‘Pushing at an open door’: Inside the Green Party’s top target in London as Labour faces election wipeout
Athena Stavrou joins campaigners in Zack Polanski’s home borough of Hackney, where the Greens are confident they can make a dent in Labour’s domination of the capital.
Nicole Wootton-Cane22 April 2026 22:00
Calls for PM’s resignation not widespread, but more could be thinking it, former No 10 comms boss says
Calls for Sir Keir Starmer to resign are not widespread in the Labour party at the moment – but it is a “fair bet” several are thinking about it, a former No 10 communications boss has said.
It comes after Hartlepool MP Jonathan Brash called for the prime minister to resign earlier.
Speaking on Sky News, James Lyons, a former Downing Street communications director for Sir Keir Starmer said: “I don’t think he would necessarily represent the mainstream of the Parliamentary Labour Party, if I may put it like that.”
But he added: “It’s usually a fair bet that if one of them is saying it, a few of them are thinking it.”
Nicole Wootton-Cane22 April 2026 21:45
Iran war drives UK inflation up to 3.3% in major blow for Reeves
UK inflation rose in March in a clear sign of the impact of the Iran-US war on the economy.
The latest figures, released on Wednesday, are the first from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to include elevated petrol and diesel costs since the start of the conflict. Prices have gone up as a result of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz shipping corridor.
The ONS figures showed consumer prices index (CPI) inflation rose 3.3 per cent in the year to March, up from 3 per cent in February.
The increase marks a blow for chancellor Rachel Reeves, who has made cutting the cost of living her number one priority. Research by the Resolution Foundation has found that the average household will be £480 worse off this year due to increased energy costs.
In response, Ms Reeves said the Iran crisis was “not our war, but it is pushing up bills for families and businesses”.
Nicole Wootton-Cane22 April 2026 21:30
PM could face sleaze inquiry over Mandelson scandal, reports say
Sir Keir Starmer could face an official parliamentary sleaze inquiry after claims he misled MPs over the Mandelson scandal, it has been reported.
Opposition parties are asking the Speaker of the Commons to refer the prime minister to an inquiry, according to The Times.
The newspaper reports Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch is pressing for his referral to the privileges committee over concerns he misled parliament when he said that “due process” had been followed when appointing Mandelson.
The move is reportedly being backed by the leaders of the Liberal Democrats and the SNP.
Nicole Wootton-Cane22 April 2026 21:12
Watch in full: Starmer faces more backlash from MPs over Mandelson vetting scandal at PMQs
You can watch his full PMQs appearance below:
Nicole Wootton-Cane22 April 2026 21:00
MPs vote against social media ban for under-16s for third time
Away from the Mandelson scandal, MPs have voted against a ban for social media for under-16s once again.
The government is currently consulting on the policy.
Education minister Olivia Bailey told the Commons that a comprehensive consultation was necessary before implementing any strategy to address harms linked to social media use.
Nicole Wootton-Cane22 April 2026 20:30
Watch: Starmer says he sacked Robbins as he didn’t accept his explanation for Mandelson vettingStarmer says he sacked Robbins as he didn’t accept his explanation for Mandelson vetting
Nicole Wootton-Cane22 April 2026 20:00
I’ve covered Labour for decades – ask me anything about what happens next for Starmer
With Keir Starmer under pressure from the deepening Mandelson vetting scandal, chief political commentator John Rentoul is here to answer your questions and offer his insight from Westminster.
You can ask him anything below:
Nicole Wootton-Cane22 April 2026 19:30
Farage says Starmer will be ‘gone before the end of May’ as he predicts Labour decimation in local elections
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has said Sir Keir Starmer’s credibility is “shot to pieces” and he will be “gone by the end of May” following the controversy over the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson.
Asked by a reporter if he believed Sir Keir staying in office would help Reform UK, Mr Farage said: “Starmer’s absolutely fatal electoral flaw is that nobody takes him as sincere.
“So, cynically, it might suit us if he stays till the next election.
“Realistically, if I’m even half right about the predictions I’ve made from this lectern today, they will get rid of him.
“He will be gone before the end of May.”
He added: “I think his credibility is shot to pieces.”
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage speaking at Dodworth Central Social club in Barnsley (PA)
Nicole Wootton-Cane22 April 2026 19:00
Conservatives accuse Starmer of trying to avoid PMQs by proroguing parliament early
Conservative MPs have called out what they suggested is a deliberate attempt by the prime minister to avoid PMQs next week by proroguing parliament early.
Sir Keir Starmer has reportedly said he wants the last sitting day of this parliamentary session to fall on Tuesday, meaning MPs would then not return to parliament until Wednesday 13 May.
It would mean the prime minister would avoid next week’s PMQs, and not face MPs again in the Commons until May.
In a post on X, Richard Holden, shadow transport secretary, wrote: “This is a complete & utter disgrace from a Prime Minister running and hiding from @Conservatives leader @KemiBadenoch
“It means Parliament finishes business on Tuesday, with the formal closing ceremony on Wednesday. So no #PMQs
“Starmer’s a coward as well as a liar”.
Nicole Wootton-Cane22 April 2026 18:30