Politics | kieransbrookholmes.claims

Andy Burnham promised change. Just not yet

Having now shed my red rosette, I can’t help but feel a certain level of sympathy for those who have yet to come around to our way of thinking. Many of them were probably sitting there yesterday, watching on as Andy…

Whitehall’s “lack of understanding” holding back northern growth, says Chi Onwurah MP

The Chair of the Science, Innovation and Technology Select Committee said government knowledge of places outside the capital was far weaker than most people assume: “Whatever you think might be the limits of that…

Devolution Minister puts councils at heart of next phase of devolution

He explained: “There cannot be a mayor without a strategic authority, and there cannot be a strategic authority without the council consenting to it in the first place.” For McMahon, the bigger question is how to rebuild…

Government must support parents as well as schools to cut pupil absences, says Early Education Minister

Waugh, whose brief includes attendance, was speaking on Monday at a LabourList event held in partnership with Impetus at Labour Party conference. The panel, chaired by Observer political editor Rachel Sylvester…

Labour members see US as less friendly to Britain than China, poll reveals

The poll, conducted by Survation, found that party members gave America a net friendliness score of -53, lower than China at -47. It comes amid continued strained relations with the Trump administration in the United…

Business rates holding back high streets, warn Chris Evans MP and the Post Office

He said: “If I was to speak to any business owner, the issue they have is business rates.” Retailers in business parks often pay far less than smaller shops in the town centre, and those who feel they have been treated…

Andy Burnham wants to review the UK’s relationship with the EU. What are the options?

He said he would "lay out options" around the time of the next EU-UK summit, due to be held at the end of November or soon after. While he didn't specify options, he did not explicitly rule out rejoining. Keir Starmer's…

Healthy Babies programme to be expanded across England

It aims to support parents with infant feeding, their mental health and building strong bonds with their babies, alongside health visits, midwifery care and wider services. The scheme seeks to follow the principles of…

Labour must find the words to sum up its purpose, former No 10 adviser says

“On the right, they have very straightforward three-word slogans: stop the boats, take back control,” he said. “It’s not so easy to summarise the current Government’s programme in three words.” McTernan, now a senior…

Good growth in every postcode 30th September 2026

What would this look like in practice? The answer lies in the economic success stories of British companies – small, medium and large – across the UK and building on these successes across England, Scotland, Wales and…