Ailbhe Rea

Tom Kibasi was seconded from NHS England to work on a government reboot, but has now left.

The Readout is back from its break, but the pattern of summer politics very much continued today: Nigel Farage gave another press conference, setting the news agenda and forcing the government onto Reform talking points.

It’s been two weeks since Keir Starmer’s government faced its moment of crisis, forced to gut its flagship welfare reforms after coming dangerously close to a staggering, almost unprecedented, defeat by its own MPs. There has been no reshuffle, no blame game, no firing spree, no reset — so quiet, in fact, that some of my government contacts have asked me if the people at the top even realise how bad that was.

Back in opposition, Rachel Reeves was warned by Labour officials that if she ruled out increasing the three main revenue-raisers, so tight were the public finances that she would be storing up an enormous political headache for herself in government.

You almost wouldn’t know that last week Keir Starmer faced the worst crisis of his premiership. It’s a sunny day of full pomp and ceremony here in Westminster for the French state visit, and Emmanuel Macron is addressing parliament. The political chat is all about whether Macron will give Starmer the migrant deal he wants, and whether Starmer can get Trump to implement their steel deal in time for tomorrow.

Keir Starmer is already facing another showdown with his own MPs, only days after last week’s humiliating climbdown on his government’s welfare reforms. This time, it’s on his government’s plans to change the system for special needs support in schools.

Good afternoon from an absolutely sweltering House of Commons, where, at roughly 7pm, Keir Starmer faces a knife-edge vote on his welfare reforms, and an eleventh-hour scramble to avert defeat.

Good afternoon from an absolutely sweltering House of Commons, where, at roughly 7pm, Keir Starmer faces a knife-edge vote on his welfare reforms, and an eleventh-hour scramble to avert defeat.

Keir Starmer and Donald Trump each had a dramatic morning today ahead of the NATO summit in The Hague.

Keir Starmer and Donald Trump each had a dramatic morning today ahead of the NATO summit in The Hague.