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The Guardian Politics24 Jun 2026

Progressive economists reject Unite leader’s criticism of Ed Miliband

Sharon Graham is urged to withdraw her claim that the energy secretary would cost jobs if he became chancellor More than 40 progressive economists have written to Sharon Graham, the leader of Unite, rejecting her claim that Ed Miliband would destroy jobs if he becomes the next chancellor. With Andy Burnham almost certain to be prime minister within weeks, there is a fierce debate within Labour about who should succeed Rachel Reeves at the Treasury, with Miliband considered a frontrunner. Contin

Economy
The Guardian Politics24 Jun 2026

Keir Starmer couldn’t beat the curse of Brexit – a politics poisoned by nationalism | Rafael Behr

The outgoing prime minister’s efforts to mobilise a healthier kind of patriotism fell flat. Andy Burnham may stand a better chance Britain is not ungovernable, but the chalice of high office has been spiked with unusually fast-acting poison. Six prime ministers down in a decade. The spectacle of the lectern planted outside No 10 for a resignation speech has acquired the familiarity of ritual. Since the Brexit referendum, the average tenure in Downing Street has been less than two years. That bal

PoliticsDefence
The Guardian Politics24 Jun 2026

Britain is still stuck on its ex – but after 10 long, lonely years, does the EU feel the same way? | Katy Lee

As a podcast host, I speak daily to people on both sides of the breakup. A decade after the referendum, it’s clear who’s moved on Let’s imagine you’ve been dumped by someone you were expecting to stay with for the rest of your life. The breakup is bitter. The logistics, exhausting. The two of you spend an eternity negotiating who gets to keep the dog, the flat, the friends; it’s hard to imagine that things will ever feel normal again. But the years have a way of softening these things. Some year

Politics
The Guardian Politics24 Jun 2026

Britain, Brexit, Burnham: how was it for EU? – podcast

A decade after Brexit, the UK simply can’t shake the legacy of the referendum. But with shifting public opinion and the rise of Andy Burnham, could Britain be plotting a path back to the EU? It’s been 10 years since the UK woke up to the shock of the Brexit referendum result, which upended British politics and rattled the establishment to its core. The Guardian’s economics editor, Heather Stewart, and Nosheen Iqbal examine the long shadow that decision cast over the country. From economic fricti

PoliticsEconomyDefence
The Guardian Politics23 Jun 2026

Weakening UK net zero policy would damage economy, chief climate adviser says

Climate Change Committee chair Nigel Topping says U-turns damage investor confidence and disrupt businesses Weakening the UK’s net zero policy would disrupt business and damage the economy, the UK’s chief climate adviser has warned. Nigel Topping, chair of the Climate Change Committee (CCC), said: “The U-turns are really damaging to inward investor confidence. If we really want to grow the economy, then investing and getting good at building stuff is essential.” Continue reading...

EconomyDefenceEnvironment
The Guardian Politics23 Jun 2026

Andy Burnham picks former Blair minister James Purnell as his chief of staff

Decision is one of Makerfield MP’s most significant since his Westminster return as he builds his team for government Andy Burnham has chosen his Blairite former colleague James Purnell as his chief of staff, the Guardian understands, as he begins to finalise his team for government. The Makerfield MP has picked his former cabinet colleague to be his right-hand man in Downing Street, in one of the most significant decisions he has made since returning to Westminster. Continue reading...

Politics
The Guardian Politics23 Jun 2026

UK defence secretary promises delayed investment plan before Nato summit

Dan Jarvis, who took role earlier this month, is said to have secured billion more for plan than predecessor Dan Jarvis, the new defence secretary, promised to publish the delayed defence investment plan (Dip) before the Nato summit in a fortnight amid indications he has already secured around a billion more than his predecessor, John Healey. Haggling between the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Treasury is continuing – while a source in Andy Burnham’s team said he was happy for a final deal to

EconomyDefence
The Guardian Politics23 Jun 2026

Timeline: what Farage has said about the £5m gift from a crypto-billionaire

Whether the money was a reward for Brexit or for personal security, media interest in it has intensifed as the Reform UK leader returns to the public eye Having largely, and uncharacteristically, avoided media attention for much of the past couple of months – a period that has coincided with people asking some searching questions about the £5m given to him by a billionaire Reform backer – Nigel Farage returned to the airwaves on Tuesday. If he had hoped broadcasters, and their listeners, had for

DefenceReform
The Guardian Politics23 Jun 2026

Populist and rightwing figures take aim at Ed Miliband and UK net zero policies at ‘anti-woke Davos’

Kemi Badenoch, who joined US anti-abortion activists and European far-right parties at ARC, described energy secretary as a ‘villain’ Britain’s net zero policies and energy secretary Ed Miliband have come under fire at a conference of conservatives, rightwing populists and wealthy US backers linked to Donald Trump. The energy policies pursued by the British government were described as a “tragic mistake” by Trump’s energy secretary, one of a number of officials from the US administration who are

EnvironmentReform
The Guardian Politics23 Jun 2026

Burnham and Starmer hold ‘frosty’ meeting to thrash out transition of power

With Burnham and his team potentially having only weeks before he becomes PM, Starmer has agreed to give him access to civil service Keir Starmer has met Andy Burnham for the first time since the Makerfield byelection in what sources said was a “frosty” meeting to thrash out a transition of power. The prime minister has agreed for his likely successor to have talks with the civil service to smooth his path, but there is deep resentment within his inner circle towards Burnham for ousting Starmer.

PoliticsDefence
The Guardian Politics23 Jun 2026

Bev Craig to stand as Labour candidate for Greater Manchester mayor

Leader of city council braces for bitter fight with Reform UK in byelection for Andy Burnham’s replacement Labour’s candidate to replace Andy Burnham as Greater Manchester mayor has been named as Bev Craig, the leader of the city council. Burnham, who could be prime minister in under four weeks, is expected to campaign heavily for Labour in a tight contest with Reform UK on 30 July. Continue reading...

PoliticsReform
The Guardian Politics23 Jun 2026

The Guardian view on the politics of Scotland: like Labour, the SNP is in need of renewal | Editorial

The sentencing of Peter Murrell brings limited closure to a major scandal. But John Swinney’s government faces new challenges in a changing landscape The Scottish National party (SNP) is accustomed to presenting Westminster dysfunction as a boost to its case for independence. But the political drama unfolding in London since May’s local elections, culminating on Monday in Sir Keir Starmer’s enforced resignation, has also been welcome for a more discomfiting reason. The glare of the spotlight on

PoliticsCrime