Top Tory predicts 'early election' for Labour as he highlights major 'failure' in Keir Starmer reshuffle

Following the announcement of Angela Rayner's departure from Government, the Prime Minister was forced into a major cabinet reshuffle.

David Lammy has been appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary, with Yvette Cooper moved to Foreign Secretary and Shabana Mahmood taking her position as Home Secretary.

Delivering his verdict on the changes, Mr Pursglove told GB News: "I actually think that nothing is going to fix their fundamental problems, and I think the country is going to suffer for the duration of this Government.

"When you consider the various things that you try to achieve out of reshuffles, party unity, not improved, in fact actually, you've created more enemies today."

In a pointed criticism of David Lammy, the Tory added: "I don't think anyone in the country voted for David Lammy to be Deputy Prime Minister.

"When you consider that this week was reset number two for the Government, I think we're probably into reset number three."

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Predicting an early departure for the Labour Government in its entirety, Mr Pursglove stated: "Their problem is the communications problem, a policy problem, and a messaging problem.

"None of this is fixed by any of this today, it's a disaster. I think an early election could happen."

Noting Reform UK's party conference in Birmingham, host Christopher Hope argued that Labour's concern is not with the Conservatives, but with Nigel Farage's party.

The ex-Home Office Minister responded: "I think they're in desperate trouble all round to be honest. It's fair to say that Reform are in a very strong position in the polls, and I would look daft if I were to say anything other than that. But look, we took a pasting in the election last year, we are starting off from a really low base, it's going to take time.

"This is not going to be easy, we need to totally reset as a party, reassert our values, tell people what we're about and sell a message. That's not going to be something that happens overnight."

Asked by Christopher if Shabana Mahmood will be a "better Home Secretary than Yvette Cooper", Mr Pursglove concluded: "When you look at Yvette's record, it's disastrous. We didn't fix everything, and I wouldn't claim for a moment that we did, but we were beginning to make some progress.

"On so many of the metrics, they've squandered the progress. We've seen this all go completely the wrong way, and unless the policy prescription changes, Shabana Mahmood isn't going to do any better.

"The best thing that Keir Starmer could have done today, and that he singularly failed to do, was to sack Lord Hermer as the Attorney General, because whilst that man is the Attorney General, ministers are not going to do what is necessary."