Andy Burnham held 'secret talks' with Keir Starmer amid vow for smooth transition

Defence Secretary 'working closely' with PM and Rachel Reeves to pump more money into Defence Investment Plan

Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis today said he is working closely with the Chancellor and the Prime Minister to deliver more money for the Defence Investment Plan, and that he has had "very good and constructive meetings".

According to Sky News, Mr Jarvis told an annual Land Warfare Conference: “I am determined to secure the best possible deal that I can and I am determined to do that sooner rather than later."

The conversations with Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves are said to have included the trajectory to boost defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP.

The hopes are to achieve this by 2035, with pressure mounting for Labour to set out a clear plan for initially lifting defence spending to 3 per cent.

Former Defence Secretary John Healey hopes the 3 per cent target will be hit by 2030.

Boris Johnson takes aim at Andy Burnham as he backs Kemi Badenoch for PM: 'We don't know what he stands for!'

Boris Johnson has launched a scathing attack on Andy Burnham after announcing his plans to run for the Labour leadership, branding him a "Mancunian mystery".

Sitting down with GB News Political Editor Christopher Hope, the ex-Prime Minister declared the country "doesn't know what he stands for".

Asked if he had "any advice" for the newly elected Makerfield MP, Mr Johnson told GB News: "Yes, get things done quickly. You have no honeymoon, not that you necessarily deserve one.

"And for heaven's sake, don't think that just because you've got this fantastic personal mandate from the people of Makerfield or the Labour Party, the people of Britain yet understand what you're about."

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Ed Miliband doesn't have the chops to be Chancellor, claims Labour peer

Labour peer Lord Glasman said he struggled to envision Ed Miliband as Chancellor under an Andy Burnham led cabinet.

He said: "No, I think John Healey would be a good chancellor. I'm urging Andy Burnham to take that choice."

Asked why he failed to put confidence behind Mr Miliband, he added: "I don’t think he has the maths."

Lord Glasman also said Pat McFadden or Wes Streeting would make adequate choices, but prefers the former Defence Secretary due to his military background.

The peer also believes markets will not panic if and when Andy Burnham and company take over the Labour cabinet.

He says: "I think the markets are going to be fine with Andy Burnham. Don't forget about Andy Burnham that I met him when he was prince of the Blairite world.

"He was with James Purnell and with David Miliband. He understands fiscal rectitude. He understands that you just can't continue to spend. I think markets will be fine."

Andy Burnham accused of 'demanding' Prime Minister job: 'Who does he think he is?'

Andy Burnham has been accused of "demanding" the role of Prime Minister after being sworn in as Makerfield's new MP.

Speaking to GB News, former Political Editor of The Sun, Trevor Kavanagh, hit out at the newly elected Member of Parliament, asking: "Who does he think he is?"

As it stands, Mr Burnham remains unchallenged in his leadership bid following Sir Keir Starmer's resignation.

GB News understands the pair held secret "face-to-face talks" to ensure a "smooth transition of power".

WATCH THE CLIP HERE

Defence Secretary insists PM leadership debacle will not delay Defence Investment Plan 

Newly appointed Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis has stressed the political uncertainty in No10 would not delay the highly-anticipated Defence Investment Plan (Dip).

He told a conference organised by the Royal United Services Institute think tank: “There will now be a change of prime minister.

“There will be no change in the urgent need to produce the defence investment plan. The Dip is a significant, detailed, and vast piece of work. The Department has been working on it for 12 months.

“I have had 12 days, but I have made the most of all of them, and I am now working to finalise and publish the Dip before I travel to Ankara with the Prime Minister.”

Labour announces Manchester Council leader will stand in mayoral election

The leader of Manchester City Council will stand as Labour’s candidate to replace Andy Burnham as mayor, the party has announced.

Announcing her candidacy for Greater Manchester mayor, Bev Craig said: “Greater Manchester is a special place - from the industrial revolution, the trade union and cooperative movements and the suffragettes - this place has always fought for progress.

"This place changed my life and I owe it everything it gave me opportunities I could never have imagined, and I’ve spent my career trying to give something back.

“While Westminster left places like ours behind, Greater Manchester has taken control of our own future and we’ve started building our own success.

“Working alongside former mayor Andy Burnham, we have achieved so much over the - bringing buses back under public control, creating jobs, attracting investment, and pushing Greater Manchester forward as a real powerhouse of the North West.

“But for too many people, who work hard and do the right thing, life still feels too hard and unaffordable. As mayor I will apply a simple test: will it make life better?

“I will work every day for us to make sure everyone shares in the success Greater Manchester is building, making sure there’s more money in people’s pockets, pride in every town centre with a New High Streets Fund, a new generation of council and affordable homes and an expanded Bee Network that freezes fares and that works for all of us.

“That’s why I’m standing to be mayor, to build a Greater Manchester that works for everyone.”

Senior minister warns Britain must 'draw a line under Brexit wars' 10 years on

Britain must "draw a line" under the arguments of the EU referendum 10 years ago, and start acting for the “post-Brexit” world, a senior minister is to say.

EU relations minister Mr Thomas-Symonds, who is speaking at an event held by the UK in a Changing Europe think tank on Tuesday, will argue that a hard-headed relationship with Europe is needed to protect British homes in a turbulent world.

He is expected to reject both the “unrealistic mirage” of rejoining the trade bloc, and the “constant, exhausting conflict” which would come with tearing up treaties signed since the Brexit vote - 10 years ago today.

He is expected to say: “Isolation won’t duck the blow when global tariffs come knocking; it just leaves British factories standing out in the cold without a coat. Isolation won’t lower your energy bills.”

Mr Thomas-Symonds will signal in his speech that the Government does not want to keep reliving these arguments.
“We live in a post-Brexit world, and it’s time people started acting like it,” he will say.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson backs Andy Burnham for PM

Bridget Phillipson has backed Andy Burnham to succeed Sir Keir Starmer and become Britain's next prime minister ahead of a leadership contest.

The Education Secretary confirmed this afternoon that she would not stand in a contest herself, despite having previously left the door open.

Her opt out comes amid calls from members of the Parliamentary Labour Party for women members to put their hat in the ring - regardless of outcome - to stand as a positive influence for young women and girls entering politics.

The support of Ms Phillipson and Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds marks four cabinet ministers who have now declared support for Mr Burnham as their next leader.

Keir Starmer and Andy Burnham hold face-to-face talk as party pledges 'smooth transition'

Sir Keir Starmer held face-to-face talks with his likely successor Andy Burnham this afternoon, as he pledged a “smooth transition” of power following his resignation yesterday morning.

It is understood the Prime Minister met the frontrunner to replace him in No 10 for the first time since the former Greater Manchester Mayor’s by-election victory.

The pair reportedly held an hour-long “off-site” discussion, as reported by The Times.

Andy Burnham primed to address Labour activists tomorrow

Prospective prime minister Andy Burnham is set to address a Labour rally in south London tomorrow.

The new MP for Makerfield is now highly likely to succeed Sir Keir Starmer, as soon as July 17 if no contest is initiated.

Mr Burnham will make his first public appearance since being sworn in at a rally in Clapham, according to reports from the Sun.

He has said his by-election victory represents the “final chance” for Labour, and has promised major changes on the economy, education and migration.

Kemi Badenoch calls removal of trans women prisoners from female prisons in Scotland one of her 'proudest moments in politics'

The Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has said the removal of transgender women from female prisons from Scottish prisons is "common sense" and one of her "proudest moments in politics".

Writing on X, she said: "This was never a left vs right issue but a battle for common sense. And common sense won. One of my proudest moments in politics was intervening to stop this rubbish."

This comes as ministers confirmed the will not appeal Lady Ross's decision on the petition for judicial review of Scotland's policy for the Management of Transgender People in Custody Operational Guidance.

Andy Burnham could be Prime Minister by July 17

Andy Burnham could be in Downing Street as early as July 17, a leaked Labour leadership contest timetable suggests.

The schedule shows MP nominations taking place between July 9 and 15, with a hustings event on July 13.

This is followed by union nominations on July 15 and 16, before a special conference confirms the result on July 17, the House magazine reports.

Mr Burnham, the overwhelming favourite to succeed Sir Keir Starmer, is expected to enter No10 on the same day.

John Swinney describes Peter Murrell saga as 'agony'

Scottish First Minister John Swinney has described the Peter Murrell case as "agony".

The former chief executive of the SNP has been jailed for more than five years today for embezzling over £400,000 in party money over a 12-year period.

Nigel Farage branded ‘hypocrite’ over Andy Burnham demand

Nigel Farage has been branded a “hypocrite” after demanding a General Election as Andy Burnham looks set to replace Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister.

Speaking on GB News, Kevin Maguire, the Associate Editor of the Daily Mirror, took aim at the Reform UK leader.

Earlier today, Mr Farage called for the British people to be given a vote, as the former Manchester Mayor has “no mandate whatsoever” to succeed Sir Keir.

Watch the full video here.

Keir Starmer approves civil service access talks with prospective No10 candidates

Sir Keir Starmer has agreed with Cabinet Secretary Dame Antonia Romeo that Civil Service access talks can take place with prospective candidates to succeed him.

He has also told his Cabinet he would "seek to resolve difficult issues in the coming weeks to support his successor" and making a leadership transition "as easy as possible".

Defence Investment Plan to be delivered before July 7, says Rachel Reeves

The Chancellor Rachel Reeves has told MPs she is "confident" the long-awaited Defence Investment Plan (Dip) will be published before the Nato summit in Ankara on July 7.

She has it insisted it "will meet the scale of the challenges facing the country".

The Chancellor said she had met on Monday with Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis and Chief of the Defence Staff Sir Richard Knighton to discuss the plan.

Ms Reeves told the Commons it would involve "more money spent more effectively".

She said: "The Ministry of Defence are producing the Dip that will meet the scale of the challenges and meet the moment with increased readiness."

Andy Burnham 'to sack Rachel Reeves' as he prepares bid to save Britain's economy

Andy Burnham is expected to sack Rachel Reeves as Chancellor as part of his preparations for power.

The Makerfield MP is set to deliver a major policy speech next week in a bid to reassure the markets and hype up his credentials on the economy.

Mr Burnham, The Times revealed, will pledge to grow the economy and commit to Labour's budget rules amid concern in the markets about his looming move to No10.

He will also pledge to reduce the national debt and the cost of borrowing in what's been billed as his "credible" growth plan.

Talks over who may sit at Mr Burnham's Cabinet table are underway - with Ms Reeves potentially replaced by one of Wes Streeting, Ed Miliband and Shabana Mahmood.

However, Mr Burnham's allies insist no jobs had been given and no deals had been made as of Monday evening.

Right now, Labour's newest MP looks like he'll have an unopposed run at No10 - but Darren Jones, a close ally of Sir Keir Starmer, is said to be sniffing out the prospect of whether he could find 81 MPs to back him and trigger a contest.

A source close to Mr Jones told The Times he was "not minded to run, but will want assurances on economic and national security policy before signing up to a coronation".

Andy Burnham's property tax raids set to leave hundreds of thousands of Britons £1,000 worse off

Andy Burnham's long-standing support for replacing council tax with a land value levy could leave hundreds of thousands of London households facing annual bill increases of around £1,000.

The former Greater Manchester Mayor has previously voiced support for a land value tax, arguing that the existing council tax system is unfair and in need of reform.

"I've long been persuaded of the argument for a land value tax," Mr Burnham said.

"It's a highly regressive tax. I see a big case for land and property and business taxation to be changed."

Read Joe Sledge's story here.

Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell sentenced to five years and three months in prison

The former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell has been sentenced to five years and three months in prison for embezzling more than £400,000 in party money.

The 61-year-old was sentenced today in Edinburgh's High Court.

He pleaded guilty to the offence last month which occurred over a 12-year period between August 2010 and October 2022.

Andy Burnham to potentially face challengers in bid for No10

Andy Burnham may face challengers to his bid to No10, with two potential rivals considering their next moves.

Cabinet minister Darren Jones and former armed forces minister Al Carns are both being considered as possible candidates by Labour MPs, who feel Mr Burnham should have a formal contest.

The new Makerfield MP, who was sworn in yesterday, could be in No10 within weeks if no challenger comes forward.

Mr Jones, Chief Secretary to Sir Keir and a close ally of his, is seen as a natural candidate who has remained loyal to the outgoing Prime Minister.

He is not currently inclined to stand, says sources close to Mr Jones, but he would want reassurances from Mr Burnham on his economic policy.

Mr Carns, a former colonel, said he was "not ready to make a decision" when questioned about standing as a candidate.

He added: "What I would say is we need to move from the politics which talk through the tactics and actually think about the strategy and what I’m really looking for are big objective outcomes that we want to get to in 2029 and 2034-35."

Kemi Badenoch played part in not delivering a proper Brexit, says Nigel Farage 

Leader of Reform UK Nigel Farage said Kemi Badenoch played a part in not adequately delivering Brexit.

Speaking to GB News he said: "Here we are on the 10th anniversary of Brexit - one of things we expected was for thousands of EU laws to go, to make life easier.

"She [Kemi Badenoch] was the minister who had the pen in her hand, who could have signed off that legislation.

"If you add that to Net Zero mania and mass migration, it's very difficult to think to myself, 'how could I ever trust this Conservative?'"

'This has to be put to the public' - Nigel Farage calls for general election once new Labour leader announced

Reform UK's leader Nigel Farage has called for a general election once a new Labour leader succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.

Discussing current polling figures with GB News's Christopher Hope, Mr Farage agreed there will be a "Burnham bounce" in the polls, but would be "short-term".

He said: "I think there'll be a short-term Burnham bounce. I don't see a big Burnham bounce. Maybe I'm wrong, but look, this has to be put to the public. They can't go on like this."

'We have almost no idea where this man stands on anything!' - Nigel Farage hopes for a leadership contest for Andy Burnham

Leader of Reform UK Nigel Farage has said he hopes Andy Burnham faces a leadership contest within the Labour party, "so we can actually see what he stands for".

Speaking to GB News, he said: "At the moment, have almost no idea where this man stands on anything he's flipped and flopped in the last month."

"I'm hoping that Al Carnes or someone like that stands against him, so that over the course of a summer we can actually see what he stands for. At the moment, we haven't got a clue," he added.

Ed Davey does not rule out coalition with Labour 

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has refused to rule out a coalition with Labour in the event of a general election.

Asked directly whether he would consider working with Labour if they needed the Lib Dems' support, Sir Ed said: "My job as leader of the Liberal Democrats is to put forward our ideas, get as many seats as we possibly can. The more people hear about those, I think the more people will switch to us."

Brexit has 'damaged our country', says Ed Davey on referendum's 10-year anniversary 

Leader of the Liberal Democrats Sir Ed Davey said Brexit has "damaged our country" and called for a stronger relationship with Europe.

Speaking to GB News, Sir Ed said: "I think we've damaged our country as a result [of leaving the single market].

"When you talk to people that are really worried about defending our country, they're really fed up that bills keep going up, that taxes keep going up, the cost of living still gets worse and worse, and the public financea are in such a mess.

"And well, why? Well, Brexit has the main cause of that in it costs the taxpayer £90billion a year. So, you want to sort out our finances, you want to have room to invest in our army, invest in NHS to cut taxes?

"You've got to change that relationship with Europe, and now it's plain as a pikestaff now, and I think most people can see that."

Ed Davey does not call for immediate general election

Leader of the Liberal Democrats Sir Ed Davey said he will not be calling for an immediate general election if Andy Burnham assumes role of Prime Minister, but said he has a "small window" to affect change.

Speaking to GB News, he said: "I think we want to see change, don't we? Want real change, as I've been describing. And I think he's got a very small window to deliver on that change. I think people want to see that first. If he doesn't, I think the calls for a general election will increase."

Minister shrugs off Britons' demands for General Election after Keir Starmer exit

Cabinet Office Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds has shrugged off Britons' demands for a General Election after Sir Keir Starmer resigned.

Confronted with the news that he had called for a national vote when the Tories changed their leaders in the past - and whether he would call for one now - Mr Thomas-Symonds jabbed: "I'd be surprised if the opposition wasn't always calling for a General Election.

"I hope I was calling for a General Election a lot more often than that when I was in opposition. That's exactly what I'd expect the opposition to do."

Labour brands Nigel Farage NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT for pro-Brexit views 

Labour has branded Nigel Farage a “threat to national security” over his stance on Europe.

Ten years after Britons exercised their democratic right and voted to ditch Brussels, Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds said the prominent Leave campaigner had a worldview which was “sympathetic” to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Mr Thomas-Symonds then accused Mr Farage of having "consistently supported Russia, and tried to pretend that our interests could ever align with a dictator’s".

Writing in the Telegraph ahead of the event, he said: “From declaring in 2014 that ‘I think the European Union, frankly, does have blood on its hands in the Ukraine’, and that he didn’t want a ‘European foreign policy’, to suggesting in 2024 that Nato and the EU’s ‘eastward expansion’ gave a reason for Putin to ‘go to war’.

“His rationale for doing so, it seems, has been to ultimately undermine the favourability of the European Union. So consumed with being anti-Europe, engrossed by an ideological necessity for separation, he has chosen to fall on one side of a worldview. The wrong side.”

He added: “Allowing a worldview sympathetic to Putin to hold the balance of power would be an unprecedented threat to national security.”

Mr Farage just months ago outlined his view on Mr Putin.

The Russian President "proves with every week that goes by that he's not rational, that he doesn't want a just settlement [with Ukraine], and that, frankly, he is an incredibly dangerous man", the Reform UK leader confirmed.

Fresh details of Andy Burnham's economic plan for power emerge - as it's revealed Defence Investment Plan will be SHELVED until he becomes PM

Andy Burnham is set to offer Lord O'Neill of Gatley, a former Treasury Minister and Goldman Sachs banker, and Andy Haldane, a former Bank of England chief economist, roles in his Government, according to The Times.

It follows a report by the BBC last week which revealed Mr Burnham had consulted high-level advisers including Lord O'Neill in the days before his by-election victory in a bid to reassure markets.

He has also been advised by the former OBR chairman Richard Hughes, who resigned in December after overseeing an IT leak that threw Rachel Reeves's Budget into chaos.

But last night, it also emerged that the long-overdue Defence Investment Plan will not be published until Mr Burnham takes power.

The Makerfield MP is said to want to examine the plans himself and then make a decision.

Defence Secretary John Healey and Armed Forces Minister Al Carns both extraordinarily resigned over the plans just days ago after the Treasury failed to cough up the cash to properly fund Britain's ailing Armed Forces.

Andy Burnham dispatches two ex-ministers who resigned in disgrace to lead Westminster operation

Andy Burnham's closest allies are thought to have begun setting up his Westminster operation, including two ministers who resigned in disgrace under Sir Keir Starmer.

Louise Haigh, who left Cabinet after it emerged she was convicted of fraud, and Josh Simons, who was accused of - and denied - a role in commissioning "smear campaign" against journalists, are leading Mr Burnham's charge.

Ms Haigh was said to have been assembling Labour MPs for meet-and-greet chats with Mr Burnham yesterday - including for conversations about potential jobs in Mr Burnham's Government.

While Mr Simons is thought to have been involved in talks with MPs and civil servants, suggesting he will play a role in the next administration, according to the Mail.

Mr Simons also stepped down in Makerfield, triggering the by-election which Mr Burnham won. Ms Haigh was a core figure in his successful campaign.

Breaking overnight: Donald Trump swipes at Keir Starmer one more time after PM finally resigns -  'I wish him well!'

Donald Trump has taken what might be his final swipe at Sir Keir Starmer after the Prime Minister finally announced his resignation.

Shortly after the Labour leader outlined his timetable of resignation outside Downing Street on Monday morning, the US President was probed about his reaction and who he would like to see replace him in No10.

Mr Trump described Sir Keir as a "lovely man" and said he "wishes him well", but said the Prime Minister ultimately failed on "two things: energy and immigration and crime".

The Trump administration also offered up its first statement on Andy Burnham overnight...

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