https://www.politicshome.com/news/rssenhttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/badenoch-rebuilding-tories-in-her-imageSun, 04 Oct 2026 07:00:00 GMTKemi Badenoch is more popular than her party. Harriet Symonds reports on her efforts to remake it in her image – and what her colleagues really think of that endeavour. Illustrations by Tracy WorrallHarriet Symondshttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/badenoch-rebuilding-tories-in-her-imagehttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/how-green-councils-fighting-drug-consumption-roomsSat, 03 Oct 2026 07:00:00 GMTThe Green Party’s success in English local elections has put fresh impetus behind efforts to follow Scotland in providing safer drug consumption facilities to addicts. Matilda Martin investigatesMatilda Martinhttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/how-green-councils-fighting-drug-consumption-roomsGlasgow, The Thistle injection bay areas (Alamy)https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/vote-green-to-push-labour-left-zack-polanskiFri, 02 Oct 2026 15:00:00 GMTZack Polanski has urged people to keep voting for the Greens to force Labour into more left-wing positions.Matilda Martinhttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/vote-green-to-push-labour-left-zack-polanskiZack Polanski delivered his speech to Green Party conference on Friday (Alamy)https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/risks-burnham-eu-pushFri, 02 Oct 2026 13:40:00 GMTAndy Burnham opening the door to rejoining the European Union has been well-received by large parts of the Labour Party. But starting a new debate about Brexit is not without risk.Matilda Martinhttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/risks-burnham-eu-pushAndy Burnham spoke about the UK's future with the EU in his speech on Tuesday (Alamy)https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/too-much-ai-doomerism-in-westminster-says-artificial-intelligence-ministerFri, 02 Oct 2026 11:45:00 GMTThe AI minister has said the government must find a middle ground between “boomerism” and “doomerism” on artificial intelligence.Zoe Crowtherhttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/too-much-ai-doomerism-in-westminster-says-artificial-intelligence-ministerKanishka Narayan attends Prime Minister Andy Burnham's Cabinet as Minister for Artificial Intelligence (Alamy)https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/zack-polanskis-greens-dealing-andy-burnham-problemFri, 02 Oct 2026 09:00:00 GMTZack Polanski reshaped the Greens into a populist left party, which worked well against Keir Starmer. Andy Burnham is now threatening to take that argument away. Sienna Rodgers reportsSienna Rodgershttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/zack-polanskis-greens-dealing-andy-burnham-problemGreen Party leader Zack Polanski with supporters in Holborn and St Pancras, 20 September 2026 (Ron Fassbender/Alamy Live News)https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/platforms-push-back-forcing-public-service-media-onto-online-worldFri, 02 Oct 2026 09:00:00 GMTIn making the case for trustworthy news in the digital age, the government may force online platforms to carry public service media. Ros Taylor explores whether the proposal is workableRos Taylorhttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/platforms-push-back-forcing-public-service-media-onto-online-world(Image by Antonello Sticca)https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/labour-council-rules-challenging-government-london-funding-cutsThu, 01 Oct 2026 10:00:00 GMTA Labour-run London borough has ruled out joining the Conservatives in challenging the government over council funding cuts after receiving legal advice.Matilda Martinhttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/labour-council-rules-challenging-government-london-funding-cutsHammersmith and Fulham council has been hit by the rebalancing of council funding (Alamy)https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/i-often-worry-me-enough-protect-politiciansThu, 01 Oct 2026 09:00:00 GMTAnn Widdecombe was the third UK politician to have been murdered in a decade. Zoe Crowther and Hattie Simpson investigate the efforts to protect those in public lifeZoe Crowther and Hattie Simpsonhttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/i-often-worry-me-enough-protect-politiciansTributes to Ann Widdecombe (nidpor/Alamy)https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/professor-brian-cox-left-hopeful-excellent-burnham-conference-speechWed, 30 Sep 2026 16:25:00 GMTTV physicist and former popstar Professor Brian Cox has expressed his support for Andy Burnham’s “excellent” Labour conference speech in its “message of hope and potential”.Sienna Rodgershttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/professor-brian-cox-left-hopeful-excellent-burnham-conference-speechProfessor Brian Cox discusses 'Science, Society and the Public Good' at Labour conference 2026https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/starmerites-loyalists-keep-heads-down-at-calm-conferenceWed, 30 Sep 2026 15:00:00 GMTParty conferences are often a forum for rows and plotting, but Labour's event in Liverpool passed by with barely a whiff of rancour, as allies of Keir Starmer stayed away or kept their powder dry for battles ahead.Alain Tolhursthttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/starmerites-loyalists-keep-heads-down-at-calm-conferenceAndy Burnham was spared the usual round of conference back-biting as many potential critics avoided the event in Liverpool altogether (Alamy)https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/dame-sally-powells-campaign-free-home-care-memory-iain-colemanWed, 30 Sep 2026 09:00:00 GMTAs a council leader, the late Labour MP Iain Coleman made his London borough the only place in England where care at home is free. Then he needed it. Ben Gartside speaks to his widow, Dame Sally Powell, about her campaign to secure reformBen Gartsidehttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/dame-sally-powells-campaign-free-home-care-memory-iain-colemanhttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/andy-burnham-speech-scrap-triple-lock-fund-national-care-serviceTue, 29 Sep 2026 15:30:00 GMTAndy Burnham has pledged to reform the pension triple lock after the next general election to fund a new social care system.Matilda Martinhttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/andy-burnham-speech-scrap-triple-lock-fund-national-care-serviceAndy Burnham spoke to conference in Liverpool on Tuesday (Alamy)https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/choices-facing-burnhams-government-waterTue, 29 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMTCampaigning in Makerfield, Andy Burnham threatened Thames Water with public ownership – but has not so far followed through. Ben Gartside reports on a decision that will define his approach to privately owned suppliers of public goods.Ben Gartsidehttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/choices-facing-burnhams-government-waterIllustration by Tracy Worrallhttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/angela-eagle-hints-thames-water-actionTue, 29 Sep 2026 09:15:00 GMTSecretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Angela Eagle has hinted that government action on Thames Water is coming, telling PoliticsHome that "the status quo is not an option".Alain Tolhursthttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/angela-eagle-hints-thames-water-actionAndy Burnham is rumoured to make an announcement on Thames Water in his speech to Labour's party conference (Alamy)https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/john-healey-fiscal-discipline-welfare-billMon, 28 Sep 2026 10:23:00 GMTThe Chancellor has pledged "fiscal discipline" and hinted at future welfare reform, arguing it is "not progressive to allow a bigger and bigger benefits bill".Matilda Martinhttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/john-healey-fiscal-discipline-welfare-billHealey hinted at welfare reform in Liverpool on Monday (Alamy)https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/unisons-andrea-egan-rejoining-labour-party-inspiresMon, 28 Sep 2026 09:00:00 GMTUnison general secretary Andrea Egan is nine months into the job. She talks to Sienna Rodgers about Andy Burnham’s promise to unions, why she is not a Labour member and her pledge to take a social worker’s salary.Sienna Rodgershttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/unisons-andrea-egan-rejoining-labour-party-inspiresAndrea Egan (Photography by Tom Oldham)https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/labours-new-general-secretary-plan-party-machineSun, 27 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMTAndy Burnham has got his pick of general secretary. Sienna Rodgers asks what Joe Fortune’s appointment tell us – and how he plans to prepare Labour HQ for the next electionSienna Rodgershttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/labours-new-general-secretary-plan-party-machine(Photography by Elio Zhang)https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/neal-lawson-the-naive-person-leftwing-politicsSun, 27 Sep 2026 09:00:00 GMTReformed Blairite, longtime director of pressure group Compass and co-founder of new Labour group Mainstream Neal Lawson talks to Sienna Rodgers about his role in Andy Burnham’s rise and the political journey that brought him to this pointSienna Rodgershttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/neal-lawson-the-naive-person-leftwing-politics(© David Levene/Guardian/eyevine)https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/ed-miliband-andy-has-given-us-the-permission-to-be-heard-againSat, 26 Sep 2026 09:00:00 GMTEd Miliband has landed a Great Office of State – not as Chancellor but as the new Foreign Secretary. He talks to Sienna Rodgers about why Keir Starmer had to go, how Andy Burnham is resetting the culture in government and his approach of ‘resilient i...Sienna Rodgershttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/ed-miliband-andy-has-given-us-the-permission-to-be-heard-againPhotography by Louise Haywood-Schieferhttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/andy-burnham-rules-calling-early-electionFri, 25 Sep 2026 17:12:00 GMTThe Prime Minister has said he can "knock dead" speculation of an early election, claiming that the move would be "self-serving politics".Matilda Martinhttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/andy-burnham-rules-calling-early-electionBurnham has ruled out an early election amid speculation (Alamy)https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/unions-call-government-end-military-collaboration-saudi-arabiaFri, 25 Sep 2026 15:30:00 GMTExclusive: Ten trade unions have signed an open letter to Andy Burnham calling on his government to end its "military collaboration" with Saudi Arabia amid concerns over the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.Matilda Martinhttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/unions-call-government-end-military-collaboration-saudi-arabiaThe UK announced that it would provide additional defensive military support to Saudi Arabia earlier this week (Alamy)https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/hazards-ahead-labour-unity-andy-burnham-tested-months-aheadFri, 25 Sep 2026 10:06:00 GMTThe first few months of Andy Burnham’s premiership have passed in relative calm but the Labour Party’s newfound unity is about to be tested. Harriet Symonds reads the warnings on the road ahead.Harriet Symondshttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/hazards-ahead-labour-unity-andy-burnham-tested-months-aheadIllustration by Tracy Worrallhttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/johnny-mercer-i-was-a-terrible-politician-but-changed-countryFri, 25 Sep 2026 09:15:00 GMTJohnny Mercer is scathing about virtually everyone he worked with during his nine years as an MP. In his new book charting his time in Parliament, he’s also critical of his own abilities as a politician. Alain Tolhursthttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/johnny-mercer-i-was-a-terrible-politician-but-changed-countryJohnny Mercer has unloaded on his former colleagues in a scathing book about his time in politics (Alamy)https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/lib-dems-go-soul-searching-in-brightonWed, 23 Sep 2026 12:20:00 GMTQuestions about the Liberal Democrats' strategy, message and identity dominated the party's conference in Brighton.Zoe Crowther and Noah Vickershttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/lib-dems-go-soul-searching-in-brightonLib Dem leader Ed Davey with party president Josh Babarinde and deputy leader Daisy Cooper at the party conference in Brighton (Alamy)https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/lib-dems-fight-lives-wellfunded-far-right-warns-ed-daveyTue, 22 Sep 2026 17:00:00 GMTEd Davey has warned Liberal Democrats that they are part of a fight for the country's future against an “extremely well-funded” modern-day “far-right”.Noah Vickershttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/lib-dems-fight-lives-wellfunded-far-right-warns-ed-davey(Gary Roberts Photography / Alamy)https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/appoint-homelessness-tsar-help-eradicate-rough-sleeping-says-crisisMon, 21 Sep 2026 13:30:00 GMTAndy Burnham should appoint a homelessness tsar to help with his pledge to end rough sleeping, according to the head of a leading homelessness charity.Nadine Batchelor-Hunthttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/appoint-homelessness-tsar-help-eradicate-rough-sleeping-says-crisishttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/angus-macdonald-if-active-faith-likely-moral-compassSun, 20 Sep 2026 09:00:00 GMTEntrepreneur, papal knight and now Liberal Democrat backbencher Angus MacDonald tells Sienna Rodgers about his colourful life and why Westminster needs more business brainsSienna Rodgershttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/angus-macdonald-if-active-faith-likely-moral-compasshttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/urban-lib-dems-fear-party-focused-blue-wallSat, 19 Sep 2026 07:00:00 GMTCan the Liberal Democrats break through in big cities again? Noah Vickers reports on the party’s bid to sharpen its ‘national brand’Noah Vickershttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/urban-lib-dems-fear-party-focused-blue-wall(Illustration by Tracy Worrall)https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/senior-labour-mp-says-uk-repeat-north-sea-oil-mistakes-ai-wealthFri, 18 Sep 2026 16:03:00 GMTSenior Labour MP Liam Byrne has warned that the UK must not repeat the mistakes it made with North Sea oil when it comes to the potential wealth generated by artificial intelligence.Zoe Crowtherhttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/senior-labour-mp-says-uk-repeat-north-sea-oil-mistakes-ai-wealthLabour MP Liam Byrne is chair of the Business and Trade Select Committee (Alamy)