Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Andy Street rules out standing as Tory candidate

Labour's Richard Parker beat Street by just 1,508 votes.

Andy Street rules out standing as Tory candidate

FORMER Tory mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, has decided against pursuing a candidacy as an MP, dealing a setback to prime minister Rishi Sunak's efforts to attract notable figures to fill empty seats.

Street’s loss in the mayoral election this month brought to an end seven years in the hotseat. Labour’s Richard Parker beat Street by just 1,508 votes – the equivalent of 0.25 per cent of the vote.


But in the Solihull council district of the mayoral election Street, who grew up in Solihull, won by a large margin.

According to reports, Tories are facing the challenge of filling over 150 seats due to a surge in departing MPs.

Speculation had been rife regarding Street's potential bid for Parliament, with his spokesperson indicating last weekend that he was contemplating his options.

However, in a statement on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday (27), Street clarified his stance, expressing his longstanding preference for serving as mayor over a parliamentary role.

“I have always said that I never wanted to go into Westminster and that the job as mayor of the West Midlands was the right political role for me. But the truth is since losing that mayoral election earlier this month, I haven’t been able to shake the overwhelming sense of duty to continue to serve in a public role," he wrote on X.

“I have therefore thought long and hard about whether to try to stand for Parliament at the forthcoming general election and become an MP. Ultimately, however, I have decided against it. Being an MP is a job of great importance, but it has just never been for me.”

Street, a former managing director of John Lewis, vowed to continue advocating for his brand of politics regardless of his decision on July 4.

Street, aligned with the moderate "One Nation" faction of the Tory party, has been critical of Sunak, accusing him of amplifying right-wing rhetoric. His political journey was spurred by encouragement from Theresa May in 2016, following initial overtures from her predecessor, David Cameron.

The relationship between Street and Sunak has occasionally been tense and on the verge of conflict, particularly evident at the annual Tory conference last October.

Street considered resigning due to Sunak's choice to cancel the northern segment of HS2, despite his vocal opposition to the decision. He met with the prime minister multiple times to advocate against this policy.

Despite opting out of parliamentary candidacy, Street remains open to other leadership opportunities in public service, rejecting assumptions of a return to the business sector.

Throughout his tenure as West Midlands mayor, Street enjoyed greater popularity in opinion polls compared to both Sunak and the broader Conservative Party, a fact underscored by the narrow margin of his electoral loss.

More For You

Air India flight crash
Air India's Boeing 787-8 aircraft, operating flight AI-171 to London Gatwick, crashed into a medical hostel complex shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on June 12.
Getty Images

Air India crash probe finds fuel to engines was cut off before impact

Highlights

 
     
  • Fuel to both engines of the Air India flight was cut off seconds before the crash
  •  
  • A pilot was heard questioning the other over the cut-off; both denied initiating it.
  •  
  • The Dreamliner crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, killing 260 people.
  •  
  • Investigators are focusing on fuel switch movement; full analysis may take months.

FUEL control switches to both engines of the Air India flight that crashed shortly after takeoff were moved from the "run" to the "cutoff" position seconds before the crash, according to a preliminary investigation report released early Saturday.

Keep ReadingShow less
Chinese vessel tracked in Bay of Bengal after disabling identification system

The Indian Navy and Coast Guard have consistently reported Chinese research vessel presence. (Representational image: Getty Images)

Chinese vessel tracked in Bay of Bengal after disabling identification system

A Chinese research vessel was detected operating in the Bay of Bengal near Indian waters while attempting to conceal its presence by disabling its Automatic Identification System (AIS), according to a report by The Economic Times, citing French maritime intelligence firm Unseenlabs.

The French company conducted a 16-day satellite-based survey tracking ships through radio frequency emissions. It monitored 1,897 vessels, with 9.6 per cent showing no AIS activity, indicating attempts to avoid detection. The survey raised concerns amid increased Chinese activity in the region.

Keep ReadingShow less
Asian-inspired garden earns
five awards at Hampton Court

(From left) Malcolm Anderson (RHS, head of sustainability) Clare Matterson (RHS director general), Lorraine Bishton (Subaru UK and Ireland, managing director) Andrew Ball (director, Big Fish Landscapes) Mike McMahon and Jewlsy Mathews with the medals

Asian-inspired garden earns five awards at Hampton Court

BRITISH Asians are being encouraged to take up gardening by a couple who have won a record five medals at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival.

“It’s a contemporary reimagining of a traditional walled garden, highlighting the British and Irish rainforests,” said Jewlsy Mathews, who was born in Britain of parents from Kerala, a southern Indian state known for its lush vegetation.

Keep ReadingShow less
uk weather

Amber heat health alerts have been issued across several regions of England

iStock

England faces widespread heat alerts and hosepipe bans amid rising temperatures

Highlights:

  • Amber heat health alerts in place for large parts of England
  • Hosepipe bans announced in Yorkshire, Kent and Sussex
  • Temperatures could reach 33°C over the weekend
  • Health risks rise, especially for elderly and vulnerable groups

Heat warnings in effect as UK braces for another hot weekend

Amber heat health alerts have been issued across several regions of England, with temperatures expected to climb to 33°C in some areas over the weekend. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) activated the warning at 12 pm on Friday, with it set to remain in place until 9 am on Monday.

The alerts cover the East Midlands, West Midlands, south-east, south-west, East of England, and London. Additional yellow alerts were issued for the north-east, north-west, and Yorkshire and the Humber, starting from midday Friday.

Keep ReadingShow less
Essex ladybird invasion

One of the largest gatherings was filmed on a beach at Point Clear

Dee-anne Markiewicz / SWNS

Swarms of ladybirds invade Essex coastline amid soaring temperatures

Highlights:

  • Ladybird swarms reported across Essex and Suffolk coastal towns
  • Hot weather likely driving the sudden surge in population
  • Sightings include Point Clear, Shoebury, Clacton and Felixstowe
  • Similar outbreaks occurred in 1976 during another hot UK summer

Sudden surge in ladybird numbers across the southeast

Millions of ladybirds have been spotted swarming towns and villages along the Essex coast, with similar sightings stretching into Suffolk. Residents have reported unusually high numbers of the red and black-spotted insects, particularly near coastal areas, with the recent hot weather believed to be a major contributing factor.

One of the largest gatherings was filmed on a beach at Point Clear, a village near St Osyth in Essex, where the insects could be seen piling on top of each other on driftwood and plants.

Keep ReadingShow less