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UK Labour Party Crisis

Keir Starmer's government battered by internal revolt, surging Reform UK, Epstein-linked diplomatic embarrassment, and questions over Labour's direction

Badenoch Warns Incoming UK PM Faces 'Rude Awakening' in Office

Illustration accompanying article: Badenoch Warns Incoming UK PM Faces 'Rude Awakening' in Office
  • Kemi Badenoch said Sunday that incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham faces a "rude awakening" in office and called his plans for government "airy fairy," in an interview on the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg.
  • Badenoch said she would not give Burnham a "blank cheque" and would "score as many points as possible" if it serves the country.
  • Burnham is set to become prime minister on Monday after a reception with King Charles III, having emerged as Labour's sole leadership candidate backed by 379 MPs and all 11 affiliated trade unions.
  • Burnham on Friday promised "the most significant change moment in our politics for 40 years" but has not named his cabinet.
 2026-07-18 · 3 MIN READ

Starmer Accuses Elon Musk of Whiping Up Division Over Henry Nowak Murder

Illustration accompanying article: Starmer Accuses Elon Musk of Whiping Up Division Over Henry Nowak Murder
  • Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer accused Elon Musk of "trying to whip up division" after Musk criticized police treatment of Henry Nowak during his dying moments.
  • Vickrum Digwa, 23, was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 21 years for murdering 18-year-old Nowak; bodycam footage showing police handcuffing Nowak as he lay dying sparked violent protests in Southampton.
  • Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch met Nowak's family and called for calm, while also urging examination of religious practices that permit carrying dangerous weapons in public.
  • Reform UK leader Nigel Farage urged a response of "pure, cold rage"; Starmer said exploiting the tragedy when the family asked for calm was "unforgivable."
  • Nowak's father, Mark, appealed publicly for his son's death not to be used to create further division, hatred or tension.
 2026-06-04 · 3 MIN READ
Illustration accompanying article: BBC presenter apologises for misquoting Nigel Farage on Newsnight

UK government pledges delayed defence spending plan before July Nato summit

2026-06-01

Defence Secretary John Healey told Parliament on Monday that Prime Minister Keir Starmer remains determined to publish the UK's long-overdue Defence Investment Plan before the July Nato summit, a pledge that comes amid escalating warnings from industry and labour groups about the economic and security costs of further delays.

Nicola Sturgeon emotional in interview over husband's SNP embezzlement

2026-05-31

Former Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon became visibly emotional during a televised interview on Sunday, addressing the financial crimes committed by her estranged husband, Peter Murrell, while repeatedly denying any personal knowledge of the misconduct and asserting she has been cleared of wrongdoing by law enforcement.

Former minister calls Welsh Labour's Senedd collapse an existential crisis

2026-05-31

Former Welsh Labour minister Lee Waters described the party's performance in the Senedd election as an 'existential crisis' after Labour won just nine seats, finishing third behind Plaid Cymru and Reform UK, in what he called a 'painful and frustrating experience watching the slow-motion car crash.'

Scott Remer makes a good living as a National Spelling Bee coach

2026-05-23

Elite spellers say Scott Remer has been crucial to their wins, as the only full-time spelling bee coach charges as much as $180 an hour. Remer’s students can also earn him a performance-based bonus tied to top-10 finishes at the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which begins Tuesday and runs through Thursday in Washington.

Scott Remer makes a good living as a National Spelling Bee coach

2026-05-22

Scott Remer, described by his students as the most influential National Spelling Bee coach of the past decade, charges $180 an hour for private lessons and takes a performance-based share of some prize winnings. Remer, who has coached five national champions and has worked with at least 29 spellers in each of the past four bees, is preparing for this year’s bee in Washington. The coaching market around him ranges from higher-priced, full-time instruction to less expensive options taken by competitors and their families.

Andy Burnham seeks return to Parliament as Labour’s top alternative to Starmer

2026-05-16

Andy Burnham, the popular mayor of Greater Manchester, will contest a special election in the Makerfield constituency in the coming weeks, opening a path to challenge embattled Prime Minister Keir Starmer for the leadership of the Labour Party. The election, expected within weeks, follows the resignation of Labour lawmaker Josh Simons, who stepped aside to make way for Burnham. Burnham, known as the “King of the North,” is seen as Starmer’s strongest rival, but he must first beat the ascendant anti-immigrant Reform UK party in a constituency where Labour’s wards all fell to Reform in this month’s local elections.

Burnham seeks Labour leadership path by winning Makerfield by-election

2026-05-16

Labour’s Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, says he wants to return to Parliament and challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer, starting with a special election in Makerfield. The prospect hinges on Burnham winning a by-election that is expected within weeks, after a Labour lawmaker stepped aside to make room for him. The contest against Reform UK’s Nigel Farage could reshape the timing and dynamics of any Labour leadership fight, depending on the result.

Labour’s Wes Streeting announces bid to replace Keir Starmer as PM

2026-05-16

In Britain, Labour Party lawmaker Wes Streeting said Saturday that he will challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer for the party’s leadership, setting up what the Associated Press described as a likely internal contest that could reshape who leads the government. Streeting, the former health secretary, said “we need a proper contest” and that he would “be standing,” after months of growing questions about Starmer’s standing following losses for Labour in local and regional elections on May 7.

UK health secretary resigns, calling on Starmer to step aside and igniting leadership battle

2026-05-15

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer faced an open rebellion from within his own Labour Party on Thursday, after Health Secretary Wes Streeting resigned from the Cabinet and urged him not to serve out his term. In a scathing resignation letter, Streeting said Starmer had shown "courage and statesmanship on the world stage" but accused him of providing "a vacuum" of vision and direction. The move intensifies pressure on Starmer following disastrous local election results last week.

UK’s Starmer faces Labour leadership challenge after health minister quits

2026-05-15

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer faced open rebellion within his Labour Party after Health Secretary Wes Streeting resigned from the Cabinet, setting up a potential leadership challenge. Streeting said he had lost confidence in Starmer and urged him not to serve out the rest of his term, amid doubts after Labour’s setbacks in recent local elections.

Bahamian PM Philip Davis declares PLP victory in snap election

2026-05-14

Incumbent Bahamian Prime Minister Philip Davis declared victory for his Progressive Liberal Party in the Bahamas' snap general election on Tuesday, securing a second term as local media projected the PLP would win more than 30 of the 41 parliamentary seats. Official results were not immediately released.

Bahamas PM Philip Davis declares victory in snap election for PLP

2026-05-14

Incumbent Bahamian Prime Minister Philip Davis declared victory for his Progressive Liberal Party in a snap election, saying at a Nassau rally that it was a win “for the entire country.” Davis made the remarks late Tuesday as his party was projected to win more than 30 of the election’s 41 parliamentary seats, with official results not immediately released.

Starmer faces calls to step down as junior ministers resign

2026-05-13

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer insisted on Tuesday that he has no intention of resigning as calls for him to step down grew within the Labour Party and several junior ministers quit in protest. The party’s Cabinet meeting came a day before King Charles III is scheduled to deliver the government’s program for Parliament’s new session.

UK Labour leader Starmer faces calls to resign after election losses

2026-05-11

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is under growing pressure from within his own party, with dozens of Labour lawmakers urging him to resign after heavy local election defeats and fallout over his appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington, the Associated Press reported Tuesday.

Starmer resists calls to resign as UK prime minister after Labour losses

2026-05-11

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer faced calls from dozens of his own Labour Party lawmakers to resign Tuesday, after a resounding defeat in local elections and the resignation of several junior ministers. Starmer said he intended to continue governing, but his hold on power could slip further if the revolt grows.

Contenders to replace Keir Starmer as Labour leader face uncertainty

2026-05-11

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s grip on leadership appears weaker after Labour suffered heavy defeats in local elections last week, according to Associated Press. Starmer has insisted he will stay, with no formal leadership challenge launched yet, but dozens of Labour lawmakers have called for him to step down. AP outlined several leading contenders who could potentially replace him, including Health Secretary Wes Streeting, former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and former energy secretary Ed Miliband.

Challenges facing Starmer to stay UK prime minister, explained

2026-05-11

Keir Starmer is facing calls from lawmakers in his own Labour Party to step down after Labour’s resounding defeat in local elections last week, leaving Britain’s political succession questions in play before the next national vote. The Prime Minister said Tuesday he wanted to press on with governing, after several junior ministers quit and urged his resignation.

Starmer vows to stay as Labour suffers heavy losses in UK local elections

2026-05-10

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged to rebuild his struggling government after a disastrous set of local and regional elections that saw his Labour Party lose more than 1,100 council seats and its 27-year hold on power in Wales. The results, finalized Saturday, marked a breakthrough for Nigel Farage’s anti-immigration Reform UK, which gained over 1,300 seats, and prompted a growing number of Labour lawmakers to urge Starmer to set a timetable for his departure.

Péter Magyar sworn in as Hungary's prime minister, ending Orbán's 16-year rule

2026-05-10

Péter Magyar was sworn in as Hungary's prime minister on Saturday, ending 16 years of Viktor Orbán's nationalist-populist rule, the Associated Press reported. Magyar's center-right Tisza party won a two-thirds parliamentary majority in April elections, giving him a mandate to restore democratic institutions, repair relations with the European Union, and pursue anti-corruption measures.

UK elections: Starmer faces calls to resign after Labour losses

2026-05-10

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged to revive his struggling government after a disastrous set of local and regional elections for his Labour Party, results released Saturday showed. As the final counts came in, Labour suffered a net loss of more than 1,100 local council seats in England, lost control of several local authorities it had held for decades, and was booted from power in Wales after 27 years, according to the Associated Press.

Peter Magyar sworn in as Hungary PM after Orbán’s 16-year rule

2026-05-10

Hungarian lawyer Péter Magyar took the oath of office as prime minister on Saturday, ending Viktor Orbán’s 16-year rule, after the center-right Tisza party’s sweeping election victory. In a speech to supporters outside parliament in Budapest, Magyar pledged to restore democratic checks and balances and to pursue alleged corruption. The European Union flag was raised on parliament’s facade for the first time since Orbán’s government removed it in 2014.

Starmer Under Pressure After Labour’s Electoral Disaster and Reform UK’s Surge

2026-05-09

LONDRES (AP) — Prime Minister Keir Starmer faced mounting calls from within his own party to set a date for his departure after Labour lost more than 1,100 council seats and control of the Welsh government in local and regional elections, while the anti-immigration Reform UK gained over 1,300 seats across England and broke through in Scotland and Wales.

Starmer refuses to quit after Labour routed in UK local elections

2026-05-09

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Friday he would not resign after local and regional elections in which his governing Labour Party lost more than half the council seats it defended, as the hard-right Reform UK made major gains in working-class strongholds across England and nationalist parties secured breakthroughs in Scotland and Wales.

Starmer bajo presión tras desastre electoral; sube Reform UK

2026-05-09

El primer ministro británico Keir Starmer enfrentó el sábado llamados a dimitir tras una oleada de elecciones locales y regionales que dejaron al Partido Laborista con pérdidas de escaños, caída de control en varias autoridades y una derrota en Gales tras 27 años. Reform UK, con un mensaje centrado en el orden establecido y la inmigración, ganó más de 1.300 escaños en Inglaterra y avanzó en Gales y Escocia.

Bulgaria parliament confirms Rumen Radev as prime minister after election win

2026-05-09

Bulgaria’s parliament on Friday approved Rumen Radev as prime minister, ending another round of political instability and setting up his government to pursue economic development in the European Union member country. Lawmakers voted 124-70 with 36 abstentions, as Radev told the chamber the new cabinet would face galloping prices, a budget shortfall, missing reforms, an energy crisis and intensifying conflicts abroad.

Starmer says he will not quit after Labour suffers local election losses

2026-05-09

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer insisted Friday he will not resign after local and regional elections that left his governing Labour Party with major losses and helped Reform UK make major gains, according to results reported Friday. Starmer said he would take responsibility for the “very tough” outcome and continue meeting what he called the challenges voters raised. The elections were widely treated as an unofficial referendum on Starmer ahead of a national vote expected by 2029.

Starmer calls for tougher action at pro-Palestinian protests

2026-05-03

Britain’s prime minister, Keir Starmer, said Saturday that tougher action may be needed against some chants at pro-Palestinian protests in the U.K. after two Jewish men were stabbed in London. Starmer said he would defend the right to protest but suggested some marches could be banned. The remarks came as British authorities raised the U.K.’s terror threat level to “severe” after Wednesday’s attack.

Men accused of being asked to set fires at Starmer-linked London homes

2026-04-28

A British prosecutor told a jury that three men accused in London of arson were offered payment by a Russian-speaking contact online to burn property linked to Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The prosecutor said one of the men allegedly identified the others through Telegram, and that the fires occurred between May 8 and May 12 last year in north London. The defendants deny the charges.

Orbán says he will not take his seat in Hungary’s parliament after loss

2026-04-26

Hungary’s outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said Saturday he will not take a seat in parliament after his party’s landslide election loss, instead calling for a reorganization of his nationalist-populist political community. Orbán made the announcement in a video posted to Facebook after voters on April 12 ended his 16 years in power.

Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer to leave Trump Cabinet

2026-04-22

WASHINGTON (AP) — Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer is leaving President Donald Trump’s Cabinet, the White House said Monday, after multiple allegations of abuse of power that included claims of an affair with a subordinate and drinking alcohol on the job. Keith Sonderling, the current deputy labor secretary, will become acting labor secretary in her place, a White House communications director said.

Starmer faces new fallout after Robbins details Mandelson’s vetting

2026-04-22

LONDON (AP) — A former senior British official testified to Parliament that Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office pushed for Peter Mandelson to be approved as Britain’s ambassador to Washington even though security vetting had not been completed. Olly Robbins, Starmer’s former foreign office head who was fired last week, told lawmakers Tuesday that Downing Street showed “dismissive” attitudes toward security checks and focused on getting Mandelson into post quickly.

BBC to cut up to 2,000 jobs to save 10% of annual budget

2026-04-16

BBC said it plans to cut up to 2,000 jobs to save about 10% of its annual budget over the next two years, with the bulk of cuts aimed at the fiscal year beginning April 1, 2027. The cuts, announced during a call with staff, are the biggest at the U.K. public broadcaster in more than a decade, interim Director-General Rhodri Talfan Davies said.

Starmer faces resignation calls after Mandelson failed security vetting for ambassador post

2026-04-16

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer faced calls Thursday to resign after the government acknowledged that Peter Mandelson, the former ambassador to the United States, was initially denied security clearance for the post before the Foreign Office overruled the vetting process. The disclosure, first reported by the Guardian, directly contradicts Starmer's repeated public assurances that proper vetting procedures were followed in Mandelson's appointment.

Former Canadian politician Stephen Lewis dies at 88

2026-04-01

Stephen Lewis, Canada’s former ambassador to the United Nations and a longtime social activist, has died at 88, his family and the Stephen Lewis Foundation said. Lewis was diagnosed with stomach cancer eight years ago.

Mongolia’s ruling party nominates Uchral Nyam-Osor as PM candidate

2026-03-30

Mongolia’s ruling Mongolian People’s Party selected a new candidate for prime minister on Sunday after Zandanshatar Gombojav resigned as prime minister after nine months in office. The party chairman, Uchral Nyam-Osor—who also serves as speaker of parliament—was nominated, according to state news agency Montsame.

UK ends hereditary peers in House of Lords after centuries-long practice

2026-03-12

Britain’s Parliament voted to remove hereditary aristocrats from the unelected House of Lords, a step that lawmakers say will end an “archaic and undemocratic” principle. Lords members dropped objections to legislation passed by the elected House of Commons, clearing the way for royal assent and for most hereditary peers to leave at the end of the current session.

Documents detail warnings before Starmer appointed Mandelson as U.S. envoy

2026-03-11

Prime Minister Keir Starmer released nearly 150 pages of documents detailing vetting warnings before he appointed Peter Mandelson, who had close ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as Britain’s ambassador to the United States. The release comes as Starmer faces continued political pressure after he later sacked Mandelson in September and after Mandelson was briefly arrested last month on allegations related to Epstein.

Axel Springer agrees to buy Telegraph Media Group for $766 million

2026-03-05

Axel Springer agreed Friday to buy the owner of Britain’s Daily Telegraph for 575 million pounds ($766 million), ending a yearslong ownership saga around Telegraph Media Group. The deal gives the German media company control of the 171-year-old Daily Telegraph, its Sunday sister title and the Telegraph news website, while also setting up Axel Springer’s push into the U.S. market.

Partido Verde gana elección especial en Inglaterra y relega a Laboristas

2026-02-28

Hannah Spencer, del Partido Verde, ganó una elección parlamentaria especial en Gorton y Denton, Inglaterra, el viernes, con 14.980 votos, según el recuento publicado. El resultado marginó al Partido Laborista del primer ministro Keir Starmer, que quedó tercero, mientras Reform UK obtuvo 10.578 votos y la laborista Angeliki Stogia 9.364.

Larry the cat marks 15 years as Britain’s “first feline”

2026-02-16

LONDON — Larry the cat will mark 15 years on Sunday as the British government’s official rodent-catcher and its unofficial “first feline,” a fixture at 10 Downing St. described as a steady presence through multiple prime ministers. The gray-and-white tabby is credited with “photo-bombing” arrivals and has been photographed catching the occasional mouse, even as his age has slowed his patrols.

Starmer’s chief of staff quits over Mandelson–Epstein ambassador furor

2026-02-07

Keir Starmer’s chief of staff resigned Sunday over controversy surrounding Peter Mandelson’s appointment as Britain’s ambassador to the United States, after documents linked to Jeffrey Epstein raised questions about Mandelson’s conduct. Morgan McSweeney said in a statement that advising Starmer to make the appointment was wrong and that he takes full responsibility. The move comes as Starmer faces renewed scrutiny of his judgment and as Metropolitan Police investigated potential misconduct in public office.

Czech government of PM Andrej Babiš survives no-confidence vote

2026-02-05

PRAGUE — The Czech government led by populist Prime Minister Andrej Babiš survived a parliamentary no-confidence vote on Wednesday after the opposition fell short of the 101 votes needed to dismiss the three-party coalition. The vote was sparked by a dispute between President Petr Pavel and Babiš over Pavel’s refusal to appoint an environment minister candidate from the right-wing Motorists for the ruling coalition.

How Keir Starmer could be replaced amid Mandelson-Epstein fallout

2026-02-05

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces intensifying pressure to quit after newly released U.S. Justice Department documents renewed scrutiny of his decision in 2024 to appoint Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States. The documents include additional emails alleging Mandelson passed sensitive government information to Jeffrey Epstein in 2009, when Mandelson was a member of the Labour Cabinet.

Labour blocks Manchester mayor from parliamentary race

2026-01-25

The UK Labour Party's National Executive Committee voted Sunday to block Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham from running as a candidate in a special parliamentary election, a decision the party said would prevent unnecessary costs but that prompted criticism from some members who questioned whether leadership tensions drove the outcome.