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Former prime minister Gordon Brown has drawn parallels between Sir Keir Starmer’s plans for a four-person cabinet with revolutionary communist China.

Mr Brown said he was “shocked” by reports that Labour intends to form a new four-person executive cabinet if it wins the next election.

Speaking at an event alongside Conservative ex-prime minister Sir John Major, Mr Brown said the pair would “both be quite shocked and surprised if that could ever work”.

Last week The Times reported that Sir Keir was considering setting up a new cabinet consisting of himself, shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves, deputy leader Angela Rayner and Pat McFadden, the shadow chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

Mr Brown told an audience at the Institute for Government (IfG) that the proposal “may need some further work”.

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“The suggestion is an inner cabinet of four, which I think [Sir] John [Major] and I would both be quite shocked and surprised if that could ever work.”

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He said a “quadrumvirate” would be “very difficult” and added: “The historical experience of that is pretty inauspicious if I may say so – King Herod was part of a quadrumvirate where the four of them governed the Roman Empire.”

Referring to the Cultural Revolution-era foursome who led the Chinese Communist Party alongside Chairman Mao in the 1960s and 70s, he said: “And you can take it right through to recent times and the gang of four, which, if I remember right, has not survived to tell much of the tale.”

He continued: “So I think the inner cabinet idea may need some further work.

“I doubt, as John said, if the other 20 members of the cabinet would be very happy if they were told that they were outside this inner circle.”

According to The Times, the new four-person executive cabinet would make strategic decisions that would then be presented to the full cabinet, while a series of new “mission boards” could also be created to further Labour’s pledges to grow the economy and transform public services.

Mr Brown and Sir John were speaking as the IfG published a new report that argued for the break-up of the Cabinet Office and the creation of a new smaller executive cabinet committee, made up of a handful of ministers appointed by the prime minister.

In his speech to the thinktank, Sir John agreed the 32-person cabinet had become “too large and cumbersome”, but argued there were “practical drawbacks to a formal inner cabinet” suggested in the report, including that it would alienate those who are excluded.

Elsewhere in his speech, Mr Brown, who was chancellor before he was prime minister, urged the Treasury to get out of its “comfort zone” and implement a “turnaround strategy” for the economy.

He said: “We are in a make-or-break decade for our economy.

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“Our growth levels are half what they were in the last two or three decades. Our productivity levels are now lower. The growth rate is now lower than it was at any time.”

“We cannot govern in the way we have been doing if we are going to make this a decade when we can see an economic recovery.

“We need to think with almost military precision about how we can put our economy on a war footing so that we are in a position to solve the problems I’ve just identified.”

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Man arrested at Luton Airport in connection with fires at properties linked to Sir Keir Starmer

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Man arrested at Luton Airport in connection with fires at properties linked to Sir Keir Starmer

A second man has been arrested in connection with fires at two properties and a car linked to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

The 26-year-old was arrested around 1.45pm at Luton Airport on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life.

The arrest was made by counter terrorism officers. The man has been taken into police custody in London.

It comes after a Ukrainian man, 21, was charged with three counts of arson with intent to endanger life.

Roman Lavrynovych appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday and was remanded in custody.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command led the investigation because of the connections to the prime minister.

Emergency services were called to a fire in the early hours of Monday at a house in Kentish Town, north London, where Sir Keir lived with his family before the election.

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Damage was caused to the property’s entrance, but nobody was hurt.

A car was also set alight in the same street last Thursday.

There was another blaze at the front door of a house converted into flats in Islington, also linked to the prime minister, on Sunday.

One person was taken to safety via an internal staircase by crews wearing breathing apparatus.

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Crystal Palace celebrate historic FA Cup win after victory over Manchester City

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Crystal Palace celebrate historic FA Cup win after victory over Manchester City

Crystal Palace are celebrating a historic win in the FA Cup after a 1-0 victory against Manchester City at Wembley.

It’s the south London club’s first major trophy – and third time lucky after losing two previous finals they have played in. The win also means Palace have qualified for next season’s Europa League.

Eberechi Eze put his side 1-0 up with the game’s only goal in the 16th minute.

Man City were given a chance to equalise when they were awarded a penalty in the 33rd minute, but Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson – who had earlier escaped a red card for a handball outside the box – saved Omar Marmoush’s spot kick.

Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze (right) scores his sides first goal during the Emirates FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium, London. Picture date: Saturday May 17, 2025. Pic: PA
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Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze scores. Pic: PA

Manchester City's Omar Marmoush (left) reacts after having his penalty saved as Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson is mobbed by his team mates during the Emirates FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium, London. Picture date: Saturday May 17, 2025. Pic: PA
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Man City’s Omar Marmoush after his penalty was saved. Pic: PA

It briefly seemed the south London team had gone 2-0 up after a 58th-minute strike from Daniel Munoz but the goal was quickly ruled offside.

They then held onto their 1-0 lead until the final whistle, which came after an agonising 10 minutes of injury time.

Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson celebrates after the Emirates FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium, London. Picture date: Saturday May 17, 2025. PA
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Dean Henderson dodged a red card and saved a penalty. Pic: PA

Oliver Glasner’s team were the underdogs despite Manchester City having had a difficult season in the Premier League.

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Pep Guardiola’s side also lost to their neighbours and rivals Manchester United in last year’s cup final.

‘It’s all about spirit’

Palace goalscorer Eze said he had “no words” as he celebrated with his team mates.

Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze celebrates after the Emirates FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium, London. Picture date: Saturday May 17, 2025. Adam Davy/PA Wire
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Eze celebrates after the final whistle. Pic: PA

“I can only thank God,” he told ITV. “This is special, this is what dreams are made of, for this club as well. Who would have thought we could do it?

“We’ve made history today. The tactics were good but it’s all about spirit. That’s energy, that’s everyone fighting together and doing what we had to do today.”

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Manhunt after five people stabbed at event in southeast London

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Manhunt after five people stabbed at event in southeast London

A manhunt has been launched after five people were stabbed at an event in southeast London, police have said.

Officers were called to Nathan Way, Thamesmead, at 4.19am on Saturday, the Metropolitan Police said.

Five people were found with stab wounds and were taken to hospital where their injuries are still being assessed.

No arrests have been made.

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“Enquiries are ongoing and a cordon will remain in place throughout the day,” a Met Police statement said.

Police are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

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