Sir Keir Starmer has admitted Labour faces a "challenge" in Thursday’s elections across England, Wales and Scotland, but insisted he has faith in his "fantastic team".
Speaking at a party campaign rally in south London, the Prime Minister was asked how he could convince voters to support his party in Thursday’s election, as it faces a slump in opinion polls.
Sir Keir replied: "As you can see, we’ve got a fantastic Labour team working every single day in London and across the country, campaigning with fantastic councillors and candidates and with a very positive message.
"Of course, it’s going to be a challenge, but it is really important we go in fighting for every vote, which has to be earned, in relation to this."
He added: "We know that whatever is going on in the world, whatever is going on in politics, the thing that people care about, are most concerned about, is the cost of living.
"So it’s really important that we as a Government keep our focus on the cost of living, and in particular just at the moment, make sure that although we’re not going to get drawn into the war in Iran.
"I’ve been really clear about that, but we have a duty, and we must protect the British public from the impact of that, and that’s what I’ll continue doing."
It follows a severe warning from Communities Secretary and key ally of the Prime Minister Steve Reed, who said Labour MPs should not engage in "doomscrolling" through leaders even if the party suffers heavy losses to Reform, the Green Party, the SNP and Plaid Cymru.
Labour MPs warned against 'doomscrolling through leaders' amid plot to pressure Keir Starmer into setting resignation date
Labour MPs have been warned against "doomscrolling through leaders" amid a plot to pressure Sir Keir Starmer into setting his resignation date.
The Prime Minister's backbenchers are reportedly drafting a letter which outlines that he is to blame for the party’s projected by-election defeat and consequently, he should resign.
Speaking to Times Radio earlier today, Communities Minister Steve Reed, regarded as one of the Prime Minister's closest Cabinet allies, insisted he had no knowledge of any such correspondence being circulated among MPs.
"I speak to a lot of my fellow MPs, of course I do all the time, but also council leaders, and they're sick and tired of all of this psychodrama," he said.
Labour will be 'smashed to smithereens' in Senedd elections, claims Nigel Farage
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage speaking during a rally in Merthyr Tydfil
|PA
Labour will be "smashed to smithereens" in the Welsh Parliament election this week, Nigel Farage has said.
Speaking at a Reform rally in Merthyr Tydfil on Tuesday, the party leader said Wales has become a "basket case" after being led by Labour for more than two decades.
Reform and Plaid Cymru have consistently topped opinion polls in Wales ahead of the vote on Thursday, while Labour has dropped into third place.
Mr Farage said: "The Labour Party have not lost an election in Wales for over a century, think about that.
"The party that has been able, frankly, to take Wales for granted for over 100 years, on Thursday, will deservedly get smashed to smithereens by the electorate. And, boy, don’t they deserve it."
The Clacton MP also described Plaid Cymru as "anti-English" and "hard leftists".
He said: "The opinion polls will tell you that Plaid are in the lead...Just as they told us that 'remain' would win the referendum. Don’t believe what you’re being told, because the key to success for us here on Thursday is very simple.
"There is already, in my opinion, a majority for good common sense, a majority for decent, patriotic values, a majority that believe, as we believe, that family, community and country are the things that matter to most of us, that we stand up for, defend and fight for.
"What we have to do is to get them to actually, physically go to the polling station this Thursday and put their cross in the right place."
Plaid Cymru pulls ahead of Reform in latest Senedd opinion poll
Plaid Cymru has jumped ahead of Reform UK to be the predicted largest party in Wales, according to the latest poll.
According to MRP modelling by YouGov for ITV in partnership with Cardiff University, Rhun ap Iorwerth’s party win 33 per cent of the vote share, four percentage points ahead of Reform UK at 29 per cent.
Labour poll at 12 per cent in third place, with the Welsh Conservatives just behind on nine per cent.
The Green Party has dropped into fifth place at eight per cent, while the Welsh Liberal Democrats fall into last place on just six per cent.
Dr Jac Larner from Cardiff University's Welsh Governance Centre told ITV Wales: "Plaid appear to have opened a small gap in the final days but this still remains an incredibly close race.
"It also highlights how relatively small changes in vote share can have outsized impacts in terms of seat allocation."
Kemi Badenoch says Labour faces 'shadow leadership contest' after this week's local elections
Kemi Badenoch addressed a campaign rally in Solihull
|PA
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has said Labour came into power "without a single idea" as she said the party faces a "shadow leadership contest."
Speaking at a campaign rally in Solihull, West Midlands, Mrs Badenoch criticised the record of Labour-run Birmingham City Council, saying that a refuse worker strike had led to "food rotting in the streets, rats as big as cats".
She added: "People learned that if you vote Labour, you get trash."
Mrs Badenoch continued: "Labour’s problem is that after 14 years in opposition, they came into power without a single idea of how to fix anything.
"They are now having a shadow leadership contest talking about what their party should stand for two years into Government, these people have no plan but we do."
Former Green leader says party must take 'immediate action' against candidates who have made antisemitic comments
The former leader of the Greens has called on the party to take "immediate action" against candidates who have made antisemitic remarks.
Caroline Lucas, who led the Green Party from 2003 to 2006, 2007 to 2012, and from 2016 to 2018, said that while the number of such cases was limited, they should not be ignored.
She said: "Statements that have now come to light from a handful of Green Party candidates are totally unacceptable & require immediate action.
"There’s no place for anti-semitism or any hate speech in the party. This is a society-wide problem & needs to be rooted out wherever it’s found."
A Green spokesman said: "Caroline Lucas is right, there’s no place for antisemitism or hate speech in any party.
"She acknowledges that unacceptable comments have been made by just a small number of the 4,500-plus Green party candidates in these local elections.
"Where there are examples brought to our attention that do not align with the values of the Green party, we are looking into them, and in some cases candidates have already been suspended.
"We are investing in strengthening our vetting procedures to prevent inappropriate candidates slipping through the net."
Keir Starmer admits Labour faces 'challenge' at polls this week
Keir Starmer has admitted his party faces a 'challenge' this week
|GETTY
Labour faces a "challenge" in Thursday’s elections across England, Wales and Scotland, Sir Keir Starmer has acknowledged, amid reports that MPs are already plotting to oust him for fear of heavy losses for the party.
The majority of people care about the cost-of-living crisis when casting their ballot, the Prime Minister said, as he insisted the Government would aim to fulfil its "duty" to the public to protect them from rising costs caused by the war in the Middle East.
Sir Keir made the remarks at a Labour campaign rally in south London on Tuesday, amid reports that his backbenchers are reported to be drafting a letter blaming him for the expected loss of hundreds of council seats across England, and calling on him to set a date for his resignation.
The move would echo the drafting of a round-robin letter by normally loyal Labour MPs in 2006 that contributed to Tony Blair announcing he would step down within 12 months.
At the campaign event, Sir Keir was asked how he could convince voters to support his party in Thursday’s election, as it faces a slump in opinion polls.
The Prime Minister replied: "As you can see, we’ve got a fantastic Labour team working every single day in London and across the country, campaigning with fantastic councillors and candidates and with a very positive message.
"Of course, it’s going to be a challenge, but it is really important we go in fighting for every vote, which has to be earned, in relation to this."
Ed Davey says Golders Green stabbings must mark 'turning point'
The stabbings in Golders Green must mark a "turning point" in confronting antisemitism across the UK, Sir Ed Davey said.
The Liberal Democrat leader was visiting a London synagogue when he described rising antisemitism as akin to a “frog in boiling water” that most people had not noticed.
He added : "But you noticed: the Jewish community hasn’t been able to avoid it because this has been building for a long time, and last week’s attack must be a turning point where our whole society takes this as seriously as you do and stamps it out.”
The Lib Dem leader said he had been "very critical" of the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza, adding that it was "incumbent” upon him to do so while insisting he was doing it as a "proud and long-standing friend of Israel".
He said: "I believe we have shown, like many in our Jewish communities have shown, that it is perfectly possible to be critical of what Netanyahu is doing, it is perfectly possible to stand up for human rights and international law, that is perfectly possible, to speak out on the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, without fuelling antisemitism,"
Zack Polanski is a 'clueless luvvy who encourages those who attack police', Labour MP tells GB News
A Labour MP has accused Zack Polanski of being a "clueless luvvy" as he took aim at the Green Party leader.
Pendle & Clitheroe MP Steve Pinder claimed the Green leader is looking to push "absurd" policies onto forces across England and Wales.
He told GB News: "Police officers across the country will be dismayed that the Green Party are more concerned about the welfare of violent criminals than they are about the brave police officers who protect the public.
"It is extremely worrying the leader of a national party is encouraging this anti-police sentiment, which only encourages those who would undermine and attack our police.
"The Greens are a joke on policing and crime. Ethnic minority Brits support the professional use of stop and search, in part because it is young black men who are disproportionately the victims of street violence.
"Only clueless luvvies like Polanski and others can afford absurd policies like 'defunding the police'."
Prosecutors told to fast-track hate crime trials amid 'troubling rise' in antisemitic attacks
Prosecutors have been told to "fast-track" hate crime prosecutions following a "troubling rise" in antisemitic hate crimes.
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Stephen Parkinson has issued guidance to prosecutors which says "any supporting evidence can be obtained subsequently" once the evidential threshold for a charge is met.
Keir Starmer says plans are 'in place' for those stranded on MV Hondius
The outbreak occurred on board MV Hondius | GETTYSir Keir Starmer said Labour is "putting plans in place" for British nationals on board a ship which is at the centre of a hantavirus outbreak.
The Prime Minister said: "My thoughts are with those affected by the hantavirus outbreak onboard the MV Hondius.
"We are working closely with international partners to support British nationals on board and we’re putting plans in place for their safe onward travel.
"The risk to the wider public remains very low - protecting the British people is our number one priority."
Downing Street refuses to deny reports Rachel Reeves had a row with her White House counterpart
Downing Street would not deny reports that Chancellor Rachel Reeves rowed with her US counterpart during a visit to Washington DC earlier this year.
Ms Reeves had an argument with Scott Bessent when she visited the US capital for the International Monetary Fund’s spring meetings, according to the Financial Times.
The Chancellor publicly criticised the US-led war against Iran before travelling across the Atlantic, prompting Mr Bessent to berate her on the sidelines of the gathering, the newspaper reported.
Ms Reeves reportedly hit back that she did not work for the US Treasury Secretary, and disliked how he had spoken to her, before reiterating her argument that America lacked clear goals going into the conflict and was not making the world safer.
Earlier today, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman was asked if he would steer away from the reports, and appeared not to.
The spokesman said: "We would not get into private conversations. The Chancellor and the US treasury secretary have a good relationship. They have had constructive conversations together since the Chancellor’s visits to Washington.
"I think there is a readout from the US Department of Treasury, which made clear the productive nature of their relationship."
Zack Polanski's approval rating plummets following Golders Green row
The Green Party leader has seen his approval rating sharply fall
|REUTERS
Zack Polanski's approval rating has plummeted over the past week according to a new poll as the Green Party leader wrangles with the fallout of reposting a message implying the police used excessive force when they arrested the Golders Green stabbing suspect.
The poll by More in Common shows Mr Polanski’s net approval rating, at -27, is still much higher than Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s, at -45.
While none of the major party leaders have a net positive rating, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch remains top of the table at minus six per cent, with Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey at -12 per cent and Reform leader Nigel Farage at -16 per cent.
Rachel Reeves accused of 'attacking British business' as two pubs a DAY forced to close: 'What has she got against pubs?!'
Andrew Griffith has launched a scathing attack on Rachel Reeves after new data revealed two British pubs a day have been forced to close.
Speaking to GB News, the Shadow Business Secretary hit out at the Chancellor's surging business rates, asking: "What does she have against British pubs?"
The new data, published by the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), also revealed 161 venues shut their doors between January and March 2026.
The association said the latest data marks a 26 per cent rise on the same period last year and has resulted in the loss of around 2,400 jobs.
Read Georgia Pearce's story here.
Suspected arson attack appears to be latest in string of antisemitic violence, says Prime Minister
A suspected arson attack at a former synagogue in east London looks to be the latest in a string of "deeply shocking and disturbing incidents targeting the Jewish community", Sir Keir Starmer has said.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "It’s a live police investigation, so I’m slightly limited in what I can say, but it appears to be the latest in a series of deeply shocking and disturbing incidents targeting the Jewish community.”
Despite not going into the specifics, he said the Prime Minister will be kept informed of the developments and that the Government is taking antisemitism very seriously.
'More urgent action is necessary' - British Jews need more from the Government
PICTURED: Phil Rosenberg, President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews outside No10 today | PA
The Board of Deputies of British Jews said "more urgent action is necessary" following the Downing Street roundtable today which addressed how the Government and its bodies can better protect the Jewish community.
A spokesman from the group said: "The Golders Green attack came seven months after the murder of two Jews at Heaton Park in Manchester and among a spate of arson attacks against the Jewish community.
"While significant work has been done in Government since then, it is clear that more urgent action is necessary.
“We thank the Prime Minister for calling this summit at No10 with senior government ministers and civil society leaders."
They went further to say the Government must stamp out hatred through "swift application of the law" and prosecutions, whilst partnering with the Jewish community to better understand the severity of the situation.
Scottish Greens hit back at Reform over immigration detention centre proposals
PICTURED: Ross Greer in Edinburgh today | PA
Scottish Greens have hit back at Reform UK's proposals that immigration detention centres will not be built in constituencies or local authorities represented by the party in Scotland.
Ross Greer, Scottish Greens co-leader said that Reform were taking tactics "straight out of Donald Trump's playbook" and likened the proposal of migrant detention facilities to "concentration camps".
He said: “Reform are taking this straight out of Donald Trump’s playbook – voters in Scotland will not be threatened and bullied by Nigel Farage like this.
“If anything, there’s going to be a bigger backlash against this than there was against the Reform Scottish leader bragging about his six houses, five cars and six yachts.
“Reform are literally talking about migrant detention camps. The other word for that is a concentration camp, where you concentrate a group of people. And doing it in areas where they don’t like how people vote – that is anti-democratic."
A Reform UK spokesman said: “Ross Greer and the Greens wants to abolish prisons, legalise drugs and open borders.
“Legal heroin and murderers roaming the streets – voters will certainly reject that.”
Government announces raft of sanctions against Russian military recruitment networks
The UK Government has announced a string of new sanctions aimed at crippling Russian human trafficking networks in Africa and the Middle East to ensure supply of military personnel in its army.
Imposed today, the 35 new sanctions target networks accused of scamming people from countries such as Nigeria, Syria and Yemen, on the false promises of a better life before sending them to Ukraine to fight for Russia on the frontline.
Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty said the practice of “exploiting vulnerable people” was “barbaric” and accused Putin's Government of trafficking people to use as “cannon fodder”.
Keir Starmer announces universities to be held to higher standard on antisemitism
The Prime Minister has announced that universities will be held to a higher standard on antisemitism.
Speaking at a Downing Street roundtable, Sir Keir revealed that £7million is being invested to tackle antisemitism in schools, colleges and universities, while Holocaust education will be made mandatory in all schools.
He said: "In our schools, colleges and universities, we're investing £7million to tackle antisemitism while making sure that Holocaust education is taught in all schools."
He continued that standards must increase within universities, with the Government intending to "hold them to account".
Sir Keir said: "We already expect universities to set out clear disciplinary consequences for antisemitism and to enforce them, and so we will hold them to account on that."
He concluded that there will be fresh expectations on universities to "demonstrate action" against antisemitism and "publish the scale of the problem on their campuses".
Prime Minister calls on Arts Council to stop funding antisemitic bodies
Sir Keir Starmer has called upon the Arts Council to stop funding bodies who promote or platform antisemitism.
He said: "We will also expect more where public funding is being used to promote or platform antisemitism, the Arts Council must act, using its power to suspend, withdraw and claw back funding.”
Sir Keir added that the Government has triggered an independent review of how allegations of antisemitism are dealt with.
He said: We will not, and cannot, accept complacency, delays or weak enforcement, and where inconsistency is found, it will be challenged and addressed swiftly.”
The Prime Minister added the Arts Council and Home Office will be used to fund protective costs for Jewish organisations and artists as the cost of protection is "forcing them out of public life".
Keir Starmer speaks during antisemitism summit
Sir Keir Starmer is speaking now at a summit with society leaders about rising antisemitism.
The Prime Minister said: "Each one of us has a responsibility to face this challenge head on."
Keir Starmer points finger at Iran amid pledge to crackdown on antisemitism
Sir Keir Starmer said attempts by Iran to destabilise British society “will not be tolerated”.
This comes as suspicion Tehran could be behind growing antisemitism in the UK.
The Prime Minister is speaking with senior figures from politics, policing, the arts, higher education and business at Downing Street today for a "whole of society" summit on antisemitism, following the stabbing of two Jewish men in Golders Green last week.
He said: "Security is essential, but that is not enough. We must also deal with the forces that drive this hatred in the first place, so we’re confronting them directly.
“One of the lines of inquiry is whether a foreign state has been behind some of these incidents. We’re investigating, of course, all the possibilities and we’re clear that these actions will have consequences if that proves to be the case.
“Our message to Iran, or to any other country that might seek to foment violence, hatred or division in society, is that it will not be tolerated. That is why we passed legislation to tackle these malign threats.”
Steve Reed: Do not 'doomscroll through leaders'
Labour MPs have been warned not to "doomscroll through leaders" even if the party suffers greatly at Thursday's local elections.
This comes as backbenchers are reportedly drafting a letter placing the blame on Sir Keir Starmer if they experience the by-election defeat they are projected to face and calling for his resignation.
Communities Secretary Steve Reed, a strong ally of the Prime Minister, said he was not aware of the letter.
He said, speaking to Times Radio, it was "absolute nonsense" to suggest Labour would "copy the conservatives and go doomscrolling through leaders".
He added: “I’m not going to engage in it and most of our MPs would not engage in that either.”
Andrew Griffith warns of 'toxic combination' of EU reset and Net Zero deindustrialisation
The Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith warned that Britain faces a damaging economic future if the government continues to pursue closer EU ties alongside its Net Zero agenda, describing the combination as "toxic" for British industry.
Speaking to GB News this morning, he argued that the government's energy policies are already crippling businesses: "We would lower energy prices by removing a lot of the so-called policy costs, the cross subsidies and the extra hidden taxes that are on energy in pursuit of Net Zero."
He also weighed in on Labour's Employment Rights Act, calling it a "330-page bill for unemployment" and pledging to "repeal every one of its job-destroying measures" when the Conservatives return to power.
Tories blast Labour over 200,000 Channel crossings milestone
The Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith hit back at Labour's attempts to blame the Conservatives for the small boat crisis.
Speaking to GB News this morning, the MP for Arundel and South Downs said: "Night after night, the Labour Party in both houses of Parliament, bishops, the BBC, everybody was opposed to us."
He accused the current Government of inaction despite having a clear mandate, saying they have "presided over the fastest ever rate of people coming to this country illegally."
When pressed on the Government's claim to have deported over 7,000 people, Mr Griffith said: "The vast majority of those who've gone back have been paid to do so and done so voluntarily."
Ministers pledge £1million to tackle rising antisemitism
The Government has announced £1 million in funding for Jewish communities across England, aimed at supporting community safety work and countering antisemitic narratives.
An additional £500,000 has also been set aside for Barnet Council following a spate of targeted attacks in the area.
The announcement comes as Sir Keir Starmer prepares to host senior figures from politics, policing, the arts, higher education and business at Downing Street today for a "whole of society" summit on antisemitism, following the stabbing of two Jewish men in Golders Green last week.
The Prime Minister is expected to warn that attacks on British Jews are "a crisis for all of us" and "a test of our values."
Communities Secretary Steve Reed said: "While we know there is more to do, we believe that quickly channelling government funding directly to the communities and places facing the greatest risks today will help local partners to take early, practical action to keep people safe, strengthen communities and stand up to hate."
'I am not going to be intimidated!' Moment Kemi Badenoch stands up to heckler on antisemitism
This is the moment Kemi Badenoch confronted a heckler while out campaigning in Essex yesterday, amid a worrying pattern of targeted incidents against Jewish people and religious sites.
The Conservative leader clashed with a member of the public who accused her of "pandering to the right" — pushing back on her stance on rising antisemitism in Britain.
WATCH THE FULL VIDEO HERE
Steve Reed: Number of small boat crossings is 'unacceptable'
The Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary Steve Reed addressed the issue of small boat crossings as the today marked the anniversary of 200,000 people making the journey since the crisis began eight years ago, calling it "unacceptable".
Speaking to GB News, he said: "It's unacceptable and it's certainly unsustainable and that's why the government is taking action to stop it."
He pointed to the removal of over 60,000 people with no right to remain in the UK and the closure of asylum seeker hotels opened under the Conservatives, as evidence of progress.
However, Ellie and Alex pushed back on Mr Reed, noting that only roughly 7,000 people who have come across on a small boat have been deported - less than four per cent in total.
Mr Reed deflected blame onto his predecessors: "Some of the conservative ministers who did that now sit in Reform UK. They opened the hotels, we are closing the hotels."
He added: "They like to pretend they're holier than thou on this issue when their MPs were in government, they got it badly wrong."
What is happening in Westminster today
Good morning, happy Tuesday from the GB News Politics team.
Thursday’s local elections are in sight, with polling looking bleak for Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour party across the capital.
Also, people in Scotland and Wales will be heading to the polls on Thursday as it is their devolved Governments’ parliamentary elections - again the picture looks gloomy for Labour.
Today on GB News, we have already heard from the Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary Steve Reed and we will be joined by the Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith shortly.
Stay tuned for more politics news throughout the day.