Table of Contents
9 February 2026
First of all, a disclaimer.
Nothing I say in the following piece is to be interpreted, or imply, that I in any way support acts of violence, race hatred, discrimination or exhortation to use anything other than a peaceful expression of one’s views.
In my last letter I suggested that we get the popcorn ready to watch developments here in the UK.
Keir Starmer’s chief of staff (CoS) has resigned by mutual agreement after a discussion with Keir Starmer. Apparently, they were very close and Morgan McSweeney (the CoS) is credited with the huge Labour election victory in 2024. Morgan McSweeney is also alleged to have been mentored by Peter Mandelson.
Then, Keir Starmer’s director of communication resigned and another comms staffer went – Tim Allen – whose backroom work dates back to the Blair regime resigned. He said, “I am standing down to allow a new No 10 team to be built.” Other staffers are considering their positions.
The interest rate on 10-year gilts is trending upwards which will put pressure on Rachel Reeves and her budget. The rise in borrowing costs is what mostly did it in for the Liz Truss Government. And this will likely result in a rise in the black hole in the Government’s finances. This will cause problems with the benefits budget and lead to a need to revise – a further increase in taxes! (The Labour Party will never tighten benefit payments).
Meanwhile, the Scottish Labour leader declared open civil war. Anas Sarwar delivered a shattering blow to the PM’s hopes of survival, insisting he must go after the Mandelson scandal.
Mr Sarwar said he viewed Sir Keir as a ‘friend’ and a ‘decent man’ but there had been ‘too many mistakes’. What on earth would he have done had he regarded Keir Starmer as an enemy?
There is a meeting between the prime minister and MPs this evening and it will be interesting to see what he comes up with.
There are many ministers rumoured to be putting soundings out to see if they can mount a leadership challenge. The problem with this is that the Labour Party is comprises any factions and as a result has a multitude of possible contenders, diluting the opposition to Starmer. And all the possible contenders have voiced their support for the prime minister, which is probably the kiss of death!
The main contenders would probably shift the party further to the left, against the wishes of about 70 per cent of the population. The contenders who would maintain the status quo or shift the party slightly to the right do not have the support of the bulk of the MPs. As Cam is fond of stating – it is all in the numbers! No one candidate/contender seems to have clear water between them and the others. It is now a war by proxy, where the work and rounding up votes is being done by underlings, giving the probable contenders plausible deniability.
It is rumoured that the Conservatives don’t want Keir Starmer to be replaced, as each day he stays in control (wrong word, surely) their position improves (marginally, as Reform are still holding their own). In fact, one anonymous Conservative bigwig has said that they have a choice between doing what is good for the country (getting rid of Starmer) and what is good for them (retaining Starmer). The only problem with this argument is who will replace Starmer as he can’t last and how much further to the left the country will move.
Each move to the left causes further deterioration in the economic position.
Breaking news – all the cabinet supports Sir Keir Starmer. Hmm...They are probably afraid of who will replace Keir Starmer and what will happen to the party. To quote Margaret Thatcher, “They are frit.” I have heard that privately Keir Starmer has threatened to resign and call a general election if he is ousted. The calling of an election is within his prerogative. This would obliterate the Labour party and cause most Labour MPs to lose their seats and therefore their jobs.
Anyway, I have ordered another van load of popcorn.
