The former PM’s essay rightly calls for a coherent economic plan, but then sets too much store by AI – and a worldview stuck in the past
Tony Blair is right. Labour has made some big and avoidable mistakes since it came to power nearly two years ago. Keir Starmer had a strategy for winning the election but lacked a coherent plan for what his government would do next. Fair cop.
Blair is also correct when he says that unless Britain tackles some long-term structural issues, it is in danger of being relegated from the “premier league of nations”. Achieving higher levels of sustainable growth is one challenge. Welfare reform is another. And as the former prime minister notes, reversing Brexit is not a solution to those problems.
Larry Elliott is a Guardian columnist
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London mayor accused of ‘putting politics above public safety’ for rejecting deal to use AI in intelligence analysis
Palantir has accused Sadiq Khan of “putting politics above public safety” after the London mayor blocked its £50m contract with the Metropolitan police in a move that has also led to tensions inside Labour over its involvement with the US tech company.
Louis Mosley, who heads Palantir in the UK and Europe, accused Khan of politicising procurement after he rejected a two-year deal for Scotland Yard to use AI to process intelligence in criminal investigations, as first revealed by the Guardian. Mosley said: “What Londoners value is not being mugged, not being raped by a serving police officer.”
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The UK-GCC trade deal enhances Britain's global trade position post-Brexit, offering strategic economic and geopolitical advantages.
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Burnham's candidacy could reshape Labour's internal power dynamics, influencing future leadership and policy directions within the party.
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Streeting's challenge could intensify Labour's internal strife, potentially reshaping its leadership and policy direction by 2026.
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Starmer's potential resignation could destabilize Labour, prompting further cabinet exits and reshaping UK political dynamics.
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Christopher Harborne entered the Sunday Times Rich List in sixth place, as Parliament opened a probe into Farage. The Sunday Times Rich List 2026, published on May 15, placed Christopher Harborne sixth among Britain’s wealthiest individuals. His estimated £18.2bn fortune…
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Commerzbank’s Michael Pfister highlights mounting political turmoil in the United Kingdom (UK), with resignations and leadership speculation tightening pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He sees rising uncertainty over future fiscal policy as negative for the Pound (GBP). Despite recent Pound weakness, Commerzbank believes markets have not fully priced the risks and continues to expect higher EUR/GBP in the coming weeks. UK political risks seen hurting Pound “Nevertheless, the noose around Starmer’s neck seems to be slowly tightening.” “The Prime Minister appears severely weakened, and it is questionable whether he can remain in office for much longer.” “The situation is bad for the pound for two reasons.” “Firstly, political uncertainty rarely benefits a currency, and secondly, it is currently unclear what policies the potential successors intend to implement.” “Despite
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GBP/USD fell 0.9% on Thursday, breaking below 1.3500 in a sharp staircase decline from session highs to a low close to 1.3395. The move extended a multi-week downtrend from the early-March peak, with bearish momentum building through the European afternoon. The daily candle closed near session lows. The Pound Sterling came under heavy pressure on Thursday as the political crisis around Prime Minister Keir Starmer deepened. After Labour’s heavy losses in the 7 May local elections, four cabinet ministers resigned this week, including Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips, and close to 100 Labour MPs publicly called on Starmer to resign or set a departure timeline. Health Secretary Wes Streeting was reported to be weighing a leadership challenge, although Starmer remained defiant after 111 MPs signed a statement of support. Stronger UK data failed to lift the currency: Q1
