Jessica Elgot

Come for the intro from Damian McBride's Power Trip:

Briefing war spotlights relationships between three of Labour’s most senior figures Rift said to be driven between Keir Starmer and Morgan McSweeney even before attacks on Wes Streeting

Our read on the relationship between Keir Starmer, Morgan McSweeney and Wes Streeting after this week's extraordinary briefing war 👇

Why did it all kick off? How did it go wrong? And what longer-running rifts has it exposed?

www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Labour infighting puts chancellor’s budget plan to reassure bond markets at risk It was hoped manifesto-breaking tax rises might bring down borrowing costs – but party turbulence is likely to spook investors

Bit of analysis from me - a key upside from busting the manifesto pledges is meant to come in cheaper borrowing, as bond markets buy into the budget. Wesgate makes that much harder, by amplifying fears about whether Reeves/PM can stick around to implement it: www.theguardian.com/business/202...

New - I understand angry MPs this afternoon spoke to Starmer at PLP committee to ask he sack whoever was briefing against Streeting or who authorised any attacks.

He refused to say he would sack anyone or that there would be consequences.

MPs said they took this as backing McSweeney.

Something about this morning's stories reminded me of Gordon Brown's No 10. And then I remembered this passage from Damian McBride:

My personal view is that No10 lost any perspective, assuming that it would be obvious to MPs and the general public that Streeting was mounting audacious and outrageous leadership positioning. But outside the bubble it looks like they are reacting to nothing.

[A niche Westminster tweet but still] one source says - “this would never ever have happened if Steph Driver was still in No10”

One says that some MPs want to boycott PMQs. “If the PM thinks we are feral and too stupid to understand economics, then why on earth would we go out and cheer him on?”

A selection of fury from Labour MPs, ministers and advisors - “This is batshit crazy” “they are f-ing deluded” “did we watch the Tories and think, let’s have a bit of that?” “why are you slagging off your main rival and then putting him on the morning round to show everyone how much better he is”

Wes Streeting denies plotting to oust Keir Starmer as prime minister Health secretary dismisses claims as ‘unhelpful’ and ‘self-defeating’ after reports that PM’s job could be under threat

Operation Save Big Dog By Giving His Main Rival A Chance To Show He’s Better At Politics is going well www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

MPs and BBC staff call for Robbie Gibb to leave broadcaster’s board Boris Johnson’s appointee is accused of pushing claims of institutional bias at the corporation after shock resignations

MPs and BBC staff call for Robbie Gibb to leave broadcaster’s board.

Staff left unhappy at all staff meeting today, as their questions about the board go unanswered…

www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...

🙏🏼

Thin majorities and chaotic strategy push Labour MPs toward regime change Frustration with Starmer’s lack of visibility unlikely to be quelled by No 10 efforts to show up leadership challengers

My analysis - how did No10 radicalise this cohort of loyal, centrist, careerist Labour MPs who are now all out for regime change?

www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Starmer allies say ousting PM would be ‘reckless’ as fears grow over leadership challenge Exclusive: No 10 said to be in ‘full bunker mode’ over fears of challenge after this month’s budget or May local elections

Exc - Downing Street has launched an extraordinary operation to protect Keir Starmer amid fears among the prime minister’s closest allies that he is vulnerable to a leadership challenge in the wake of the budget.

From @pippacrerar.bsky.social

www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Maybe Keir should demand the heads of major US news networks any time they imply Britain is on the brink of civil war or that we live under sharia law. Or does it not work both ways?

They kind of tried to add more roles in from the game with the Seer last time and I had mixed feelings about that one, but I think the cop role would work better

“They’ve realised no one is talking to the whips’ office because no one trusts them,” one Labour MP said.

Suspicious MPs have dubbed it “the Wags’ office” because of how many new whips are married or related to key figures in the cabinet or No 10.

Downing Street insiders are now talking openly about an imminent rise in income tax. “You don’t exactly have to be a genius to have worked out we’re doing it,” one said.

MPs are being buttered up with breakfasts in No 10 and professors and thinktankers are giving private lessons in Economics 101.

Breakfasts in No 10: the charm offensive to avoid a Labour MP budget backlash Downing Street has been preparing MPs for going back on its manifesto pledge and raising income tax

If Keir Starmer’s election campaign was carrying a ming vase across an ice rink, then this budget – according to one minister – is like “wrestling a squirrel across a minefield”.

The squirrel is not the markets, but the PLP.

Our weekend read www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

I’ve always thought this!

Might as well admit we got absolutely addicted to this game (Mafia) and routinely came home early from nights out to play it

The editing is first class, the cliffhanger of Joe Marler working it out last week in the final minutes and then it falling apart in the finale…

Unparalleled TV #CelebrityTraitors

This guy literally laughed his head off when he was asked if he was a faithful and these muppets still didn’t get it 🤣🤣🤣

Nick Mohammed is the most faithfully faithful to ever do it #CelebrityTraitors

Can’t remember the last time I got this hyped about something on television and it’s some celebs playing a version of a late night drinking game I played as a student #CelebrityTraitors

Some have tried to resurrect Tribune in the past as a caucus but there’s been oddly little structured organising for this wing of the party at all, especially given how many in the PLP identify with its politics

Labour MPs revive ‘desperately needed’ soft left group to take on Reform Exclusive: Tribune hopes over 100 MPs join group led by Vicky Foxcroft and former cabinet minister Louise Haigh

New - Louise Haigh and Vicky Foxcroft are reviving the Tribune group to do organising in the PLP along the soft left. Key figure in the welfare rebellion are formalising their organising power ahead of the Budget.

(yes this is one for the nerds)

Story here - www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how

Vital piece of investigative reporting from Sky. They've uncovered the X algorithm which feeds users extremist right wing material from the moment they join the site. It is a far-right radicalisation engine, by design.

news.sky.com/story/the-x-...

New statement from the MoJ just dropped (never great if you are still having to clarify at 9pm)