UK political shake-up: Starmer slams Badenoch, baby formula prices to fall, and MPs switch parties

Labour leader Keir Starmer has criticized Conservative cabinet minister Kemi Badenoch, saying she is “losing the plot” after Badenoch called for an investigation into Labour’s Rachel Reeves over alleged market abuse tied to pre-budget briefings. Starmer’s remarks highlight the continued tension between the opposition and government as the new fiscal year approaches.

In related news, the government has announced plans to lower the cost of infant formula, a move Starmer welcomed as a positive step for struggling families. This decision follows recommendations from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which found that many parents were paying inflated prices for essential formula milk. Unicef UK has applauded the initiative but urged further action, emphasizing that affordable access to infant nutrition should be a cornerstone of any child poverty strategy.

Meanwhile, Labour MP Markus Campbell-Savours has had the party whip suspended after voting against government plans to extend inheritance tax to farms. The move, reported by ITV Border and Sky News, comes amid a wider debate over fiscal policy and party loyalty, with the suspension linked to confidence issues in parliamentary votes.

A separate government review has identified shortcomings in the Foreign Office’s handling of the Harry Dunn case, in which the teenager died outside a US airbase in 2019. The independent review, commissioned under Labour, concluded that bureaucratic failures prevented justice from being fully served to Dunn’s family.

Devolution issues have also surfaced, with eleven Labour members of the Senedd sending a letter to Starmer accusing him of bypassing the Welsh government with the Pride in Place funding program. Critics described the move as “deeply insensitive” and potentially a “constitutional outrage,” while pro-independence campaign group YesCymru argued it demonstrated the limits of devolution when Westminster overrides decisions in fully devolved areas.

Police officers are facing financial pressures of their own. Research from the Police Federation of England and Wales shows that due to a government freeze on income tax thresholds for three more years, nearly all full-time officers could be pushed into the higher-rate tax bracket by 2030-31.

Elsewhere, Reform UK has gained attention after several former Conservative MPs, including Lia Nici and Jonathan Gullis, defected to the party. Reform UK’s head of policy, Zia Yusuf, emphasized that grassroots members would be prioritized in candidate selections, signaling the party’s commitment to building its own identity rather than relying on former Tory politicians. Gullis cited energy costs, migration policy, and Net Zero initiatives as reasons for leaving the Conservatives, reflecting wider dissatisfaction within traditional party ranks.

On the international front, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, visiting the UK, praised the current state of UK-German relations as “far better” than during the immediate post-Brexit period. Meeting with Starmer at Downing Street, Steinmeier highlighted recent cooperation on defense, immigration, and economic ties, stressing the importance of closer collaboration amid evolving global security challenges.

These developments demonstrate a UK political landscape marked by tension, realignment, and policy initiatives aimed at addressing both economic and social concerns. From infant nutrition reforms to party defections and international diplomacy, the coming months are set to test government and opposition alike.

FAQ

Q: Why did Keir Starmer criticize Kemi Badenoch?
A: Starmer said Badenoch was “losing the plot” after she suggested Rachel Reeves should be investigated for alleged market abuse linked to pre-budget briefings.

Q: What is being done to reduce baby formula costs?
A: The government has announced measures to make infant formula more affordable, following CMA recommendations and advocacy from Unicef UK.

Q: Why was Markus Campbell-Savours suspended from Labour?
A: He voted against government plans to extend inheritance tax to farms, which was considered a confidence issue by the party.

Q: What issues were highlighted in the Harry Dunn case review?
A: The review found failures in the Foreign Office that prevented the family from achieving full justice after Dunn’s death outside a US airbase in 2019.

Q: What concerns have been raised about devolution in Wales?
A: Eleven Labour Senedd members criticized Westminster for bypassing the Welsh government in distributing Pride in Place funds, calling it constitutionally insensitive.