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1713 headlines found — Page 35 of 143

The Guardian Politics2 Jul 2026

Is Starmer deliberately leaving a mess for Burnham? – podcast

Keir Starmer has been accused of leaving Andy Burnham with a £4.7bn black hole in defence funding. The government announced on Tuesday the defence investment plan, complete with a £15bn boost – but nearly £5bn would have to be found by a future chancellor. Allies of Burnham have called the announcement an ‘unexploded bomb’, so what options does the PM-in-waiting have? Kiran Stacey and Jessica Elgot discuss the political fallout. Plus Kiran and Jess answer your questions on Labour, No 10 North an

PoliticsDefence
The Guardian Politics2 Jul 2026

MPs seek to end UK broadcast of Russian cartoon Masha and the Bear

Cross-party group writes to ministers of concerns children’s show contains unsubtle ‘propaganda content’ UK politics live – latest updates A cartoon for preschoolers depicting the adventures of a small girl and a retired circus bear may seem an unlikely source of parliamentary concern. Yet a cross-party group of MPs has written to ministers urging them to examine whether they can stop the globally popular Masha and the Bear from being broadcast in the UK, alleging it amounts to a cuddly form o

Politics
The Guardian Politics2 Jul 2026

Convicted people smuggler reportedly living in UK should be deported, Tories say

Man once called ‘godfather’ of Calais migrant camps lives in Leicestershire and is said to be trying to claim asylum A convicted people smuggler who has reportedly been found living in Britain should be arrested and deported, the Conservatives have said. The man, once labelled “the godfather” of the Calais migrant camps, was tracked down by the BBC to Leicestershire, where he reportedly changed his name from Twana Jamal and was working illegally while attempting to claim asylum. Continue readin

PoliticsImmigrationRemigration
The Guardian Politics2 Jul 2026

No 10 accepts all recommendations in Southport attack inquiry, Mahmood says

First phase of inquiry identified multiple failings to prevent murders of three girls, which government will ‘urgently’ address Downing Street has accepted all recommendations for changes made by an inquiry which found the Southport killings could have been prevented and identified “fundamental failings”, the home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has said. Mahmood said the government would do “whatever is needed to protect the public” as she accepted the recommendations from the first phase of the So

PoliticsCrime
The Guardian Politics2 Jul 2026

Starmer to issue formal apology to mothers and children harmed by historic forced adoption policies – UK politics live

Between 1949 and 1976, an estimated 185,000 babies were taken from unmarried mothers and placed for adoption in England and Wales Good morning. Keir Starmer is clearing the decks in his last three weeks in office, and today he is going to settle one unresolved issue when he delivers a formal apology on behalf of the state to victims of forced adoption policies that were in place in the middle of the last century. Between 1949 and 1976, an estimated 185,000 babies were taken from unmarried mother

Politics
The Guardian Politics2 Jul 2026

They say Andy Burnham is ‘good at politics’ – but the proof will only come in time | Zoe Williams

The PM-in-waiting brings the promise of likability and a mission voters can believe in. He’ll need all that and more to survive There is some uncertainty and trepidation in these liminal days before the nomination period for the next Labour leader opens. But it’s not about the “who” of the next prime minister so much as the “what”. How different can Andy Burnham be, given that he is bound by the same manifesto, assailed by the same headwinds? It’s widely agreed that he has a vision where his pre

PoliticsHousing
The Guardian Politics2 Jul 2026

Why is Nigel Farage being paid so much to promote a gold bullion company?

Reform UK leader was paid £270,000 for 12 hours’ work – but who is behind Direct Bullion and what does it do? Tell us: have you invested in gold through a specialist bullion company? Despite the demands of being the MP for Clacton and leader of Reform UK, Nigel Farage has found time to develop several alternative income streams since being elected to parliament. His side hustles include being a social media influencer, presenting on GB News, and a stint recording on-demand videos for the Cameo

PoliticsReform
The Guardian Politics2 Jul 2026

Starmer’s goodbye gift to Britain: a US pharma deal that could be more lethal than Covid | Aditya Chakrabortty

This shadowy treaty on medicine imports will cost the NHS billions and take funding away from doctors, nurses, cancer scans and the rest For all the crowd noise and heavy-breathing match analysis, British democracy is a simple sport. We elect politicians to serve our interests. They direct the vital services that look after our families and communities, such as our healthcare and our schools. The entire political system rests on one basic premise: they work for us. Believe that, as I do, and thi

PoliticsEducationHealthcare
The Guardian Politics2 Jul 2026

Andy Burnham urged to be radical on economy to help Labour win next election

Exclusive: Poll shows policies such as rent control and higher wealth taxes could fend off Reform UK in key seats Andy Burnham is being urged to adopt an “economic populist” approach to combating the cost of living crisis if he becomes prime minister, as a detailed opinion poll shows radical policies could help Labour to retain its majority at the next election. Senior figures advising the Makerfield MP have been circulating a seat-by-seat poll showing Labour’s majority could be demolished at th

PoliticsEconomyReformHousing
The Guardian Politics1 Jul 2026

The Guardian view on yet another immigration bill: law as performance is a failing model | Editorial

Legislation drafted around an agenda of proving ‘toughness’ is a method that was tested to destruction by the Tories An act of parliament changing the UK’s immigration and asylum system has been passed every year since 2022. This activity has not increased public confidence that the nation’s borders are well managed, nor has it stopped the rise of radical rightwing parties running anti-immigrant campaigns. There is no reason to expect yet another law to buck that trend, but the Home Office is gi

PoliticsImmigrationDefence
The Guardian Politics1 Jul 2026

There is no immediate military threat to Britain. We should spend less on defence | Simon Jenkins

Parliament, media and thinktanks are united in their view that more military spending is still not enough. But sacrificing domestic projects to pay for it is indefensible Britain should spend less on defence. It is a waste of money and should be reduced so more could be spent on supporting employment, welfare and growth. Why is there no such debate? Why should “defence” be awarded an almost religious invulnerability? At present, parliament, broadcasters, print and social media, thinktanks and pu

PoliticsDefence
The Guardian Politics1 Jul 2026

Starmer gives Burnham a £4.7bn hole in defence spending as a goodwill token | John Crace

The PM bats away criticism from Kemi Badenoch over military funding but leaves behind a headache for his likely successor The search for the perfect present to welcome Andy Burnham to No 10 has been a worry for Keir Starmer. What do you give the man who seems to have everything? The support of his own MPs. The belief that Nigel Farage is beatable. The sense of being at ease with himself. Comfortable with who he is. The charisma. The ability to hold a room. Everything Keir would have wanted. He n

PoliticsDefenceReform