{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/6b2fc9ba-b9b7-4b7a-b980-e0024facd926/69ea3a7c0b4baf3bf2c15160?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Keir Starmer is all alone","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/61b9f75c1a8cbe0c083cee79/1776958030545-2be9fb2b-414f-456a-8d46-5db75b0de045.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>The Mandelson affair has become less about Peter Mandelson’s alleged wrongdoing, and all about Keir Starmer’s ability to run the country.</p><p><br></p><p>This week Olly Robbins, former chief civil servant at the Foreign Office, insisted the Prime Minister pressured him into clearing Peter Mandelson for the US ambassador post.</p><p><br></p><p>Yesterday, Starmer was forced to admit his former spin doctor Matthew Doyle, who was suspended from the Labour Party over campaigning for a convicted child sex offender, was also considered for a diplomatic role.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Labour MPs and even cabinet ministers no longer seem able to defend the Prime Minister.</p><p><br></p><p>But the frontrunners to replace Starmer are also, according to reporting by our editor Tom McTague, biding their time.</p><p><br></p><p>How long can they wait? How long can the country wait?</p><p><br></p><p>Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Tom McTague in the studio.</p><p><br></p><p>READ: Keir Starmer is all alone</p><p>https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/labour/2026/04/keir-starmer-is-all-alone</p><p><br></p>","author_name":"The New Statesman"}