By GB News (Politics) | Created at 2026-06-17 07:16:55 | Updated at 2026-06-17 15:42:36
8 hours ago
Ed Miliband is said to be shunning Sir Keir Starmer as the Energy Secretary prepares to defy his boss and back Andy Burnham as Prime Minister.
The former Labour leader has already been tipped to be in the running to replace Rachel Reeves as Chancellor if the "King of the North" is successful in his bid to win the Makerfield by-election and boot out Sir Keir from No10.
Over the past week, Mr Miliband and Sir Keir are understood to have clashed over making cuts to the former leader's department to funnel more funds into defending Britain.
But he has been accused of declining calls from his boss while the pair remain at a crossroads over the spiralling issue, The Times revealed.
A source close to Mr Miliband denied the claim altogether and insisted the pair did speak in the end.
Mr Miliband eventually accepted a one per cent cut to his Net Zero funding.
However, he remains on Downing Street's "resignation watch", which left Labour officials "blindsided" when John Healey resigned from the Ministry of Defence last Thursday.
FOLLOW ALONG FOR LIVE UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE DAY...
UK inflation holds at 2.8% but farmers warn food prices will rise after Iran conflict
UK inflation held steady at 2.8 per cent in May, defying forecasts that price pressures would begin accelerating once again.
New figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) remained unchanged from April, surprising City economists.
It was widely anticipated there would be a rise towards three per cent, with some forecasts predicting inflation could climb as high as 3.2 per cent.
The latest reading means inflation remains above the Bank of England's two per cent target, although the stability will provide some reassurance to households and policymakers concerned about the impact of rising global tensions on living costs.
Andy Burnham urged to drive UK to rejoin EU single market - including free movement
Andy Burnham has been urged to drive the UK to rejoin the EU single market.
Sir Ed Davey will push the "King of the North" to ditch Labour's hesitancy towards the matter and will tell the wannabe Prime Minister that he should start talks imminently.
Freedom of movement would be on the agenda.
Lord Hermer to condemn Nigel Farage at pro-EU gathering to mark Brexit's 10th anniversary
Lord Hermer is set to condemn Nigel Farage and Brexit at a major pro-EU speech today.
The Attorney General will argue Brexit has done "damage" to Britain's standing in the world as he attacks the Reform UK leader and the Conservatives.
In a speech at an event held by the European Movement campaign group, he will claim that those who once campaigned for Brexit have now fallen "uncharacteristically quiet".
Talks of Britain's future UK-EU relationship have reignited ahead of the Makerfield by-election and potential Labour leadership contest.
Labour accused of changing election rules to stop Reform UK winning
Labour has been accused of changing election rules to stop Reform UK winning a potential mayoral race in Greater Manchester.
Lord Hayward, a Conservative peer and former MP, said the Government was rushing to change the way mayors are elected.
Peers on Tuesday approved the Combined Authorities (Mayoral Elections) (Amendment) Order 2026, which would revert mayoral elections to the supplementary vote system, where voters get a first and second preference candidate choice.
