News

Starmer under fire as aides quit and Scottish Labour leader calls on him to resign

Published

3 months ago

February 9, 2026

Two senior Downing Street exits in 24 hours as Anas Sarwar breaks ranks, but ministers insist the Prime Minister is staying put

PRESSURE continued to mount on Keir Starmer today (Monday) after two of his closest advisers resigned within 24 hours and the leader of Scottish Labour publicly called on him to step down.

The rapid series of events has fuelled growing speculation about the Prime Minister’s authority inside his own party, with critics describing the situation in Downing Street as chaotic and poorly handled.

Labour’s Scottish leader: Anas Sarwar breaks ranks and calls for PM to go

Starmer first lost his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, who stepped aside after taking responsibility for recommending the controversial appointment of Peter Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to Washington.

Within hours, his director of communications, Tim Allan, also quit, saying a new team should take charge of the government’s messaging.

Two departures at that level in a single day are highly unusual and immediately prompted questions in Westminster about stability at the centre of government.

The crisis deepened further when Anas Sarwar broke ranks and urged Starmer to resign, arguing that the ongoing Mandelson controversy was becoming a damaging distraction and risked harming Labour’s prospects, particularly in Scotland.

Sarwar is the most senior Labour figure so far to publicly question the Prime Minister’s position.

A row that would not go away

The Mandelson appointment was initially seen as a difficult but containable judgement call. Supporters pointed to his experience and international contacts, while critics raised concerns about his past links to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.

However, instead of fading, the story has dragged on for days, prompting criticism of how Downing Street has handled the fallout.

Several Labour MPs privately admit the issue is no longer the appointment itself but the perception that the government has been slow and defensive in responding.

One senior backbencher said: “It’s not the decision that hurts you. It’s looking like you’re not in control.”

Who is backing Starmer

Despite the noise, Starmer still retains public support from much of the Cabinet.

Allies say he remains focused on governing and has no intention of stepping down. Downing Street sources insist he is “getting on with the job” and dismiss talk of an imminent leadership challenge.

Senior ministers have urged colleagues to rally around the Prime Minister rather than fuel instability.

There is currently no formal mechanism under way to remove him, and no obvious successor waiting in the wings.

Political risk growing

Nevertheless, the optics are uncomfortable.

Two senior resignations in quick succession, combined with a public call to quit from within Labour’s own ranks, risk creating the impression of a government losing control of its message.

That perception matters.

Prime ministers are rarely forced out over a single decision. They fall when their own MPs begin to doubt that they can win the next election.

With Reform UK continuing to dominate headlines with simple, punchy messaging and Labour struggling to explain its record, some backbenchers fear that continued communication missteps could erode confidence further.

For now, Starmer remains in office.

But after the past 24 hours, questions about his leadership are no longer confined to the opposition benches.

They are coming from inside his own party.

Crime

Fence posts thrown into field damage farming equipment

Published

2 hours ago

May 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

POLICE are appealing for information after fence posts were removed and thrown into a field between Croesgoch and Llanrhian.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the alleged criminal damage happened sometime between Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3.

The posts, which were next to woodland between the two villages, were removed from the ground and thrown into a nearby field.

They later became lodged in farming equipment, causing significant damage.

Police said the area is only accessible via a footpath.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.

Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.

Quote reference: 26*366788.

News

Claire Archibald vows to ‘stand up for rural Wales’ after Senedd election victory

Published

2 hours ago

May 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

New MS says every constituent enquiry will be taken seriously as she opens doors to public

NEWLY elected Senedd Member Claire Archibald has pledged to be “available to all constituents” across Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion after formally taking up her role representing the region.

Archibald, who was elected earlier this month, said she was “deeply grateful” to everyone who had placed their trust in her and promised to work hard on behalf of communities across west Wales.

In a statement issued following her election, the new MS said she intended to keep her offices open and accessible, with a focus on helping residents with day-to-day concerns.

Claire Archibald said: “I am honoured to have been selected as a representative for Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, and I am deeply grateful to everyone who placed their trust in me.

“I want to be available to all constituents who need my support. My offices will be open, and every enquiry will be taken seriously. I will do my very best to help every single person here in our beautiful corner of Wales.”

Archibald said she entered politics because she believed Wales was “heading in the wrong direction” and wanted to help protect communities, family values and frontline services.

She added: “Above all, I want to make sure Cardiff Bay understands that rural communities matter too.”

Her comments are likely to resonate with many voters in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, where issues including healthcare access, farming pressures, transport links and cost-of-living concerns featured heavily during the Senedd election campaign.

Archibald joins the new intake of representatives following the first election held under Wales’ expanded Senedd system, with Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion now represented under the larger multi-member constituency model.

Taking office: Claire Archibald MS after being selected to represent Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion in the Senedd (Pic: Supplied).

Local Government

Pembrokeshire County Council welcomes new chairman

Published

2 hours ago

May 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

CLLR DELME HARRIES has been elected chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council for the coming municipal year.

Cllr Harries, who was elected in 2022 to represent the Bro Gwaun ward, is a member of the Independent Group.

He has worked for the NFU for many years and has extensive experience in agriculture, governance and community leadership.

Within the council, he has held several key roles, including chairman of the Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee. He is also the council’s Members’ Champion for the Welsh Language and for Children and Young People.

Cllr Harries is deeply involved in education and youth development. He serves as a local authority governor at Ysgol Ger y Llan and Ysgol Casmael a Llychllwydog, and is club leader of Llysyfran Young Farmers Club.

He also chairs the POINT Youth Project in Fishguard, where he is a trustee.

Young Farmers background

Cllr Harries has held numerous senior leadership roles within the Young Farmers’ movement at county, national and international level.

These include chair of the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs from 2019 to 2024, chair of Wales Young Farmers Clubs, chair of European Young Farmers, and chair of Pembrokeshire YFC.

In recognition of his contribution, he has been awarded honorary life memberships and vice-presidencies within Young Farmers organisations at county, national and UK level.

He is also a director and trustee of Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society.

Upon taking the chains, Cllr Harries thanked outgoing chairman Cllr Maureen Bowen.

He said: “I am truly humbled and honoured to have your support in appointing me as Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council for the coming year.

“When I was elected to represent the Bro Gwaun ward in 2022, this role was certainly not on my list of expectations. To now stand before you as your Chair is something I feel deeply privileged to do, and I am extremely grateful for the confidence you have placed in me to serve as the civic leader of this authority.

“I am particularly proud to serve as Chair in a year when Pembrokeshire will welcome the National Eisteddfod. This is a moment of huge significance for our county, and I hope we will all embrace this wonderful event, which promises to be one of the very best.

“I look forward to seeing many of you in Llantood this August as we celebrate our language, culture and heritage together.”

Cllr Nick Neumann was elected vice-chairman for the coming year. He was nominated by Cllr Di Clements and seconded by Cllr Mark Carter.

Caption:

New chairman: Cllr Delme Harries with new vice-chairman Cllr Nick Neumann, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Dyfed Meurig Raymond, High Sheriff of Dyfed Andrew Phillips, Presiding Member Cllr Simon Hancock and outgoing chairman Cllr Maureen Bowen.