There have been penalties for those who looked the other way when Epstein was convicted of child sex offences and decided to maintain relationships with the financier — but not for the British ambassador to Washington, reveals SOLOMON HUGHES

IF Keir Starmer fixes the NHS workforce crisis, I’ll forgive him for taking donations from US private healthcare donors. If he ends destitution, I’ll forgive the lies he told to become Labour leader.
But I’m not holding my breath. Competence and honesty are inextricably linked. If you’re not honest about the results of austerity, you can’t rebuild public services. And if you’re not honest about the difficulties you’ll face, you won’t get anything done.
As someone who has run a branch of government — successfully — I know how important clear principles are. You have to lead a complex organisation, build teams, draw up budgets and plans. Overcome legal and procedural hurdles. Deal with vested interests and parochial concerns.
![Majority members out campaigning in Newcastle [Pic: Majority]]( https://dev.morningstaronline.co.uk/sites/default/files/styles/low_resolution/public/2025-07/20majority.jpg.webp?itok=oAYoJu53)
JAMIE DRISCOLL explains how his group, Majority, plans to empower working people to empower themselves

We’ll be developing a people’s manifesto for the 2026 local elections. We’ll network, learn, inspire and support each other and chart a future path for socialist politics, writes JAMIE DRISCOLL

