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The Guardian Politics22 Jun 2026

From migration to Mandelson: Keir Starmer’s successes and failures in No 10

Where did it go wrong for the outgoing prime minister? And how much – if at all – did it threaten to go right? Keir Starmer pitched himself as a leader for “stability and moderation” who would rebuild Britain, after Labour’s landslide victory in the 2024 general election. But after two years which have seen unforced errors, economic headwinds, scandals and, most recently, a disastrous set of devolved, mayoral and local election results the UK is set to have its sixth prime minister in seven year

PoliticsEconomyImmigration
The Guardian Politics22 Jun 2026

Babcock says Brexit and Covid beset Royal Navy contract as profits plunge

Underlying operating profits down 19% with 2019 frigate-building programme making loss, firm reports One of the UK’s biggest defence contractors has blamed Brexit and Covid among a catalogue of problems to beset a key contract for the Royal Navy, which led its annual profits to plunge. Annual profits at Babcock International fell by almost a fifth in the year to the end of March, as the firm reported a £140m charge on its contract to build five Type 31 frigates for the Royal Navy. Continue read

Defence
The Guardian Politics22 Jun 2026

Keir Starmer’s fatal flaw? The blankness on to which voters projected their years of frustration | John Harris

His government was directionless and confused, and from that murk emerged the Peter Mandelson scandal On a bone-chillingly cold morning in January, it felt as if I had suddenly found at least part of the reason for Keir Starmer’s chronic unpopularity. I was in the Mancunian constituency of Gorton and Denton, where the prime minister and his people’s decision to block Andy Burnham from standing was about to hand victory to the Green party. More specifically, I was in a forlorn covered market abou

Environment
The Guardian Politics22 Jun 2026

Frozen by the challenges of power: how Starmer turned triumph into tragedy

Starmer appeared ruthless in banishing the influence of Jeremy Corbyn, and winning power – but far less certain on how to wield it Few would describe him as a dramatic man, but Keir Starmer’s political career has been almost Shakespearean in its trajectory: a mere 11 years to enter parliament, lead Labour to an election win many assumed was impossible and then, inside the final two years, throw it all away. His demise is, of course, a reflection of an unprecedented era, one in which voter loyalt

Politics
The Guardian Politics22 Jun 2026

Keir Starmer to step down as prime minister two years after historic election victory

Labour leader bows to mounting pressure after Andy Burnham’s success against Reform UK in Makerfield Keir Starmer has announced he will stand down as prime minister after days of intense pressure from Labour MPs, including cabinet ministers, following the return of Andy Burnham to Westminster. Less than two years after a historic election victory, Starmer had faced calls from his MPs to set out a timeline for his departure, with many of them spooked by the threat from Nigel Farage’s party ahead

PoliticsReform
The Guardian Politics22 Jun 2026

Don’t worry, a politician can’t present the Today programme. Michael Grade is wrong about that – and GB News | Stewart Purvis and Chris Banatvala

As the former Ofcom chair says extraordinary things about the rightwing channel and its critics, a factcheck would not go amiss • Stewart Purvis is a former editor in chief of ITN; Chris Banatvala is a former Ofcom director of standards During a review of his four years at Ofcom, the outgoing chair, Michael Grade, surprised his BBC Radio 4 interviewer. He had been asked by Katie Razzall whether Ofcom rules would allow a politician to present the Today programme apart from the news bulletins. She

Defence
The Guardian Politics22 Jun 2026

Keir Starmer expected to announce resignation timetable, paving way for Burnham premiership - UK politics live

It’s still unclear whether there will be a leadership contest or an uncontested handover of power Starmer expected to announce exit plan to clear way for Burnham to become PM ‘A shift has taken place’: Starmer faces the music after weekend of reflection Good morning. Tomorrow is the 10th anniversary of the referendum to leave the EU, which means that Wednesday is the 10th anniversary of the day David Cameron announced he was resigning as PM. After Cameron was forced out by the result of his o

Politics
The Guardian Politics22 Jun 2026

After Burnham’s reign, battle begins for Greater Manchester’s mayoral crown

The influential role vacated by the new Makerfield MP will be fiercely contested by Labour, Reform and the Greens As Andy Burnham maps out the final steps on his path to Downing Street, he may feel that his future is clear. But a look back over his shoulder reveals a cloudier outlook, inviting the question: what now happens to his former role as Greater Manchester’s mayor? An election has been set for 30 July, and with the job widely seen as having grown under Burnham’s tenure to become one of t

PoliticsEnvironment
The Guardian Politics22 Jun 2026

I disagree with Andy Burnham’s politics. But as former health secretaries, we both know the NHS needs to be fixed | Jeremy Hunt

As prime minister, he would have a unique chance to turn the world’s most bureaucratic health service into its most innovative one If Andy Burnham moves from Manchester to No 10, he will be the first prime minister to have been health secretary in the history of the NHS. What might that mean for the troubled service? His commitment to social care is well known. But when the Treasury tells him there is no money, he is going to have to think hard about how to make his mark. The UK now spends the f

PoliticsEconomyHealthcare
The Guardian Politics22 Jun 2026

The aftershocks of Brexit’s failure could be gaining strength – a fearful prospect for Ireland | Fintan O’Toole

On our side of the Irish Sea we have made the best of a bad job. But we saw the damage a reckless and reactionary British government could do To read more from the Brexit Vote: 10 Years On series, click here For Brexit’s true believers, Ireland will always be the spoke in the wheel that set everything off course, the green tarnish that took the shine off the golden age. Without the vengeful and malicious obstructionism of the Irish, all the promises of freedom and prosperity would have been fu

Environment
The Guardian Politics21 Jun 2026

UK taxpayers want higher levies on big tech companies, survey shows

Two-thirds of respondents support increasing the 2% digital services tax for multinationals Taxpayers want the UK to increase levies on giant global technology companies such as Facebook owner Meta, Google and Amazon, a survey of Britons’ attitudes on corporate taxes suggests. The polling released on Monday by the Fair Tax Foundation – abody providing businesses with certification around responsible tax conduct – found that 67% of respondents believe that the government should charge higher digi

Economy
The Guardian Politics21 Jun 2026

‘A shift has taken place’: Starmer faces the music after weekend of reflection

While PM’s desire to fight was strong, time with his inner circle at Chequers sharpened his sense of the inevitable On Friday, as the dust settled on Andy Burnham’s thumping victory in the Makerfield byelection, Keir Starmer was in defiant mood. “I have said repeatedly, I am not going to walk away,” the prime minister said, adding: “Let’s pull together as a party and a movement.” Just 48 hours later, one of his most loyal ministers was on the BBC sending a very different message. “I don’t want t

PoliticsHousing