The Guardian Politics

Burnham urged to ditch Mahmood’s migrant settlement plans to stop Labour being ‘imitation’ of Reform – UK politics live

Burnham set to be next PM with strong support from all wings of the party as 322 Labour MPs back him Good morning. Even the BBC has (almost) given up describing Andy Burnham as the person who is likely, or almost certain, to become the next PM. As of last night, it is now, barring something so unexpected it would be in the act of God category, it is a done deal. Labour published the names of the MPs who have already nominated Burnham, and he has got 322 nominations. There are only 81 Labour MPs

politics  Jul 10, 2026

BBC Politics

Ann Widdecombe: Brexit-backing, animal-loving Strictly star

A leading figure on the right of British politics who reinvented herself as a reality TV star.

politics  Jul 10, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Here’s how Andy Burnham can finance a reindustrialised Britain – without doing a Liz Truss | Larry Elliott

Britain’s PM-in-waiting is right that the country has been failed by 40 years of neoliberalism. There will be obstacles, but he must embrace radicalism Of all the many prime ministers who have walked through the doors of 10 Downing Street in the past decade, the one Andy Burnham resembles most is Liz Truss. Both had a view of what was going wrong with the economy. Both wanted to break with the politics of managed decline. Both had ambitious ideas for what needed to be done.Truss, of course, came

politics  Jul 10, 2026

BBC Politics

Police investigate Reform donations, the Times reports

The investigation is looking into donations made to Reform UK by the mother of the convicted fraudster George Cottrell, according to the Times.

politics  Jul 10, 2026

BBC Politics

Former Tory minister Ann Widdecombe dies at 78

Ann Widdecombe became a dominant pro-Brexit voice later in her career.

politics  Jul 10, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Ann Widdecombe, former Tory MP and Reform UK member, dies aged 78

Widdecombe was a prominent Eurosceptic and known for her socially conservative viewsAnn Widdecombe, the former MP and MEP has died aged 78.A statement from her management said: “It is with great sadness that today we announce the death of the Rt Hon Ann Widdecombe, DSG. Continue reading...

politics  Jul 10, 2026

BBC Politics

A bin, two foxes and a mystic: the candidates fighting Clacton

The full list of candidates who have declared they intend to fight the Clacton by-election.

politics  Jul 10, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Police investigate £500,000 Reform donations from mother of fraudster who backed Farage

George Cottrell’s mother Fiona at the centre of criminal inquiry over potential evasion of restrictions on donationsPolice are investigating donations worth £500,000 made to Reform UK by the mother of a convicted fraudster and ally of Nigel Farage.The investigation concerns two donations of £250,000 made by Fiona Cottrell, whose son George has often accompanied Farage to Reform events and media appearances. The May 2024 donations are under investigation over whether they were intended to conceal

politics  Jul 9, 2026

The Guardian Politics

The Guardian view on Nigel Farage’s crypto cash: accountability is not a conspiracy | Editorial

Reform UK presents itself as the people’s voice while opaque digital wealth flows around it. That makes transparency a democratic necessityTwice now, the Guardian’s questions about Reform UK’s finances appear to have been pre-empted by stories friendly to the party. This paper revealed in April that Nigel Farage received £5m from the crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne – but an interview with Reform UK’s leader, claiming he needed the cash “for security”, was published hours earlier in the T

politics  Jul 9, 2026

BBC Politics

Burnham apologises for Labour's initial response to Gaza war

Burnham, along other with Labour figures, had called for a ceasefire by late October 2023 - putting him at odds with Sir Keir Starmer.

politics  Jul 9, 2026

The Guardian Politics

What a week for Daddy Nige and his dysfunctional Reform family

From Posh George Cottrell to Honest Bob Jenrick and disciple-in-chief Dicky Tice, Farage really does know how to pick ’emWe need to talk about Nigel. Again. Not so much about the £5m gift from a Thai crypto billionaire or the freebies he accepted from a convicted fraudster who called him Daddy. Nor the fact that he never thought to declare his good fortune on parliament’s register of members’ interests.There again, he was only a professional politician and the principal shareholder in Reform UK

politics  Jul 9, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Ben Jennings on Nigel Farage’s byelection announcement – cartoon

Continue reading...

politics  Jul 9, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Andy Burnham apologises for Labour’s stance on Gaza – podcast

Andy Burnham has apologised for Labour’s slow response in calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. In an exclusive interview with Pippa Crerar, he says that more pressure should be put on the Israeli government, including a ban on trade in goods with illegal settlements. Burnham also says that there is increasing evidence that war crimes appear to have been committed, but that international courts must determine this, not politicians. Plus Pippa and Kiran discuss the fallout from Nigel Farage’s shock re

politics  Jul 9, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Fraudster Cottrell was introduced as Farage’s chief of staff, says ex-Reform candidate

Questions grow over close ally’s role in 2024 election in which he held no official positionUK politics live – latest updatesGeorge Cottrell was routinely introduced as Nigel Farage’s chief of staff before the 2024 election despite denials that he had any official role, according to a Reform candidate who stood aside for the party leader.Others who have been closely involved in the party have also claimed Cottrell arranged for the Land Rovers that ferried Reform’s newly elected MPs to parliament

politics  Jul 9, 2026

BBC Politics

Burnham planning for No 10 for at least a year, key ally says

The former transport secretary says Burnham's time away from Westminster does not mean he is "unprepared" for government.

politics  Jul 9, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Five pressing questions for Reform UK about its finances

Questions swirl about origins of gifts, loans and donations as even party supporters wonder if it can weather the stormUK politics live – latest updatesWhy is Farage quitting as an MP, only to stand again?Scrutiny is mounting on Reform UK’s finances.On Tuesday, amid an investigation by parliamentary standards into an undisclosed £5m gift, Nigel Farage announced he would resign and trigger a byelection in his constituency of Clacton-on-Sea. Continue reading...

politics  Jul 9, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Andy Burnham urged to scrap income tax and NI in radical fiscal overhaul

Economists including Jim O’Neill write an open letter calling for a single levy to replace six major taxesProminent economists including Andy Burnham ally Jim O’Neill, are urging him to pursue radical tax and spending reform, to “unlock the gridlock that plagues the country”.O’Neill joins Jonathan Portes, economics professor at Kings College London, and Danny Sriskandarajah, chief executive of the New Economics Foundation, in calling for bold action in an open letter. Continue reading...

politics  Jul 9, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Invest in Britain or I’ll force you to, minister tells pension funds

Business secretary Peter Kyle says asset managers should feel a patriotic duty to make the UK a successBusiness live – latest updatesThe business secretary, Peter Kyle, has warned UK pension funds to “get off their high horses” and invest in Britain or be forced to do so by law.Expressing frustration at the level of investment in British companies after years of government initiatives, Kyle said the UK’s biggest asset managers “should feel a patriotic duty in making Britain a success”. Continue

politics  Jul 9, 2026

BBC Politics

Ken Skates likely to become Welsh Labour leader as party brings contest forward

Skates has been interim leader since Eluned Morgan quit in the wake of Labour's Senedd election defeat.

politics  Jul 9, 2026

BBC Politics

Farage's by-election in Clacton officially confirmed

Reform's Lee Anderson has moved the writ in the Commons, with the by-election likely to happen on 13 August.

politics  Jul 9, 2026