UK politics live: Starmer responds to Manchester police violence as Robert Jenrick enters Tory leadership race

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Sir Keir Starmer has said he understands public concerns after footage of police officer emerged appearing to show a police officer kicking a man in the head at Manchester Airport.

The prime minister said home secretary Yvette Cooper has met with Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, to discuss the harrowing scene that prompted the suspension of one police officer.

It came after Sir Keir said the “hard graft of rebuilding this country has truly started” as he accused the previous Tory government of leaving a “rot of short-sightedness and self-service” for Labour to clear up.

Giving a speech in Runcorn alongside Ed Milliband, the prime minister launched the government’s plan for a state-owned energy firm to  “drive down bills”.

The Conservative party has started a three-month leadership contest to replace Rishi Sunak after the general election defeat.

Robert Jenrick and Tom Tugendhat were the latest to submit their papers to challenge James Cleverly to become the new leader of the opposition. 

Other former cabinet ministers expected to announce bids include Kemi Badenoch, Priti Patel, Mel Stride and Suella Braverman.

Key Points

• Starmer responds to GMP violence in Manchester Airportr
• Tugendhat, Jenrick and Cleverly locked in Tory leadership battle
• MPs vote in favor of prisoners early release scheme
• Starmer: People ‘paying price’ for Tories’ negligence on energy
• Government majority ‘gone by Easter’ if rebellion continues

Surgeon urges leaders to speak up about ‘horrific’ injuries in Gaza

An English surgeon who has worked in hospitals in Gaza has urged Sir Keir Starmer and the foreign secretary to arrange a meeting to discuss Israel’s war on Gaza.

Professor Nick Maynard said healthcare professionals who have seen the “horrific” injuries inflicted on Palestinians must speak up and warned deaths from malnourishment and lack of healthcare could “dwarf” those injured in Israeli strikes.

He said he wants to meet with UK and Irish politicians to speak about traumatic injuries suffered by Gazans.

Prof Maynard said he wants to meet with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Foreign Secretary David Lammy and any Irish politicians so he can show them images of the types of traumatic scenes he has witnessed.

“If I could meet Lammy and Starmer I would,” he said. “Do I believe it’ll make any difference? I’ve no idea… but if I had the opportunity I would do that.

“I’d love to meet Irish politicians if I had the opportunity to do so. In reality it’s only the US government who can stop them (Israel), but the Irish Government, the UK Government could put pressure on the US government, I’m quite sure of that.”

The Independent view: Sir Keir Starmer is right to show Labour rebels the door

Suspending seven MPs following their rebellion over the two-child benefit cap is more than a prime minister flexing his political muscle. It is a reminder that, in government, choices are never easy, even ones about child poverty – especially when increasing benefits may not even be the best solution. Here’s the Independent’s view:

Sir Keir Starmer is right to show Labour rebels the door

Editorial: Suspending seven MPs following their rebellion over the two-child benefit cap is more than a prime minister flexing his political muscle. It is a reminder that, in government, choices are never easy, even ones about child poverty – especially when increasing benefits may not even be the best solution

Farage accuses Tory leadership candidates for ‘pretending’ to want to quit ECHR

Nigel Farage has accused Tory leadership candidates of only “pretending” to want to leave the European Convention on Human Rights.

The Reform UK leader said ditching the ECHR had become a priority for contenders because his party is now a political “force”.

Mr Farage has previously used his maiden speech in the Commons to call for a referendum to stop the membership.

He tweeted this morning: “ECHR membership is a Tory leadership issue because Reform are a force. The difference is we want to leave and they just pretend.”

Watch: Tom Tugendhat joins race for Tory party leadership

Braverman to Badenoch: Who could become the next Conservative leader?

Kemi Badenoch, who has been involved in a number of high-profile clashes, is seen as a strong contender. She had a good run when she competed for the leadership in 2022, Archie Mitchell writes.

A combative former business secretary and one-time darling of the Conservative right, she was seen to have blotted her copy book, however, when she canned a pledged bonfire of EU red tape. She has yet to formally announce her candidacy but was one of seven candidates to request nomination forms for the contest.

Suella Braverman is another former home secretary, who caused a shock when she dramatically resigned from Mr Sunak’s cabinet. At the time, she warned him that his Rwanda deportation plan would fail and that he was leading the party into electoral oblivion.

Her more extreme attacks on her own party are seen as helping the chances of her opponents, including Priti Patel. And she has suffered early setbacks, with key supporters, including right-winger Danny Kruger and her long-time mentor Sir John Hayes, backing rivals instead.

Ms Braverman also requested a leadership pack – but she has also not yet formally launched her bid.

Tugendhat accused of U-turn on ECHR approach

Tory leadership hopeful Tom Tugendhat seems to have changed his mind on leaving the European Convention of Human Rights.

The shadow security minister, who is seen as a more centrist political figure, said he would be ready to leave the convention.

But in 2023, he claimed ditching the ECHR could have consequences for the Good Friday Agreement, Windsor Framework and the devolved nations.

Starmer accuses Tories of leaving a ‘rot of short-sightedness and self-service’ behind

Sir Keir Starmer said the “hard graft of rebuilding this country has truly started” as he accused the previous government of leaving a “rot of short-sightedness and self-service” for Labour to clear up.

Giving a speech in Runcorn, Cheshire, the Prime Minister said “every day” his administration is finding “more mess” that the Tories left behind.

“The hard graft of rebuilding this country has well and truly started, and it is vital that we begin immediately because the last government dropped the ball,” he said.

“They left us the worst inheritance since the Second World War, and every day – every day – we’re finding more mess that they’ve left for us to clear up.

“The rot of short-sightedness and self-service that has weakened the foundations of our country.”

MPs back moves to further restrict them from taking on paid lobbying work

MPs have approved measures designed to further limit them from taking paid lobbying work.

They also supported a motion to establish a Modernisation Committee to look at reforms to House of Commons procedures, standards and working practices, and to consider further restrictions on second jobs to ensure MPs serve their constituents.

Under the existing rules, MPs must not provide paid parliamentary advice or become a parliamentary strategist or adviser, but are allowed to give advice on public policy and current affairs, and general advice as to how Parliament works.

Commons Leader Lucy Powell warned the “loopholes” allow an MP to “use their privileged position and knowledge for personal gain”.

Welsh Conservatives welcome Senedd recall

Welsh Conservatives have welcomed the recall of the Welsh Parliament to allow for a new first minister to take over but say it should be done sooner.

The Senedd is to be recalled on August 6 to allow Eluned Morgan to take over as leader of the Welsh government.

Andrew RT Davies MS, leader of the Senedd Tories, said: “I am grateful to the First Minister for heeding Welsh Conservative calls to recall the Senedd to give Wales some much-needed stability.

“Considering the chaos that has engulfed the Labour government in Cardiff Bay you would have thought they would have brought this decision forward by bringing in an earlier recall to give Wales that stability.

“Given that Eluned Morgan’s delivery as health minister was questionable, you would have also thought that she would want to get going straight away by being elected by the Senedd as first minister.”

GB Energy to work with Crown Estate to develop offshore wind farms, says Labour

Britain’s newly created state-owned energy company, Great British Energy, is to partner with the monarchy’s property firm to help speed up the building of offshore wind farms.

The Crown Estate owns the vast majority of Britain’s seabed, stretching up to 12 nautical miles from the mainland, and leases parts of it to wind farm operators.

The Government said on Thursday that GB Energy will help develop future offshore wind projects, as part of its push to hasten the UK’s transition to renewable energy.

It is also designed to reduce the UK’s reliance on energy imported from other countries by generating more of its own electricity.

The Crown Estate estimates the partnership will lead to up to 20-30 gigawatts of new offshore wind developments being leased by 2030, enough to power almost 20 million homes.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “This innovative partnership between Great British Energy and the Crown Estate is an important step toward our mission for clean energy by 2030, and bringing down energy bills for good.

“This agreement will drive up to £60 billion in investment into the sector, turbocharging our country toward energy security, the next generation of skilled jobs, and lowering bills for families and business.”

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband added: “Great British Energy comes from a simple idea – that the British people should own and benefit from our natural resources.

“The agreement with the Crown Estate will lead to more investment, cleaner power, more energy security, and is a statement of intent that it will be a permanent and transformative institution for our country.”

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