Andy Burnham to propose devolution plan in first major policy speech since launching bid for No 10 – UK politics live

Andy Burnham, the Makerfield MP and a hopeful prime minister, is set to propose a devolution plan in his first major policy speech. This plan aims to achieve "growth in every postcode." In a separate statement, Kemi Badenoch commented on who Burnham should select as his chancellor, strongly stating that Ed Miliband should not be chosen. Badenoch criticized Miliband's past actions, claiming he deindustrialized the country and made it poorer, and warned against giving him a powerful role where he could "bankrupt the country." Badenoch also referenced her own experience as a secretary of state, highlighting the logistical challenges of commuting between Manchester and London for parliamentary duties, and noted the existence of a second Treasury campus in the north for civil servants and other ministers, but not the prime minister.

Andy Burnham is poised to challenge Keir Starmer for leadership of the Labour Party following Starmer's resignation. Observers anticipate that if Burnham becomes Prime Minister, Labour's policy on Israel and the conflict in Gaza will likely remain consistent with current stances, rather than undergo a significant shift. While Burnham has expressed concerns about the destruction in Gaza and called for a ceasefire, his past positions on Israel have varied, leading to perceptions of him being a pragmatist. Despite internal party pressure and voter dissatisfaction with the government's response to Gaza, analysts suggest Burnham will prioritize continuity in foreign policy to avoid alienating voters.

Andy Burnham, the frontrunner to become the UK's next prime minister, is set to unveil his economic and devolution plans in a major policy speech. The address, taking place in Manchester, will outline a 10-year mission aimed at raising living standards through reindustrialisation, housing, infrastructure, and utility reform. A key proposal will be devolving power to regions and local communities, a concept his office describes as "Manchesterism." Burnham, who recently returned to Parliament, is currently the only declared candidate to replace Keir Starmer and could take leadership by mid-July. His economic stance is described as pro-business socialist, with a commitment to current government borrowing limits.

Andy Burnham, a Labour lawmaker, is set to unveil his plan for governing Britain on Monday. His office stated that his vision involves shifting power away from London and towards the regions. Burnham recently returned to Westminster after winning a parliamentary seat and is currently the sole declared candidate to succeed Keir Starmer as leader. Starmer announced his intention to step down last week, following a decline in his popularity, despite securing a significant parliamentary majority for Labour two years prior. Burnham could potentially become prime minister within weeks.

Andy Burnham, in his first major speech since winning the Makerfield byelection and positioning himself as a potential future Prime Minister, plans to advocate for significant devolution of power from Whitehall to local communities. He aims to deliver "good growth in every postcode" by shifting decision-making to regions and communities to foster local economic development, replacing the current centralized model. Burnham is reportedly considering granting local authorities more control over taxes, such as business rates. His platform for government, which he will outline in a speech in Manchester, includes a 10-year mission to raise living standards through reindustrialization, housing, infrastructure, and utility improvements, with some infrastructure funds also likely to be devolved. He also intends to move parts of the No. 10 operation to Manchester to coordinate economic renewal.

Labour's deputy leader, Lucy Powell, has indicated that Ed Miliband would be a "good" chancellor for potential future Prime Minister Andy Burnham. While acknowledging Miliband's suitability for the Treasury role, Powell also described speculation about cabinet posts as "unedifying," urging focus on job creation. Some within Burnham's camp see Miliband as capable of challenging Treasury orthodoxy, but acknowledge the political risk of his appointment due to concerns from markets, big business, and some unions regarding his stance on the North Sea and net zero agenda. Burnham is expected to deliver a speech on economic plans and fiscal responsibility, with his choice of chancellor potentially signaling his approach. Other potential candidates for chancellor include Shabana Mahmood, Wes Streeting, Yvette Cooper, and John Healey. Both Powell and Steve Reed ruled out holding a general election at this time.

Andy Burnham is poised to become the next UK Prime Minister, succeeding Keir Starmer, who announced his resignation. Burnham, formerly the mayor of Greater Manchester, has returned to Parliament and is expected to take over leadership of the Labour Party and the country on July 17. While Burnham is popular and promises a change in tone, he faces the challenge of implementing his own policies while being constrained by the Labour Party's existing platform, which secured their victory in 2024. His immediate focus will be on boosting the economy and addressing the cost of living, issues Starmer struggled with. Burnham's economic vision, which he will outline next week, aims to revive the economy without exceeding current spending and borrowing plans, a stance intended to reassure markets. He also plans to decentralize government power and may move some prime ministerial operations outside of London.

The Guardian's podcast, "Brexit: An Oral History," features interviews with key figures from both sides of the debate. Presented by Kiran Stacey, the series reflects on the UK's decision to leave the EU, which occurred ten years ago this week. The podcast examines the Brexit vote and its lasting impact on the country. The interviews aim to provide a comprehensive look back at the events that led to the UK's departure from the European Union.

The article ranks six British prime ministers who served between 2016 and 2026, with a seventh expected by mid-July. David Cameron is ranked last, identified as the architect of political chaos due to his decision to hold the EU referendum and his subsequent resignation. Liz Truss is placed second to last, noted for causing significant damage during her 49-day tenure, particularly with the mini-budget. Boris Johnson is ranked third, described as driven by ego and lacking a clear vision for the country, using the Vote Leave campaign as a path to power. The article critiques the shallow pool of prime ministerial talent and the circumstances leading to these individuals' appointments.

Britain is experiencing a rapid turnover of prime ministers, with the country on track for its seventh in a decade, a stark contrast to the post-war era of stable leadership. While factors like social media and Brexit have contributed, the article argues the deeper issue lies in the changing relationship between prime ministers and their own MPs. Since the 1970s, MPs have become more willing to rebel and challenge leaders, leading to prime ministers being removed by internal party pressure rather than solely by voters. This internal dissent, coupled with volatile voters and a weakening two-party system, has made Downing Street a significantly harder place to survive.

Rachel Reeves has publicly endorsed Andy Burnham for Prime Minister, despite reports suggesting she might be moved from her Chancellor role if he wins. Reeves stated she and Burnham are friends and did not rule out a less senior cabinet position, emphasizing that leadership decisions are Burnham's to make. She defended her fiscal rules, noting they already accommodate increased defense borrowing, and highlighted her commitment to improving defense spending efficiency. Allies of Reeves have reportedly lobbied Burnham to retain her as Chancellor for stability. Speculation is also ongoing regarding Burnham's potential choices for Chancellor, with Wes Streeting and Ed Miliband being discussed as possibilities, each with different perceived strengths.

A decade after the UK voted to leave the EU, the bloc has moved on and consolidated, while Britain continues to debate its relationship with the continent. Following the 2016 vote, the EU rallied and set its terms for negotiations, successfully navigating challenges like the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. During its EU membership, the UK was often a voice against deeper integration. Now, the EU views Brexit as a historical episode, with former officials suggesting the final deal favors the EU. In contrast, the UK faces ongoing debate about its future ties, with significant support among younger voters for rejoining the EU, though this remains a long-term prospect dependent on British consensus.

Britain is facing political uncertainty following the resignation of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, marking the country's seventh prime minister in a decade. This rapid turnover, which includes David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, and Rishi Sunak, raises questions about the effectiveness of Britain's political system. Starmer's Labour party had won a landslide victory in 2024, promising competence and stability after 14 years of Conservative rule characterized by Brexit divisions, scandals, economic stagnation, and policy reversals. The article suggests this frequent change in leadership indicates a deeper malaise within British politics.

Andy Burnham has confirmed he will run for Labour leader following Keir Starmer's resignation as Prime Minister. Starmer stepped down due to mounting pressure within his party and dwindling popularity. Observers suggest that Burnham, if he becomes Prime Minister, may continue Starmer's pragmatic approach to China policy. However, addressing domestic economic challenges is expected to be the primary focus. Burnham recently returned to Parliament through a by-election victory after serving as mayor of Greater Manchester since 2017.

Labour MPs are urging Darren Jones, the chief secretary to the prime minister, to run for the party leadership against Andy Burnham to avoid a "coronation." Jones is reportedly reluctant but will consider Burnham's economic plans, including public control of utilities, before deciding. Supporters of Jones cite his economic and national security experience as reasons he would be a better candidate than Burnham, whose policies they believe have been rejected by voters previously. Concerns have also been raised by some about the potential market reaction if Ed Miliband were appointed chancellor under Burnham. While Burnham is the favorite and is understood to have significant support, some MPs are organizing for a potential Jones candidacy.

Andy Burnham is preparing for a potential UK Labour leadership contest following Prime Minister Keir Starmer's announcement of his resignation within weeks. Starmer is stepping down after two years marked by missteps that diminished his standing. Burnham, a former Cabinet minister and current mayor of Greater Manchester, recently won a parliamentary seat with the explicit goal of challenging for leadership. His main rival, Wes Streeting, has declared his support, making a contest where Burnham is the sole contender a possibility. If Burnham is the only candidate, he could become prime minister by July 17. While popular as mayor, Burnham's national policies are largely unknown, and some lawmakers desire a public debate. Starmer's resignation comes after leading Labour to a landslide victory in 2024, but his popularity and that of the party have since declined.

Andy Burnham's allies are increasingly confident he can secure the Labour leadership without a contest following his significant byelection victory. Burnham and his team are actively seeking nominations from MPs and ministers, with some suggesting he could achieve close to 300 backers, potentially complicating a challenge from Wes Streeting. Labour party rules require candidates to secure nominations from 20% of the parliamentary party (81 MPs) and support from local branches and affiliated groups to force a contest. While Burnham's team aims for an uncontested transfer of power, some MPs believe his ideas should undergo scrutiny through a leadership race. Streeting's allies maintain he has the numbers to challenge Starmer and is determined to do so, though he may not trigger a contest immediately. The article suggests that Keir Starmer, despite leading Labour to a general election victory, is unpopular and faces pressure to set a timetable for his departure.

Labour peer Charlie Falconer believes Prime Minister Starmer has "at most weeks to go." Cabinet loyalists are pressuring Starmer to present an exit timetable by the weekend. A memo circulating among loyalist MPs, seen by The Guardian, outlines potential attack arguments for a leadership campaign, suggesting that rival Andy Burnham has not yet faced significant scrutiny and a contest could weaken his support. The memo details anticipated criticisms of Burnham's readiness for leadership.

Andy Burnham's recent electoral victory positions him as a potential contender for Prime Minister, prompting scrutiny of his policy agenda. If he were to lead, his government would likely pursue significant changes, including the public ownership of utilities like water and energy, starting with Thames Water. Burnham's platform also emphasizes cost of living support through measures such as a temporary rent freeze and shifting energy levies to general taxation, though this could necessitate difficult fiscal choices given existing tax pledges. Furthermore, his vision includes greater devolution of power away from Westminster to regional leaders, potentially placing public services under mayoral control. Burnham has also expressed interest in reforming the parliamentary whipping system to allow MPs more freedom and is considering electoral reform, advocating for a national commission to study potential changes to the voting system.

A majority of Keir Starmer's cabinet reportedly believes Andy Burnham will inevitably become prime minister. This sentiment was shared by over 15 anonymous cabinet ministers on Friday. Despite this belief, most ministers are currently unwilling to publicly call for Starmer's departure or demand a timetable for his exit, preferring to observe unfolding events. Starmer reportedly spoke with senior ministers throughout the day to assess their stances. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander was one minister who explicitly told Starmer he should resign, with others potentially following suit.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham won a crucial by-election in Makerfield, securing the House of Commons seat needed to potentially challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer for leadership of the Labour Party. Burnham defeated Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon by over 9,000 votes. His victory is seen as a significant step towards mounting a leadership bid, which could either lead to Starmer's resignation or trigger a contest. Burnham, who previously served as a minister, has built a strong following by focusing on issues affecting northern England and criticizing the UK's political system. The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Labour MP Josh Simons.

Polls have closed in the Makerfield byelection, where Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham contested the seat. Burnham, a former cabinet minister, resigned as mayor to seek a return to Westminster with the ambition of challenging for the leadership of the Labour party. The contest was primarily between Burnham and Reform's Robert Kenyon, with Makerfield traditionally a safe Labour seat that has recently shown increased support for Reform. Constituency polls indicated a lead for Burnham. The article also notes that the results of this and other byelections, including Aberdeen South and Arbroath and Broughty Ferry, are being closely watched for their potential impact on UK politics and party leadership.

A special election in the UK's Makerfield district on Thursday could significantly impact Prime Minister Keir Starmer's leadership of the Labour Party. Andy Burnham, the current mayor of Greater Manchester and a leading contender for future leadership, is running for the vacant parliamentary seat. If Burnham wins, it is expected to increase pressure on Starmer, whose popularity has declined due to struggles with economic growth and public services. Starmer has faced calls for resignation following poor local election results and missteps, though he has stated he will fight any leadership challenge. Burnham, known as the "King of the North," aims to implement his "Manchesterism" approach nationally, criticizing London-centric politics. The election also presents a challenge from the Reform UK party, which has gained traction in the region.

A special election in the Makerfield district of northwest England on Thursday will determine the future of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. While Starmer is not a candidate, the outcome is significant because Andy Burnham, the current mayor of Greater Manchester and a leading contender for Labour Party leadership, is running. If Burnham wins the seat for the governing Labour Party, defeating the Reform UK candidate, he is expected to challenge Starmer for leadership of the party and the country. This vote is closely watched as it could signal a shift in the political landscape.

Andy Burnham's campaign is urging ministers not to resign imminently to prevent chaos within Keir Starmer's government, particularly following the Makerfield byelection. Burnham's team is concerned that a rapid collapse would increase national instability and wants a managed transition if Burnham wins. Some ministers are reportedly eager to resign to pressure Starmer, but Burnham's allies are trying to prevent this, advocating for Starmer to have time to set a departure timetable. While Starmer insists he will fight any challenge, his allies are reportedly devising strategies to hinder Burnham. Burnham's camp aims for a "bloodless" handover and is not planning an immediate leadership challenge after the result.

A by-election in Makerfield, UK, on Thursday is significant beyond the parliamentary seat. Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is contesting the seat, with the intention to challenge Keir Starmer for leadership of the Labour Party if he wins. This comes amid declining Labour popularity, poor council election results, and resignations from the government, increasing pressure on Starmer. Reform UK, a far-right party, is also a strong contender in Makerfield, having performed well in recent local elections and appealing to both former Conservative and traditional Labour voters. Burnham, a popular figure as Mayor of Greater Manchester, previously served in cabinet and has built a reputation for his policies and advocacy. The contest highlights internal Labour tensions and the rise of the far-right.

Tactical voting by Green and Liberal Democrat supporters is crucial for a potential Labour victory in Makerfield, as these voters are willing to back Labour's Andy Burnham to prevent Reform UK from winning. Conversely, Reform UK's main right-wing competitor is the Restore Britain party. Polling suggests that the combined vote share of Green and Liberal Democrat supporters significantly exceeds Labour's narrow poll lead, and these voters are more inclined to lend their vote to Burnham than Restore supporters are to back Reform's candidate. Experts note the stark tactical logic for smaller parties in Makerfield, where their candidates are unlikely to win. The article also highlights a significant increase in misinformation on local Facebook groups during the campaign.