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Sir Keir Starmer has delivered his first speech as prime minister to world leaders at the United Nations in the US after leaving the Labour Party conference.
He used his address to the UN Security Council to promise that his government will deliver “global leadership” as the Middle East teeters on the brink of all-out conflict and the bloody war in Ukraine grinds on.
On a tough week after calling for the return of “sausages” in Gaza during a conference gaffe, Sir Keir has been defeated in a vote to reverse the cut to the winter fuel payments.
The non-binding motion, named An Economy for the Future and tabled by Sharon Graham of the Unite union and the Communication Workers Union (CWU), was passed by a show of hands in a rowdy hall at the Labour Party annual conference.
In a show of defiance, Unite’s general secretary Sharon Graham called Labour members to rebel against the policy as she shouted: “This is not what people voted for.”
The motion called for means testing of the winter fuel allowance to be scrapped and for an end to fiscal rules which prevent borrowing to invest, as well as the introduction of a wealth tax.e
Key Points
- Russia treating own citizens as ‘bits of meat to fling into grinder’, says Starmer in UN speech
- Sir Keir demands a ceasefire in Gaza and release of hostages
- Tories: Starmer lost support of his paymasters
- Wes Streeting warns against ‘killing NHS with kindness’
Watch: Starmer mistakenly calls for ‘return of the sausages’
Starmer mistakenly calls for ‘return of sausages’ in major Labour conference speech
Sir Keir Starmer mistakenly called for the “return of the sausages” in a major speech at Labour’s annual party conference in Liverpool on Tuesday, 24 September. The prime minister was calling for restraint and de-escalation between Lebanon and Israel, a ceasefire in Gaza, and the return of hostages taken by Hamas on October 7 as well as “a recognised Palestinian state alongside a safe and secure Israel.” However, he accidentally said “sausages” before quickly correcting himself to say “hostages” instead.
Salma Ouaguira26 September 2024 00:00 1727305161Sir Keir Starmer says he wants to “reset” the UK’s relationship with the EU.
Sir Keir Starmer will visit Brussels as he steps up efforts to “reset” the UK’s relationship with the European Union.
The Prime Minister wants to repair the damage caused by years of Brexit wrangling in an effort to boost trade and security co-operation.
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen revealed that Sir Keir would visit Brussels next week after the pair met in New York.
Sir Keir has met a string of EU leaders since taking office and has spoken about his “ambitious” plans for a new relationship.
Sir Keir said: “I want to reset our relationship with the EU and make Brexit work for the British people.”
He said he was “looking forward to visiting Brussels next week to start discussions” with the commission president.
Barney Davis25 September 2024 23:59 1727303457Michael Gove to be new Spectator editor
Former Conservative cabinet minister Michael Gove has been appointed as the new editor of The Spectator.
Mr Gove, who stepped down from parliament at the general election, will become the magazine’s new editor at the start of next month, and is “perfectly suited to the role”, according to Freddie Sayers, publisher of The Spectator and the chief executive of new owner OQS.
Mr Gove – who served in the governments of David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak – was a journalist before he became an MP.
His will take up the job after final approval from Acoba, the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments.
The position is currently held by Fraser Nelson, who will step down “after 15 incredibly successful years”, Mr Sayers said in a message posted on X.
Mr Nelson will “continue to write for The Spectator and will become Associate Editor”, Mr Sayers said.
Earlier this month, it was confirmed that the magazine had been bought by GB-News backer Sir Paul Marshall for £100 million.
Streeting: NHS waiting lists will be 'demonstrably lower’
NHS waiting lists will be “demonstrably lower” by the next general election, health secretary Wes Streeting has said.
He told Sky News: “By the next general election, waiting lists will be demonstrably lower because I know that’s how I will be judged, how the Prime Minister will be judged, how the government will be judged – people will judge us by our actions, not just our words ultimately.
“Look at what I did as the Health and Social Care Secretary within my first weeks in office: I took action to implement the junk food ad ban targeted kids; took action to employ 1,000 more GPs onto the front lines because they found themselves bizarrely unemployed at the same time as patients are unable to find a GP, so that’s making a real impact as those GPs get onto the front line and, of course, took action within three weeks to do something the Conservatives failed to do in 18 months, which was to end the junior doctors dispute.”
It comes as the UK and Welsh governments are to collaborate to ensure access to everything from operations to dentists.
More than seven million people are currently waiting for treatment and Mr Streeting previously said that waiting lists need to be “millions lower” in the next five years.
Labour MP explains £1.2million donation was for sister dying from brain tumour
Labour MP Siobhain McDonagh has explained that a £1.2 million donation from top party donor Waheed Alli was for her dying sister.
Replying to a post accusing Mr Alli of wanting MPs in his debt, she posted on X: “Waheed Alli was my sister’s best friend for 25years. Tragically she was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma Brain Tumour in Nov 2021 & died on June 24th 2023.
“He took every step of her last terrible journey with her. Lending me money to buy a house with ground floor bed and bathroom.
“The loan will be repaid on gaining probate on Margaret’s Estate. It has been properly registered and Waheed wanted nothing other than his best friend being comfortable in the last months of her life.”
In the first controversy to hit Sir Keir Starmer’s new government, questions have been raised over Lord Alli – the business executive who has donated some £700,000 to the party over the past two decades – being handed a Downing Street pass.
In a row dubbed “passes for glasses”, it has emerged that Lord Alli had gifted the Sir Keir eyewear and work clothing worth £18,000, clothes for his wife Lady Victoria Starmer, and a £10,000 donation to the PM’s chief of staff Sue Gray’s son Liam Conlon’s campaign to become a Labour MP.
Barney Davis25 September 2024 22:57 1727299850THE INDEPENDENT DEBATE | How would you rate Keir Starmer’s Labour government so far?
Nearly half of Britons have voiced their disappointment with the new Labour government, following “sleaze” allegations, controversy over Sue Gray’s salary, and a heated debate over cuts to the winter fuel allowance.
Now it’s time to have your say...
Tell us how you would rate Keir Starmer’s Labour government so far
Nearly half of Britons have voiced their disappointment with the new Labour government, following “sleaze” allegations, controversy over Sue Gray’s salary, and a heated debate over cuts to the winter fuel allowance. Now it’s time to have your say...
Salma Ouaguira25 September 2024 22:30 1727298152
‘All hugs’ productive meeting between Sir Keir and Zelensky - No 10
A Downing Street spokeswoman said Sir Keir Starmer and Volodymyr Zelensky had a “productive meeting”, with the Prime Minister “paying tribute to the continued courage of the Ukrainian people in the face of Russian aggression”.
The spokeswoman said: “The Prime Minister acknowledged that Ukraine is at a critical point in the war, but he reiterated the UK’s support is ironclad and will continue for as long as it takes.
“President Zelensky set out his ambitions for the coming months and thanked the Prime Minister for the UK’s continued backing.
“They agreed to keep in close contact in the coming weeks.”
Watch: Starmer refuses 4 times to apologise for cutting winter fuel payments
Starmer refuses four times to apologise to pensioners for axing winter fuel payments
Sir Keir Starmer refused four times to apologise to pensioners for cutting winter fuel payments during an interview with Good Morning Britain. The prime minister sat down with Susanna Reid at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool. “Would you like to take this opportunity to say sorry?” the presenter asked. “I am really concerned that we have been put in this position,” Sir Keir responded. The question was then repeated another three times but was not directly answered. “I promised we would stabilise the economy,” the PM responded, suggesting the people who should be apologising are the previous government.
Salma Ouaguira25 September 2024 22:00 1727296220COMMENT | The NHS saved my life twice. Now it feels like it’s trying to kill me
When it comes to seeking advice for my chronic health condition, writes James Moore, I’d rather turn to X/Twitter than my local GP. Wes Streeting is right – things have to change:
The NHS saved my life twice. Now it feels like it’s trying to kill me | James Moore
When it comes to seeking advice for my chronic health condition, writes James Moore, I’d rather turn to X/Twitter than my local GP. Wes Streeting is right – things have to change
Salma Ouaguira25 September 2024 21:30 1727294721Sir Keir reaffirms support for Ukraine to Zelensky
Sir Keir Starmer told Volodymyr Zelensky: “It’s very good to see you again and have this opportunity to talk about the challenges faced in Ukraine, and to reconfirm to you again our steadfast support for Ukraine, to pledge again our support for Ukraine in terms of capability, training and other matters, and to have the chance to talk through what more needs to be done.
“Because these are turning into crucial weeks and months, and so to have this opportunity to reaffirm the UK’s steadfast support to Ukraine is very important to us.”
Mr Zelensky said: “Thank you so much, Prime Minister, for these words, which are very important for us, for those strong steps that have been done by UK from the very beginning of full-scale invasion.
“Thank you that you are together with us during all this. You are right, as you said, a very challenging period.
“I also want to discuss with you some details how to strengthen Ukraine.”
Barney Davis25 September 2024 21:05 Newer1 / 6OlderDisclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.
