The Guardian Politics

‘Don’t mention the special relationship’: how should UK’s next PM handle Donald Trump?

Little-known abroad, Andy Burnham has a chance to define a new era of US-UK relations. Should he seek to charm or bargain with the bully in the White House – or treat him ‘like a poorly informed constituent’?If, as expected, Andy Burnham becomes the British prime minister later this month, one of his first telephone calls is likely to be with Donald Trump.Trump’s mother was Scottish and he has a nostalgic fascination with Britain. But managing a relationship with the erratic, transactional and d

politics  Jul 6, 2026

The Guardian Politics

The EU that the UK left no longer exists | Mujtaba Rahman

Andy Burnham’s rise has stoked talk of the terms for a future British return – but this is the wrong questionThe question of the UK’s relationship with the EU has resurfaced with Keir Starmer’s premiership drawing to a close and Andy Burnham, his likely successor, preparing to enter No 10. Wes Streeting, until recently one of the contenders for the top job and now a possible future chancellor of the exchequer, went as far as to say recently that Britain should be back in the EU.The “rejoin” deba

politics  Jul 6, 2026

BBC Politics

Overseas voters moving to UK could face £100,000 donations cap for year

The planned changes are part of the government's response to a review of political funding.

politics  Jul 6, 2026

BBC Politics

Police leadership needs fundamental overhaul, review finds

Development and recruitment processes in the service need reforming, an independent report says.

politics  Jul 6, 2026

The Guardian Politics

What are the latest allegations about Nigel Farage’s funding?

Reform UK leader received financial support from a convicted fraudster for staffing, security and housingNigel Farage did not declare gifts from crypto entrepreneur convicted of fraudAs Nigel Farage awaits the findings of a standards watchdog investigation into a £5m gift he received from the British-Thai crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne, fresh allegations about his finances have emerged.Here we take a look at the latest claims made about Farage and his funds. Continue reading...

politics  Jul 5, 2026

BBC Politics

'Posh George': Who is aristocrat and convicted criminal at heart of Farage controversy?

The 32-year-old reported crypto entrepreneur, once convicted of fraud in the US, is a long-time Farage ally.

politics  Jul 5, 2026

The Guardian Politics

It must be bad for Nige and his finances if it’s Honest Bob Jenrick to the rescue | John Crace

‘Nothing to see here,’ says the man who once overruled council planners in favour of Richard ‘Dirty’ DesmondHow unlucky can one man get? You have to feel for Nigel Farage. Why does it keep happening to him? There he is, just minding his own business, trying to make a decent living – those five houses won’t pay for themselves, which is why other people may have done – and yet there’s always someone trying to drag a good man down. Isn’t the “Man of the People (TM)” entitled to have a few multi-mil

politics  Jul 5, 2026

BBC Politics

Polanski says he will pay any council tax owed linked to houseboat

The Green Party leader told the BBC he is waiting for a decision from Waltham Forest Council.

politics  Jul 5, 2026

BBC Politics

Police probe Yes Scotland campaign's 'missing £1.5m' claim

It is claimed funds raised for the group which campaigned for independence in the 2014 referendum are "unaccounted for".

politics  Jul 5, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Polo shirts, Clarks Wallabees, shorts: Burnham has finessed his style. Can he carry it to high office? | Morwenna Ferrier

The likely next prime minister might have to leave his ‘Manchester clothes’ in the cupboard when he gets to No 10There’s a joke doing the rounds about Andy Burnham. It usually goes something like this: a Blairite, a Brownite and a Corbynite walk into a bar. “Hello, Andy, what can I get you?” asks the barman.The man who would be our next prime minister has been through a few incarnations in his career as a Labour politician. This shape-shifting has been reflected in the jobs he’s done and the pol

politics  Jul 5, 2026

The Guardian Politics

‘New direction, same old problems’: the economic challenges facing Andy Burnham | Richard Partington

Blair met good fortune when he assumed office, others such as Wilson faced tougher times. The PM-presumptive will start firmly on the back footMake Miliband chancellor, ex-chief Treasury adviser tells BurnhamJohn Harris: Without a good revival plan, Burnham cannot succeedIn politics, timing and luck matter. Tony Blair had astounding good fortune, benefiting from goldilocks economic conditions and a weak opposition. Others have taken charge in tougher times: in. the 1970s Harold Wilson faced a gl

politics  Jul 5, 2026

The Guardian Politics

‘Did Westminster just ignore buses?’ Burnham aims to shake up UK transport

In the fourth of a series on nationalisation, we look at plans to emulate Manchester’s Bee Network in Britain’s buses and railWill Burnham ‘go big’ in expanding the role of the state?Atlee: the postwar blueprint that inspires BurnhamHow council housebuilding is central to Burnham’s visionWhether or not the promised land is reached via renationalisation, the man set to be next prime minister is clear what he wants transport to leave behind.“You go from deregulation to regaining public control, it

politics  Jul 5, 2026

The Guardian Politics

I’ve seen what the death of major industry did to Britain. Without a good revival plan, Burnham cannot succeed | John Harris

Collieries turned into retail parks, manufacturing in the doldrums. The problem is vast, but at least the PM-in-waiting sees it: and in that there is hopeIn the autumn of 2005, Tony Blair gave one of his most unhinged and fascinating speeches as prime minister. “I hear people say we have to stop and debate globalisation,” he said. “You might as well debate whether autumn should follow summer.” He went on: “The character of this changing world is indifferent to tradition. Unforgiving of frailty …

politics  Jul 5, 2026

BBC Politics

Farage denies rules broken after reports benefits from ally were undeclared

The Sunday Times said the Reform UK leader failed to declare benefits from an ally convicted of fraud in the US.

politics  Jul 5, 2026

BBC Politics

Police leadership needs 'ethical reset', Lord Blunkett tells BBC

The former home secretary has co-authored a major report that has found the running of forces in England and Wales needs a "fundamental overhaul".

politics  Jul 4, 2026

BBC Politics

The massive scramble behind the scenes before the new PM arrives

As Starmer gets ready to pack his bags, there's a "bunfight for jobs" in Whitehall, one MP tells Laura Kuenssberg.

politics  Jul 4, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Boris Johnson wasted my levelling up idea. Here’s how Burnham and his ‘good growth’ plan can do better | Justine Greening

The need to devolve power and share prosperity is as strong as ever. Whatever the project is called, whoever is in No 10, the priority now is actual delivery Andy Burnham has set out his vision for “good growth in every postcode”. It may seem like levelling up 2.0 – and if so, that’s very good news for the country. Because, unlike his Labour and Conservative predecessors, Burnham may well have a far better sense of how to deliver it.Boris Johnson lifted the levelling up language from the Departm

politics  Jul 4, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Labour should win next election under Burnham after work already done, Starmer says

Prime minister holds no ‘personal animosity’ toward Burnham and emphasises success at improving NHS waiting lists and ‘stabilising economy’Labour “should go on to win the next election” under his likely successor, Andy Burnham, Keir Starmer has said, based on what he has achieved while in power.In his first interview since he announced he will quit as prime minister, Starmer also said he held no “personal animosity” toward Burnham, who is expected to succeed him. Continue reading...

politics  Jul 4, 2026

The Guardian Politics

What’s holding back Britain’s green energy revolution? – a visual story

Labour has approved a wave of renewable energy projects, but turning plans into power remains slow. Why is that?Labour has a race on its hands if it is to lock in its promise to achieve a virtually zero-carbon electricity system by 2030.Britain’s next prime minister will have to move fast: the climate emergency is raging, high energy bills are driving up the cost of living and the reactionary right is threatening a fossil fuel push if it wins power. Continue reading...

politics  Jul 4, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Britain has so many stories. The reason we fund the arts together is so we can tell them | James Graham

Dear England, Ink, Sherwood … I owe my career to publicly funded art. Never downplay it: it’s how we speak to each otherJames Graham is a British playwright and television writerIt shouldn’t feel like a contentious image: a large cross of St George – England’s national flag – being unfurled and laid out on a raked stage. But at that time, in that place, and in this way, you could feel one of those unique, intake-of-breath moments that happen sometimes in the theatre.The place in question was the

politics  Jul 4, 2026