The Bunker – News without the nonsense Starmer safe, but for how long? – Weekly Wrap-up with Jonn Elledge and Andrew Harrison
Feb 13, 2026
John Elledge, bestselling author and journalist, joins to dissect a turbulent week in politics. They probe Keir Starmer’s survival, the Epstein–Mandelson fallout and shifting power in Number 10. Discussions also cover royal probes, Sarah Ferguson’s revelations, the Pride flag removal at Stonewall and cultural flashpoints from the Super Bowl to Jim Ratcliffe’s remarks.
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Hole In The Bath As Metaphor
- John Elledge recounts a mundane home plumbing failure that caused a hole to appear in his bath.
- He uses the bath story as a metaphor for small problems that grow and consume everything around them.
Why Starmer Still Holds On
- John Elledge explains Labour's leadership survival relies on nobody wanting to lead before local election results.
- He says lack of consensus on a successor and fear of taking blame keep Keir Starmer in place for now.
Running A Country Isn't A CLP
- Elledge argues Morgan McSweeney effectively ran political strategy for Starmer and alienated parts of the party.
- He warns treating national politics like managing a CLP doesn't work and can backfire electorally.
