Andy Burnham allowed to stand in Makerfield after Labour officials make U-turn

Shabana Mahmood ‘confident’ in ‘robust plans’ for planned protests in capital tomorrow 

Shabana Mahmood has said she was “confident in robust plans” for the planned protests in London this weekend.

The Home Secretary has released a statement ahead of two protests tomorrow – one organised by Unite the Kingdom and another pro-Palestinian demonstration.

Shabana Mahmood said: “Ahead of the expected protests in London this weekend, I want to thank the thousands of officers who will be on duty keeping our capital safe.

“Following direct talks with the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service, I am confident that robust plans are in place, backed by specialist resources and a zero-tolerance approach to hate.

“The right to protest is a cornerstone of our democracy. But anyone spreading hate or committing acts of violence will face the full force of the law. The police will be able to deploy a strong range of powers to keep people safe.”

Earlier today, Sir Keir Starmer announced he had barred 11 foreign speakers from entering the UK to talk at the Unite the Kingdom march.

Northern Irish leaders sound alarm over PM leadership challenges amid budget talks

Northern Irish leaders have sounded the alarm over the Prime Minister’s leadership chaos in Westminster.

First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly have expressed concern that Sir Keir Starmer has yet to respond to a request for talks made a month ago over Stormont’s strained financial position.

Ms O’Neill said: “There’s a calamity happening in Westminster and for me that underlines the fact that why we need to take control of our own fortunes here at home.

“I think the continued mess in Westminster, whether it’s this Labour government or the previous Tory government, shows that they never prioritise the needs of people here.

“We’ve asked [the UK Government] to intervene, because the levers in terms of being able to reduce taxes actually sits in Westminster, but there’s so much happening there right now, this debacle, this crisis after crisis, means that they’re not prioritised or focusing on the needs of people here.”

Makerfield by-election expected to take place on June 18

The Makerfield by-election will take place on Thursday June 18.

By early next week, it is expected the formal process for kick-starting the by-election will commence.

As the vote will need to take place 21 to 27 working days after this, it is likely the election will take place June 18.

Zack Polanski told not to challenge Andy Burnham’s No10 plot amid ‘dire Reform threat’

Zack Polanski has been urged not to field a Green Party candidate in Makerfield if Andy Burnham is selected to contest the Greater Manchester seat in a by-election.

Caroline Lucas, who sat as the Green Party’s only MP from 2010 to 2024, suggested Mr Burnham was an ally of the Green Party’s cause and issued a warning about the “dire threat” posed by Reform UK.

She said: “There are times when it’s more important to put country before party.

“This is one of them. Burnham’s longstanding commitment to a fairer voting system could transform our democracy [and] counter dire threat of a Reform UK Government.”

However, Mr Polanski’s party suggested it is preparing to campaign in Makerfield following the release of Josh Simons’s resignation letter.

A Green Party spokesman said: “We are looking forward to the campaign.

“We’ve learned from our campaigning and wins in Gorton and Denton and the recent local elections, and we’ve shown we can beat Reform.

“We’re a democratic party and our local members choose their candidates. We have already started the candidate selection process for any potential by-election in Makerfield.”

Reform UK MP Andrew Rosindell last night told GB News that the Tories should not field a candidate in Makerfield.

The Green Party tasted by-election victory in Greater Manchester earlier this year, with Hannah Spencer seeing off the threat from Reform UK and Labour in Gorton & Denton.

Mr Burnham, who expressed his intention to stand as Labour’s candidate, was blocked from the contest by the National Executive Committee.

Wes Streeting ally avoids question on leadership bid popularity 

One of Wes Streeting’s allies has dodged a question on the former Health Secretary’s leadership popularity.

Zubir Ahmed, who resigned as a health minister on Tuesday, was complimentary of Wes Streeting, saying he had an “inspiring story”.

However, he refused to say whether he had enough support within the party to stand up a leadership bid.

This comes as there are doubts Mr Streeting, who resigned from the frontbench yesterday, does not have the back of 80 MPs to trigger a leadership contest.

Speaking to Times Radio, the MP for Glasgow South West avoided answering whether the former health secretary had enough support to win the top job: “I think Wes is a generationally talented politician who has a broad swathe of support across the PLP [Parliamentary Labour Party] and I’m sitting in Scotland, I have many Scottish colleagues that think very highly of Wes.

“I think people would be pleasantly surprised by what he has to say … also about the person that he is; he has a very not a dissimilar background to mine in the sense of growing up from a working-class family, some of the difficulties that he’s had.”

Pro-Palestine marches should be banned, says Kemi Badenoch

Kemi Badenoch has called for pro-Palestine marches to be banned, saying they are creating a “climate of fear and intimidation” for Jewish people in the wake of the Golders Green attack and the murders at a Manchester synagogue.

Speaking to GB News, the Conservative leader declined to criticise the Prime Minister’s decision to ban 11 far-right activists from entering the country ahead of tomorrow’s Unite the Kingdom rally, saying Governments had every right to keep out those likely to cause trouble.

She said: “[The Prime Minister] needs to do it more, especially when it comes to small boats”, adding that Sir Keir would earn greater public respect if he applied the same approach to what she described as “problematic migrants” crossing the Channel.

Conservatives will not be making any deals with Reform for Makerfield by-election, says Kemi Badenoch

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Kemi Badenoch said her party will not be making any deals with Reform UK over the Makerfield by-election.

Asked whether they will refrain from putting a Conservative candidate forward to make it harder for Andy Burnham to win, she told GB News: “So I have made it very clear I am not doing any deals with Nigel Farage or Reform.

“As far as I’m concerned, people in that constituency who want to see the Welfare Bill brought down, who want the two child benefit cap brought back in, who want a cheap power plan to see Stamp Duty abolished and business rates for small businesses abolished, they need someone to vote for.

“Nigel Farage is not offering any of those things, and if those people don’t have that option, how is that fair?

“So, we will be standing a candidate at this election. Everybody should compete, and the people of the constituency should make their choice about who it is they want to represent them.

“That’s the democratic way, that is British culture.”

Kemi Badenoch: ‘I’m the one who is now getting on with the job’ 

Leader of the Conservatives Kemi Badenoch said she is focusing on running the country whilst the Labour Party is “just focused on internal drama”.

Speaking to GB News this afternoon, she said: “I’m the one who now has to get on with the job.

“I’m standing here in a factory where businesses are telling me how difficult it is.

“The economic climate is not great. Labour are not focused on any of this at all. Andy Burnham’s not talking about that. Wes Streeting is not talking about that.

“All they are talking about is who is going to be Prime Minister.”

Keir Starmer slammed over handling of Mandelson files with ‘documents withheld’

Sir Keir Starmer has been slammed for “withholding” documents connected to the Peter Mandelson vetting probe.

The Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) said the Government was redacting information “far too broadly”.

While some redactions were previously agreed on between No10 and the committee, Downing Street’s headache from the inquiry into the disgraced peer has persisted.

The committee has called on No10 that such redactions were made “in the spirit of the Humble Address”.

Read Susanna Siddell’s story here.

Former leader of Greens indicates support for Andy Burnham in Makerfield by-election

Caroline Lucas, the Green Party’s first ever MP and former leader, has indicated support for Andy Burnham running in the Makerfield by-election after the Guardian reported the Greens might place a contender in the running as well, which could potentially split the left vote.

The former MP for Brighton Pavilion wrote on X in reaction to the article: “I hope this isn’t true. There are times when it’s more important to put country before party. This is one of them.

“Burnham’s longstanding commitment to a fairer voting system could transform our democracy & counter dire threat of a Reform UK government.”

Labour pressure group pleads party leadership: ‘Put country before party’

A Labour pressure group has pleaded its party leadership to “put country before party” and backed Andy Burnham’s bid to run for Westminster.

Mainstream has said: “Uniting behind the strongest possible candidate and running a positive, hopeful campaign with an offer of transformative change at its heart is how Labour will earn the kind permission to continue representing the people of Makerfield in Parliament.

“That is why we hope Labour’s National Executive Committee will ensure Makerfield CLP is free to choose from the widest possible field of candidates in this by-election, a field that should clearly include Andy Burnham.

“Let us seize this opportunity to show the Labour Party at its best and put country before party.”

Wes Streeting aide QUITS as she encourages Labour to take fight to Nigel Farage

One of Wes Streeting’s aides is believed to have quit as she encouraged Labour to address the “divisive politics” of Nigel Farage.

Rosie Wrighting resigned as a Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) in the Department of Health earlier today.

But the MP did not step down without praising ex-Health Secretary Wes Streeting as a “generational talent”.

She said: “It’s been a pleasure to work with Wes as a PPS in the Health Department. He never shies away from the right principled decision, even in difficult times, and this letter shows no difference,” she said, sharing Mr Streeting’s post of his resignation letter.

“Wes is a generational talent and it is with his leadership that we’ve seen the NHS on the road to recovery. The challenges that face our country are enormous.

“As an MP in my 20s, I feel that strongly. I know what it’s like to have living standards worse than our parents’, and I feel we owe my generation, and the one that comes after, everything.

“We must show that we can be better than this, that politics can change things for the good and offer people hope. Because if we don’t, we risk Reform UK and the divisive politics of Nigel Farage taking hold of this country. And it is only the Labour Party that can stop that from happening.

“We need a vision, an open debate of ideas about how we move forward from this moment, with the best field of candidates that our movement has.”

Rupert Lowe’s legal challenge thrown out by High Court amid fears watchdog probe could ‘end his career’

Restore Britain leader Rupert Lowe has had a legal challenge against the parliamentary watchdog thrown out by a High Court judge.

The Great Yarmouth MP, whose legal representative warned in February that the adjudicative process has the “potential to end [Mr Lowe’s] career”, took legal action against the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme.

The action came after the watchdog investigated a complaint made by a third party, who cannot be identified, in January 2025.

Mr Justice Chamberlain ruled earlier today that Mr Lowe’s challenge was “barred by parliamentary privilege” and was “accordingly not justiciable”.

READ THE FULL WRITE-UP HERE.

WATCH: Richard Tice delivers defiant message ahead of ‘two-horse race’ against Andy Burnham

Richard Tice has declared that Reform UK will “make Andy Burnham history” ahead of the upcoming Makerfield by-election.

Speaking to GB News, the Deputy Leader of the party argued that the upcoming ballot is a “two-horse race” between Mr Burnham and Reform, and the Tories are “irrelevant”.

Expressing his excitement at the upcoming by-election, Mr Tice told GB News: “What a lovely day, isn’t it exciting?

“We’ve got a great by-election ahead of us!”

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR MORE.

Labour MP backs Andy Burnham: ‘I hope he stands, and I hope he wins’

A Labour MP has backed Andy Burnham in the hope “it marks the beginning of a changed Labour Government”.

MP for Liverpool Walton Dan Carden said: “Andy understands something that has been missing from Labour’s offer: that people love where they’re from.

“That working class communities don’t want to be managed or moved on.

“They want secure work, pride in where they live, and a party that stands with them rather than for them in the abstract.”

“I hope he stands, and I hope he wins.

“And I hope it marks the beginning of a changed Labour Government that makes the argument for full employment, rent control and stronger communities, is willing to fight those who exploit working class communities, and reduces welfare by building an economy where fewer people need it.”

Donald Trump says it will be ‘tough’ for PM to survive leadership chaos

Donald Trump has said it will be “tough” for the Prime Minister to survive the Labour leadership chaos.

Speaking to reporters, the US President said: “It’s a tough thing.

“Unless he can straighten out immigration, where he’s weak, and if he doesn’t start drilling and stop with the windmills all over the place that are causing havoc.”

When asked if Sir Keir should quit, Mr Trump said: “I don’t say [that]. I think he’s a nice man, actually.

“But I mean, I didn’t like what he said ‘We’re going to send ships as soon as you’re finished with the war’. Well, we are sort of finished militarily, pretty much.”

Bombshell poll finds Andy Burnham is ONLY Labour politician that could take on Nigel Farage and Zack Polanski

A bombshell poll as revealed Andy Burnham is the only Labour politician popular enough to take on Nigel Farage and Zack Polanski.

Figures from Ipsos UK found the Mayor had a 48 per cent favourability rating while Sir Keir Starmer and Wes Streeting lagged behind on 19 per cent and 17 per cent respectively.

Mr Burnham was also found to be more popular than Nigel Farage, who was on 30 per cent favourability.

Greens leader Zack Polanski received a 24 per cent rating.

Jess Phillips warns Andy Burnham risks ‘looking entitled’ as ex-minister breaks silence following resignation

Jess Phillips, who quit Government on Tuesday, has warned that Andy Burnham risks “looking entitled” in her first comments since her resignation.

She said that the Greater Manchester Mayor appeared to be “playing a sort of Game of Thrones” as Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership becomes more vulnerable to challengers.

While she admitted she had a “huge amount of fondness” for the ‘King of the North’, she added: “But I would also say… like just be really, really careful of looking like… entitled,” she told Sky News.

“It looks like there’s a sort of level of entitlement that ‘I feel like I’ll just have X, Y and Z seat’. I don’t know.”

Wes Streeting endorses Andy Burnham as ‘best chance of winning’ in Makerfield by-election

Wes Streeting has endorsed Andy Burnham to stand in the Makerfield by-election.

The former Health Secretary said: “We need our best players on the pitch. There is no doubt that Andy Burnham is one of them.

“The Makerfield by-election will be tough. Votes will need to be earned.

“Andy is the best chance of winning and that should override factional advantage or propping up one person.”

Keir Starmer: ‘We’re in a fight for the soul of this country’

Sir Keir Starmer has announced the UK is “in a fight for the soul of this country” after blocking more individuals from entering Britain to take part in an upcoming Unite the Kingdom march.

The Prime Minister met with police chiefs this morning to set out the major policing operation ahead of major protests this weekend, including a pro-Palestine march.

The PM said: “We’re in a fight for the soul of this country, and the Unite the Kingdom march this weekend is a stark reminder of exactly what we are up against. Its organisers are peddling hatred and division, plain and simple.

“We will block those coming into the UK who seek to incite hatred and violence. For anyone who sets out to wreak havoc on our streets, to intimidate or threaten anyone, you can expect to face the full force of the law.

“My Government will always champion peaceful protest but will act decisively against hatred. We all have a responsibility to speak out against those spouting vile divisive views wherever we see it.

“We are a country built on decency, fairness and respect, at our best when people from different backgrounds come together in common purpose. That is what we must fight for.”

Keir Starmer’s second-in-command backs Andy Burnham’s comeback

Sir Keir Starmer’s second-in-command has openly backed Andy Burnham’s return to Westminster.

Lucy Powell, addressing the Fire Brigades Union, said she “fully supports” his desire to stand for Parliament.

She assured Burnham’s allies there would be “absolutely no attempt” to block the Greater Manchester Mayor’s plea by Labour’s ruling body, the NEC, as it did last time.

The Manchester Central MP said: “I supported Andy last time he wanted to come back to Parliament, and I fully support him wanting to come back to Parliament again.”

“We’ve got to do our politics differently. We’ve got to end the factionalism. We’ve got to embrace all the different traditions of the Labour Party, all the different voices, and bring one team back together.

“And that means having Andy Burnham as a key player in that team.”

Ant Middleton teases Andy Burnham by-election challenge as SAS Who Dares Wins star issues stern statement

Former SAS star Ant Middleton has teased a potential rivalry with Andy Burnham after the Greater Manchester Mayor eyed up standing in the Makerfield by-election.

Josh Simons’ resignation lit a potential path for Mr Burnham to return to Westminster for the former MP to challenge Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership.

However, Mr Middleton has suggested he could provide an obstacle to Mr Burnham’s political hopes with a defiant post on social media.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Senior Labour minister tells GB News he supports Andy Burnham’s bid to stand in Makerfield

A senior Labour minister has told GB News he supports Andy Burnham’s bid to stand in Makerfield.

When asked if he should be allowed to stand, Steve Reed said: “Yes, I think he should.”

Last night, Mr Reed was caught off-guard at a Spectator event hosted by editor and former Tory minister Michael Gove after the news broke that Mr Burnham was clearing his path to Westminster.

The editor was first to inform him of Labour MP Josh Simons stepping aside to allow Mr Burnham to run, leaving the Housing Secretary appearing shell-shocked.

Keir Starmer’s deputy set to back Andy Burnham’s Westminster comeback

Sir Keir Starmer’s deputy is set to back Andy Burnham’s attempt to return to Westminster by standing in the Makerfield by-election.

Lucy Powell, who is known to be a close ally to the Greater Manchester Mayor, is expected to tell the Fire Brigades’ Union this morning that Mr Burnham, as well as Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting, should all be “key players in our team”.

“Andy wants to come back to Parliament – I’ve always supported his desire to do so, and I support that again,” she is expected to say.

“As Deputy Leader, I am confident he would have the support of the vast majority of the Party and movement in doing so.”

The last time the NEC convened to vote on whether Mr Burnham should stand, Ms Powell was the only member support his return to SW1.

‘Do we really want that to be our future?’ Cabinet minister fears for Labour’s fate if Keir Starmer thrown out of No10

A Cabinet minister has admitted he fears for Labour’s future if Sir Keir Starmer’s rivals are successful in ousting him from No10.

Following on from a disastrous set of election results last week, Communities Secretary Steve Reed said that a constant change of leadership will cause Labour to mimic the Conservatives’ torrid night at the polls back in 2024.

When grilled on whether Labour could be in for a national wipeout as the Tories experienced just two years ago, Mr Reed told Sky News: “You don’t have to imagine what would happen, because we just have to look back at what the Conservatives did.

“Over the eight years between 2016 and 2024 I think we had nine Education Secretaries, seven Chancellors of the Exchequer, and five Prime Ministers, and it led to their worst election result in 200 years.

“Last week we did badly, the Conservatives went further backward from that dreadful General Election result. Do we really want that to be our future? We’re in power. We were sent here by the British public to deliver change.”

INSIGHT: GB News’ Tom Harwood brings the latest inside scoop from Westminster

I’m hearing the NEC isn’t as sewn up for Andy Burnham as many are reporting. The vote is on a “knife edge” I’m told by sources close to the decision-making body.

“Everyone is wavering.”

No10 might be briefing it is comfortable with shortlisting Mr Burnham, but that’s not to say the nine member officer committee agrees.

“I don’t think any of us are taking notice of what [No10] are saying”, I’m told.

NEC officers now expected to decide on Sunday or Monday.

Beaming Starmer loyalist skips up to No10 on first day in new top job

James Murray, one of Sir Keir Starmer’s most loyal allies, was spotted skipping up to No10 on his first day of his new top job.

The new Health Secretary was beaming as he greeted journalists along Downing Street.

BEV TURNER: Bridget Phillipson has the guts to face GB News… Now she must stand up to Keir Starmer

There comes a point in any career when you have to decide whether you are there to please the system or to shape it.

Within too many people who come into public life from state-school backgrounds, there is an ingrained instinct to be accommodating, helpful and agreeable.

For women, this is even worse – we have been raised to be careful, not to disrupt, and never to challenge. This means authority becomes internalised, respect becomes deference, and deference holds us back.

This is why I recognise and despair at Bridget Phillipson’s blind loyalty to Keir Starmer whilst all the blokes position themselves for attack.

READ BEV’S ANALYSIS HERE.

RECAP: Whose path has been cleared to launch a leadership coup against the PM?

Fresh off a whirlwind day in Westminster, Sir Keir Starmer has survived another dramatic day in Downing Street.

However, the Prime Minister is far from escaping the looming threat of a leadership contest, with rivals digging their heels in on Thursday.

The day began with Angela Rayner revealing that HMRC had absolved her from issues surrounding her tax affairs after she coughed up £40,000 in tax.

Some six hours later, Wes Streeting quit as Health Secretary and delivered a scathing resignation letter to his boss in the process.

And, just a few hours later, a path for Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to return to Parliament has been cleared with Labour MP Josh Simons giving up his Makerfield seat for the ‘King of the North’.

Zack Polanski admits NOT voting in local elections… despite telling candidate: ‘You have my vote’

Zack Polanski did not vote in the local elections, the Green Party has admitted – despite the leader telling his own candidate she had his vote.

The Greens said Mr Polanski “fell short of time” to update his address on the electoral register.

It added that the party chief had faced “heightened intrusion and safety risk” and had been the “target of antisemitic and homophobic abuse” which resulted in him not voting in person.

A spokesman for the party said two arrests had been made in relation to “abuse directed towards him”.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Pound plummets to one-month low amid panic after Andy Burnham confirms he’ll stand for Parliament

The pound fell to a one-month low last night after Andy Burnham confirmed he would stand for Parliament in his bid to oust Sir Keir Starmer.

The Mayor of Greater Manchester issued a statement shortly after 5.30pm yesterday vowing to stand in the looming Makerfield by-election.

That came around 15 minutes after Josh Simons said he would clear the way for Mr Burnham to have a shot at power.

Within minutes, the pound had sunk to $1.34, its lowest level since April 13.

READ THE FULL WRITE-UP HERE.