Tactical voting in Manchester proves yet again that progressives are ruthlessly disciplined at the ballot box. And yet forcing people into temporary alliances under FPTP isn't true democracy. We don't just need workarounds; we need structural reform starting with Proportional Representation...

The Manchester mayoral result holds the key for the future of progressive politics | Neal Lawson

Voters on the left may be fragmented – but they will pull together behind a convincing cross-party message, says Neal Lawson, director of cross-party campaign organisation Compass

theguardian.com

This is an egregious breach of trust. The Home Office cannot rewrite decisions years later and threaten people’s jobs, homes and families. This policy must be reversed.

EU citizens in UK get letters telling them post-Brexit residency rights were given ‘in error’

After years of building lives in UK, potentially hundreds of thousands of EU citizens are being told they have no right to remain

theguardian.com

The 'invasion' in Dover? As this article suggests, it's cameras and political stunts, not a town overwhelmed by migrants.

On the ground in the English seaside town rightwing influencers say is being ‘invaded’

Some in Dover say their town is being exploited by content creators and politicians, but others claim there is a genuine problem

theguardian.com

This week proved that the wheels are now finally falling off the Reform bus. Here’s why Farage could be about to fall off with them www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/is-this-th...

Is This the End for Nigel Farage?

This week proved that the wheels are now finally falling off the Reform bus. Could Farage be about to fall off with them?

adambienkov.co.uk

DAILY MIRROR: Bev Craig’s victory proves Andy Burnham’s Makerfield gamble paid off: 11 weeks after pundits ruled out a Labour win and predicted Reform’s first metro-mayor victory, Labour held the seat. - by Ros Wynne Jones

'Bev Craig's victory shows Andy Burnham's Makerfield gamble paid out in full'

Just 11 weeks ago – pundits were claiming Andy Burnham couldn’t possibly win Makerfield, and that leaving his job in Greater Manchester would lead to Reform claiming its first ever Metro Mayor

mirror.co.uk

Yet more questions emerge about Reform's finances

What many of us don’t understand is why the Police have to expend resources trying to trace rather than insist those involved provide a clear evidence chain. Aren’t these people who meddle in our politics subject to our jurisdiction?

Fiona Cottrell transferred £1m to Richard Tice's company, Britain Means Business, which then donated £500K to Reform UK. Cottrell also made two separate £250,000 donations directly to the party. The Met Police is investigating these donations.

Police investigate payments to Reform UK first revealed by The Guardian

Scotland Yard is looking at two £250,000 donations to the party by Britain Means Business before the 2024 election

theguardian.com

People feel disconnected from democratic process not only because gov'ts sometimes fail to deliver, but because they do not feel seen or represented, understand how decisions are made, or see how political choices shape their lives. For our democracy to recover, we must make that change happen.

This is extremely serious. A former Southern Water CEO has been charged with conspiracy to defraud the Environment Agency. Reportedly, this is the first time criminal proceedings have been brought against a former UK water company chief executive.

Ex-Southern Water boss charged over alleged plan to manipulate water tests

Matthew Wright is accused alongside three others of trying to save the firm millions in penalties.

bbc.co.uk

Findings from focus groups before the Makerfield by-election pointed at several things voters wanted to see Andy Burnham do when he was elected. It's refreshing to see he has already delivered on one of these.

Andy Burnham wins Makerfield with a 20% lead over Reform UK. But this result wasn't just about Burnham. It was shored up by thousands of Green and Lib Dem voters who crossed party lines to keep the far-right out, delivering the Labour candidate an outright majority.🧵

Our poll shows 73% of Makerfield voters have heard about Kenyon's vile comments on women and @carolvorders.bsky.social, thanks in part to the efforts of our activists supporting @hopenothate.org.uk's ground campaign. The verdict? 45% less likely to vote for him. Net effect on his campaign: -8% 📉

Progressives are backing Burnham to beat Reform. Our new poll shows 58% of Green voters and 70% of Lib Dem voters in Makerfield will vote for the Labour candidate to keep the far-right out. This tracks with our tactical voting advice on StopReformUK.vote 🔗 www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

🚨 It’s too close to call in Makerfield! Help us to mobilise the progressive vote in these final few days. Result from @opiniumresearch.bsky.social's survey of local voters: 🌹 Burnham (Labour): 46% ➡️ Kenyon (Reform UK): 41% The rest: trailing well behind. 5pt gap. Margin of error: ~5pts. It's tight.

Two weeks till the Makerfield by-election! Like Gorton & Denton, this is a key opportunity for tactical voting. It worked to stop Reform before, and it can again. The evidence shows Andy Burnham is best placed to beat them, so we’re urging voters to back Labour on 18 June. Let's stop Reform.

observer.co.uk/news/politic...

Andy Burnham: ‘I am committed to proportional representat...

Greater Manchester mayor and potential Labour leadership challenger vows overhaul of electoral system to transform British democracy if he gets into No 10

observer.co.uk

📺 @andyburnham.bsky.social is one of the strongest advocates of Proportional Representation for general elections in British politics 🗳️ Let's send Andy to Westminster 🌹 #Labour4PR #Makerfield

The tactical vote to stop Reform in Makerfield on 18th June is: 🔴 Labour - Andy Burnham

💥 70 MPs have backed the amendment to fix our broken voting system. This is huge - but we need many more to have a real impact and get a step closer to winning Proportional Representation. Check if your MP has signed, and if not, email them using our tool 👇

Ask your MP to back the amendment to fix our broken voting system.

Last month’s elections have shown just how broken our voting system is. 70 MPs have just supported an amendment demanding a total review of this system, and a change to proportional representation. B...

actionnetwork.org

Get your tickets to Change:NOW! here: actionnetwork.org/ticketed_eve...

CHANGE: NOW! Mobilising the Progressive Majority

We need an organised, strategised, and substantial progressive agenda across parties - and the cooperation to make it happen. That’s why Compass and Progressive Economic Forum are hosting a day of d...

actionnetwork.org

💥 BREAKING: More than 60 MPs have signed up to an amendment to the Representation of the People Bill, calling for a National Commission on Electoral Reform. "First Past the Post is one of the biggest examples of a broken status quo in UK politics," says @alexsobel.co.uk. 💯💯

More than 60 Labour MPs call for review of UK voting system

The MPs say the current first-past-the-post system for general elections is

bbc.com

A progressive majority can be invisible. If we stay divided, an extremist minority wins on a fraction of the vote. We’re joining @compassoffice.bsky.social to demand strategic cooperation. Let’s act like a majority. Sign the letter: forwarddemocracy.com/neighbourhood

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 the dire threat of a Reform UK government elected on a minority of the vote

Greens suggest they will properly contest byelection in blow to Burnham

Statement follows speculation party would not field candidate in Makerfield or barely fight seat

theguardian.com

See vote share vs seat share, council by council! called-it.uk/may2026/resu...

Super Thursday 2026 — council-by-council

Vote share vs seat share for every contested council on May 7 2026.

called-it.uk

Over half a million people visited StopReformUK.vote in the run up to the 7th May elections – proof that people are seeking advice on how to vote tactically, putting the greater good ahead of their own party loyalties. Thank you to everyone who voted tactically to stop Reform! (or the Tories)

Do not miss your chance to vote! We might not have all tactical voting advice ready before the polls close so please don't risk your chance to vote by waiting for us. The most important thing is that you vote.

We've got LOADS more advice up this morning, please check before you vote! StopReformUK.vote

Make a plan to vote tomorrow! ✅ Check where your polling station is. ✅ Make sure you have ID. ✅ Look at the tactical voting advice before you go. StopReformuk.vote

Vote to Stop Reform@stopreform.bsky.social · 3mo ago

How to vote to stop Reform: stopreformuk.vote

We're still rolling out the recommendations throughout the day, working as fast as we can to get the tactical voting advice needed to stop Reform into the right hands! stopreformuk.vote

Stop Reform and the Tories

Stop Reform and the Tories in the UK Parliament, Local Elections, the Senedd, and the Scottish Parliament.

stopreformuk.vote