TLRP

Andy Burnham's big plan up until recently was to run the country as a left-wing populist - a toned-down version of Jeremy Corbyn, or 'Diet Corbyn' as you could call it. Had he been allowed to contest the Gorton and Denton by-election, that would have been easy given its 'vibrant' left-wing demographics. But with the Labour NEC blocking him, he’s now having to contest Makerfield, a Reform-adjacent, Blue Labour seat. This means the 'King of the North' can no longer run on that original platform; he has to adopt a more socially conservative approach to national sovereignty, law and order, and immigration just to hold the seat, explaining his recent U-turns. The irony of this is hilarious. Burnham was chomping at the bit to lead Britain to the left of Starmer, but the NEC’s shenanigans and his now-adopted political home of Makerfield have made that very difficult. So he is now reinventing himself all over again, for the umpteenth time. Whether he genuinely pivots or ultimately betrays those voters, it’s one of the most fascinating strategic binds in recent British politics.

Spent the day in Liverpool, and I have to say: I am seriously impressed by that city. I lived there for a year more than a decade ago, but it has changed in all sorts of subtle ways since I was last there. The university campus is more or less the same, complete with hilariously dishevelled towers like the Roxby Building. But the city centre is now absolutely buzzing. It is immaculately clean and packed with some of the best places in the North to eat and drink. If you like Chinese food, as I do, it is close to perfect. There is also much more of an artsy-fartsy atmosphere now, but I actually prefer it to places in London like Camden Town or Shoreditch. It feels less self-conscious and more relaxed. Another thing that really struck me was just how clean everything is. Not just the streets, but the shops and cafés themselves. It is a total contrast to London, which increasingly feels a bit grubby by comparison. Liverpool is also incredibly pedestrian-friendly. Everything is compact and walkable, so you barely need public transport at all. I genuinely cannot recommend the city highly enough.

Liverpool Resurgent aka "Dickie Lewis", on top of the entrance to the former Lewis's department store.

Woolton Village, Liverpool.

A truly cursed country where you finally vote out a nonentity like this, only for them to be gifted a lifelong peerage and a permanent seat on every news panel show going 😔

Twin towers of the Royal Liver Building, Liverpool.

The Health Secretary overseeing the biggest reorganisation of the NHS in a generation has accepted £372,000 from companies and individuals with links to the private health – and the money keeps coming in at a rate of nearly £10,000 a month since he took office.

Talent.