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The Guardian Politics18 Jul 2026

What will Keir Starmer do next?

Outgoing PM has joked about cookery classes and cutting hedges, but does the international stage beckon? As his time in Downing Street comes to an end, Keir Starmer has been joking with friends about what he might do after he stands down as prime minister. He has teased that he might take a cookery course. “He needs it, he only makes two meals,” one friend said. Another not entirely serious suggestion was cutting his father-in-law’s hedge in the expectation that if he did well, he could graduate

Politics
The Guardian Politics18 Jul 2026

Andy Burnham considers radical shake-up to cut energy bills

Labour leader examining proposals to overhaul gas standing charges and make heat pumps cheaper to run than boilers Andy Burnham is considering radical plans that could cut household energy bills by £130 a year and make running a heat pump cheaper than a gas boiler. In his speech on Friday as he became the new Labour leader, Burnham promised to reduce the price of “essentials”, and a cost of living package is expected to be one of his first announcements in Downing Street. Continue reading...

PoliticsEconomy
The Guardian Politics18 Jul 2026

Burnham must shift UK mood on racism, chair of Operation Black Vote says

Incoming PM must seize chance to stop race discourse deflecting from class inequalities, says David Weaver Andy Burnham has a historic opportunity to shift the national mood on racism, the chair of Operation Black Vote has said. In an interview marking the 30th anniversary of the influential nonpartisan civil rights organisation, David Weaver, the chair of Operation Black Vote (OBV), said Burnham must seize the chance to change a UK political culture where race and migration discourse is used to

PoliticsImmigration
The Guardian Politics18 Jul 2026

Six political headaches Andy Burnham must tackle in his first weeks as PM

From dealing with Trump to easing cost of living, the incoming prime minister is mulling his approach to contentious issues When Labour was preparing for power in 2024, Keir Starmer’s then chief of staff, Sue Gray, compiled what one Labour official called her “shit list” – a dossier of immediate fires the government would have to put out. Gray is back, advising Starmer’s successor, Andy Burnham, in an unofficial capacity. And yet again, she is advising an incoming prime minister on how to deal w

PoliticsEconomy
The Guardian Politics17 Jul 2026

‘He knows what he thinks’: how ready is Andy Burnham to become PM?

A hasty handover from Starmer meant his successor has not had much time to prepare for office yet his team is quietly confident What Andy Burnham’s first speech as Labour leader tells us Just 20 minutes’ walk along the road to Wigan Pier, Andy Burnham’s own route back to Westminster was cemented. At the Edge community centre, about a mile from the famous canal wharf, the result of the Makerfield byelection was announced, surpassing even his highest expectations. “Andy knew running in Makerfiel

Politics
The Guardian Politics17 Jul 2026

Nigel Farage says questions over his finances are part of ‘coordinated pile-on’

Reform leader says he’s been ‘demonised’ since revelation he received £5m from billionaire before election Nigel Farage has accused people raising questions about his financial backing of “demonising” him as part of a “coordinated pile-on” to stop Reform UK. In one of his first speeches since the opening of two parliamentary standards inquiries into his financial support, the Reform UK leader said he had been “dehumanised in the most extraordinary way” in recent months, after the Guardian reveal

PoliticsReform
The Guardian Politics17 Jul 2026

The Guardian view on Andy Burnham: political poetry must become governing prose | Editorial

Larkin, Harrison and Shakespeare shaped Labour’s leader. Now comes the harder task: turning language into lasting change Andy Burnham is finally Labour leader. After trying – and failing – twice to be elected by party members, he took the top job on Friday without a contest. Sir Keir Starmer remains prime minister until Monday, when he will tender his resignation to King Charles, who will invite Mr Burnham to form a government. Then the future that Mr Burnham has long imagined will cease to be a

Politics
The Guardian Politics17 Jul 2026

All hail the king! Good vibes and Greggs as Burnham addresses the Andyites

Keir had achieved greatness, his legacy would be eternal … until the new Labour leader got up to speak The king is dead. Long live the king. Not so much Labour electing a new leader, more a coronation. There were no surprises. No real drama. The deed had been done the moment Andy Burnham had won the Makerfield byelection. That was when Labour MPs switched off Keir Starmer’s life support machine. Even Vladimir Putin would be moderately happy with a 379 to one victory. The only dissenting voice w

Politics
The Guardian Politics17 Jul 2026

Trump administration to grant $12m to groups founded by UK conservatives Jacob Rees-Mogg and Toby Young

Exclusive: Grants are part of controversial package criticised as misuse of public money to influence European politics Donald Trump’s state department intends to allocate $12m to organisations in the UK founded by the prominent Conservatives Jacob Rees-Mogg and Toby Young, the Guardian can reveal. The intended grants, revealed in US government documents, are part of a package of support for European groups viewed favourably by the Trump administration. Some former US officials have criticised t

Politics
The Guardian Politics17 Jul 2026

How Burnham’s team could reshape the Bank of England

Taking a fresh look at the Bank’s role would send a strong signal that a Burnham government is prepared to do things differently UK politics live – latest updates Business live – latest updates When Louise Haigh – then a lowly backbencher – wrote a policy prospectus for the leftwing Renewal journal back in May, it contained a little-noticed nugget: a rethink of the Bank of England’s mandate. Haigh, who quit as transport secretary in 2024 after it emerged she had been convicted of fraud over a

PoliticsReformHousing
The Guardian Politics17 Jul 2026

What Andy Burnham’s first speech as Labour leader tells us

The incoming prime minister showed his oratorical skill and that he is prepared to borrow from populism UK politics live – latest updates Nearing the end of his speech accepting the Labour leadership, Andy Burnham paused. “I know what to do,” he said. “I have a plan.” Perhaps he does. But even after half an hour of dense rhetoric, it is still not especially clear what this is. Burnham, who will become prime minister on Monday after this formal party coronation, is a politician who runs largely

Politics
The Guardian Politics17 Jul 2026

Burnham finally answers the burning question: how does he take his tea?

Incoming PM has deigned to answer some quickfire questions on TikTok – also revealing his stance on socks with sandals UK politics live – latest updates It was Tony Blair who wrote that the “leader sets out for the people what they need and not simply what they want. Otherwise, the leader is just a follower”. The incoming prime minister, Andy Burnham, must have been channelling his predecessor when this week he started to set out his views on the big issues facing the UK: should milk go in the

Politics