Housing Secretary and Starmer’s chief loyalist Steve Reed told Sky News:
“While I think through all of this – and the reason it’s so important it’s done in an orderly way – is the public expects us to focus on delivering the change we were elected to deliver less than two years ago.
The public do not want a general election.
That’s not just my instinct, you can look at the polls, that tell us the vast majority do not.
They want us to get on with the job.
We were elected on a manifesto, and Andy has made clear he’s committed to that manifesto as well.
So of course, there’s going to be changes of emphasis and changes of approach within that.
But when it comes to the fundamentals, Andy has been clear, he will stick to the fiscal rules that have delivered this country stability in the economy for the first time in over 15 years.”
He’s wrong on those polls…
The Labour Deputy Leader added that speculation around jobs is “unedifying” and “tittle-tattle” and she is more bothered about jobs across the country. Obviously all the politicians care about is jobs…
Powell said there was no need for an election despite calling for them in the past:
“What people need to see now is us getting on with the job, delivering on the manifesto we were elected on only two years ago – a very bold manifesto.
We were in very particular times after Liz Truss had crashed the economy making decisions that had nothing to do with what was in the Conservative manifesto.
We live in a parliamentary democracy where the prime minister is chosen by MPs.”
Quelle surprise…
This week 1,015,329 visitors visited 916,444 times viewing 928,734 pages. The most read and shared stories in order of popularity were:
You’re either in front of Guido, or you are behind…
No10 on Mike Tapp:
“It is not for any individual Secretary of State to determine whether the Ministerial Code has been followed, it is a matter for the Prime Minister alone.
Mike Tapp has been reminded of his obligations under the Ministerial Code including collective responsibility and procedures relating to the clearance and presentation of government policy.”
Mahmood rebuked…
Tapp has also published a statement on his tweet comparing Mahmood to the Taliban:
“Earlier today I wrote a poorly judged tweet referencing previous experiences in my professional life. I realised very quickly that it could be misinterpreted and so I deleted it immediately. I apologise wholeheartedly for any offence I may have caused. I have a lot of respect for the Home Secretary and will continue working hard for our country.”
Andy Burnham has said he will continue donating 15% of his salary to local efforts, which he did for nine years as Mayor of Greater Manchester. He said he did so “to tackle homelessness” in Manchester…
Now he says he will this time be “donating to worthy local causes at the heart of our communities.” But only his MP’s salary will go to them…
An MP makes a measly £98,599 compared to the mayoral salary of £118,267. That means communities will receive only £14,789.85 from Andy compared to £17,740.05 they got before – a reduction of almost £3,000. He could announce that he would be donating 15% of his prime ministerial salary too – which would be an uplift…
Speaking at his speech on how to achieve “progressive capitalism” Wes Streeting fired a dig and Andy Burnham:
“Bond markets are not bond villains and fiscal rules matter.”