2026: Week 16 - A turbulent week
As the story of Mandelson’s failed security vetting rumbles on, it has felt like a very turbulent week in politics.
The promise Starmer made at the last election was that he’d deliver change and end the chaos of the Conservatives. Sadly, those promises have been forgotten with this tawdry saga, which saw a political ally appointed despite concerns around security and concerns over his behaviour and connections. I’m afraid that Starmer is now so weakened by scandal, u-turns and infighting that he can’t bring the change the country needs. The public want a Prime Minister focused on the things that matter to them - like the cost of living and NHS - not on his own political survival.
The Liberal Democrats have called for Starmer to be referred to the Privileges Committee to investigate whether he misled Parliament over the decision to overrule Mandelson’s failed security vetting. An investigation is needed to find out exactly what Keir Starmer knew and when, also whether he intentionally misled Parliament. The same process was used against Boris Johnson over the Partygate scandal, in which he was investigated by the Privileges Committee over whether he had deliberately misled Parliament, ultimately leading to his resignation as an MP.
We heard this week that inflation has risen to 3.3% in the year to March, after the US-Israel war with Iran caused the largest jump in petrol and diesel prices in over three years. In response to this, the Lib Dem Treasure Spokesperson condemned the war and highlighted that the leaders of Reform UK and the Conservatives have been gleefully cheering Trump on.
In polling commissioned by the Liberal Democrats it was revealed that 1 in 10 British drivers are stockpiling fuel because of soaring prices, nearly half have driven less because of soaring fuel prices (49%), while over a quarter (28%) say they have delayed or cancelled non-essential journeys, such as visiting friends or family.
People across our country have been struggling for years with a devastating cost of living crisis and Donald Trump’s idiotic war in Iran has added to it. The cost of fuel is soaring, mortgage rates are rising and fixed energy deals are already going up by hundreds of pounds. But what is utterly inexcusable is that there are politicians in this country – namely Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch - who are happy to cheer on Donald Trump as he hikes people’s bills. Alongside all this the Labour Government promised to fix the country but instead we’ve got political Groundhog Day: more sleaze and scandal.
To end on a happier note, it seems that summer has well and truly arrived in Devon, with warmer weather and glorious blue skies across the constituency. I hope that you are able to get out and enjoy this sunny spell, and that the warmer temperatures lift your spirits during these uncertain times.