Jane Dalton

Al Carns has withdrawn from challenging Andy Burnham for the Labour leadership, clearing the way for Burnham to take over as party leader on 17 July and become prime minister days later. Nigel Farage formally resigned as an MP ahead of the Clacton by-election, where major parties are boycotting the vote and leaving Count Binface as his main opponent. Police are investigating a £40,000 donation tied to Robert Jenrick’s 2024 Conservative leadership bid after allegations part of it came from a foreign source. Reform UK is pushing for an early August by-election date, while several figures linked to Farage face scrutiny over campaign support and finances.