The Guardian Politics

The Guardian view on Andy Burnham’s speech: Rewiring Britain needs Westminster to give up real power | Editorial

The country’s likely next prime minister sketches a post-Thatcherite state built on radical devolution. The test is whether Whitehall yieldsAndy Burnham is not prime minister of the UK – yet. His speech on Monday at the People’s History Museum in Manchester might be read as campaign fodder. But given his lack of opponents, the race to be Labour leader looks already over. If he enters Downing Street, the oration would be the most serious challenge to the Thatcherite settlement attempted by any pr

politics  Jun 29, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Thai-based crypto investor funding Reform unlikely to avoid cap on overseas donations

Christopher Harborne, who also gave Nigel Farage £5m ‘gift’, reported to have registered to vote in HampshireChristopher Harborne, the Thailand-based crypto investor who has given millions of pounds to Reform UK, would be unlikely to get around a planned cap on overseas political donations even if he has registered to vote in the UK, it is understood.Harborne, who also gave Nigel Farage, the Reform leader, £5m as a “gift”, has registered to vote in Hampshire, the Times reported, with a spokesper

politics  Jun 29, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Ben Jennings on Andy Burnham’s first major policy speech – cartoon

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politics  Jun 29, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Burnham will stand or fall on his plans for youth employment: he must put the next generation first | Polly Toynbee

Labour has to match the success of its New Deal for young people in the late 1990s – and remedy the injustices that have led to a ‘lost generation’Today a new programme starts to help the million unemployed young people not in education or training (Neets). By chance, it launches on the day Andy Burnham set out to paint a picture of his horizons with plans that put the young first, closely matching Alan Milburn’s searing review of the fate of a “lost generation”.As from now, any employer can cla

politics  Jun 29, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Can Andy Burnham’s ‘No 10 North’ change anything? – podcast

Andy Burnham, the prime minister-in-waiting, has made his first major speech since becoming the MP for Makerfield. Speaking in Manchester, he said the Westminster system was ‘broken’ and that a ‘more of the same’ attitude would not work. He promised a ‘No 10 North’ as part of his proposals for devolution, the biggest council housebuilding programme since the post-war period, and ‘good growth in every postcode’. Pippa and Kiran look at what the speech tells us about Burnham’s ambitions for the ec

politics  Jun 29, 2026

BBC Politics

Resident doctors in England accept pay deal and end strikes

Doctors have been locked in a three-year dispute with the government, resulting in several rounds of strikes.

politics  Jun 29, 2026

BBC Politics

New 'No 10 North' plan will rebalance power in Britain, Burnham promises

The man most likely to be the next prime minister says his devolution plans would "drive good growth in every postcode".

politics  Jun 29, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Current and ex-DUP members knew of allegations about Jeffrey Donaldson, party says

Information not reported through ‘appropriate channels’ and left DUP unable to formally respond, leader saysFormer and current members of the Democratic Unionist party (DUP) knew of allegations about the former leader Jeffrey Donaldson but did not share them, the party has said.Information about Donaldson was not reported through “appropriate channels” and left the party unable to formally respond, the DUP leader, Gavin Robinson, said on Monday. Continue reading...

politics  Jun 29, 2026

The Guardian Politics

How would PM-in-waiting Andy Burnham change Britain? - The Latest

Andy Burnham has set out his vision for the UK in his first big policy speech since launching a bid to replace Keir Starmer as prime minister. The Makerfield MP confirmed he would set up ‘No 10 North’ and pledged to ‘bring about the biggest rebalancing of power the country has ever seen’.Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s north of England editor, Josh Halliday – watch on YouTube Continue reading...

politics  Jun 29, 2026

BBC Politics

Burnham's Manchesterism could change the UK, but is not yet a full economic plan

Andy Burnham's speech depicted a different way of seeing and running the UK, though there are many other questions about the detail.

politics  Jun 29, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Andy Burnham picks Greater Manchester CEO to oversee devolution of power at No 10 North

Caroline Simpson worked closely with Burnham when he was Greater Manchester mayorUK politics live – latest updatesAndy Burnham has asked the current chief executive of the Greater Manchester combined authority to be his deputy chief of staff, leading the new No 10 North, if as expected he becomes prime minister in three weeks’ time.Caroline Simpson, who worked closely with Burnham when he was mayor, will be based in Manchester to oversee the devolution of power and resources across the UK that h

politics  Jun 29, 2026

BBC Politics

Ex-MP Craig Williams pleads guilty over general election betting offence

Williams was MP for Montgomeryshire and an aide to then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak before the 2024 election.

politics  Jun 29, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Former Tory MP Craig Williams pleads guilty to cheating at gambling with election bets

Former parliamentary private secretary to Rishi Sunak admits offence relating to betting on date of 2024 electionThe former Conservative MP Craig Williams, who was parliamentary private secretary to Rishi Sunak, has pleaded guilty at Southwark crown court to cheating at gambling with bets on the date of the 2024 general election.More details soon … Continue reading...

politics  Jun 29, 2026

The Guardian Politics

At the People’s History Museum, Burnham gives Labour hope they might just have a future

The home crowd swooned to Andy’s mood music, even if some of it could have been a Keir cover versionUK politics live – latest updatesThere’s no pleasing some people. For most of last week, all the opposition parties were moaning that Andy Burnham had taken a vow of silence ever since the Makerfield by-election. That no one had a clue just what the prime minister designate had in mind.On Monday, Andy sought to answer some of those questions, but before he had opened his mouth, Kemi Badenoch accus

politics  Jun 29, 2026

BBC Politics

Henry Zeffman: Andy Burnham offers a blueprint for his premiership

Burnham offered a sense of what his time as prime minister would mean, but he did not lay out many details.

politics  Jun 29, 2026

BBC Politics

Chris Mason: The real test of Andy Burnham's plans

The BBC's political editor speaks about Andy Burnham's first speech since launching his PM bid.

politics  Jun 29, 2026

BBC Politics

Burnham to open a PM's office in Manchester

In his first speech since launching his prime minister bid, Andy Burnham says he will open a PM's office in Manchester.

politics  Jun 29, 2026

BBC Politics

Burnham on when he'll make key appointments

Burnham speaks about a potential cabinet in his first speech since launching a bid to become prime minister.

politics  Jun 29, 2026

BBC Politics

'I am going to do things differently', says Burnham

Andy Burnham has made his first major policy speech since launching his bid to become prime minister.

politics  Jun 29, 2026

BBC Politics

Badenoch: Burnham needs to act like a leader

The Conservative leader said Andy Burnham is prime minister in 'all but name' and urged him to tell the country about his plans.

politics  Jun 29, 2026