Topic
LightNews LightNews
Politics UK

Mandelson Epstein Link Hits Starmer

1m

Prime Minister Keir Starmer faced renewed political pressure in London after revelations that two Labour peers, including Peter Mandelson, had links to Epstein and one was suspended.

The Guardian
The Guardian view on Keir Starmer and rotten peers: go back to the reforming spirit of the Labour manifesto | Editorial

The prime minister would be in a stronger position now if he had moved harder and faster with plans to reform and ultimately abolish the Lords The archaism of Britain’s upper parliamentary chamber is not the cause of Sir Keir Starmer’s current political woes, but it is a feature. Peter Mandelson’s peerage was not directly related to his appointment as ambassador to Washington, but nor was it irrelevant. He enjoyed the status bestowed by a seat in the Lords during many years of friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. Although he has voluntarily resigned from active membership of parliament, Lord Mandelson’s title can only be rescinded by special statute. That is a reminder of the absurdity in a system that empowers party leaders to dole out places in the legislature to friends and supporters, with no obligation ever to face judgment by the electorate. Sir Keir is now under yet more pressure related to a peer. Earlier this week, Labour suspended the Lords whip from Matthew Doyle, a former Downing Street director of communications, who campaigned in council elections on behalf of a friend who had been charged with possessing indecent images of children. Lord Doyle says he had believed his friend was innocent. No 10 says he did not give a full account of the facts when the peerage was awarded. Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here . Continue reading. . .

The Guardian view on Keir Starmer and rotten peers: go back to the reforming spirit of the Labour manifesto | Editorial
Reposts 2 3h
The Guardian
The Real Keir comes out fighting and turns the tables on deluded Kemi | John Crace

The Tory leader thinks she has masterminded the PM’s series of crises. You could put her on a fairground ride and she would still think she was in control of where she was going UK politics live - latest updates To have one Labour peer with a close association to a child sex offender may be regarded as a misfortune: to have two looks like carelessness . This was never going to be an easy prime minister’s question for Keir Starmer. The opposition was spoilt for choice. The peers in question - Peter Mandelson and Matthew Doyle - as well as the topics of Morgan McSweeney , Tim Allan , Wes Streeting . . . These were just some of the crisis points of the past seven days. Even by the political psychodramas of the past 10 years, it’s fair to say Starmer has had the week from hell. Just one damn thing after another. Continue reading. . .

The Real Keir comes out fighting and turns the tables on deluded Kemi | John Crace
Reposts 19 4h
The Guardian
This 10-point plan would allow Keir Starmer to get a grip on his government. He should read it and fast | John McTernan

While things are terrible right now, he has a radical manifesto to draw on, a landslide majority and breathing space. But he must seize the day After his worst week ever, could Keir Starmer be about to have a season of renewal? Quite possibly, if he learns from his near-death experience . When most leaders stumble, they don’t get a second chance: they are too exposed and their rivals pounce. As the saying goes, in politics your enemies are all on your own side - the opposition are merely opponents. But this isn’t a late third-term government running out of road with a slim majority and no new ideas. It’s only about a year and half in, with a radical manifesto and a landslide majority . As prime minister, Starmer not only has breathing space but also the most untrammelled power of any democratic leader in the global north. Even Donald Trump has individual states to contend with - the UK is a unitary system. So here are 10 steps Starmer can take to stay in office. John McTernan was Tony Blair’s political secretary at 10 Downing Street Continue reading. . .

This 10-point plan would allow Keir Starmer to get a grip on his government. He should read it and fast | John McTernan
Reposts 29 7h

by Matthew Goodwin

103%
Dagens Næringsliv
DN's political editor: There's still a lot I want to know about this case

DN's political editor Frithjof Jacobsen is left with a number of questions after last week's Epstein revelations.

DN's political editor: There's still a lot I want to know about this case
Reposts 0 8h
The Guardian
Could the Epstein files bring down Keir Starmer? – podcast

Keir Starmer has seen off a challenge to his leadership after facing calls for his resignation over the appointment of Labour powerbroker Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US. A man who enjoyed a close relationship to Jeffrey Epstein. Monday’s win could prove to provide only a temporary respite for the unpopular UK prime minister, as his critics continue to question his judgement and authority. Guardian Australia’s UK/US site editor Jonathan Yerushalmy speaks to Reged Ahmad about how the events of the week unfolded, whether Starmer can hold on to power and how the Epstein files have rocked British politics. Read more: Fighting Starmer wins another chance, but is still surrounded by peril Continue reading. . .

Could the Epstein files bring down Keir Starmer? – podcast
Reposts 0 8h
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
London government crisis: Keir Starmer is a prime minister on standby

The British prime minister has made many mistakes even before the Mandelson-Epstein affair. If this continues, it could attract more support for Nigel Farage and his anti-establishment Reform UK party.

London government crisis: Keir Starmer is a prime minister on standby
Reposts 1 8h

by Niall Ferguson

37%

by Kenneth A. Armstrong

80%
profkaarmstrong.bsky.social
Back on Substack!

Reflections on Starmer, Sarwar and why devolution changes U.K. politics.

open.substack.com/pub/kaarmstr...
Taking Sarwar Seriously – Why Starmer’s Reset Must Confront Polycentric Politics
After days of political turmoil, Sir Keir Starmer left a meeting of his parliamentary Labour party secure in his job as UK Prime Minister, at least for the moment.
open.substack.com
February 11, 2026 at 11:26 AM

by Joni Lovenduski

111%
jonilo.bsky.social
Labour Women Push Starmer To Dismantle 'Boys' Club' After Mandelson Scandal - PoliticsHome
February 11, 2026 at 11:23 AM

by Steven Fielding

62%
polprofsteve2024.bsky.social
I’m not exactly sure for whom Finkelstein speaks given that his particular brand of conservatism is even more screwed than McSweeney‘s. But what he says is more than possible if Starmer has any political sense.
rentouljohn.bsky.social John Rentoul @rentouljohn.bsky.social · 1d
The departure of Morgan McSweeney clears the way for Labour to embrace its inner Ed Miliband – Daniel Finkelstein thetimes.com/comment/colu...
February 11, 2026 at 9:40 AM

by Steven Fielding

62%
polprofsteve2024.bsky.social
Speak for England… Who?? Put that way the pipsqueak-ish Streeting doesn’t really hit the mark. But does anybody?
lordbonkers.bsky.social Jonathan Calder @lordbonkers.bsky.social · 13h
Labour desperately needs someone who can speak to the nation and speak for the nation in this time of crisis. Patently, Keir Starmer is incapable of doing it.
February 11, 2026 at 8:35 AM

Reposted by Steven Fielding

21%
lordbonkers.bsky.social
Labour desperately needs someone who can speak to the nation and speak for the nation in this time of crisis. Patently, Keir Starmer is incapable of doing it.
February 11, 2026 at 8:32 AM

by Prem Sikka

14%
premnsikka.bsky.social
Wes Streeting still ready to challenge Starmer despite show of unity, allies say.

He had majority of just over 500 votes in the last election.

He would take Labour further to the right. Funded by healthcare companies, handing the NHS to corporations and private equity.
Streeting still ready to challenge Starmer despite show of unity, allies say
Health secretary poised to make leadership bid after May local elections to pre-empt a potential challenge from rival Rayner, MPs close to him say
www.theguardian.com
February 11, 2026 at 8:17 AM

by Alan Lester

48%
alanlester.bsky.social
I suspect this polling outcome has something to do with the Russian disinformation campaign debated in parliament on Monday. Urging media to portray Starmer as just like his atrocious Tory predecessors is a key goal. ‘They’re all the same’ works to undermine democracy.
alanlester.bsky.social Alan Lester @alanlester.bsky.social · 1d
Whatever you think of Starmer, this is a terrifying demonstration of disinformation’s power. It shows that a) much of our media has shifted from conservative to radical right, & b) people’s grasp of reality can be altered swiftly by sustained, orchestrated, repetitive propaganda.
February 11, 2026 at 7:50 AM

by Steven Fielding

62%
polprofsteve2024.bsky.social
Other than his inhuman ambition and an ability to speak well in public, why should anybody might Streeting will improve Labour’s position? What’s his plan? www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Streeting still ready to challenge Starmer despite show of unity, allies say
Health secretary poised to make leadership bid after May local elections to pre-empt a potential challenge from rival Rayner, MPs close to him say
www.theguardian.com
February 11, 2026 at 7:22 AM

Reposted by Patrick Dunleavy

41%

by Richard S.J. Tol

9%
richardtol.bsky.social
I'd rather have a PM who's good for the country

recall that Starmer was made leader because he was bad for the Tories (as he was, for what the Tories were then)

www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Alistair Carns: Labour’s ex-marine who ‘would be a nightmare’ for the Tories
Amid leadership speculation, former commando has been quietly talked about as a possible future contender
www.theguardian.com
February 11, 2026 at 6:22 AM
The Guardian
Keir Starmer is the bandage Labour can’t rip off for fear of opening old wounds | Rafael Behr

The party’s MPs know their leader is failing but they are paralysed by fear of a contest with no obvious successor Westminster time is counted in scandals, resignations, rebellions, U-turns and leadership crises. All the things that aren’t good government age a regime. Keir Starmer has presided over a lot of woes in 18 months, making a young government look old. The premature decrepitude is more advanced, and more disturbing to Labour MPs, because it feels like continuity from the turbulent Tory regime that came before. The policies and personnel are different, but to the casual passing voter the sound of screaming and breaking crockery around Downing Street is familiar as a sign of a political problem family in residence. Rafael Behr is a Guardian columnist Guardian Newsroom: Can Labour come back from the brink? On Monday 30 April, ahead of May elections join Gaby Hinsliff, Zoe Williams, Polly Toynbee and Rafael Behr as they discuss how much of a threat is Labour from both the Green party and Reform and whether Keir Starmer can survive as leader of the Labour party Book tickets here Continue reading. . .

Keir Starmer is the bandage Labour can’t rip off for fear of opening old wounds | Rafael Behr
Reposts 66 16h
Lightnews Lightnews Lightnews