All articles tagged with #downing street
Andy Burnham has reportedly been planning for years to become prime minister; an ally says his approach would devolve power from Westminster to regions and reform the welfare system, with Labour nominations open and Burnham the sole confirmed candidate so far.
Ten years after the Brexit vote, the UK’s political story is defined by a string of Downing Street lecterns and prime minister resignations, beginning with Cameron in 2016; the Guardian piece with Dan Sabbagh revisits that night, media dynamics, Jo Cox’s murder, and argues that Brexit has forged a lasting fault line in British politics, shaping leadership and public trust for years to come.
A BBC analysis traces how Sir Keir Starmer’s government lost governing capacity as internal dissent, policy U-turns, and a string of public and private crises (including staffing departures, the Mandelson controversy, and the Tapp row) fractured discipline in No 10. With Labour MPs losing faith and popularity waning after the May elections, party figures look to Andy Burnham as the likely next prime minister, signaling the terminal erosion of Starmer’s authority as his departure timetable looms.
With mounting pressure on Keir Starmer to set a timetable for his departure, Labour debates leadership options after Andy Burnham’s by-election victory, weighing moves from cabinet reshuffles to a quick Westminster-only contest that could crown a new PM within days.
President Volodymyr Zelensky travels to London for talks with Keir Starmer, Macron and Merz on strengthening Western support for Ukraine, as Kyiv denounces a Russian drone strike on a spent-fuel storage facility near Chernobyl as a ‘vile’ attack with a fire extinguished and radiation stable; separate strikes hit Zaporizhzhia while Moscow presses its assault and Putin rejects direct negotiations, framing the talks within a broader peace process.
Downing Street condemned attempts to politicize Henry Nowak's murder after JD Vance's post, stressing unity and noting the Nowak family does not want the tragedy used to divide. The row underscores wider debates on immigration, policing, and perceived two-tier policing in the UK, amid cross‑Atlantic political commentary and domestic protests.
A POLITICO analysis maps Andy Burnham's speculative ascent from Greater Manchester mayor to UK prime minister via the Makerfield by-election, a Labour leadership contest, and an abrupt transition, highlighting his 'Manchesterism' push (devolution, public control of transport, housing and education), the internal rifts among allies, the lack of a clear foreign policy stance, and the heavy practical hurdles of reforming Whitehall, setting a tight timeline to deliver a bold agenda within a shortened political window.
Keir Starmer will host a Downing Street summit with leaders from business, culture and policing to tackle antisemitism through a 'whole of society' approach, with sector-specific roundtables and an afternoon Middle East Response Committee meeting to address domestic security implications after recent antisemitic incidents such as the Golders Green stabbings.
Women harmed by vaginal mesh implants across the UK are pressing the government to set a deadline for a funded, government-backed compensation scheme. Campaigners, including Sling The Mesh, plan to hand a letter to the prime minister at Downing Street urging urgent action on compensation, while in Northern Ireland victims report chronic pain and life-changing consequences. The Hughes Report recommended initial payments and a NI scheme, but the Department of Health says medical-device policy is reserved to Westminster and no timetable has been set for redress.
AP photo editors spotlight 15 years of Larry the cat, Britain’s Chief Mouser at 10 Downing Street, who has greeted dignitaries and remained a constant presence through multiple prime ministers.
Scottish Labour Leader Anas Sarwar publicly urged Keir Starmer to resign, arguing leadership change is needed as Downing Street faces turmoil after two top aides quit, while some Labour allies continue to back the prime minister.
Epstein file releases expose European officials with ties to the convicted financier, triggering resignations and investigations in the UK and Norway, while in the United States accountability remains more muted as lawmakers push for transparency and unredacted files; the disclosures also pull in high-profile business and tech figures, underscoring a stark gap between how allied governments and Washington respond to Epstein-linked scrutiny.
Tim Allan has stepped down as Downing Street's director of communications after around five months, the latest high‑profile departure from Keir Starmer's No.10 as he reshapes his inner circle following Morgan McSweeney's resignation and other staff exits.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar calls for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to quit over the Mandelson US ambassadorship and Epstein links, but cabinet ministers publicly back Starmer as No.10 aides resign, signaling ongoing leadership tensions while reforms to the appointments process are discussed ahead of PLP meetings.
Morgan McSweeney has resigned as prime minister Keir Starmer's chief of staff, saying he takes full responsibility for advising Peter Mandelson's appointment; Starmer defends him, Badenoch says the move was 'about time', and the Labour government now faces questions over leadership and who will fill the role next amid ongoing Mandelson-related controversy.