Welcome to an exclusive Ask Me Anything session with me, John Rentoul, The Independent’s chief political commentator.
Keep scrolling for more. If you want to jump straight to the Q&A, click here.
Recent attempts by Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership to tackle welfare reform have exposed deep tensions within Labour, shaking its identity to the core.
The standoff over disability benefits, with dramatic rebellions from both loyalist and Corbynite MPs alike, laid bare the struggles Labour faces in balancing fiscal responsibility with social justice.
Starmer’s handling of the crisis has damaged his standing – and it seems that only deputy leader Angela Rayner emerged stronger, prompting whispers about the future leadership of the party.
But the question remains: can Labour survive this identity crisis?
Can the party reconcile its historic commitment to working people with the tough policy decisions required in today’s political climate – and craft a credible alternative to austerity without alienating its own members?
What about Rachel Reeves, Liz Kendall, and Angela Rayner? Will these recent developments change the balance of power within the party – or push one of them out entirely?
Join me live at 2pm BST on Friday, 4 July to discuss Labour’s internal battles, the challenges facing Starmer’s government, and what the future holds for the party.
Submit your questions in the comments below. If you’re not already a member, click “sign up” in the comments section to participate. For a full guide on how to comment, click here.
Don’t worry if you can’t see your question right away – some may be hidden until the Q&A starts. See you at 2pm!
