The Realist Dispatch

NEW: Mandelson contagion envelopes Whitehall. Epstein scandal casts further doubt about the PM's judgement. #Mandelson #Epsteinfiles #UKpolitics #Starmer Read on Substack ⬇️ open.substack.com/pub/therealist…

The mood darkening among Labour backbenchers — and hardening against Starmer. There’s a ‘fin de siècle’ feel to his premiership now.

Families with children battling cancer to have travel costs covered bbc.in/4qifLkR

Every new leak allegation that comes out is more mind-blowing than the last...

BREAKING: Labour Party says that disciplinary action against Peter Mandelson was already underway. Spox: “It is right that Peter Mandelson is no longer a member of the Labour Party. Disciplinary action was underway prior to his resignation. “Jeffrey Epstein’s heinous crimes destroyed the lives of so many women and girls, and our thoughts remain with his victims.”

Do you support inviting Britain back into the European Union? 🇬🇧🇪🇺

🚨 BREAKING: Multiple explosions across Iran We will shortly go LIVE on Tousi TV with full coverage.

One of Labour’s most senior mayors criticises “gutless” briefing from Westminster sources against his pal Andy Burnham…

@John_EdwardsUK It's really curious. On the one hand people are outraged by the level of crime in the UK, particularly by asylum seekers, yet unhappy about police using advanced technology to do something about it. Facial recognition is not here to persecute conspiracy theorists

I cannot believe this. I’ve just walked past police facial recognition cameras on Camberley high street which is a small suburban town in Surrey There’s no protest or a major event going on — it’s just people doing their shopping. Labour is turning Britain into China.

NEW: Keir Starmer is meeting Chinese president Xi Jinping in the Great Hall of the People, Beijing. Earlier, the UK prime minister said: “We have made this trip because I believe it is strongly in our common interest to find positive ways to work together, and that has been our long-standing position.”

NEW: Elon Musk at Davos: A Vision of Utopian Abundance or Dystopian Divide? #ElonMusk #Davos #AI Read on Sunstack ⬇️ open.substack.com/pub/therealist…

🚨 NEW: China has agreed to provide Brits with visa free travel for visits under 30 days

Westminster Voting Intention: RFM: 29% (-2) LAB: 22% (+2) CON: 20% (-1) LDM: 13% (=) GRN: 10% (-1) SNP: 3% (+1) Via @Moreincommon_, 23-25 Jan. Changes w/ 16-19 Jan.

NEW: PM addresses biz & cultural leaders who’ve come to Beijing. Says those on delegation ‘making history’ & says in UK’s national interest to engage w China’ Says ‘we have manage our differences & take opportunities’ & aim of these trips = delivering for people back home

Touched down in China – I’m here to deliver for the British people.

NEW: Is Reform UK hitting a toxic tipping point? #Farage #ReformUK #Reform #Braverman Read on Substack 👇🏻 open.substack.com/pub/therealist…

Sources close to the PM tell me that Andy Burnham was informed in no uncertain terms that he would be repulsed if he requested permission of the NEC committee to put his name forward for the Gorton and Denton by election. He chose to do so, they say, knowing the outcome in advance. They therefore interpret his application as an explicit attempt to destabilise Starmer and sow dissent, rather than - which he claims - see off the threat from Reform. Per contra Burnham and his supporters accuse Starmer and the NEC committee of an anti democratic stitch-up. These supporters include the MP signatories of a letter I talked about on ITV Evening News yesterday. It says “there is no legitimate reason why Andy Burnham should not have the democratic right to put his candidacy to the local people of Gorton and Denton.” They also argue that the standoff between Burnham and Starmer “risks playing into the kind of division and disunity that Nigel Farage and Reform thrive on.” That is a statement of the bleedin’ obvious. What will be contested is whether the prime culprit is the PM or the Manchester mayor.

@reformparty_uk @Nigel_Farage @SuellaBraverman A heady mix in a toxic cocktail? When will Reform reach peak Tory rejects?

Welcome to Reform UK, @SuellaBraverman! 🇬🇧

🚨 BREAKING: Suella Braverman has defected to Reform UK

Big announcement from government today - Keir Starmer sides with Angela Rayner over freezing ground rent But this is a MASSIVE issue for professional landlords and investors - gvt essentially playing chicken with money men. Treasury was worried. Are the investors crying wolf? Or will there be a big problems with building safety projects and investor stability? Guess we will find out when announcement comes later today