises as illegal under international law. We have provided the Met with the evidence. The responsibility now lies with the authorities to act and prevent this event from going ahead.

Featured image via Getty Images

By The Canary

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Judge who served security services imposes draconian ‘terror’ sentences on Filton peace activists

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Filton 25

Filton 25

Judge Jeremy Johnson has imposed draconian sentences on four ‘Filton 25’ anti-genocide activists. Johnson had earlier refused to recuse himself from the case over his connections to the security services, Johnson also announced that he would impose ‘terrorism connection’ sentences despite none of the four ever being charged with terror offences, let alone convicted.

Palestine Action had not been proscribed as a terrorist group at the time when these activists were arrested.

Johnson first protected himself against appeals and censure by claiming he was allowing mitigating factors. He then also claimed that “aggravating factors” included upsetting employees of the Elbit death factory — and the fact that the activists wore red jumpsuits and used the word “intifada”.

The sentences imposed are:

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  • Two thirds of custodial sentences to be served in prison, then remainder term on parole.
  • The four will be subject to terrorist notification requirements for fifteen years after release. These include having to report relationships, register phones and obtain permission to travel.
  • Forty-five days’ reduction for being on curfew, except for Samuel Corner.
  • All to be disqualified from driving, on release, for one year plus two thirds of the custodial terms imposed.

Filton 25 — Sentence terms

The defendants were not ordered to pay compensation unless police and Israel weapons firm Elbit bring private prosecutions.

Charlotte (Lottie) Head: 6 years (4 years + 320 days custodial)
Eleona (Ellie) Kamio: 6 years (4 years + 320 days custodial)
Fatema Zainab Rajwani: 5 years 8 months (4 years + 200 days custodial)
Samuel Corner: 8 years and 8 days

Corner was also convicted of grievous bodily harm as well as criminal damage, after intervening to protect one of the female actionists. All four have already been in prison for almost two years.

The UK justice system is subordinated to the interests of Israel and its enablers.

Featured image via FiltonActionists

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