Prime Minister’s support for Kamina Johnson Smith backfires as Labour peer is reappointed as Commonwealth Secretary-General.

Boris Johnson has suffered a setback after Commonwealth leaders rejected his attempt to replace Baroness Scotland as Secretary-General, re-electing the Labour peer for a second term instead. The Prime Minister had thrown his support behind Jamaican Foreign Minister Kamina Johnson Smith, hoping she would succeed Baroness Scotland in leading the 54-nation Commonwealth. However, in a significant blow to Johnson’s influence, the majority of Commonwealth leaders decided to retain Baroness Scotland at the helm during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) on Friday.

Despite private criticisms of Baroness Scotland from UK officials, Johnson’s efforts to secure the post for Johnson Smith were unsuccessful. At a press conference following the decision, Johnson appeared composed and refrained from expressing frustration, stating: “It’s a good day for democracy. I work well with Baroness Scotland, have done for a very long time, and I look forward to continuing our work together over the next couple of years.”

The Prime Minister emphasised that the UK would continue to work closely with Baroness Scotland to strengthen the Commonwealth Secretariat and ensure it delivers value to its members.

In her statement, Baroness Scotland expressed gratitude for her reappointment, calling it “deeply humbling” and a “true honour and privilege” to serve for another term. She pledged to continue her efforts to unite Commonwealth nations in addressing global challenges. “The Commonwealth is richer for the breadth and depth of talented leaders who dedicate themselves to our family of nations,” she added.

Kamina Johnson Smith, who had been Johnson’s preferred candidate, accepted her defeat graciously, writing on social media: “Much love always, I continue to serve, and of course, sincere congratulations to Baroness Scotland.”

While Johnson had championed his candidate, calling her the one with the “vast experience and support to unite our unique family of nations,” the outcome marked a significant diplomatic failure for the UK. Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy described the outcome as “humiliating,” stating that it underscored Johnson’s lack of influence within the Commonwealth.

The rejection of Johnson’s bid signals that, despite his government’s strong backing, the Prime Minister’s sway within international organisations remains limited, highlighting the complexities of global diplomacy.

President-elect builds alliances to strengthen his position in Congress and push through key reforms.

Gustavo Petro, Colombia’s president-elect, has secured the backing of the Liberal Party in his quest to form a broad governing coalition in Congress. This significant move comes as Petro aims to implement his ambitious agenda, which includes reforms to the country’s fiscal, agrarian, and pension systems. The support of the Liberal Party, traditionally aligned with Colombia’s political establishment, marks a pragmatic step by Petro as he seeks to unite various political forces.

Petro, who made his name as a former mayor of Bogotá and as a member of the M-19 guerrilla group that demobilised in the 1980s, won the presidency in a historic second-round victory over the political establishment. His win on Sunday dealt a significant blow to Colombia’s traditional political elite, who have long been accused of perpetuating corruption, violence, and inequality, despite overseeing the country’s economic growth.

The Liberal Party’s decision to join Petro’s coalition, led by former president César Gaviria, reflects the president-elect’s ability to form political alliances with key figures. “We won’t be a party of opposition,” said Gaviria, signalling a commitment to work with Petro’s Historic Pact group, though details about the role the Liberal Party will play in the government are still under negotiation. The Liberal Party holds 14 seats in the Senate and 32 in the House of Representatives, making it one of the largest factions in Colombia’s bicameral legislature.

With 20 seats in the Senate and 27 in the House of Representatives, Petro’s Historic Pact is still short of a parliamentary majority, and the addition of Liberal Party support would bring him closer to securing one. Political analyst Sandra Borda from the University of Los Andes in Bogotá noted that the content of the policies Petro will push through Congress remains uncertain. She pointed out that foreign governments and investors will be closely watching Petro’s choice for finance minister, which could provide clues about whether his administration will favour increased state intervention in the economy.

Despite his victory, Petro is likely to face significant opposition from the Democratic Center, the party founded by former president Álvaro Uribe. The party, which remains a major force in Colombian politics, is expected to challenge many of Petro’s reforms. Current president Iván Duque, a member of the Democratic Center, will formally hand over power to Petro on August 7.

Meanwhile, real estate tycoon Rodolfo Hernández, who garnered 47% of the vote in the second round, has yet to confirm whether he will accept a Senate seat. If he does, it would strengthen the opposition in Congress. However, Petro’s ability to forge alliances in the coming months will be crucial to his ability to pass key legislation and enact the changes promised during his campaign.

Prime Minister expresses optimism despite challenging circumstances in Wakefield and Tiverton and Honiton.

As the polls closed in the critical by-elections in Wakefield and Tiverton and Honiton, Boris Johnson maintained his optimism, acknowledging that mid-term elections are always a tough challenge for any government.

The contests were triggered by the resignation of Conservative MPs under scandalous circumstances. In Wakefield, Labour is hoping to reclaim a seat that was previously a stronghold, while in Tiverton and Honiton, the Liberal Democrats are aiming to overturn a significant Conservative majority.

Johnson, speaking from Kigali where he is attending the Commonwealth leaders’ summit, said he was “full of optimism and buoyancy” as he awaited the results, even though he conceded that mid-term by-elections are never straightforward for any ruling party. “I’m watching with interest but always optimistic,” he told broadcasters.

Although Johnson remained hopeful, a senior Tory source acknowledged the difficult position the party faced in Devon, and a Labour campaign official in Wakefield suggested that the party was on the verge of victory.

Wakefield’s by-election followed the resignation of Imran Ahmad Khan, who was jailed for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy. Labour is eager to win back the seat, which had been a Labour stronghold for decades before it flipped to the Tories in 2019.

In Tiverton and Honiton, Neil Parish stepped down after admitting to watching pornography on his phone in the House of Commons. The Liberal Democrats are hoping to replicate their by-election successes in North Shropshire and Chesham and Amersham. However, they face a challenging task, with a Conservative majority of over 24,000 to overturn. Despite this, Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey expressed confidence, saying that the two parties were “neck and neck.”

Davey highlighted dissatisfaction with Johnson’s leadership, claiming that voters in the constituency were “fed up of Boris Johnson’s lies and neglect.” He called on them to back Lib Dem candidate Richard Foord, citing issues such as rising petrol bills, failing public services, and an increasingly strained farming industry under the current government.

Meanwhile, Johnson urged voters to support the Conservative candidate in Tiverton and Honiton, Helen Hurford, emphasising the party’s commitment to supporting the farming industry and British agriculture. In a video shared online, Johnson appeared alongside Hurford at a farm, promoting policies aimed at protecting the agricultural sector.

The outcome of these by-elections could have significant ramifications for Johnson’s leadership, particularly following the partygate scandal and amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Losing both seats would be a blow to the Conservatives, and such an outcome would mark only the seventh time since World War II that a governing party has suffered defeats in two by-elections on the same day.

In Wakefield, the Conservatives are facing an uphill battle. Labour is now seen as the favourite to win the seat, with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer declaring that a victory in Wakefield could mark the beginning of a new Labour government. Starmer called the Tories’ promises “empty” and emphasised that Labour’s positive campaign centred on job creation, public safety, and reversing unfair tax hikes.

Should the Conservatives lose both seats, it would signal further trouble for Johnson, whose leadership has been under increasing scrutiny.

Boris Johnson calls for unions to reconsider their stance, warning that strikes will harm passengers, businesses, and the economy.

As a nationwide rail strike looms, Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to call for a “pragmatic compromise” to prevent disruption to millions of passengers. The proposed industrial action, set to affect services this week, is the culmination of a long-running dispute between rail unions and employers over pay, jobs, and working conditions.

Johnson is expected to argue that unions are “hurting the very people they claim to help” by moving forward with the largest wave of industrial action on the railways in a generation. Ahead of a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, he will urge both sides to find a balanced solution that protects workers’ rights while preventing further chaos for the public.

The strikes, led by the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, are set to take place on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Services across the UK will be severely impacted, with only one in five trains operating on strike days, mainly on major routes and for a limited 11-hour window.

Despite ongoing negotiations on Monday evening, the deadlock remains, with both sides blaming each other for the lack of progress. Culture minister Chris Philp criticised the RMT for disrupting critical services, warning that the strikes would affect patients seeking medical care and children unable to attend exams.

However, RMT general secretary Mick Lynch rejected these accusations, accusing the government of “spreading nonsense” and insisting that his union was committed to negotiations. He stated that any potential settlement hinges on an offer that addresses key issues, but so far, no such proposal has been made.

Lynch’s criticisms also extended to the Prime Minister’s comments regarding the state of the rail industry. Johnson had argued that “outdated working practices” and excessive pay demands were putting financial strain on passengers, but Lynch countered by highlighting the technological advancements and modern agreements the union had secured in past years.

The union leader also pointed to the government’s £4 billion funding cuts to National Rail and Transport for London, accusing ministers of actively preventing a resolution by demanding job cuts and offering wages below the current inflation rate.

The Department for Transport (DfT), however, disputed these claims, stating that no £4 billion cuts had been made, instead attributing financial difficulties to reduced passenger numbers during the pandemic. The DfT also emphasised that decisions on job cuts were made by individual employers, not the government.

As the dispute drags on, the Prime Minister is expected to emphasise the broader economic implications of the strike, urging a sensible resolution to avoid inflating the cost of living. Johnson will warn that excessive pay demands would worsen the economic challenges facing families, particularly with inflationary pressures continuing to rise.

No 10 confirmed that the Prime Minister, alongside Chancellor Rishi Sunak, would discuss the need for public sector pay restraint in the context of rising inflation. Johnson has already stressed that any pay rises must be proportional and should not fuel further inflation.

In addition to the immediate threat of rail strikes, Johnson’s Cabinet meeting will also focus on addressing broader economic concerns, with warnings that unchecked inflation could lead to long-term damage for public finances.

With a smirk on her face, Patel attempts to brush off the latest backlash over the failed deportation policy, but her government’s growing unpopularity is hard to ignore.

On Wednesday afternoon, Priti Patel spent two hours in the House of Commons, and for nearly the entire duration, her face was set in the now-familiar smirk that has come to define her public persona. But this time, her smirk seemed more pronounced, an almost exaggerated gesture as she attempted to brush aside the mounting criticism surrounding the government’s controversial asylum policy.

To anyone who follows football, Patel’s smirk will be instantly recognisable. It’s the same one professional players often flash when they try to downplay a decision they know is against them – a subtle yet intentional attempt to undermine the authority of the referee. Patel’s version, however, came as she tried to deflect the fallout from one of the most divisive policies she’s championed: the deportation of asylum seekers to Rwanda, a scheme that has sparked widespread outrage.

This policy, designed to send individuals seeking refuge in the UK to Rwanda, has been mired in controversy since its inception. Despite the government’s promises, the first deportation flight failed to take off, with legal challenges whittling down the number of people set to be on board from 130 to just seven, including a former Iranian police officer who had sought asylum in the UK. This individual was accused of a crime that amounted to nothing more than refusing to fire on peaceful protesters in his own country.

But Patel was determined to spin the situation as a victory. According to her, even the failed flight would ultimately be seen as a win, with the government using the debacle to rally against the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and bolster the Brexit cause. The plan, in her eyes, was a clever ploy, a means to either successfully deport the asylum seekers or ignite a row with the ECHR – a strategy that allowed them to wave the flag and deflect from the real issues facing the country.

Yet, the reality of the situation is far less straightforward. The more one examines the details of the Rwanda plan, the clearer it becomes that the government is failing to address the real concerns about asylum and immigration. Many MPs, including Tom Hunt from Ipswich, have tried to justify the policy by attacking the “elite” as out of touch with the everyday struggles of ordinary citizens. Hunt’s defence of the policy, made on Twitter, hinged on the idea that those opposing the deportations were not familiar with the problems of housing shortages, long NHS waiting times, or lack of school places. But the hypocrisy of this argument was exposed by the fact that Hunt himself attended a £26,000-a-year school, far beyond the reach of most people in the country.

Meanwhile, Danny Kruger, another prominent Conservative MP, added to the disarray by suggesting that the UK should leave the European Convention on Human Rights altogether. His rationale was that the original conception of human rights in the 1950s, drafted by British lawyers, was more in line with the UK’s interests. It’s a perspective that raises serious questions about how the government views basic human rights, particularly when it comes to protecting people from persecution.

The government’s response to the growing backlash has been to deflect blame and attack critics. When 26 bishops from the House of Lords issued a joint letter condemning the deportation policy, a government source responded by suggesting that they should be removed from the Lords. This dismissal of moral opposition, combined with the government’s focus on symbolism rather than substance, paints a worrying picture of the current state of UK politics.

As Patel and other government figures continue to spin this controversial policy, the broader picture of a government that seems increasingly out of touch with the public becomes harder to ignore. With the country facing serious challenges, from economic struggles to international condemnation, the government’s focus on divisive issues like Rwanda deportations seems more like a distraction than a genuine solution.

While Patel smirks and tries to style out the latest scandal, it’s becoming increasingly clear that her government’s approach is failing to address the real problems facing the country – and it’s the people at the bottom who will suffer the most.