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1222 headlines found — Page 35 of 102

The Guardian Politics15 May 2026

Labour’s NEC approves Burnham’s byelection pathway back to parliament

If he stands in Makerfield there will also need to be a mayoral contest to replace him in Greater Manchester Labour’s national executive committee has approved Andy Burnham’s request to stand in the candidate selection process for the upcoming Makerfield byelection. The Greater Manchester mayor still has two more years of his term, meaning that if he stands there will need to be a mayoral byelection. Under Labour rules, sitting mayors need NEC approval to stand for Westminster. He would also nee

Politics
The Guardian Politics15 May 2026

Who is James Murray, the new health secretary replacing Wes Streeting?

The MP for Ealing North has not run a major department before, but has a reputation as one of the few politicians ‘nobody hates’ The softly spoken former Treasury minister who has replaced Wes Streeting has spent most of his parliamentary career toeing the party line, staying out of the headlines and quietly burnishing his credentials as a reliable cabinet colleague. At the age of 42, James Murray, the Labour and Co-operative MP for Ealing North, now has one of the biggest jobs in government. He

PoliticsEconomy
The Guardian Politics15 May 2026

No more chancers or failures - the coming contest must produce a British PM worthy of the title | Jonathan Freedland

Labour must rise to a historic responsibility by choosing a leader who can win over the nation. The alternative is Farage on the steps of No 10 They’re looking like the gang that couldn’t shoot straight. Labour’s upper echelon, both the prime minister and his rivals, have served up a performance of such political ineptitude, walking into doors and tripping over their own feet, that it’s hard to argue with the cabinet minister who glumly told me this was the week when the government did itself da

PoliticsReform
The Guardian Politics15 May 2026

‘He’s just down to earth’: Ashton-in-Makerfield receptive to Burnham run

The Labour mayor appears popular in his target seat, but would face a tough byelection challenge UK politics live – latest updates A car rolls past the television cameras and reporters flocking the high street in Ashton-in-Makerfield, winds down the window, and a voice from within shouts: “Andy Burnham!” Such enthusiastic support for a Labour politician is perhaps unexpected here, given that Reform won 24 out of 25 seats when voters in this borough, Wigan, went to the polls last week, and Star

Politics
The Guardian Politics15 May 2026

Ministers have no authority to withhold Mandelson vetting file, committee says

Group of MPs and peers in effect accuse government of failing to comply with parliament’s will over release of files A powerful parliamentary committee tasked with reviewing files relating to Peter Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador has revealed that the government is withholding his vetting file despite not having the authority to do so. In an extraordinary intervention, the intelligence and security committee (ISC) has criticised the government over its handling of the release of Mandels

Politics
The Guardian Politics15 May 2026

Pound heads for worst week in 18 months as Burnham lines up Labour bid

UK government borrowing costs jump amid political uncertainty and oil price rise that fuelled inflation worries Business live – latest updates The pound was heading for its worst week in 18 months on Friday as City traders anticipated that the UK prime minister, Keir Starmer, could face a challenge from the Manchester mayor, Andy Burnham, later this year. After days of uncertainty over Starmer’s future, sterling dropped by almost three cents, or 2%, during the week to $1.336 on Friday, a five-

PoliticsEconomy
The Guardian Politics15 May 2026

Starmer, Burnham, Farage Polanski: they make a week in politics feel like an eternity in Hades | Marina Hyde

It’s your life in their hands, but what kind of life is that? No wonder a wearied, confused public has mobilised into tribes – or just tuned out On the basis that you’re never too cooked to get a new catchphrase, Keir Starmer has repeatedly warned this week that we are in a “battle for the soul of our nation”. I wish he’d stop saying it. The thought of your very soul being fought over by Nigel Farage, Keir Starmer, Zack Polanski, Kemi Badenoch and the others is like something out of a sealed sec

PoliticsDefenceReform
The Guardian Politics15 May 2026

Tories suspend leader at Worcestershire council after he made deal to oust Reform

Adam Kent suspended after Tory councillors joined forces with Greens and Lib Dems to end Reform’s minority control The Conservatives have suspended the party’s leader at Worcestershire county council after he made a deal with the Greens and Liberal Democrats to oust Reform. Reform UK gained control of the council a year ago but its tenure has been marked by a series of controversies and political infighting. This included a bitter leadership battle in which the now former Reform councillor Jo Mo

PoliticsEnvironmentReform
The Guardian Politics15 May 2026

From Team Reeves to Manchesterism: Labour’s four economic camps explained

Wes Streeting or Andy Burnham could launch a leadership bid – here are policies from which they could choose Wes Streeting may not have launched a leadership challenge against Keir Starmer, but he has called for a “battle of ideas” about the government’s future direction. When it comes to economic policy, there are (at least) four overlapping Labour camps, which have recently generated a flurry of policies from which leadership contenders could choose. Here we run through the main ideas behind e

PoliticsEconomy
The Guardian Politics15 May 2026

Why rights groups fear new ECHR declaration could weaken migrant protections

Political statement agreed by all 46 Council of Europe states could give them more leeway to carry out deportations A political declaration aimed at clarifying key aspects of the European convention on human rights was published on Friday, agreed by all 46 member states of the Council of Europe. Critics fear that it will weaken human rights protections for migrants. The ECHR system has become a political battleground, with both the Conservatives and Reform UK pledging to leave the convention if

PoliticsImmigrationReformRemigration
The Guardian Politics15 May 2026

What might happen next in Labour leadership challenge?

How a contest to become PM is triggered, and Andy Burnham’s chances in the Makerfield byelection UK politics live – latest updates With Andy Burnham offered a path back to parliament, the chances of a Labour leadership challenge to Keir Starmer appear to have increased dramatically. Manchester’s mayor said he wanted to return to Westminster to “make politics work properly for people” after Josh Simons, the Labour MP for Makerfield, said he would stand down so Burnham could run in the seat in t

Politics
The Guardian Politics15 May 2026

Politics has tossed friendship out of the window – as Keir Starmer is realising | Simon Jenkins

Britain’s embattled PM is beset by enemies. One reason is that Westminster has ceased to be a club and turned into a shambles The Tories took years of Westminster turmoil to reach their Liz Truss moment. It has taken Labour only two. Britain has a weakened prime minister, a fatally divided government and a shambolic House of Commons. No one beyond Keir Starmer’s looming rivals can seriously believe the cure lies in his immediate toppling. There is no leader in waiting obviously superior to Starm

Politics