Politics LIVE: Starmer vows to rip up Boris Johnson's 'botched' Brexit deal as Lammy pushes for 'closer' ties with Brussels
Tony Blair has offered Keir Starmer advice on dealing with 'wokeism'
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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to rip up Boris Johnson's "botched" Brexit deal as Foreign Secretary David Lammy charms member states on a tour of the European Union.
Starmer said: “We intend to improve our relationship with the EU. And that means closer trading ties with the EU, it means closer ties in relation to research and development and closer ties in relation to defence and security.
“Obviously, there are many discussions to be had and negotiations to be had, but I do think that we can get a much better deal than the botched deal that Boris Johnson saddled the UK with.”
He added: “I think we’ll have a much better deal than the one we’ve got now, that depends on respectful relationships, talking to leaders across the EU. And of course that work has already begun.”
Labour double-down on pledge to support Ukraine
Defence Secretary John Healey has doubled-down on Labour's commitment to support Ukraine.
He said: "As the new Defence Secretary, I will ensure that we reinvigorate Britain’s support by stepping up supplies of vital military aid.
“Our commitment to stand with the Ukrainian people is absolute, as is our resolve to confront Russian aggression and pursue Putin for his war crimes.
“This Government is steadfast in our commitment to continue supplying military assistance and will stand shoulder to shoulder with our Ukrainian friends for as long as it takes.”
Tories eye-up IDS as potential interim leader as 'contrition' leadership contest looms
Sir Iain Duncan Smith is being earmarked as a potential interim Tory leader as MPs hope to hold a lengthy “contritition” contest to select Rishi Sunak’s successor, Conservative insiders have told GB News.
The Conservative Party look set to hold yet another leadership contest after Sunak’s Tories were given a damning verdict from voters on July 4.
Reform polling second among young Britons as 'clever' Farage aims for youths
"Clever" Nigel Farage is aiming for a "youthquake" at the next General Election, Claire Muldoon has claimed.
Polling last week suggested that Reform UK are the second most popular party among 16 to 17-year-olds.
The Tories lost because the party 'got Brexit done but nothing else', says Robert Jenrick
Robert Jenrick claims the Tory Party 'suffered a crushing defeat' because they 'failed to deliver the strong economy, NHS, and secure border we promised'
Getty ImagesConservative MP, Robert Jenrick claims his party "suffered a crushing defeat" because they "failed to deliver the strong economy, NHS, and secure border we promised".
Writing in The Times, he said: "We got Brexit done. But we must collectively confront a hard truth: we then failed to deliver the strong economy, NHS, and secure border we promised.
"Our biggest and most damaging failure was clearly migration. This was the main issue which drove those millions of 2019 conservatives to Reform, which cost us so many seats.
"The great reform was leaving the EU, ending freedom of movement and taking back control of the levers of migration. But the government then insulted the public with decisions that caused net migration to spiral to unprecedented levels. Even when the failure was evident and alarm bells ringing, corrective action was painfully slow."
He added that the party promised to "stop the boats" but "despite progress last year, boat crossings are now at a record high."
Concluding, the MP said "in the areas where we failed we must be brutally honest, seek forgiveness and begin the long, difficult road back to restoring trust."
Suella Braverman admits she has ‘looked’ at Reform as calls grow for her to join Nigel Farage
Suella Braverman has been tipped by many to join Nigel Farage's insurgent party GB NEWS / PASuella Braverman says she has “looked” at Reform UK’s operation after being pressed on whether she has ever considered joining Nigel Farage’s insurgent party.
Reform UK has long been linked with Braverman given her alignment on many issues such as immigration and taxes.
Speaking on GB News, she refused to be drawn on whether joining the party has or ever will be a possibility.
She said: “I have looked at the Reform Party. I have been listening to what they’re saying. I have met many, many Reform voters throughout this campaign.
“People who are lifelong Conservatives. I’ve listened to them and they say, ‘I’ve backed your party for ages, and we are furious with your party and we are going to Reform’.
“I have listened to them. Attacking them as racists or thugs is not the right attitude. Demeaning them is not the right attitude.
“We need to be humble in the face of very strong feedback from our core voters at this election.”
Richard Tice says Reform UK could work with the Greens on 'really important issue'
Richard Tice is happy to work with the Greens to ensure electoral reform
GB News
Reform UK Chairman Richard Tice has said the party is desperate for a change of electoral system and is willing to work with the Green Party in order to deliver it.
He said on GB News that were a proportional system in place, as opposed to first-past-the-post, Reform would have been looking at a total of around 90 seats - a significantly higher total than the five they managed to accrue.
The Green Party find themselves in a similar position to Reform, as their seven per cent vote share delivered them just four seats in Parliament.
While the two parties are on opposite sides of the political spectrum, Tice suggested on GB News they could work together to deliver change.
“I think on this issue, we can be working together”, he said.
“There is a cross-party campaign group called Make Votes Matter which has been working very hard on this."
Suella Braverman demands Tory changes to deal with ‘existential threat’ of Reform UK
Suella Braverman has refused to rule out a bid for the leadership GB NEWSSuella Braverman has said the Conservative Party must change to deal with the threat of Reform UK, but refused to be drawn on whether she will be the person fronting up a new dawn.
Speaking on GB News to Camilla Tominey, Braverman refused to be drawn on suggestions she is set to run for Tory leader again.
“You’re not ruling this out”, Tominey probed, to which Braverman said she is “having lots of conversations”.
“I know you want the drama and headlines but I will have to disappoint you”, she said.
“There will be no announcements. Unlike 2019 and 2022, we have the luxury of being in opposition.
“There is no urgency to install a new leader. What is urgent and absolutely essential is we as a party reflect and accept what got us into this existentially damaging situation.
Keir Starmer congratulated by Joe Biden on election victory as he hails UK-US 'special relationship'
US president Joe Biden hailed Sir Keir Starmer as he congratulated him on his election win and insisted there is "no doubt" the special relationship would continue.
The 81-year-old rang the new Prime Minister to commend the Labour leader on his "hell of a victory".
"Mr Prime Minister, congratulations," Biden told Starmer while aboard Air Force One.
"What a hell of a victory! Congratulations," he said as the Labour leader began to smile.
Steve Baker shares joy after losing seat at General Election
Steve Baker celebrated losing his seat
GB News
Former Tory MP Steve Baker has celebrated losing his seat at the General Election as he weighed up party leadership hopefuls.
Speaking on GB News, Baker joined the Saturday Five to assess his party’s struggles in the vote which Labour won by a landslide.
“I’m glad it’s behind me”, he admitted.
“It’s so great to be free. It’s not that I disliked it, it’s just a very grave burden to represent 71-75,000 people.
“People are usually actively disinterested and when they are not, they tend to be very angry or they are in great need.
“It’s just a great burden and I would have been happy to continue carrying that duty, but my goodness…”