The Guardian Politics

The Guardian view on universities: public confidence in degrees is wavering – ministers should shore it up | Editorial

Unfair changes to student loans and concerns about job prospects must be weighed against the life-changing potential of educationIs going to university financially worthwhile? New research on graduate incomes is unlikely to help the beleaguered sector’s reputation. Even though most benefit from an earnings premium, worth around £100,000 on average over a lifetime (after tax and student loan repayments), the finding that one in four people end up worse off proves that there are no guarantees. The

politics  Jun 28, 2026

BBC Politics

Cleverly says he would not have used Badenoch's Gestapo jibe

The Conservative leader has been criticised by Labour for making a Nazi comparison in relation to the education secretary.

politics  Jun 28, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Labour should ‘be kind’, a Makerfield voter told me. So how about stopping the relentless closures of precious day centres? | John Harris

Countless spaces for adults with complex needs have been shut down. If Andy Burnham wants to fix social care, keeping them open must be a priorityWellington House is in north Brighton, and known to the people who frequent it as Welly. It has the austere look of an old Victorian school, but what goes on inside is all about care and empathy. The building is the home of the city’s last council-run day centre for adults with complex needs, autism and learning disabilities, 21 of whom are reckoned to

politics  Jun 28, 2026

BBC Politics

Senior Labour figures say party is united behind Andy Burnham

Lucy Powell and Steve Reed say Labour MPs are backing a coronation of Burnham rather than a contest.

politics  Jun 28, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Ed Miliband as chancellor would benefit every part of the UK – and the bond markets | Josh Ryan-Collins

If Andy Burnham chooses the energy secretary, Labour could fully use the benefits of net zero to promote growth and jobsIt should have been a great week for Ed Miliband and his mission to decarbonise the UK economy. Western Europe has experienced one of its worst ever heatwaves, providing powerful evidence of the need to transition away from fossil-fuel-driven energy production to reduce the carbon emissions that are contributing to global warming.Instead, however, he has been attacked by an unh

politics  Jun 28, 2026

The Guardian Politics

‘British food will disappear’: trade deal after Brexit is hitting UK farmers hard

Home-grown food may become a niche product for wealthy in our supermarkets as British farmers’ incomes plummetFor Liz Webster, who farms 647 hectares (1600 acres) in Wiltshire, south west England, the latest impact of Brexit has been particularly brutal. About £400 per animal has been wiped off the price she can get for her beef cattle, a hefty blow at a time when all the inputs – feed, energy, fertiliser – are going through the roof.The fall in price, on livestock that typically fetch £2,000 to

politics  Jun 28, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Two prime ministerial resignations, 10 years apart: ‘Brexit represents a kind of faultline in British history’

Keir Starmer’s announcement on Monday was the latest convulsion since the Brexit vote. This week, as we marked 10 years since the referendum, our former national news editor Dan Sabbagh looked back to the start of Britain’s ongoing political chaosOur political sketch writer John Crace has dubbed it the “podium of doom”. Just before a British prime minister steps out of 10 Downing Street to announce their resignation, a lone lectern takes centre stage and casts an ominous shadow across the ground

politics  Jun 28, 2026

BBC Politics

Ex-minister not ruling out leadership bid yet

Carns says he is waiting to hear the contents of an economics speech by Andy Burnham.

politics  Jun 28, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Will Andy Burnham ‘go big’ in expanding the role of the state?

In the first of a series on nationalisation, we look at the critical tests ahead for the PM-in-waiting, from choosing a chancellor to the future of Thames WaterAs he swept towards victory in the Makerfield byelection, Andy Burnham told voters he wanted to see “the essentials of life being run primarily for the public interest, not for the private interests”.Citing the Bee Network of buses and trams across Manchester city region, brought together on his watch, Burnham repeatedly highlighted the n

politics  Jun 28, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Labour has abandoned the missions that brought it to power. Here's how Burnham could revive them. | Mariana Mazzucato

With a new prime minister incoming, Labour faces a fundamental question about its economic visionAs Keir Starmer stands down as prime minister and attention turns toward Andy Burnham, the current moment should not be reduced to a story of personalities. The question that matters is strategy, and the Labour party has three years left to get this right.When Labour won its landslide in July 2024, it did so on the promise of a new kind of governance: five national missions to tackle the UK’s deepest

politics  Jun 28, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Reform UK makes dramatic first impression in Senedd opposition role

With more than a third of Welsh parliament seats, Reform MSs have caused tears and walkouts – and voted against their own partyTears, walkouts, own-goal votes: the Welsh parliament has only been sitting for a few weeks, but Reform UK has already made a dramatic first impression in its new role as the official Senedd opposition.Plaid Cymru won May’s historic Welsh elections, ending 100 years of Labour dominance and blocking the momentum of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, which came second. He had been

politics  Jun 28, 2026

BBC Politics

How Andy Burnham's school teacher inspired him to believe in himself

Steve Harrington says he had to convince the front-runner for Labour leader into going to Cambridge University.

politics  Jun 28, 2026

BBC Politics

Lib Dems face call for inquiry into deselection of election candidate

The party has admitted it unlawfully discriminated against David Campanale because of his religious beliefs.

politics  Jun 27, 2026

The Guardian Politics

UK minister working up plans for state-owned housing developer

Exclusive: Steve Reed is looking at government run scheme that could borrow at lower rates than private developersThe housing secretary has been working up plans for a state-owned housing developer, according to details leaked to the Guardian, as the government looks for ways to stimulate stubbornly low rates of housebuilding.Steve Reed has been looking at proposals to set up a new state-owned developer which could borrow at lower rates than private developers and housing associations, according

politics  Jun 27, 2026

BBC Politics

Burnham will need a Moscow test as well as Makerfield test, says ex-military chief

Former Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin says defence must be a priority for the next prime minister.

politics  Jun 27, 2026

The Guardian Politics

The war for Burnham’s ear: politicians and wonks fight for influence over a PM

There is high emotion, a deluge of policy papers and an ‘excruciating’ jostle for jobs as Labour’s probable next leader settles back into Westminster lifeAs well as being the most popular politician in the country – for now – Andy Burnham is also the most popular man at Westminster. Labour MPs, the unions, Whitehall civil servants, political advisers and thinktanks are all among those battling for the ear of the next prime minister.“There are so many different demands all at once. But the supply

politics  Jun 27, 2026

BBC Politics

King urges MSPs to help build a 'fair and prosperous society'

The ceremony, which featured pageantry, poetry, drama and music, marked the beginning of the seventh session of Holyrood.

politics  Jun 27, 2026

The Guardian Politics

At a poet’s memorial, I saw how Andy Burnham could be a different kind of prime minister | Blake Morrison

The putative PM-to-be explained how one of Tony Harrison’s poems gave him a new outlook – one that the country is sorely in need ofTwo weeks before Josh Simons stood down as the Makerfield MP for his benefit, Andy Burnham was at Salts Mill in Shipley celebrating the life and work of the poet Tony Harrison. It was a small gathering, with actors, directors, writers and family members paying homage. Burnham wasn’t the only politician to speak; Richard Burgon, MP for Leeds East, is another fan (in 2

politics  Jun 27, 2026

The Guardian Politics

People in Britain used to agree to disagree. Since Brexit, they no longer dare to talk about difficult things | Elif Shafak

Studies suggest the country is more divided than ever – but we won’t come together unless we begin to talk rationally and calmlyRead more from the Brexit Vote: 10 Years On seriesWhen I first moved to England, nearly two decades ago, I was invited to attend a talk in London on “the future of British identity”. It was a heated debate from the start, and it became all the more intense when the subject of putting colonial history in the school curriculum was raised. The two main speakers held opposi

politics  Jun 27, 2026

BBC Politics

Home Office to introduce new asylum routes to UK

The home secretary said "capped safe and legal" routes would help to restore confidence in the asylum system.

politics  Jun 26, 2026