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  • Keir Starmer – 2026 Resignation Statement

    Keir Starmer – 2026 Resignation Statement

    The statement made by Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, outside 10 Downing Street on 22 June 2026.

    Thank you. Thank you. Walking up this street two years ago was the proudest moment of my life. A new Labour government. The first in 14 years. A page in our country’s history turned after years of disappointment and despair.

    The chance to change the lives of millions of people for the better. That’s what I came into politics for. The journey to that point was not easy.

    Six years ago, I inherited a Labour Party that was politically, financially and morally bankrupt. I was told, time and time again, that my party was finished.

    That we were consigned to history, that a majority at the general election, let alone a landslide majority, was impossible. But we proved those people wrong because we changed our party.

    Ripping out the poison of antisemitism, restoring trust on the economy, defence, and national security.

    And becoming a party that, once again, stood proudly with, not against, our national flag. The hard work of change was with a singular purpose. Not power for power’s sake but to change Britain for the better.

    To build a fairer country, with dignity and respect, where everyone is seen, everyone is valued. Wealth and opportunity for all, not just the privileged few. And look at what we’ve achieved in just two years.

    An economy that is stronger, growing faster than our peers. Wages rising faster than inflation in every single month since we came to power. Investment secured, infrastructure being built. An end to austerity, with the fastest fall in NHS waiting lists for 17 years.

    The biggest improvement in rights for workers and renters in a generation. The biggest uplift in defence spending since the Cold War. Small boat crossings falling, asylum hotels closing, protecting young people from social media, and half a million children being lifted out of poverty because of the choices that I made.

    Our reputation in the world restored, with Britain once again standing up for decency, respect and the rule of law. Securing trade dues, standing with Ukraine, standing up for our values, and rebuilding our relationship with our allies in Europe.

    Change promised by a Labour government. Change fought for by a Labour government, change delivered by a Labour government.

    But I know the question being asked now is not who was best placed to change the Labour Party, to take us into power, and to begin the vital work of improving lives for millions of people. Those questions have been answered.

    The question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election. I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question. And I accept that answer with good grace.

    Every decision I’ve taken has been about putting the country I love first. That is why I will resign as leader of the Labour Party. I have spoken to His Majesty the King this morning to inform him of my decision.

    I will ask the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party to set out a timetable with nominations opening on 9 July and completed by the summer recess. In the case of a contest, this will ensure a new leader is in place before Parliament returns in September.

    I will remain in post as Prime Minister until the contest is complete. And I will do everything I can to ensure an orderly handover of power.

    I will also give my successor my full and unequivocal support, knowing that they will inherit a Britain that is far stronger and fairer than the one I inherited two years ago, better prepared for the challenges ahead, and better able to ensure the Labour Party secures a second term in office.

    I want to thank all of those friends and colleagues who have been at my side for these past six years or so for their incredible commitment, service and support.

    I want to thank the brilliant No 10 staff and our country’s extraordinary civil service, who dedicate their lives to public service.

    And when I leave, the biggest job in the country. I shall spend more time on the most important job. Being the best husband I can to my fantastic wife, Vic, who has been a rock by my side, through good times and bad. And being the best dad I can to my beautiful children, who are my pride and my joy.

    Thank you very much.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Crack down on dangerous rented homes as new £7k fines kick in [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Crack down on dangerous rented homes as new £7k fines kick in [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 21 June 2026.

    Councils can issue fines of up to £7,000 from 22 June 2026, if landlords are found to have serious hazards in their rented properties.

    • Landlords who don’t fix dangerous problems like damp and mould now face fines of up to £7,000
    • New power now in force in the Renters’ Rights Act so councils can take stronger action where landlords fail to fix problems, alongside existing enforcement powers
    • New penalty will speed up fixes, as the Housing Secretary calls on councils to use all powers at their disposal to tackle poor conditions

    Private renters will see stronger action on dangerous problems like severe damp and mould, following a new government crackdown.

    Councils can now issue fines (from Monday 22 June) of up to £7,000 if landlords refuse to fix poor conditions.

    The fine will apply to 21 types of hazards that are found to be serious – the most dangerous level – which include freezing conditions, faulty electrics, fire hazards, structural issues and unsafe layouts. Around 10% of private rented homes are estimated to have at least one of these health and safety problems classified as serious.

    The new penalty sits alongside existing powers councils can use to tackle unsafe homes that put tenants at risk. These include forcing repairs, carrying out emergency works and recovering costs from landlords who fail to act.

    Today (Monday 22 June) the Housing Secretary has written to mayors across England urging councils to use all powers at their disposal to tackle unsafe housing and protect tenants.

    Housing Secretary Steve Reed said:  

    Renters deserve a safe, secure place to call home and our landmark Renters’ Rights Act gives councils more options to take speedy action against rogue landlords.

    These include the new power to issue a £7,000 penalty to a landlord when there is a hazard like severe damp or mould in a privately rented home – a situation that no family should have to live with.

    Alongside the new fines, this government is updating the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) for the first time in 20 years. This important system is used to assess health and safety in all types of housing, making it simpler to identify dangerous risks and take action.

    The improved final framework comes into force on Tuesday 23 June and will support quicker enforcement, helping to ensure hazards such as damp, fire risks and unsafe electrics are addressed more effectively.

    Ben Twomey, Chief Executive of Generation Rent, said:

    Homes are the foundations of our lives, and no renter should have to live alongside mould, dampness and other risks to our health.

    The council being given the power to fine landlords up to £7000 if they ignore repairs is an essential step towards raising the quality of rented homes. For renters to feel the benefit, though, councils must seek out and take action against those landlords who ignore unsafe conditions and profit from misery.

    Clara Collingwood, Director at the Renters’ Reform Coalition, said:

    Home is where you should feel safest, but for far too long hundreds of thousands of renters have been living in substandard homes that undermine our health and cause serious harm to children and vulnerable adults. It’s great that authorities have new powers to tackle this, and they must start using them immediately to crack down on landlords who profit from unhealthy homes.

    And now that we have new rights as renters, we need to use them – any tenant living with serious disrepair or damp and mould should know they don’t have to put up with it any longer. With new rights and protections, and section 21 evictions scrapped, we can’t be evicted for complaining and shouldn’t be afraid to report dodgy landlords to the council.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government strengthens wildfire resilience heading into summer [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government strengthens wildfire resilience heading into summer [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 20 June 2026.

    Specialist trained firefighters in reach of communities and an overhaul of fire and rescue assets to the value of almost £100 million have been announced.

    Through the new programme, teams of specialist firefighters will be positioned in key areas and ready to respond to fires across England – delivering help to people on the ground more quickly and taking pressure off local services as the number of incidents continues to grow. 

    The teams have undergone intense training over spring and summer, upskilling in the latest strategies like tactical burning, and travelling to South Africa and Poland to learn from the international community. 

    In the wake of devastating wildfires last year, which included widespread damage across North York Moors National Park, today’s announcement will provide crucial protection to precious countryside and communities.  

    State-of-the-art kit, like dedicated off-road vehicles, will also be available through a wider £97 million investment to fund the largest scale upgrade of National Resilience assets in almost twenty years. 

    Building Safety Minister, Samantha Dixon, said: 

    This country benefits from a dedicated fire and rescue service and as incidents continue to evolve in complexity, it’s critical that we back those on the frontline with the latest equipment.  

    Last year saw some of our most devastating wildfires in recent history and as we head into peak season, we’re getting on and delivering the resource, training and assets needed to minimise the escalating risk.

    The Fire National Resilience programme was established after the 9/11 terrorist attack, recognising that specialist capabilities, personnel and resources were needed to enable fire and rescue services to respond effectively to a national-scale catastrophic incident. 

    The significant cash boost will ensure the dedication of our fire and rescue services is matched with the most up-to-date assets, funding a huge overhaul of existing vehicles and equipment. 

    This will crucially strengthen the country’s national response to the largest and most complex of incidents, from flash flooding to raging wildfires and collapsed structures. 

    These specialist capabilities were used over 1,000 times in 2025 alone to tackle a diverse range of incidents, with devastating wildfires identified as a growing demand on the service.   

    The wildfire teams will be located strategically and hosted by fire and rescue services in Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Northumberland, London and South Wales – deployable to incidents across England by the end of June.

  • PRESS RELEASE : World Cup booze ban for 7,300 offenders thanks to crime-cutting alcohol tags [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : World Cup booze ban for 7,300 offenders thanks to crime-cutting alcohol tags [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 20 June 2026.

    Streets will be safer as thousands of offenders are to be banned from drinking alcohol during the World Cup this summer as part of the Government’s commitment to cut booze-fuelled crime.

    • Offenders to be fitted with innovative tags that measure alcohol intake 24/7
    • Drinking expected to soar as fans tune in to football games from pubs and at home
    • Tags help to protect our streets from £21 billion cost of booze-fuelled crime

    Statistics show that around 7,300 criminals either released from prison or serving a community sentence will be forced to wear alcohol tags at some point during the tournament. 

    The innovative tags work around the clock and quickly detect if an offender has been drinking by analysing their sweat. If an offender dares to have a drink, an alert is sent to their probation officer who can take action to punish them, such as an order to return to court or even prison. 

    The tags are accurate enough to distinguish between those simply soaking up the atmosphere at pubs and fan zones where alcohol is present, and those risking a red card by actively drinking. 

    The move comes as police forces and local authorities prepare for increased demand during the tournament, with alcohol often linked to incidents of violence, anti-social behaviour and disorder around major football fixtures. 

    The technology is playing a significant role in the Government’s mission to take back our streets from alcohol-fuelled harm, which the National Audit Office estimate costs the UK economy £21 billion a year. 

    Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending Minister Lord Timpson said: 

    Major sporting events should be a time for the country to come together and enjoy the game, not for alcohol-fuelled violence and disorder to ruin the occasion. 

    Having this tech fixed around the ankle is the wake-up call to offenders and leaves them with the sobering thought that one slip-up could send them to jail.

    New tagging technology is a critical tool in our efforts to punish offenders, cut reoffending and keep the public safe, and the evidence is increasingly proving its effectiveness. 

    Offenders who are banned from consuming alcohol by the courts have remained sober for 97% of the days they have been tagged since the technology was first rolled out in 2020. 

    They monitor alcohol bans for offenders on community sentences handed down by judges or magistrates and can also be used as a licence condition for prison leavers. Roughly 20% of those supervised by probation are classified as having a drinking problem. 

    As part of the Government’s action to make streets safer, tens of thousands more criminals will be tagged over the next three years as part of a major technology expansion. 

    The Government is also introducing, for the first time, a presumption that all prison leavers will be tagged on release as part of intensive supervision with the Probation Service keeping a closer eye on offenders’ behaviour.  

    It is increasing probation funding by up to £700 million extra by 2028/29, including the recruitment of at least 1,300 additional probation officers over the next year. This will help deliver tougher, more effective supervision of violent offenders and better protect the public. 

    Further information: 

  • PRESS RELEASE : Action on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict is strengthened as new Special Envoy Appointed [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Action on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict is strengthened as new Special Envoy Appointed [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 June 2026.

    Chris Elmore MP has been appointed as the UK Special Envoy on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict.

    • newly appointed Special Envoy will drive action to end the use of rape as a weapon of war
    • up to 30% of women and girls living in conflict zones face sexual violence
    • appointment comes after launch of UK-led international coalition to end violence against women and girls

    Britain will continue to drive international action to prevent sexual violence in conflict, following the appointment of the Minister for Human Rights, Chris Elmore as the UK Special Envoy for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict on the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict. 

    Up to 30% of women and girls in conflict zones worldwide have experienced conflict-related sexual violence, which is not only a grave human rights violation, but a threat to global peace, security and prosperity. There are immense barriers to reporting, particularly in conflict zones, therefore these figures could be much higher in reality. 

    Men and boys are also affected, notably in Ukraine, where over two thirds of prisoners of war have experienced sexual violence, and in Palestine, where UN reporting has documented the use of sexual violence in detention settings. 

    In the UK’s capacity as Vice-Chair of the International Alliance for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict this year, Minister Elmore will play a leading role in strengthening global advocacy and in advancing trauma-informed, survivor-centred approaches across the Alliance’s prevention, protection and accountability efforts.  

    Minister Elmore’s appointment into the Special Envoy role follows the Foreign Secretary’s launch of a new UK-convened International Coalition to End Violence against Women and Girls. The coalition is bringing countries together to scale up prevention and end this violence everywhere. 

    The UK Special Envoy on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, Chris Elmore MP said:

    “Conflict-related sexual violence is a grave human rights violation and a global threat to peace and security. I commit to working with survivors, international partners and civil society around the world to drive action to end these abhorrent crimes and hold perpetrators to account.” 

    Notes to editors: 

    The International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict seeks to recognise conflict-related sexual violence as a threat to international peace and security – and a potential war crime, crime against humanity, or an underlying act of genocide. For survivors, this day can act as an important moment of global recognition, challenging the stigma that too often silences those with lived experience of this issue, reaffirming their right to be heard and to access justice and support.

  • John Slinger – 2026 Comments in Support of Keir Starmer

    John Slinger – 2026 Comments in Support of Keir Starmer

    The comments made by John Slinger, the Labour MP for Rugby, on 22 June 2026.

    There is a human being at the heart of this story, and that matters more than the story. Keir Starmer put the country first at the G7 last week, then went straight back to the day job. He walks towards the problems, not away. We owe him the decency of remembering that.

  • Ed Davey – 2026 Comments on Labour Turmoil

    Ed Davey – 2026 Comments on Labour Turmoil

    The comments made by Ed Davey, the Leader of the Liberal Democrats, on 22 June 2026.

    The British people are sick of being let down by an endless merry-go-round of Prime Ministers while nothing really changes for them.

    This time must be different. It can’t just be about changing who’s in Number 10, it has to be about changing our broken politics so we can fix our country.

    That means tackling the cost of living with a bold new deal with Europe, fixing social care at long last to end the NHS crisis, and giving power back to people by voting reform and giving communities more control.

    Whoever becomes Prime Minister needs to drop the caution and complacency and show the ambition our country deserves

  • Anna Soubry – 2026 Comments on Keir Starmer’s Resignation

    Anna Soubry – 2026 Comments on Keir Starmer’s Resignation

    The comments made by Anne Soubry on 21 June 2026.

    No one should be celebrating what seems certain to be the imminent departure of Keir Starmer and arrival of our seventh PM in 10 years Something has gone horribly wrong in British politics. Stability and competence were key parts of what made us a great country.

    Poorer quality politicians, the cheapening of political debate (in part social media but also MSM) and rise of so called populism led to Brexit and the decision to leave the EU just exacerbated the demise of competent Govt, sensible politics & decent politicians.

  • James Cleverly – 2026 Comments on Labour Turmoil

    James Cleverly – 2026 Comments on Labour Turmoil

    The comments made by James Cleverly, the Conservative MP for Braintree, on 21 June 2026.

    Labour is all over the place.

    Starmer is weak and distracted, the party has no plan, there is no constancy.

    This is why there are so many daft contradictions in their proposals.

  • Tim Farron – 2026 Comments on Keir Starmer

    Tim Farron – 2026 Comments on Keir Starmer

    The comments made by Tim Farron, the Liberal Democrat MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, on 22 June 2026.

    Starmer’s been a poor PM, but the vitriol and hatred towards him is just weird. It comes from both the far left and far right. It’s contrived by people whose motives are deeply suspect. Part of me wants him to survive just to spite them.