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The news that Andy Burnham would stand as the MP for Makerfield was received with some surprise. In the throes of Labour’s May 2026 crisis, following the disastrous local and devolved parliament elections, commentators questioned his choice of constituency.  Burnham’s ambition, of course, was never in doubt – nor was the national executive committee’s rapid... Read more » The post Andy Burnham and the meaning of Makerfield appeared first on Politics.co.uk.

Andy Burnham has secured a comfortable victory in the highly anticipated Makerfield by-election, winning more than 50% of the vote.  Burnham will now return to parliament after months of speculation over his political future and resign his position as mayor of Greater Manchester. The by-election will also pile pressure on Keir Starmer, the prime minister,... Read more » The post Andy Burnham storms to victory in Makerfield by-election appeared first on Politics.co.uk.

John Healey has sensationally resigned as defence secretary over military spending plans.  In a letter to the prime minister, Healey said the proposed defence investment plan “falls well short of what is required for defence and the country at this dangerous time”. Read Healey’s letter in full below.  This is a letter I never expected... Read more » The post John Healey resigns as defence secretary – letter in full appeared first on Politics.co.uk.

Andy Burnham is right to put social care at the heart of the political debate. He’s also right to say politicians shouldn’t “flinch” from difficult conversations about funding. But if social care reform becomes yet another argument about who pays, we’ll miss a much bigger problem hiding in plain sight. The uncomfortable truth is that... Read more » The post Andy Burnham is right about social care funding. But that’s not the real problem appeared first on Politics.co.uk.

Forty-eight percent of people in England and Wales live in towns – nearly half the population – and it’s clear to me that the UK will not succeed unless its towns succeed. But for too long we have reached for a cities-first playbook – as though towns exist to serve the economies of nearby cities... Read more » The post Leigh Ingham MP: ‘The government must buy British, build British and back British’ appeared first on Politics.co.uk.

Andy Burnham’s sensational announcement that he will once again seek a return to parliament sealed a day of immense political drama.  The move marks Burnham’s second attempt at a parliamentary comeback, after Labour’s national executive committee (NEC), Starmer-in-council, thwarted his prospective candidacy for the February 2026 Gorton and Denton by-election. That contest proceeded without Burnham... Read more » The post Patrick Gordon Walker’s 1965 defeat is a cautionary tale for Andy Burnham  appeared first on Politics.co.uk.

Wes Streeting has resigned as health secretary, saying it is now clear that Keir Starmer will not “lead the Labour Party into the next general election.” Streeting, who has headed the Department of Health and Social Care since the 2024 general election, described the 2026 local and devolved parliament elections as “unprecedented”.  In his resignation... Read more » The post Wes Streeting resigns as health secretary – letter in full appeared first on Politics.co.uk.

Jess Phillips has resigned as a Home Office minister.  In a letter addressed to the prime minister, Phillips called on Keir Starmer to step down, saying she could not “keep waiting around for a crisis to push for faster progress”. Phillips is the second minister to resign from the government since the 2026 local elections... Read more » The post Jess Phillips resigns appeared first on Politics.co.uk.

The first minister to resign from Keir Starmer’s government has called for the prime minister to step down and oversee “an orderly transition” to a new leader.  Miatta Fahnbulleh stepped down as minister for devolution, faith and communities on Tuesday morning. In a letter addressed to the prime minister, she said that the government had... Read more » The post First minister to resign says Starmer has lost ‘confidence of the public’ appeared first on Politics.co.uk.

Keir Starmer is in “listening” mode, a senior cabinet ally has suggested as the prime minister faces a chorus of calls to resign.  Darren Jones, the chief secretary to the prime minister, insisted that Starmer is “getting on with the job” but appeared to confirm that he is now considering his political future.  Jones recognised... Read more » The post Keir Starmer is ‘listening’ to mutinous colleagues, says ‘sad’ cabinet ally appeared first on Politics.co.uk.