How Jeremy Corbyn’s new party plans to take on Starmer’s Labour

It may have been a rather turbulent launch, but the potential for Jeremy Corbyn’s new party to shake up the UK’s fractured political landscape has certainly not gone unnoticed in Westminster.

The MP for Islington North has promised to “build a democratic movement that can take on the rich and powerful” in the form of a “new kind of political party”.

But while the as-yet-unnamed party looks to the future – and the next general election – it may well contain more familiar faces than you might expect.

The former Labour leader’s new party hopes to tempt a number of his former comrades-in-arms to join as it attempts to seize on Labour’s struggles in the polls and position itself in part as the party on the left of British politics that can take on Nigel Farage’s Reform, according to insiders.

The pitch to current Labour MPs will, among other things, suggest that they can stick with Sir Keir Starmer and a stumbling Labour party – and lose their seat – or join Corbyn’s new group and save it.

While insiders would not be drawn on specific targets, a number of sitting MPs and constituencies are thought to have already been identified. Among those rumoured to be under consideration are MPs in the Socialist Campaign Group, which includes former shadow minister Ian Lavery and Ian Byrne, and those disillusioned by the recent row over Labour’s welfare cuts.

More than 120 Labour MPs, including MPs like Kim Johnson from Liverpool, a pocket of the country where the new Corbyn party has in recent days been thought to have attracted strong support, backed a bid to block the government’s planned welfare changes, before ministers eventually backed down.

Meanwhile senior ministers, including health secretary Wes Streeting and justice secretary Shabana Mahmood, saw their majorities slashed last year in the face of challenges from pro-Gaza candidates, and could be targeted by Corbyn’s new party as it seeks a major scalp at its first general election.

There is potential for a party that offers disaffected voters disillusioned with Starmer and Labour something new. A recent Find Out Now poll suggested that the new party would be equal third to Labour in support, on 15 per cent each, with Reform on 34 per cent and the Tories on 17 per cent.

Luke Tryl, from the pollsters More in Common, said the prospect of a new Corbyn-led party polled very well and “took 10 per cent of the vote, taking votes from Labour and the Greens”.

Leading pollster Sir John Curtice told The Independent that “Labour are vulnerable to the left”, adding that the Greens “were taking votes off them in that direction” at the last election.

But he added a note of caution, saying: “At the moment, I’m waiting to see whether Corbyn manages to get his act together and manages to create a political party that has some thoughts and organisation behind it.”

While far from enough to win an election, the early polling does suggest the group could cause real problems for Labour. And, despite the belief inside the party that they are the ones who can beat Reform in many seats, another ex-Labour leader, Neil Kinnock, has attacked the group, saying the only people they will help are Mr Farage and the Tory leader Kemi Badenoch.

The public has certainly taken notice too – a call out on social media has seen 600,000 people register as supporters, according to Mr Corbyn, with heavy concentrations in areas insiders believe to be very open to the new party’s message.

The party is planning to hold a founding conference later this year, but before that, there will be a series of meetings in different parts of the country, after places like Liverpool and other northern cities saw a huge number of people sign up.

But with popularity comes danger.

Insiders are worried about the possibility of “entryism” into the new group, including from the right. Ironically, this is what Corbyn supporters were accused of, albeit from the other side of the political spectrum, when he became Labour leader in 2015 after Ed Miliband allowed the public to take part for a £3 fee.

The group is aware that it cannot be hijacked by left-wing activist groups either, such as the Socialist Workers, as that could limit its potential to appeal to a wider group of voters keen for something new and different in their politics.

And while the party wants to convert as many people as possible into full members, there is a wariness over pitching the cost of membership too low and potentially encouraging right-wingers keen to sabotage the party by disrupting its internal democracy, including potentially trying to build momentum behind a stupid name.

The party created a flurry of headlines and jokes when it was unveiled after Mr Corbyn sent supporters to a website called Your Party, only for Zarah Sultana, a potential co-leader, to take to social media to insist that was not the new outfit’s name.

That, along with many other things, will be decided at the conference – part of Mr Corbyn’s long-standing commitment to internal democracy in political parties. Some within the party, including Ms Sultana, are pushing for the party to be called “The Left”. Others back the idea of “The People’s Party”, although that is also the name of a conservative political party in Spain and in 2011, David Cameron famously took the Tories out of a European centre-right alliance called the “European People’s Party”.

Whatever it is called, the party’s performance at the next election could be helped or hindered by how many Labour MPs Mr Corbyn manages to persuade to join him and Ms Sultana.

Arsenal target momentum against Athletic as Gyokeres starts

Arsenal tackle Athletic Club in a pre-season friendly with Mikel Arteta desperate for momentum to inspire a Premier League title charge.

Viktor Gyokeres is yet to find chemistry with his new teammates and the Swedish striker will likely start here in search of goals following his £64m move from Sporting.

After defeat to Spurs in Hong Kong, Arsenal slipped up at home to Villarreal in a 3-2 loss at the Emirates, though Max Dowman has been a bright spark with the 15-year-old likely to feature this term for the Gunners.

“He [Gyokeres] is getting connections as well outside, which I think is really important with players that are going to help him to get in the position that he needs to get in,” Arteta said. “On his fitness level, he will take another step [on Saturday] and he will be in a better condition.”

It is the final preparation before next Sunday’s league opener against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Follow live build-up, minute-by-minute updates and analysis below:

Fresh hosepipe ban warning as fourth heatwave set to grip UK

Tens of thousands of people have been warned to restrict their water use and only turn on the taps when essential, just days before the UK is set to be gripped by its fourth heatwave.

South East Water (SEW) has told customers in Sussex that water reservoirs in the area are “falling quicker and earlier than usual”.

People in the area have been asked to only use water for essential use, such as for drinking, washing and cooking.

SEW already has a hosepipe ban in place in Sussex and Kent, but has warned it is monitoring water supplies in parts of Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire to see if further restrictions are needed.

More than 8.5 million UK households are currently under hosepipe bans, with Southern Water, Thames Water and Yorkshire Water also bringing in restrictions following a spell of warm weather in July.

The latest warning comes as a yellow heat health alert has been issued for large parts of the UK next week, with temperatures set to soar past 30C in some areas.

The UK Health Security Agency heat warning, cautioning “significant impacts” across health and social care services, is in place from 12pm on Monday until 6pm on Wednesday. The alert covers Yorkshire and the Humber, the East Midlands, the East of England, the South East and the South West.

Temperatures are set to hit 27C in parts of southern England over the weekend, and then rise to over 30C in parts of central, southern and eastern England on Monday and Tuesday.

Ahead of the latest heatwave, a spokesperson for South East Water warned: “Our surface water reservoirs, Ardingly and Arlington, are an important source of water and are falling quicker and earlier than usual.

“Most of the water in them is taken from the nearby rivers, whose flow is much lower than normal because of multiple heatwaves.

“The reservoirs have not been this low at this time of year since the drought of 2022 and, with more warm weather due very soon, we’re asking people to protect resources and keep water use around the home to essential purposes only – namely drinking, washing and cooking.”

Steven Keates at the Met Office said: “We’re confident that temperatures will increase markedly by the start of next week, reaching the low 30s Celsius in parts of England on Monday and perhaps the mid-30s in a few places on Tuesday.

“However, the length of this warm spell is still uncertain, and it is possible that high temperatures could persist further into next week, particularly in the south”.

The fourth heatwave this year follows one in June and two in July. Authorities register a heatwave when a location records a period of at least three consecutive days with daily maximum temperatures meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature threshold.

This threshold varies depending on the area, from 25C in Scotland to 28C in London.

Wembley Stadium investigates claim fans were smuggled into Oasis shows

An investigation has been launched into reports that up to 200 people were able to sneak into Oasis’s concerts at Wembley Stadium without tickets.

The Britpop legends played the London venue five times between 25 July to 3 August as part of their ongoing 2025 reunion tour, with a further two shows scheduled for September.

Tickets sold out in hours when they went on sale last year, after brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher announced that they were reuniting for the first time since their infamous split in 2009.

Unprecedented demand was met with a surge in ticket prices and a row over Ticketmaster’s so-called “dynamic pricing”, which the company denied using.

It has now been reported that some people paid £350 each to be smuggled into Wembley through a disabled entrance across the five gigs, allegedly using copies of the same ticket to get through security.

The Sun reports that those people were handed wristbands by members of security that gave them access to the VIP area in front of the stage.

One fan claimed: “We were given our tickets, which were all the same, and a woman drew a shape on our hands. We were told to go to the disabled door at entrance M, even though our tickets said entrance F.

“We showed our stamped hands to the person on the door, they scanned the tickets, even though we all had the same one, and let us in.”

Another member of staff apparently then handed them a “golden circle” wristband and “that was it. There were zero security searches. We just walked straight in.”

Sky News reports that six people were arrested for suspected unauthorised entry during the shows, while 24 were ejected from the venue on the same grounds.

A Wembley Stadium spokesperson said in a statement: “Entering Wembley Stadium without a ticket is a serious offence and we are investigating these allegations.

“If they are substantiated, we will refer our evidence to the police.”

The Independent has contacted Wembley Stadium and Oasis’s representatives for comment.

Oasis are currently in Edinburgh, Scotland, where they will play two further shows tonight (Saturday 9 August) and Tuesday (11 August), after their first gig at Murrayfield Stadium on Friday.

They will then perform at Dublin’s Croke Park before heading to Japan, South Korea, South America, Australia and North America later this year.

On Friday night, Liam Gallagher hit out at City of Edinburgh council over a report that predicted fans would be “rowdy” and “intoxicated” during their shows at Murrayfield.

Speaking in front of around 70,000 fans, Liam branded the council a “bunch of snakes” and said his band were “still waiting for our apology”.

Meanwhile, The Independent reported this week of “outrageous” price hikes for hotels and accommodation as the band’s shows clash with Edinburgh Fringe festival.

The Independent found prices approaching £4,000 for accommodation. With 92 per cent of hotels and lodgings sold out on sites including Booking.com, Expedia listed one 12-bedroom house at £8,009 – the cost falling by almost half a month later. Meanwhile, one luxury hotel was charging £3,599 for a suite, with more affordable options no longer available.

Couple featured in The Salt Path question ‘disappointing’ depiction

A couple who were included in Raynor Winn’s now-disputed memoir The Salt Path have claimed that their encounter with the author and her husband doesn’t add up.

Joanne and David Parsons, who are mentioned in the bestselling 2018 book, are alleged to have met Raynor and Moth Winn at a cafe on the South West Coast Path and introduced themselves using their real names, Sally and Timothy.

The two couples, who had bonded for an hour in the Fat Apples Cafe, near Porthallow in Cornwall, after sharing their health issues, were both said to be embarking on the 630-mile hike from Somerset to Dorset.

However, after reading about their chance meeting with the Winns, the Parsons, who are from Australia, found several discrepancies.

Not only had Raynor Winn described the Parsons as well off, but she also claimed that they used B&Bs when the weather turned bad and had given away their tent. Winn also claimed that they had met in 2013. The Parsons dispute this, saying that they had met in 2015.

Speaking to The Observer, Joanne Parsons said that she contacted Raynor Winn after reading an article about The Salt Path in 2018.

Joanne says she wrote in an email: “When we saw the picture of you both in the article, we kept looking at each other saying: ‘That’s Sally and Tim!’ But it can’t be as you would have told us you were homeless and you said you were walking the other way! And why did you give yourselves false names? Or did you reinvent yourselves while on the path? Would love to know.”

She said that she also questioned Winn about her husband’s illness and why she wrote that they had ditched their tent at a charity shop. “We worked out we were happier wild camping and only went to B&Bs when the weather was really bad,” she added.

In response to the Parsons’ claims, Winn is said to have written that although she and Moth had walked the Salt Path in 2013, they then walked part of it again in 2015, which is when they met Joanne and David.

Explaining the date change, she reportedly wrote: “We didn’t explain any of that [in the book], as it all just seemed too complicated.” She also apologised for misremembering the story about the tent.

Joanne told The Observer: “We had a very good encounter with them. And that’s why all this is quite disappointing.”

The Independent has contacted Winn’s representatives for comment.

Last month, The Observer published an investigation that raised several doubts about the truth behind Winn’s story. It was claimed that large portions of the book could have been embellished, as well as that the central premise of hardship and betrayal could have been built on a fiction of its own.

The investigation claimed that the book misrepresented how the couple lost their home, which, according to Winn, was due to a bad business investment.

However, The Observer reported that the couple lost the property after Winn allegedly defrauded her employer of £64,000 in 2008, which she apparently attempted to repay by taking out a loan from a relative.

In a statement provided to The Independent, Winn said at the time: “[The] Observer article is highly misleading. We are taking legal advice and won’t be making any further comments at this time.

“The Salt Path lays bare the physical and spiritual journey Moth and I shared, an experience that transformed us completely and altered the course of our lives. This is the true story of our journey.”

Off the beaten track: discover ten British hidden gem destinations

While big cities and buzzy coastal destinations have their place, sometimes it’s nice to explore somewhere a little more under the radar, and Britain has lots of travel treasures to discover. From overlooked cities with a burgeoning cultural scene, vibrant market towns and revitalised seaside resorts, there’s somewhere to satisfy every type of traveller. The best part? You can reach many of these hidden gems easily by rail.

Travelling by train is a convenient, fun and greener way to arrive at your destination. Railcard offers a third off rail travel around Britain. With nine Railcards to choose from, saving customers an average of £172 a year, it pays for itself in no time. Find the one for you at railcard.co.uk. What’s more, Railcard have created a handy online calculator to determine what you could save – simply enter your journey details and the relevant Railcard and it will calculate the discount you can get.

Read on for some fresh travel inspiration and get ready for a season of discovery…

A working fishing port on Cornwall’s south coast, Looe is one of the most idyllic destinations in the UK and famous for its day-caught fish. If it looks familiar, it might be because it was used as a filming location for BBC drama Beyond Paradise. The scenic Looe Valley train line has been bringing visitors to this part of the world since Victorian times. Formerly two independent towns, East and West Looe, they are now joined across the river by a bridge. East Looe beach is a picture-perfect location where you can enjoy swimming, crabbing along the harbour walls, and explore the uniquely shaped Banjo pier. A boat trip takes you to Looe Island, a wildlife sanctuary where you can see grey seals sunbathing on the rocks. Back on dry land, the town’s narrow winding streets are perfect for a gentle meander.

Nearest station: Looe, about a 10 minute walk to town

This trendy Somerset town is known for its strong community spirit, award winning markets and independent shops and restaurants – plus stunning surrounding countryside – making it the perfect place for a relaxing weekend. The Cheese and Grain is a cultural hub for the town, attracting both classic bands and buzzy new acts (The Foo Fighters and Paul McCartney have played Glastonbury warm-up gigs here), as well as hosting a weekly flea market. Talking of markets, Frome has plenty, including an award-winning farmer’s market on the second Saturday of each month, and the legendary Frome Independent on the first Sunday of every month, which showcases the best craftspeople, designers, food producers and vintage traders in the South West. Hungry? There’s loads of tempting options, from trendy street food destination The Station, neighbourhood restaurants like Little Walcot and Bistro Lotte and buzzy tapas bar The High Pavement.

Nearest station: Frome, about a 10 minute walk to the town centre

Fast becoming Kent’s buzziest seaside destination, a vibrant Old Town, a great culinary scene and a glorious sandy beach are just a few of the things that make Folkestone great for a weekend break. The Leas, a mile-long stretch of clifftop promenade, is as perfect a place for a stroll now as it was in Victorian times. Meanwhile the town’s harbour arm is enjoying a new lease of life as the place to go for delicious street food, independent galleries and quirky shops. Food-wise, there’s everything from destination restaurant Rocksalt (try and snag a spot on the terrace) to acclaimed seafood stall Chummys. The town has the largest outdoor urban collection of contemporary art in the UK, so look out for pieces like Cornelia Parker’s ‘The Folkestone Mermaid’ on Sunny Sands beach and Anthony Gormley’s eerie statue under the harbour arm. If you’re in town between July and October the streets will come alive with artwork thanks to the triennale festival.

Nearest station: Folkestone Central, about a 10 minute walk to the town centre

This vibrant Devon market town is picture-perfect, with a riverside location, colourful houses and a castle looming over the town. The steep climb up to Totnes Castle is worth it for the views of the town below – as well as over the dramatic Dartmoor countryside. The River Dart runs through the town, and is a great spot for kayaking, paddleboarding or just a gentle riverside stroll. Take a 30 minute walk to Dartington Estate, to see its stunning Grade II* listed gardens, deer park and cinema in a 14th century barn. Totnes itself has a thriving arts scene with plenty of small galleries, as well as independent and eco-friendly (Totnes prides itself on being one of Britain’s greenest towns) shops and cafes. And if the train ride down gave you a taste for locomotives, the South Devon Railway offers steam train rides through the gorgeous Devon countryside.

Nearest station: Totnes, about a 10 minute walk to the town centre

Bradford is the 2025 City of Culture, meaning there’s lots of exciting things happening this year, including the reopening of the National Science and Media Museum, with its multiple exhibition spaces and cinema screens. Loading Bay is a pop-up arts venue in a disused storage depot that will host music, comedy, art exhibitions and immersive theatre shows throughout 2025. And in July a brand new shopping and cultural destination, Darley Street Market, opened in the city.

Bradford is also a great base to explore some of West Yorkshire’s other highlights, including Victorian model village (and UNESCO World Heritage site) Saltaire, which is less than 15 minutes away by train. Salts Mill, the huge textile factory around which the village was designed, is now a fantastic complex of galleries, shops and restaurants – and home to a large collection of David Hockey’s work. Meanwhile at Keighley, a 20 minute journey from Bradford, you can catch a performance of The Railway Children (15 July – 7 Sept) on the same tracks where the classic film was shot.

Nearest Station: Bradford Forster Square or Bradford Interchange, in the city centre

If not under the radar then certainly underrated, this charming Welsh seaside town has loads to offer visitors, blending natural beauty with a rich history and a vibrant creative energy. Surrounded by the stunning Cambrian mountain range, the town has not one but two glorious beaches, linked by a mile-long promenade. At the northern end of this you’ll find the famous cliff top railway, which takes you up to a summit with spectacular views of Cardigan Bay. Perched on a hill in an impressive building, The National Library of Wales also has great vistas – and exhibitions dedicated to Welsh history and literature. Aberystwyth Arts Centre is the largest of its kind in Wales, presenting a programme of music, visual art, dance, film and more. Aber – as locals call it – also has a burgeoning food scene, with highlights including Arabic Flavour, whose menu is inspired by Lebanon and Greece cuisine, and popular tapas and wine bar Ultracomida.

Nearest station: Aberystwyth, about a five minute walk to the town centre

This underrated city is undergoing something of a cultural renaissance. In 2021 it was the City of Culture and there’s plenty of that to soak up. The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum has displays dedicated to visual arts, archaeology, social history and natural history – and a dinosaur in residence, Dippy, on loan from The Natural History Museum. Coventry Music Museum celebrates the city’s musical heritage, including the legendary 2-Tone scene, while Coventry Transport Museum (get 2FOR1 entry with National Rail Days Out Guide) has the largest publicly owned collection of British vehicles in the world. Meanwhile, the former industrial space FarGo village is a must-visit hub of indie shops, restaurants, street food and cultural events. Finally, no visit is complete without seeing Coventry Cathedral. The original medieval building was largely destroyed in 1940 by The Blitz, and its preserved ruins now sit alongside the new cathedral – a marvel of contemporary architecture designed by Basil Spence and opened in 1962. The modern building has a stunning 26-metre high stained glass window made up of 198 glass panels — no wonder it was once voted the nation’s favourite 20th century building.

Nearest station: Coventry, about a 10 minute walk to the city centre

Home to cobbled streets, an impressive cathedral and a beautiful castle, Lincoln combines a rich history with a vibrant cultural scene and stunning surrounding scenery, all in a compact and easy-to-navigate city. The nearly 1,000 year old Lincoln Cathedral was once the tallest building in the world, and while it might no longer hold that accolade it’s still an awe inspiring work of architecture. From there it’s only a short walk to the castle, built by William The Conqueror, which holds one of only four remaining copies of the Magna Carta. Steep Hill is, as the name suggests, a famous street with a sharp incline – but its array of shops and cafes make it worth the effort. It’s also where you’ll find beloved pie shop Hobbsons, where the only issue is deciding which flavour to pick. If you need to walk off your lunch, Lincoln Arboretum, nestled in the heart of the city, is a delightful place for a stroll.

Nearest station: Lincoln Central, about a 15 minute walk to the Cathedral

Often overlooked in favour of its better-known Scottish cousins, there are plenty of things to see and do in this historic city. Stirling Castle (get 25% off entry with National Rail Days Out Guide), the childhood home of Mary Queen of Scots, is one of the most historically important in Scotland, while Bannockburn (get 2FOR1 entry with National Rail), two miles south of the city, is the site of one of the country’s most famous battles, won by Robert The Bruce. Then there’s the Wallace Monument, which towers over the city, commemorating the life of local hero William Wallace. It’s a short bus ride or hour’s walk from the station, plus a 246-step winding staircase to reach the top – but the views are well worth the effort. The Stirling Smith Art Gallery & Gallery has a large collection of rare and interesting artifacts – including the world’s oldest football (made from a pig’s bladder). In Stirling’s cobbled Old Town you’ll find plenty of cosy pubs, cool cafes and quirky shops to explore, and for a family-friendly attraction, Blair Drummond Safari Park is a half hour bus ride from the city centre.

Nearest station: Stirling, in the city centre

Nestled in the scenic Shropshire Hills is this beautiful market town known for its history, food scene, and stunning landscapes. Boasting fascinating medieval architecture, vibrant markets, and surrounding forests, Ludlow offers the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure. Ludlow Castle, which dates back to the 11th century, is one of the best examples of medieval ruins in England and has incredible vistas over the Shropshire countryside. You can also enjoy fine views from the tower of Saint Laurence’s Church, once you’ve climbed the 201 steps to the top. To get away from the crowds, a four-mile circular walk will take you to peaceful Mortimer Forest and back. Meanwhile Ludlow itself is full of antique, interior, craft and gift shops, as well as delis, cafes and artisan food shops. The town square hosts a market four days a week, with a farmer’s market on the second and fourth Thursday of each month. The famous Ludlow Farmshop, two miles outside the centre, is a haven for foodies, with a kitchen restaurant, pub and distillery also on site.

Nearest station: Ludlow, about a five minute walk to the town centre

Enjoy great value British adventures by train

From stunning nature and the great outdoors, to culture, cuisine and incredible scenery, there’s no doubt Britain has it all in spades, and these unmissable adventures are just a simple, enjoyable train ride away. So there’s never been a better time to start planning some Great British getaways, from day trips to weekends away or a longer staycation.

With Railcard, whether you’re travelling solo or with a friend, on a couples weekend or off on holiday with the family, you can save on all sorts of train journeys around Great Britain. Railcard helps you save a third off rail travel and for just £35 for the year, it pays for itself in no time. With nine different Railcards available, find the one for you at railcard.co.uk. What’s more, you can enjoy 2FOR1 and other offers with National Rail’s Days Out Guide when you travel by train. So make this your year to get out, experience and explore everything on your doorstep and enjoy truly great value getaways.

Britain isn’t broken, but people believe it is, and that is a problem

Fraser Nelson, the former editor of The Spectator, the Conservative weekly, is having a remarkable afterlife as a great defender of the Labour government. He has gone head-to-head with Nigel Farage over the Reform leader’s claim that we are living in “lawless Britain”.

There is less crime in Britain today than there has been for decades, Nelson pointed out at one of Farage’s media conferences this week.

This crime reduction is nothing to do with people not bothering to report crime to the police any more, because the figures come from the Crime Survey for England and Wales, a large survey of a representative sample of the population that asks people if they have been the victim of a crime in the previous 12 months. The number of crimes has fallen by four-fifths since 1995.

Farage waved the Crime Survey aside, saying it was “discredited” because it does not include shoplifting. It doesn’t, because it asks people about crimes of which they have personally been the victim, and shoplifting has indeed increased. But that does not mean the Crime Survey is discredited. On the contrary, it is the best and most reliable evidence, and it is especially useful for measuring trends over time, because it is not affected by changes in the way police record crime.

What did Farage say to that? “We all know that crime has risen significantly over the course of the last few years.” A big welcome back, please, to that dread phrase, “we all know”. For years, I would point out that four public inquiries had found that Tony Blair told the truth about Iraq, only to be told that “we all know” he didn’t.

As Nelson comments: “This is the politics of perception.” As he points out in an excellent article in The Times today, it is the same with road safety, air pollution, sewage, and living standards. “We all know” they are getting worse, when in fact they are getting better.

So it does not matter to most people what the Crime Survey says. Most people believe that crime is rising, and the numbers who believe that have not changed over the years that crime has been falling. People are influenced by reports of terrible things happening to other people and misremember their own experience. Anything more than five or 10 years ago was a golden age when there was some decent music in the charts and Mars bars weren’t behind perspex screens.

Why, though, has what “we all know” become so much worse in the past year? Probably because some highly visible crimes have increased: shoplifting, phone thefts and graffiti. These are crimes that make people feel threatened by disorder, even as more of us than ever report feeling safe walking alone in their local area at night.

What is corrosive is the perception – “we all know” – that the authorities are not securely in control. Behind that perception lies the reality of asylum-seeker hotels and a government that is powerless to stop the boats. What has changed since the election is that Farage is more active, at the head of a social-media movement and a TV channel, GB News, dedicated to portraying the country as a hellhole.

The intensity of this campaign to spread fear and insecurity seems to have reached a critical mass that is dangerous to Keir Starmer. He cannot fight it with facts, or not only with facts, because the answer will always be that “we all know” that the facts are wrong.

As Ian Leslie, the advertising executive turned social commentator, says, “Instead of asking, ‘Why are people angry?’ we should ask, ‘What are we missing?’”

What the government needs is to take visible and forceful action on the things that people care about, the shoplifting, phone snatching and graffiti, but above all on asylum hotels and stopping the boats.

So far, Starmer has tried to do all these things, but limply. There have been roundtables at No 10 with the police and representatives of the retail industry and phone companies. Even these feeble initiatives have been undermined by people in authority doing foolish things, such as the police in Wales telling off a shopkeeper for calling thieves “scumbags” and Andy Lord, the London Underground boss, who accused citizen graffiti-removers of defacing trains themselves so that they could pose as heroes for cleaning them up.

Most importantly, Starmer now has a treaty with France to return some of the cross-Channel migrants, but it will take a long time to build up to returning all or nearly all those who arrive, at which point the crossings would stop – and it is not clear that the French are in it for the long haul.

One thing that Tony Blair understood, as he faced spikes of street crime, anti-social behaviour and asylum-seeker numbers, was the importance of “grip”. It may sound like annoying spin-speak, but it was critical to communicating that he understood how people felt and he was doing something about it.

Starmer should be grateful to Fraser Nelson, formerly of The Spectator, for pointing out that we are safer, richer and healthier than ever before – but if the perception is that we are not, the government has to get a grip on what “we all know”.

Three injured after shooting near New York’s Times Square

Three people have been taken to hospital after a shooting near New York’s Times Square.

A 65-year-old and a 19-year-old suffered gunshot wounds and an 18-year-old woman suffered a graze wound to the neck after shots were fired at around 1.20am on Saturday, a spokesperson for the New York Police Department said.

A 17-year-old male suspect was arrested at the scene. Police said the shooting was sparked when a “verbal dispute between two people escalated”.

A police spokesperson told The Independent: “All were taken to Bellevue Hospital and are in stable condition. The perpetrator was engaged in a verbal dispute prior to the shooting with one of the victims. He has been taken into custody and a firearm was also recovered. He has not been charged yet.”

The incident took place on the street at the intersection of West 44th Street and 7th Avenue. The 19-year-old was shot in the right foot and the 65-year-old was shot in the left leg.

Videos posted on social media showed people fleeing the scene and a car pulled over to the side of the road outside the Hard Rock Cafe.

Footage showed one person on a stretcher being wheeled into an ambulance, with policemen directing people away from the scene.

New York’s police commissioner announced only a few days ago that the city had seen the fewest shooting incidents and victims this year since records began. Over the first seven months of 2025, there were 412 shooting incidents and 489 shooting victims in New York.

It is the 10th straight month of decline in major crime in the city, the commissioner said but there have been some shocking incidents this summer.

In July, four people were killed in a chilling and cold-blooded shooting in a Midtown Manhattan high-rise office building that is home to the National Football League.

The suspect, 27-year-old Shane Tamura, died from an “apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound”. The police said the gunman walked into the office with a high-powered semiautomatic rifle and sprayed bullets indiscriminately in the lobby and on an upper floor.

Tamura, a former high school footballer, was targeting the headquarters of the NFL, the police said.

An officer, Didarul Islam, was killed in that attack, with the police department describing him as “the very best”.