News

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

Our Articles

Mainstream Headlines

14089 headlines found — Page 680 of 1175

The Guardian Politics14 May 2026

Wes Streeting: how the grandson of an armed robber became a key player in UK politics

Since his childhood in east London, the MP for Ilford North has shown a keen desire for organisational lead Wes Streeting has resigned from government, in a move that could pave the way for a leadership contest. Suspicions have long been swirling that Streeting has his eyes on the Labour party top spot, but who is the man gunning to be – or to help choose – the next prime minister? Continue reading...

Politics
The Guardian Politics14 May 2026

Will Starmer go – and if so, how? Four scenarios in the battle for No 10

A return to Westminster for Andy Burnham is far from guaranteed, while Starmer could fight a leadership challenge and win While Keir Starmer’s authority as prime minister feels terminally undermined following calls from MPs and departing ministers to step down, he remains inside No 10 – for now. So how, and when, might he be removed? Here are some possible scenarios. Continue reading...

Politics
The Guardian Politics14 May 2026

Wes walks, Starmer stays, but has Burnham got the momentum? – The Latest

Wes Streeting has quit his cabinet role as health secretary and called on Keir Starmer to resign as prime minister after days of speculation. But Streeting did not launch his own challenge to trigger a leadership contest, so what could be next for Starmer’s government? And has he left the door open for Andy Burnham to return? Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s deputy political editor, Jessica Elgot Continue reading...

Politics
Guido Fawkes14 May 2026

LibDem MP Issues Scathing Attack on Ed Davey

Speaking to ITV LibDem MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough Tom Gordon was excoriating about Ed Davey after the party lost votes in the North: “It’s really frustrating when we hear the party leadership and Ed Davey talking about the LibDems has been the antidote to Reform. Well, in places like Wakefield where Reform had beaten…

Sky News Politics14 May 2026

Jess Phillips says Starmer 'lacks drive to get anything done' in first interview since resigning

Recently resigned minister Jess Phillips has said Sir Keir Starmer "lacks the drive to get anything done with gusto".

The Guardian Politics14 May 2026

Let’s not deny the good work Labour has done. But Starmer is too timid for the radical remedies needed now | Polly Toynbee

Rejoining the EU, massive tax reform, scrapping the pension triple lock – a new leader must summon a sense of emergency and deal with the big issues Labour is in the deepest trouble. A juicy leadership drama ignites all Westminster-watchers, another spellbinding live-action theatre of rising and falling stars, duels, betrayals of trust, new alliances and old ones broken. Some would pull back from this vortex. Is regicide absolutely necessary when “stability” is what people and markets say they w

PoliticsEconomy
The Guardian Politics14 May 2026

Labour MP to stand down to allow Burnham run for byelection amid leadership row

Greater Manchester mayor would need to win byelection to launch leadership challenge against Starmer • UK politics live – latest updates Andy Burnham now has a route back to parliament after a Greater Manchester MP announced he would stand down, triggering a byelection, and putting Burnham in contention to become the next Labour leader. The Greater Manchester mayor has been seeking to return to parliament for months, but was blocked by Keir Starmer from running in the Gorton and Denton byelectio

Politics
Guido Fawkes14 May 2026

Ex-Minister Josh Simons to Resign Seat for Andy Burnham

Josh Simons says: “For decades, Westminster has overseen the managed decline of towns like mine. We have talked big, then acted small, stuck in a politics of incrementalism that cannot meet the moment. We have lost the trust of those our party was built to serve. It is my unwavering belief that nothing short of…

Politics
The Guardian Politics14 May 2026

Millions of unpaid UK carers ‘living in agony’, says Louise Casey

Government social care commissioner says system relying on exhausted unpaid carers to plug gaps in support UK politics live – latest updates Millions of unpaid carers in the UK are “living an agony” while propping up an outdated, fragmented and confusing social care system, Louise Casey, the head of the government’s adult social care commission, has said. Lady Casey, who is leading an independent review of adult social care, criticised a system that “still behaves as if we are living in 1948 a

Politics
The Guardian Politics14 May 2026

Labour winds are blowing towards Burnham – and Streeting knows it

Now former health secretary and Manchester mayor could be about to make an unlikely deal to oust Keir Starmer Who said the Labour party needs “a battle of ideas, not of personalities or petty factionalism … It needs to be broad, and it needs the best possible field of candidates”? Until this morning, almost everyone would have attributed those words to Andy Burnham, the mayor or Greater Manchester. But those were the closing paragraphs of the former health secretary Wes Streeting’s resignation l

Defence
Guido Fawkes14 May 2026

Starmer Replies to Streeting: “I Am Very Sorry You Have Stepped Down”

A “very sorry” Starmer has sent his public reply to Streeting after his resignation. No mention of Streeting’s specific criticisms… Dear Wes, Thank you for your letter. I am very sorry that you have stepped down from Government. We have worked together for many years and I want to thank you for all your hard…