Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, is reportedly positioning himself for a potential leadership bid within the Labour Party, challenging Keir Starmer. Burnham has hinted at nationalisation and tax hikes, while also facing scrutiny over his wife's business interests and accusations of attacking free speech. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump's legal team has requested a delay in his classified documents trial until after the 2024 presidential election. A Labour government under Starmer is also planning aggressive stakes in UK firms using taxpayer money.

Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, is reportedly making moves to challenge Keir Starmer for leadership of the Labour Party, with aspirations to become Britain's next Prime Minister. Burnham has cancelled a meeting with hedge fund managers and vowed to pursue nationalisation and hinted at tax hikes. He is set to appear on the BBC's Question Time, a move seen as a test for a potential prime ministerial bid. Commentators suggest Burnham is positioning himself to take over the Labour leadership from Starmer. His return to parliament is being framed as an anti-establishment move, with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer accelerating efforts to demonstrate achievements ahead of the Makerfield by-election, should Burnham win. Burnham's wife, Marie Van Heel, has also become a subject of controversy, with journalist James Tozer revealing questions surrounding her business interests in relation to Burnham's political career. Van Heel's LinkedIn profile has reportedly vanished since Burnham's political resurgence, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest. Furthermore, Manchester's Fire and Rescue Service has warned employees over their support for the Reform UK party, leading to accusations of a 'chilling' attack on free speech, with senior figures expressing concern about employees' political affiliations. In a separate development, US President Donald Trump's legal team has requested a delay in the classified documents trial, citing the need to review a large volume of evidence and seeking to postpone proceedings until after the 2024 presidential election. Separately, Emily Thornberry, Labour chair of the foreign affairs select committee, stated that the Labour government has failed the Palestinian people, criticizing the government for not using its convening power to make illegal settlements on the West Bank economically untenable. A Labour government also plans to take 'aggressive' stakes in British private sector firms using taxpayer money to stimulate economic growth, an approach described as 'aggressive ambition' to boost the UK economy. Keir Starmer has informed supporters he will contest any future leadership challenge within the Labour Party, following a similar declaration from Burnham. Allies of the Prime Minister suggest Starmer is determined to prevent an uncontested succession.