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Rishi Sunak was labelled “cringeworthy” after sharing a video to support the government’s “ban” on mobile phones in schools.The prime minister attempted to deliver his message about devices being distracting in the classroom – only to be stopped by his own mobile ringing.“See how frustrating that is?” Mr Sunak asked in the video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.However, his acting skills did not impress many viewers.“One of the biggest issues I deal with is cringing at you so hard I crack a tooth,” one person wrote.“Please make him stop,” another said. More

Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting said he is “really sorry” that there is no “good Labour candidate to vote for” in the Rochdale by-election after the party withdrew its support for Azhar Ali.The MP for Ilford North told ITV’s Good Morning Britain on Monday (19 February): “I’m not going to pretend that this has been Labour’s finest hour.“We’ve got people going to the polls in Rochdale who don’t have a good Labour candidate to vote for. I’m really sorry that’s the case – I think it’s an appalling position to be in.“But what I wouldn’t want is for Labour to stand by someone who’s peddled antisemitic conspiracy theories, and that’s why Keir’s taken this unprecedented action.” More

Gillian Keegan has defended new guidance intended to stop the use of mobile phones during the school day.Many schools already prohibit the use of devices in the classroom and the education secretary was challenged on the suggestion that the government is just “repeating guidance” when headteachers “have bigger problems on their hands”.“We do know that many schools have mobile phone bans in place but they are not consistent,” Ms Keegan said during an appearance on Good Morning Britain on Monday 19 February.“It is a change.”Ms Keegan added that schools “welcome” guidance from the Department of Education. More

Labour leader Keir Starmer delivered a speech at the Scottish Labour Conference in Glasgow today (18 February), where he took the opportunity to call for a ceasefire in Gaza.”A ceasefire that lasts. That is what must happen now. The fighting must stop now,” he said, reflecting on his time at the Munich Security Conference.”Not just for now, not just for a pause, but permanently.”MPs will vote on a second SNP-led motion on an immediate ceasefire in Gaza this week. More

Rishi Sunak has broken his silence after the Conservative party suffered a double by-election defeat in Wellingborough and Kingswood on Thursday, 15 February.While on a visit to Harlow police station on Friday, the Prime Minister called the circumstances of the losses “particularly challenging.”“I think if you look at the results, very low turnout, and it shows that we’ve got work to do to show people we are delivering on their priorities.”Mr Sunak said that the low turnout also showed that “there isn’t a huge amount of enthusiasm for Keir Starm and the Labour Party.” More

Sir Keir Starmer defended his judgement after Labour suspended two parliamentary candidates over their remarks about Israel.The Labour leader spoke to BBC Breakfast on Friday morning, 16 February, following a tumultuous week for the party.“I did something that no leader of the Labour party has ever done before, which is to remove a candidate in a by-election where they cannot be replaced because I was so determined to take decisive action in relation to anti-semitism,” the Labour leader said.Mr Starmer has faced backlash for the speed of his decision after a damaging 48 hours in which he initially backed Azhar Ali over anti-semitic comments, before changing his mind. More

Sir Keir Starmer was asked how he’s trying to be “more appealing” to voters ahead of a general election this year.The Labour leader spoke to BBC Breakfast on Friday morning, 16 February, after the party won two by-elections the day before.“I’m working on how to be the best leader I can be of the Labour Party in very difficult circumstances,” he said, referencing the 2019 election as Labour’s worst defeat since 1935 (he mistakenly says 2035).“The progress we’ve made from the worst result since 1935, to being now credible contenders, and that’s all we are, for the 2024 election.” More