Wes Streeting says Starmer ‘behind the curve’ on under-16s social media ban – UK politics live

The must-read UK politics book of the summer is probably What If Reform Wins by Peter Chappell , a book that imagines Nigel Farage winning a general election in June 2029 with a majority of 20. Gaby Hinsliff reviewed it for the Guardian here . Although technically fiction, it is based on thorough research into the party (its policies and personalities) and Chappell, a Times journalist, takes a close interest in the constitutional guardrails that might hold Farage back, and what he might to to get round them. It’s gripping, and highly plausible. Every MP should read it.

In Chappell’s scenario, the Reform UK government collapses after 18 months, in part because of infighting. A tweet today suggests he might have been too generous to the Farage crew. Zia Yusuf , the party’s home affairs spokesperson, has put a message on social media saying that when Robert Jenrick, the Treasury spokesperson told Sky News on Sunday that Reform UK would not automatically deport a foreign-born person living in the UK just on the grounds they were living in social housing, he was wrong.

double quotation mark Robert’s answer is not Reform policy.

As the person responsible for our deportation plan I want ensure people know where we stand:

If a foreign national lives in social housing at taxpayer expense, they automatically fail our economic test and will be deported.

In Labour party terms, this is the equivalent of Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary, going on social media to say that Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, is talking nonsense.

Jenrick (who in Chappell’s scenario has already been demoted by the time of the 2029 for plotting against Farage) has not responded publicly to his colleague.

But Labour is not holding back. This is from Mike Tapp , a Home Office minister.

double quotation mark Reform don’t have a plan and while they squabble amongst themselves, the Government is actually bringing down immigration.

The Reform rag tag are in chaos, making it up as they go along.