Tweets, pints, and backbench backstabbing - this week Labour had it all!
From MPs calling for a social media ban for under-16s, to Rachel Reeves juggling the economy and a “pubs package,” to Starmer navigating Burnham’s potential comeback, it’s clear Westminster never runs out of drama.
Read all of this and more in our latest edition of Who's Top, Who's Not
Top – Fred Thomas
Fred Thomas is leading a coalition of around 60 backbench Labour MPs calling for the UK to follow Australia in introducing a ban on social media use for under-16s. Thomas organised a letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, signed by the MPs, raising concerns about the impact of social media on children’s brain development and mental health, and urging the government to pursue a ban.
There has been mounting pressure from the House of Lords, which has already voted for an amendment tabled by the Tories to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, that would prohibit under-16s from accessing social media. As a result of this collective pressure, government ministers have launched a consultation, demonstrating the power of a coordinated campaign that secures parliamentary support from different parties and then utilises parliamentary tactics to put pressure on the government.
This episode also highlights the growing influence of organised backbench pressure within Labour, particularly on issues framed around child welfare and public health. Thomas’s ability to mobilise large numbers of backbenchers suggests a broad internal coalition that Starmer may be reluctant to ignore, especially given Labour’s desire to project moral authority and competence in government. And whilst the government will inevitably come under pressure from tech companies, there is a political risk that Badenoch could capitalise on widespread public support, and Labour could miss the chance to implement a popular policy.
Middle – Rachel Reeves
This was a challenging week for Rachel Reeves. The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) World Economic Outlook report found that the UK’s economic growth is expected to be lower in 2026 than in 2025. Meanwhile, inflation rose to 3.4% in the year to December, up from 3.2% in November and well above the 2% target.
On the other hand, Reeves received praise from Harvard professor Kenneth Rogoff, the former IMF chief economist, who commended her handling of the economy despite the difficult circumstances. This endorsement provided some political cover amid otherwise negative headlines.
The coming weeks will be demanding for Reeves as she prepares to announce the details of a forthcoming “pubs package”. She will need to strike a careful balance to ensure the package is politically acceptable, fiscally credible, and capable of delivering tangible economic benefits.
How Reeves handles this period will be closely watched within Labour and the wider public. Her ability to balance the need for economic growth, inflation control, and targeted business support will shape perceptions of her credibility as a long-term economic steward, not just a crisis manager.
Not – Keir Starmer
It was a tricky week for Sir Keir Starmer. Early on, he came under fire from Donald Trump over the Chagos Islands deal and the UK’s rejection of Trump’s Greenland claims. By the end of the week, he was also facing the possibility of a challenge closer to home.
Former Labour minister Andrew Gwynne announced he is stepping down as an MP, triggering a by-election in Gorton and Denton, a seat Labour held in the last election with a 13,000-vote majority. Gwynne had been suspended from the party in 2025 over offensive WhatsApp messages.
His departure opens the door to King of the North Andy Burnham returning to the Westminster bubble he so ardently claims to hate, potentially setting up a leadership tussle with Starmer. Any move would require approval from Labour’s National Executive Committee, which largely backs Starmer, but there are plenty of grounds to object, including the inevitable need for a Mayoral by-election in Manchester that would cost the party millions. Any new candidate for Manchester Mayor could also include sitting MPs, potentially triggering yet another parliamentary by-election.
The situation highlights Starmer’s delicate position. A Burnham victory would give Labour a popular power player in Parliament, but would also inevitably stir leadership speculation with every utterance from Burnham seen through that prism. But the loss of a seat to another party like Reform would be a bruising blow, highlighting Labour’s vulnerability and hitting Starmer’s electoral credibility. And blocking Burnham from standing would create its own political problems, undermining Starmer’s credibility. The situation underscores how narrow his room for manoeuvre has become and how the PM has no good options.