Wednesday, October 16, 2024 Starmer Chooses Death by a Thousand Cuts  There is undeniably public interest in the prime minister's repeated acceptance of free Taylor Swift tickets - only heightened by the process through which the popstar was granted a blue-light escort to her London shows.    But were it not for Downing Street's reluctance to come clean about the whole ordeal, would the media still be obsessing over it?    The latest twist saw Sir Keir Starmer confirm he and his family had met the singer backstage at Wembley on 20 August.   That prompted a lengthy grilling at the weekly post-PMQs huddle on every detail of what is now being dubbed Swiftgate.   The PM's team could have put the story to bed long ago by coming clean over exactly who did what and when. They appear instead to have chosen, to quote the pop star, Death by a Thousand Cuts.   As Taylor Swift herself once asked: "If the story's over. Why am I still writing pages?"  Written by Archie Mitchell Quiz question By what name is Reginald Kenneth Dwight better known? Answer at the bottom of today's email Support The Independent At The Independent, nobody tells us what to think; we make up our own mind and aren't afraid to do things differently. Like our readers, we value honesty and integrity above outside influences.   With your support, we challenge the status quo, uncover crucial stories, and amplify unheard voices. If you like what we do, do take out a subscription and help support the best quality online-only journalism. SUBSCRIBE: 6 MONTHS FOR £66 £1 SUBSCRIBE: 6 MONTHS FOR £66 £1 Daily briefing Keir Starmer considering sanctions against Israeli cabinet members Sir Keir also said he agrees with the position taken by the White House that more humanitarian aid must flow into Gaza  Revealed: How an influential think tank is bankrolling Labour Organisation linked to Keir Starmer's new chief of staff handed donations totalling £1.5m to more than 100 MPs Technology Secretary asks Ofcom for online safety response to summer riots Peter Kyle has written to the regulator for an update on its plans around misinformation in the Online Safety Act What else you need to know today Nigel Farage attacked the FA for appointing German Thomas Tuchel to succeed Gareth Southgate, asking: "Why oh why can't we have an English manager?" Voters do not believe a raft of key claims in Boris Johnson's new memoir, covering everything from Prince Harry to Covid, according to a new poll Kemi Badenoch warned the Conservative Party could cease to exist if her opponent Robert Jenrick wins the Tory leadership contest  The Independent View Rachel Reeves would be wise to listen to her former mentor, Mervyn King, when it comes to the Budget Politics explained David Cameron planned sanctions on two Israeli ministers – would it have worked? Sean O'Grady looks at the chances of a cross-party consensus on how to deal with the Gaza crisis...   Read more MOST COMMENTED King Charles and the £200bn slavery reparations bill looming over Commonwealth summit Tomorrow inside the Westminster bubble What to look out for on Wednesday The Commons sits from 9.30am for culture, media and sport questions. Main business of the day is a general debate on Monday's investment conference in London.  Ed Miliband, the energy secretary, will visit Scotland to announce funding for offshore wind developers investing in infrastructure in the UK's coastal communities.   John Healey, the defence secretary, will attend a Nato meeting in Brussels where he will sign the revised UK-Estonia defence "roadmap".   Anneliese Dodds, minister for international development, will deliver a speech at Chatham House on her priorities over this parliament.  In what is likely to be the only head-to-head debate of this Conservative leadership election, Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch will be on GB News at 7pm.  QUOTATION OF THE DAY "Why oh why can't we have an English manager?"   Nigel Farage on the appointment of Thomas Tuchel Quiz answer: Elton John The Independent proudly partners with Refuge and the National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 Join the conversation or follow us Download the free Independent app Please do not reply directly to this email   You are currently registered to receive The Independent's View From Westminster newsletter.   To unsubscribe from The Independent's View From Westminster newsletter, or to manage your email preferences please click here.   This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345 Read our privacy notice and cookie policy