Kate Whannel

Ron Bailey, an 80-year-old veteran campaigner recovering from his sixth stroke, says he has helped secure 16 laws and influence a further 25 changes over four decades. His approach combines detailed legal research, grassroots mobilization, cross-party alliances and strategic use of private members' bills. Campaigns associated with him helped advance laws on council transparency, home energy efficiency, minicab regulation and traffic reduction. Bailey emphasizes building pressure outside Parliament while giving political opponents a face-saving route to compromise, tactics that enabled victories despite government opposition and obstruction from MPs such as Eric Forth.

Ron Bailey, an octogenarian campaigner recovering from his sixth stroke, estimates that he has helped secure 16 Acts of Parliament and contributed to 25 further legal changes. His campaigns have ranged from homelessness and squatting activism to freedom of information, energy efficiency, minicab regulation and traffic reduction. Bailey’s approach combines detailed legal research, grassroots mobilisation, cross-party cooperation, strategic compromise and the private members’ bills process. He successfully overcame resistance from Conservative MP Eric Forth, a prolific filibusterer, and argues that laws are won through public pressure outside Parliament as much as through parliamentary lobbying. Friends and former colleagues continue to regard him as one of the most effective parliamentary campaigners in Britain.

Labour MP Bayo Alaba has been suspended from the party and had the parliamentary whip withdrawn after referring himself for an internal investigation into allegations concerning two government-backed Covid bounce-back loans. The Times reported that he attempted to wind up Alaba Properties before repaying one of the loans, though two such attempts were blocked in 2022. Alaba admits taking out the loans but denies trying to evade his obligations and says they will be repaid in full by the end of the year. Labour said the investigation does not itself imply wrongdoing, while Conservative minister Mike Wood called for Alaba and ministers to answer questions about the allegations.

The Liberal Democrats are calling for schools, hospitals and all new UK homes to be fitted with air conditioning or other cooling systems as heatwaves become more frequent. Tim Farron said the UK is unprepared for extreme heat, while the party argued that the cost of adapting buildings is far lower than the potential cost of climate impacts. The government said homes should be designed to reduce overheating and that regulations are under review. Building and sustainability experts warned that making air conditioning standard could increase energy use and worsen urban heat, advocating passive cooling through shading, ventilation and better design, while acknowledging that mechanical cooling may be necessary in some settings.

The Liberal Democrats have called for schools, hospitals and all new UK homes to include air conditioning or other cooling systems, arguing that the country is unprepared for increasingly extreme heat. Tim Farron said the policy would help make homes and essential buildings climate-ready, with hospital upgrades funded through a proposed £10bn NHS investment plan. The government said homes should be designed to minimize overheating and that existing rules are under review. Industry and sustainability experts warned that widespread air conditioning could increase energy use and urban heat, advocating passive cooling measures such as shading, ventilation and better building design. The Climate Change Committee estimates that 92% of existing homes could face overheating risk by 2050.

The UK government plans a public awareness campaign urging households to prepare for emergencies such as cyber-attacks and severe weather. Cabinet Office Minister Darren Jones also announced a major home defence exercise and updates to the national risk register, which now includes threats such as cyber-attacks on water infrastructure and failures in digital resilience. The register removes reliance on Russian gas as a key risk, citing reduced dependence. Crisis response plans are being updated for the first time since 2004, and a multi-day hybrid‑attack exercise named Operation Albiston Shadow will be conducted to strengthen national preparedness.

The UK government plans a public awareness campaign advising households on preparing for emergencies such as cyber-attacks and severe weather. Minister Darren Jones announced updated national resilience plans, a major home defence exercise, and revisions to the national risk register, which now includes threats such as attacks on water infrastructure and digital resilience failures. Reduced dependence on Russian gas has led to the removal of related supply disruption from the risk list. Officials highlighted recent global disruptions and technological developments as reasons for strengthened preparedness measures, and classified crisis plans are being updated for the first time since 2004.

Nigel Farage reported earning £270,000 from Direct Bullion for promotional work, his largest registered payment as an MP, alongside earlier earnings from the same company and income from GB News and Cameo. The declarations come amid scrutiny over an undeclared £5m gift from Christopher Harborne, which is under investigation by the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner. Labour’s Anna Turley criticised his outside earnings, arguing he should prioritise constituents’ interests.

Andy Burnham set out plans for a Manchester-based “No 10 North” intended to drive major devolution and shift power away from Whitehall. He pledged public service reform, expanded local control of utilities and transport, a major council house building programme, changes to education and welfare reform aimed at supporting young people. Burnham emphasised financial stability while promising long-term efforts to improve living standards. Political leaders from other parties reacted with criticism, questioning the substance and feasibility of the proposals and warning about limits of devolution.

Andy Burnham outlined plans for a Manchester‑based No 10 North unit aimed at devolving power across the UK, alongside proposals for major council house building, welfare cuts, education reform and business rate changes. He argued that shifting authority from Whitehall would boost regional growth, while opposition leaders criticised his approach to devolution and fiscal plans. Burnham refrained from announcing cabinet choices as he prepares for a potential transition to prime minister, with further access talks underway.