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Welcome. Labour leader is leading a government meeting this today following the departure of his deputy prime minister, his ambassador to the US, and his strategy chief all within less than a 14 days.

Parliament starts a month-long break this evening, which offers some relief. With lawmakers away from Parliament, they are unlikely to participate in rebel plotting.

But before they head off, lawmakers will spend several hours in a discussion on a former minister, which is expected to focus on whether the Prime Minister was right to select him in the first place and whether he has been completely honest about what he was aware of regarding emails to Jeffrey Epstein when he defended the envoy last week.

Additionally, there’s more unfavorable developments for the leader this morning. A survey of Labour party members shows:

• Only 25% of them think Labour is heading in the correct path.
• Only 26% of them have a positive opinion of the leader, compared to nearly six in ten who view him negatively.
• Lucy Powell, who was sacked by the Prime Minister as leader of the Commons, has a clear lead over Bridget Phillipson, in the race to be deputy leader. Phillipson is viewed as the pro-leader candidate, while Powell is seen as the option for members who want to express some dissent.

Surveys are potentially fallible, internal party surveys are particularly difficult, and in some respects the views of supporters are not highly significant at the moment.

Likelihood of a contest anytime soon still look very slight, and even if the candidate were to win the deputy leadership, the post carries almost no formal power within the party.

Nevertheless, the results doesn’t look good.

Today’s Schedule

• 9.30am: The Prime Minister chairs cabinet.
• Morning: Starmer meets relatives of people who died at a tragic event to mark the publication of the new legislation.
• Morning: Kemi Badenoch is on a visit in the capital.
• Late morning: The justice secretary takes questions in the Commons.
• 11.55am: Sarah Jones gives a speech to the Police Superintendents’ Association.
• Noon: Downing Street holds a press conference.
• Lunchtime: The health secretary visits the London Ambulance Service.
• After 12.30pm: Lawmakers begin a lengthy emergency debate on the selection and events leading to the removal of the former UK ambassador to the United States.

Survey data can be unreliable, particularly when surveying a small population such as party members.

For those wishing to reach out, online platforms or comment sections remain the primary ways of getting in touch during specified hours.

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