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1713 headlines found — Page 79 of 143

The Guardian Politics14 May 2026

Leadership rules should ‘not be tweaked’ to let Burnham run for PM, Labour NEC member says

Burnham’s backers understood to be lobbying Labour’s NEC who warn against Wes Streeting ‘coronation’ UK politics live – latest updates The rules governing Labour party leadership contests should “not be tweaked” to allow Andy Burnham to run, a member of the party’s National Executive Committee has said. With the health secretary preparing to launch a leadership challenge against Keir Starmer on Thursday, if he can secure the support of enough MPs to trigger a contest, allies of Burnham have wa

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The Guardian Politics14 May 2026

Reeves says ‘if economy ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ - as fight to keep her job goes on

Whoever wins the Labour leadership tussle, the chancellor’s prospects for staying inpost have risen given the surprise GDP boost Business live – latest updates UK economy records surprise 0.3% growth despite Iran war The message from Rachel Reeves is clear. After Britain’s economy defied the predictions for a slump in March, despite the fallout from the Iran war, why put things at risk with a roll of the dice in domestic politics? Responding to bumper growth of 0.3% in March – much stronge

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The Guardian Politics14 May 2026

What was HMRC’s investigation into Angela Rayner’s tax affairs all about?

Findings of inquiry into stamp duty paid on Hove flat crucial to any leadership bid UK politics live – latest updates Angela Rayner has been cleared by HMRC of deliberate wrongdoing or carelessness over her tax affairs, the Guardian reported, paving the way for a potential leadership bid as Keir Starmer’s grip on power unravels. Continue reading...

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The Guardian Politics14 May 2026

Angela Rayner says Starmer should ‘reflect on’ stepping aside after HMRC clears her over tax affairs - UK politics live

The former deputy prime minister said she should be keen to ‘play my part’ in the event of a leadership contest Full report: Angela Rayner cleared by HMRC over tax affairs paving the way for potential leadership bid Good morning. Today it looks as though the phoney Labour leadership contest that has been bubbling away at least since Sunday may finally turn into a real one. Westminster is braced for Wes Streeting, the health secretary, to announce that he is standing – although journalists are

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The Guardian Politics14 May 2026

‘There’s a risk of another Liz Truss moment’: City raises spectre of bond market meltdown again

As Keir Starmer’s leadership totters, investors warn a Labour leadership contest ignoring public finances and market realpolitik could be disastrous A rise in borrowing costs and warnings to avoid a “Liz Truss moment”. As Keir Starmer faces a potential leadership challenge, the spectre of the bond market looms large. Amid febrile conditions in Westminster, the prospect of Britain switching prime ministers for a sixth time in seven years has fuelled a sharp sell-off in the market for UK governmen

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The Guardian Politics14 May 2026

You’ve heard the king’s speech – but I think a better one might run like this | David Blunkett

If I were in government I’d propose a very different response to the challenges we face – starting with protecting people from the cost of living David Blunkett was Labour home secretary from 2001 to 2004 While I welcome many measures in the king’s speech, an alternative might look something like this. My lords, and members of the Commons: my government is committed to winning back the support of the British people and demonstrating that they are “on the side” of those who are working – or who

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The Guardian Politics14 May 2026

As the right moves in on antisemitism, where does that leave the Jewish left?

After Reform politicians were cheered and progressive rabbis booed at rally against antisemitism, some fear longstanding alliances are fracturing Rabbi Charley Baginsky, the co-leader of Progressive Judaism, admitted she felt apprehensive before speaking at last weekend’s central London rally against antisemitism. As she addressed the crowd, there were some boos. It wasn’t the first time – last year, on a similar stage outside Downing Street, Baginsky and her fellow co-lead, Rabbi Josh Levy, wer

Politics
The Guardian Politics13 May 2026

Wes Streeting prepares to launch leadership challenge against Keir Starmer

Health secretary’s move to force race sparks scramble on left of Labour for candidate to oppose him UK politics live – latest updates Wes Streeting is preparing to launch a leadership challenge against Keir Starmer on Thursday if the health secretary can secure the support of enough MPs to trigger a contest. Streeting’s move to force a race has sparked a frantic scramble on the left of Labour to find a candidate to oppose him, with Ed Miliband and Angela Rayner both possible contenders. Conti

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The Guardian Politics13 May 2026

Wes Streeting: PM-in-waiting or ‘this generation’s David Miliband’?

Health secretary’s lack of challenge had reassured Starmer and his allies – but then briefings for a speculative Thursday launch emerged As the unofficial political truce of the king’s speech approached, with still no sign of a leadership challenge from Wes Streeting, some of his Labour colleagues assumed the health secretary’s chance to go for the top job might have passed for ever. “There is a risk he becomes the David Miliband of this generation if he doesn’t do something,” one MP said, a ref

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The Guardian Politics13 May 2026

Who would be in Wes Streeting’s corner if he ran for the Labour leadership?

The health secretary’s backers have different – not always ideological – reasons for supporting him Wes Streeting plans to resign and mount leadership challenge, allies say For all that Labour’s left denounce Wes Streeting as a reincarnated Blairite, he has friendships and alliances across various Labour factions, not all of which lean into each other. As he considers a possible bid to challenge Keir Starmer, the MPs supporting him are not ideological clones. Some are personal allies, while

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The Guardian Politics13 May 2026

‘Hold the line’: Burnham tells allies in parliament he still has options to return

Greater Manchester mayor seeks to reassure his supporters after potential seats for him fail to materialise Andy Burnham has told Labour MPs they should hold the line and that he has options to return to parliament after several seats identified by allies of the Greater Manchester mayor failed to materialise. Two seats his backers had described as “nailed on” as recently as Monday night are now out of contention after the MPs concerned got cold feet. Continue reading...

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The Guardian Politics13 May 2026

As Westminster rages, and Labour sinks into civil war: what about the people? | Aditya Chakrabortty

Voters are desperate for a turnaround in living standards. The runners and riders for the Labour leadership must address this “Westminster is a cocoon. Lots of people in lovely jobs, so it becomes easy to forget the world outside.” Catherine West should know. She’s been an MP for 11 years, even if you hadn’t heard of her until this weekend when the Labour backbencher threatened Keir Starmer for the leadership, firing the first shots in the civil war that now engulfs the government. Before Wes St

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