Monday briefing: The Welsh were Labour’s most loyal voters, but even their support is in doubt

By Martin Belam · The Guardian World

In today’s newsletter: With public services under strain and voters drifting from traditional parties, the Senedd contest in May might end up causing an unprecedented reshaping of Welsh politics Good morning. Yesterday afternoon the resignation of Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney , added to the sense of instability surrounding Labour’s Downing Street operation, after days of damaging revelations about Peter Mandelson and renewed questions about the prime minister’s leadership. Starmer’s personal ratings look set to fall further – and beyond the turmoil at No 10, Labour is also facing the prospect of severe losses in May’s elections for the Senedd in Wales and the parliament in Scotland. In both contests, the unpopularity of the Westminster government is exacerbating longer-term trends of Labour’s declining support. UK politics | Keir Starmer is fighting to reassert control over his party after accepting the resignation of his closest adviser, Morgan McSweeney, amid anger over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador. Jeffrey Epstein | Noam Chomsky and his wife, Valeria, made a “grave mistake” and were “careless” not to thoroughly research the background of Jeffrey Epstein, Valeria Chomsky said in a lengthy statement, adding also that Epstein had deceived them. Jimmy Lai | Jimmy Lai, the media mogul and prominent pro-democracy activist, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison in Hong Kong for national security offences, a punishment his daughter said could mean “he will die a martyr behind bars.” US politics | Democrats will stop Donald Trump from trying to steal this year’s midterm elections , Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic leader in the US House of Representatives said. Olympics | Andy Burnham is among local leaders backing a plan for a multi-city 2040 Olympics bid from the north of England . Continue reading...