Pippa Crerar
@pippacrerar.bsky.social
Political Editor, The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/profile/pippacrerar
https://www.theguardian.com/profile/pippacrerar
EXCL: An website claiming to launch Angela Rayner’s Labour leadership campaign was published temporarily last month, prompting further speculation the former deputy PM is gearing up for contest to replace Keir Starmer.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Revealed: ‘Rayner for leader’ site briefly went live in January
angelaforleader.co.uk domain also registered – but MP’s team dismiss half-finished site as ‘fake’ that was created without her knowledge
www.theguardian.com
February 9, 2026 at 3:33 PM
EXCL: An website claiming to launch Angela Rayner’s Labour leadership campaign was published temporarily last month, prompting further speculation the former deputy PM is gearing up for contest to replace Keir Starmer.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
David Lammy, Rachel Reeves, Darren Jones, John Healey, Heidi Alexander etc have all rallied round the prime minister - keep an eye on which cabinet ministers don't 👀
February 9, 2026 at 2:54 PM
David Lammy, Rachel Reeves, Darren Jones, John Healey, Heidi Alexander etc have all rallied round the prime minister - keep an eye on which cabinet ministers don't 👀
BREAKING: Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, calls on Keir Starmer to resign as prime minister.
"The distraction has to end and the leadership in Downing Street has to change."
"The distraction has to end and the leadership in Downing Street has to change."
February 9, 2026 at 2:38 PM
BREAKING: Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, calls on Keir Starmer to resign as prime minister.
"The distraction has to end and the leadership in Downing Street has to change."
"The distraction has to end and the leadership in Downing Street has to change."
NEW: Sources close to Eluned Morgan, Labour first minister in Wales, insist that she is not planning to say anything on Keir Starmer's leadership today - despite reports to the contrary.
February 9, 2026 at 2:20 PM
NEW: Sources close to Eluned Morgan, Labour first minister in Wales, insist that she is not planning to say anything on Keir Starmer's leadership today - despite reports to the contrary.
BREAKING: Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, is to directly call for Keir Starmer to stand down as PM, sources say.
February 9, 2026 at 1:36 PM
BREAKING: Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, is to directly call for Keir Starmer to stand down as PM, sources say.
EXCL: Tim Allan, Keir Starmer’s director of communications, steps down from Downing Street role.
“I have decided to stand down to allow a new No 10 team to be built. I wish the PM and his team every success,” he says.
“I have decided to stand down to allow a new No 10 team to be built. I wish the PM and his team every success,” he says.
February 9, 2026 at 10:59 AM
EXCL: Tim Allan, Keir Starmer’s director of communications, steps down from Downing Street role.
“I have decided to stand down to allow a new No 10 team to be built. I wish the PM and his team every success,” he says.
“I have decided to stand down to allow a new No 10 team to be built. I wish the PM and his team every success,” he says.
Monday’s @theguardian.com front page: Starmer fights to regain control over party after McSweeney exit www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
February 8, 2026 at 11:08 PM
Monday’s @theguardian.com front page: Starmer fights to regain control over party after McSweeney exit www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Absolutely this.
Since Labour has been in government the lack of preparation and depth of thinking has been apparent but I think one of the biggest mistakes was going to war with the PLP so early. It stunned a lot of MPs to be told they could not even table amendments. This resentment is a massive part of the story.
February 8, 2026 at 8:58 PM
Absolutely this.
ANALYIS: For some, Morgan McSweeney’s resignation removes an obstacle to the eventual downfall of Keir Starmer himself - by @kiranstacey.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
For some, McSweeney resignation removes obstacle to eventual downfall of Starmer
Those pushing to oust the prime minister are unlikely to be deterred by his right-hand man’s departure
www.theguardian.com
February 8, 2026 at 8:49 PM
ANALYIS: For some, Morgan McSweeney’s resignation removes an obstacle to the eventual downfall of Keir Starmer himself - by @kiranstacey.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
NEW: An email has just gone round No 10 staff confirming that the PM has asked Jill Cuthbertson and Vidhya Alakeson to be acting chiefs of staff, with immediate effect.
February 8, 2026 at 5:52 PM
NEW: An email has just gone round No 10 staff confirming that the PM has asked Jill Cuthbertson and Vidhya Alakeson to be acting chiefs of staff, with immediate effect.
NEW: Hearing that Starmer is considering making Vidhya Alakeson and Jill Cuthbertson, Morgan McSweeney's deputies, his joint chiefs of staff.
February 8, 2026 at 5:07 PM
NEW: Hearing that Starmer is considering making Vidhya Alakeson and Jill Cuthbertson, Morgan McSweeney's deputies, his joint chiefs of staff.
NEW: McSweeney allies suggest he carried can for Starmer over Mandelson decision. They say it was wrong to suggest he pushed for appointment, and was careful to ensure others shared views, which were unanimous. “He gave his advice, but that’s all it was. Keir made the decision.”
February 8, 2026 at 4:43 PM
NEW: McSweeney allies suggest he carried can for Starmer over Mandelson decision. They say it was wrong to suggest he pushed for appointment, and was careful to ensure others shared views, which were unanimous. “He gave his advice, but that’s all it was. Keir made the decision.”
BREAKING: Morgan McSweeney quits as Keir Starmer's chief of staff amid fall-out from the Mandelson scandal
February 8, 2026 at 2:13 PM
BREAKING: Morgan McSweeney quits as Keir Starmer's chief of staff amid fall-out from the Mandelson scandal
Brilliant line up on @BBCRadio4 #WeekInWestminster - do listen!
🌎 Natalie Fleet & Bernard Jenkin on Mandelson fall-out
🇪🇺 Anneliese Dodds & Peter Lilley on EU reset
💷 Kate Ogden & Chris Curtis on student loans
😱 Anthony Seldon & Anne Perkins on political scandals
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
🌎 Natalie Fleet & Bernard Jenkin on Mandelson fall-out
🇪🇺 Anneliese Dodds & Peter Lilley on EU reset
💷 Kate Ogden & Chris Curtis on student loans
😱 Anthony Seldon & Anne Perkins on political scandals
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
The Week in Westminster - 07/02/2026 - BBC Sounds
Pippa Crerar assesses the latest developments at Westminster.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 7, 2026 at 6:31 PM
Brilliant line up on @BBCRadio4 #WeekInWestminster - do listen!
🌎 Natalie Fleet & Bernard Jenkin on Mandelson fall-out
🇪🇺 Anneliese Dodds & Peter Lilley on EU reset
💷 Kate Ogden & Chris Curtis on student loans
😱 Anthony Seldon & Anne Perkins on political scandals
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
🌎 Natalie Fleet & Bernard Jenkin on Mandelson fall-out
🇪🇺 Anneliese Dodds & Peter Lilley on EU reset
💷 Kate Ogden & Chris Curtis on student loans
😱 Anthony Seldon & Anne Perkins on political scandals
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Labour MPs & party insiders tell me they’ve never seen Keir Starmer so angry as over Mandelson’s lies about Epstein links.
But those who know him well say that anger has now turned inwards. That Starmer is, above all else, a man of public service, and will be grappling with his conscious this w/e.
But those who know him well say that anger has now turned inwards. That Starmer is, above all else, a man of public service, and will be grappling with his conscious this w/e.
February 6, 2026 at 1:18 PM
Labour MPs & party insiders tell me they’ve never seen Keir Starmer so angry as over Mandelson’s lies about Epstein links.
But those who know him well say that anger has now turned inwards. That Starmer is, above all else, a man of public service, and will be grappling with his conscious this w/e.
But those who know him well say that anger has now turned inwards. That Starmer is, above all else, a man of public service, and will be grappling with his conscious this w/e.
V insightful analysis by @jessicaelgot.bsky.social on despair inside Labour party over Keir Starmer - and how what’s saving him for now is lack of obvious successor.
The Guardian | ‘If someone had pulled the trigger’: MPs rue lack of challenger to oust Starmer
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
The Guardian | ‘If someone had pulled the trigger’: MPs rue lack of challenger to oust Starmer
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
‘If someone had pulled the trigger’: MPs rue lack of challenger to oust Starmer
PM clings to power after a day when Commons mutiny filled the air, as fallout over Mandelson appointment continues
www.theguardian.com
February 6, 2026 at 11:49 AM
V insightful analysis by @jessicaelgot.bsky.social on despair inside Labour party over Keir Starmer - and how what’s saving him for now is lack of obvious successor.
The Guardian | ‘If someone had pulled the trigger’: MPs rue lack of challenger to oust Starmer
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
The Guardian | ‘If someone had pulled the trigger’: MPs rue lack of challenger to oust Starmer
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Friday’s @theguardian.com front page: Starmer in appeal to Labour MPs as pressure grows for No 10
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
February 6, 2026 at 11:47 AM
Friday’s @theguardian.com front page: Starmer in appeal to Labour MPs as pressure grows for No 10
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Pippa Crerar
We are 🅻🅸🆅🅴 comment below & share to join the debate
Joining Robert and Pippa tonight 👇
🔵Conservative Party Leader, Kemi Badenoch MP
📺Broadcaster, Piers Morgan
🌹Labour, Becky Long-Bailey
🏴SNP Leader at Westminster, Stephen Flynn MP
#Peston
youtube.com/live/vzma63Y...
Joining Robert and Pippa tonight 👇
🔵Conservative Party Leader, Kemi Badenoch MP
📺Broadcaster, Piers Morgan
🌹Labour, Becky Long-Bailey
🏴SNP Leader at Westminster, Stephen Flynn MP
#Peston
youtube.com/live/vzma63Y...
Will the Mandelson-Epstein scandal bring down the Prime Minister? | ITV Peston
YouTube video by Peston
youtube.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:02 PM
We are 🅻🅸🆅🅴 comment below & share to join the debate
Joining Robert and Pippa tonight 👇
🔵Conservative Party Leader, Kemi Badenoch MP
📺Broadcaster, Piers Morgan
🌹Labour, Becky Long-Bailey
🏴SNP Leader at Westminster, Stephen Flynn MP
#Peston
youtube.com/live/vzma63Y...
Joining Robert and Pippa tonight 👇
🔵Conservative Party Leader, Kemi Badenoch MP
📺Broadcaster, Piers Morgan
🌹Labour, Becky Long-Bailey
🏴SNP Leader at Westminster, Stephen Flynn MP
#Peston
youtube.com/live/vzma63Y...
Thursday’s @theguardian.com front page: ‘It’s over’ for Starmer, say Labour MPs amid fury over Mandelson www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
February 4, 2026 at 9:17 PM
Thursday’s @theguardian.com front page: ‘It’s over’ for Starmer, say Labour MPs amid fury over Mandelson www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
NEW: Govt has updated own amendment to allow ISC to vet Mandelson docs after Labour MPs warned they would vote down attempts to limit disclosures about appointment as ambassador.
Tories will back a/ment taking some immediate peril away from Starmer.
Tories will back a/ment taking some immediate peril away from Starmer.
February 4, 2026 at 4:16 PM
NEW: Govt has updated own amendment to allow ISC to vet Mandelson docs after Labour MPs warned they would vote down attempts to limit disclosures about appointment as ambassador.
Tories will back a/ment taking some immediate peril away from Starmer.
Tories will back a/ment taking some immediate peril away from Starmer.
Reposted by Pippa Crerar
It’s shaping up to be another mad day in yet another mad week of politics 😮💨
So let Robert and Pippa give you the inside track on what’s really going on and what it really means tonight 👇
🔴 9PM LIVE X & YouTube
📺 1045PM ITV1
#Peston
So let Robert and Pippa give you the inside track on what’s really going on and what it really means tonight 👇
🔴 9PM LIVE X & YouTube
📺 1045PM ITV1
#Peston
February 4, 2026 at 10:54 AM
It’s shaping up to be another mad day in yet another mad week of politics 😮💨
So let Robert and Pippa give you the inside track on what’s really going on and what it really means tonight 👇
🔴 9PM LIVE X & YouTube
📺 1045PM ITV1
#Peston
So let Robert and Pippa give you the inside track on what’s really going on and what it really means tonight 👇
🔴 9PM LIVE X & YouTube
📺 1045PM ITV1
#Peston
ANALYSIS: Peter Mandelson scandal shortens odds on Keir Starmer following him out the door - @peterwalker99.bsky.social writes
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Mandelson scandal shortens odds on Starmer following him out the door
Appointment of the ex-ambassador despite tarnished past raises potentially fatal doubts about judgment of PM and his team
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:11 AM
ANALYSIS: Peter Mandelson scandal shortens odds on Keir Starmer following him out the door - @peterwalker99.bsky.social writes
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Mandelson latest👇
Tories plan to use arcane parly procedure ('humble address') to push for release of internal documents relating to Mandelson's US ambo appt.
Rather than face difficult vote amid anger among Labour MPs, govt is not seeking to oppose Tory motion but instead will try to amend it.
Tories plan to use arcane parly procedure ('humble address') to push for release of internal documents relating to Mandelson's US ambo appt.
Rather than face difficult vote amid anger among Labour MPs, govt is not seeking to oppose Tory motion but instead will try to amend it.
February 4, 2026 at 9:07 AM
Mandelson latest👇
Tories plan to use arcane parly procedure ('humble address') to push for release of internal documents relating to Mandelson's US ambo appt.
Rather than face difficult vote amid anger among Labour MPs, govt is not seeking to oppose Tory motion but instead will try to amend it.
Tories plan to use arcane parly procedure ('humble address') to push for release of internal documents relating to Mandelson's US ambo appt.
Rather than face difficult vote amid anger among Labour MPs, govt is not seeking to oppose Tory motion but instead will try to amend it.
Wednesday’s @theguardian.com front page: Met investigation into Mandelson over alleged Epstein email links www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
February 4, 2026 at 9:05 AM
Wednesday’s @theguardian.com front page: Met investigation into Mandelson over alleged Epstein email links www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...