A Ministry of Justice spokesperson says the department's “thoughts are firmly with the victims of Jeffrey Epstein” and they'll “look at all options to support victims.” While Burnham is “committed to meeting with victims ... a public inquiry is not being actively considered.”
Noah Keate
@noahkeate.bsky.social
Writer. Journalist. Sunday Crunch Author for @politico.eu. Loves cats, Edinburgh, 'The Archers', trains and Earl Grey Tea. Email: nkeate@politico.co.uk
Andy Burnham loves Manchester. The whole world knows it. The prime minister has shoehorned the city into his policy announcements, social media and calls with leaders. But is the rest of the U.K. (and globe) as keen about his love for the city? My analysis/article below 👇
Nigel Farage wants immigration to define this summer's debate. Like last August, the Reform UK leader is proposing a hardline migration policy. Can it usurp Labour's 'Burnham bounce'? Farage also has plenty of other questions to answer about his party's finances. My @politico.eu thoughts below 👇
Andy Burnham entered Downing Street exactly two weeks ago — it’s been quite the whirlwind. The prime minister has made a plethora of spending promises, which have seen a “Burnham bounce” in the opinion polls. But just who is picking up the bill? My analysis/story below 👇
NEW: How Andy Burnham’s ideology is shaped by his Co-operative Party membership. The prime minister’s policy announcements are firmly aligned with co-operative values — and the party is optimistic that will continue. My piece examining this definition of Burnhamism below 👇
Voting is underway in the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election to pick Andy Burnham's successor. The role holds significant responsibilities including transport, policing and housing. Need a recap? Isabel Loubser and yours truly have covered the key contours of the race 👇
EXC: Angela Rayner’s memoir won’t be published this year. Three months after quitting government, a book about her life was announced for a 2026 release. As Rayner’s housing secretary again, that’s on hold — with no decision made over returning the £61,500 advance. My analysis below 👇
EXC: Angela Rayner’s memoir won’t be published this year. Three months after quitting government, a book about her life was announced for a 2026 release. As Rayner’s housing secretary again, that’s on hold — with no decision made over returning the £61,500 advance. My analysis below 👇
Labour MP Chris Curtis is considering standing for Housing, Communities & Local Government Committee Chair after incumbent Florence Eshalomi joined that department as a minister. MPs select (!) her replacement after recess. My reporting in @politico.eu's London Playbook PM below 👇
Andy Burnham overwhelmingly won over Labour MPs. Now the prime minister wants to convince Reform UK voters his party deserves to remain in office. To achieve this, he’s made comments that sound similar to some of Nigel Farage’s rhetoric. My analysis (+ piece) below.
Fears he will be refreshing phone for minister/parliamentary undersecretary of state appointments until the end of time.
If the purported No10 Bluesky account isn’t genuine, it does rather underline one of the problems of govt not having an established presence here- namely that it creates a vacuum for others to try and fill to impersonate them!
As a comparison, Boris Johnson sacked 11 Cabinet ministers in July 2019 when he took over from Theresa May — another six opted to resign rather than serve in his administration.
Andy Burnham’s pledge to end rough sleeping is bold — but can he achieve it? While funding has already been allocated, he made the same promise as Greater Manchester mayor — and the figures show a mixed record. We now await his Cabinet picks … my analysis (+ live blog) below 👇
Note that David Cameron stood behind two microphones, rather than a lectern, when he became Prime Minister in May 2010 after five days of coalition negotiations: www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOG6...
David Cameron is the UK's new prime minister - BBC News
YouTube video by BBC
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Brief half hour where the UK has no prime minister ... more on that, and the day's events so far, in our @politico.eu live blog. 👇
Stop me if you've heard this one before — it's another huge day in British politics. While the party in government remains the same, the political and policy transfer of power from Keir Starmer to Andy Burnham will be huge. Our @politico.eu live blog has you covered 👇
Andy Burnham isn’t prime minister just yet — but his voice is getting heard loud and clear. The Labour leader will scrap Keir Starmer’s digital ID plans to prioritise local investment instead of centralised Whitehall schemes. My thoughts (+ Sunday Crunch writeup) below👇
Kemi Badenoch adopted a conciliatory tone towards Keir Starmer at his last #PMQs, praising the outgoing leader for supporting Ukraine and valuing his family. It was a far cry from the usual combative back and forth between the staunch political rivals. My analysis is below 👇
Keir Starmer faces his final PMQs as prime minister this lunchtime. Nominally, he’s still in charge — but his political authority has gone. How do you answer questions as the ultimate lame duck? The denouements of his predecessors offer some inspiration. My piece below. 👇
Police don’t believe Reform UK spokesperson Ann Widdecombe’s killing was politically motivated after arresting a 28-year-old man Saturday. The former Tory minister’s death has sparked questions about security threats facing politicians. My analysis (+ Sunday Crunch) below 👇
NEW from Isabel Loubser and yours truly: Labour MPs give Andy Burnham advice about keeping Labour MPs on side. Burnham is master of all he surveys with more than 300 nominations … but managing 400 colleagues is easier said than done. Our @politico.eu piece below 👇
There’s a new face in Westminster — and Labour MPs want to get in his good books. A plethora of politicians are trying to land a spot in Andy Burnham’s government. Full @politico.eu article ranking which Labour figures most want a ministerial car and red box here: www.politico.eu/article/pitc...
The most shameless pitches for a job in Andy Burnham’s team — ranked
Former Starmer loyalists are becoming born-again Burnhamites as the incoming prime minister weighs up his top team.
politico.eu
Rachel Reeves let Nigel Farage resign despite Ed Davey wanting the Clacton by-election delayed. But two Lib Dem MPs tell me concerns were raised at a parliamentary party meeting that blocking a contest would set a worrying precedent which made it harder to back a future contest.
Well, it's been quite the afternoon in British politics. Intrigued about what's going on? POLITICO's inaugural London Playbook Live summit kicks off soon with Kemi Badenoch, Lucy Powell, Danny Kruger and Darren Jones speaking. Do follow along using the live blog here 👇
The Sunday Times investigation into financial support Nigel Farage received from friend — and criminal — George Cottrell has raised many questions for the Reform UK leader. Reform UK say the personal donations don’t need to be declared. My analysis (+ Sunday Crunch) below 👇
Thameslink may fall short on plug sockets, but its air conditioning is sublime. Then again, all air conditioning is second to none compared to parliament’s offerings (or lack thereof).
Peerless London Playbook PM from the mighty @ecasalicchio.bsky.social full of fascinating fly on the wall colour on how we got here. Tonight's newsletter also includes a rather long timeline by yours truly documenting the outgoing Labour leader's busy premiership ... sneak preview here.
Nominations opening on July 9th also guarantees Starmer can attend the NATO summit on July 7-8th.
Opening nominations on July 9th guarantees the PM will have been in post for at least two years. New leader by start of September at the latest.