Mastodawn

https://www.democracynow.org/2026/2/6/headlines/uk_opposition_parties_call_for_vote_of_no_confidence_in_pm_starmer_over_epstein_linked_ambassador

U.K. Opposition Parties Call for Vote of No Confidence in PM Starmer over Epstein-Linked Ambassador

In the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces a growing political storm over his decision in 2024 to appoint Peter Mandelson as U.S. ambassador despite his connections to Jeffrey Epstein. In September, the tabloid newspaper The Sun published a trove of emails revealing Mandelson urged Epstein to fight for early release from prison after his 2008 conviction for procuring a child for prostitution, writing, “Your friends stay with you and love you.” Starmer was grilled by members of the House of Commons Wednesday, where he insisted Mandelson lied during the vetting process, implying he “barely knew” Epstein. Prime Minister Keir Starmer: “Mandelson betrayed our country, our Parliament and my party. Mr. Speaker, he lied repeatedly to my team when asked about his relationship with Epstein before and during his tenure as ambassador. I regret appointing him. If I knew then what I know now, he would never have been anywhere near government.” Opposition leaders in the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties have called for a “no confidence” vote in Starmer.

Democracy Now!

Editor Oct 8

Swansea University staff deliver vote of no confidence in Vice Chancellor over £25m job cuts

“An impossible working situation”

The vote, held last Wednesday by members of the University and College Union (UCU), reflects growing unrest among staff facing another year of deep uncertainty.

Estelle Hart, president of Swansea UCU, said the cuts were creating an “impossible working situation” for staff already stretched to breaking point.

“This vote reflects the anger and frustration felt by our members who are facing yet another year with the threat of redundancy hanging over them while they are expected to deliver more and more with less and less,” she said.

Hundreds of roles lost

Swansea UCU said nearly 400 staff had already left the university through a voluntary severance scheme, with almost 200 vacant roles removed on top. The union warned that further job losses would not solve what it described as a “financial crisis”.

The university has announced £30 million in savings this academic year, with £25 million coming directly from staff costs.

University response

In a statement, Swansea University said:

“We are deeply aware of the impact that this may have on our staff community and our priority throughout this process has been to support our colleagues.

We also continue to engage meaningfully with our recognised campus unions as we explore all available options to meet the financial requirements of the coming year.

We are working hard to ensure that any essential savings do not adversely affect our core mission.”

What happens next?

The vote of no confidence is symbolic but significant, signalling a breakdown in trust between university leadership and its academic workforce. UCU members are expected to continue pressing for transparency and alternatives to further job losses.

Swansea Bay News will continue to follow developments as the university finalises its cost-saving plans.

Related Articles

#costCutting #costSavings #education #educationJobs #HigherEducation #jobLosses #jobs #Swansea #SwanseaUCU #SwanseaUniversity #UniversityAndCollegeUnion #voteOfNoConfidence

Canvases By Peter Aug 26, 2025

Expelling an Iranian ambassador because their country "might" have been involved in "an attack that slightly singed a door", while allowing the Israeli ambassador all the modern comforts Australia has to offer while Israel actively SLAUGHTERS TENS OF THOUSANDS OF MEN WOMEN KIDS AND BABIES while STARVING 2,000,000 MORE.. Albanese showing once again how PISS WEAK & COMPLICIT he really is.

#VoteOfNoConfidence #LaborFail #AlbaneseFail #Complicit #WarCrimes #GenocideEnabler #AusPol #HumanRights

Craig Cockburn Dec 4, 2020

#NoDealBrexit spells a #voteofnoconfidence

John Bailey Jan 24, 2023

I call for a #VoteOfNoConfidence - in pretty much every government and military official from POTUS to the local dog catcher.

https://youtu.be/A1Gy5nJ6GGE

Paul Douglas Jul 5, 2022

Oh he does, does he? There’s a way of checking that… #confidencevote #voteofnoconfidence @[email protected]

RT @[email protected]

@[email protected] “I wouldn’t get too excited about resignations.”

Jacob Rees-Mogg tells @[email protected] that he continues to support the Prime Minister saying he continues to command a majority in the House of Commons.

https://www.channel4.com/news/i-wouldnt-get-too-excited-about-resignations-says-jacob-rees-mogg-as-senior-cabinet-ministers-resign

🐦🔗: https://twitter.com/Channel4News/status/1544412297585516544

“I wouldn’t get too excited about resignations” says Jacob Rees-Mogg as senior cabinet ministers resign

Minister for Brexit opportunities Jacob Rees Mogg joins Matt Frei from the Houses of Parliament.

Channel 4 News

IBBoard Jun 7, 2022

Ah, so the underlings were at fault. Not the ministers 😒
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RT @BD_Strike
So my local tory mp Harriet Baldwin doesn't think Johnson should be sacked. Guess I know how she voted in the no confidence. I wish I could say I was surprised. Instead I'm just disgusted. #voteofnoconfidence #BorisJohnson
https://twitter.com/BD_Strike/status/1534147583840493569

Beautifulfic 🖋️🔞 on Twitter

“So my local tory mp Harriet Baldwin doesn't think Johnson should be sacked. Guess I know how she voted in the no confidence. I wish I could say I was surprised. Instead I'm just disgusted. #voteofnoconfidence #BorisJohnson”

Twitter