Pippa Crerar

theguardian.com‘The chancellor is in a bind’: is No 11 at odds with Burnham’s big vision?MPs applaud PM’s ambition and optimism but John Healey has yet to show he can match leader’s radical perspective

‘The chancellor is in a bind’: is No 11 at odds with Burnham’s big vision? My weekend read with @guardianheather.bsky.social & @jessicaelgot.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

theguardian.comReform UK suspends two senior officials after undercover report on donationsRevelations are further blow to Nigel Farage before conference speech, with Labour reporting party to police

This is not the first day of Reform conference that Nigel Farage will have hoped for... www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Already under pressure over party finances, and slipping in the polls, the Reform leader needed to use the gathering to get back on the front foot. While Reform activists at the conference remain unswayed, it will further damage Farage and his party's reputation in the wider country.

theguardian.comJackdaw gasfield set to be approved by ministers this month, sources sayEnergy secretary could recommend new North Sea drilling next week, as ministers also consider approval for Rosebank oilfield

NEW: Ministers are poised to approve a controversial new gasfield in the North Sea later this month, government sources tell @kiranstacey.bsky.social, and are also likely to approve a major oilfield later this year. www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Miatta Fahnbulleh, the energy secretary, will give her recommendation to approve the Jackdaw field off the coast of Aberdeen as soon as next week, with formal approval following as soon as a week after.

She is also likely to approve the Rosebank mega-oilfield in the coming months, though officials are looking for ways to make sure the proceeds from that project go towards clean energy projects, as happens in Norway.

BREAKING: John Healey is Andy Burnham's surprise pick as chancellor, with former defence secretary emerging as compromise candidate after Ed Miliband and Shabana Mahmood were both tipped for the role.

Andy Burnham's first foreign leader call since he entered office was to Donald Trump, No 10 confirms. According to @katyballs.bsky.social the G20 summit - which UK is hosting next year - will be held in Manchester. This comes after US president said Burnham was mayor of "some town".

BREAKING: Andy Burnham tells reporters he's looking at cutting energy bills and bus fares as part of cost-of-living package which could eventually include more radical plans such as freezing private sector rents.

“We're looking at measures that could make a difference this year We just want to do some things that people will feel and feel quite quickly. “It won’t solve everything, it won’t take all of the pressure off, but it just shows the direction of travel and that we’re serious about helping them out.”

MORE: Burnham also suggests he could cut income tax for lower earners in the budget. This could involve cutting tax-free personal allowance, which has been frozen for the last five years. But new PM refuses to rule out bringing back 50p top rate of tax saying it was "premature".

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ALSO: Burnham says he'd look at “any flexibility” within government’s existing fiscal rules to help borrow billions more to invest in infrastructure – but insists that he would take a “very prudent” approach to the economy. “I’ve said we’ll stick to the fiscal rules and by that I mean...

“... the existing fiscal rules and use obviously any flexibility within them. But we will stick to the existing rules,” he says. “So none of this is about taking risks with the economy. I’ve never done that in any role that I’ve had. I’ve always taken a very prudent approach.”

IT'S OFFICIAL: Andy Burnham is now prime minister after being invited to form a government by the King at Buckingham Palace.

End of the Keir Starmer era: ‘My work here is done’. … and what will he do next? www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

NEW: Keir Starmer gives resignation speech in Downing Street sunshine - watched by wife Vic and closest allies and aides. "My work is done. In 6.5 years, I took our party from. historic defeat in 2019, changed it so it was fit to face the country, and won a landslide election victory in 2024...

"Since then, it's been the privilege of my life to serve you and this great country as PM. I'm confident Britain is now stronger & fairer than two years ago "I thank the British people for the opportunity to serve. I go with good grace. I go with a smile. I go proud of everything we've achieved."

theguardian.comAndy Burnham: dodging scrutiny, or just a different type of communicator?Avoiding traditional questions and stilted broadcast clips, PM-in-waiting has evolved his style of media management

3 July

Andy Burnham: dodging scrutiny, or just a different type of communicator? By @peterwalker99.bsky.social, @lexytopping.bsky.social & me 👇 www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

3 July

EXCL: Hollie Ridley, the general secretary of the Labour Party, has just told staff that she is standing down after this autumn’s conference. Her departure clears the way for Labour’s ruling NEC to pick a new general secretary for Andy Burnham’s time as leader and prime minister.

theguardian.comStarmer warns Burnham not to borrow to fund defence as he reveals £15bn planThe prime minister unveiled his long-awaited defence investment plan on Tuesday after months of delays

Keir Starmer warned his successor not to borrow more to pay for defence as he raided energy, transport and housing projects to plug a military spending deficit with an extra £15bn over the next four years - by @kiranstacey.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

NEW: Andy Burnham has told the women's PLP that he wants to "change the culture" of negative briefing. Keir Starmer's No 10 operation had been accused by some Labour women MPs of being a 'boys club' (despite the many senior women working there).

“Culture really does matter and we need to change that culture," Burnham tells them. “I want to make it clear that if anyone in my team was found to have done that [negative briefing] they would be out of the door. Their feet wouldn’t touch the floor."

He adds, in reference to a Spectator article last week: “I want to put on record that I never have and never will describe myself as the first female Labour PM!”

29 June

Tuesday’s @theguardian.com front page: Burnham puts No 10 North at heart of bid to ‘rewire’ Britain theguardian.com/politics/2026/…

theguardian.comBurnham’s vibe shift gives Labour one more chance but voters also need hopeThe prospective new prime minister will need to deliver on his ability to communicate – and get the big decisions right

29 June

MY ANALYSIS: Andy Burnham’s vibe shift gives Labour one more chance but voters also need hope www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

theguardian.comNew defence secretary wins another £1.5bn to boost drone spendingDan Jarvis persuaded Rachel Reeves to reduce £18bn funding gap that led to predecessor resigning

29 June

NEW: The new defence secretary has secured an extra £1.5bn for UK’s long-delayed defence investment plan, with the bulk of that to be spent on drones to deter Russia and Iran. By @dansabbagh.bsky.social & @kiranstacey.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

theguardian.comThe war for Burnham’s ear: politicians and wonks fight for influence over a PMThere is high emotion, a deluge of policy papers and an ‘excruciating’ jostle for jobs as Labour’s probable next leader settles back into Westminster life

28 June

The war for Burnham’s ear: politicians and wonks fight for influence over the PM presumptive. “He’s just one person and everybody projects their hopes on to him. It’s hard to live up to,” one of his close allies admits. By me and @rowenamason.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

theguardian.comMahmood outlines safe immigration routes plan to win over Labour leftHome secretary speeds up major part of bill governing asylum and refugees as new prime minister set to take over

28 June

NEW: Shabana Mahmood seeks to shore up support on left for controversial immigration bill with plans to speed up opening of new safe & legal routes that permit thousands of refugees to come to UK. By @rowenamason.bsky.social & @syalrajeev.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

theguardian.comAndy Burnham’s long coup: the chaotic year-long project to return him to WestminsterStory of the key figures, decisions, planning and missteps in push to line up Greater Manchester mayor for PM

28 June

‘Andy Burnham’s long coup: the chaotic year-long project to return him to Westminster’ A fascinating in depth read by @jessicaelgot.bsky.social & @joshhalliday.bsky.social on the return of the man from Makerfield. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

24 June

NEW: Downing Street confirms that Keir Starmer will *not* stand down as an MP after leaving No 10, and will serve out the remainder of his term in the Commons.

23 June

NEW: I'm told Andy Burnham has now held talks with Keir Starmer for first time since before Makerfield by-election. No 10 sources confirms PM & likely successor had hour-long "off site" meeting earlier. Burnham can now start receiving civil service briefings asap to help with transition.

theguardian.comKeir Starmer resigns: what now? – podcastPippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss the fallout from Keir Starmer’s resignation

🚨 Our latest podcast: Keir Starmer resigns: what now? @kiranstacey.bsky.social & I discuss: - How Starmer reached his decision to stand down - Why a coronation is more likely rather than contest - What Andy Burnham will do first And loads more... www.theguardian.com/politics/aud...

⏰On timing of handover of power: - Labour opens nominations on July 19, allowing process (including in-person PLP hustings) to complete by July 16 - if a contest then new leader will be in place by Sept 1 - if no contest - and Burnham is unchallenged - he'd take over on July 17/18

BREAKING: Keir Starmer announces he will stand down as PM after days of intense pressure from Labour MPs, kicking off process of UK installing 7th leader in decade.

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Starmer says he'll ask Labour's ruling NEC to set out timetable for contest with nominations opening on July 9 and completed before recess a week later. He'll remain in post until new leader is in place - before parly returns in Sept - but if Burnham is uncontested, he could be in No 10 by July 17

PM says he'll do "everything I can" to ensure orderly handover, giving his successor his "full & unequivocal support". He says they'll inherit a Britain "far stronger & fairer" then when he became PM two years ago, "better prepared" and better able to win a second term.

BREAKING: Keir Starmer announces he will stand down as PM after days of intense pressure from Labour MPs, kicking off process of UK installing 7th leader in decade.

"The question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next election. "I have heard the answer... to that question. I accept it with good grace. "Every decision I've taken has been about putting the country I love first, that is why I'll resign as leader of Labour."

The lectern has now been brought outside No 10 for Keir Starmer to make his announcement

Some of Keir Starmer's closest allies now on the street - David Lammy, Richard Hermer, Jenny Chapman, Darren Jones - PM's closest ministerial allies - along with top aides Ben Nunn, Chris Ward, Jill Cuthbertson & others.

What we know this morning 👇 Cabinet ministers expect Keir Starmer expected to announce timetable for his departure today, clearing way for Andy Burnham to become PM w/o contest.

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Most likely timetable involves PM staying in office until autumn, allowing a new leader to rally Labour troops at party’s annual conference in September. Starmer expected to announce departure without discussion with Burnham about his plan, with allies believing he should go on own terms.

theguardian.comStarmer expected to announce exit plan to clear way for Burnham to become PMMinisters say Starmer will set out his intentions on Monday morning with an autumn departure the most likely option

Still unclear whether a coronation or contest follows - if any other challengers could gain necessary support - but most insiders I’ve spoken to think a formal contest is unlikely. All this and more from me & @peterwalker99.bsky.social 👇 www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

What we know this morning 👇 Cabinet ministers expect Keir Starmer expected to announce timetable for his departure today, clearing way for Andy Burnham to become PM w/o contest.

More than half a dozen cabinet ministers - Miliband, Mahmood, Cooper, Reynolds, Alexander x 2, Healey - have indicated privately to PM his time is up. Starmer & inner circle began work on drafts of resignation speech on Sat - when he was holed up in Chequers - even as other options remained open.