Mike Platt

Scenes when we announce VVD for club record fee, and then announce departure of Coutinho 24 hours later.

@AndyBurnhamGM @SophyRidgeSky

I can confirm that I will be requesting the permission of the NEC to stand in the Makerfield by-election. I grew up in this area and have lived here for 25 years. I care deeply about it and its people. I know they have been let down by national politics. Ten years ago, I decided to leave Westminster. Why? Because, after 16 years, I came to the conclusion that our national political system does not work for areas like ours. I learnt this fighting its failure to invest in the Wigan borough, for justice for the Hillsborough families and against its treatment of Greater Manchester during the pandemic. Over the last decade, I have been challenging this failure from the outside and building a new and better way of doing politics. We have built Greater Manchester into the fastest-growing city-region in the UK and put buses back under public control, introducing a £2 fare cap to help people with cost-of-living pressures. However, there is only so much that can be done from Greater Manchester. Much bigger change is needed at a national level if everyday life is to be made more affordable again. This is why I now seek people’s support to return to Parliament: to bring the change we have brought to Greater Manchester to the whole of the UK and make politics work properly for people. Millions are struggling and they need the Labour Government to succeed. It has already made changes to make life better for them in its first two years. After this week, we owe it to people to come back together as a Labour movement, giving the Prime Minister and the Government the space and stability they need as the by-election takes place. I want to recognise the difficult decision taken by Josh Simons and the sacrifice he and his family are making. I have worked closely with him as Mayor on issues like flooding and illegal waste dumping and have seen first-hand how effective he has been. He has put the communities of Makerfield first, made a real difference for them and should take great pride in that. Finally, I truly do not take a single vote for granted and will work hard to regain the trust of people in the Makerfield constituency, many of whom have long supported our party but lost faith in recent times. We will change Labour for the better and make it a party you can believe in again. ENDS

The best news in ages. So pleased to see Gordon appointed to the role - the best person for the job. Given me renewed hope for the future 🙏🏻😍👏🏻

@clarkaw Labour have had 2 years and have delivered nothing but u turns and decimated businesses whilst appeasing the left wing of the party.

If Labour changes PM, we face 6-12 months of paralysis as new ministers and advisers appointed in every department who take time to familiarise themselves. That’s why the Tories’ repeated leadership omnishambles was so damaging. We must hold firm and focus on delivery.

@SamCoatesSky "Decade of National Renewal"

Keir Starmer suggests he’s in office for 10 years Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to lead Labour at the next general election as he faces the possibility of a leadership challenge after the party’s disastrous local election results. Asked if he would lead at the next election and serve a full term, he told the Sunday Mirror: “Yes I will, and I’ve always said it’s a decade of national renewal, where the legacy we inherited was an appalling legacy on all fronts, not just the economy, which was broken.” The Prime Minister said his fightback, which starts with a speech on Monday and the King’s Speech on Wednesday, would include a “full throated” pitch to be closer to Europe. He told the newspaper that his plan would be “really clear that this is about the hope and opportunity of a better future, part of which is a stronger economy and an economy that really works for everyone, wherever they live, whatever they do. There are a number of strands to that, but one is, we have to be closer to Europe, and I just want to be full throated about this”. He added: “I feel that Brexit has held back our young people. They should be free to work, study, travel in European countries, just as I was able to when I was growing up. “That has been smashed away from young people because of Brexit. I’m not going to let Brexit stand in the way of their opportunities, and therefore we’ll push forward on that.”

@irishracingview @racingblogger

@racingblogger No, he’s as slow as Christmas and Chester is far too tight of a track for him

Does Jan Brueghel win at Chester today?

@wesstreeting Wes clearly hasn't lived in Wales for the last 27 years.

Wales gave us Bevan and the NHS. The idea the country might be governed by a party that would destroy its greatest legacy sends shivers down my spine. Vote for the NHS, vote Welsh Labour 🌹

We've been played. The Mandelson saga was blown out of all proportion purely for political purposes. His appointment was a mistake, but for goodness sake, banner headlines for 10 days has everything to do with propaganda + nothing to do with an error of judgement #FightTheRight

@LBC Energy prices down and wages are up

'They would be barmy to get rid of Starmer!' Labour grandee Alan Johnson says the PM has achieved far too much to be replaced as party leader.

@freddimbleby @itvcalendar Listen up numbnuts, the country overwhelmingly voted in 2015 to bring in a Conservative government, which preceded to decimate the country because we all thought they were a better alternative to you. You should be NOWHERE near government, but here we are. 🤷‍♂️

"It's been a damaging week" Ed Miliband tells me about the impact of the Mandelson saga on a visit to Sheffield I asked if he had had conversations with Andy Burnham or Angela Rayner, but he said he is focusing on his job @itvcalendar

If you read one thing today, read this: A personal, powerful story from a Muslim government minister standing with Jewish people against antisemitism 👇🏻

🚨 Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka leave England camp for “medical assessment”. John Stones and Noni Madueke also return to clubs due to injury Aaron Ramsdale, Fikayo Tomori, Adam Wharton, Dominic Calvert-Lewin have left the camp too.

@SamCoatesSky Robot Kier suffering a serious malfunction. Can hardly wait for all the nauseating platitudes when he's finally kicked out by his own party. At least he can look forward to releasing his memoirs and taking his seat in the House of Lords.

Full interview with Keir Starmer (with sound gremlin fixed)

@Phil_Jones01 @Keir_Starmer @UKLabour @10DowningStreet

I greatly admire @Keir_Starmer He is the best prime minister this country has had since Blair and Brown and for me personally Keir is up there with the great John Smith for honesty, integrity and judgement. Labour must stand by @Keir_Starmer @UKLabour @10DowningStreet

Labour must rally behind the Prime Minister as he gets on with the job of governing our country. He acted with integrity throughout.

@BestMovieMom And totally fucked the franchise as a result.

No Time to Die is the first James Bond film in history where 007 dies at the end. Daniel Craig explained that he only agreed to return for one last movie if his character had a “real ending.” He wanted to close the cycle that began with Casino Royale. Bond’s death was kept secret until the very end, with even some crew members not having access to the final pages of the script.

@PatrickChristys The ultimate FAFO

Well, well…

@PolitlcsUK The only change I want to see is you and your rancid government out on its arse.

🚨 WATCH: Keir Starmer's New Year message to Britain "Things have been tough in Britain for a while. For many, life is still harder than it should be. You long for a bit more money in your pockets, a meal out, a holiday. The chance to make a special family moment extra special. "In 2026, the choices we've made will mean more people will begin to feel positive change in your bills, your communities and your health service. But even more people will feel once again a sense of hope, a belief that things can and will get better, feel that the promise of renewal can become a reality. And my Government will make it that reality. "More police on the streets by March. Energy bills down and the number of new health hubs up in April. More funding for local communities. And with that change, decline will be reversed. That opportunity for you and pride in your community can be restored. "I share the frustration about the pace of change. The challenges we face were decades in the making, and renewal is not an overnight job, but putting our country back on a stable footing will become our strength. "Strength that means we can support you with the cost of living. Rail fares, prescription charges, fuel duty - all frozen. £150 cut from your energy bills. A boost once again to the National Minimum Wage. A major cut to the cost of childcare. "We are getting Britain back on track. By staying the course, we will defeat the decline and division offered by others. "For all the times that have been tough, I hope the festive period has brought good moments. Precious time with your family. A chance to celebrate what's most important to you. "I wish you more of those moments next year when things start to feel easier. When politics shows it can help again. When Britain turns the corner with our future now in our control, the real Britain will shine through more strongly. Happy New Year!"

"Superflu" otherwise known as, its winter and people catch a cold.

🚨 Rachel Reeves has suggested there is no link between Labour’s increase in employers’ National Insurance and high unemployment figures Read more 👇 telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/…

Live scenes from Salah's living room