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Keir Starmer speaking to civic leaders at Downing Street this morning at a summit on tackling antisemitism. Photograph: Hannah McKay\/AFP\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\nUpdated at\u00a005.53 EDT<\/p>\n
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FBU general secretary Steve Wright says Starmer ‘sitting duck’ and leadership challenge ‘inevitable’ after elections<\/p>\n
Keir Starmer is now a \u201csitting duck\u201d because a leadership challenge is \u201cinevitable\u201d after the elections this week, a union leader has said.<\/p>\n
Steve Wright, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, made the comment in an interview<\/a> with Simon Fletcher, a former aide to Ken Livingstone, Jeremy Corbyn and (briefly) Starmer, published on Fletcher\u2019s Modern Left Substack blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n Wright first publicly called for Starmer to go in February<\/a>, and he told Murphy that he now thought a contest could not be avoided.<\/p>\n Wright, whose union is affiliated to Labour<\/a>, said:<\/p>\n double quotation markIf [the election results are] as bad as all the polls suggest \u2013 I\u2019m not a betting, man, but I\u2019m sure they\u2019re not going to be great, are they \u2013 I think Starmer should stand down.<\/p>\n I think he should have stood down a couple of months ago and given me, others, Labour activists, people that are proud of the Labour party, an opportunity to try and win round some people. It would have been hard, but I think without him there, we could have probably done something.<\/p>\n So I think he will go. I think there will be calls for him to go. We just need to have been in a position to try and shape that. It\u2019s inevitable now, isn\u2019t it? I think he\u2019s a bit of a sitting duck.<\/p>\n In the interview Wright did not endorse an alternative candidate for Labour leader. He said he was more interested in establishing \u201ca set of principles\u201d the government should follow in the next three years before an election has to take place.<\/p>\n But he said that under Starmer the unions had been sidelined, and he said people wanted an end to austerity and real change. He explained:<\/p>\n double quotation markFor us in the fire service, with our wages and also with the lack of funding and investment in public services, it\u2019s just been austerity mark II.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve no criticism of why people are looking for alternatives. They\u2019re either turning to Reform because they\u2019re providing an alternative narrative \u2013 the wrong one, I think \u2013 or they\u2019re turning to the Greens as some kind of saviour of working-class people. And I certainly don\u2019t think the Green party or Zack Polanski are the saviours of that.<\/p>\n I think we need to take back ownership of the Labour party and what we really know it stands for, and make sure it starts delivering for working people.<\/p>\n And I\u2019m quite angry that the party\u2019s got in this position we find ourselves in, but I\u2019m certainly not going to walk away from that. I\u2019m going to try and change it from within.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Starmer orders review into whether Arts Council tough enough on dealing with organisations that platform antisemitism<\/p>\n In his speech Keir Starmer also said that, if arts organisations platform antisemitism, the Arts Council \u201cmust act using its powers to suspend, withdraw and clawback funding\u201d.<\/p>\n And he announced a review into whether this is happening properly. He went on:<\/p>\n double quotation markAnd today we\u2019re mandating an independent audit of how allegations are handled. This will be a hard-edged review of where systems are failing and where they need to be strengthened.<\/p>\n We will not and cannot accept complacency, delays or weak enforcement.<\/p>\n And where complacency is found. It will be challenged and addressed swiftly.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a005.54 EDT<\/p>\n Starmer says universities will be expected to publish audit of of antisemitism on campus, and how it’s being tackled<\/p>\n Keir Starmer has said that universities will now be expected to publish information about the scale of antisemitism on their campuses, and what they are doing to tackle it.<\/p>\n He made the announcement in a speech at the antisemitism summit in No 10. He told the civic leaders in his audience.<\/p>\n double quotation markWe\u2019re rolling out antisemitism training for staff and in our schools, colleges and universities. We\u2019re investing \u00a37m to tackle antisemitism while making sure Holocaust education is taught in all schools.<\/p>\n And today, we\u2019re going further.<\/p>\n We already expect universities to set out clear disciplinary consequences for antisemitism and to enforce them. And so we will hold them to account on that.<\/p>\n But today I can announce that we will lift the bar higher when abuses take place. We\u2019re calling on universities to demonstrate action. We will now expect them to publish the scale of the problem on their campuses, as well as the specific steps they have taken to clamp down on it. There will be zero tolerance for inaction.<\/p>\n Keir Starmer speaking to civic leaders at Downing Street this morning at a summit on tackling antisemitism. Photograph: Hannah McKay\/AFP\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a005.53 EDT<\/p>\n Polanski hits back after Labour attacks Greens for not tackling antisemitism in party properly<\/p>\n Zack Polanski, the Green party leader, posted these on social media<\/a> this morning. They seem to be a response at least in part to the antisemitism attack ad launched by Labour yesterday. (See 8.41am<\/a> and 9.16am<\/a>.)<\/p>\n double quotation markWhen you see the relentless attacks from other parties on the Greens across the media remember this:<\/p>\n They hate our plan to end Rip Off Britain.<\/p>\n They don\u2019t want a wealth tax.<\/p>\n They don\u2019t want public ownership & lower bills.<\/p>\n They\u2019re trying everything in their power to stop us.<\/p>\n double quotation markIt\u2019s not going to work.<\/p>\n They have deep pockets.<\/p>\n We have people power and a plan to change our country.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Steve Reed warns Labour another leadership contest ‘ends in annihilation’ for party<\/p>\n Steve Reed, the housing secretary, has warned that Labour risks \u201cannihilation\u201d if it gets rid of Keir Starmer<\/a> and holds another leadership contest.<\/p>\n He delivered this message as he did a media interview round this morning. As Pippa Crerar reports in this overnight story<\/a>, what Reed was saying in public echoes what multiple cabinet ministers have been telling the Guardian in private about the dangers of a leadership contest.<\/p>\n Reed told Times Radio:<\/p>\n double quotation markI speak to a lot of my fellow MPs, of course I do, all the time, but also council leaders, and they\u2019re sick and tired of all this psychodrama \u2026 The whole notion that we would copy the Conservatives and go doomscrolling through leaders in a way that means the government is completely incapable of dealing with the things that matter to most of the British public is absolute nonsense, and I\u2019m not going to engage in it, and most of our MPs would not engage in that either.<\/p>\n Jessica Elgot has more on that interview here.<\/p>\n And, in an interview on Sky News<\/a>, Reed said that another leadership election would be disastrous for Labour. He said:<\/p>\n double quotation markWe can\u2019t be like the Tories and doomscroll through leaders. It ends in annihilation. We\u2019ve got to focus on the British public, not ourselves.<\/p>\n In his Sky News interview, Reed also said that he had dinner with Angela Rayner, the former deputy PM, on Saturday \u2013 but he claimed they did not discuss whether she might run for the leadership. \u201cSometimes even we politicians talk about other things,\u201d he said. But he did say<\/a> \u201cin time\u201d he would like to see her back in cabinet.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Next Scottish government faces \u2018really difficult\u2019 spending choices, economists say<\/p>\n The next Scottish government will need to make \u201creally difficult\u201d spending decisions soon after taking power, including tackling its large public sector pay bill, senior economists have said. Severin Carrell has the story.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Steve Reed accuses Zack Polanski of ignoring antisemtism problem in Green party<\/p>\n Steve Reed, the environment secretary, has been giving interviews this morning. As well as promoting the (small) funding announcement for councils dealing with antisemitism (see 8.41am<\/a>), he has also been reviving the Labour attack on the Green party over their handling of antisemitism in their party (see 9.16am<\/a>).<\/p>\n Reed, a former leader of Lambeth council who now represents Streatham and Croydon North (which covers parts of Lambeth), told GB News:<\/p>\n double quotation markWe need the Green party to do what the Labour Party did and kick out members of their party who are openly antisemitic. In my borough, where my constituency is, two Green Party candidates have been arrested for allegations of stirring up racial hatred.<\/a><\/p>\n Instead of condemning them, the Green party has put out a letter saying that the Labour party is spreading cynical misinformation.<\/p>\n These people were arrested for hate crimes targeting the Jewish community. One of them was back out on the doorsteps this weekend. We have photographic evidence of knocking on doors now.<\/p>\n Zack Polanski, come on, these people are spreading antisemitic hatred. You cannot put them up for election.<\/p>\n You cannot back them, and you cannot shut your eyes and pretend this problem doesn\u2019t exist. We only tackle racism by calling it out and stopping it. And all of us have a responsibility to do that.<\/p>\n Steve Reed (centre) arriving for the Downing Street meeting on antisemitism this morning. Photograph: Jonathan Brady\/PAShare<\/a><\/p>\n This morning\u2019s Downing Street meeting is a government event, and non-partisan. But, conveniently perhaps, it coincides with the Labour party last night releasing a new campaign video<\/a>, attacking the Greens on the basis of antisemitic comments made by some of their election candidates. In its format, it is similar to the one Labour produced highlighting the racist views of some Reform UK candidates.<\/a><\/p>\n Share<\/a>Starmer calls antisemitism \u2018crisis for all of us\u2019, as No 10 holds summit and councils get extra funding to address problem<\/p>\n Good morning. Keir Starmer has declared antisemitism \u201ca crisis for all of us\u201d. This morning he is hosting an event in Downing Street intended to get leaders across all areas of public life to address the problem and, according to the briefing from No 10, he will say:<\/p>\n double quotation markLast week\u2019s terrorist attack in Golders Green was utterly appalling. But it was not an isolated incident. It is part of a pattern of rising antisemitism that has left our Jewish communities feeling frightened, angry, and asking whether this country, their home, is safe for them.<\/p>\n These disgusting attacks are being made against British Jews. But, make no mistake, this crisis \u2013 it is a crisis for all of us. It is a test of our values. Values that are not guaranteed, but are earned. Every single day, through our actions.<\/p>\n Here is Pippa Crerar and Aamna Mohdin\u2019s overnight story about this.<\/p>\n And here is the overnight news release<\/a>.<\/p>\n Last week, after the attack in Golders Green, the government announced an extra \u00a325m \u201cto boost police patrols, specialist officers, and protective security for Jewish communities – taking total funding to \u00a358m, as well as \u00a37m to tackle antisemitism in schools, colleges and universities\u201d. This morning the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has announced a smaller funding boost for councils to coincide with the No 10 event. It says<\/a>:<\/p>\n double quotation markJewish communities across England will receive a further \u00a31m of government funding to tackle antisemitism and strengthen community cohesion in those places facing the greatest risk.<\/p>\n An immediate \u00a3500,000 will also be allocated to Barnet council, reflecting recent serious antisemitic incidents in the borough and the large number of Jewish residents there.<\/p>\n There has been an alarming rise in antisemitism both in this country and across much of the globe, including the horrific antisemitic terrorist attacks in Heaton Park and Bondi Beach last year, and an appalling spate of antisemitic attacks in North West London in recent weeks.<\/p>\n To tackle this, the additional funding being announced today will expand MHCLG\u2019s Common Ground programme – which is already providing more than \u00a34m to communities across the country.<\/p>\n The money can be used by councils on measures to counter antisemitism.<\/p>\n Here is the agenda for the day.<\/p>\n Morning: Keir Starmer hosts a meeting in Downing Street to discuss how to implement a whole-of-society response to rising antisemitism<\/a>.<\/p>\n Morning: Kemi Badenoch<\/a>, the Conservative leader, is campaigning in Suffolk. In the afternoon she is in Coventry.<\/p>\n Noon: Downing Street holds a lobby briefing.<\/p>\n Noon: Paul Ovenden, Starmer\u2019s former head of political strategy in No 10, speaks at a Policy Exchange event<\/a> on how to reshape Britain.<\/p>\n Afternoon: Ed Davey, the Lib Dem leader, visits a synagogue in central London.<\/p>\n 5pm: Nigel Farage, the Reform UK<\/a> leader, and the party\u2019s Welsh leader, Dan Thomas, speak at a rally in south Wales with a \u201cspecial guest\u201d.<\/p>\n If you want to contact me, please post a message below the line when comments are open (between 10am and 3pm), or message me on social media. I can\u2019t read all the messages BTL, but if you put \u201cAndrew\u201d in a message aimed at me, I am more likely to see it because I search for posts containing that word.<\/p>\n If you want to flag something up urgently, it is best to use social media. You can reach me on Bluesky at @andrewsparrowgdn.bsky.social. The Guardian has given up posting from its official accounts on X<\/a>, but individual Guardian journalists are there, I still have my account, and if you message me there at @AndrewSparrow, I will see it and respond if necessary.<\/p>\n I find it very helpful when readers point out mistakes, even minor typos. No error is too small to correct. And I find your questions very interesting too. I can\u2019t promise to reply to them all, but I will try to reply to as many as I can, either BTL or sometimes in the blog.<\/p>\n