In a featurette about season 3, it’s revealed that The Balrog speaks this season… and he’ll speak with the voice of Simon Pegg. How’s that for a slice of fried gold? #RingsOfPower

Good news that VAT will be cut on electricity bills. It’s a simple way for families to save a few quid, and to mechanically help to keep inflation that little bit lower. But the DigitalID program was unfunded. The government will have to set out how it will pay for its new policies at the budget.

The British people are sick of being let down by an endless merry-go-round of Prime Ministers while nothing really changes. This time must be different. It can’t just be about changing who’s in Number 10, it has to be about changing our broken politics so we can fix our country.

One consequence of Andy Burnham's likely coronation is that the calls for an early election will be relentless Expect Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch to argue on repeat that he has no mandate or legitimacy, that winning a by-election does not qualify you for No 10 Farage went there within minutes of Starmer confirming his resignation: "I’ve had enough of waiting around. Britain needs change - real change, not another washed-up has-been shoved into place by the uniparty "If Labour thinks it can shove another professional politician into No 10, it has another thing coming. Reform is ready for an election, and we are ready to deliver radical change.”

The 1983 general election took place on this day - result: - Conservatives 397 (42.4%) - Labour 209 (27.6%) - SDP-Liberal Alliance 23 (25.4%) - UUP 11 - DUP 3 - SNP 2 - Plaid Cymru 2 - Others 3

Starmer and Darren Jones off to Norfolk owl sanctuary for the afternoon.

Slightly underrated dynamic here: a lot of Labour members have an instinctive loyalty to the leader. There is a really good chance Starmer wins a leadership contest against Streeting very comfortably (and frankly against anyone, Burnham excepted probably)

EXCLUSIVE with @patrickkmaguire and @Geri_E_L_Scott Ed Miliband has privately suggested to Sir Keir Starmer that he should consider setting out a timeline for his departure amid concerns he will be forced out of No 10 in the wake of the election results, The Times has been told Two sources familiar with the discussion said that the energy secretary and former Labour leader made the suggestion during a private meeting with the prime minister about a fortnight ago While Miliband remains supportive of Starmer he is concerned that Labour will descend into a bitter and damaging leadership contest in the wake of the elections, which are expected to be disastrous for Starmer Angela Rayner, the former deputy prime minister, and Wes Streeting, the health secretary, are both said to have the support of the 81 Labour MPs needed to trigger a contest. Rayner is considering making a move despite the fact she has not been cleared by HM Revenue & Customs over her tax affairs Miliband is viewed by allies as a “kingmaker” to a potential run for the leadership by Andy Burnham. Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, is understood to have told supporters in recent days that a backbench MP is willing to stand down as soon as this weekend to facilitate his return to Westminster Miliband will join cabinet loyalists in backing Starmer this weekend, but he has significant concerns about the risk of Labour descending into a civil war and the damage it would do to the party and the government unless the prime minister sets a timeline for his departure He is understood to have raised his concerns during a private discussion with Starmer during which the two men talked about the aftermath of the elections A spokesman for Miliband would not comment on “private conversations” but said: “We do not accept this account.” He did not dispute that the discussion had taken place and declined to say how the accounts differed. “Ed has always supported the prime minister and continues to do so as he delivers on his mandate for change,” the spokesman said. Burnham has told several Labour MPs on Merseyside and in Greater Manchester that a backbencher is willing to resign their seat to facilitate his comeback. Those who have spoken to the mayor said an announcement could be made as soon as Saturday thetimes.com/article/8fe95de…