Balance of Power

Talking politics since August 2019. Tweets about Politics, Polls, Parliament and more. Retweets are not indicative of personal opinions.

[Josh Simons @joshsimonsmp]

For decades, Westminster has overseen the managed decline of towns like mine. We have talked big, then acted small, stuck in a politics of incrementalism that cannot meet the moment. We have lost the trust of those our party was built to serve.

It is my unwavering belief that nothing short of urgent, radical, courageous reform will make a difference. That must start with a change in leadership.

Today, I am putting the people I represent and the country I love first and will be resigning as MP for Makerfield. I am standing aside so that Andy Burnham can return to his home, fight to re-enter Parliament, and if elected, drive the change our country is crying out for.

This has not been an easy decision. This is my family’s home, where only a few weeks ago, doctors and nurses at Wigan Infirmary saved our newborn son’s life.

But we all must make choices and in recent days I found myself with a difficult one: defend the status quo or step forward and act. I have made my choice.

I am in politics because politics is how you change lives for the better. My party has one last chance to do that: deliver for the people and places I represent, drive economic growth, secure our borders, reform our state and politics, and change a status quo that is not working.

That is the fight. I believe Andy is the one to lead it.

[Alex Wickham @alexwickham]

Breaking: Josh Simons is expected to stand stand aside for Andy Burnham imminently

[Guido Fawkes @GuidoFawkes]

Rumours in Labour circles that Burnham could make a statement as soon as 5pm. Fluid situation.

[Ben Riley-Smith @benrileysmith]

BREAKING: WES STREETING RESIGNS

[Robert Peston @Peston]

I have had the same conversations with MPs as @breeallegretti. The health secretary Wes Streeting, soon to be ex health secretary, is poised to launch his leadership bid tomorrow

[Pippa Crerar @PippaCrerar]

EXCL: Zubir Ahmed, health minister and another close ally of Wes Streeting, quits calling for Keir Starmer to step aside.

Feels like the Streeting bid could be on.

[Patrick Maguire @patrickkmaguire]

Chuka Umunna (????) just walked into No 10

[Alex Davies-Jones MP @AlexDaviesJones]

It is with a very heavy heart that I have offered my resignation to the Prime Minister.

[Aubrey Allegretti @breeallegretti]

Alex Davies-Jones is the third minister to quit. She says: “I implore you to act in the country’s interest and set out a timetable for your departure.”

[Balance of Power @BalancePowerUK]

RT @BethRigby: EXCLUSIVE: Jess Phillips, safeguarding minister, resigns from govt

[Tony Diver @Tony_Diver]

I understand Starmer did not give his critics any chance to speak against him in this morning's meeting.

He delivered a pre-prepared statement informing them he would not leave office, then moved the meeting on to discuss the war in Iran.

[Kevin Schofield @KevinASchofield]

BREAKING: Starmer tells Cabinet he's going nowhere.

“As I said yesterday, I take responsibility for these election results and I take responsibility for delivering the change we promised.

“The past 48 hours have been destabilising for government and that has a real economic cost for our country and for families.

“The Labour Party has a process for challenging a leader and that has not been triggered.

“The country expects us to get on with governing. That is what I am doing and what we must do as a Cabinet.”

[Miatta Fahnbulleh @Miatsf]

This morning I sent my letter of resignation to the Prime Minister.

I urge the Prime Minister to do the right thing for the country and the Party and set a timetable for an orderly transition.

[Rachel Wearmouth @REWearmouth]

There really is always a tweet

[Tom Rutland MP @Tom4EWAS]

Statement on the Labour Party leadership

[Ailbhe Rea @PronouncedAlva]

EXCL: Joe Morris, Wes Streeting's PPS, has just called his whip to resign

[Aubrey Allegretti @breeallegretti]

Sally Jameson - a Home Office PPS - goes over the top. The first frontbench call for Starmer to go:

https://t.co/EJJfGBpkzC

[Noa Hoffman @hoffman_noa]

EXCL: Ministers tell me they are bracing for resignations in their ranks as soon as today.

Other senior gov source says 'I wouldn't be surprised' if we start seeing members of government join their colleagues very soon...

*All subject to fast moving developments and changes of course

[Ellen Milligan @EllenAMilligan]

New: Andy Burnham has just dropped out of a London conference he was due to deliver a speech at tomorrow morning 👀