Politics LIVE: Labour NHS crisis as junior doctors begin five-day strike despite fury

Keir Starmer has been plunged into crisis this morning as tens of thousands of doctors walk out on strike, dealing a huge blow to Labour's pledges to bring the NHS back from the brink and bring down waiting lists.

Despite enormous pay rises over the past year, up to 50,000 resident - or junior - doctors will join the picket lines today from 7am, and remain there until 7am on Wednesday, July 30.

The move deals an enormous blow to Labour's pledges around the NHS, to end Tory strike chaos and bring down waiting lists.

Doctors in England and Wales had been awarded a 5.4% pay increase by the government - the highest of any public sector workers - however the radical left-wing BMA union is demanding a ludicrous 29.2% pay rise to bring pay in line with 2008 levels.

YouGov polling found that over half of all Britons now side against the striking doctors, with 52% saying they either somewhat or strongly oppose the strike action.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has warned the BMA that the public "will not forgive" the coming days' strikes, and will be a "disaster" for both the unions and patients.

Follow our live blog for all the day's developments...