John Slinger MP

I haven't ever equivocated or hedged my bets about whether Keir Starmer should remain Prime Minister. I've always been clear: he must stay. Here's why.

@LaindonFEMINIST @mariaingramcott @DAaronovitch @Geri_E_L_Scott @adamboultonTABB @breeallegretti Many of us are. I’ve stated my support publicly for a long time, in the media and in writing johnslingermp.substack.com

@JohnSlinger @mariaingramcott @DAaronovitch @Geri_E_L_Scott @adamboultonTABB @breeallegretti Good. Would like to see many more of you stating this. It’s not just the Labour Members battle. Although I appreciate we can say more than you. But be good to know we aren’t alone.

Excl w/ @breeallegretti: Left-wing MPs are considering standing a candidate against Andy Burnham in a future Labour leadership contest because of concerns the Greater Manchester mayor could abandon progressive positions to broaden his appeal. The Times has been told they do not want Burnham to be treated as the automatic standard-bearer for the left of the party. Some MPs on the hard left have complained that Burnham has fallen in behind immigration reforms proposed by Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary, and backed government guidance on single-sex spaces. One MP on the left of the party told The Times: “A lot of us are increasingly frustrated that he’s being portrayed as the saviour of the left when he’s nothing of the sort. There have been discussions about whether we put up a candidate to try to force him into more progressive positions.” Another MP added: “It will be difficult for the supposed supporters of Andy to back him for leader if he keeps offering something on a Monday then changing his mind on Tuesday. His immigration stance and the possible inclusion of Wes [Streeting] as his chancellor will be a problem.” But the move from the Labour left would likely hasten calls for Burnham to be given a “coronation” if he wins the Makerfield by-election next month and returns to Westminster to challenge Sir Keir Starmer. Another party source said: "A candidate like that wouldn’t reach the threshold for nominations. Quite a lot of their colleagues have been out on the campaign trail over the weekend and seem very excited about the prospect of Andy.” thetimes.com/article/bed428…

#PlainTalking I urge my colleagues to support the Prime Minister in getting on with the job we were all elected to do less than 2 years ago. Much is at stake at home & abroad. If we make this about Labour & not the country & the people, they’ll draw their conclusions…

@DAaronovitch @Geri_E_L_Scott @adamboultonTABB @breeallegretti No. I and many others are openly supporting the Prime Minister staying in his role.

@Geri_E_L_Scott @adamboultonTABB @breeallegretti Is it genuinely impossible to get any Labour MP to say something under their own name?

Troubling mirror.co.uk/news/politics/…

@RhonddaBryant @MelJStride @Conservatives It is sad to see a once great political party flirt so desperately with populism

@MelJStride @Conservatives Mel please stop lying. You’re doing Putin’s work for him. Until this week there were no sanctions on Russian oil products processed elsewhere coming into the uk (including under your government). From this week there are. Some products are banned immediately. Other are phased out

This government’s easing of oil sanctions on Russia is supporting Putin’s ability to wage war on Ukraine. Disgraceful.

By far the most engaging, compassionate & compelling voice on @BBCPolitics Any Questions this week was @mariellaf1 bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0…

Well said @MikeTappTweets x.com/BBCNewsnight/s…

@timminchin was excellent on @BBCr4today from @hayfestival defending real art from AI. If anyone reading this agrees that we need a culture mind shift on the creative arts, please sign my petition 👇🏻 for creative arts bulletins on the broadcast news c.org/HnBsdgG9nT

@RhonddaBryant @kevinhollinrake @jcartlidgemp I’ve been saying ever since I was elected in July 2024, the Tories are flirting with popularism and it is really sad to see. In this case, they are trying to score party political points about something where the parties have come together to support Ukraine.

@kevinhollinrake @jcartlidgemp Kevin you should know better. You did nothing to stop Russian oil products processed elsewhere coming to the Uk. We are banning them. Some immediately, some are being phased out. But stop lying.

How many more Ukrainians will die due to this shockingly bad decision? Gen Lord Richard Dannatt, the former head of the Army: “This is a morally bankrupt move by a Government focused much more on short-term popularity and not on issues of greater significance, namely the lives of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians. Shameful is the word that comes to mind.” Phil Ingram, a former colonel in Army intelligence, accused Labour of “playing politics with people’s lives” and said the move was an “immoral” and “sickening act”. Urgent U-turn needed.

Superb @BBCRadio4 desert island discs with Gary O’Donoghue. Very funny, moving and heart-warming. bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/li…

@JonathanWatson1 There’s a characters limit on X and in my Insta post I go into more detail. instagram.com/p/DYm9h-njQy7/… I am clear - things aren’t good enough yet & there’s much more to do but I’m pointing to progress & direction - through our focus on investment in public services & stable economy

@JohnSlinger John pop into your local a and e over this Bank holiday weekend and speak to the nurses about the good news! I'm sure they will throw a party when they see you...

Some good news you might have missed this week: Net migration at a 13-year low. UK the fastest-growing G7 economy. NHS waiting lists down half a million. Borrowing at a three-year low. Fuel duty cut extended. Inflation back to 2.8%. The country is moving in the right direction.

We're getting on with the job.

So growth higher than expected and inflation lower than expected. Net migration and small boat numbers also down. It’s still tough for many families but these statistics are going in the right direction.

Good for you @RachelReevesMP in replying to a heckler and reminding him that a key British value is good manners. x.com/SunPolitics/st…

Great news from @Keir_Starmer: trade deal with @GCCSG Gulf Cooperation Council Congrats to all here @RhonddaBryant @biztradegovuk @10DowningStreet & there. I lived in 🇦🇪, worked in 🇸🇦 & I welcome stronger trade & other rels with this vital region & 🇬🇧 x.com/Keir_Starmer/s…

@RhonddaBryant @biztradegovuk Brilliant news! Well done, all!

Absolutely delighted that after four years we have concluded negotiations with the GCC on an ambitious FTA worth £3.7bn a year, offering big opportunities to 🇬🇧 businesses with a 20% increase in trade. Many thanks to my @biztradegovuk team especially Tom and Anna

Inflation down more than expected. Growth up last week. Borrowing down last year. Investment up. Waiting lists falling. Migration down from record highs. Much more to do, and the conflict in Iran to weather, but real concrete progress is underway

@Georginatv5 But it’s not just words, is it…

@JohnSlinger Words Just words Worthless words Provide facts and data or stfu

…meanwhile in the real world… x.com/RachelReevesMP…

Concerning… x.com/JoshFG/status/…