Keir Starmer resigned as Labour leader with opinion polls indicating he was the most unpopular prime minister in modern times. This is despite the fact he had secured the second-highest postwar parliamentary majority only two years earlier.

But over those two years, “Keir Starmer is a wanker” was chanted at anti-asylum protests, in football grounds, at festivals and during televised darts competitions. Facebook and X feeds were full of anti-Starmer content. “Vote Reform, Get Starmer Out” was Reform UK’s campaign slogan at the May local elections.

The left and right had their own favourite (albeit contradictory) reasons as to why he should be disliked. But there was something strange about this vehemently hostile public mood towards such a sober, unemotional politician. It seemed to go beyond the normal anger that many prime ministers face from opponents.

The politics of feeling

Dislike, even apparent hatred, of Starmer was only partially about his performance as prime minister. It also exemplifies what Anna Secor and I call the “politics of feeling” in our book of the same name. We argue that in the turbulent period since the 2008 financial crisis, politics in the UK and US has no longer been about coherent ideology expressed through policy and programmes.

We argue that, instead, political movements such as right-wing populism or left progressivism now offer people a way of feeling about the past and the future. They offer intensity and attachment as people live with insecurity in the post-2008 world. Feelings also connect and disconnect people. Some would have felt elated, sad, relieved, or nothing much at all on Starmer’s resignation. That reaction alone is enough to connect voters to like-minded others.

A key condition for “Starmer hate” was how Labour won its “loveless landslide” in the 2024 general election. In the book, we show how centrist politicians struggled in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis to regain their political hegemony amid challenges from populists and progressives.

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The mistakes that sealed Keir Starmer’s fate

Labour’s general election campaign responded to this challenge in two ways. First, the party offered the promise of “change” to try to resonate with a longstanding public desire for something different, as expressed in events like Brexit.

Second, it claimed that politics will, once again, tread lightly on people’s lives. Being boring was made into a virtue in comparison with the antics and stunts of Donald Trump, Boris Johnson and other right-wing populists. What was offered was being able to detach from politics while some kind of positive change happened.

These promises helped to secure the landslide in a context of voters’ exhaustion with the Conservatives after 14 years of government. But it was the lack of love that made Starmer a prime target for strong feelings. The absence of attachment meant that Starmer soon became the repository for a range of longstanding frustrations and grievances. These intensified when people didn’t immediately see or feel the change they desired.

From the left, Starmer’s position on issues such as immigration betrayed the faint hope for progressive change that some had placed in him. From the far-right, Starmer became the latest example of a corrupt elite or establishment that had betrayed the British people.

Little positive attachment to Starmer meant there was no constituency of supporters to push back against the intensifying anger and outrage that social media both created and depended on. That maelstrom of negative feelings could stick to Starmer because his political style placed him firmly within the centrist, technocratic tradition that was being rejected.

Equivocation, flatness and what was often judged as an absence of political commitment stood in stark contrast to the self-confidence and ease of figures as politically diverse as Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and New York mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Hatred is intense, and that intensity is central to today’s politics of feeling. And so an apparent hatred of Starmer is about the experience of feeling something intensely – and the difference this makes to people’s everyday lives. Intense feeling interrupts boredom, loneliness and other kinds of ordinary malaise. And in uncertain and anxious times, hate offers the illusion of reassurance. It establishes an unequivocal position against something.

What’s more, sharing the same strong feeling with others – even if it is a negative one – is a collective experience. Chanting “Keir Starmer is a wanker” with other people might be nihilistic, or even aggressive, but it is also a way of connecting with strangers who feel the same way.

Strong feelings about Starmer will fade. But the conditions that meant contempt and loathing became part of UK politics remain. If Andy Burnham becomes the next prime minister, how he responds to those conditions and today’s politics of feeling will be vital to the success of his political project.

This article contains references to books that have been included for editorial reasons, and may contain links to bookshop.org. If you click on one of the links and go on to buy something from bookshop.org The Conversation UK may earn a commission.

Rupert Kent, prosecuting, said: “These defendants knew, or at the very least ought reasonably to have known, the attack upon Mr Zeraati was instigated by a foreign power, we submit namely the Iranian regime, with which the defendants had an indirect relationship through third parties.”

The Chase star Jenny Ryan has revealed she was left with a scar on her throat after undergoing surgery to remove her thyroid gland, which had become enlarged and was causing problems.

She’s one of the six chasers on the ITV show The Chase, where she is nicknamed ‘The Vixen’.

She made her first TV quiz appearance on University Challenge, for the semi-finals in 2003, also appearing on other quiz shows such as Mastermind, Are You an Egghead, and Only Connect.

The quizzer shared the update on Instagram alongside a photograph showing the scar on the front of her neck.

She said via social media: “Hello my lovelies. You might notice my new scar. You’d be hard pushed to not spot it, given it’s right on the front of my neck.

“As much as I’d like to have an exciting and glamorous reason, old timey duel, Olympic fencing practice, near miss with guillotine, the reality is not so sexy.

“My thyroid gland made a bid for fame and got so big it started causing some problems so we chopped it out.”

Jenny said the operation had been successful and that she was recovering well following the procedure.

She also praised the medical team who treated her and said she would soon be returning to public appearances.

She added: “I’m fine. Surgery was all good and the consultant is very happy. My voice still works and it’s healing nicely.

“I had to stay quite still for a couple of weeks in case my head fell off but we are grand now.

“Thanks to the head and neck gang and all the terrific people who looked after me at UCH. The NHS is beyond wonderful.”

Jenny also told fans she would be appearing at Fingers Buzzers LIVE during the Bolton Comedy Festival on July 18.

By MIKE KEEGAN, CHIEF SPORTS REPORTER

Published: 19:30 BST, 3 July 2026 | Updated: 21:37 BST, 3 July 2026

Officials are planning a so-called ‘ring of steel’ around England‘s Mexico City hotel – in an attempt to prevent a repeat of the raucous scenes that marred Ecuador’s visit.

Cars, fog horns, fireworks and loud music triggered a miserable night’s sleep for Mexico’s last opponents – and a complaint to FIFA.

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However, it is understood that a series of measures are expected to be put in place to try and ensure Thomas Tuchel and his players do not face similar problems on the eve of their last-16 battle.

Talks are thought to be ongoing between FIFA and local police over placing an effective cordon around England’s hotel ahead of the high-stakes fixture at what is likely to be a fervent Azteca Stadium.

While no final decisions have been made, there is a hope that the Three Lions will not see their preparations impacted in the same way as the Ecuadorians who, in addition to the shenanigans outside the hotel, suffered delays at the airport and on the roads.

Indeed, England will be given a police escort during their time in the Mexican capital.

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A ‘ring of steel’ is being prepared by officials to help secure England’s team hotel in Mexico

Ecuador’s preparations to play Mexico were disrupted and changes are inbound for England

Harry Kane (second from right) and Co won’t be in the same hotel where Ecuador stayed

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Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Co will not be staying at the same hotel as Ecuador, but will be in a nearby area.

England have sold around 8,000 tickets for the match, which was due to kick off at 1am on Monday and 8pm here, but could now be brought forward due to storms in the area.  

In total, around 15,000 England followers are expected to attend what will be a huge occasion at the 87,523-capacity venue, one of football’s great cathedrals.

At this stage, there is no intelligence to suggest that those there to support England will be targeted by fans of the co-host and officials are hoping that the trip will pass off without major incident. 

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It is thought that England fans will be asked to be respectful and courteous to their hosts and, should their team progress, act with good grace.

Meanwhile, some Three Lions fans are attempting to cash in by selling their tickets on FIFA’s resale portal for a staggering £22,800.

More than 70 tickets bought through the England Supporters’ Travel Club (ESTC) via the official ballot of 3,000 are up for grabs. Some are attempting to use the game as an opportunity to pay for their entire trip.

Category one tickets, effectively the best seats, were going for north of £51,000 last night.

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Two Romanian nationals have been jailed for stabbing a journalist in Wimbledon on behalf of the Iranian regime in an attempt to “silence” him.

Their target, Pouria Zeraati, works for the Persian language channel Iran International, that is critical of the Iranian government.

Nandito Badea, 21, and George Stana, 25, attacked him in March 2024 as he walked to his car near his home, just around the corner from the All England Lawn Tennis Club.

At the Old Bailey in London, Stana was sentenced to 12 years in prison and Badea to eight, after being convicted last month of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “For anyone to act on behalf of Iran and to plan and carry out an attack on a journalist, on British soil, is deplorable.

“Today’s sentence sends a clear message to the Iranian regime and those who do its bidding.”

The knife attack left Zeraati in hospital needing stitches for three stab wounds in his leg.

Police said that in the lead up to the attack, two men approached the victim as he left his home, heading towards his car.

One asked for money, before the victim was then held by a man, and stabbed multiple times in the leg by the second man.

They then made off on foot before getting into a blue Mazda.

The court heard that Stana drove the Mazda getaway car. Zeraati said Badea wielded the knife, while a third man, David Andrei, held him while he was being stabbed.

The men then left the UK on a flight to Geneva from Heathrow Airport. Andrei is still in Romania, Badea and Stana were extradited to the UK.

Sentencing Badea and Stana, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb said “I am sure that this was an attack for – or for the benefit of – a foreign power.”

“The victim Pouria Zeraati was not selected at random.”

“He had previously been subject to threats,” she said, and there had been posters put up in the Iranian capital Tehran with his photograph and the words “Wanted. Dead or alive”.

The judge concluded that Stana knew or should have known that the attack was being carried out on behalf of Iran, but said she was not sure that Badea knew.

The court heard that the attack had been planned for “at least one year” with extensive surveillance of Zeraati’s home in Wimbledon.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, Zeraati said the attack had caused him “significant sleeplessness”.

“The incident has left me scared and anxious,” he said.

He explained that he has had to move address several times and that he is afraid of going out on his own.

“I find it difficult to go to restaurants for fear of being followed,” he said. “I am always looking over my shoulder.”

Iran International said the attack on their journalist “was appalling – terrifying for him and his wife, and shocking to his colleagues at Iran International.

“Our journalists are subject to an ongoing campaign of intimidation by the Islamic Republic of Iran – both in Iran itself where their relatives are routinely threatened and treated harshly as well as to themselves on British soil.

“We are more than thankful for the protection given us by the police and the UK authorities.”

If there’s one thing Taylor Swift loves, it’s keeping fans guessing.

And if the whirlwind surrounding her blockbuster wedding weekend is anything to go by, the biggest surprise wasn’t the celebrity guest list, the Madison Square Garden takeover or the lavish celebrations.

It may have been that she and Travis Kelce had already quietly tied the knot.

For months, the superstar couple kept fans guessing over every detail of what many have dubbed the wedding celebrations of the decade.

But as Thursday’s intimate gathering gave way to Friday’s lavish celebrations in New York City, a growing number of Swifties became convinced the real ceremony had already taken place behind closed doors.

After Page Six reported that Swift and Kelce had already legally married in Nashville, Tennessee, before the New York festivities, the singer’s famously eagle-eyed fanbase insisted the clues had been hiding in plain sight all along.

As Thursday’s intimate gathering gave way to Friday’s lavish celebrations in New York City, a growing number of Swifties became convinced the real ceremony had already taken place behind closed doors. Above, in 2024

One of the biggest talking points emerged after Kelce shared a behind-the-scenes clip during a live recording of his New Heights podcast in June.

The sweet video showed Swift playfully spoon-feeding the Kansas City Chiefs star while making airplane noises.

While casual viewers simply saw another adorable glimpse into the couple’s romance, devoted fans immediately zeroed in on something else entirely.

One Swiftie shared the clip online with the caption: ‘Mother literally showed u her wedding band,’ before adding, ‘they are married.’

The brief moment quickly went viral as eagle-eyed fans zoomed in on the jewelry adorning Swift’s hand.

Although many acknowledged that the ring appeared to be on the ‘wrong’ hand, plenty insisted that the sparkling platinum band sitting beside a dazzling diamond looked remarkably like a wedding ring.

Given Swift’s long history of dropping subtle Easter eggs for fans to decode, many couldn’t help wondering whether she had quietly hidden one final clue in plain sight.

The wedding-band theory gained even more momentum after the Page Six report claimed the couple had already legally wed in Nashville.

The behind-the-scenes clip from a live recording of New Heights showed Swift playfully spoon-feeding Kelce while making airplane noises, with eagle-eyed fans claiming a sparkling platinum band worn alongside a diamond ring appeared to be a wedding band

The city holds particular significance for Swift, who relocated there as a teenager to pursue her music career and still owns homes in the state.

One of the outlet’s sources claimed the pair quietly exchanged vows in an intimate legal ceremony, while another alleged they celebrated with only a small group of loved ones before the much larger celebrity event in New York.

The report also claimed the legal ceremony did not take place in New York.

Under New York law, marriage licenses are valid for 60 days after being issued and generally require a 24-hour waiting period before a ceremony can legally take place, unless a judicial waiver is granted.

That detail quickly became another piece of the puzzle for fans convinced the legal paperwork had been completed elsewhere before the lavish public celebrations.

Even Swift’s private jet movements found themselves under intense scrutiny.

According to online flight trackers, the singer’s aircraft made a series of stops in the days leading up to the festivities that happened to coincide with cities connected to both families.

The jet reportedly remained in Nashville before traveling to Philadelphia, where Kelce’s father Ed lives and where brother Jason Kelce and sister-in-law Kylie are based.

According to online flight trackers, the singer’s aircraft made a series of stops in the days leading up to the festivities that happened to coincide with cities connected to both families

It then flew to Tampa, where Taylor’s father Scott lives, before returning to Nashville and eventually heading back to New York.

The flights prove nothing on their own, but for fans already convinced a secret ceremony had taken place, they appeared to fit neatly into the timeline.

Adding even more fuel to the fire were growing whispers that Madison Square Garden itself may have been little more than an elaborate decoy.

Businessman Anthony Jabin, who claimed to be attending as the guest of an invited friend, hinted during an interview with TMZ that ‘there’s a decoy’ and teased, ‘it’s not what everyone thinks,’ while declining to elaborate further.

Then came another clue that Swifties insist can’t be ignored.

Throughout wedding week, virtually every report referred to the festivities simply as a ‘celebration.’

Thursday’s ‘intimate gathering’ drew comparisons to a rehearsal dinner, while Friday’s star-studded festivities were consistently described as a ‘celebration’ rather than explicitly referred to as the wedding ceremony itself. 

To devoted Swifties, that wasn’t semantics – it was another Easter egg.

Adding even more fuel to the fire were growing whispers that Madison Square Garden itself may have been little more than an elaborate decoy 

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If the legal ceremony had already happened, then everything unfolding in New York would simply be one enormous post-wedding party 

If the legal ceremony had already happened, then everything unfolding in New York would simply be one enormous post-wedding party.

Regardless of whether the rumors ultimately prove true, the New York celebrations have certainly lived up to the hype.

Madison Square Garden underwent an extraordinary transformation ahead of the festivities, with truckloads of flowers, trees and lavish décor arriving at the iconic venue as workers raced to create what many compared to a fairy-tale setting.

Huge black drapes were installed to shield celebrity arrivals from photographers, while strict security measures surrounded the arena.

Confidentiality notices reportedly warned vendors and staff against revealing any details about the event, and nearby streets were heavily controlled as preparations intensified.

Celebrity guests also began arriving throughout the week, with Thursday’s intimate gathering reportedly hosting around 100 close friends and family before Friday’s much larger celebration, which has been widely reported to include roughly 1,000 guests.

Whether the rumors ultimately prove true remains to be seen. 

But if Swift and Kelce really did pull off a secret ceremony before the world’s eyes turned to Madison Square Garden, it would be the ultimate Taylor Swift Easter egg – one hidden in plain sight while everyone was looking the other way.

Three trim levels of EV5 SUV are available, called Air, GT-Line and GT-Line S.

In this instalment of Drive Time, John gets behind the wheel of the new electric EV5 SUV from Korean manufacturer Kia and discovers that Ineos will be providing vehicles to military based on the Grenadier range.

Kia has developed an excellent line-up of EVs – the latest of which is the EV5, a mid-sized SUV that is a sound alternative to the company’s popular Sportage.

It is slightly larger than the Sportage and it takes most of its looks from the larger EV9, so its bold rather boxy design looks solid and gives the car a strong road presence.

The styling means that there are stacks of room in the cabin with space for family and luggage.

Three trim levels are available, called Air, GT-Line and GT-Line S., while an AWD version and a sporty GT are on the way.

All models feature distinctive front light clusters, tough bumpers, squared-off wings, sculpted wheel arches, vertical rear lights, a large tailgate and either 18 or 19-inch alloys wheels.

The cabin is neat and tidy with three infotainment screens merged behind a curved panel.

All the entertainment features are on the left side while the middle screen deals with the climate and the right covers all the important driving data like speed and range.

Powered by a long-range 81.4kWh battery, the EV5 has a claimed range of up to 329 miles and prices start from just over £39,000 going all the way up to £47145 for the top of the range model.

As you would expect from Kia, all models boast lots of equipment and the range topper has all the goodies including powered heated and ventilated seats which even offer a massage function.

There is also a reversing camera, wireless charging and an eight speaker Harman Kardon sound system.

There is a nice mixture of physical and touchscreen controls as well as an AI personal assistant.

The car also offers fingerprint recognition technology which drivers can use to store their favourite settings.

With 214bhp on tap the EV5 is a solid performer with a top speed of 102mph and a sprint time of 8.4 seconds to 62mph.

Some rivals in this demanding sector are more dynamic but the EV5 cruises nicely on the motorway and it is not fazed by twisting country roads where it feels well balanced.

The steering is well weighted and offers good feedback.

You can operate the car with just one pedal thanks to an i-Pedal setting which can bring the car to a standstill without touching the brakes.

There are four drive modes and steering wheel paddles allow you to adjust the strength of the regenerative braking.

The suspension does a good job of smoothing out rough roads making the SUV feel refined.

The large 566 litre boot is accessed via a large powered tailgate and with the split 60:40 seats folded flat the capacity increases to 1,650 litres. Lots more storage space is also available inside the cabin.

Charging the battery from 10 to 80 per cent takes 30 minutes on a rapid charger and 70 minutes if plugged into a 50kW outlet.

A 10 to 100 per cent charge takes seven hours and 20 minutes on an 11kW port.

The EV5 boasts a five star Euro NCAP rating, so it is packed with all the latest safety features and driver aids.

As usual, it carries the KIA seven years or 100,000 mile warranty, going up to eight years for the battery.

My only gripe was that the cabin did feel a little dark and a bit bland but all its good features may result in it being as popular as the Sportage.

Meanwhile, Ineos Automotive, SMT Defence and NMS UK have joined forces to form Team Grenadier, a UK-anchored industrial collaboration dedicated to delivering a range of vehicles ideal for deployment by the UK Ministry of Defence, based on the INEOS Grenadier platform.

The partnership delivers on the core requirements of the MoD’s Light Mobility Vehicle programme, by combining a world-leading 4X4 vehicle platform with deep-rooted special operations and systems integration expertise.

Team Grenadier is backed by proven UK-based industrial capability that can deliver operational effectiveness, supply-chain resilience and assured service-life support.

The INEOS Grenadier is the lynchpin of the project – a purpose-engineered and highly durable vehicle, designed for exceptional reliability and off-road performance.

Its ladder-frame chassis, permanent four-wheel drive, beam axles and high payload capacity, provide a robust baseline for military adaptation across multiple roles and operating environments.

SMT Defence brings specialist expertise in the design, integration and delivery of bespoke and mission-critical vehicles for elite and specialist military users. Its experience in modular architecture, high-payload configurations and survivability-driven design enables rapid adaptation of the platform to meet and exceed MoD operational requirements.

NMS UK underpins the collaboration with established UK-based military vehicle production, integration and in-life support.

Its global reputation in Armoured and Protected platform development, quality and fleet assurance ensures the programme can be delivered at scale, on time and with long-term resilience – directly supporting UK defence objectives and domestic industry.

Mike Whittington , chief commercial officer, INEOS Automotive, said: “A defining advantage of the industrial collaboration is its British ownership, onshore assembly and local supply chain.

“It brings strategic benefits in operational independence and resilience with security and regulatory alignment – delivering on the MoD’s core objectives.

“Grenadier’s unrivalled capability and inherent strength provide an obvious starting point for mission-critical transport.”

The Grenadier Multi-Role Light Vehicle (MRLV) is one of nine modular LMV applications, each underpinned by the Grenadier’s strong ladder frame and heavy-duty axles.

Already proven in demanding operational environments by fire, police and rescue services around the world, the platform offers exceptional cross-country mobility, outstanding durability and straightforward maintenance, making it ideally suited to long-term military service.

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Suspected Class A, Class B and Class C drugs, were seized along with a suspected ammunition round, a suspected Taser-type device, a BB-type gun and drugs-related paraphernalia.

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A man in his 30s has been arrested after drugs, a suspected Taser-type device and a BB-type gun were found during a search in north Belfast on Friday, the PSNI said.

Detectives from the Criminal Investigation Department carried out the planned search to tackle drug-dealing and organised criminality in the area.

In a statement, Detective Sergeant Robson said: “Detectives and local officers seized a quantity of suspected Class A, Class B and Class C drugs, along with a suspected ammunition round, a suspected Taser-type device, a BB-type gun and drugs-related paraphernalia. All of these items have now been taken away for further forensic examination.”

The man was arrested on suspicion of possessing ammunition in suspicious circumstances, possession of a prohibited weapon and possession of suspected Class A, B and C controlled drugs and he remains in police custody.

Mr Robson continued: “The detection and disruption of organised criminals involved in the supply of drugs is a policing priority for police in north Belfast.

“This proactive operation shows that, when we have the right information, we can take decisive action to protect our communities from the harm caused by drugs.

“We want to make our communities a hostile environment for those involved in the drugs trade and the message from this operation is clear: There is no safe place for you in north Belfast.”

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