An Ask Me Anything with John Rentoul on Starmer's Leadership, Welfare Reform, and the Party's Future

I'm John Rentoul, The Independent’s chief political commentator, and I'm hosting an exclusive Ask Me Anything session.

Recent efforts by Keir Starmer's leadership to address welfare reform have revealed significant internal tensions within the Labour Party, fundamentally challenging its core principles. The disagreement over disability benefits, marked by substantial dissent from both loyalist and more left-leaning MPs, highlighted the difficulties Labour faces in reconciling fiscal prudence with its commitment to social justice.

Starmer's management of this internal conflict has weakened his position. Conversely, Deputy Leader Angela Rayner appears to have gained influence, sparking speculation about the future leadership of the party.

This situation coincides with the announcement by former Labour MP Zarah Sultana that she will co-lead a new political party with former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. Sultana, who was previously stripped of the Labour whip, has accused the government of failing to improve people's lives.

The central question is whether Labour can overcome this identity crisis. Can the party successfully balance its historical dedication to working people with the difficult policy choices necessary in the current political environment? Can it create a viable alternative to austerity without alienating its own supporters?

Furthermore, the recent events raise questions about the roles of Rachel Reeves, Liz Kendall, and Angela Rayner. Will these developments shift the power dynamics within the party, or potentially lead to the exclusion of one of them?

I will be discussing these issues live on Friday, July 4th, at 2pm BST. We will delve into Labour's internal struggles, the challenges facing Starmer's leadership, and the party's future prospects.