James

I can confirm that I will be requesting the permission of the NEC to stand in the Makerfield by-election. I grew up in this area and have lived here for 25 years. I care deeply about it and its people. I know they have been let down by national politics. Ten years ago, I decided to leave Westminster. Why? Because, after 16 years, I came to the conclusion that our national political system does not work for areas like ours. I learnt this fighting its failure to invest in the Wigan borough, for justice for the Hillsborough families and against its treatment of Greater Manchester during the pandemic. Over the last decade, I have been challenging this failure from the outside and building a new and better way of doing politics. We have built Greater Manchester into the fastest-growing city-region in the UK and put buses back under public control, introducing a £2 fare cap to help people with cost-of-living pressures. However, there is only so much that can be done from Greater Manchester. Much bigger change is needed at a national level if everyday life is to be made more affordable again. This is why I now seek people’s support to return to Parliament: to bring the change we have brought to Greater Manchester to the whole of the UK and make politics work properly for people. Millions are struggling and they need the Labour Government to succeed. It has already made changes to make life better for them in its first two years. After this week, we owe it to people to come back together as a Labour movement, giving the Prime Minister and the Government the space and stability they need as the by-election takes place. I want to recognise the difficult decision taken by Josh Simons and the sacrifice he and his family are making. I have worked closely with him as Mayor on issues like flooding and illegal waste dumping and have seen first-hand how effective he has been. He has put the communities of Makerfield first, made a real difference for them and should take great pride in that. Finally, I truly do not take a single vote for granted and will work hard to regain the trust of people in the Makerfield constituency, many of whom have long supported our party but lost faith in recent times. We will change Labour for the better and make it a party you can believe in again. ENDS

Andy B probably being the only hope I have left for this country so let’s go x

Zack Polanski confirms he has never dated Wes Streeting. Should think NOT, @WesStreeting would never date a @LibDems. thepinknews.com/2026/05/14/zac…

Angela Rayner after getting that call from HMRC:

The data 👇 Labour will need to grapple with a very different strategy required in Wales - and not just live with, but welcome more than one position across the party. A top-down Westminster-focused approach will fail to win back the progressive support the party will need to win in Wales again. Carving out *specifically* Welsh Labour wins in policy, funding and legislation this year will be vital.

my main requirement for next labour leader is simply that they are not an Arsenal fan

@mrrobosborne we could've crowdfunded you an ubereats!!

I’ve now gone to Greggs. So there will be a pause until we see the new cabinet around 3pm.

@jameswilson i hope they got her another one immediately!

@jamesbrinn_ Our Beth always going above and beyond (holding a book mic, dropping her coffee on the street) to get us the story ❤️

strangely reassuring to me that Beth Rigby is always serving high camp in these moments of national peril

loving always seeing the legendiva @BethRigby during times of crisis

@WalesOnline well done @cathayschris 🙌

Cardiff council's ruling Labour group names city's new leader walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-new…

Here to serve

I think we often forget we voted to destroy our economic future in 2016 so this should not come as a surprise

Can Andy Burnham overcome the biggest barrier to his assault on power…. Avanti West Coast?

Just saw Keir Starmer shadow boxing out by the bins

I can verify

🚨 NEW: Andy Burnham's allies say a seat has been lined up for him to stand with a potential announcement later today [@thetimes]

🚨 We will see Rhun ap Iorwerth formally appointed First Minister today. And here's a reminder of the key pledges we expect to see advanced by his administration in their first 100 days 👇

most working class green party member

BREAKING: Darren Jones, the chief secretary to the prime minister, indicates that Sir Keir Starmer may be about to announce a timetable for his resignation He tells @TimesRadio: “He’s listening to colleagues, and he's talking to colleagues… I can't say what decision he may or may not take. I’m not going to get ahead of the prime minister's decision.” Darren Jones is as loyal as they come and has been put forward by No 10 to do the broadcast round For him to equivocate on something as fundamental as the prime minister’s future is significant Last night the view in No 10 was that Starmer would resist the pressure. This morning Darren Jones is saying he has a decision to make…