The Starmer government’s bid to relaunch under “Phase 2” has been thrown off course by the fallout from Lord Mandelson’s dismissal as U.S ambassador, raising questions about the Prime Minister’s judgment and intensifying speculation about his position.
Mandelson was fired after emails emerged showing he continued his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein following his conviction. The BBC reports Labour MPs are voicing frustration both publicly and privately, questioning why Starmer proceeded with Mandelson’s appointment despite earlier concerns. Richard Burgon MP declared Starmer would be “gone” if Labour performs poorly in next May’s elections, while Helen Hayes said many MPs were “devastated” by the episode and argued Mandelson should never have been appointed. The Conservatives have also stepped-up pressure as MP Alex Burghart called for the release of internal government correspondence, the so-called “Mandelson-Epstein files”, and accused Starmer of ignoring warnings. Downing Street maintains the Prime Minister only became aware of the emails last Wednesday and acted within hours to remove Mandelson.
Yet attention has already turned to possible successors with Andy Burnham, Wes Streeting, Shabana Mahmood and Bridget Phillipson all being discussed within Westminster. Meanwhile, the deputy leadership race between Bridget Phillipson and Lucy Powell is being closely watched, with some MPs interpreting it as a proxy contest between rival factions of the party.
Unrest outside Parliament has added to the pressure. More than 100,000 people joined a “Unite the Kingdom” march in London on Saturday led by Tommy Robinson, where Elon Musk told the crowd that “violence is coming.” Starmer condemned what he described as the use of national symbols to spread “fear and division”, emphasising that Britain’s flag represents a diverse and tolerant country and reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting law and order.
Ministers are also under scrutiny over immigration, with the first deportation flights to France due this week under the “one-in, one-out” pilot scheme announced by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron during his state visit to the UK in July.
The government’s international focus is split between the imminent arrival of President Donald Trump in London for a state visit and growing concern over Russia’s war in Ukraine. Trump’s discussions with ministers are expected to cover trade, free speech and U.S investment, while European leaders remain wary of his calls to halt Russian oil imports as a route to ending the conflict. At the same time, tensions within NATO escalated this weekend after Romania summoned the Russian ambassador over a drone incursion into its airspace, days after a similar incident in Poland. Romanian officials condemned the breach as an “unacceptable and irresponsible” violation of sovereignty, with President Zelensky warning it marked an “obvious expansion” of Russia’s war. NATO has also announced plans to reinforce its eastern flank, underscoring the risks facing Europe as Washington debates its own approach.
The government is also looking ahead to November’s Budget, with Treasury officials drafting plans to scrap VAT on fuel to ease pressure on households and to shore up Ed Miliband after a difficult summer. Yet the broader economic picture remains subdued, with little prospect of a significant improvement before next spring.
Against this backdrop, the week ahead will be dominated by Donald Trump’s state visit. He arrives in London on Tuesday, with a state banquet at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday coinciding with the start of parliamentary recess. Markets will be watching Thursday’s Bank of England interest rate decision closely, while party politics shifts to the south coast as the Liberal Democrats open their autumn conference on Saturday.
Headlines
- UK and US unveil nuclear energy deal ahead of Trump visit – The BBC
- How Britain's Labour Party is (quietly) keeping up with the Democrats – Politico
- Benefits rebels back Andy Burnham – The Telegraph
What’s on in Parliament
Monday 15th September
House of Commons
- Oral Questions: Home Office
- Adjournment debate: Provision of council housing
- Westminster Hall debate: e-petition 711021 relating to assessments and support for children with SEND
House of Lords
- Oral questions: UK environmental impact of failure to reach agreement on a Global Plastic Treaty
- Oral questions: Cost caps for landlords in the social and private rented sectors to meet Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards
- Legislation: Planning and Infrastructure Bill - committee stage (day 7)
Tuesday 16th September
House of Commons
- Oral questions: Justice
- Ten Minute Rule Motion: Child Poverty Strategy (Removal of Two Child Limit)
- Adjournment: Professional standards in the police
- Westminster Hall debate: The impact of employment rights on businesses
House of Lords
- Oral questions: Specific factors driving the increase in undocumented migrants leaving France to enter the United Kingdom
- Oral questions: Government assessment of the growth figures for July 2025
- Legislation: Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill - committee stage (day 11)
Wednesday 17th September
Parliament is not sitting and will next sit on the 13th October.
Consultations
- Growing the market for low carbon industrial products: policy framework – closes 29th September
- Consultation on streamlining infrastructure planning – closes 27th October
- Decommissioning offshore installations: guidance and associated policy proposals – closes 31st October
Statistics and Research
- Water situation: area monthly reports for England - 12th September
- UK overseas trade in goods statistics: July 2025 – 12th September
- The right moment for digital safety: capturing critical opportunities for media literacy – 12th September