The Labour Party is rolling out a “big switch” to its electoral strategy as opinion polls suggest Sir Keir Starmer could hemorrhage hundreds of seats at the next General Election.
Strategists have adopted an “incumbency first” model to protect sitting MPs in 2029, giving up hope on snatching new seats from Reform or the Tories.
Labour’s deputy leader Lucy Powell told MPs that organisers will offer workshops on how to “take credit” for improvements in the local area.
She also urged Labour MPs to stop infighting amid continued discontent with Sir Keir’s leadership.
“It’s a big switch organisationally and politically,” a Labour source told The Guardian.
“There’s tools and training the party is providing but Lucy and Anna Turley [the Labour Party Chairwoman] are leading some political work about what else is needed and how MPs can support and share best practice.”
However, the change in strategy came just hours before YouGov revealed Labour had slumped to third in the opinion polls.
Labour’s support has halved since the 2024 General Election, collapsing from 34 per cent to just 17 per cent.
The Tories edged out Labour for second with 19 per cent of the vote, putting them seven points behind Reform UK.
Sir Keir’s Labour is also facing a challenge from the Liberal Democrats and Greens, with the progressive parties receiving 16 and 15 per cent respectively.
WATCH: Keir Starmer's speech on Ukraine in full
Britain and France to establish 'military hubs' across Ukraine after signing 'Declaration of Intent'
France, Britain and Ukraine have signed a Declaration of Intent in Paris today on the future deployment of multinational forces as security guarantee for Ukraine in the event of a peace deal.
As part of the measures, Sir Keir Starmer said Britain and France will establish "military hubs" across Ukraine and build protected facilities for weapons and military equipment.
The PM told a press conference in Paris: "With our coalition partners, we have also agreed further steps.
"First, that we will participate in US-led monitoring and verification of any ceasefire. Second, we will support the long-time provision of armaments for Ukraine's defence.
"And third, we will work toward binding commitments to support Ukraine in the case of a future armed attack by Russia."
Keir Starmer speaks in Paris on situation in Ukraine following Coalition of the Willing meeting
Keir Stamer is delivering a speech in Paris on the situation in Ukraine
|POOL
Keir Starmer is delivering a speech in Paris on the situation in Ukraine following a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in Ukraine today.
It has been revealed that British troops are lined up for an on-the-ground role in Ukraine once a ceasefire is reached.
Chris Philp calls on Shabana Mahmood to 'sack' West Midlands Police chief
Chris Philp said the West Midlands Police chief's position is 'untenable'
|PA
Chris Philp has called on Shabana Mahmood to sack West Midlands Police Chief Constable Craig Guildford over the Maccabi Tel Aviv fan ban.
The shadow home secretary wrote to X: "This was yet another disgraceful performance from West Midlands Police.
"It is now clear the threat of armed Islamist thugs was a key consideration in the force's decision to ban Israeli fans from attending the match, but this crucial detail was held back.
"The Chief Constable's pathetic excuse that he wasn't asked is just the latest attempt to cover up a farce of his own making.
"His position is untenable. If he doesn't resign then the Home Secretary must use her powers to sack him."
West Midlands Police 'capitulated to Islamists and collaborated with them to cover it up' over Israeli fan ban, says Kemi Badenoch
Kemi Badenoch has accused West Midlands Police of "capitulating to Islamists and then collaborated with them to cover it up" over the Maccabi Tel Aviv fan ban.
She wrote to X: "West Midlands Police capitulated to Islamists and then collaborated with them to cover it up.
"They knew extremists were planning to attack Jews for going to a football match, and their response was to blame and remove Jewish people instead.
"They presented an inversion of reality and misled a Parliamentary Committee.
"We have had enough of this in Britain. The Chief Constable’s position is untenable. The British Police serve the British public, not local sectarian interests."
New poll shows 70 per cent of Britons disapprove with Government's record
The tracker showed 70 per cent of Britons disapprove of the Government's record
|YOUGOV/X
Fresh polling by YouGov shows 70 per cent of Britons disapprove of the Government's record to date.
Just 11 per cent of people meanwhile said they approved.
The disapproval rating is up two per cent from previous polling at the end of December.
Police chiefs tell MPs they feared 'vigilante groups' posed a threat to Israeli fans
West Midlands Police thought "vigilante groups” from the local community posed a threat to Maccabi Tel Aviv fans when it decided to ban them from an away game at Aston Villa, the Home Affairs Committee heard.
MPs heard the force had information from as early as September 5 last year that the Israeli visitors would be targeted with “violence”.
Assistant Chief Constable Mike O’Hara said: “We got a lot of information intelligence to suggest that people were going to actively seek out Maccabi Tel Aviv fans and would seek violence towards them.
“So we had sort of like a bubbling position locally.
“We had people purporting to be Maccabi fans online who were goading local community members and saying, ‘this is what you’re going to get’."
Mr O’Hara added that the "silver lining" of the situation was the force was working "closer and more strategically" with the local Jewish community.
'That was absolutely not the case': West Midlands Police chief insists force was not 'scraping' to find a reason to justify Israeli fan ban
Chief Constable Craig Guildford insisted West Midlands Police was not 'scraping' to find a reason to justify the fan ban
|UK PARLIAMENT/PA
West Midlands Police (WMP) Chief Constable Craig Guildford has defended claims that it appears the force was “scraping” to find a reason to justify the ban on fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv from attending a Europa League match against Aston Villa on November 6.
As he appeared at the Home Affairs Committee for a second time, chairwoman Dame Karen Bradley told the senior officer: “It feels to us, from everything we’ve seen, that there was a need that you felt, that you had to justify banning these fans, and that scraping was done to find a reason.”
Mr Guildford replied: “I’m really sorry if it comes across in that way. That was absolutely not the case.
“The information, the intelligence that we received, that we documented, and we’ve shared absolutely all of that with HMICFRS (His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services) very, very recently was all gone through.”
West Midlands Police chief stands by accuracy of intelligence which led to Israeli football fan ban
The head of West Midlands Police has said he stands by the accuracy of intelligence which led to fans of an Israeli football team being banned from an away game at Aston Villa, even after Dutch police claimed the decision was based on false information.
Chief Constable Craig Guildford told the Home Affairs Select Committee he did not doubt the “integrity” of his officers.
The force pointed to violent clashes and hate crime offences during the 2024 Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv as part of its justification.
Asked by MPs if the number of Dutch police officers deployed to the fixture in Amsterdam had been “made up”, he said: “No, that’s not right. That’s that’s really not fair.
“It was a professional assumption of what would be required over the period of days,” he added.
Asked if any artificial intelligence (AI) had been used in the force’s planning process, he said: “We don’t do that. We don’t use the AI.”
West Midlands Police chief facing MPs over Maccabi Tel Aviv fan ban
West Midlands Police chief, Chief Constable Craig Guildford, is currently facing the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee to answer further questions, over the ban of Maccabi Tel Aviv fans in November.
CC Guildford is joined by Chief Constable Mark Roberts, head of the football policing unit, and John Cotton, the Labour leader of Birmingham city council.
The decision to ban fans of the Israeli club from their Uefa Europa League fixture against Aston Villa on November 6 has faced criticism, including from the Prime Minister.
Police have been accused of wrongly suggesting they consulted local Jewish leaders on the ban.
They have also been accused of relying on Dutch intelligence that authorities have since labelled as false or misleading.
WATCH: PM walks up the courtyard to meet Emmanuel Macron ahead of crucial meeting
Keir Starmer arrives in Paris for 'Coalition of the Willing' meeting
| REUTERS
Sir Keir Starmer has arrived at the Élysée Palace in Paris, ahead of the "Coalition of the Willing" meeting this afternoon.
The Prime Minister is co-chairing the meeting along with French President Emmanuel Macron.
While the meeting was supposed to be centred on the aid for Ukraine, whose war with Russia rages on and enters its fourth year, tensions in Venezuela and Greenland will also be on the agenda.
Following the meeting, a press conference expected at around 5.45pm.
WATCH: Katherine Forster discusses after briefing with Prime Minister's spokesman
WATCH: Christopher Hope gives update on 'Coalition of the Willing' meeting in Paris
GB News Political Editor Christopher Hope has give an update outside the Élysée Palace in Paris, ahead of the "Coalition of the Willing" meeting this afternoon.
The meeting, which was scheduled last week, is focused on aiding Ukraine.
However, European leaders, who released a joint statement on Greenland earlier today, will also discuss the situation in Venezuela, where the deposed leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife were captured by US forces over the weekend.
No10 'doesn't want to get into hypotheticals' with Greenland
Downing Street has refused to say whether the UK would mount a military fight in order to defend Greenland.
A No10 spokesman said they don't want to "get into hypotheticals" when asked on the likelihood of the US following through on its threats, or the UK on intervening.
The spokesman said: "As the Prime Minister said and reiterated with other leaders this morning, Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, which is a member of Nato.
"Nato’s strength lies in the unity and collective defence of its members. The UK is proud to be a leader in Nato alongside the US, and obviously that includes staunchly supporting and upholding its principles."
The spokesman would later reply "no" when asked if the Prime Minister views Donald Trump as a threat to European security, adding that Sir Keir Starmer has a "very close relationship" and that the US is "one of our closest allies".
Kemi Badenoch says deepening ties with European leaders 'worries me'
Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of "taking Britain backwards" in a scathing assessment by Kemi Badenoch.
Speaking to GB News, the Conservative leader declared the Prime Minister has "no vision" for Britain's future and the state of the country "worries her".
As Sir Keir flies to Paris to meet with European leaders in support of Ukraine, Mrs Badenoch told the People's Channel: "Let's do what we can to make sure we maintain a good relationship with the countries that are next to us, in Europe most of all. But that doesn't mean following all their rules and being run by them.
"That was the reason why we left the European Union, and what this shows, if it is true, is that Keir Starmer has got no ideas for what to do with the country, and so he's just taking us backwards. No vision for the future, no economic plan."
European leaders issue joint statement on Greenland as members arrive for 'Coalition of the Willing' meeting in Paris
European leaders have issued a joint statement on Greenland, as they prepare for a "Coalition of the Willing" meeting in Paris.
The leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Britain, and Denmark issued a joint statement on Greenland saying the Arctic territory belongs to Denmark.
"It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland," the statement reads.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is in attendance for the meeting, which was scheduled last week. Despite the recent statement on Greenland, the leaders are congregating in aid of Ukraine.
The meeting, which was planned before the United States' strikes on Venezuela and capture of their President, Nicolas Maduro and his wife, will be co-chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and Sir Keir Starmer.
BBC Newsnight clash explodes as Venezuelan diplomat ‘wipes the floor’ with Jeremy Corbyn in heated Maduro row
Viewers were left blasting Jeremy Corbyn after a heated exchange unfolded on BBC Newsnight on Monday between former Venezuelan opposition ambassador Vanessa Neumann and MP Mr Corbyn regarding the American operation to detain President Nicolás Maduro.
The debate centred on whether Washington's actions in seizing the Venezuelan leader violated international law.
Presenter Victoria Derbyshire put the question directly to Ms Neumann, asking whether Mr Corbyn's assertion that entering a sovereign nation to apprehend its leader constituted a breach of international legal norms.
Neumann firmly rejected this characterisation, prompting Corbyn to challenge her position.
WATCH: Kemi Badenoch says Keir Starmer is 'taking Britain backwards' as he meets with European leaders in Paris
Prime Minister says the cost of living crisis 'must remain our focus' as he vows to get Britain 'back on track'
Sir Keir Starmer has insisted "the cost of living crisis must remain our focus" on Tuesday.
The Prime Minister, speaking at his first cabinet meeting of 2026, said: "At the next general election we will be judged on whether we’ve delivered on things that really matter – do people feel better off, are public services improving, for which they will look to the NHS, and do people feel more safe and secure in their own community?
"They are the issues we will be judged on at the next general election, that is our focus. That will require hard work, focus and determination from all of us.
"Together, as a team, we will rise to that challenge and deliver for the whole country.
"This will be an important year as we show that renewal is becoming reality and that Britain is turning the corner.
"Getting our country back on track is hard, difficult work and we will reject the politics of easy answers and gimmicks that, frankly, got us here in the first place."
Cabinet 'not happy' over incoming business rate hike
Cabinet ministers have voiced their displeasure over the incoming business rate rise in April.
Sky News are reporting that there is an "ongoing cabinet-level opposition" to the hike.
The outlet says that cabinet members are "not happy about it".
The November Budget saw a shake -up to how business rates are currently calculated, in particular for retail, hospitality and leisure industries, who had benefitted from the relief scheme since the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic.
While new rates are lower than pre-Covid levels, the sector argues they do not go far enough as they have physical stores, such as restaurants and pubs, as opposed to online retailers.
Labour 'failing to build enough houses to keep pace with mass migration'
New analysis has suggested Labour is not keeping up with demand to build new homes amid current net migration figures.
According to official housing supply data, 237,630 new homes were completed in the year to June 2025.
Meanwhile, net migration totalled 204,000 people during that same period, the Daily Mail reports.
The study, which was conducted by the Conservative Party, found migrants would require the equivalent of 86,441 of the newly-built properties, or around 36 per cent.
Six former Reform councillors join Advance UK
Ben Habib's Advance UK has announced that six former Reform UK councillors from Derbyshire County Council have joined the party.
Alex Stevenson, Alan Abernethy, Malc Hibbard, Laura Brunelleschi, Phillip Rose and Mark Burrell have have moved across.
The party said that the moves "strengthens our local government presence in Derbyshire".
Last year, 10 Reform councillors in Derbyshire resigned from the party in protest to the party's leader, Nigel Farage.
Mr Farage told the BBC at the time they had been put forward by a "rogue branch" of the party and that "none of them passed vetting".
AA President says mandatory eye tests for older drivers are 'important'
The President of the AA has said that mandatory eye tests for drivers over 70 are "important", due to the increased likelihood of drivers being involved in a crash.
Edmund King said Labour's proposals to introduce eye and cognitive tests for older drivers are "obviously welcome".
Mr King said: "It is important that the Road Safety Review covers eyesight tests.
"A move to make eye tests for older drivers mandatory is obviously welcome, especially as the likelihood of crashes increases once someone is over the age of 70 and markedly shoots up over the age of 80 to a peak at age 86, with eyesight often a worrying factor.
"Eye tests are free for people over the age of 60 anyway and healthcare professionals advise them every two years given they can help with diagnosis of other underlying conditions.
"In fact, the AA advises everyone to have an eye test every two years."
The plans come as part of a new road safety strategy, which will be published on Wednesday.
WATCH: James Cartlidge says he is 'happy' with Venezuela outcome but 'with caveats'
The Shadow Secretary of State for Defence has said he is "happy" with the outcome in Venezuela, but "with caveats.
James Cartlidge described deposed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who was captured by US forces over the weekend, as a "brutal dictator".
Mr Cartlidge said that the next stage is "crucial" for US and Venezuela, who must work towards a "stable democracy".
Maduro made his first court appearance in New York on Monday, where he pleaded not guilty to drugs, weapons and narco-terrorism charges.
Latest poll shows Labour below Tories
A new poll on voting intentions has found Labour below the Conservatives.
The poll, released by YouGov, Sky and The Times, sees Reform top the list at 26 per cent.
It is the Tories that find themselves second, with 19 per cent, and Labour trail on just 17 per cent - a drop of three percentage points.
This matches the party's lowest per cent, previously reached in October, and marks the first time since the election that the poll has had Kemi Badenoch's party ahead.
Government 'clear with United States' on Greenland stance
The UK Government are "really clear with the United States about where we stand on Greenland," according to Health Secretary Wes Streeting.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister said he would issue a "hands off" warning to President Trump, adding: "Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark must decide the future of Greenland and only Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark."
The comments come after the US President said "we need Greenland from the standpoint of national security". This idea has been strongly rejected by Greenland's Prime Minister and Denmark's Prime Minister.
Mr Streeting has doubled down on the PM's claims this morning. Speaking to Sky News, he said: "At a time when we can see the security of Nato members and the Alliance at threat, particularly from Russia, but also from our other adversaries, this is not the time to destabilise Nato and to undermine our collective security.
"We’re really clear about where we stand. We’re really clear with the United States about where we stand on Greenland."
He added that, when discussing foreign policy, Sir Keir "chooses what to say, how to say it, and when to say it, very carefully."
WATCH: Wes Streeting hails new NHS online system and tells GB News 'everyone wins from this'
Wes Streeting spoke to the People's Channel earlier this morning to discuss the newly-proposed NHS Online, which he says is "designed to make sure that people get faster access to specialist care".
The Health Secretary said the new plans will make getting appointments "faster", as he admits that waiting lists can be "worse in some areas of the country".
Last month, it was revealed that more than seven million patients had waits of four weeks or more for a GP appointment.
October 2025 was the worst since records began, with 4.1 million patients waiting a month or more for a GP appointment, an increase of six per cent on last year, and more than 50 per cent on 2023.
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