Labour MPs are preparing pitches to become the party’s next deputy leader as the contest to replace Angela Rayner heats up.
Dame Emily Thornberry became the first high-profile figure to announce she was considering a bid on Sunday, adding: “I’m thinking about it … it’s really a question of what can I bring to it.”
Former transport secretary Louise Haigh has also published a call for an “economic reset” with a break from the government’s fiscal rules, after having been urged to run as deputy leader by Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.
Meanwhile, the new home secretary Shabana Mahmood ruled herself out of the race to be Labour’s new deputy leader.
Labour’s national executive is set to meet today to draw up plans and rules for the contest, with some reports suggesting candidates may only have days to secure nominations.
This has prompted some left-wingers in the party to accuse Downing Street of fixing the contest to impose a Starmer loyalist into the role, with Richard Burgon MP describing it as “mother of all stitch-ups”.
Key Points
- UK could suspend visas in drive to secure migrant returns deals – Mahmood
- Labour MPs make pitches for deputy leadership race
- Labour accused of deputy leader race ‘stitch-up’
- Shabana Mahmood says she will not run for deputy leader
- Labour drawing up plans for deputy leadership race
- Shabana Mahmood meets Five Eyes alliance
Workers rights is a ‘red line' for trade unions
13:31 , Tom WatlingTrade union delegates and leadership are privately saying they are “very concerned” about the reshuffle and the potential impact on the workers rights legislation.
The bill is still in the Lords facing hundreds of amendments but the departure of Angela Rayner from the government and former employment minister Justin Madders means the two architects and champions of the bill are gone.
A senior TUC source warned: “Let’s be clear the workers rights package is an absolute red line for us. We will not accept it being watered down.”
A number of unions are looking at whether they ought to switch funding and support to Jeremy Corbyn’s Your Party instead or just reduce support for Labour.
New Green Party leader Zack Polanski is also in Brighton for the TUC congress wooing unions and getting a warm welcome for his messages on workers rights and taking a stronger stance against Israel in the Middle East crisis.
Notably in his speech TUC general secretary Paul Nowak warned Sir Keir Starmer: “My message to the government is simply this: Deliver the manifesto on which you won a huge majority last July.
“Deliver good jobs, decent public services and better living standards in every corner of the country. Deliver the change people voted for and show working people whose side you are on.”
Labour deputy leadership race: Who could run and what’s at stake?
13:20 , Tom Watling.jpeg?trim=0,1,0,0&width=1200&height=800&crop=1200:800)
Labour deputy leadership race: Who could run and what’s at stake?
Downing Street calls for negotiations to end tube strikes
13:09 , Tom WatlingDowning Street has called on the RMT union and Transport for London to get back to the negotiating table to end the Tube strike.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “I think Londoners will rightly be fed-up with the disruption from Tube strikes this morning – as parents try and drop their kids off at school, get to hospital appointments, get to work – and RMT and TfL need to get back around the table, work together to resolve this dispute in the interests of passengers.”
The Government’s Employment Rights Bill could reduce barriers to strike action but No 10 insisted this was because it wanted a more constructive relation with unions rather than the “scorched earth” approach under the Tories.
“We’ve always said in introducing our reforms that we want to, unlike the previous government, have a more constructive relationship with the unions and also a more secure workforce is good for the economy, it’s good for productivity.
“But we want to see RMT and TfL get back around the table when it comes to these strikes, work together in good faith to resolve this situation in the interests of passengers.”
Starmer: ‘We are absolutely committed to workers’ rights’
13:06 , Archie Mitchell, Political CorrespondentSir Keir Starmer is "absolutely committed” to Labour’s workers’ rights upgrades despite Angela Rayner’s resignation, Downing Street has said.
The prime minister’s official spokesman pushed back on speculation Ms Rayner’s departure had opened the door to pro-business concessions on the measures.
She was the biggest backer of the plans in government.
But the spokesman said: “We are absolutely backing the Employment Rights bill.
“We are a pro worker, pro business government, and the workers rights legislation is the biggest single upgrade of workers rights generations, and the manifesto commitment we remain absolutely committed to and will continue to engage with businesses as well.”
Green leader Zack Polanski becoming a star turn at the TUC
13:00 , Tom WatlingThe Independent has just run into new Green leader Zack Polanski who is proving to be a major attraction at the TUC congress in Brighton.
Mr Polanski was only elected last week but his new robust “climate populism” appears to be striking a chord with union delegates who are lining up to meet him.
The Green leader wants to appeal to a more working class audience than his traditionally middle class party has done before.
He told The Independent: “I’ve had a really warm welcome here. People want to hear what I have to say.
“When they hear me it’s a no brainer because I have the policies they want whether it’s taxing the super rich, taking a strong stance against the Palestinian genocide or strengthening workers rights even more.”
UK could suspend visas in drive to secure migrant returns deals – Mahmood
12:49 , Tom WatlingThe UK could suspend visas for countries that do not agree to returns deals for migrants, the Home Secretary said as she vowed to do “whatever it takes” to stop small boat crossings.
In her third full day in the job, Shabana Mahmood revealed discussions with Britain’s “Five Eyes” allies – America, Australia, New Zealand and Canada – on “co-ordinated action” to tackle irregular migration.
At a meeting with ministers from the alliance in London, she told broadcasters: “For us, that means including possibly the cutting of visas in the future.”
She added: “We do expect countries to play play ball, play by the rules, and if one of your citizens has no right to be in our country, you do need to take them back.”
Her announcement follows a pledge by Reform UK to use a combination of financial incentives and sanctions, including possible visa restrictions, to secure returns agreements as part of a commitment to deport 600,000 people over five years.
Ms Mahmood insisted this was “a Labour Government with Labour policy” and said the proposal had been under consideration “for some time”.
She added: “As Home Secretary, I have one priority. I have to secure our borders and I will do whatever it takes to get the job done.”
David Lammy to stay as DPM regardless of deputy leadership winner
12:31 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s political correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
David Lammy will stay as deputy prime minister regardless of who wins the contest to succeed Angela Rayner as Labour deputy leader.
The Independent understands there is no guarantee of a government job for whoever becomes deputy leader, meaning any backbencher elected faces the prospect they will hold the role from outside the cabinet.
Labour figures described the post as a party role with party-facing responsibilities.
But it would be highly unusual for the deputy leader of the party not to have a role in government, with party deputy leaders usually represented in either the cabinet or shadow cabinet of their parties.
Shabana Mahmood says she will not run for deputy leader
12:23 , Athena StavrouShabana Mahmood has said she will not run for deputy leader of the Labour Party.
There had been speculation that the newly appointed home secretary would join the race.
However she told Sky News on Monday: "I'm the home secretary.
"That that is my job, and my top priority is securing our borders.
"I will not be running for deputy leader of the Labour Party."
Labour executive to meet shortly
11:48 , Athena StavrouLabour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) is set to meet shortly to decide official plans and rules for the party’s deputy leadership contest.
The committee will decide on a timeline and rules for the contest, including how many nominations from MPs will be needed for candidates to make a ballot.
It comes as reports that the contest could be short, with just a few days for candidates to secure MP nominations, have sparked criticism from the left-wing of the party.
Dawn Butler hints at deputy leadership bid
11:33 , Athena StavrouLabour MP Dawn Butler took to social media this morning, hinting she could be considering a bid to run as deputy leader.
The left-winger wrote on X: “This is an important time for MPs to get together to discuss who our next Deputy Leader will be. Unfortunately, there's a tube strike, and it's a very very short deadline. We must never be afraid of a fair process.”
The post was accompanied by a picture of her at the despatch box in the Commons, with a caption “just a teaser”.
The MP for Brent East served as a minister in the last Labour government under Gordon Brown and also in Jeremy Corbyn’s shadow cabinet. She was also a candidate in the 2020 deputy leadership contest.
This is an important time for MPs to get together to discuss who our next Deputy Leader will be. Unfortunately, there's a tube strike, and it's a very very short deadline. We must never be afraid of a fair process.
— Dawn Butler ✊🏾💙 (@DawnButlerBrent) September 8, 2025
Pic - just a teaser 😉 pic.twitter.com/O5BoRUsCAh
TUC leader attacks Nigel Farage for ‘selling out’ workers
11:28 , Athena StavrouTUC general secretary has accused Reform’s Nigel Farage of “selling out” workers.
Paul Nowak said every Reform MP, including the party’s leader, voted against new employment rights for workers.
Mr Nowak said: “It’s time to come clean about whose side you are really on. Because here’s the truth – you’re not representing working people, you are selling them out.
“To those who voted Reform at the last election, and to those who are considering voting for Reform, I get your frustration with mainstream politics.
“I get your sense that change isn’t coming fast enough and I respect your right to vote for whoever you choose.
“But ask yourself this fundamental question – do you believe, in your gut, that Nigel Farage really cares about the people of Clacton, when he is off collecting his speaker fees in the United States?”
Government to be warned not to water down flagship workers' rights plans after Rayner’s exit
11:11 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s Whitehall Correspondent Kate Devlin reports:
Paul Nowak, the general secretary of the Trades Union Congress, is to issue a warning to government over its flagship workers' rights legislation, which was being spearheaded by Angela Rayner.
Mr Novak will also use his speech to the TUC annual congress in Brighton to insist the plans cannot be watered down in the wake of her resignation. Her deputy was also moved in the subsequent reshuffle.
The head of the UK's union movement will also hit out at the Reform leader Nigel Farage.
In an interview with the Independent last week he warned that the PM has failed to prove to working people that he was one of them - and risked opening the door for Nigel Farage to seize power.
He said that “for too many people, ‘change’ feels too much like a slogan and they don’t feel it in their pockets”.
Labour figures form centre-left network ahead of deputy leadership contest
10:58 , Athena StavrouThe upcoming deputy leadership contest has sparked debates about the political direction of the Labour Party.
The race has come as a new centre-left network has been formed and backed by key figures within the party, including Andy Burnham.
Named 'Mainstream', it is described as the home for Labour’s “radical realists”.
Signatories of the network’s letter include Mr Burnham, and Labour MPs including Clive Efford, Paula Barker, Dawn Butler and Clive Lewis.
New deputy leader should be woman from outside of London, Labour peer says
10:35 , Athena StavrouBaroness Harriet Harman has weighed in on who should be the next deputy leader of the Labour Party.
The Labour peer said that she thinks the candidate should be a woman from outside of London.
She told the BBC Radio’s Today programme: “I don’t think we can have a male Prime Minister, a man as deputy prime minister and a male deputy leader of the party.
“We need somebody who is not a counterpoint to the leader, but is complementary to the leader, will broaden the reach of the leader and galvanise the party.”
Starmer accused of deputy leader race ‘stitch-up’
10:11 , Athena StavrouLabour has been accused of orchestrating a “stitch-up” as it prepares to launch a race to replace Angela Rayner as its deputy leader.
Some left-wingers in the party have accused Labour of fixing the contest in order to impose a Starmer loyalist
Labour MP for Leeds East Richard Burgon described it as “mother of all stitch-ups”, following reports candidates would only have four days to secure nominations.
He wrote on X: “This is a desperate move to keep Labour members’ voices out of this race and to dodge serious discussion on what’s gone wrong over the last year - from the positions on disability benefits cuts, on winter fuel payments, on Gaza and more.
“This outrageous timetable shows a leadership that's unwilling to listen and to learn the lessons needed if we’re to rebuild support and stop Nigel Farage.”
I’ve been warning about attempts to fix the Deputy Leadership election – and what I've heard is now being proposed is the mother of all stitch-ups. Just a couple of days to secure MPs’ nominations!
— Richard Burgon MP (@RichardBurgon) September 7, 2025
This is a desperate move to keep Labour members’ voices out of this race and to…
Nigel Farage admits he was wrong to say he had bought a house in Clacton
09:49 , Athena StavrouNigel Farage has admitted he was wrong to have said he bought a house in Clacton last year, with the property in fact owned by his partner.
The Reform UK leader said he misspoke when claiming to have purchased a property in his constituency before the general election.
“I should have said ‘we’. All right? My partner bought it, so what?” he told Sky News.
Read the full story:
Nigel Farage admits he was wrong to say he had bought a house in Clacton
Mahmood meets Five Eyes alliance
09:32 , Athena StavrouShabana Mahmood has met counterparts from the Five Eyes alliance in her first major engagement as home secretary.
Ms Mahmood met counterparts from the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand talks on international efforts to tackle smuggling gangs in London.
It comes after the number of small boat crossings reached more than 30,000 in 2025.
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What sparked the deputy leadership race?
09:22 , Athena StavrouLabour is set to launch a deputy leadership race in the coming days.
The contest comes after Angela Rayner was forced to resign following an ethics investigation which found she had breached the ministerial code over her underpayment of stamp duty on a seaside flat earlier this year.
Left-wingers in the party wanted an open contest to replace Rayner, while Downing Street, according to reports, is keen to impose a Starmer loyalist such as new home secretary Shabana Mahmood to the role.
Pictured: Mahmood greets counterparts at Five Eyes alliance meeting
08:59 , Athena StavrouShabana Mahmood has begun greeting her counterparts from the US and Canada at her first major engagement as home secretary.
Ms Mahmood is meeting with the Five Eyes alliance to discuss border security in London on Monday morning.
Government ‘saying different things to different people’ on workers’ rights
08:45 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s political correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
The government is saying different things to different people on workers’ rights, Sharon Graham has said.
The Unite union leader said a key problem with Sir Keir Starmer’s approach to the Employment Rights bill is that “we're being told very clearly that there is no watering down… things won't change”.
But she warned that fire and rehire has not been banned, while zero-hour contracts are still being allowed to happen.
What is happening today?
08:35 , Athena StavrouIt is a busy Monday morning for the government, which has just undergone a major cabinet reshuffle.
The first engagement of the day will see the newly appointed home secretary Shabana Mahmood host the Five Eyes security alliance for border security talks at around 11:30am.
She will meet counterparts from the US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand in London to discuss how to stop people-smuggling.
Then, at around midday, Labour’s national executive will meet virtually to discuss plans for a deputy leadership contest.
Unite general secretary: ‘Starmer made a promise to the British people’
08:28 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s political correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
The general secretary of Unite has said Sir Keir Starmer “made a promise to the British people” over workers’ rights and must not back down.
Sharon Graham told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “What I hope is not going on is that the government are looking to water down the Employment Rights bill.
“They made a promise to the British people. This was part, a central part of what they promised, that they would make work pay.
“And what I do hope is that they don't intend on now slowing this down, or indeed, scrapping some parts of it altogether.”
Labour MPs considering deputy leadership race
08:22 , Athena StavrouAs Labour prepare to launch a deputy leadership race, MPs are considering whether to run.
Dame Emily Thornberry became the first high-profile figure to announce she was thinking about a bid on Sunday.
The foreign affairs committee chairwoman said Labour faces “the fight of our lives” at the next election against Reform UK as she said she was considering the race.
Meanwhile, the new home secretary Shabana Mahmood has not yet made a decision on whether to run, it is understood.
Cynicism of this government is pretty deep, Corbyn warns
08:10 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s political correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
Jeremy Corbyn has warned Sir Keir Starmer that “public cynicism of this government is pretty deep”.
The former Labour leader accused his successor of a string of failures in his first year as prime minister, including “continuing with the two child benefit cap, taking away the winter fuel allowance then reinstating it and the continued attack on personal independence payments of people with disability”.
He told Sky News: “There's some really bad moves they've done in the past 12 months.
“They haven't done much to redistribute wealth. They haven’t done much to empower people. And indeed, the public cynicism of this government is pretty deep.”
Labour drawing up plans for deputy leader race
08:00 , Athena StavrouLabour’s national executive is set to meet today to draw up plans as it prepares to launch its deputy leadership contest.
The National Executive Committee (NEC) will decide a timeline and rules for the contest to replace Angela Rayner.
The committee will make decisions including how many nominations from MPs will be needed for candidates to make a ballot.
New home secretary to meet international counterparts for border talks
07:36 , Athena StavrouShabana Mahmood will host the Five Eyes security alliance for talks on how to stop people-smuggling after small boat crossings in the Channel reached a record high.
The newly appointed Home Secretary will meet counterparts from the US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand in London as Sir Keir Starmer seeks to use his reshuffle to tighten the Government’s grip on immigration.
She said the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing pact would “agree new measures to protect our border” after it emerged ministers are also looking at moving asylum seekers from hotels into military barracks.
She will be joined at the talks by US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Canadian public safety minister Gary Anandasangaree, Australian home affairs minister Tony Burke and New Zealand minister Judith Collins.
Final appointments made in Government reshuffle
07:00 , Rebecca WhittakerSir Keir Starmer has completed a wide-ranging Government reshuffle following Angela Rayner’s resignation as housing secretary and deputy prime minister.
The final appointments made were:
– Martin McCluskey as minister in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
– Keir Mather as a transport minister.
– Jake Richards as justice minister and assistant whip, and Nesil Caliskan, Lilian Greenwood, Christian Wakeford and Sir Nick Dakin as Government whips.
– Stephen Morgan and Claire Hughes also become Government whips, while Mark Ferguson, Claire Hughes, Gregor Poynton, Imogen Walker, Jade Botterill and Deirdre Costigan become assistant whips.
– Lord Collins of Highbury has been made a Government whip while remaining as Deputy Leader of the Lords.
– Former transport minister Mike Kane, former climate minister Kerry McCarthy, former whip Jeff Smith and former assistant whip Gerald Jones have left the Government.
- Chris Elmore MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
- Satvir Kaur MP as Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office.
- Josh Simons MP as Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office.
- Josh MacAlister OBE MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Education.
- Olivia Bailey MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Education.
- Blair McDougall MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Business and Trade.
- Kate Dearden MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Business and Trade.
- Kanishka Narayan MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
- Anna McMorrin MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Wales Office.
- Matthew Patrick MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Northern Ireland Office.
- Katie White OBE MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero.
Janet Daby MP, Baroness Jones of Whitchurch, Justin Madders MP, Gareth Thomas MP, Feryal Clark MP, Fleur Anderson MP, and Dame Nia Griffith DBE MP have left the Government.
Recap: Asylum seekers could be "temporarily" moved to military sites
06:30 , Rebecca WhittakerAsylum seekers could be temporarily moved to military sites after Sir Keir Starmer told his new-look Cabinet to “go up a gear” amid rising numbers of small boat crossings in the Channel.
“I think you’ll start to see Keir Starmer insist that dealing with the small boats, solving the illegal immigration crisis, is part of the jobs of the whole of Government, not just the Home Office,” the Defence Secretary, John Healey, told Sky’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips show.
He said part of this would involve looking at moving asylum seekers into “temporary” accommodation on military sites, but did not confirm a date for when such transfers might take place.
Recap: Kemi Badenoch says Labour 'mismanaged the economy' as London Tube strikes set to start
06:00 , Rebecca WhittakerKemi Badenoch, the leader of the Conservative Party, has accused Labour of “piling more misery on us”, as a week of Tube strikes are set to begin in London.
In a post on X she wrote: “Last year Keir Starmer put up taxes on struggling businesses, but gave inflation-busting pay rises to unions, promising to end strikes.
“A year later doctors are voting to strike for the second time this summer and London tube drivers walking out, piling more misery on us.
“Labour have completely mismanaged the economy. Conservatives will fix their mess by getting spending under control and living within our means.”
Unions warn government not to water down workers' rights bill
05:30 , Rebecca WhittakerThe leader of the UK's biggest trade union has warned it would be a "huge mistake" for the government to water down its Employment Rights Bill.
Unison general secretary Christina McAnea said she is concerned the government is no longer committed to implementing the bill in full, following Angela Rayner's departure.
"We will do everything we can to make sure this is not watered down. We're expecting a clear timetable, and if that doesn't happen, there will be some very very unhappy trade union leaders around, including me," she said.
The Bill is set to include protection against unfair dismissal, and a ban on "exploitative" zero-hours contracts.
Watch: Most bizarre moments from Reform UK party conference
05:00 , Rebecca WhittakerStarmer to boost jobs in the defence sector
04:30 , Rebecca WhittakerSir Keir Starmer has set out a plan to create new jobs in the defence sector in a bid to boost growth.
John Healey, the Defence Secretary, will unveil the Government’s new defence industrial strategy (DIS) on Monday, backed by £250m in investment, the Telegraph reported.
Ministers claim that the plans could create demand for up to 50,000 new jobs in defence by 2034-35.
Starmer warned deputy leadership race is make-or-break moment for Labour government
04:00 , Rebecca Whittaker
Starmer warned deputy leadership race is make-or-break moment for Labour government
Starmer appointed 'Blairites' to key roles
03:30 , Rebecca WhittakerSir Keir Starmer has appointed “Blairites” to key roles in a cabinet reshuffle and handed the main economic departments to ministers on Labour’s reforming right flank, the Times reported.
The new housing secretary, Steve Reed, told civil servants to “build, baby, build” to kick-start growth.
Peter Kyle, appointed business secretary, is expected to focus on overhauling burdensome regulation, as Labour aims to cut costs on business by 25 per cent.
Recap: Channel crossings pass 30,000 arrivals in record time
03:00 , Rebecca WhittakerSome 1,097 migrants crossed the Channel in 17 boats on Saturday, bringing the total in 2025 so far to 30,100, Home Office figures show.
It is the earliest point in a calendar year at which the 30,000 mark has been passed since data on Channel crossings was first reported in 2018.
Last year, the figure was not passed until October 30 and in 2023 it was never reached as crossings totalled 29,437 for the whole year.
In 2022, the number was reached on September 21.
Housing Secretary vows to 'build baby build'
02:30 , Rebecca WhittakerAngela Rayner’s replacement as Housing Secretary has vowed to “build baby build”.
Steve Reed has pledged to boost housebuilding amid concern in government that the economy is not growing quickly enough.
The Housing Secretary has identified that there are believed to be up to 1.4 million homes that have been granted permission but have not yet been built, the Telegraph reported.
Sirens blare as emergency test alert sent to phones across UK
02:00 , Rebecca Whittaker
Sirens blare as emergency test alert sent to phones across UK
Emily Thornberry tells Keir Starmer to 'stop making mistakes'
01:30 , Rebecca WhittakerSir Keir Starmer has been warned by senior Labour figures to stop making mistakes.
Emily Thornberry, MP for Islington South and Finsbury, who confirmed she is considering running for the role of deputy prime minister, said further mistakes from Starmer could lead to having to “hand our country to [Nigel] Farage”.
Thornberry told the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg: “Domestically, things just don’t seem to be working … People hear about the mistakes. And the question is, why are we making these mistakes?
“We can’t afford to keep doing this, because we’ve gone from having the fantastic gift from the British public of a huge majority to now being at 20 per cent in the polls, and we will have in the next election the biggest fight of our lives coming against Farage. And the last thing we want is to go from a position where it was thought we would be in for two terms, to hand our country over to Farage.”
Brian Cox slams ‘bully’ Nigel Farage in scathing rant on ‘misinformed’ Reform UK leader
01:02 , Rebecca Whittaker
Brian Cox slams ‘bully’ Nigel Farage in rant on ‘misinformed’ Reform leader
New home secretary hit with immediate crisis as small boat Channel crossings top 30,000
Monday 8 September 2025 00:30 , Rebecca Whittaker
New home secretary hit with immediate crisis as Channel crossings top 30,000
Watch: Reform UK sings national anthem as Andrea Jenkyns takes the lead
Monday 8 September 2025 00:00 , Rebecca WhittakerRecap: Reform UK's biggest weakness is government inexperience, Farage said
Sunday 7 September 2025 23:31 , Rebecca WhittakerReform UK leader Nigel Farage said his party’s biggest weakness is “experience at government level”.
He told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg that Nadine Dorries “brings us the one commodity we’re very short of and that’s experience at government level”.
Mr Farage said: “That is our biggest weakness. You could ask me lots of questions about policy and personnel and all the rest of it, but if you ask me, how are you going to do this? I can’t really give you an answer, because I haven’t got anybody in the senior team that’s ever been there before.
“Nadine came yesterday. She’s the first, and there will be others.”
Healey dismisses suggestion Lammy is preferred candidate
Sunday 7 September 2025 23:00 , Rebecca WhittakerOn Sunday, John Healey dismissed the idea that former foreign secretary David Lammy’s appointment as Deputy Prime Minister meant he was the Prime Minister’s preferred candidate for the job.
“They’re two separate jobs, two very important jobs. The deputy leader of the Labour Party is an important job and an important vote for Labour Party members,” he told Sky News’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips.
Meanwhile, Andy Burnham backed Louise Haigh, who resigned as transport secretary last year after it emerged she had previously been convicted of a fraud offence, or former Commons leader Lucy Powell.
Ms Powell was sacked as part of Sir Keir’s Cabinet shake-up this week while Ms Haigh left Government in November after it emerged she had admitted to incorrectly telling police a work mobile phone was stolen in 2013.
Recap: Green Party leader says voters don't have 'time to wait around for Corbyn'
Sunday 7 September 2025 22:30 , Rebecca WhittakerGreen Party leader Zack Polanski has urged left-leaning voters to back his party, saying there is no “time to wait around” for a new party from Jeremy Corbyn and Zara Sultana.
Speaking to Trevor Phillips on Sky News on Sunday, Mr Polanski said: “I like Jeremy Corbyn, I like Zara Sultana.
“A lot of our politics is similar and I share lots of platforms with them.
“Jeremy said it himself the other day – we are different people.
“Whatever they are going to set up does not exist yet.
“I don’t think we have time to wait around.
“I would say to anyone who wants to have social, environmental, racial and economic justice – join the Green Party right now.”
Read more here:
Zack Polanski tells voters there is no ‘time to wait around’ for Corbyn party
Watch: John Healey Reveals Starmer Has Told Cabinet To 'Step It Up A Gear'
Sunday 7 September 2025 21:50 , Rebecca WhittakerRecap: Yusuf says Boris 'betrayed Brexit voters' calling him the 'worst prime minister'
Sunday 7 September 2025 21:20 , Rebecca WhittakerReform UK's Zia Yusuf described Boris Johnson as “one of the worst prime ministers in British history” and accused him of betraying Brexit voters.
Reform UK’s head of policy told Sky News the former Conservative leader would never be welcome in his party.
“We certainly would not welcome Boris Johnson – that’s never going to happen,” he said.
“He threw open our borders. The Boris wave, which is millions and millions of non-EU migrants flooding into the country post-Brexit, betrayed every single person that voted Brexit.
“Frankly, he was one of the worst prime ministers in British history.”
Mahmood meets head of Scotland Yard on her first day
Sunday 7 September 2025 20:50 , Rebecca WhittakerShabana Mahmood met the head of Scotland Yard on Saturday to receive a briefing on the policing operation in response to protests in London.
“Supporting Palestine and supporting a proscribed terrorist group are not the same thing,” she said.
“An honour to visit Sir Mark (Rowley) and the Metropolitan Police to see them at work policing protests yesterday.”
Almost 900 people were arrested at a central London rally protesting against the banning of Palestine Action as a terror group, the force said earlier.
Final appointments made in Government reshuffle
Sunday 7 September 2025 20:24 , Rebecca WhittakerSir Keir Starmer has completed a wide-ranging Government reshuffle.
The final appointments made were:
– Martin McCluskey as minister in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
– Keir Mather as a transport minister.
– Jake Richards as justice minister and assistant whip, and Nesil Caliskan, Lilian Greenwood, Christian Wakeford and Sir Nick Dakin as Government whips.
– Stephen Morgan and Claire Hughes also become Government whips, while Mark Ferguson, Claire Hughes, Gregor Poynton, Imogen Walker, Jade Botterill and Deirdre Costigan become assistant whips.
– Lord Collins of Highbury has been made a Government whip while remaining as Deputy Leader of the Lords.
– Former transport minister Mike Kane, former climate minister Kerry McCarthy, former whip Jeff Smith and former assistant whip Gerald Jones have left the Government.
Watch: Emily Thornberry reveals she is 'thinking about' standing for deputy PM following Rayner resignation
Sunday 7 September 2025 20:20 , Rebecca WhittakerChannel crossings pass 30,000 arrivals in record time
Sunday 7 September 2025 19:50 , Rebecca WhittakerSome 1,097 migrants crossed the Channel in 17 boats on Saturday, bringing the total in 2025 so far to 30,100, Home Office figures show.
It is the earliest point in a calendar year at which the 30,000 mark has been passed since data on Channel crossings was first reported in 2018.
Last year, the figure was not passed until October 30 and in 2023 it was never reached as crossings totalled 29,437 for the whole year.
In 2022, the number was reached on September 21.
Starmer warned deputy leadership race is make-or-break moment for Labour government
Sunday 7 September 2025 19:20 , Rebecca WhittakerStarmer warned deputy leadership race is make-or-break moment for Labour government
Watch: Brian Cox Slams 'Bully' Nigel Farage In Scathing Takedown Of 'Misinformed' Reform UK Leader
Sunday 7 September 2025 18:50 , Rebecca WhittakerMahmood said the first migrant returns will begin 'imminently'
Sunday 7 September 2025 18:20 , Rebecca WhittakerShabana Mahmood said the first migrant returns will begin “imminently” under a deal with France after Home Office figures showed small boat crossings in the Channel have passed 30,000 this year.
The new Home Secretary said: “These small boats crossings are utterly unacceptable and the vile people smugglers behind them are wreaking havoc on our borders.
“Thanks to our deal with France, people crossing in small boats can now be detained and removed to France and I expect the first returns to take place imminently.
“Protecting the UK border is my priority as Home Secretary and I will explore all options to restore order to our immigration system.”
Kemi Badenoch says Labour 'mismanaged the economy' as London Tube strikes set to start
Sunday 7 September 2025 17:50 , Rebecca WhittakerKemi Badenoch, the leader of the Conservative Party, has accused Labour of “piling more misery on us”, as a week of Tube strikes are set to begin in London.
In a post on X she wrote: “Last year Keir Starmer put up taxes on struggling businesses, but gave inflation-busting pay rises to unions, promising to end strikes.
“A year later doctors are voting to strike for the second time this summer and London tube drivers walking out, piling more misery on us.
“Labour have completely mismanaged the economy. Conservatives will fix their mess by getting spending under control and living within our means.”
Pictured: Prime minister joins the King at church
Sunday 7 September 2025 17:30 , Rebecca WhittakerSir Keir Starmer joined King Charles at church in Scotland .
The prime minister and his wife Lady Victoria Starmer were pictured arriving at Crathie Kirk near Balmoral on Sunday morning.
Prayers were said for the Duchess of Kent and to mark the third anniversary of the King’s Accession.
Home Office looking at barracks to house asylum seekers under Mahmood
Sunday 7 September 2025 17:10 , Rebecca Whittaker
Home Office looking at barracks to house asylum seekers under Mahmood
More than 1,000 migrants arrived on Saturday
Sunday 7 September 2025 16:50 , Rebecca WhittakerMore than 30,000 migrants have arrived in the UK after crossing the English Channel so far this year, after 1,097 arrived on Saturday, Home Office figures show.
Siren sounds blared in national test this afternoon
Sunday 7 September 2025 16:30 , Rebecca WhittakerSiren sounds blared from mobile phones across the country in a test of the national emergency alert system.
At around 3pm on Sunday, mobiles connected to 4G and 5G networks vibrated and sounded for about 10 seconds in the second test of the system – after the first in 2023.
The vibrations and sirens lasted for about 10 seconds.
Tens of millions of phones successfully sounded across the country during today’s Emergency Alert test.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) September 7, 2025
This is an important step in keeping people safe during national emergencies.
New Home Secretary to discuss border security
Sunday 7 September 2025 16:10 , Rebecca WhittakerHome Secretary Shabana Mahmood will host counterparts from the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand to discuss border security on Monday as her first major engagement in her new role.
Ms Mahmood said: “Rebuilding our reputation on the world stage is how we tackle serious organised crime and secure our borders.
“We have already reset our relationship with the EU, struck a people smuggling deal with the G7 and operationalised a first-of its-kind returns agreement with France. Today, we will agree new measures to protect our borders with our Five Eyes partners, hitting people smugglers hard.
“The Five Eyes might be drawn from different corners of the globe, but we are united by our alliance. As the security threats we all face become more complex and span continents, we are stronger and safer together.”
Asylum seekers could be "temporarily" moved to military sites
Sunday 7 September 2025 15:50 , Rebecca WhittakerAsylum seekers could be temporarily moved to military sites after Sir Keir Starmer told his new-look Cabinet to “go up a gear” amid rising numbers of small boat crossings in the Channel.
“I think you’ll start to see Keir Starmer insist that dealing with the small boats, solving the illegal immigration crisis, is part of the jobs of the whole of Government, not just the Home Office,” the Defence Secretary, John Healey, told Sky’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips show.
He said part of this would involve looking at moving asylum seekers into “temporary” accommodation on military sites, but did not confirm a date for when such transfers might take place.
Starmer makes further changes to his junior ministerial ranks in the reshuffle
Sunday 7 September 2025 15:42 , Rebecca WhittakerSir Keir Starmer has continued his major reshuffle following Angela Rayner’s resignation as housing secretary and deputy prime minister.
Here are the latest appointments:
- Chris Elmore MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
- Satvir Kaur MP as Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office.
- Josh Simons MP as Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office.
- Josh MacAlister OBE MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Education.
- Olivia Bailey MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Education.
- Blair McDougall MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Business and Trade.
- Kate Dearden MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Business and Trade.
- Kanishka Narayan MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
- Anna McMorrin MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Wales Office.
- Matthew Patrick MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Northern Ireland Office.
- Katie White OBE MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero.
Janet Daby MP, Baroness Jones of Whitchurch, Justin Madders MP, Gareth Thomas MP, Feryal Clark MP, Fleur Anderson MP, and Dame Nia Griffith DBE MP have left the Government.
'Labour are in complete meltdown,' Scottish Conservatives deputy leader says
Sunday 7 September 2025 15:30 , Rebecca WhittakerScottish Conservatives deputy leader Rachael Hamilton said: “Labour are in complete meltdown and their integrity is in tatters after only 14 months in government.
“Ian Murray’s sacking was entirely in keeping with the chaos that surrounds Keir Starmer’s shambolic Government.
“The fact Ian Murray has now had to be shoehorned into a junior ministerial role after such backlash is systematic of the weakness of Keir Starmer and his long list of U-turns.
“The uninspiring appointment of Douglas Alexander, who is nothing more than a yes man for Labour, will mean more of the same broken promises.”
Douglas Alexander ‘looking forward to being Scotland’s voice’
Sunday 7 September 2025 15:11 , Rebecca WhittakerThe new Scottish Secretary says he is “looking forward to being Scotland’s voice” in Westminster after his predecessor, Ian Murray, lost his position in Friday’s reshuffle.
His replacement Douglas Alexander spoke on BBC One’s The Sunday Show, where he discussed his new role and his plans.
He told host Martin Geissler: “I’m looking forward to being Scotland’s voice at the Cabinet table, making sure not just that I’m speaking up for Scotland, but that my Cabinet colleagues understand the importance of Scotland to their work.”
Starmer warned deputy leadership race is make-or-break moment
Sunday 7 September 2025 14:52 , Holly EvansSir Keir Starmer has been warned Labour’s deputy leadership contest is a make or break moment for the government, with the party facing “the fight of its life” amid the rise of Reform.
With Nigel Farage comfortably leading in the polls, Dame Emily Thornberry and Andy Burnham said the PM must listen more to his backbenchers to stop Reform UK from winning the next general election.
Dame Emily said she was considering running for the deputy leadership after Angela Rayner was forced to resign over her failure to pay £40,000 in stamp duty on the purchase of a flat in Hove.
Read the full article here:
Starmer warned deputy leadership race is make-or-break moment for Labour government
Unions urge Government not to water down workers’ rights Bill
Sunday 7 September 2025 14:23 , Holly EvansUnions are urging the Government not to water down its flagship Bill on workers’ rights following ministerial changes in recent days, saying people expected Labour to deliver on the promises it made during the general election.
The Employment Rights Bill, which is in its final parliamentary stages, was championed by former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and former employment rights minister Justin Madders.
Both have left the posts they were in as the legislation was taken through the Commons, which has raised concerns among some union leaders.
Paul Nowak, general secretary of the TUC, said on Sunday he had seen no evidence that the Bill was going to be watered down.
Ahead of the opening day of the TUC Congress in Brighton, he said: “The Government must, and should, deliver on the promises it gave to the British people last July.
“The Bill will level the playing field – extending the standards already set by the best employers, working with unions, to millions more.”
Read the full article here:
Unions urge Government not to water down workers’ rights Bill
Watch: Reform UK sings national anthem as Andrea Jenkyns takes the lead
Sunday 7 September 2025 13:51 , Holly EvansWatch: John Healey reveals Starmer has told Cabinet to 'Step It Up A Gear'
Sunday 7 September 2025 13:40 , Holly EvansVaccine sceptic doctor uses Reform conference speech to link king’s cancer to Covid vaccine
Sunday 7 September 2025 13:20 , Holly EvansReform UK has been criticised for allowing a vaccine sceptic cardiologist to address its conference, where he claimed Covid vaccines may have caused the King and Princess of Wales's cancer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said it was "irresponsible" of the party to allow Dr Assem Malhotra to speak from the stage in Birmingham, where he made a series of claims about the pharmaceutical industry, politicians and the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Saturday.
Dr Malhotra, who described himself as a friend of controversial US health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, said hundreds of studies showed the harms of mRNA vaccines and that they were interfering with genes.
Read the full article here:
Anti-vax doctor uses Reform conference speech to link king’s cancer to Covid jab
Who is in and who is out? Keir Starmer reshuffles junior ministers
Sunday 7 September 2025 13:00 , Holly EvansSir Keir Starmer has continued his major reshuffle following Angela Rayner’s resignation as housing secretary and deputy prime minister.
The prime minister is seeking to relaunch his government as it lags behind Reform UK in the polls and struggles to deliver on key promises.
Sir Keir moved Yvette Cooper from the Home Office to the Foreign Office on Friday in a major shake-up of his top team.
Read the full article here:
Who is in and who is out? Keir Starmer reshuffles junior ministers
Sweeping changes were needed for Labour to be serious about a fresh start
Sunday 7 September 2025 12:43 , Holly EvansBritain has had six foreign secretaries in four years. This century, we have had a new housing minister every year on average. And we have had more prime ministers in the last 10 years than in the previous 36.
Such churn in ministerial office is inimical to good administration. Just as a minister is beginning to understand the complex challenges of their department, the government car takes them to a new office where they are rendered useless by ignorance.
There was a time when Sir Keir Starmer seemed to agree with this analysis. He criticised the Conservatives for the instability of high ministerial turnover and promised a more settled period in the nation’s affairs.
Read the full editorial here:
Mahmood will be ‘just as tough’ on Palestine Action as Cooper, Healey says
Sunday 7 September 2025 12:20 , Holly EvansShabana Mahmood will be “just as tough” on Palestine Action as her Home Office predecessor, a Cabinet minister has said after more than 400 people were arrested while protesting against the group’s terror ban.
Defence Secretary John Healey suggested that supporters of the organisation, which has been proscribed by the Government, would need to face consequences in order to avoid “two-tier policing”.
Ms Mahmood took over as Home Secretary from Yvette Cooper, who moved to the Foreign Office, as part of Sir Keir Starmer’s wide-ranging Cabinet reshuffle on Friday.
The major shake-up saw the Prime Minister tell his new-look team to “go up a gear” in delivering policy, including on key issues like immigration and the search for economic growth.
Asked whether there would be a shift in Government policy on the group, Mr Healey said: “I expect Shabana Mahmood to be just as tough as Yvette Cooper and I expect her to defend the decision the Government’s taken on Palestine Action, because of what some of its members are responsible for and were planning.”
More than 425 people had been arrested by around 9pm on Saturday after a Parliament Square rally, Scotland Yard said.
Healey dismisses suggestion Lammy is preferred candidate for deputy leadership
Sunday 7 September 2025 11:59 , Holly EvansOn Sunday, John Healey dismissed the idea that former foreign secretary David Lammy’s appointment as Deputy Prime Minister meant he was the Prime Minister’s preferred candidate for the job.
“They’re two separate jobs, two very important jobs. The deputy leader of the Labour Party is an important job and an important vote for Labour Party members,” he told Sky News’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips.
Meanwhile, Andy Burnham backed Louise Haigh, who resigned as transport secretary last year after it emerged she had previously been convicted of a fraud offence, or former Commons leader Lucy Powell.
Ms Powell was sacked as part of Sir Keir’s Cabinet shake-up this week while Ms Haigh left Government in November after it emerged she had admitted to incorrectly telling police a work mobile phone was stolen in 2013.
Brian Cox slams ‘bully’ Nigel Farage in scathing rant on ‘misinformed’ Reform UK leader
Sunday 7 September 2025 11:31 , Holly EvansBrian Cox slams ‘bully’ Nigel Farage in rant on ‘misinformed’ Reform leader
