LabourList

Thank you so much friends. What a moment. And what backing you’ve given me. All our affiliated trade unions. All our socialist societies. 379 of our MPs. And I don’t need to say commiserations to Catherine West because she backed me too. Thanks Catherine! All of them heard the call from the people of Makerfield, on behalf of forgotten places everywhere up and down this country, for a return of the Labour they once knew. And now we answer that call. We will be that version of Labour again.

Andy Burnham has been confirmed as Labour’s new leader after commanding the support of all of the party’s unions and all but 24 of the party’s MPs. Burnham, former Mayor of Greater Manchester and MP for Makerfield, was the only candidate in the leadership contest, sparked by the resignation of Keir Starmer last month. Burnham received endorsements from 94 percent of the Parliamentary Labour Party, as well as all of the party’s 11 affiliated trade unions.

Incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham will make good growth in every postcode his defining mission. To succeed, it is essential to take a wider view of how Britain drives growth and where economic opportunity lies. Lord Wood of Anfield was right when he recently argued for LabourList that an ageing population represents such an opportunity – longer, healthier lives can support greater economic participation.

Over the last two years I have spent over 1,000 hours watching GB News, listening to podcasts like TRIGGERnometry, reading Rupert Lowe’s X account, consuming conspiracy theories, and scrolling through some of the deeper, darker, less mainstream parts of the alt-right’s internet. None of it changed my politics. But it did change how I think political persuasion works. Because the biggest thing most progressives misunderstand about the right is that it doesn’t persuade through arguments.

As Keir Starmer steps down today as leader of the Labour Party, I want to take this opportunity to thank him for everything he has done for the party we both love. Even if we have both found that love challenging, unreciprocated and downright painful at times. I took over as Editor of LabourList at the start of September 2025 – the week of Angela Rayner’s resignation that led to first a reshuffle and then the race to be Deputy Leader.

It was a busy final week before recess for the Labour government. In Keir Starmer’s last days as prime minister, there were plenty of announcements from government departments to push his agenda forward. Here are the seven most exciting breakthroughs and announcements this week that you can use, whether you’re on the doorstep, sparring on social media, or debating in the pub. Labour has taken British Steel into public ownership.

Westminster is finally talking about reindustrialisation. Led by Andy Burnham’s accurate diagnosis that deindustrialisation has gone far too far, we are starting to have a serious conversation about the economy, one that goes beyond just boosting the services sector. The economy we need must deliver good jobs, opportunity and hope in every neighbourhood. It must bring down the cost of living and build national resilience.

Dozens of Labour MPs are calling on incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham to deliver a million more jobs in production as part of his efforts to reindustrialise the nation. Around 40 MPs have formed the Reindustrialisation Research Group to develop proposals to advance the reindustrialisation agenda, as well as scrutinise government plans.

New Welsh Labour leader Ken Skates has outlined plans for a new mission statement for the party, to be unveiled in the autumn. Skates, who was officially confirmed as permanent leader of the party yesterday, told LabourList he will be speaking to CLPs, branches, members, trade unions and others in the coming weeks and months to help shape a “clear and compelling narrative” about Welsh Labour and its direction.

With another Wimbledon now behind us, we’re reminded of sport at its very best. Year after year, the tournament highlights what is possible when exceptional talent is supported by ambition, expert coaching and the right opportunities. Few events embody that spirit more powerfully than the wheelchair tennis. Every athlete competing has overcome challenges that many people never have to think about.