Labour slumps into fourth as Plaid Cymru surges in new Senedd polls

Rhun ap Iorwerth, Nigel Farage, Eluned Morgan and Anthony Slaughter

| PA

Labour has collapsed into fourth place in Wales as Plaid Cymru has surged ahead of Reform UK in the latest polls for the Welsh Senedd.

Rhun ap Iorwerth’s party increased its vote share from 30 per cent to 37 per cent since the last poll by YouGov for ITV News in September 2025, with Reform UK dropping from 29 per cent to 23 per cent

The Green Party in Wales, led by Anthony Slaughter, moved into third place at 13 per cent, with Labour in fourth, its lowest ever point -at 10 per cent, drawing level the Conservatives.

This is the first Senedd election with a new voting system where Welsh voters will elect 96 Senedd Members, an increase from the current 60.

Pollsters estimate Plaid Cymru will win 45 seats, just four short of an overall majority, with Reform in second on 23, the Greens on 11, Labour on eight and the Conservatives on six.

Plaid say the poll confirms the election is a two-horse race between them and Reform, and claim Labour is “finished” after decades in charge.

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Israeli embassy calls for ‘appropriate apology’ to Maccabi Tel Aviv

Maccabi Tel Aviv fans should receive an “appropriate apology” after they were banned from a match in Birmingham against Aston Villa last November, the Israeli embassy in the UK said, following the Home Secretary’s criticism of the local police chief.

A statement from the embassy said: “The embassy of Israel acknowledges the clear and unequivocal remarks made today by the Home Secretary in Parliament regarding the wrongful decision taken by West Midlands Police.

“We have heard today that the findings of the report reveal serious failings and conclusions that led to an unacceptable outcome, in which Israeli football-loving supporters were banned rather than appropriately protected.

“From the outset, this decision raised profound concerns and rightly caused deep alarm within the Israeli and Jewish communities, as well as among many across the United Kingdom.

“In that sense, the outcome of the review confirms what was evident at the time. We are encouraged that the truth is now coming to light, and we welcome the commitment shown to transparency, accountability and the restoration of public trust.

“The embassy now looks ahead to the publication of the full report and expects a clear acknowledgement of responsibility, including an appropriate apology to the Israeli football supporters who were unjustly excluded from the match.”

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WATCH: Andy Burnham hails ‘breakthrough’ for the North as he tells GB News he would ‘never accept second-best’ for his constituents

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Chris Philp calls for West Midlands Police Chief to resign

Chris Philp has demanded Mr Guildford to resign

 | GB NEWSShadow Home Secretary has condemned “violent Islamists” as he called for West Midlands Chief Constable Craig Guildford to resign.

Writing for Friends of GB News, he said: “We cannot allow violent Islamists to impose their will on our country.

“We cannot hide behind protecting ‘community relations’, the police in this country must treat everybody equally under the law, and they must not be afraid to do so.”

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

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Lucy Connolly opens door to standing as MP after issuing major rallying cry

Lucy Connolly has hinted at standing as an MP after calling for “new blood” in politics.

Mrs Connolly, who is the wife of a former Conservative councillor, has opened the door to a potential political career, saying “something needs to be done”.

The former childminder was jailed for stirring up racial hatred against asylum seekers online in the aftermath of the Southport murders in 2024 and released from prison last August.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

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Birmingham MP claims West Midlands Police chief is victim of ‘witch hunt’

Birmingham Perry Barr MP Ayoub Khan

 | PARLIAMENT.TV

The MP who echoed calls for Maccabi Tel Aviv fans to be banned from a match at Villa Park has said the chief of West Midlands Police has been the victim of a “witch hunt.”

Birmingham Perry Barr MP Ayoub Khan told the Commons: “This is truly a sad day for British politics.

“Despite all the rhetoric we have heard in this House, Brummies know the truth: that this is nothing but a witch-hunt, and the chief constable is being thrown under the bus.

“The police could have done a better job in terms of procedure, yes, but the reasons for banning Maccabi fans was the same from day one.

“We all know their unashamed racism and violence. That is the reason why they were banned.

“The Home Secretary knows all too well that West Midlands Police have a reputation for working with all communities. They have never caved into community pressure. We all know this because we regularly have far right protests and marches in our city.

“Is it worth throwing our chief constable under the bus just to show that the words of right wing media and Dutch officials, under pressure from Amsterdam City Hall, matter more than our British police.”

Mr Khan, an Independent MP whose constituency includes Villa Park, was met with heckles of “shame” in the Commons.

In response, the Home Secretary, whose Birmingham Ladywood constituency is adjacent to Mr Khan’s, he should read the report from Sir Andy Cooke, adding that Mr Khan did not speak for all Birmingham MPs.

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Leader of Birmingham City Council calls for West Midlands Police chief to resign

The Labour leader of Birmingham City Council has called on Craig Guildford to resign from his position as West Midlands Police chief.

John Cotton said: “For the sake of the city and region confidence needs to be restored in the leadership of West Midlands Police, so that lessons can be learned and implemented.

“I believe that the Chief Constable should stand down so that this vital work can begin at once.”

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Nigel Farage’s defection deluge continues as surprise Green switcher to Reform takes swipe at Zack Polanski

Nigel Farage and Zack Polanski | GETTY/PANigel Farage has unveiled 20 new councillors as his defection deluge from the Tory Party continues to bolster Reform UK’s ranks.

The Reform UK leader teased a major announcement shortly after welcoming ex-Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi to his inner circle.

However, a surprise switch came in St Helen’s after Councillor David Hawley in the Bold and Lea Green ward joined Reform UK from the Green Party.

In a swipe at Green Party leader Zack Polanski, Mr Hawley said: “My views no longer align with my previous party, on a national and local level.

“I voted for Brexit to take back control of Britain’s borders and lower immigration, yet the Government failed to do so.

“It is time for me to join the party which best represents the views of myself and the people of St Helen’s in order to action the improvements I have long strived for.”

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

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Shabana Mahmood hits back after calls for her to sack Craig Guildford

Shabana Mahmood has hit back at Chris Philp after he called on her to remove the West Midlands Police chief from his position.

Despite the Home Secretary saying she “no longer has confidence” in Chief Constable Craig Guildford, she says she has no power to sack him.

Chris Philp claimed, under Section 40, the Home Secretary was able to do so.

Ms Mahmood denied this, accusing him of being “unfamiliar with the law” or the report, commissioned by Sir Andy Cooke.

“It was the Conservative government that removed the home secretary’s direct power to remove a chief constable,” she said.

“It used to be a power contained within section 42 of the Police Act 1996, that was repealed by the Conservatives in their 2011 Policing Social Responsibility Act, which explicitly removed the power.”

She notes specific points that state the Home Secretary “does not have power to direct a police and crime commissioner to suspend or remove a chief constable”.

“That is the law passed by the previous Conservative government,” she added.

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Chris Philp demands West Midlands Police chief removed after report findings

Chris Philp steps up. He warns the Home Secretary about “viscious antisemitism” that, he says, has been allowed “through weakness and fear”.

The Shadow Home Secretary claims West Midlands Police “capitulated to the Islamist mob”.

He then calls for Chief Constable Craig Guildford to be fired.

In fact, he calls for Shabana Mahmood to remove him from his position.

He cites Section 40 of the Police Act, which remains in force. Under that, the Home Secretary has the power to dismiss the Chief Constable where “any part of the force is failing to act in an effective manner”.

He provides a copy of the Section for Ms Mahmood, and demands her to use it to dismiss the CC Guildford.

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Shabana Mahmood says Maccabi Tel Aviv fan ban report is ‘damning’

The Home Secretary is currently reading out a statement after receiving a report, which she described as “damning”, on the Maccabi Tel Aviv fan ban in November last year.

Shabana Mahmood says the force consulted “little” with jewish community, and “none” within Birmingham.

She added that the force sought evidence only to support their desired outcome – to bans the fans.

The report added that record-keeping in the force was “poor”, while multiple claims West Midlands Police had made were “simply untrue”.

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WATCH: Christopher Hope discusses PMQs

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West Midlands Police Chief decision was wrong, says Keir Starmer

Nick Timothy then stood up, criticising West Midlands police for their decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending their match against Aston Villa. He then asked for a review of “the corruption of our criminal justice system by Islamists”.

Keir Starmer said he disagrees with decision of police, adding that the home secretary will make a statement later on.

He concludes by saying that the Home Secretary used to have the power to remove a police chief until 2011, when it was removed by Theresa May, who, he says, was advised by Mr Timothy.

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PM brands Reform UK’s plan to scrap Online Safety Act an ‘absolute disgrace’

Keir Starmer then called Reform UK’s plans to scrap the Online Safety Act an “absolute disgrace”.

“[Reform’s position] is disgusting on this,” the Prime Minister said. “This is weaponising images of women and children that should never be made. And that’s why we’re acting.

“Reform not only refuse to do anything about it. But more than that, if they would scrap the Online Safety Act that stops children accessing content like pornography, suicide, self-harm and eating disorders, [that’s an] absolute disgrace.”

He also said it was “astonishing” that Reform has defended Elon Musk.

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X is complying with UK law after Grok image abuse, says PM

When asked if the Government will ensure it takes action against any social media companies allowing abuse like this, Keir Starmer tells the House of Commons that X is complying to ensure UK law is not broken.

“We are absolutely determined to take action,” Sir Keir says.

“We have made it clear that X has to act. But, if not, Ofcom has our full backing.”

He added the Government will not back down and will prepare legislation if it needs to go further.

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Ed Davey questions A&E wait times

Lib Dem leader Ed Davey steps up next, asking about the NHS and cites someone who was forced to wait 31 hours on a trolley in hospital.

The Prime Minister responds by saying this is unacceptable, although counters by saying that Lib Dems alwats vote against Labour measures that would raise more for the NHS.

The Lib Dem leader follows up by asking if the Government will strip South East Water of its licence due to its record of water shortages. The Prime Minister says they are holding them to account.

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Chamber chants ‘U-turn’ through raft of Labour policies

After Kemi Badenoch had the chamber joining in with her shouts of “U-turn,” she ends with jury service, saying she hopes there will be a U-turn on that too.

She then also quotes an unnamed cabinet minister that had been quoted in the media saying the party needs a new leader.

In response, Sir Keir says her party is losing party members all the time as they join Nigel Farage’s “laundry service for disgraced Tory politicians”.

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​‘It’s a second Boriswave!’ PM takes jab at Tories over Reform defection deluge

Sir Keir Starmer poked fun at Kemi Badenoch’s Tories at Prime Minister’s Questions after ex-Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi joined Reform UK.

The Prime Minister said: “He told her that they failed on mass migration, they failed on our Armed Forces and he told her she’s leading a defunct brand the nation can no longer trust.

“No wonder he’s joined the Tory migration to Reform. It’s the second Boriswave.”

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Prime Minister asked if he understood potential impact of business rate changes

After Keir Starmer refused to apologise for the farmer inheritance tax U-turn, Kemi Badenoch asks the Prime Minister if he knew the impact the Government’s business rate changes could affect those in hospitality.

Sir Keir says the government is working with the sector to “ensure that they can get the support” they need.

He mentions it is a surprising question for the Tory leader to ask – 7,000 pubs were closed under the Conservatives and as business secretary, Ms Badenoch “didn’t say a word about it,” he says.

He adds: “We support business, and we also support workers… and that’s why we passed our employment rights act.”

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Kemi Badenoch questions multiple U-turns

Up steps Kemi Badenoch, who unsurprisingly asks about the Digital ID U-turn.

Keir Starmer responded by saying the government is taking the right decision for Britain, before attacking on the Tories.

Ms Badenoch followed by asking on jury trials, quoting Labour MP Karl Turner, which she claims made the party look “stupid”. She also asks for an apology for the farm inheritance U-turn.

Instead, the Prime Minister hit back with claims that the Tory leader had asked former Conservative Chancellor, and now Reform defector, Nadhim Zahawi, for advice the day before he announced he joined Nigel Farage’s party. He also adds that he hopes she did not take tax advice from him.

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Keir Starmer condemns violence in Iran

Sir Keir Starmer kicked off proceedings by condemning the violence in Iran.

The Prime Minister described the “sickening repression and murder of protesters in Iran,” before contrasting the “courage of the Iranian people” with the “brutality of their desperate regime”.

“We’re working with allies on further sanctions and doing all we can to protect nationals,” he adds.

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PMQs followed by three statements up next

Sir Keir Starmer has left Downing Street as he heads to the House of Commons for this week’s Prime Minister’s Questions.

On the agenda today is expected to be intense discussion over Sir Keir’s U-turns. There have now been 13 major U-turns under the Labour government.

Heidi Alexander, Shabana Mahmood and Ed Miliband are all to give statements when PMQs concludes.

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Reform announces defection from Green Party

Reform announced that Councillor David Hawley has defected from the Greens to Nigel Farage’s party on Wednesday morning.

Cllr Hawley, of St Helens Borough, becomes the first to defect from the Green Party to Reform.

He said: “Today I am proud to have joined Reform UK after defecting from the Green Party. During my time as a councillor, I have passionately worked alongside the local community to better protect the green spaces, improve public transport and engage with local schools. However, my views no longer align with my previous party, on a national and local level.

“I voted for Brexit to take back control of Britain’s borders and lower immigration, yet the government failed to do so.

“It is time for me to join the party which best represents the views of myself and the people of St Helens in order to action the improvements I have long strived for.

“I am excited to be joining an expanding team of Reform UK councillors to really tackle the issues many of the residents have previously raised with me.

“I have lived in St Helens my whole life and I look forward to bringing a brighter and more hopeful future to the town.”

Welcoming Cllr Hawley, a Reform spokesman said: “We are thrilled that David has joined Reform UK from the Green Party. He is a welcome addition to our growing team in St Helens as we prepare for the local elections in May.”

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WATCH: Heidi Alexander denies Labour have made 13 U-turns

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has denied that the government has made 13 policy U-turns, after Health Secretary Wes Streeting said ministers should be making the right decisions first time around.

She told GB News: “I just don’t accept that all of the things that you read out have been U-turns. I think it’s right that a government course corrects if new information becomes available, it’s right that if we can make a policy better we will.

“When it comes to the work that I’ve been doing in the Department for Transport, I said a year ago, when I came into this job, that I would re-nationalise the railways, bring the train operating companies into public ownership. I brought three in last year, and another four are coming in this year.

“I said I’d set up great British Railways to provide better integrated management between the tracks and the signalling and the train operations, and I’ve done that. I said that I would invest in bus services, and we stop this haemorrhaging of the bus routes.

“I don’t know exactly what Wes has said in the last couple of days. You’re quoting something to me that I haven’t actually heard. I know that this government is totally united on delivering against the priorities that we set out in our manifesto, which was to bring stability back to the economy.

“We’ve seen interest rates come down six times. We’ve seen inflation falling. We’ve seen wages going up more than prices. We’re putting money back into people’s pockets.

“We promised to tackle those waiting lists in the NHS, I know that that’s what Wes is focused on. He promised two million more appointments and fair play to him, he’s delivered five million more, and we’re seeing those waiting lists coming down.

“He’s recruited more GPs, and he’s improving NHS dentistry, and so in terms of delivering against the promises that we made at the election, it’s going to take time. Of course, it’s going to take time, but we’re getting started and we’re doing a decent job.”

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Digital ID U-turn proves the Government is ‘shambolic’ says Dame Priti Patel

The government has been accused of being “shambolic” by Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel following reports that it is to water down plans for digital IDs following a public outcry.

She told GB News: “It just shows what a shambolic government we have. This is U-turn number 13, and it shows that we got a government that’s full of gimmicks and just not serious about coming up with credible policies.

“We campaigned against this whole digital ID, alongside many of the other areas that Labour have U-turned on, whether it’s a family farms tax, their constant bludgeoning off the UK economy with high taxes, grooming gangs, you name it.

“They’ve been forced into yet another U-turn, and it just shows that they know this was never a serious policy.

“When it was announced, Keir Starmer said that it’s going to stop the small boats, and it was all about illegal migration. Well, the only way you stop illegal migration is by having a strong deterrent and making sure these people don’t come to our country in the first place.

“This just shows what a shambolic government we’ve got. They’re not serious or credible, and that Keir Starmer is just so weak, so feeble, and we just don’t have credible people in this government at all, and their policies are just damaging the British interest.”

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Keir Starmer ‘forced to reassure US that China embassy is safe over fears of American backlash’

Sir Keir Starmer has been forced to reassure the US the proposed Chinese embassy is safe and that no sensitive data will be transmitted through nearby cables.

The plans for the super-embassy are set to be approved by the Prime Minister ahead of his visit to Beijing later this month.

Neither MI5 nor MI6 raised any serious concerns about the plans.

According to The Times, Britain’s embassy in Washington DC briefed the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs to quell concerns about what information China may be able to access.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

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Chancellor confirms ‘more temporary support’ on the way for pubs

Rachel Reeves has confirmed that “more temporary support” is coming “in the coming days and weeks” for pubs.

The Chancellor has faced fierce backlash over recent weeks after a combination of properties being revalued and the withdrawal of Covid-era discounts, announced in November’s Budget.

“There’s a number of things happening with business rates. There’s been a revaluation of the value of properties. This is the first one since the pandemic. So rateable values were going to go up,” Ms Reeves told the BBC.

“And there’s a gradual withdrawal of some of the temporary support that went in during Covid.

“Now we’ve put in another £4.3billion of additional support to phase that transition, but we do recognise that for some pubs there is still a big increase, and so we’re working pretty intensely at the moment. Again, I want to make sure that we get this right.

“These changes are not due to come in for a few more months. So we’re going to get this right. But I think most people would accept that now the pandemic is over, some of that temporary support does need to come away, but it’s about the speed at which you do that.”

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West Midlands Police chief offers ‘profound apology’ after ‘erroneous’ evidence

The West Midlands Police chief has offered his “profound apology” after the “erroneous” evidence about the decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from their match against Aston Villa.

The force had referenced a match between the Israeli club and West Ham – that never happened – in a report to Birmingham City Council Safety Advisory Group when offering advice as to whether to ban fans.

He had told the Home Affairs Select Committee the mistake came by using Google, but has now admitted this was down to Microsoft Co Pilot – an AI tool.

“My belief that this was the case was honestly held and there was no intention to mislead the committee,” he said in his letter.

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WATCH: ‘Keir Starmer’s Government is compromising our national security,’ says Priti Patel

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Shabana Mahmood to address Commons in hours after being urged to sack police chief over banning Israeli fans from Villa match

The Home Office have confirmed this morning that the Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, will make a statement after a probe into West Midlands Police and their decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from their match against Aston Villa in November last year.

“The home secretary has this morning received the chief inspectorate’s findings into the recommendation by West Midlands police to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending a match against Aston Villa,” a Home Office spokesman said.

“She will carefully consider the letter and will make a statement in the House of Commons in response later today.”

The statement is expected to be made at 12.30pm, after Prime Minister’s Questions. The letter is also expected to be released at the same time.

West Midlands Chief Constable Craig Guildford sat before a Home Affairs Select Committee last week.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

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Digital IDs or ‘another form of digital documentation’ will be mandatory, says minister

The Transport Secretary has insisted that digital right-to-work checks will remain mandatory, but that it may be Digital ID or “another form of digital documentation”.

Digital IDs were Labour’s flagship policy, but reports suggest they are to U-turn on their plans to enforce it after intense public scrutiny.

Speaking to Times Radio, Heidi Alexander confirmed plans of a mandatory right-to-work check were still in place, but kept it vague when discussing whether this would be Digital ID.

“We will still have digital ID,” Ms Alexander explained. “We will still have mandatory digital right-to-work checks. The form of digital ID … the nature of the material that is presented could be either the digital ID on somebody’s phone … or it could be another form of digital documentation which contains proof of your right to work.”

Asked if the Digital IDs be compulsory, she said: “We are committed to having mandatory digital right-to-work checks.”

Then when pressed further, she added: “You say this is some sort of massive U-turn – we said we would have digital checks on people for right to work, that is what we are continuing to do.”

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Plaid Cymru pulls ahead of Reform in Wales, new polls suggest

Plaid Cymru has surged to 37 per cent in Wales, striding clear of Reform who drop to 24 per cent, new polling suggests.

Voters are set to head to the ballot in May of this year, so the dominance of Plaid Cymru is telling. Nigel Farage told ITV News last year that Wales had become his “priority”.

A Plaid Cymru spokesman said that the latest polls show the election will be between Reform and themselves.

“More and more people are realising they face a choice between two very different futures, and are choosing to back Plaid Cymru’s positive vision for Wales,” the spokesman said.

Elsewhere, the Green party climbed into third for the first time, with 13 per cent.

However, Labour have fallen to fourth with just 10 per cent, despite more than a century of dominance in the region.

It is the first time three non-traditional parties lead the polls in Wales.

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‘We’re sick and tired!’ Labour MP who threatened to quit now issues warning over unrest at heart of party

Karl Turner issued David Lammy a warning over unrest inside Labour

| LABOUR PARTY

A Labour MP who threatened to quit the party over its plan to scrap most jury trials has issued another barb at his higher-ups.

Karl Turner said over the weekend he would stand down and trigger a by-election in his Kingston upon Hull East seat.

Then, he said he was “ashamed” of both the PM and his deputy, David Lammy.

And now, he has lashed out once again.

“We mustn’t be marched up hills to be marched down again,” he said on social media. “Stop these utterly ludicrous jury trial proposals quick sharp please, David Lammy.”

And in a warning over Labour unrest, he added: “We are sick and fed up of defending stuff that were not in the manifesto, haven’t been run by PLP or the Cabinet in this case. Stop.”

Mr Turner holds his seat with a majority of just 3,920.

Reform UK, who would be the likely challengers if a by-election was held, came second there at the last General Election.

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TWO MILLION pensioners set to be in poverty – as Labour warned it ‘must do more’

More than two million pensioners could be living in poverty within the next few years unless urgent action is taken, according to a new warning from Age UK.

The charity said around 1.9 million older people across Britain are already experiencing poverty.

With the UK’s pensioner population projected to reach 12.7 million this year and exceed 13 million by 2030, Age UK fears rising numbers will inevitably push more into financial hardship.

The organisation is urging ministers to intensify efforts to address the crisis, arguing there is no room for complacency when tackling deprivation among the elderly…

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

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Rachel Reeves on cusp of unveiling ANOTHER U-turn in bid to end Britain’s pub crisis

Rachel Reeves is understood to be preparing a major ‘support package’ for Britain’s pubs

 | HOUSE OF COMMONS

Rachel Reeves is understood to be preparing a major “support package” for Britain’s pubs in what will mark yet another U-turn.

The Treasury is readying the package for the industry after fury over the impact of a major hike in business rates.

Landlords had threatened a nationwide pub strike over the rates raid.

One, Andy Lennox, told GB News a “day of industrial action” was coming.

“If Rachel Reeves and Keir Starmer don’t sit up and listen, this is only going to get bigger,” Mr Lennox told the People’s Channel last week.

Ministers had put in place a £4.3billion fund to help pubs with the transition to higher rates, but Ms Reeves is set to soon announce additional support, including further business rates relief and measures to cut licensing red tape.

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What’s Labour’s official line on Digital ID?

Addressing the apparent U-turn yesterday, a Government spokesman told the People’s Channel: “We are committed to mandatory digital right to work checks.”

“We have always been clear that details on the digital ID scheme will be set out following a full public consultation, which will launch shortly.

“Digital ID will make everyday life easier for people, ensuring public services are more personal, joined-up, and effective, while also remaining inclusive,” they said.

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RECAP: Wes Streeting’s veiled swipe at Keir Starmer ahead of latest U-turn

The potential Labour leadership challenger demanded an end to the Government’s retreat from key policy goals

 | PAOne minister who put his name to criticism of the Government’s approach on Tuesday was Wes Streeting, who laid into Labour’s “excuses culture”.

The potential Labour leadership challenger demanded an end to the Government’s retreat from key policy goals at an Institute for Government conference in London.

“This excuses culture does the centre-left no favours,” the Health Secretary said .

He asked: “If we tell the public that we can’t make anything work, then why on Earth would they vote to keep us in charge?”

When asked if U-turns were slowing the Government down, Mr Streeting said: “Feedback is the breakfast of champions.

“We love to hear it, and if people think we’re getting it wrong – and we think that they’re right – far better to do the right thing rather than to spare one’s political blushes.”

He said: “In the NHS, we have an initiative called Girft – get it right first time. That should be our New Year’s resolution for 2026 – let’s try and get it right first time.”

“Where there aren’t levers, we build them; where there are barriers, we bulldoze them.

“If people in charge aren’t up to the job, we replace them with the best and the brightest,” the Health Secretary added.