Morgan McSweeney, ex-Downing Street Chief of Staff under Starmer, resigned in Feb 2026 amid UK political chaos and fallout over Mandelson ties.
Labour suffered a significant defeat in the Gorton and Denton by-election, with the Greens winning a seat Labour had held for nearly a century. Lucy Powell suggests Burnham's popularity could have helped Labour retain the seat, highlighting internal party disagreements and strategic missteps.
As of April 2026, the UK government is managing the economic and diplomatic fallout from the US-Israel war on Iran, which has disrupted global oil supplies via the Strait of Hormuz. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer faces strained relations with US President Donald Trump over UK non-involvement in offensive strikes. The government is implementing targeted cost-of-living support, including a £1 billion Crisis and Resilience Fund and energy price cap reductions, while urging de-escalation and closer ties with Europe.
G7 ministers are meeting via videoconference to address the economic impact of the Middle East conflict, focusing on soaring energy prices, supply disruptions, and US war aims. The meeting aims to coordinate responses and clarify US objectives as tensions escalate and oil markets remain volatile.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has faced intense pressure after it has emerged that the Foreign Office has overruled security vetting officials who recommended against appointing Lord Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to the US. Starmer has maintained he has been unaware of the override until this week and has pledged to fully explain the matter in Parliament on Monday. Mandelson was dismissed in September 2025 over his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and is under police investigation.