Don't sugarcoat this: Starmer's government is weak and may perish. Here are my five steps to recovery | John McDonnell

"Most of Labour's woes are of its own making. The winter fuel allowance debacle, the disability benefits cuts rebellion, the refusal to scrap the two-child limit on benefits and, of course, Gaza. Continuing to send arms to Israel that are used to murder children, refusing to break the aid blockade and deploying a contorted logic to delay recognition of the Palestinian state, merely compound things."

"Step two is to simply listen to your supporters, party members, councillors and MPs. MPs are coming back from their constituencies with honest warnings of the anger at some of Labour's policies and the behaviour of senior politicians, including the acceptance of tacky gifts and freebies. They have not only been ignored but have been met with threats of disciplinary action and even loss of the whip."

Labour faces a severe electoral crisis, sliding in polls, losing council by-elections, and confronting a growing xenophobic hard-right threat from Reform UK. Many problems stem from policy choices that alienate core supporters, including welfare decisions and handling of Gaza: arms sales, aid blockade, delayed recognition of a Palestinian state, and proscription of Palestine Action that led to arrests. The party must stop making damaging political decisions that undermine ministerial work. Labour also needs to listen to members, councillors, and MPs reporting anger over policies and senior behaviour, cease punitive responses to dissent, and avoid expulsions that risk shifting votes leftward and seats rightward.

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