Newslinks for Friday 4th July 2025

Labour split creates ultra-left party – and it might be led by Corbyn…?

“Zarah Sultana has resigned from the Labour Party, saying she will create a new party with Jeremy Corbyn. Sultana, the MP for Coventry South, has sat as an independent since July 2024, when she had the Labour whip removed for voting against the government on the two-child benefit cap. In a post on X, Sultana accused the government of “wanting to make disabled people suffer”, and being an “active participant in genocide” in Gaza. She said: “Jeremy Corbyn and I will co-lead the founding of a new party, with other independent MPs, campaigners and activists across the country.” It comes after Corbyn, the former Labour leader who has sat as an independent since Sir Keir Starmer ousted him in 2020, said that he was in discussions with various independent groups across the country about “an alternative” to Labour. However, there were reports on Thursday night that Corbyn had not yet agreed to co-lead the project with Sultana. Corbyn was approached for comment.” – The Times

• New chaos for Keir! Pro-Palestine MP Zarah Sultana quits Labour to form new party with Jeremy Corbyn… leaving him ‘furious and bewildered’ – Daily Mail
• Far-left MP Zarah Sultana quits Labour to create new pro-Palestine party with pal Jeremy Corbyn – The Sun
• MPs like Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana will NOT be prosecuted for supporting terror group Palestine Action – Daily Mail

Comment:

• A Left-wing splinter revolt was brewing. If only Starmer had been nice – Tim Stanley, Daily Telegraph

> Today: Sarah Ingham: Labour MPs should learn a Tory lesson – if a leader is failing, best they fail fast

First-year report cards scathing on Labour

“Today marks 365 days since Keir Starmer stepped into No. 10 as Labour’s first prime minister since Gordon Brown. It’s been a rollercoaster of a week (and year) leading up to the anniversary. Gilts, sterling and mid-cap stocks tumbled on speculation about Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ position on Wednesday, before partially recovering after Starmer backed her. Still, UK assets are heading into the weekend nursing some minor bruises. So, what better time for my colleagues to resurrect Bloomberg’s Labour scorecard, marking the government against its main promises so far. (Remember cries of “growth, growth, growth”?) … At the bottom: fiscal and economic stability. First, there was a slim buffer at the budget, followed by U-turns on huge spending cut plans. More tax rises and uncertainty seem inevitable.” – Bloomberg

• Starmer’s wasted first year – The Economist
• The Labour government has been nothing if not eventful – Politico
• Keir Starmer’s government is less than the sum of its parts – Institute for Government
• Brits brace for tax HIKES after week of Commons chaos – as Reeves faces ‘perfect storm’ of Budget misery – The Sun

Comment:

• Sir Keir promised real change but one year into his leadership and only change so far has been for the worse – The Sun says
• There will be no second chance for Labour – Tobias Phibbs, Daily Telegraph
• Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves must change to survive – Patrick Maguire, The Times
• Who’s really to blame for Labour’s troubles – Rachel Reeves or the invisible PM? – Gaby Hinsliff, The Guardian

> Today: A year since the election – and could there be a slither of light?

Basic migration data not gathered by Home Office

“The Home Office failed to gather “basic information” about migrants who came to Britain on visas and left foreign workers “vulnerable to exploitation”, the chairman of a cross-party committee of MPs has warned. An inquiry report, published on Friday, revealed data on whether people had left the UK after their visas expire or how many might have stayed to work illegally was not collected by the government. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which examines the value for money of government projects, said the Home Office had not analysed exit checks since the skilled worker visa route was introduced under the Conservatives. This is despite some 1.18 million people applying to come to Britain via this route between December 2020 and the end of 2024 as ministers attempted to attract skilled workers in the wake of Brexit.” – The Standard

• Labour loses track of migrants after their work visas expire – Daily Express
• Home Office ‘does not know’ how many foreign workers stay in Britain to work illegally after visas expire, MPs warn – Daily Mail
• Home Office has no idea how many migrants overstay their visas – Daily Telegraph

Comment:

• New FOI data: where in the UK did recent migrants move to? – Neil O’Brien, Substack
• Britain is turning into a hotel for the world’s criminals – Guy Dampier, Daily Telegraph

Farage interviewed year from election – claims Badenoch leading a “finished” party

“Nigel Farage feels the shifting sands in British politics every time he pops to the shops. “I have this thing called the ‘supermarket test’,” he explains. Ten years ago people would clock him in the aisles, discreetly sidle up with their trolley, whisper a supportive message, and hope their neighbours hadn’t seen them. “I was like their guilty secret, in a sense,” he says. “And as the years have gone by, I’ve had different reactions. “The common reaction now from people is: ‘You’re the last chance, mate. If you don’t get in, we’re screwed’.” The polling backs him up. One year ago today the Reform boss emerged blinking into the sunlight of a new Labour dawn with just five MPs despite taking 14 per cent of the vote. Today he commands around 30 per cent in the polls and would land the most seats if an election were called tomorrow.” – The Sun

• Farage claims ‘well-known’ figures want to join Reform UK cabinet – The Independent
• Nigel Farage gloats as Keir Starmer faces huge new Jeremy Corbyn challenge – Daily Express
• Conservatives win by-election after Reform councillor quit – BBC News

News in brief:

• Labour’s theatre of cruelty – Sarah Ditum, Unherd
• Why the baby bust matters – Miriam Cates, The Spectator
• Britain is stuck in a welfare loop – Matthew Kirtley, The Critic
• Mansion House gives Rachel Reeves a chance to change the course – David Postings, CityAM