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After Burnham’s reign, battle begins for Greater Manchester’s mayoral crown

The influential role vacated by the new Makerfield MP will be fiercely contested by Labour, Reform and the Greens As Andy Burnham maps out the final steps on his path to Downing Street, he may feel that his future is clear. But a look back over his shoulder reveals a cloudier outlook, inviting the question: what now happens to his former role as Greater Manchester’s mayor? An election has been set for 30 July, and with the job widely seen as having grown under Burnham’s tenure to become one of t

I disagree with Andy Burnham’s politics. But as former health secretaries, we both know the NHS needs to be fixed | Jeremy Hunt

As prime minister, he would have a unique chance to turn the world’s most bureaucratic health service into its most innovative one If Andy Burnham moves from Manchester to No 10, he will be the first prime minister to have been health secretary in the history of the NHS. What might that mean for the troubled service? His commitment to social care is well known. But when the Treasury tells him there is no money, he is going to have to think hard about how to make his mark. The UK now spends the f

Chris Mason: All eyes on Downing Street - what does the PM say, and when?

For the third time in four years, we appear on the brink of a prime minister announcing their plan to leave office, the BBC's political editor writes.

<a href='https://news.sky.com/story/politics-latest-burnham-starmer-labour-makerfield-by-election-12593360'>Starmer will resign as MP, Trump says</a>

Brits should worry about 'reckless' Andy Burnham's spending as PM, warns MP

Mr Burnham will make a dramatic return to Westminster on Monday with Keir Starmer on the brink of resigning

‘A shift has taken place’: Starmer faces the music after weekend of reflection

While PM’s desire to fight was strong, time with his inner circle at Chequers sharpened his sense of the inevitable On Friday, as the dust settled on Andy Burnham’s thumping victory in the Makerfield byelection, Keir Starmer was in defiant mood. “I have said repeatedly, I am not going to walk away,” the prime minister said, adding: “Let’s pull together as a party and a movement.” Just 48 hours later, one of his most loyal ministers was on the BBC sending a very different message. “I don’t want t

Starmer expected to announce exit plan that will clear way for Burnham to become PM

Ministers say Starmer will set out his intentions on Monday morning with an autumn departure the most likely option Keir Starmer is expected to announce a timetable for his departure on Monday morning, clearing the way for Andy Burnham to become prime minister without a formal contest by the autumn. Cabinet ministers say Starmer will set out his intentions outside Downing Street on Monday morning, starting a process that will end with the UK installing its seventh prime minister in a decade. Co

Transition timetable: what a Starmer autumn handover could look like

New leader could be chosen unchallenged or after a quick contest while outgoing PM has time to finalise his legacy UK politics live – latest updates If the predictions are proved correct and Keir Starmer does announce a timetable for an autumn departure from Downing Street, the machinery of government will again kick into gear for a handover of power – but one that will be, by UK standards, relatively leisurely. While many democracies build in lengthy transition periods – a defeated or retirin

Chris Mason on the draining of the PM's authority

Watch analysis from BBC political editor Chris Mason.

Stephen Lillie on the consequences of Andy Burnham’s byelection win in Makerfield – cartoon

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Burnham ally to unveil ambitious plan to reverse decades of privatisation

Exclusive: Productive State policy paper envisages state regaining control of basics to make life affordable, in fleshing out of Manchesterism Andy Burnham’s government should reverse 40 years of privatisation with a long-term plan to take over failing utilities in administration, issuing “bonds for shares” and setting up state competitors, according to a new blueprint for “Manchesterism”. The policy paper – The Productive State – is released on Monday as Burnham arrives in Westminster to be swo

Badenoch attacks Farage over £5m gift and rules out Tory-Reform pact

Conservative leader says Reform UK’s poor showing in this week’s byelections leaves idea of deal ‘stone-dead’ UK politics live – latest updates Kemi Badenoch has attacked Nigel Farage over the £5m gift he received before the general election as she ruled out an electoral pact with Reform UK. The Tory leader questioned Farage’s acceptance of the gift from the Thailand-based crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne in the months before he stood to become an MP in 2024. Continue reading...