double quotation markAndy Burnham is understood to have held secret talks with Sir Keir Starmer, as the prime minister pledged to smooth his transition to power.<\/p>\n
Starmer was said to have left Downing Street for an hour-long \u201coff-site\u201d meeting with Burnham \u2013 the first time the two men had spoken since he returned to Westminster.<\/p>\n
UPDATE: Pippa Crerar has had this confirmed<\/a>.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a010.36 EDT<\/p>\n Key events<\/p>\n Afternoon summary<\/p>\n Andy Burnham has had a secret meeting with Keir Starmer to discuss the handover of power to the new MP for Makerfield. (See 12.43pm<\/a>, 1.01pm<\/a>, 1.18pm<\/a> and 3.22pm<\/a>.)<\/p>\n Labour has announced that Bev Craig is its candidate to replace Andy Burnham<\/a> in the election for a new Greater Manchester mayor. Announcing the news, Labour said:<\/p>\n double quotation markBev is the current leader of Manchester city council and deputy mayor for economy, Business and Inclusive Growth for GM and has promised to set out a bold vision to build on the progress made over the last decade and deliver the next chapter for the region.<\/p>\n A former council estate kid whose family endured unemployment, ill health and financial hardship, Bev said Greater Manchester transformed her life after she moved to the city-region at 18.<\/p>\n Now, after 15 years of delivering for local communities, leading Manchester city council, and fighting for Greater Manchester she says she wants to ensure every person, every community, and every borough shares in Greater Manchester\u2019s success.<\/p>\n Bev has vowed to build a Greater Manchester that works for everyone \u2013 with cheaper travel, more council and affordable homes, safer neighbourhoods, thriving high streets supported by a new High Streets fund and world-class opportunities for people in every borough.<\/p>\n For a full list of all the stories covered on the blog today, do scroll through the list of key event headlines near the top of the blog.<\/p>\n Kemi Badenoch speaking at the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship conference in London today. Photograph: Jordan Pettitt\/PAShare<\/a>New PM will conclude reset deal with Brussels, EU relations minister Nick Thomas-Symonds says Lisa O\u2019Carroll is a senior Guardian correspondent covering post-Brexit affairs.<\/p>\n EU relations minister Nick Thomas-Symonds has said he is confident the new prime minister will conclude the deal to reset relations with the EU later this year, even though the 22 July summit has been cancelled in the wake of Keir Starmer\u2019s resignation.<\/p>\n He said \u201call leadership candidates\u201d had \u201ccommitted to the 2024 manifesto\u201d and that included Starmer\u2019s pledge to get closer to the EU post Brexit.<\/p>\n Speaking at a UK in a Changing Europe<\/a> conference on Brexit, 10 years after the referendum, he said it was vital that Labour demonstrated to voters ahead of the next election that it delivered the change promised.<\/p>\n He said:<\/p>\n double quotation markI think that the summit package, which is broadly agreed with the European Union, which is around the food and drink agreement, the emissions trading system linkage and the youth experience scheme is going to happen, and I think it will happen at some point this year, because that\u2019s what we\u2019ve agreed to do with the European Union.<\/p>\n We have to have this package of negotiation in place, delivering, showing what the tangible benefits are of a close relationship with the UK and the EU, and I think that\u2019s the important step towards the debate.<\/p>\n Thomas-Symonds also said he was conscious that there was a cliff edge for electric car manufacturers both in the UK and the EU over the 31 December deadline for tariff-free exports to each others\u2019 markets.<\/p>\n He said the government would not \u201ctake our eye of the ball\u201d on this and work would continue to prevent 10% tariffs on UK exports of EVs to the EU.<\/p>\n Anand Menon, director UK in a Changing Europe, left, and EU relations minister Nick Thomas-Symonds at the UK in a Changing Europe conference today. Photograph: Lisa O\u2019Carroll\/Lisa O\u2019Carroll\/The GuardianShare<\/a>Why is Britain changing prime ministers so often?<\/p>\n Yesterday Keir Starmer<\/a> became the sixth prime minister to leave office in a decade. As this Financial Times chart shows, other leading democracies have been much stable.<\/p>\n Turnover of leaders in leading democratic countries Photograph: Financial Times<\/p>\n Many people have said this is just down to Brexit. But, in a speech to the UK in a Changing Europe<\/a> conference today, Prof Sir John Curtice, the BBC\u2019s lead elections expert, said it was more complicated than this. He said:<\/p>\n double quotation markI don\u2019t think you can say that Brexit is simply the reason why we\u2019ve lost so many prime ministers. You can say it\u2019s true of [David] Cameron, you can say it\u2019s true of [Theresa] May. With all due respect, I don\u2019t think it\u2019s true of Johnson, I don\u2019t think it\u2019s true of Truss, and it\u2019s certainly not true of Sunak.<\/p>\n One had their somewhat loose relationship with the truth. One didn\u2019t listen to their civil servants \u2026 and the other lost an election.<\/p>\n That\u2019s what\u2019s meant to happen, but if by turbulence we mean: has Brexit been important in creating our much more fragmented political body? I would say it\u2019s helped to crystalise some of those forces that globalisation was helping to create.<\/p>\n In an interesting thread on social media<\/a> yesterday, Luke Tryl, director of More in Common UK, rejected the claim that Britain has become ungovernable. He said prime ministers who had to quit mainly had themselves to blame. He concluded:<\/p>\n double quotation markAre the public angry\/frustrated with a status quo they don\u2019t think works for them. Absolutely. But the idea the changing is their fault is for the birds, we\u2019ve had a series of PMs who\u2019ve made fatal mistakes and being unable to show they\u2019re delivering change – that doesn\u2019t mean rushing, but being able to take public on a journey.<\/p>\n double quotation markIf anything this should give Burnham (or Badenoch, or Farage) hope. All of our convos with the public suggest enough will engage with tough choices, but it has to be couched in a vision for the sort of country we\u2019re going to build and delivered in a way that commands confidence.<\/p>\n In his latest Substack article<\/a>, Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, claimed he had managed to force out four of the PMs who have quit. \u201cWe\u2019ve gone through six prime ministers in seven years. I saw off four of them \u2013 Cameron, May, Sunak, Starmer \u2013 myself,\u201d he said. Farage is probably entitled to take some of the credit for David Cameron, Theresa May and Starmer going, but Rishi Sunak was taken down by the record of his own party in office.<\/p>\n In a good FT article on this topic,<\/a> Chris Smyth argues lack off economic growth, the increasing rebelliousness of backbenchers and the nature of the UK media are also factors in the rapid turnout of leaders in the UK.<\/p>\n (Lisa O\u2019Carroll contributed to this post.)<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Lord Hermer tells MPs why attorney general’s office has quit X – but accepts other departments might need it more Rajeev Syal is the Guardian\u2019s home affairs editor.<\/p>\n Lord Hermer, the attorney general, has today accused Elon Musk\u2019s social media site X<\/a> of being a platform that \u201cconstantly descends to racism and misogyny\u201d.<\/p>\n Explaining why his department became the first in Whitehall to abandon the site formerly known as Twitter, he said other departments feel they \u201cneed to be on the pitch engaging with people but that is not where the attorney general\u2019s office needs to be\u201d.<\/p>\n The Guardian disclosed last week that Hermer\u2019s department had left X<\/a>, but this is the first time he has explained why.<\/p>\n Appearing before the Commons justice committee, he said the decision to leave X was his.<\/p>\n double quotation markI can understand why other departments feel they need to be on the pitch engaging with people, but that is not where the attorney general\u2019s office needs to be.<\/p>\n I think for the work that I can do, I can engage with people in serious debate, detailed debate, respectful debate, without being on a platform that constantly descends to racism and misogyny. I think my department can do better than that.<\/p>\n Lord Hermer arriving at cabinet this morning. Photograph: Anadolu\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a>Burnham adviser calls for billions of pounds in borrowing for infrastructure<\/p>\n Jim O\u2019Neill, the economist tapped by Andy Burnham<\/a> to be his chief economic adviser, has called for billions of pounds more borrowing to pay for investment in infrastructure, in a sign of how Burnham may seek to break from the policies pursued by Keir Starmer. Kiran Stacey has the story.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Almost half voters think Brexit could have worked well but was badly handled by politicians, poll suggests<\/p>\n Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, has published his latest long essay<\/a> on his new Substack blog. It is his third in less than a fortnight. This one is about why he believes \u201cthe political class betrayed Brexit\u201d.<\/p>\n Here is an extract.<\/p>\n double quotation markIf you listen to one fierce critic of the last Conservative government, this is precisely the failure mode for how it failed to seize the benefits of Brexit. They didn\u2019t \u201cuse our regulatory system to exploit [our] competitive advantage\u201d, or seize the \u201copportunities in areas like tech, and AI, even in farming\u201d. It\u2019s a shame that Kemi didn\u2019t live by these words when she had the chance to do so. Instead, she chose a different maxim: \u201cit is not the bonfire of regulations \u2013 we are not arsonists\u201d. Indeed not. And it\u2019s not surprising: the Conservative chose to conserve EU laws.<\/p>\n The More in Common polling<\/a> out today shows that a lot of people are open to the idea that Brexit might have worked. It suggests that, while 35% of people think it was never going to work, 46% of people believe it might have worked well but was badly handled by politicians.<\/p>\n Brexit polling Photograph: More in CommonShare<\/a>Labour says Farage holds public in ‘utter contempt’ if he thinks \u00a35m gift none of their business<\/p>\n Anna Turley, the Labour chair, has claimed that Nigel Farage\u2019s answers in interviews today about his undisclosed \u00a35m donation show that he holds the public in \u201cutter contempt\u201d. (See 10.27am<\/a>.)<\/p>\n In a statement she said:<\/p>\n double quotation markThis morning Nigel Farage seemed to change his story over his secret \u00a35m \u201cgift\u201d every other minute. First it was described as a \u201creward for Brexit\u201d, then it was apparently for security, and now Farage says it is a \u201cwholly private matter\u201d.<\/p>\n If Farage has nothing to hide, he should stop dodging questions and come clean. Despite what Farage may think, the British public have a right to know who is bankrolling a man seeking high office and what influence, if any, that money buys. The fact he thinks it\u2019s not the public\u2019s business to know shows what utter contempt he truly holds for the British people.<\/p>\n Here is our story on the Farage interviews by Jessica Elgot and Rowena Mason.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a011.02 EDT<\/p>\n Reeves names economics professior and productivity\/AI expert as her choice for new head of OBR<\/p>\n Jonathan Haskel, a politics professor at Imperial College London and a former member of the Bank of England\u2019s monetary policy committee, has been named as the government\u2019s preferred candidate for chair of the Office for Budget Responsibility<\/a>.<\/p>\n Announcing the proposed appointment, Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, said<\/a>:<\/p>\n double quotation markJonathan Haskel is an outstanding nominee for chair. His depth of expertise in economics and his track record of independent, rigorous analysis make him exactly the right person to lead the OBR \u2013 supporting the credibility of our fiscal framework and ensuring our economy is underpinned by sound public finances.<\/p>\n Commentators have welcomed the appointment.<\/p>\n This is from<\/a> Faisal Islam, the BBC\u2019s economics editor.<\/p>\n double quotation markProfessor Jonathan Haskel appointed as Chairman of OBR by Chancellor (needs to be approved by treasury Select committee) – well respected replacement for Richard Hughes, thoughtful ex Bank of England MPC member, expert on productivity and AI\u2026<\/p>\n OBR likely to remain tough independent feature of governance whoever is in Downing Street.<\/p>\n double quotation markThere may have been a slight angle here a few months back, because some of the people in Burnham\u2019s economic orbit (and even on the party\u2019s right too) had also begun to make an argument that more pro investment reform of the OBR was required\u2026 all that seems parked now, and Haskel will prove credible and independent, while also an expert on the determinants of productivity and low investment.<\/p>\n This is from<\/a> Gus O\u2019Donnell, the former cabinet secretary, and former head of the Treasury.<\/p>\n double quotation markCongratulations to Jonathan Haskel, new chair of OBR . Great to see excellent, independently minded economist in this vital role who also knows a lot about productivity.<\/p>\n And this is from<\/a> Ben Zaranko, economics editor of the Observer.<\/p>\n double quotation markJonathan Haskel has been nominated to be the next Chair of the Office for Budget Responsibility. Currently a Professor at Imperial, he\u2019s done lots of research into productivity (including the role of AI), economic inactivity, and various other issues highly relevant to the OBR.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a010.54 EDT<\/p>\n Environment secretary Emma Reynolds joins those calling for Burnham to become PM without contest Peter Walker is a senior Guardian political correspondent.<\/p>\n Emma Reynolds, the environment secretary, has praised Andy Burnham<\/a> as a \u201cfantastic communicator\u201d providing a \u201cdifferent and compelling story\u201d, as she urged potential rivals to the former Greater Manchester mayor to avoid triggering a formal leadership contest.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t want a contest,\u201d said Reynolds, who was a close ally of Keir Starmer<\/a>, who put her in the cabinet just 14 months after she returned to the Commons following five years out.<\/p>\n Speaking in an interview with the Times, she said:<\/p>\n double quotation markI\u2019ve lived through many different contests as an MP and as a party member. I don\u2019t want to do that in government. I don\u2019t think we should spend the summer turning in on ourselves.<\/p>\n She added: \u201cFrankly nobody else has got the numbers.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Burnham and Starmer have met away from No 10 to discuss transition<\/p>\n Andy Burnham has had a secret meeting with Keir Starmer to discuss the transition (see 12.43pm<\/a>, 1.01pm<\/a> and 1.18pm<\/a>, Oliver Wright from the Times reports<\/a>. He says:<\/p>\n double quotation markAndy Burnham is understood to have held secret talks with Sir Keir Starmer, as the prime minister pledged to smooth his transition to power.<\/p>\n Starmer was said to have left Downing Street for an hour-long \u201coff-site\u201d meeting with Burnham \u2013 the first time the two men had spoken since he returned to Westminster.<\/p>\n UPDATE: Pippa Crerar has had this confirmed<\/a>.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a010.36 EDT<\/p>\n UK could rejoin EU on ‘short’ timeline if it wanted, former EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier says Lisa O\u2019Carroll is a senior Guardian correspondent covering post-Brexit affairs.<\/p>\n The UK could rejoin the EU on a \u201cshort\u201d timeline because of the remaining alignment on regulation, Michel Barnier, the EU\u2019s former Brexit<\/a> negotiator has said.<\/p>\n He also said the UK could also join a new European security and defence council, which he is promoting to allow more formal cooperation with non-EU European countries such as the UK and Norway.<\/p>\n Speaking at the UK in a Changing Europe conference, Barnier declined to put a timeline on potential timetable for a potential re-entry into the EU but said: \u201cIt could be short.\u201d<\/p>\n However, he predicted that \u201cit would take much longer\u201d for the UK government \u201cto decide to rejoin\u201d than it would to become a member again.<\/p>\n Barnier restated his familar warning from the Brexit talks that there would be \u201cno cherrypicking\u201d for the UK. It could get back into the EU quickly but there would be \u201cno indivisibility of the four freedoms\u201d of the single market which covers free movement of labour, capital, services and goods, he said.<\/p>\n Jakub Krupa has more coverage of the conference on his Europe live blog.<\/p>\n Michel Barnier speaking at the UK in a Changing Europe Brexit anniversary conference Photograph: Lisa O’Carroll\/The GuardianShare<\/a>40% of poorest households say Brexit made them ‘much worse off’, poll suggests<\/p>\n More in Common has released some detailed polling today<\/a> on Brexit. In line with most polling on this topic, it shows that by a margin of about three to one people are more likely to say Brexit has been a failure (59%) than to say it has been a success (17%).<\/p>\n The polling also shows that 42% of all Britons say Brexit<\/a> had made them worse off. And the poorest voters are most likely to say this, and most likely to say Brexit has made them \u201cmuch worse off\u201d.<\/p>\n The report says:<\/p>\n double quotation markOver 4 in 10 Britons (42 per cent) say they are financially worse off because of Brexit. Just as many say it has made no difference and less than 1 in 10 say it has made them better off.<\/p>\n The most financially insecure Britons perceive the greatest impact from Brexit with around 6 in 10 saying that leaving the EU made them worse off and 4 in 10 of those saying much worse off.<\/p>\n Only the most financially comfortable are more likely to say that leaving the EU made them better off (36 per cent) than worse off (24 per cent).<\/p>\n Polling on Brexit Photograph: More in Common<\/p>\n Much analysis after Brexit showed that poorer people were more likely to support Brexit than wealthier people<\/a>. But there is also research making a counter argument<\/a>, that wealth made people more willing to tolerate what they saw as the risk associated with voting leave.<\/p>\n The More in Common polling also suggests that 49% of people say they would back a referendum to rejoin the EU, against 34% who would be opposed.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>How Labour planning special conference on Friday 17 July where Burnham set to be named as new PM<\/p>\n Sienna Rodgers from the House magazine has the full details <\/a>of the timetable for the election of the new Labour leader. She says these are the date that have been agreed by the officers group on the party\u2019s national executive committee. They have to be signed off by the full NEC, but that is normally a formality.<\/p>\n She says<\/a>:<\/p>\n double quotation markEXCL: Full details of Labour\u2019s leadership timetable revealed<\/p>\n \u2013 MPs nominate: Thursday 9 July to Wednesday 15 July<\/p>\n \u2013 MP hustings: Monday 13 July<\/p>\n \u2013 Affiliated organisations nominate: Wednesday 15 July at 6pm to Thursday 16 July at 6pm<\/p>\n \u2013 Special conference to confirm result on Friday 17 July<\/p>\n I\u2019m told:<\/p>\n \u2013 Burnham expected to become PM on the same day<\/p>\n \u2013 Even if he is the only candidate, he needs both MP and affiliate nominations<\/p>\n \u2013 Even if all MPs nominate before 15 July or more than 80% back Burnham, the window won\u2019t be shortened<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Europe\u2019s media look on in bemusement at post-Brexit \u2018revolving door\u2019 of UK prime ministers<\/p>\n Ten years on from Brexit \u2013 and our European friends are still wondering what\u2019s gone wrong with Britain. Michael Savage has been looking at how the continental papers are covering the news that we\u2019ve just had our sixth prime ministerial resignation in a decade.<\/p>\n![\"Lisa](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1782232930_449_Lisa-OCarroll-byline-004.jpg\")
Lisa O\u2019Carroll<\/p>\n![\"Rajeev](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Rajeev_Syal.png\")
Rajeev Syal<\/p>\n![\"Peter](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1782232931_612_Peter_Walker.png\")
Peter Walker<\/p>\nLisa O\u2019Carroll<\/p>\n