FT News Briefing Pressure mounts on Starmer even as top aide resigns
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Feb 9, 2026 
Raya Jalabi, Middle East correspondent covering Syria’s energy revival, and Leo Lewis, Tokyo bureau chief reporting on Japan’s snap election. They discuss Syria courting oil majors and the risks to rebuilding its battered energy sector. They also cover Sanae Takaichi’s landslide win, her broad promises, and the political and economic tensions shaping Japan’s next term.
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Crisis Around Mandelson Threatens Starmer
- Morgan McSweeney resigned as Keir Starmer's chief of staff amid the Mandelson appointment controversy.
- Starmer also agreed to release thousands of related documents and apologized to Epstein's victims.
Takaichi's Big Win Brings Policy Pressure
- Sanae Takaichi won a snap election and secured a single-party majority in Japan's lower house.
- She now faces pressure to convert vague change-oriented rhetoric into concrete policy quickly.
Translate Campaign Promises Into Clear Policy
- Balance populist promises with business realities when drafting policy specifics.
- Takaichi will need to flesh out plans like tax or yen moves to satisfy voters and investors.