53 h. ago Voices: ‘If Andy Burnham is the answer, we need a new question’: Readers on Labour’s leadership dilemma

Our community were split as polling suggested Andy Burnham has greater appeal to the wider electorate over Keir Starmer, sparking debate over whether Labour needs stability or a change at the top

Politics

3 d. ago Andy Burnham is Labour’s best hope of keeping Farage out of No 10, according to UK’s top pollster

With rumours whirling about a coup against Starmer, Britain’s leading polling guru told the Independent that he would not be surprised if one of the main party leaders is replaced in 2026

Events

5 d. ago FBI says it thwarted planned New Year’s Eve terrorist attack in North Carolina

FBI says teen was planning Islamic State-inspired hammer and knife attack on Jews, Christians and LGBTQ+ peopleThe FBI said on Friday that it thwarted an alleged plot to carry out a New Year’s Eve terrorist attack on a grocery store and restaurant in North Carolina in support of the Islamic State (IS).Christian Sturdivant, 18, of Mint Hill – a town outside Charlotte – was arrested on 31 December as he was being released from a special medical facility. He was charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, the US attorney for the western district of North Carolina, Russ Ferguson, said at a press conference on Friday morning. Continue reading...

Events

7 d. ago Zack Polanski: I would be open to working with Labour if Andy Burnham was leader

Green party leader rules out co-operation with Keir Starmer

Politics

8 d. ago Foreign Office under pressure over activist’s ‘abhorrent’ social media posts

Official inquiry ordered into ‘serious information failures’ following historic comments by Alaa Abdel Fattah

Society

8 d. ago MP jailed, WhatsApp leaks and endless Andy Burnham rumours: Greater Manchester's year in politics

Here's a run-through of all the highs and lows in politics for Greater Manchester in 2025.

Events

1 week ago Ditch Starmer to boost hopes of winning next election, say Labour voters in new poll

Findings of a survey commissioned by The Independent reveals Andy Burnham as favourite to take over from the prime minister

Politics

1 week ago Poll shock for Starmer: One in three Labour voters thinks PM should go

Findings of a survey commissioned by The Independent reveals Andy Burnham as favourite to take over from the prime minister

Politics

2 w. ago Major change to bus passes will make 'massive difference' to hundreds of thousands across region

Around 400,000 people will be impacted by the major change announced by Andy Burnham yesterday

Politics

2 w. ago Midwife leading biggest inquiry into maternity failings in NHS history is charging taxpayers up to £26,000 a month

Donna Ockenden has been chairing the report on Nottingham university hospitals NHS trust since 2022 and is paid £850 for every 7.5 hours she works, charged to NHS England (NHSE).

Economics

2 w. ago Andy Burnham apologises for GMP historic failings towards LGBTQ+ people

Peter Tatchell said that the foundation would ‘continue to campaign for a full and formal apology from Greater Manchester Police’

Events

2 w. ago What you need to know as Andy Burnham freezes Bee Network bus fares for 2026

The mayor said it was 'the right thing to do'

Economics

2 w. ago Andy Burnham scraps hated rule and announces all Bee Network bus fares frozen for 2026 – full list of prices

The mayor decision to lift the '9.30am' rule will affect 400,000 people

Economics

2 w. ago Andy Burnham apologises for past police LGBTQ+ discrimination

Greater Manchester mayor acknowledges ‘pain and suffering’ after region’s police chief declined to apologiseThe mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has apologised for past police failings towards LGBTQ+ people, acknowledging “unacceptable discrimination and the pain and suffering it caused”.Campaigners say the apology is in contrast to the stance of the chief constable of Greater Manchester police (GMP), Stephen Watson, who earlier this year declined to apologise on behalf of his force, saying that do so could be seen as “superficial and merely performative”. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Andy Burnham apologises for historic homophobia at Greater Manchester Police

The chief constable has previously refused to say sorry

Events

2 w. ago Angela Rayner 'would get deputy PM job back in deal to be Andy Burnham's running mate'

Labour MPs backing Mr Burnham, the mayor of Manchester, say Ms Rayner has agreed to support his bid in return for her old job as Deputy Prime Minister, plus a senior Cabinet position.

Economics

2 w. ago Don't do it, Andy! Rachel Reeves pleads with Burnham to serve full term as Manchester mayor amid talk of a plot to oust Keir Starmer

The Chancellor used a media interview to suggest the former Labour cabinet minister should serve out a full term running the city until 2028.

Events

2 w. ago Andy Burnham personally apologises to man ‘left stranded’ on Metrolink platform

"It should not happen. We will do better"

Events

3 w. ago UK insists US tech deal not dead as Trump threatens penalties against European firms

Keir Starmer’s office claims UK still in ‘active conversations’ about deal for tech industries in both countries to cooperateDowning Street insists the $40bn Tech Prosperity Deal between the US and UK that is on hold is not permanently stalled. The BBC reported on Tuesday evening that the prime minister’s office claimed that the UK remains in “active conversations with US counterparts at all levels of government” about the wide-ranging deal for the technology industries in both countries to cooperate.The agreement, previously billed as historic, was paused after the US accused the UK of failing to lower trade barriers, including a digital services tax on US tech companies and food safety rules that limit the export of some agricultural products. The New York Times first reported British confirmation that negotiations had stalled. Continue reading...

Economics

3 w. ago Andy Burnham's hopes of Labour comeback to challenge Starmer could be thwarted... because he is not a woman

Andy Burnham has been at the centre of intense speculation, with allies saying he is poised to make a comeback to the Commons.

Events