Is it even possible to regulate ‘misinformation’? Opinion It's easy to call for crackdowns on 'misinformation', but how do you regulate such an amorphous term, asks Paul Ormerod.
Andy Burnham’s departure could put Manchester’s growth at risk Opinion Andy Burnham is not actually obliged to step down as Mayor to contest the Makerfield by-election, but if he does his departure would leave Manchester more susceptible to fragmented national politics, says Simon Goacher Andy Burnham’s decision to run in the Makerfield by-election is being treated largely as a Westminster comeback – a route back [...]
Labour selects Burnham and Reform UK picks plumber for by-election battle Economics Both Labour and Reform UK have announced their candidates for the upcoming by-election in Makerfield, with the Manchester mayor set to go up against a plumber who narrowly lost in 2024. The Labour Party announced that local members accepted Burnham as its candidate, hours after the so-called ‘King in the North’ published a campaign video [...]
Manchesterism? This is what an Andy Burnham government would look like May 18, 2026 As the Manchester mayor starts out on his high-risk path towards becoming Prime Minister, Maurício Alencar sketches out what an Andy Burnham government would look like – and how the markets would react. Andy Burnham will have to jump over many hurdles in his almighty quest to get to Downing Street. If he makes it, [...]
Labour’s leadership Phoney War continues, this time as farce May 18, 2026 Labour is conducting Schrodinger’s leadership election and it’s increasingly looking like I, Claudius performed b y the cast of Up Pompeii, says Eliot Wilson Following Labour’s punishment beatings in the local and devolved parliamentary elections, the guerrilla war over Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership of the party has finally erupted into open warfare. Or has it? [...]
Rayner tells Starmer: Let Burnham back and end ‘toxic culture’ May 10, 2026 Angela Rayner has accused Sir Keir Starmer of a “toxic culture” in in the wake of Labour’s devastating local election defeat, criticising the Prime Minister for blocking Andy Burnham’s return to Westminster. The intervention ramps up the heat on Starmer, whose position was left looking increasingly perilous on Sunday after around 40 Labour MPs called [...]
London local elections 2026: Who will win in the borough of Islington? May 6, 2026 Labour’s dominance makes it almost a one-party authority here. But the Greens are on the march backing rent control after big-name infighting between the likes of Jeremy Corbyn and Keir Starmer means no shortage of political drama. At first glance, Islington Council’s composition is like North Korea’s. It is all-but a one-party authority. At the [...]
Bond market alert: Burnham and Streeting turn up leader rumours May 2, 2026 Bond markets are on alert as fresh reports have suggested that Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and health secretary Wes Streeting are preparing leadership bids. City bank and analysts at the likes of Deutsche Bank and Jefferies have flagged the risks of a change in leadership and the potential for looser fiscal rules. Deutsche Bank’s Sanjay [...]
The government is about to find out you can’t please the people and the bond markets April 14, 2026 In the next phase of the Iran crisis, investors will demand fiscal discipline; electorates will demand intervention. In a supply-driven stagflationary environment, it may be impossible to satisfy both, says Helen Thomas A severe physical supply shock is rippling through the global economy and unlike recent crises, this is not one policymakers can easily offset. [...]
Ministers working with backbenchers amid immigration overhaul concerns April 5, 2026 Ministers concerned with home secretary Shabana Mahmood’s immigration changes are working with backbenchers concerned about planned immigration crackdowns. Figures within government are trying to help rebel MPs secure more exemptions from reforms being spearheaded by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, according to The Guardian newspaper. The changes are aimed at extending the amount of time migrants [...]