The Debate: Should the resignation of the Prime Minister trigger a general election? Opinion As prime ministerial resignations have accelerated, so too have calls for consequent snap elections. We explore the pros and cons.
Five graphs that reveal Burnham’s fiscal headache Politics Andy Burnham was not shy with his spending pledges in the run up to victory in Makerfield last week. At various points, the former Manchester Mayor has pledged his party will nationalise water companies, including Thames Water; “stick with” the Waspi women, signalling a potential multi-billion pound payout to aggrieved pensioners; slash rail fares; kick [...]
Speed or stability? Bond markets strap in for Andy Burnham coronation Economics City bond traders are strapping in for a “jumpy” ride as Andy Burnham looks set to cruise into Downing Street uncontested – even if a coronation helps head off the worst volatility, analysts have said. The former Manchester Mayor’s bid for the top job won a major boost today as former health secretary Wes Streeting [...]
As it happened: How Starmer resigned and when Streeting backed Burnham June 22, 2026 Sir Keir Starmer resigned as Prime Minister. The Labour leader said on Monday he “had heard the answer of the parliamentary party” that he was not the right person to lead the party into the next election. He said nominations for a new leader will open on July 9, and if a contest goes ahead, [...]
HMRC has been overtaxing pensioners for a decade- have you been affected? June 22, 2026 Two weeks ago it was revealed that HMRC has been overcharging millions of pensioners on their tax bill for at least a decade. The taxman had knowingly overcharged taxpayers in receipt of their state pension because of an error in how their income was calculated each year, increasing the bills of up to 8.7m pensioners [...]
Government to take on big tech in bid to boost British news June 20, 2026 The government is preparing to force social media platforms to boost the presence of British news providers to counter misinformation, in a move likely to ruffle the feathers of big tech firms. Ministers are preparing to consult on rules which would require platforms like YouTube and Meta to make UK news sites like the BBC, [...]
Starmer vows to end system ‘failing our kids’ ahead of expected social media ban June 14, 2026 Prime Minister Keir Starmer has vowed to call time “on a system” failing children online,as the government prepares to ban under 16s from accessing “high risk” social media apps. Starmer will announce sweeping reforms to protect children online at a press conference on Monday. Teenagers under 16 are to be banned from accessing such apps [...]
Peace deal will be finalised Sunday, Trump says but Tehran casts doubt June 14, 2026 US president Donald Trump has said a deal to end the conflict between the US and Iran is scheduled to be signed on Sunday, but Iran has cast doubt on the timing. On Saturday, key mediator Pakistan said the deal was “likely expected” to be finalised within 24 hours, while Trump declared that his administration [...]
Burnham hints at payout for Waspi women claiming billions June 11, 2026 Andy Burnham has suggested he would support more than 3.5m women who are seeking compensation, hinting at a billions of pounds spending commitment if he enters Downing Street. The Makerfield by-election candidate has long been an outspoken supporter for the so-called Waspi women, a cohort born in the 1950s who claim they lost thousands of [...]
Pat McFadden: I have not apologised to Rachel Reeves over ‘tax to pay benefits’ text June 8, 2026 Welfare secretary Pat McFadden has doubled down on his remarks unearthed in the Mandelson files that “every meeting [he has] is ‘who can we tax in order to pay benefits to others’”. The Cabinet minister was among numerous top officials to have his private messages released in documents relating to Lord Mandelson’s stint as the [...]