Sunday Crunch: Fella Italia

Good Sunday afternoon, Crunchers. This is Mason Boycott-Owen, returning from a holiday in sunny Sicily to dear, dreary old London.
Fella Italia: Keir Starmer is jetting off to Italy this afternoon to meet Giorgia Meloni, the Italian prime minister. Fresh from his White House summit with Joe Biden (more on that below) Starmer is switching his focus to illegal migration and seeing what lessons can be drawn from Italy’s scheme of sending migrants to Albania.
Green(ish) light: Asked directly about this on Trevor Phillips’ morning show on Sky News, David Lammy, the foreign secretary, heaped praise on Italy’s “comprehensive deal” to help “smash the gangs,” adding: “We want to work in a coordinated way with our European allies.” 
Greener light: On the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Lammy went further, saying: “Of course, because it’s reduced the numbers [of migrants to Italy], we are interested in discussing with Italy the schemes they’ve developed, not just with Albania but upstream schemes with Syria and Libya as well.” 
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It’s not like Rwanda, because it’s not: A visibly frustrated Lammy rejected suggestions that sending migrants to a third country like Albania is not dissimilar to the previous Tory government’s (now cancelled) Rwanda scheme. “Oh, come on, Trevor,” Lammy chuntered, telling Phillips he should “ask Meloni” how it is different, because it is “not my scheme.”
Channel deaths: French police said eight people died overnight attempting to cross the English Channel, in another grim reminder of the harsh realities of migration to Britain. Only two weeks ago, 12 people, including six children and a pregnant woman, died making a similar journey. Lammy told Laura K that it was “awful” to hear of a “further loss of life.”
Missile debate: Asked if he was disappointed that Biden had not yet granted the U.K.’s request for Ukraine to use British Storm Shadow missiles against Russia, Lammy told Phillips: “There’s a debate about further missiles and we are discussing that as allies, as you would expect us to.” 
Not answering questions: Lammy suggested that he wouldn’t answer journalists’ questions in much detail, as that’s exactly what the Kremlin would want him to do. “I am not going to discuss the operational detail of that kit […] because I’m not going to assist Putin as we head into the winter.” He might want to tell all the government sources briefing to the Sunday papers that (see below.) 
Fighting talk: Dismissing suggestions that actually what Putin wants is for Britain not to allow the use of its long-range missiles against Russia, Lammy said: “Putin said don’t send tanks. We sent them. Putin said don’t send any missiles. We sent them. Putin threatens every few months to use nuclear weapons, it’s totally unacceptable. We won’t be bullied by Putin’s shameless, shameless grandstanding.” 
Climb the mountain of conflict: Asked again on Laura K’s Sunday show if delays to the use of missiles would embolden Putin, Lammy said: “No war is won with one weapon, that is the case.” Might want to get the military historians on that. 
The world’s scariest game of chicken: Laura K directly asked Lammy if he thought Putin was lying when he threatens nuclear consequences. “I think what Putin is doing is throwing dust up into the air, there’s a lot of bluster, that’s his modus operandi,” he said, adding: “We cannot be blown off-course by an imperialist fascist, effectively, who wants to move into countries willy-nilly, and if we let him with Ukraine, believe me, he will not stop there.”
Not another one: Fears that Iran is getting help from Russia for its own nuclear program were raised in Friday’s Starmer/Biden summit, writes Playbook’s Dan Bloom, who was on the PM’s trip to DC. Dan is told the pair (briefly) acknowledged concerns that Iran’s supply of ballistic missiles to Moscow could be a quid pro quo to help it develop a nuclear bomb. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken hinted as much last week, saying he believes the two nations are on “a two-way street — including on nuclear issues.” The Sun on Sunday and the Observer both report similar concerns. 
Go it alone: The Sunday Times reports that five former U.K. defense secretaries, plus former PM Boris Johnson, have urged Starmer to allow Ukraine to use the long-range missiles to strike Russia even without backing from the U.S.
Blob coup: The same paper also has a fascinating reference to Starmer facing down “an attempt by the Foreign Office to get Britain to change its stance on Ukraine and ‘get back in the pack’, so that the UK would no longer be the most forward-leaning member of the Western alliance in advocating the arming of Ukraine.” The Foreign Office did not offer a comment. 
Spicy source quote incoming:  A “senior Tory familiar with the thinking of U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan” — a top White House aide painted as one of the key stumbling blocks to more support for Ukraine — compared American equivocation to the decision to leave Britain to fight the Nazis alone in 1940. “America didn’t think we could really win — that’s why we were on our own in the Battle of Britain. That’s why we got loans, not gifts. So there’s a lot of similarities here,” they said. Eesh. 
What Ukraine says: Natalia Galibarenko, Ukraine’s head of mission to NATO, told Sky’s Trevor Phillips that her government was “not disappointed” in the lack of progress on long-range missiles, viewing it as just another “stumbling block” which will ultimately be overcome — as happened with previous Western résistance to Ukraine’s use of fighter jets. She noted that U.K. pressure has typically pushed allies to follow suit. 
24 hours not in police custody: In the latest round of legacy-bashing, the Sunday Times has more details of this summer’s prison capacity chaos. One source told the paper that at the end of August even the non-religious inside government were “praying that we got through that bank holiday weekend.” Prisons were at that stage so full that the government was close to enacting the unsubtlety-named “Operation Brinker” (who comes up with these?) where police would actually stop arresting people unless there was a space for them in prison. 
If in doubt, blame the blob: When asked about the prisoner release scheme, former Home Secretary James Cleverly told Sky his government had rejected the civil service’s “neat and tidy answer that they wanted.” He said Labour had meekly accepted the scheme as a “naive and inexperienced government.” 
Things can actually get better: Perhaps after viewing Labour’s dismal recent poll ratings, Starmer is reportedly looking to give a more optimistic approach at this month’s party conference after weeks of telling us how terrible everything is. The Sunday Times reports his conference speech will be “policy light” and “vision heavy,” though happily Rachel Reeves’ speech will still be miserable. Can’t wait. 
Eeyore watch: Asked by Trevor Philips if this government is a “pretty miserable bunch,” with a similar outlook to everyone’s favorite clinically-depressed literary donkey, David Lammy said the current doom and gloom is all “for the purpose of getting to the sunny uplands.” Wake me up when we get there. 
Sartorial incompetence: In a story reminiscent of the days of Boris and Carrie in No. 10, the Sunday Times reports that the new PM could have breached rules over not declaring the costs of a personal shopper, clothes and alterations for his wife, which were covered by a Labour donor.  
It’s not an issue: Speaking to Sky, David Lammy said Starmer had gone back to the parliamentary commissioner to “clarify” whether he needed to make a declaration. “This is not a transparency issue,” he added, despite it very much being a transparency issue. Though not strictly endorsing the idea, Lammy noted that in the U.S., the taxpayer pays for their leader’s clothes, to ensure they look their best. Stick that on your election leaflet in 2029.  
You may remember me from such scandals as: The Labour donor involved is Waheed Alli, the very same donor who caused the party headaches last month after being given a temporary Downing Street pass. Cleaning up politics and putting an end to Tory sleaze looks to be trickier than first suggested. 
Holier than thou: James Cleverly, the shadow home secretary and one of the four remaining Tory leadership contenders, said that there was “hypocrisy” on the part of Starmer and chief of staff Sue Gray in preaching stringent ethics rules for the Conservatives while showing a very different “pattern of behavior” in government. 
Death for the elderly: The Mail on Sunday reports that a bill on assisted dying could make its way to a vote in Parliament before Christmas. One to watch for after recess, with lots of division across all political parties on the issue. 
Votes for the young: Keir Starmer has told the Sunday Mirror that he is still committed to bringing in votes for 16 and 17-year-olds despite the plans not appearing in the King’s Speech. 
DOWN TO CLOWN: Ed Davey kicked off the Liberal Democrat conference in Brighton on Saturday by arriving by jet-ski, attempting to be the Tigger to Labour’s Eeyore.
Tragedy and Comedy: Despite such PR stunts inevitably grabbing the headlines, Lib Dem officials told Sunday Crunch that the party will keep hammering the NHS and social care as its main issues at conference and beyond.
Meeting with Wes: The party has a meeting scheduled with Wes Streeting, the health secretary, to raise concerns about the now-scrapped hospital building program which fell with one swing of Reaper Reeves’ fiscal scythe. 
What to look out for: Keynote speeches from Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper on Monday and Ed Davey on Tuesday, both touching heavily on the NHS. 
Nimbys? Not us! There will be no motion at this year’s conference on planning reform and housebuilding after last year’s vote by members to keep planning targets. 
Good times never seemed so good: The infamous Lib Dem karaoke took place last night, with Davey making a surprise appearance to the sound of Sweet Caroline. 
Back to the important stuff: Davey, in a rather exasperated interview with Sky’s Trevor Phillips, said Labour needs to spend more on the NHS, saying: “We think there needs to be investment and reform, and we’re worried that the government is just talking about reform before investment. I don’t think the NHS can withstand that approach.” 
Electoral reform: The Lib Dem leader said his party still backs getting rid of the first past the post voting system and will debate a motion on its replacement at conference on Monday. “It’s something we’ve been committed to for 100 years. We remain very fervently committed to it.”
PLANET TORY: The Tory leadership contest has been surprisingly bloodless so far, given the party’s traditional penchant for repeatedly punching itself in the face in public. Well, that’s enough of that. Graham Brady, the former chairman of the 1922 committee of Tory backbench MPs, is releasing his autobiography, and it’s got lots of juicy gossip to help with the re-opening of old wounds. 
Kingslayer: Brady’s autobiography, humbly titled “Kingmaker,” is serialized in the Telegraph, and reveals that Andrea Leadsom asked it it might be possible to bring down Rishi Sunak after he called the election. “This might not be seen as the most auspicious way for colleagues who are seeking re-election to commence their campaign,” he replied. Zing. 
Vengeful man, reveal yourself: In the tone of a spurned celeb going to the tabloids after a Love Island exit, he writes: “I was the model of discretion. Until now …” 
Keeper of letters: In the book’s first extract, Brady reveals the truth about Simon Clarke’s attempted coup against Rishi Sunak at the start of the year, where he claimed that around 50 letters of no confidence had been submitted. “I had received nine,” Brady notes, adding: “Most colleagues understood that, however frustrated they may have been, yet another change of leader would have made us look completely deranged.” Imagine that. 
Peculiar Truss: In a second extract, he writes: “I had always found Liz Truss somewhat peculiar, and as with many of her predecessors, I was surprised that Tory members were enamoured with her,” adding: “There were many colleagues, including me, who were at least mildly surprised to find that Liz Truss had become prime minister.” 
Et tu, Jezza? Brady also reveals that Jeremy Hunt was rather insistent that Truss be got rid of, telling Brady on the morning if her resignation: “She knows that she will have to go, but I’m worried that she thinks she can promise to go in six months and that won’t work — she must go right away. Anything that you can do to persuade her would be really important. Thank you.” 
No, I’m scandal-less: Naturally, the wannabe Tory leaders are now being asked about the revelations in Brady’s book. James Cleverly, singing his own praises, told Sky’s Trevor Phillips that he is well placed to deal with any “bad behavior” in his party. “I have always conducted myself in a way that I’m proud of, and all I ask of others is that they follow suit.” 
Now that’s what I call cut-through: Meanwhile conversation about “Robert Jenrick” have even made it as far and wide as the Razmataz wine bar in Catania, Sicily — much to your author’s dismay on hearing the name waft over from a nearby table while seeking to avoid political chit-chat on holiday. There really is no escape.
Lights. Camera. Factionalism: The Mail on Sunday reports that Jenrick wants to see a live TV debate for the Tory leadership contest, as the leadership rivals all jostle for control over the crucial party conference stage of the contest. 
Lammy baiting: Laura K asked the foreign secretary what he thinks of Donald Trump’s now infamous ‘they’re eating the pooches’ comments about Haitian migrants. Lammy said: “Laura, you’ve got Piers Morgan on the panel, I’m sure he’ll give you his view. I’m not going to give you mine,” explaining he didn’t like Americans commenting on U.K. politics during the general election and wouldn’t be returning the favor. Nice try.
Rubbish ideas latest: In the latest attempt to make Britain’s politicians have the most horrible time possible, Carol Vorderman has suggested that MPs should collect bins every month to understand how the country works. She says they are “detached from the reality of life for most of Britain.” Imagine that. 
Own golazo: UEFA has warned that England could be banned from the next Euros over its football regulator plans. The Sunday Times has seen a letter from Theodore Theodoridis, the body’s general secretary, to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy which warns against “government interference in the running of football”. The next Euros is set to be co-hosted by the Great Britain’s nations and Ireland in 2028. 
Don’t tell Sue: On Friday evening (naughty naughty) the government slipped out its decision not to approve funding for the redevelopment of Belfast’s Casement Park stadium due to a “significant risk that it would not be built in time” for Euro 2028. Dark-humored lobby colleagues point out that Sue Gray, who was accused of subverting cabinet members in supporting the investment, was conveniently out of the country when it was announced. 
Speaking of Sue: Another week, another Sue briefing. This time the Sunday Times reports that Gray has urged Starmer to force Cabinet secretary Simon Case to set out the timetable for his departure from his job.  
Her ears are burning: And the Mail on Sunday’s weekly onslaught against Sue continues. This time she is facing questions over her links to “senior Sinn Fein politicians, including a former IRA terrorist.” No. 10 told the paper: “We never get into staffing matters but the information you have been presented with is not entirely correct.” 
Paterson vs the U.K.: Remember Owen Paterson? The MP that was forced to resign after allegedly breaking lobbying rules which began the landslide of sleaze which brought down Boris Johnson? Well, after strongly denying that he was engaged in lobbying, he took his case to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), and on Thursday we will have a decision. 
It’s like rain on your wedding day: Paterson, naturally, repeatedly criticized the ECHR during his time as a Tory MP. A statement from Devonshires, the law firm representing him, said: “The irony that Mr Paterson, a vocal opponent of European institutions, should be seeking the help of the ECHR is not lost.”
Rules, Britannia: In the latest sign of thawing relations between the U.K. and European Union, the Sunday Telegraph reports that EU flags have been confiscated by security at the last night of the proms. The paper cites confusion over rules around banned items. 
Fear of China: Chris Patten, the outgoing Oxford University chancellor and last governor of Hong Kong, has told the Sunday Telegraph that British universities treat Chinese students differently for fear of “being ticked off by the Chinese government.” He called on the U.K. to formally increase China’s risk level, adding: “It’s [about] Britain recognising how the Chinese government have behaved and how they’ve instructed their minions to behave.” 
Ayesha Hazarika on Times Radio (4 p.m. to 7 p.m.): Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin.
Westminster Hour (BBC Radio 4, 10 p.m.):  Labour MP Helena Dollimore … Tory MP Alec Shelbrooke … Lib Dem MP Munira Wilson … the Times’ Lara Spirit.
MONDAY
PARLIAMENT: Commons and Lords in recess until Oct. 7.
BBC: Huw Edwards sentencing at Westminster Magistrates Court. 
LIB DEMS: Third day of party conference in Brighton. Motions on voting reform and Israel-Gaza. Speech by Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper. 
TUESDAY
LIB DEMS: Final day of party conference in Brighton. Speech from Leader Ed Davey. 
LABOUR: New Labour general secretary expected to be announced.
REPUBLICANS: Donald Trump town hall event in Michigan.
WEDNESDAY
ECONOMY: Latest inflation statistics. 
REPUBLICANS: Donald Trump rally in New York. 
EU: Viktor Orban addresses European Parliament. 
THURSDAY
BANK: Interest rates decision from the Bank of England. 
FRIDAY
REFORM: First day of Reform UK party conference in Birmingham, including speech from leader Nigel Farage.
SATURDAY
REFORM: Second and final day of Reform UK party conference.
QUAD: U.S. President Joe Biden hosts Indian, Japanese, and Australian prime ministers in Delaware for a summit. 
SUNDAY
LABOUR: First day of Labour party conference in Liverpool. 
GERMANY: Third state election in Brandenburg, which could see far-right AfD party win again. 
Writing Monday morning Playbook: Stefan Boscia.
Thanks: To my editor Jack Blanchard for giving Crunch some Sunday sparkle.
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