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The Guardian Politics28 Jun 2026

Will Andy Burnham ‘go big’ in expanding the role of the state?

In the first of a series on nationalisation, we look at the critical tests ahead for the PM-in-waiting, from choosing a chancellor to the future of Thames Water As he swept towards victory in the Makerfield byelection, Andy Burnham told voters he wanted to see “the essentials of life being run primarily for the public interest, not for the private interests”. Citing the Bee Network of buses and trams across Manchester city region, brought together on his watch, Burnham repeatedly highlighted the

PoliticsDefence
The Guardian Politics28 Jun 2026

Labour has abandoned the missions that brought it to power. Here's how Burnham could revive them. | Mariana Mazzucato

With a new prime minister incoming, Labour faces a fundamental question about its economic vision As Keir Starmer stands down as prime minister and attention turns toward Andy Burnham, the current moment should not be reduced to a story of personalities. The question that matters is strategy, and the Labour party has three years left to get this right. When Labour won its landslide in July 2024, it did so on the promise of a new kind of governance: five national missions to tackle the UK’s deepe

EconomyDefenceHousing
The Guardian Politics27 Jun 2026

The war for Burnham’s ear: politicians and wonks fight for influence over a PM

There is high emotion, a deluge of policy papers and an ‘excruciating’ jostle for jobs as Labour’s probable next leader settles back into Westminster life As well as being the most popular politician in the country – for now – Andy Burnham is also the most popular man at Westminster. Labour MPs, the unions, Whitehall civil servants, political advisers and thinktanks are all among those battling for the ear of the next prime minister. “There are so many different demands all at once. But the supp

PoliticsDefenceHousing
The Guardian Politics27 Jun 2026

‘Not a culture war’: the council that won its case over England flags on lampposts

Leader of local authority in Oxfordshire faces backlash over injunction ‘to maintain neutral, safe space for residents’ While Londoners scurried from building to building seeking shade on another baking hot day this week, one man paused in the shadow of the Royal Courts of Justice. The leader of Oxfordshire county council, Tim Bearder, was not only satisfied in the shade of the court’s gothic towers. He had just won a landmark legal victory. Continue reading...

DefenceReformCrime
The Guardian Politics27 Jun 2026

Nigel Farage’s anti-WHO campaign moves to US with allies added to board

Relocation of Action on World Health raises questions over why Reform UK leader is involved in a US pressure group Nigel Farage’s campaign against the World Health Organization (WHO) is moving to the US with a new board of lobbyists, raising questions over why the Reform UK leader is involved in an American pressure group. The Action on World Health campaign, co-founded by Farage, is relocating to the US state of Delaware as a charitable foundation and grassroots non-profit. Continue reading...

DefenceReform
The Guardian Politics26 Jun 2026

Climate sceptics cheering as they melt in record temperatures? This heatwave is where satire has come to die | Jonathan Freedland

Delegates at an ‘anti-woke’ conference disparaged Ed Miliband’s net zero policies. But even they could not ignore the sweat on their foreheads It was hardly a perfect film, but I keep thinking of Don’t Look Up. In its depiction of a world that stubbornly refuses to heed the warnings of an imminent planetary disaster, it was perhaps too on the nose. But these days, reality itself is too on the nose. This week served up ample evidence, on both sides of the Atlantic. In Britain, like much of Europe

DefenceEnvironment
The Guardian Politics26 Jun 2026

UK government urged to act on ‘devastating’ impact of heatwaves

MPs hear current plans fall ‘far short of what is needed’ with many deaths expected and children baking in classrooms The UK government is facing increasingly urgent calls for action to protect people against the intensifying effects of the climate crisis. With the country in the grip of the worst heatwave ever recorded in western Europe – a direct result of global heating – the chair of parliament’s environmental audit committee warned ministers of the urgent threat and that it was falling “far

PoliticsDefenceEnvironmentHousing
The Guardian Politics26 Jun 2026

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 Yorkshire Good 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 acc

PoliticsImmigrationDefenceHousing
The Guardian Politics26 Jun 2026

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 moves The 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 Alle

PoliticsDefence
The Guardian Politics25 Jun 2026

Backsliding on climate would drive Labour into obscurity, Zack Polanski says

Debate in Labour and union movement over climate commitments as many call for Burnham not to allow drilling in North Sea Analysis: ‘Act on the evidence outside the window’: Andy Burnham urged to stick to net zero targets if he becomes PM Backsliding on climate action would drive the Labour party into political obscurity, Zack Polanski has warned, as trade union leaders said more drilling in the North Sea would not help UK workers. The Green party leader, speaking to the Guardian as searing hea

PoliticsDefenceEnvironment
The Guardian Politics25 Jun 2026

How the US bypasses British courts to try its military over crimes in the UK

Even sexual assault or paedophilia cases are heard by US courts martial, using an obscure 1951 agreement A US fighter pilot strangled a woman in England. Why did it end in a ‘degrading’ military trial? A little-known system in which US military personnel are tried through a court martial for alleged crimes committed in the UK is under growing scrutiny. There are more than 12,000 US personnel stationed on at least 15 US military bases and facilities in the UK. With the exception of Lossiemouth

DefenceCrime
The Guardian Politics24 Jun 2026

Senior No 10 aides to lobby Andy Burnham to invest more than £13.5bn defence spend

Downing Street figures plan to convince Burnham to revive ‘war bonds’ when he becomes prime minister Downing Street aides are planning to lobby Andy Burnham during access talks to revive the idea of “war bonds” to pay for higher defence spending when he becomes prime minister, the Guardian understands. Senior No 10 figures want the Treasury to be allowed to borrow more for military spending and will try to convince Burnham to invest beyond the £13.5bn earmarked for the long-awaited Defence Inves

PoliticsEconomyDefence