Politics latest: PM rules out holiday amid 'high alert' for more unrest - as Tory hopeful makes bold prediction (2024)

Sir Keir Starmer didn't go on a planned family holiday to lead the government's response to the riots - and it's not being rearranged.

Asked if the prime minister would be taking time off now the unrest seems to have subsided, his spokesperson said the holiday had been "cancelled, not postponed".

He will continue working from both Number 10 and the Chequers country retreat.

"The job is not done until people feel safe," his spokesperson said.

"The PM is not alone in this. Many people have had leave cancelled to make sure they can respond to the disorder."

While the government welcomes the "de-escalation" of the violence, which Sir Keir has credited to the swift sentencing of rioters, they added ministers were "not complacent" and "remain on high alert".

By Alix Culbertson, political reporter

The home secretary has said respect for the police needs to be restored after the "brazen abuse and contempt" shown by rioters.

Yvette Cooper said there is "lots of rebuilding to be done" after a fortnight of rioting following the Southport stabbings on 29 July.

"Respect for the police, respect for the law, and respect for each other is where we must start," she wrote in The Daily Telegraph.

She said too often people feel "crime has no consequences" and that "has to change" as she promised to restore confidence in policing and the criminal justice system.

Hundreds of people involved in the riots have been arrested and dozens have already been sentenced after the government pushed for them to be put through the justice system speedily.

Labour's revival in Scotland was key to their success at the general election last month, and they'll be hoping to replicate it when the Holyrood polls come round in 2026.

The SNP is dominant in the Scottish parliament, but may be a little nervous about its prospects after it lost its place as the third-largest Westminster party.

But never mind who might win between Labour and the SNP - one Tory leadership contender reckons their party could beat both.

James Cleverly said he has "every confidence" the Scottish Tories can give Labour and the SNP a "trouncing" in 2026.

'Stop divisive politics of SNP'

The shadow home secretary was in Scotland at the weekend, speaking to members with ex-Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson.

Writing in the Scottish Daily Mail today, he said he wanted the Tories to "stop the divisive politics of the SNP" - which has long campaigned for another independence referendum.

Mr Cleverly's comments come as the Scottish Tories are in the process of picking their own leader to replace Douglas Ross.

Tap the link below to see who's in the running, via our Scotland reporter Jenness Mitchell:

It might be searingly hot outside, but don't sweat - the Politics Hub is back after a few days off.

Here's some of what we've got to get you up to speed on:

• The home secretary has said the recent riots show people have lost respect for the police, and there's "lots of rebuilding to be done";
• Sticking with Yvette Cooper's brief, and Home Office figures show more than 700 migrants crossed the Channel yesterday - the highest number since Labour entered government;
• Tory leadership contender James Cleverly has insisted the party can give the SNP and Labour a "trouncing" in 2026's Holyrood election;
• And the government is proposing poorly performing water companies more than double the amount of compensation they provide their customers.

Stick with us for the latest.

With yet another COBRA meeting in the bag for the prime minister, the Politics Hub is signing off for the evening.

For continued coverage of the response to the riots, including the latest arrests and court hearings, check out our dedicated blog below:

As things stand, the Politics Hub won't be running tomorrow, so any political news, reaction, and analysis relating to the unrest will be in the above blog - do follow along for the latest updates.

Thanks for joining us today, and have a good evening.

Sir Keir Starmer has told his ministers and police chiefs they need to "maintain high alert" despite last night's anticipated wave of far-right unrest failing to materialise.

Sky News understands that was the PM's main message from tonight's COBRA meeting - his third of the week.

Sir Keir thanked the police and wider criminal justice system, saying the high levels of policing in key areas last night helped deter rioters - as did the swift sentencing of those convicted so far.

The prime minister has condemned a "deeply concerning" rise in antisemitic incidents in the UK this year.

Charity CST, which is dedicated to protecting Jewish communities, reported almost 2,000 cases in the first half of 2024 - a record high.

There were at least 200 every month - something which had only happened five times prior to October 2023.

That marks the point that Hamas launched its brutal attack on Israel, which was followed by the now 10-month bombardment of Gaza.

Sir Keir Starmer thanked the CST for its work and said: "Jewish people, and all those from faith communities, deserve to feel safe on our streets.

"We will work together to eradicate discrimination of any kind."

While last night didn't see the unrest many had feared, tonight's COBRA meeting comes ahead of what ministers fear could be days of further protests and disorder.

Sir Keir Starmer has vowed he will not "let up" so far as responding to threats from those bent on violence, and has held talks with police chiefs again this evening to discuss what could happen.

Our crime correspondent Martin Brunt has reported there are fears the new football season kicking off this weekend could spell trouble.

It comes after policing minister Dame Diana Johnson told Sky News earlier that intelligence points to more potential protests.

Read more from our political reporter Alix Culbertson👇

We've been reporting in the Politics Hub today on the arrest of a Labour councillor over comments he made at one of the counter-protests that took place around the country last night.

First came footage from the event, which appeared to show a man calling for "fascist" rioters to have their throats "cut".

Nigel Farage was among those who shared it, and called on police to arrest the man responsible.

He was named online as Dartford Labour councillor Ricky Jones, and the party moved quickly to suspend him.

We then heard from the Met Police, who said they were urgently investigating the video - and later came an arrest on suspicion of encouraging murder.

For the full story and where we've got to as of tonight, our political reporter Faye Brown has you covered👇

Sir Keir Starmer was in the West Midlands earlier before returning to London for tonight's COBRA meeting.

The PM visited a mosque in Solihull, and has just put out a post on X thanking local leaders he met there - and the police - for "keeping our communities safe".

Our team have spotted cabinet ministers leaving the COBRA meeting in the last few minutes, so hopefully we'll get an update on what was discussed from Downing Street before too long.

We'll bring it to you if and when we do.