The Guardian Politics

Ignore the miserabilists: Andy Burnham as PM is a moment when things really can get better | Polly Toynbee

He’s the only person who can keep Nigel Farage out of Downing Street, so let’s embrace his unique blend of optimism and realismAs Keir Starmer bid a brief and emotional farewell at that pillory of a lectern, there was a moment for some to ask: what have we done, and why? He’s not a bad man, not a Boris Johnson or Liz Truss rogue prime minister. How decadent, if lack of charisma has become a sacking offence.But the reason why isn’t written in Westminster. It’s there in councils up and down the co

politics  Jun 26, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Charities criticise ‘costly’ Home Office plan to use more military bases to house asylum seekers - UK politics live

Government seeking planning permission at sites in Bicester in Oxfordshire, Barnham in Suffolk, and Linton-on-Ouse in North YorkshireGood morning and welcome to our live coverage of UK politics. We are leading today’s blog on the news that the Home Office is attempting to use three more military sites to house thousands of asylum seekers.Planning permission is being sought at Ministry of Defence sites in Bicester in Oxfordshire, Barnham in Suffolk, and Linton-on-Ouse in North Yorkshire, to accom

politics  Jun 26, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Wanted: a new PM, a new James Bond, a new Doctor – and a UK that can agree on its leading characters | Nadia Khomami

Britain has found itself looking for all three protagonists at once. Who gets to stand at the centre of the national story?It’s been the refrain of the week. Why can’t the country hold on to a prime minister – and how can it be that Larry, the Downing Street cat, has managed to outlast six of them? Have we become ungovernable? Is it because one government after another has failed to halt the slide in living standards – or have online attention spans eroded our patience for change?But Westminster

politics  Jun 26, 2026

The Guardian Politics

After Starmer’s ‘purge’, could Andy Burnham lure back Labour’s bruised leftwingers?

Socialists marginalised under current PM are anxious about whether his replacement will again disappoint themOn 10 September 2024, Jon Trickett, a veteran leftwing MP, was preparing to vote against one of his own government’s most incendiary plans: to remove the winter fuel allowance from some retired people, a benefit long seen by many UK households as essential. Senior figures told Trickett he would be the only Labour member of parliament to do so. He said this week: “I said: ‘I don’t give a f

politics  Jun 26, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Burnham has brought hope back to Labour – but he urnham has brought hope back to Labour – but he must understand how quickly it can be punctured understand how quickly it can be punctured | Andy Beckett

The Makerfield MP’s surge towards No 10 is a seductive ad for the power of positive politics. How long that proves effective depends on his next movesThe creation of hope is a vital but risky part of democratic politics. Leaders or would-be leaders who arouse hope attract supporters, motivate activists, achieve momentum and win over voters – and then have a chance of holding together political parties, governments and societies in harder times. From Barack Obama to Clement Attlee, Salvador Allen

politics  Jun 26, 2026

BBC Politics

Chris Mason: The anatomy of the prime minister's downfall

Sir Keir, like his predecessors Liz Truss and Boris Johnson, lost the capacity to viably govern, our political editor writes.

politics  Jun 26, 2026

BBC Politics

The Interview

Katya Adler speaks to EU negotiator Michel Barnier 10 years on since the Brexit vote

politics  Jun 25, 2026

BBC Politics

The Interview

Katya Adler speaks to EU negotiator Michel Barnier 10 years on since the Brexit vote

politics  Jun 25, 2026

BBC Politics

Home Office plan to use more military bases to house asylum seekers

Three new sites in Oxfordshire, Suffolk, and Yorkshire could house about 3,750 asylum seekers if permission is granted.

politics  Jun 25, 2026

BBC Politics

Starmer and home secretary in row over minister's future

Shabana Mahmood believes Mike Tapp should be sacked for writing an article but No 10 say he remains in post.

politics  Jun 25, 2026

BBC Politics

Burnham could be leader in weeks under Labour timetable

Andy Burnham could take over from Keir Starmer by 17 July, if he continues to be the only Labour MP in the race.

politics  Jun 25, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Andy Thingy with the eyelashes who was once ‘mayor of a town’ hits Westminster | John Crace

Trump gets to grips with ‘extremely liberal’ new kid who’s already roasting Kemi Badenoch on XUK politics live – latest updatesYou know you’ve arrived as the prime minister-in-waiting when even Donald Trump has heard of you. Well, sort of. The name rings a vague bell. Call it a start in the new era of the not-so-special relationship.On Sunday, the US president had the idea of announcing Keir Starmer’s resignation, long before the prime minister had got round to doing it himself. Trump likes to g

politics  Jun 25, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Newsroom Edition: What can Albanese learn from Starmer's fall? – podcast

This week, Anthony Albanese’s UK counterpart, Keir Starmer, succumbed to mounting pressure and resigned as prime minister. A number of comparisons have been made between the pair, including resounding election wins followed by a decline in the polls while insurgent rightwing parties gained ground. Josephine Tovey speaks with Mike Ticher, Gabrielle Jackson and Guardian Australia’s international editor, Virginia Harrison, about how Albanese can avoid Starmer’s fateRead more: Continue reading...

politics  Jun 25, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Andy Burnham: who’s really got his ear? – podcast

As Andy Burnham looks set to go unchallenged in his leadership bid, Labour MPs are now jostling for a position in his cabinet. Who will have his ear, and what does that tell us about his leadership? Continue reading...

politics  Jun 25, 2026

BBC Politics

Inverness barracks asylum seeker plan dropped, says MP

Angus MacDonald says a UK minister has confirmed that Cameron Barracks is no longer to house up to 300 men.

politics  Jun 25, 2026

BBC Politics

Burnham rules out reform of Wales funding system

BBC told he has no plan to change main system funding Welsh government if he becomes prime minister.

politics  Jun 25, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Make pension tax relief only available to savers prepared to invest in UK, Andy Haldane says

British Chambers of Commerce chief calls for ‘home bias’ on retirement savings to close funding gap for SMEsPension tax relief worth more than £50bn should only be offered to savers who are prepared to invest in Britain, according to Andy Haldane, the president of the British Chambers of Commerce.There should be a “home bias” that directs retirement savings into UK businesses, closing a funding gap that hampers the growth of small- and medium-sized businesses, he said. Continue reading...

politics  Jun 25, 2026

BBC Politics

PM's former aide Sue Gray says she 'fears for Stormont'

Baroness Gray was speaking at a panel event organised by the SDLP exploring constitutional change, coinciding with the 10-year anniversary of Brexit.

politics  Jun 25, 2026

BBC Politics

MP cleared of breaching expenses rules

A probe finds Tahir Ali is careful with public money and even pays for work out of his own pocket.

politics  Jun 25, 2026

BBC Politics

MP says town is shared housing 'wild west'

Emma Lewell MP will lead an adjournment debate as part of her campaign for stricter laws on HMOs.

politics  Jun 25, 2026