Andy Burnham has hailed his campaign as a “vote to change Labour” as he promised to shake up “tired” British politics in his bid to become Makerfield MP.
The mayor of Greater Manchester said: “Politics in this country, British politics, is tired. It needs a new script and over the next four weeks the people of Makerfield are going to write that script and it’s great that they’re going to get that chance.”
Mr Burnham officially launched his campaign as the Labour candidate on Friday morning, as he looks to secure a return to parliament after nine years.
Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to campaign for Mr Burnham, despite it being widely believed that he is looking to challenge Sir Keir for the Labour leadership if he becomes an MP.
“I’ve said to the whole Labour movement that I want everybody to be involved in the campaign, whatever other discussions are going on, it’s really important – that’s a straight fight between Labour and Reform,” Sir Keir said.
But current polling of Labour party members shows that Mr Burnham would win comfortably if there was a leadership contest between the pair.
Meanwhile, Sir Keir’s government is looking to seize back control of the headlines after a turbulent two weeks with Rachel Reeves announcing a series of measures to help ease cost of living pressures for Britons on Thursday.
Key Points
- Burnham set to officially launch Makerfield by-election campaign
- Starmer vows to campaign for Burnham in by-election
- Starmer bans Labour councillors from doing deals with Polanski’s Green Party
- Analysis: What’s included in Reeves’ cost of living plan, what isn’t – and who will really benefit?
- Chancellor announces VAT cut on family attractions
- Reeves confirms U-turn on fuel duty increase
Burnham: Time to implement EHRC guidance in 'compassionate' way
12:57 , Athena Stavrou
Andy Burnham has been asked about the government’s new guidance on single sex spaces, following last year’s Supreme Court ruling.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester said he thinks “the time has come” to implement the changes, but called on the government to “do it in a way that protects those spaces but does not marginalise already marginalised communities”.
“My mum and dad brought me up to live and let live. I think Britain needs to get back to a more ‘live and let live’ approach to life, not where we’re constantly arguing with each other, being judgmental about each other,” he said.
“Lets implement the guidance, but to do it in the fairest and most compassionate way possible.”
What policies did Andy Burnham set out in his speech?
12:33 , Athena Stavrou
While his call for change in the Labour Party will grab the headlines, Andy Burnham also set out some of his policy ideas in his by-election campaign speech.
He called for change to the education and housing systems, saying the country needed the biggest programme of council house building since the Second World War.
He said the price of an anytime return to London from Wigan North Western was £364.
He said: “We need to use rail renationalisation to reduce those train fares and make them affordable to people again.”
He also called for changes to the care system.
Burnham: A vote for me is a vote to change Labour
11:58 , Holly Evans
Lib Dems announce Makerfield by-election candidate
11:56 , Holly Evans
The Liberal Democrats have announced Stockport councillor Jake Austin as their candidate for the Makerfield by-election.
Mr Austin was born in the constituency and contested the Greater Manchester mayoral election against Andy Burnham in 2024, coming sixth.
He said: “I’m thrilled to have been selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Makerfield.
“Voters in Makerfield deserve so much more than the failing Labour Government or the divisive politics of Reform UK.
“We have a real opportunity to champion the issues that matter most to people: the cost of living, protecting our natural environment and supporting our local high streets and businesses.”
Burnham called on Liverpool mayor to join his campaign launch
11:53 , Holly Evans
Andy Burnham called Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram to join him as he spoke at his campaign launch.
He said they had focused on “problem solving rather than point scoring”.
He said: “I know my own party needs to change. We need to be better than we have been.
“A vote for me in this by-election is a vote to change Labour.”
He said the voters of Makerfield would get “the party back they used to know”.
Analysis: Burnham does little to hide his true ambitions in by-election launch
11:32 , Holly Evans
Analysis from our political editor David Maddox:
Andy Burnham opened his by-election launch by calling it a “change by-election”.
This is a man who is the regional mayor for the area and is representing the government party in this contest. And yet he is framing it as “change”.
While he says that “change” means forcing Westminster to look after “proud" communities like Makerfield are always “overlooked” and “face a Westminster system that puts them at the bottom of the list rather than the top of the list.”
But what does change really mean? He listed off change to the economy, housing care, the education system and politics.
He even promised to change Labour.
What he really means is change of prime minister.He did not mention Keir Starmer’s name but what Mr Burnham means change means him going to Westminster and him replacing Keir Starmer as Labour leader and prime minister.
Burnham announces 'I'm for us' slogan
11:17 , Holly Evans
Andy Burnham has unveiled the slogan for his campaign: “I’m for us.”
He told the crowd of supporters that a vote for him would be a vote to change Labour, and that called for more council housing, changes to the education system and changes to the economy.
The Greater Manchester mayor said: “I’m in the campaign, I’m fighting to win it with your support and with the great people of this country so we can build a party and a country that is for us.”
Burnham: A vote for me is a vote to change Labour
11:09 , Athena Stavrou
Andy Burnham has not shied away from positioning his by-election fight as a stepping stone for an overhaul of the Labour Party - potentially under his leadership.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester said he hasn’t “done the traditional by-election thing in front of you today”, by criticising his opponents.
“I know my own party needs to change,” he said. “We need to be better than we have been. We have not been good enough, and I want to leave people in no doubt today - a vote for me in this by-election campaign is a vote to change Labour.”
He went on to say a vote for him is a vote to give people the “Party back that they used to know”, which is “solidly on the side of working class people and working class communities”.
'What I have inside is a burning sense of injustice,' Burnham says
11:06 , Holly Evans
Andy Burnham set out his connections to the local community as he launched his campaign in Makerfield.
He said: “I love this place. But what I have inside is a burning sense of injustice that the proud communities of this place face a Westminster system that puts them at the bottom of the list when they should be at the top of the list.”
He said the by-election was a “clarion call for change”.
He called for change to the education and housing systems, saying the country needed the biggest programme of council house building since the Second World War.
He said the price of an anytime return to London from Wigan North Western was £364.
He said: “We need to use rail renationalisation to reduce those train fares and make them affordable to people again.”
He also called for changes to the care system.
Mayor pitches himself as a local man in Makerfield campaign launch
11:02 , Athena Stavrou
Andy Burnham has been keen to really pitch himself as a local man as he kicks of his Makerfield campaign launch.
At the top of his speech, the Mayor of Greater Manchester made sure to highlight his links to the area, as he reminisced getting his first coach to an Everton away game without his dad in 1984.
He went on: “I love it so much that I brought my own family up here. I live here. I have lived here for 25 years. My home is two miles over there.
“I could walk to this campaign centre from where I live. My three kids went to a school just down there in Ashton.”
Burnham criticises '40 years of policies' that have hurt Makerfield
10:58 , Holly Evans
The Greater Manchester mayor has taken aim at Westminster, accusing it of ignoring the north of England.
He told his supporters: “This by-election will force Westminster to focus on the places it usually looks past.”
Andy Burnham said his campaign would place “political parties on the hook” to do more for Makerfield.
He said: “We’ve had 40 years of policies that have hurt the high streets of this constituency, policies that took away the good jobs that were once in these communities and done nothing to replace them.”
Burnham criticises '40 years of policies' that have hurt Makerfield
10:57 , Holly Evans
The Greater Manchester mayor has taken aim at Westminster, accusing it of ignoring the north of England.
He told his supporters: “This by-election will force Westminster to focus on the places it usually looks past.”
Andy Burnham said his campaign would place “political parties on the hook” to do more for Makerfield.
He said: “We’ve had 40 years of policies that have hurt the high streets of this constituency, policies that took away the good jobs that were once in these communities and done nothing to replace them.”
'Hope is in the air’: Andy Burnham kicks of by-election bid
10:54 , Holly Evans
Andy Burnham has kicked off his by-election campaign in Makerfield by declaring it is a “change by-election”.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester said “hope is in the air” as he began his speech in front of a crowd of cheering Labour activists.
“This is not business as usual. This is not more of the same. This is a change by election politics in this country. British politics is tired. It needs a new script, and over the next four weeks, the people of Makerfield are going to write that script, and it's great that they're going to get that chance,” he said.
“This by-election will force Westminster to focus on the places it usually looks past.”
Large round of applause for Burnham
10:53 , Holly Evans
Andy Burnham has arrived in Makerfield to give a speech to mark the beginning of his campaign to return to Westminster.
Large round of applause for Burnham
10:50 , Holly Evans
Andy Burnham has arrived in Makerfield to give a speech to mark the beginning of his campaign to return to Westminster.
Watch live: Andy Burnham launches Makerfield by-election campaign
10:39 , Holly Evans
Labour supporters gather for Andy Burnham campaign launch
10:33 , Holly Evans
Among those in attendance at Andy Burnham’s campaign launch for the Makerfield by-election are Labour MPs Jonathan Reynolds, Kim Johnson, Barry Gardiner, Ian Byrne, Chris Webb and Rebecca Long-Bailey.
Also showing their support are Liverpool metro mayor Steve Rotheram and interim leader of Welsh Labour Ken Skates.
Yvette Cooper takes part in NATO summit with US Marco Rubio
10:30 , Holly Evans
UK foreign secretary Yvette Cooper has been pictured with her counterparts at a NATO summit in Sweden, in what is expected to be a tense meeting with US secretary of state Marco Rubio.
Donald Trump has been scathing over Britain’s reluctance to be drawn into the Iran conflict, accusing Sir Keir Starmer of being weak and deriding the Royal Navy.
It sparked reports the US could review its position on Britain’s claim to the Falkland Islands as punishment.
Starmer bans Labour councillors from doing deals with Polanski’s Green Party
10:11 , Holly Evans
The Labour Party leadership has caused uproar by banning its councillors from doing local deals with the Green Party.
The policy was revealed in a critical post on X by Gwen Grahl, the Labour deputy group leader on Brent Council, where the party has a minority administration, claiming that the ban had forced them to work with the Tories instead.
The row comes amid concerns over the views of some Green Party members after its candidate for the Makerfield by-election, Chris Kennedy, was withdrawn over social media posts suggesting that an attack on Jewish ambulances in north London a “false flag”.
Read the full article here:
Starmer bans Labour councillors from doing deals with Polanski’s Green Party
Economists warn gilts remain under increasing pressure
10:03 , Holly Evans
Experts said higher-than-planned welfare spending had also pushed up government borrowing for April.
They also warned that debt interest costs will keep rising over the months ahead as inflation is sent soaring by the Iran war and UK government bonds – also known as gilts – remain under pressure amid economic and political uncertainty.
Rob Wood, chief UK economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, said: “We estimate that debt interest costs in 2026/27 will be about £15 billion higher than assumed in the budget if gilt yields hold at current levels for the rest of the year.
“Headroom against the fiscal rules would be cut by closer to £10 billion if half the rise in yields since the budget is sustained until 2029-20.
“As best we can tell, political risk has added 20 to 40 basis points to gilt yields and we suspect will keep borrowing costs more elevated than they otherwise would be this year.”
Matt Swannell, chief economic adviser to the Item Club, said: “Having increased fiscal headroom at last year’s Budget, it seems probable that the Government has left enough margin for error to absorb the effects of the conflict in the Middle East.
“But the UK’s current political situation means that continued fiscal slippage remains a risk, either via Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s attempts to regain popularity or from a successor implementing more costly economic policies.”
Blow to Chancellor amid Iran war woes as borrowing surges
08:45 , Holly Evans
Friday’s borrowing figures will come as a blow to Rachel Reeves, as the Chancellor is facing the twin threat of soaring inflation and slowing economic growth caused by the Iran war.
She is also looking to support households and businesses through the cost crunch at a time when public finances are already under strain.
The ONS said borrowing for the financial year to March was revised down by £3 billion to £129 billion – down 15 per cent or £22.8 billion on the previous year – due to “regular updates to our central government data”.
Public sector net debt stood at £2.94 trillion, or 94.2 per cent of gross domestic product, in April, which was 0.5 percentage points more than a year ago and remains at levels last seen in the early 1960s.
Grant Fitzner, ONS chief economist, said: “Borrowing this month was substantially higher than in April last year and although receipts increased compared with April 2025, this was more than offset by higher spending on benefits and other costs.
“Borrowing for the latest full financial year was revised down slightly, and on a comparable basis remains the lowest since the year ending March 2020.”
Is Rachel Reeves’s ultra-mini Budget an attempt to save her job?
08:29 , Holly Evans
The flurry of announcements from Rachel Reeves looks like a very small Budget, in which a few hundred million pounds have been raised by an obscure tax on oil companies and spent on a series of small measures designed to look as if they are helping with the cost of living.
It is almost as if the chancellor is worried that her job is at risk in the reshuffle that might follow if Andy Burnham wins the Makerfield by-election. Hence the giveaways: the freeze on fuel duty extended; cheaper imported food; and the “Great British Summer Savings – funded by the UK government”.
This is a Treasury-branded campaign that looks like “Eat Out to Help Out”, offering a VAT cut on children’s meals in restaurants, children’s tickets for theatres and cinemas, and tickets for everyone to attractions like soft play, adventure centres, and theme parks. Plus free buses for children in August across England.
Read the full analysis from John Rentoul here:
Is Rachel Reeves’s ultra-mini Budget an attempt to save her job?
Business secretary says Ofcom regulator has 'not been good enough'
08:14 , Holly Evans
Business Secretary Peter Kyle has said he agrees with MPs warning Ofcom is “not up to the job”.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Mr Kyle said “the service has not been good enough” and the regulator needs to “up its game”.
Asked whether he agreed with MPs that Ofcom is “not up to the job”, he said: “Yes, Ofcom need to do better.
“I don’t want to give the impression that I’m sort of prevaricating on this. I’ve thrown myself into this.
“All of the parties responsible need to do better. We’ve seen the two main protagonists in this, the Royal Mail owner and the workforce coming together to solve what were intractable problems before, and have now come to a deal which will hopefully go through.
“The regulator, too, needs to do better. Everyone has got to improve in order for the postal service to survive in really difficult circumstances. Competition and disruption in the delivery service has been profound, and I want to look into that market going forward to see that there is a real role for Royal Mail, and that’s a commitment I’ve made to the workforce as well, and to the owner.”
Peter Kyle says a lot of events in Labour Party were 'shocking' after Wes Streeting quits
07:59 , Holly Evans
The business secretary has said that "a lot of circumstances" over the last few weeks in the Labour Party were "shocking" after Wes Streeting quit as health secretary and called for Sir Keir Starmer to resign.
Peter Kyle had previously insisted that Mr Streeting had no plans to challenge Sir Keir Starmer.
Asked whether his decision to quit took him by surprise, the business secretary told Sky News: "A lot of circumstances in that moment were shocking, because we were in a convulsive period of our politics.
"The Labour Party was convulsed by what happened in those elections. It was a stark message."
He added: "But look how we're responding? This week alone, we've hit the highest growth rate in the G7. The small boats arriving into our country have fallen by a third in a year. Overall net migration into Britain fallen two thirds since its peak."
Minister suggests government will provide targeted support with energy bills
07:51 , Millie Cooke
Peter Kyle suggested the government will provide targeted support with energy bills in the autumn, but refused to guarantee to provide support.
Asked whether the government can commit to providing energy bill support amid spiralling oil prices as a result of the war in the Middle East, the business secretary told Sky News: "The chancellor has already said that we're looking very closely at the energy costs as they emerge into the autumn... What we're not going to do is make the mistakes of Liz Truss, because she spent 100 billion pounds and we haven't even paid off her package yet in terms of the debt she racked up.
"But we will be looking, and we are looking incredibly closely about where those challenges will emerge, how we can do so in a targeted and cost-effective way, but also in a way that is not adding to the inflationary problems, which of course lasted for a long time after the Liz Truss intervention."
Minister insists EHRC's trans guidance will be 'easy to adapt to' for businesses
07:47 , Holly Evans
A government minister has insisted that the EHRC's guidance on the Supreme Court ruling on biological sex will be "quite easy to adapt to", arguing that "most businesses will find it quite straightforward".
It comes despite trans campaign groups arguing the law has been left a "mess" by the guidance.
"The guidance, I think, is quite sensitive. It's very common sense, and it won't affect the vast majority of businesses, because they will already conform.
"There will already be facilities which are conforming. In those areas where they're not, I think the majority of changes will be quite light touch, such as signage.
"So, I think it's going to be quite easy to adapt to, and I think the guidance is quite long guidance, but I think most businesses will find it quite straightforward."
Treasury secretary says UK faces consequences of war 'we played no part in'
07:28 , Holly Evans
In response to the UK’s borrowing figures, chief secretary to the Treasury, Lucy Rigby, said: “Earlier this week the International Monetary Fund agreed we had the right economic plan to reduce the deficit.
“We are cutting borrowing and debt – with our actions reducing government borrowing by over £20 billion last year – while driving growth through £120 billion of additional capital investment over the Parliament.
“Working families have benefited from falls in inflation and cuts to interest rates – and our non-negotiable fiscal rules will be all the more important to continue to protect them as we face the consequences of the war that we have played no part in.”
UK borrowing jumps to £24.3bn to second highest April on record
07:15 , Holly Evans
UK Government borrowing jumped to a higher-than-expected £24.3 billion last month, marking the second highest April level on record, according to official figures.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said borrowing was a quarter higher, or £4.9 billion, than a year earlier.
It was also £3.4 billion more than the £20.9 billion forecast by the UK’s independent fiscal forecaster, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).
The latest figures showed interest costs on government debt hit £10.3 billion – a record April high and £900 million more than a year ago.
Five arrested on suspicion of fraud offences following local elections
07:00 , Bryony Gooch
Five arrested on suspicion of fraud offences following local elections
Watch: Streeting reveals he told Starmer he would 'challenge him' in first interview post-resignation
06:00 , Bryony Gooch
Analysis: Those really set to benefit from Reeves’ great summer giveaway
05:00 , Bryony Gooch
What’s included in Reeves’ cost of living plan – and who will really benefit?
In pictures: Burnham gets campaigning around Makerfield
04:00 , Bryony Gooch
Reeves cuts VAT on summer family trips but is urged to be bolder to tackle living crisis
03:00 , Bryony Gooch
VAT slashed to 5% on summer attractions in Chancellor’s cost of living plan
Pay rises for senior civil servants to be linked to performance, Darren Jones says
02:00 , Bryony Gooch
Chief secretary to the prime minister Darren Jones has announced changes to “modernise” the civil service including pay rises linked to performance for senior servants.
“Earlier this year, I set out plans to modernise the civil service - rewarding high performers, and strengthening accountability for those who fall short. Now, for the first time ever (!), pay rises for senior civil servants will be linked to performance - including the delivery of our political priorities.”
Earlier this year, I set out plans to modernise the civil service - rewarding high performers, and strengthening accountability for those who fall short.
— Darren Jones MP (@darrenpjones) May 21, 2026
Now, for the first time ever (!), pay rises for senior civil servants will be linked to performance - including the delivery… https://t.co/e82bUE4X6Q
Watch: Jess Phillips says Starmer has resilience of a cockroach in a nuclear war in first interview since resignation
01:00 , Bryony Gooch
Recap: Reeves backs Starmer to stay in post
Friday 22 May 2026 00:00 , Bryony Gooch
Chancellor Rachel Reeves backed Sir Keir Starmer to stay in post and said she expected to be delivering the next budget, in a series of broadcast interviews.
She told Sky News: “The Prime Minister is getting on with his job in being Prime Minister, and there is no vacancy. Let’s see what happens in the future.
“But Keir Starmer is the Prime Minister. He has chosen me to be his Chancellor, and I’m getting on with my job, delivering for the country and delivering for our Prime Minister.”
Burnham set to officially launch Makerfield by-election campaign
Thursday 21 May 2026 23:08 , Alex Croft
Andy Burnham is set to officially launch his campaign as the Labour candidate in the Makerfield by-election on Friday morning.
The mayor of Greater Manchester is looking to secure a return to parliament after nine years - after which it is widely expected he will launch a bid to replace Sir Keir Starmer as Labour leader and prime minister.
As we reported earlier, Sir Keir said he will campaign alongside Mr Burnham.
“I’ve said to the whole Labour movement that I want everybody to be involved in the campaign, whatever other discussions are going on, it’s really important – that’s a straight fight between Labour and Reform,” Sir Keir said.
Health experts hit out at Reeves’ snack food price cuts
Thursday 21 May 2026 23:00 , Bryony Gooch
Health experts hit out at Reeves’ snack food price cuts: ‘We’re in an obesity crisis’
Watch: Documents on Andrew’s appointment as trade envoy released
Thursday 21 May 2026 22:00 , Bryony Gooch
Trans people still protected says Phillipson as single-sex spaces guidance laid
Thursday 21 May 2026 21:00 , Bryony Gooch
Women and equalities minister Bridget Phillipson said the landmark Supreme Court ruling “made it clear that sex means biological sex” under the Equality Act but that “trans people are still protected by the Act” as she laid the long-awaited updated single-sex spaces guidance in Parliament.
The code of practice for services, public functions and associations, which runs to more than 300 pages, covers nine protected characteristics including age, sex, disability, race and gender reassignment, and has been updated in full for the first time since 2011.
It is aimed at guiding businesses and other organisations such as leisure centres and hospitals on how they can follow equality law, including in provision of single and separate-sex services such as toilets and changing rooms.
A draft code was handed to ministers by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) last September and the Government has faced criticism for the delay in publishing it.
Reform UK council to introduce Lord’s Prayer and national anthem at meetings
Thursday 21 May 2026 20:00 , Bryony Gooch
Reform UK’s “flagship” council has voted through changes to introduce the Lord’s Prayer and national anthem at meetings for “patriotism and heritage”, while opposition branded the move “performative politics”.
Members at Kent County Council have approved updates to its constitution following majority votes at its annual council meeting on Thursday.
It will mean that county council meetings will start with the recital of the Lord’s Prayer and end with singing of the national anthem.
Putting forward the move, Reform UK’s Christopher Hespe said: “We are a Christian monarchy, and this is about standards, it’s about patriotism, it’s about heritage, and it’s about our roots.
“It’s about grounding us and accepting that we have duties and responsibilities.”
Conservative former minister tops private members’ bills ballot
Thursday 21 May 2026 19:00 , Bryony Gooch
A Conservative MP will have the first opportunity of this parliamentary session to begin steering a Bill of his choosing through the Commons.
Former minister Sir Desmond Swayne, who is now a backbencher, won a ballot to decide who is at the front of the queue for a private member’s bill (PMB) debate.
More MPs entered this year’s draw than in any other held during the last decade, with 485 in the running, deputy speaker Nusrat Ghani said.
A set of 20 were selected to be at the front of the queue, after Ms Ghani drew numbered balls at random from a glass bowl in front of a small audience of MPs, press and visitors.
The winning MPs are due to introduce their chosen bills to the Commons on Wednesday June 17.
PMB debates are held on select Fridays throughout the session, a day of the week when the House does not normally sit.
After the last ballot in 2024, winner Kim Leadbeater chose to introduce the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, to set up a framework for assisted dying in England and Wales.
Another Labour MP quits Starmer’s government
Thursday 21 May 2026 18:07 , Bryony Gooch
The Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:
Luke Charters, the Labour MP for York Outer, has become the latest MP to quit Keir Starmer’s government, resigning as parliamentary private secretary for the Department for Business and Trade.
Mr Charters waited until the legislation to nationalise steel was introduced and said he was “proud” of the work he has been involved in.But he warned that Labour needs to be “bolder” in government.
In a statement, Mr Charters said: “After much reflection over recent weeks, I've thought carefully about where I stand on things. As a party, we have to be bolder with our ideas and more confident in our approach, kinder to ourselves as one Labour family, and we must make people in every corner of this country feel that politics is genuinely working for them in their everyday lives.”
Today I was proud to be part of the team that carried the Steel Industry Nationalisation Bill through its second reading in Parliament. On Labour’s watch, Britain’s industrial heartlands will never be forgotten.
— Luke Charters MP (@lukejcr) May 21, 2026
As the Commons rises for recess, I have let colleagues know that…
In pictures: Starmer and Reeves visit a children's activity centre in Brentwood to announce Great British Summer Savings
Thursday 21 May 2026 18:00 , Bryony Gooch
Analysis: There is only one way Labour can win the North Sea oil and gas debate
Thursday 21 May 2026 17:00 , Bryony Gooch
There is only one way Labour can win the North Sea oil and gas debate
Green Party re-opens nominations for Makerfield by-election candidate
Thursday 21 May 2026 16:50 , Bryony Gooch
The Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:
The Green Party is re-opening nominations this evening for the upcoming by-election in Makerfield. The move comes after the selected candidate, Chris Kennedy, withdrew from the role for personal and family reasons.
A Green Party spokesperson said, “We wish Chris the best and understand that family has to come first. As a party, we are re-opening nominations now because we believe people in Makerfield deserve a real choice at this by-election, and the Green Party will be standing to offer exactly that.
“Across the country, more and more voters are turning away from the old parties and looking for politicians who will genuinely stand up for their communities. We will also be redoubling our efforts on campaigning to expose the risk of Reform, a party who seeks to divide our communities.
“This election has to be about how to make the super-rich pay their fair share, how we tackle the cost-of-living crisis with lower bills and affordable housing, and how we protect our public services and our green spaces. It has to be about offering Makerfield hope over hate.”
Burnham's office welcomes PM's offer to campaign in Makerfield
Thursday 21 May 2026 16:45 , Bryony Gooch
Andy Burnham’s office welcomed Sir Keir Starmer’s offer to campaign for him in Makerfield.
A spokesperson for Labour’s candidate in the by-election said: “Anyone who wants to embrace Andy’s campaign message is welcome on the campaign.”
Starmer refuses to say whether he was frustrated by MPs talking about Burnham and Streeting as economy grows and migration falls
Thursday 21 May 2026 16:30 , Bryony Gooch
Sir Keir Starmer declined to say whether he was frustrated by Labour MPs talking about Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting despite the economy growing in the first three months of the year and net migration falling.
The prime minister told reporters on a visit to Essex: “Well, there’s been a lot going on in the last two weeks, but what it is important for me to draw out is that actually the last week in terms of what we’ve delivered is really significant, because economic growth is at the highest predicted in the G7… That’s really important, because it means more money into the economy, more money to be spent on our public services.
“The NHS waiting lists, which we’ve been investing in, and driving down, they fell.
“The numbers came out last week – the sharpest rate for 17 years. Migration has come down. The last government lost control. It was nearly a billion.
“It’s down to about a fifth of that in the figures that came out today, so all of these things show that, and I’m really proud of this, that despite all the other discussions that are going on, this is a Government that is delivering for people across the country.”
Starmer: 'I’ve said to the whole Labour movement that I want everybody to be involved' in Makerfield campaign
Thursday 21 May 2026 16:15 , Bryony Gooch
Sir Keir Starmer said he wanted the “whole Labour movement” to be involved in the Makerfield by-election campaign.
Asked whether he would be out campaigning in Makerfield for leadership hopeful Andy Burnham, the Prime Minister told reporters on a visit to Essex: “Yes, and I’ve said to the whole Labour movement that I want everybody to be involved in the campaign, whatever other discussions are going on, it’s really important – that’s a straight fight between Labour and Reform.
“It’s about the values that we take into politics, and it’s really important that we all pull together and fight in that by-election, as we will do.”
He added: “I want to be part of that, of course I do, and I want everybody to be part of that, but also by being clear about the steps we’ve taken to stabilise the economy, because all of this that we’ve announced today has only been possible because of the steps we took on the budget, the fact that inflation dropped is because of the steps – that didn’t drop out the sky – that’s because of the decisions the Government took.
“So, we’ve got a very good story to tell.”
Breaking: Starmer to campaign for potential Makerfield candidate Andy Burnham
Thursday 21 May 2026 16:03 , Bryony Gooch
Sir Keir Starmer has said he will be campaigning in the Makerfield by-election for potential leadership challenger Andy Burnham, telling reporters: “I want everybody to be involved in the campaign, whatever other discussions are going on.”
Cinemas welcome Reeves VAT announcement
Thursday 21 May 2026 15:57 , Holly Evans
Cinemas and other attractions have welcomed the news of a VAT cut from 20 per cent to five per cent over the summer holidays, to help families with the cost of living.
Odeon Cinemas Group managing director Mark Way said: “Odeon welcomes today’s announcement focused on making cinema even better value and support any measures that seek to help cinema-goers, the industry and consumers more broadly.
“As the UK’s largest cinema operator, we believe these measures will continue to help drive strong demand and we’re excited that our guests will be able to enjoy the big screen for less over this blockbuster summer.”
Meanwhile, Tim Richards, chief executive of the Vue cinema group, said: “As we anticipate an incredible summer of family films, we welcome this step from the Government to help more families enjoy the big screen experience over the holidays.”
Campaign group calls 'bolder and stronger' plan to tackle cost of living
Thursday 21 May 2026 15:41 , Holly Evans
Responding to this afternoon's cost of living speech to the House of Commons, Conor O'Shea, coordinator of the Cost of Living Action campaign, said: “Unfortunately, despite positive steps on food support, the Chancellor’s speech did not deliver the scale of response we need to address the crippling crisis this country faces.
“Reports that the government has been exploring rent controls and food price controls are encouraging, but their absence from this package of measures is disappointing.
“Our research showed that four in five people think the government is doing badly at tackling the cost of living.
“It is crystal clear that the government needs to change its approach and implement a bolder and stronger platform that will address the root causes of the cost of living crisis.”
Speaker scolds Labour ministers for making major announcements on TikTok before Parliament
Thursday 21 May 2026 15:27 , Holly Evans
Government not expecting to publish more Andrew files, minister says
Thursday 21 May 2026 15:18 , Holly Evans
The government is not expecting to publish any more files about the appointment of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor as trade envoy, trade minister Sir Chris Bryant said.
Responding to a statement from Conservative shadow minister Dame Harriett Baldwin after he had given a statement on the release, Sir Chris said: “Will there be more was one of her questions, I suspect there won’t.
“I think this is everything we have come across so far, certainly. Of course we will keep on looking notwithstanding the complexity that there is about searching in paper-based systems in multiple different departments.
“I guarantee the House that if there is more to publish, I will come back to the House with more, but I suspect that this may be our last tranche.”
