ANDREW PIERCE: New issues over Gaza for Keir Starmer
Last week, Sir Keir Starmer endured the most important revolt of his management when 56 of his MPs – together with eight frontbenchers – defied the whips to vote in favour of a ceasefire in Gaza.
But the Labour chief’s issues over the struggle could solely be starting. Frontbencher Rushanara Ali abstained from the vote, prompting a rare outburst from distinguished lawyer Mohammed Akunjee, whose shoppers embrace Shamima Begum, the Isis bride in Syria preventing within the English courts to revive her citizenship, which was revoked in 2019 on safety grounds.
Akunjee proclaimed on social media: ‘Rushanara Ali – what did your chief promise you in your silence and complicity? Rushanara Ali must be changed.’ In one other submit, he stated: ‘She must pack her baggage. Vote her out.’
Despite Ms Ali sitting on a 37,500-strong majority in her Bethnal Green and Bow constituency, Labour insiders concern she could also be ousted by the charismatic Akunjee, who’s considered contemplating working as an Independent within the constituency on the subsequent General Election.
Last week, Sir Keir Starmer (pictured) endured the most important revolt of his management when 56 of his MPs – together with eight frontbenchers – defied the whips to vote in favour of a ceasefire in Gaza
Frontbencher Rushanara Ali abstained from the vote, prompting a rare outburst from distinguished lawyer Mohammed Akunjee, whose shoppers embrace Shamima Begum
Shamima Begum (pictured) is the Isis bride in Syria preventing within the English courts to revive her citizenship, which was revoked in 2019 on safety grounds
The seat in Tower Hamlets, in London‘s East End – as soon as a proud Labour stronghold – is already convulsed in political turmoil. Last yr, its council was captured by the Aspire occasion, whose 24 councillors are all Bangladeshi-heritage Muslims.
The council and Aspire chief Lutfur Rahman – who has additionally joined marches demanding a ceasefire – is contemplating whether or not to subject candidates throughout the nation in areas the place there’s a massive Muslim vote. Akunjee, had been he to hitch Aspire, can be an enormous feather in Rahman’s cap.
My Labour mole confides: ‘Akunjee is turning into extra direct in his problem to the occasion. In protected seats like Bethnal Green, we should not must elevate a finger. But if he stands, we’ll must divert sources from marginal seats.’
Ed’s itsy-bitsy bikini confession
Discussing body-waxing on Good Morning Britain, the wonk-turned-media-personality Ed Balls made a shock admission: ‘I’ve worn a bikini . . . I used to be as soon as ‘Sharron Davies’ [the Olympic swimmer] in a swimsuit competitors for charity. I seemed actually good.’ Were there any images? ‘I do not suppose so.’ A reduction, maybe — however over to you, Gary the cartoonist!
Common sense fail for Phil
Tory MP Philip Davies was working in his Shipley constituency final week whereas Rishi Sunak was conducting his Cabinet reshuffle.
Having been an MP since 2005 and by no means been supplied – or been focused on – a ministerial place, Davies was shocked to study that No. 10 was urgently attempting to contact him. He feared a job supply was imminent … however thankfully the PM was merely attempting to pay money for Davies’s spouse, fellow Tory MP Esther McVey, who revealed: ‘Hilariously, Phil stated it was the one time he has been referred to as by No. 10 throughout a reshuffle.’
Tory MP Philip Davies was working in his Shipley constituency final week whereas Rishi Sunak was conducting his Cabinet reshuffle
McVey now holds the position broadly nicknamed ‘Minister for Common Sense’. Perhaps if her husband had any, he’d have identified the decision wasn’t for him.
Before disappearing into the I’m A Celebrity jungle, Nigel Farage delivered a usually upbeat message to supporters of his Reform UK occasion: ‘The considered doing sure bush-tucker trials does not thrill me, however I’m used to coping with snakes and different horrible reptiles each within the European Parliament in Brussels and at Westminster through the years.’
Farage, who’s reportedly being paid a report £1.5 million for his spell Down Under, quips: ‘It seems to be like Coutts may even need to take me again in spite of everything.’
Before disappearing into the I’m A Celebrity jungle, Nigel Farage delivered a usually upbeat message to supporters of his Reform UK occasion
Boris Johnson praised his former Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries, describing her as the brand new Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, the Russian dissident jailed for criticising Stalin. Speaking on the launch of her political memoir, The Plot: The Political Assassination Of Boris Johnson, Boris cried: ‘Go Nads . . . she’s received extra balls than the Cabinet.’
Last week noticed the appointment of the sixteenth Housing minister since 2010. In that point there have been ten Education secretaries, 12 Culture secretaries, 9 Work and Pensions secretaries and 7 Transport secretaries. Meanwhile, new Home Secretary James Cleverly is in his seventh berth in beneath 5 years, averaging eight months in every position. It’s no marvel so many citizens suppose that the nation is in such a large number.
