There has never been a Prime Minister of England. The office did not exist in 1707. Andy Burnham could be the first. Let's do it. Let's split up the UK and leave him to it.

So this is how Burnham plans to keep Scotland (and Wales and NI) in their box! 😡 www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Devolution plans strengthen case for written UK constitution, says Burnham

PM argues for codified model of decentralisation that would fundamentally change centuries-old workings of state

theguardian.com

Andy Burnham seems to support the idea of a written constitution for the UK. Great idea. But first there should perhaps be a quick check on what countries still want to be in the UK. This is not as obvious as it once was.

I thought Trump would implode first and then Farage but it looks like being the other way round. Great news for Count Binface.

Sadly, I can't see Andy Burnham making rejoining the EU a priority. For Scotland the best hope of being in a union big enough for the times is via independence. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre... Will Trump be Burnham’s undoing, or the making of him? The answer lies in Europe | Jonathan Freedland

Will Trump be Burnham’s undoing, or the making of him? The answer lies in Europe | Jonathan Freedland

In an increasingly dangerous world, Europe is finding safety in numbers – but Britain is on the outside. The new PM’s task is to change that, says Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland

theguardian.com

I'm not sure that Scotland needs or wants more local government reorganisation. We've had that. What is needed is more money for the local authorities.

Good. The UK Supreme Court now has a chance to reclaim some of the reputation it threw away with that shocking decision in the FWS case. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026... Supreme court says Palestine Action co-founder can challenge ban on group

Supreme court says Palestine Action co-founder can challenge ban on group

UK’s highest court gives permission for Huda Ammori to challenge court of appeal ruling

theguardian.com

Calgacus in 83 AD (according to Tacitus) "They make a desert and call it peace". Netanyahu in 2026 AD (according to press reports) "our goal is to safeguard our security and also to expand the circle of peace around us."

The new EHRC guidance says in 13.133 that providing ONLY a mixed-sex service "could be direct or indirect sex discrimination against women who use the service ...". "Could be" is most unhelpful. The guidance should explain how it need not be and give examples of when it would not be.

Badenoch says she will work with AB to reform social care as long as it doesn’t involve raising more money to pay for it - very helpful! www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Kemi Badenoch tells PM not to raise taxes to fund social care

In a letter to the PM, the Conservative leader offers to work with him on adult social care reform.

bbc.co.uk

Alcohol is one of the most harmful substances legally sold in the UK. What targeted help with English business rates does people pleaser Andy Burnham want to hand out? Help for the sellers of alcohol. It's not just cafe owners who should be objecting. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

‘It’s not fair’: cafe owners frustrated over exclusion from business rates cut

Business owners in England say prioritising venues selling alcohol leaves vital community spaces behind

theguardian.com

Andy Burnham's line that another referendum on Scottish independence is "off limits" is arrogant and disappointing. There could at least have been some move towards agreeing an exit mechanism. A plain "No" does not suggest a very constructive relationship. www.thenational.scot/news/2640531...

Andy Burnham 'won't overrule devolution' – but says referendum 'off limits'

PRIME Minister Andy Burnham has apparently committed not to overrule the Scottish Parliament in his bid for further devolution across the UK.

thenational.scot

Why is it so hard for British PMs to accept?

John Swinney@johnswinney.bsky.social · 2w ago

Good to welcome Prime Minister Andy Burnham to Glasgow today. We will work constructively to improve the lives of people in Scotland, but that relationship must also be built on respect for Scotland’s right to choose its own future.

When Andy Burnham talked about "good growth" I felt encouraged. I didn't think he meant a growth in alcohol consumption.

Anas Sarwar might as well be breaking wind. This breaking of silence tells us nothing except that his experience of world trade is limited to working as an NHS dentist - a most worthy occupation but ... www.thenational.scot/news/2640213...

Anas Sarwar breaks silence on 'shameful' appointment as government role confirmed

ANAS Sarwar has spoken out after his appointment to the House of Lords and as a trade minister was confirmed by Downing Street.

thenational.scot

Anas Sarwar might as well have been breaking wind. Nothing in his statement explains or justifies this most strange of appointments. It does confirm that his experience of world trade is limited to working as an NHS dentist - a most worthy job but ... www.thenational.scot/news/2640213...

Anas Sarwar breaks silence on 'shameful' appointment as government role confirmed

ANAS Sarwar has spoken out after his appointment to the House of Lords and as a trade minister was confirmed by Downing Street.

thenational.scot

There are questions for Andy Burnham too about the strange elevation and appointment of Anas Sarwar - the main one being "Why on earth?". www.thenational.scot/news/2640072...

Anas Sarwar faces questions over Lords 'reward' for Keir Starmer betrayal

ANAS Sarwar is under pressure to reveal whether his elevation to the House of Lords is a reward for betraying Keir Starmer, amid calls for his…

thenational.scot

Getting to grips with Burnham's Cabinet. Alexander kept at the Scotland Office? The guy who presided over their disastrous campaign in May? If anything, it suggests he and his team have no idea what to do with Scotland (or don't care).

I hear people saying "Give Andy Burnham a chance". Well, as far as Scotland is concerned, he's blown it already. Outright refusal of a referendum. Retention of Douglas Alexander. Ill-advised promotion of Anas Sarwar. Policy announcements which are largely for England only.

A sordid tale of political self-advancement. Anas Sarwar has now resigned as leader of so-called Scottish Labour and is reported to be heading to the House of Lords and a post in the Burnham government.

Saul Staniforth@saulstaniforth.bsky.social · 2w ago

Anas Sarwar in 2022: "The House of Lords must be abolished and replaced with an institution which better reflects the make up and the identity of the UK"

The man whose party has 17 out of 129 seats in the Scottish Parliament, ie less than 14%. Democracy, Westminster style.

The Times and Sunday Times@thetimes.com · 2w ago

Andy Burnham rejects calls for a Scottish independence referendum

So Andy Burnham is all for transfer of power away from London but only up to a point - and that point seems to be somewhere in the north of England. www.thenational.scot/news/2629705...

Andy Burnham rules out 'further referendums' in first call with devolved leaders

PRIME Minister Andy Burnham has ruled out “further referendums” in calls with devolved leaders, Downing Street has said.

thenational.scot

Douglas Alexander still Scotland Secretary. Shabana Mahmood still Home Secretary. Bridget Phillipson still Minister for Women and Equalities. And we were promised change!

Changing the education system. Giving young people more mental health support. Building more council homes. Cutting income tax for lower earners and not ruling out higher rates on top earners. Help with bus fares. No harm in trying to catch up with Scotland but these are all devolved issues.

Here we go again. More litigation from a gender critical point of view. Maybe this time we'll get some clarity about the difference between disagreements on policy or conduct and unlawful harassment or discrimination for holding a philosophical belief. www.thenational.scot/news/2629274...

Scottish human rights watchdog sued by own executive in gender-critical dispute

THE Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC) is being sued by one of its executives for discriminating against her gender-critical beliefs.

thenational.scot

I've written about the Outer House's decision in For Women Scotland v Scottish Ministers [2026] CSOH 59, a case about the placement of trans people in Scottish prisons, for the @ukcla.bsky.social. ukconstitutionallaw.org/2026/07/16/c...

Crash Krylova – Trans people in prison: For Women Scotland v Scottish Ministers [2026] CSOH 59

Introduction On 19 June 2026, the Outer House of the Court of Session handed down judgment in the case of For Women Scotland v Scottish Ministers [2026] CSOH 59 (“For Women Scotland 3”). This piece…

ukconstitutionallaw.org

Cartoonist: Bill Bramhall

And so it continues. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j... Israeli ministers announce plans for new illegal settlements in Gaza and West Bank

Israeli ministers announce plans for new illegal settlements in Gaza and West Bank

Defence minister seeks three ‘Naha’ outposts in Gaza as top commander says Israel now controls 65% of the strip, violating Trump ceasefire deal

theguardian.com

The reality is that it's going the other way. More and more gender neutral toilets are appearing all over the place and it is a delight to see.

Ashleeee 🌊🪭@reactiveashley.cat · 3w ago

This is bloody irresponsible misinformation.

It is true that the absence of an English Parliament is a bizarre anomaly but restructuring the UK as a slightly more balanced federal state hardly seems worth the effort when the better and more obvious solution is independent states within the EU. www.thenational.scot/politics/262...

An English parliament is what Andy Burnham should be looking at

In all the column inches devoted to the renewed debate about devolution in England, isn’t it remarkable that there has been almost no discussion…

thenational.scot