Asked if it was true that Labor was struggling with their leader’s popularity and was being pressed about whether she was gaining more support from voters than Starmer, she told broadcasters in Chester: I don’t think that’s the case. Obviously when Keir took over, and I did, it was during the pandemic and Keir was governing in the national interest at the time. And then as we’ve come out of that, and as people have seen more of Keir in reality, they see that we don’t really want a class clown. We don’t want someone who will destroy the economy. We want someone who is sensible, who will do the right thing for the British people, do the right thing for our British businesses and make sure that Britain grows again. Updated at 10.27 GMT The Archbishop of Canterbury appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Today program this morning discussing his recent visit to the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. He said there should be “no way to impose peace” on Ukraine, as he warned the West had “not taken into account” that the conflict could last for years. He said Ukraine was the “victim” and urged the West to show “real resilience” and resist anything like the breakup of Czechoslovakia to appease Hitler in 1938. During a three-day visit to Kyiv, Justin Welby had to hide in a bomb shelter when air raid warnings sounded after Russian bombers were reported to have taken off. Asked what he learned, he told Today: First of all, the need for solidarity and support for Ukraine. And secondly, that there must be no way in which we enforce peace in Ukraine, or they will be put under pressure. Third, that the need for support will be very long-term. Peace is always better than war. But there are times when justice demands that there be the defeat of what we call, the Archbishop of York and I cried when it began, an evil invasion. And I don’t regret saying it. Updated at 10.25 GMT On this morning’s show, shadow health secretary Wes Streeting claimed there was not a single moment of negotiation by the government to prevent NHS strikes. He said he understood why people voted for industrial action as they felt their “backs were against the wall”. He said he could not “honestly” commit to meeting nurses’ pay demands if he were health secretary, but stressed he would be “prepared to negotiate”. He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: There was not a single minute of negotiation by the government with the unions. I don’t think there is any logical explanation as to why the govt [wouldn’t] negotiate, apart from… perhaps that information in the papers that the government is very happy to see industrial action taking place – they assume the public will turn against the unions and support the government. I guess that’s their strategy. Updated at 10.26 GMT Matt Hancock was spotted in the House of Commons in his first appearance since his controversial but surprisingly successful stint on ITV’s I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here! The former health minister returns to parliament for the second reading of his dyslexia control and teacher training bill, which is third on Friday’s order paper and is expected to be debated later. Hancock is now the independent MP for West Suffolk, having been expelled from the Conservative parliamentary party for choosing to head into the Australian jungle while Parliament was in session. Updated at 10.26 GMT Rachel Hall good morning The city of Chester woke up to its new representative after Labour’s re-election, with candidate Samantha Dixon winning by a majority of 10,974 in a brutal first election test for Rishi Sunak. Just before 02:00 this morning it was announced that Labor had received 17,309 votes with 61.22% of the vote, the highest majority and share of the vote they have ever held in the seat. In contrast, the Conservatives received just 6,335 votes and a 22.4% vote share, their worst result in the constituency since 1832. The Lib Dems came a distant third with 2,368 votes. Dixon said the vote reflected the national mood: “I think it’s time now for a general election and I think Labor will win as decisively as I did today.” Her comments were echoed by Sir John Curtis, professor of politics at Strathclyde University, who told BBC Radio 4’s Today program this morning that the result showed Labor would win a remarkable victory if a general election were held today after the best their performance since 2010. Overnight TalkTV and the Sun also revealed that a senior Tory supporter was reported by colleagues to the police over allegations of rape and sexual assault. A group of Tory MPs have lodged a police report against the MP over two years of allegations, which have been investigated by a law firm. The MP has not been suspended from the Tory whip or from party membership, despite reports that senior party figures had known about the allegations for around two years. Rail Secretary Huw Merriman is also due to hold talks with RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch to avert Christmas rail strikes, which are estimated to hit the economy by more than £1.7bn. Check out what else is happening today: 9.30am: A day of private members’ bills begins in the House of Commons, including Matt Hancock’s dyslexia bill – which he claimed was the reason behind his appearance on I’m A Celebrity – third on the order form. 10.15am: Keir Starmer will be in Glasgow to meet Scottish Labor leader Anas Sarwar. I’ll keep you up to date on all the key happenings in Westminster from the day, but if there’s anything we’ve missed, please get in touch at [email protected] Updated at 10.27 GMT
