Starmer defends Burnham snub: ‘The fight is with Reform’ January 26, 2026 Keir Starmer has defended a decision to block Andy Burnham from standing as a candidate to run as an MP in an upcoming by-election, claiming political resources should be allocated towards Labour’s “fight with Reform”. Less than a day after Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) – which Starmer is a member of – voted 8-1 [...]
Andy Haldane: Labour has ‘no nose for business’ January 26, 2026 The Labour government lacks anyone with a “nose for business”, Andy Haldane, the former chief economist of the Bank of England, has said in his latest critique against ministers’ quest for growth. Haldane, whose criticism of Budget leaks last year added to pressure on Rachel Reeves, has taken aim at ministers leading Labour’s growth mission [...]
Labour erupts into civil war after Starmer allies block Burnham’s by-election bid January 25, 2026 The Labour party was thrown into a civil war on Sunday after a group of Keir Starmer’s closest allies on the ruling committee blocked Andy Burnham from standing in the forthcoming by-election in the North West. Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) voted in an eight to one ruling against Burnham on Sunday meaning the metro [...]
Reeves told City at ‘critical juncture’ after claims of golden age January 25, 2026 Rachel Reeves has been handed a firm warning that Britain’s financial ecosystem is facing a “critical juncture” even after the Chancellor touted a “golden age” of opportunity for the City. The Chancellor faces a call to action following a report from lobby group TheCityUK and Big Four consultancy giant PwC revealing the “hard truth” that [...]
Labour ruling committee block Andy Burnham from by-election race January 25, 2026 Andy Burnham has been blocked from running as the Labour candidate in the forthcoming by-election in the North West. The Manchester Mayor lodged his request for selection in the Gorton and Denton race on Saturday following Andrew Gwynne announcing his intention to step down. Speculation had mounted Burnham would face opposition from Labour’s governing body [...]
Burnham launches bid to stand as Labour MP in by-election January 24, 2026 Andy Burnham has confirmed he will run to stand as a candidate for Labour in the Gorton and Denton by-election after Andrew Gwynne resigned as an MP. The Manchester Mayor’s application to stand as a candidate now gives senior Labour figures a fresh headache given his openness around his leadership ambitions. He has already received [...]
China could ‘veto’ US access to the world, Trump document says January 24, 2026 China could “effectively veto” the US’s access to trading in the Indo-Pacific if the world’s second largest economy continues to build up its military forces, the Trump administration’s national defence strategy paper has said, putting Keir Starmer’s Chagos deal under intense scrutiny. A document published by President Trump’s Department of War has described China as [...]
Rayner to back Burnham’s Westminster bid January 24, 2026 Labour MPs will gather amid speculation that Andy Burnham could seek to stand for a Westminster by-election and challenge the Prime Minister’s authority, with former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner expected to support the Manchester Mayor’s potential bid to become an MP. The conference of Labour’s north-west England MPs will see former deputy prime minister [...]
Private sector bounces back but Reeves leaves hospitality reeling January 23, 2026 The UK’s private sector expanded at the fastest rate in nearly two years in the first month of 2026 but the reeling hospitality sector was still feeling the crunch from Labour policy. The latest Flash Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) from S&P Global showed a major uptick in the all-important services sector, which is often seen [...]
Consumer confidence has been negative for 10 years January 23, 2026 Consumer confidence inched up slightly this month despite remaining in negative territory, a leading survey has indicated, indicating a degree of “resilience” despite a decade of consumer pessimism. The overall index score on GfK’s closely monitored consumer confidence survey rose by one point while feelings about personal finances over the next 12 months edged [...]