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1218 headlines found — Page 27 of 102

The Guardian Politics25 May 2026

The byelection, Wes Streeting and Europe: your questions answered – podcast

Can Andy Burnham do a better job than Keir Starmer? Is Makerfield more important for Reform than Labour? Can the UK rejoin the EU? Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey answer your messages and emails Continue reading...

Politics
The Guardian Politics24 May 2026

Andy Burnham seeks advice from Sue Gray on forming future Labour government

The discussions highlight how seriously senior Labour figures are treating Burnham’s path back to Westminster Andy Burnham has sought advice from Baroness Sue Gray, Keir Starmer’s former chief of staff, on how to manage a potential transition into Downing Street if he returns to Westminster and succeeds the prime minister. Gray is understood to have advised Burnham on how a future government could be formed as Labour’s internal succession chatter intensifies before the Makerfield byelection. Co

Politics
The Guardian Politics24 May 2026

Irish gangland figure fails in Dublin byelection bid for seat in parliament

Gerry ‘the monk’ Hutch comes fourth in contest won by Daniel Ennis of Social Democrats The Irish gangland figure Gerry “the monk” Hutch has failed in his bid for a parliamentary seat in a Dublin byelection. The 63-year-old came fourth in a contest won by Daniel Ennis of the Social Democrats, a victory for progressive politics after a campaign dominated by concerns over the cost of living and immigration. Continue reading...

PoliticsEconomyImmigration
The Guardian Politics23 May 2026

Reeves’s tax cut on children’s meals a political ‘soundbite’, say restaurateurs

Chancellor’s measure to help families save money during summer holidays ‘won’t make any difference’ Cutting tax on children’s meals is a political “soundbite” that will make little difference to families or businesses, restaurateurs have said. This week, Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, announced a temporary reduction in VAT on the children’s menu in restaurants from 20% to 5% between June and September, in order to help families with the cost of living crisis and offer a boost to the hospitality

PoliticsEconomyHealthcare
The Guardian Politics23 May 2026

Who are Andy Burnham’s key aides and allies?

Manchester mayor continues to hone his political story, but will need deep organisation to win and wield power Burnham starts byelection campaign with thinly veiled pitch for No 10 Andy Burnham may have big ambitions, but the team charged with propelling him to parliament is tiny and run on a shoestring. One person involved said it was operating in a “hand-to-mouth” way, staffed mostly by volunteers and MPs on the soft left who want to see Burnham return. Those who know the Greater Manchester

Politics
The Guardian Politics23 May 2026

Reeves makes case to remain as chancellor with reports Burnham may favour Miliband

Chancellor’s supporters urge MPs to back her if Keir Starmer is replaced, saying she is only candidate who can safeguard UK’s finances Rachel Reeves has launched a rearguard action to save her job as chancellor, telling friends she would like to stay in the post even under a new prime minister. The chancellor’s supporters have been urging MPs to back her if Keir Starmer is replaced later this year, saying she is the only candidate who can safeguard the country’s finances. Continue reading...

Politics
The Guardian Politics23 May 2026

Politics of potholes: why Bristol can’t fix its broken roads overnight

Marsh Street has been cited as Bristol’s worst for potholes. But it’s just one of many crumbling roads in Britain as councils face repairs backlogs and lack of funds Marsh Street in the historic centre of Bristol is a modest little stretch of road with an office block at one end, a Thai restaurant at the other, and an almighty mess in between. Along its length of 200 metres or so, the tarmac surface of the road is pockmarked with many dozens of cracks, patches, divots and holes. In some spots wh

Politics
The Guardian Politics22 May 2026

UK pitched single market for goods with EU, as it pursues deeper trade ties

Exclusive: Top official presented idea in Brussels, but sources say EU rebuffed it The UK government pitched the creation of a single market for goods with the EU as the cornerstone of an ambitious attempt to reintegrate British trade back into Europe, the Guardian can reveal. During recent visits to Brussels, the Cabinet Office’s top official on EU relations, Michael Ellam, presented the idea to deepen the UK’s economic relationship with the bloc. Continue reading...

PoliticsEconomy
The Guardian Politics22 May 2026

The Guardian view on Britain’s coming energy shock: mini-measures won’t suffice | Editorial

Consumer giveaways may soften the blow from the the war on Iran. But Britain’s vulnerability demands deeper state intervention and a faster transition Rachel Reeves’s announcement of a series of cost of living measures this week shows a government trying to prove it still has agency and relevance. The VAT cuts on summer attractions such as theme parks and soft-play centres, free bus rides for the under-16s in England and reduced import tariffs on food are politically useful, but they do not fund

PoliticsEconomyDefence
The Guardian Politics22 May 2026

What can Arsenal teach Keir Starmer about politics? You need a clear vision, a tight grip – and hope | Jonathan Freedland

The sensational title win didn’t happen by accident, it took years of dedication and planning, something the PM should note Obviously, I know that politics and football are different. One is a high-stakes endeavour that affects the lives of hundreds of millions of people, with an impact felt around the globe and down the generations – and the other is politics. I know too that there will be plenty of readers who will be like I was until nearly a couple of decades ago: cheerfully indifferent to t

PoliticsHousing
The Guardian Politics22 May 2026

Wes Streeting insists he can win Labour leadership race despite ‘underdog’ status

In interview with Guardian, former health secretary sets out plans for government, including social care, tax and refugees Wes Streeting has insisted he can win over the Labour left, as he launches a shadow campaign for the party leadership, saying he has “beaten the odds” throughout his life and can do so again. The former health secretary, who called on Keir Starmer to resign as he quit the cabinet last week, warned Labour MPs that drifting on with Starmer in charge risked a Joe Biden situatio

PoliticsEconomyImmigrationDefence
The Guardian Politics22 May 2026

Teenage boys’ non-custodial sentences for rape ‘unduly lenient’, says Jess Phillips

MP says judge’s decision sends a ‘bad message’, while Hampshire police commissioner also joins criticism The MP Jess Phillips has condemned the non-custodial sentences given to three teenage boys for the rape of two girls as “unduly lenient”. Phillips, who was the minister for safeguarding and violence against women and girls before resigning this month, said that giving the boys youth rehabilitation orders sent a “bad message”. The government said it had received multiple requests for the sente

PoliticsCrime