Monday briefing: Labour’s key U-turns under Keir Starmer

In today's newsletter: the Labour leader may well win the next election - but why are so many of his policies being ditched?

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Good morning.

Keir Starmer has undergone a political transformation since he became leader of the Labour party. During the leadership contest, he positioned himself as a colleague and friend" of former leader Jeremy Corbyn, in whose shadow cabinet he had served. His list of policy pledges presented him as a more competent version of Corbyn, with none of the political baggage.

NHS | Seven in 10 people in the UK believe charges for NHS care will creep in over the next decade, ending the health service's record of being free at the point of use, polling has found. Ahead of the service's 75th birthday this week the Guardian also asked five experts for their ideas on how to make the NHS thrive again.

House of Lords | Two British peers were among 50 people who attended a party organised by the Russian ambassador to the UK at his opulent residence in west London last month. The event was to mark the creation of a Russia independent of the Soviet Union.

Scotland | Orkney could leave the UK to become a self-governing territory of Norway after its council opted to explore alternative forms of governance". The archipelago off the north coast of Scotland will also consider changing its legal status within Britain as it seeks to provide more economic opportunities.

Israel | As many as 50 Conservative MPs are threatening to rebel against a government proposal that would impose fines on public bodies, including local councils, that seek to mount boycotts against Israel. The scale of the unease on a foreign policy issue has caught government whips by surprise.

France | The riots over the police shooting of teenager Nahel M appeared to ease after five nights of unrest that have seen thousands arrested and widespread destruction. French media reported that police made 49 arrests nationwide yesterday, down significantly from more than 2,000 over the previous two days.