Sean Whelan

London Correspondent

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham delivers his keynote speech on day three of the Labour Party Conference at Liverpool Experience Campus on September 29, 2026 in Liverpool, England

Burnham's big ideas ignite the Labour foot soldiers

He didn't say, "Let's rejoin the EU". He didn't even say, "Let's join the single market". But Andy Burnham did tell his first Labour Party Conference as UK Prime Minister that Brexit has not given Britain back control, and that it has done more harm than good to the UK economy.

Analysis and Comment • 30 Sep

Andy Burnham, UK prime minister, speaks outside 10 Downing Street after becoming prime minister

Economy, Europe and election - the big issues for Burnham

Andy Burnham's aim is to fix an image in the minds of the British voters that will clearly define Labour in relation to its main challenger - Nigel Farage's Reform UK.

Analysis and Comment • 27 Sep

Andy Burnham, UK prime minister, right, and Micheal Martin, Ireland's prime minister, during their meeting at Number 10 North in Manchester, UK

Leaders concentrate on results amid tense global climate

Andy Burnham and Micheál Martin concentrated on devliverables during their meeting in 'Number 10 North' in Manchester - the new Prime Minister's big statement on shifting power out of Westminster.

Analysis and Comment • 19 Sep

Andy Burnham greets Taoiseach Micheal Martin to No 10 North, Manchester

Martin, Burnham reaffirm Good Friday Agreement commitment

Taoiseach Micheál Martin met with British Prime Minister Andy Burnham in Manchester today where the pair discussed ties between the UK and the European Union.

Politics • 18 Sep

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband making a statement on Israel-Palestine in the House of Commons

West Bank sanctions a big moment in UK's foreign policy

It was forthright, it was clear, it was unequivocal - ethnic cleansing of Palestinians is being carried out in the West Bank by Israel. The formal position of the UK government now is that the occupation of the West Bank is illegal, and must end, writes Sean Whelan.

Analysis and Comment • 12 Sep

Prime Minister Andy Burnham during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons

Burnham commits to Good Friday Agreement on border poll

British Prime Minster Andy Burnham has said he will "stick to the Good Friday Agreement 100%", including on the matter of holding a referendum on re-unification.

Ulster • 09 Sep

Financial controversies continue to follow Farage

"I cannot be bought," were the opening words of Nigel Farage at the Reform UK conference, to get the audience energized for the main event, the leader's speech.

Analysis and Comment • 06 Sep

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage drinks a pint in a pub on July 08, 2026 in Great Bentley, England

The week that changed everything for Nigel Farage

The week in politics for Nigel Farage began with his resignation as a member of the UK parliament; it ended with the murder of his party's justice and immigration spokesperson.

Analysis and Comment • 13 Jul

Taoiseach Micheál Martin leaving Dublin Castle following the opening ceremony of Ireland's EU Presidency

Taoiseach to attend British-Irish Council in Guernsey

Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee are in Guernsey, in the Channel Islands, for a summit meeting of the British-Irish Council.

Politics • 10 Jul

Will Nigel Farage's latest ploy to avoid scrutiny work?

Nigel Farage's latest wheeze to avoid scrutiny is to pose as the anti-establishment candidate in a by-election he himself is initiating. Will it work?

Analysis and Comment • 07 Jul