Starmer sees Labour rulebook reforms passed by conference despite another day of criticism

Published

4 years ago

September 26, 2021

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Sir Keir Starmer has seen his reform of Labour’s rulebook approved by the party’s conference in Brighton despite another day of opponents continuing their fight against the changes.

In a vote at the Labour gathering in Brighton, Sir Keir’s overhaul of how the party elects future leaders was passed by 53.67% to 46.33%.

But the victory for Sir Keir and his allies came only after they watered-down their initial plans and as a battle over the reforms continued to overshadow the opening two days of Labour’s conference.

Under the reforms, leadership hopefuls will now have to secure the support of 20% of the party’s MPs (up from the current 10%) before becoming an official candidate in a leadership contest.

And a “registered supporters” scheme, which allowed people to pay a one-off fee to vote in a Labour leadership election, has been scrapped.

Sir Keir’s reforms have also made it harder for current Labour MPs to be de-selected, by raising the threshold for triggering a selection contest.

Despite having initially hoped for wider reforms, the changes Sir Keir did manage to get approved represent a move away from the system that saw Jeremy Corbyn twice successfully stand for Labour leader.

Critics have accused Sir Keir of overseeing an attempt to shut out Labour’s membership and its left wing from future leadership elections, with allies of Mr Corbyn having urged conference attendees to reject the leader’s plans prior to Sunday’s vote.

In other votes on Saturday, Labour members also supported the introduction of a fully independemt complaints process following a critical report by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission.

Other safeguarding and discipline measures were also approved.

Sir Keir said he was “delighted that these vital reforms have passed”, adding: “They represent a major step forward in our efforts to face the public and win the next general election.

“This is a decisive and important day in the history of the Labour Party. I promised to tackle antisemitism in our party. We’ve now closed the door on a shameful chapter in our history.

“I want to acknowledge the courage of all the people who spoke up against it.

“As I promised when elected as leader, the Labour Party is now relentlessly focused on the concerns of the British people and offering them a credible, ambitious alternative to this government.

“This is a crucial step forward for party I lead and am determined to see in government. And in the coming days you’ll hear us set out ideas on how we win the next election.”

Politics

CZ sounds alarm as ‘SEAL’ team uncovers 60 fake IT workers linked to North Korea

Published

3 hours ago

September 18, 2025

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CZ sounds alarm as ‘SEAL’ team uncovers 60 fake IT workers linked to North Korea

Binance co-founder warned about North Korean hackers after the white hat SEAL team uncovered the profiles and fake names of 60 impersonators.

Politics

First Channel migrant deported to France under ‘one in, one out’ deal

Published

3 hours ago

September 18, 2025

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First Channel migrant deported to France under 'one in, one out' deal

The first Channel migrant has been deported to France under Sir Keir Starmer’s ‘one in, one out’ deal.

The home office confirmed that a man who arrived by small boat in August was sent back on a commercial fight earlier this morning.

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Further flights are due to take place this week and next week, while the first arrivals through the new legal route are expected to arrive in the coming days.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “This is an important first step to securing our borders. It sends a message to people crossing in small boats: if you enter the UK illegally, we will seek to remove you.”

The treaty with France was agreed in July and came into force last month.

It allows the UK to send back a migrant who crosses the Channel illegally in exchange for accepting the same number of migrants in France who have a valid asylum claim.

Today’s news will be seen as a win for ministers after the high court blocked the deportation of another individual on Wednesday.

An Eritrean man was granted 14 days to make representations to support his claim that he was a victim of modern slavery.

The home office has lodged an appeal to limit the time the person has to provide evidence for reconsideration, while a “rapid review” of modern slavery legislation has been launched to prevent it misuse.

Ms Mahmood said she will “challenge any last-minute, vexatious attempts to frustrate a removal in the courts”.

“The UK will always play its part in helping those genuinely fleeing persecution, but this must be done through safe, legal, and managed routes – not dangerous crossings,” she added.

The number of migrants arriving in the UK after crossing the English Channel has topped 30,000 for the year so far.

It is the earliest point in a calendar year at which the 30,000 mark has been passed since data on the crossings was first reported in 2018.

The government has come under immense pressure to get a grip on the issue.

A survey for Sky News last week found immigration is the top concern of voters for the first time since Brexit.

It is hoped the new scheme will act as a deterrent by persuading migrants not to pay people smugglers to help them get to the UK knowing there is a risk they could be detained and deported.

The government has stressed that although the numbers will start off small, they expect removals to be ramped up over time as the scheme is tested.

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Politics

SEC approves first US multi-asset crypto ETP, from Grayscale

Published

4 hours ago

September 18, 2025

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SEC approves first US multi-asset crypto ETP, from Grayscale

The SEC approved Grayscale’s Digital Large Cap Fund, the first US multi-asset crypto ETP offering exposure to Bitcoin, Ether, XRP, Solana and Cardano.