News

Original reporting and the latest political headlines from across the UK.

Our Articles

Mainstream Headlines

Filtering by:Source: The Guardian Politics×Clear all

3125 headlines found — Page 47 of 261

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

Tory MP Patrick Spencer found not guilty of Groucho Club sexual assaults

MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich cleared over incident at London members’ club in 2023 A Conservative MP has been cleared of sexually assaulting two women at the Groucho Club in London after claiming that he just wanted to give them a hug. Patrick Spencer was seen on camera coming up behind two women and putting his arms around them at the private members’ club during a night out in August 2023, less than a year before he was elected to the seat of Central Suffolk and North Ipswich. Con

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

To Andy Burnham: many backseat drivers will be trying to steer you. Here’s why you should ignore us | Jonathan Freedland

As prime minister, you will need a clear plan from the top. For that, look to an unlikely inspiration: Margaret Thatcher The first piece of unsolicited advice I would offer to Britain’s incoming prime minister is: don’t take unsolicited advice. Don’t be one of those leaders who’s swayed by the last person in their ear. That’s what they used to say about Boris Johnson, that he was a cushion that bore the imprint of the last person who sat on him. Instead, Andy Burnham should study closely the exp

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

Martin Rowson on Andy Burnham taking over from Keir Starmer – cartoon

Continue reading...

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
The Guardian Politics17 Jul 2026

Andy Burnham becomes Labour leader in final step towards becoming UK PM

Former Greater Manchester mayor expected to take reins as prime minister and appoint new cabinet on Monday Andy Burnham has become the leader of the Labour party, paving the way for him to take over as British prime minister on Monday. The former mayor of Greater Manchester won the overwhelming support of MPs, trade unions and party branches, making him the only choice to take over from Keir Starmer. Continue reading...

PoliticsDefence