Labour peer calls for ‘arrogant’ attorney general to be sacked
An influential Labour peer has called the attorney general Richard Hermer an “arrogant, progressive fool” and called for him to be sacked, exposing a split at the heart of Keir Starmer’s government.Maurice Glasman, the founder of the Blue Labour group that has risen in prominence since Donald Trump’s victory in the US election, urged the prime minister to replace his attorney general.In an interview with the New Statesman, Glasman said of Hermer: “He’s got to go.He is the absolute archetype of an arrogant, progressive fool who thinks that law is a replacement for politics … They talk about the rule of law but what they want is a rule of lawyers.” He also called Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, a “drone for the Treasury”.
Hermer, a friend of Starmer who was given a seat in the House of Lords in order to become attorney general, has become a prime target of political attacks from inside and outside the government.Some Labour figures have accused him of slowing down government plans by taking an excessively legalistic approach.The prime minister’s spokesperson expressed full confidence in Hermer on Monday afternoon and stressed he was the best person for the job.Glasman, who launched Blue Labour in 2010 as an antidote to New Labour, was the only party figure to attend Trump’s presidential inauguration last month.He was reportedly invited by Trump’s vice-president, JD Vance, with whom he has struck up a friendship.
Morgan McSweeney, Starmer’s chief of staff and the most powerful figure in his government, has taken an interest in Blue Labour, which champions small-C conservatism as a way of appealing to traditional working-class voters.Glasman expressed his frustration at the direction Starmer’s government was taking but said: “Morgan is one of ours, we love him.”However, he took aim at others in the government.“They’re still going ahead with the Chagos deal, they’re not grasping any form of industrialisation, particularly around Ukraine and defence, where we could go into a really serious position as the leading military power in Europe.”Sign up to First EditionOur morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what’s happening and why it mattersafter newsletter promotionHe criticised Reeves, saying the chancellor “seems to have forgotten entirely our last conversation about ‘securonomics’ and the ‘everyday economy’.
Now she’s just a drone for the Treasury.There’s no vision of economic renewal and no idea about how to renew the faraway towns.”A parliamentary Blue Labour caucus has been launched amid fears among Labour MPs about the rising popularity of Reform UK, which is neck and neck with Labour and the Conservatives in opinion polls.At a marathon cabinet meeting last week, the prime minister criticised “progressive liberals” for being “too relaxed” about voters’ concerns about immigration.
Diaries at the ready: Samuel West lined up to star in Beckett play... in 2036
When it comes to forward planning, a new arts festival is going well beyond normal expectations.The organisers of the Beckett Biennale, which from next year will celebrate the great Irish playwright Samuel Beckett, are this weekend naming the actor who is signed up to star in a 2036 production of Krapp’s Last Tape at their sixth festival. And, in a unique coup de théâtre, Samuel West will be giving a performance that he has already partially recorded: in fact, he did it 19 years ago.Beckett’s daring short play, one of his most popular works after Waiting for Godot, revolves around the thoughts of Krapp, who at 69 listens to a recording made by his younger self back on his 39th birthday. Writing in 1958, Beckett gave most of the dialogue to this disembodied voice from the past
Artists decry ‘irresponsible’ plans to demolish brutalist Midlands tower
Artists and conservation groups have decried the “irresponsible” plan to tear down a brutalist arts tower at a Midlands university, saying the proposed redevelopment is overlooking the “massive historical significance” of the structure.The University of Wolverhampton has earmarked the nine-storey School of Art, which is also known as the George Wallis building, for demolition as part of a “radical” expansion proposal. But it has faced opposition from the Twentieth Century Society, which has submitted a listing application to Historic England that could prevent its destruction.Built between 1966 and 1970 and designed by Diamond, Redfern & Partners, the building sits beside Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Molineux Stadium and is one of a small number of brutalist buildings of its type that remain in good condition.“This is an excellent surviving example of a postwar art school that has remained in its original use and survives in very good condition, and is loved by both staff and students,” a Twentieth Century Society spokesperson said
‘I’m in my early 20s most of the time… totally up for it!’: Tamsin Greig on ageing, caring and learning bass guitar
The stage and screen actor on her two, vastly different new roles – with Celia Imrie in a radical play about a woman caring for her mother after a stroke, and in a Sally Wainwright TV drama about five women who form a punk bandNot many interviews begin with your subject telling you, gently and warmly, how they’ve mastered being unapproachable. But here is Tamsin Greig, on Zoom in the Donmar Warehouse’s rehearsal rooms, telling me how this behaviour begins as soon as she’s left the house every morning.“I get up at 6.30 to walk the dog so that I can get out and be in the air to start turning my words over in my head. People who see me know not to come near me because I’m always muttering to myself
Come early, leave early: a gen X dance party that ends at 10pm is taking off across the US
Founded in Chicago by two friends in their 40s, Earlybirds Club gives people an opportunity to let loose without interfering with responsibilitiesThe signature tequila cocktail is called a Hot Flash. The playlist skews towards nostalgic hits from the 80s, 90s and early 2000s. Cis men are politely asked to just stay away.Founded in Chicago by two friends in their 40s, the Earlybirds Club is a party designed for women and trans and non-binary people who have jobs and responsibilities that start early in the morning – but who still want a chance to dance crazily with their friends.The dancing starts at 6pm and ends around 10
‘It’s a gut punch’: how the California wildfires affected film and TV workers
When Sandra French returned to her beloved 1930s apartment, she found the building reduced to rubble and ash. “It was so weird,” she recalls. “Out of the rubble, there was a little bright object. It was a pencil holder I bought in Italy, I believe, in 2008 and was sticking up in the air. That was the only thing that survived the fire
Why are ‘friendly neighbourhood cats’ appearing on Google Maps all of a sudden?
Sanjana, I hear all the cool kids are going to a new Sydney landmark called “friendly orange cat”. What is this new kitty club and how do I get in?That’s right, Emma. Locals are putting friendly felines on the map, literally. They’re listing good-natured suburban cats as tourist attractions on Google Maps, with photos, ideal viewing times and reviews, so others can find these adorable furry friends too.There is no shortage of interest either, with locals making the trek to see these “hidden gems”
Nicky Henderson dealt Cheltenham blow as Sir Gino ruled out for season
Ben Duckett would accept 3-0 series defeat if England beat India in Champions Trophy final
Tom Brady, TV’s No 1 jaw, oozed stagnant charisma in Fox’s Super Bowl broadcast
‘A lovely sweet kid’: tributes paid to John Cooney after Irish boxer’s death
Travis Kelce declines to address retirement rumours after Chiefs’ Super Bowl loss
Patrick Mahomes was chasing Super Bowl history. He left humbled and harassed