BBC Politics
Reeves backs Burnham to become next prime minister
Rachel Reeves has publicly endorsed Andy Burnham as her preferred choice to succeed Keir Starmer as prime minister, signalling a significant alignment between two of Labour's heavyweight figures. The endorsement is notable given reports that Burnham could strip Reeves of the chancellorship should he reach Downing Street. Whether the backing reflects genuine conviction or strategic positioning, it raises the stakes in Labour's emerging succession debate.
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How the US bypasses British courts to try its military over crimes in the UK
A 1951 agreement allows the US military to try its own personnel in court martial proceedings for crimes committed on British soil, bypassing UK courts entirely. The arrangement covers serious offenses including sexual assault and child abuse cases, and affects the roughly 12,000 American military personnel stationed across at least 15 bases in the UK. Critics are raising fresh concerns about the system's legitimacy after a case involving a US fighter pilot who strangled a woman in England resulted in what observers described as a degrading military trial.
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Officials will lobby Burnham to revive ‘war bonds’ idea to pay for higher defence spending
Senior government officials, including figures inside No 10, are pushing to revive the concept of "war bonds" as a mechanism to fund increased defence spending under a future Burnham administration. The proposal would see the Treasury granted greater borrowing powers specifically earmarked for military investment, beyond the £13.5bn already set aside. The lobbying effort signals growing internal pressure to find alternative financing routes as defence commitments intensify.
Read article →Guardian UK Politics
Senior No 10 aides to lobby Andy Burnham to invest more than £13.5bn defence spend
Senior Downing Street aides are preparing to push Andy Burnham on defence financing when he becomes prime minister, urging him to back "war bonds" as a mechanism for borrowing beyond the £13.5bn already earmarked for military investment. The push reflects growing pressure within government to unlock greater long-term funding for defence outside traditional fiscal constraints. How Burnham responds could define the ambition — and the balance sheet — of his defence agenda from day one.
Read article →Guardian UK Politics
Government officials to lobby Andy Burnham to invest more than £13.5bn defence spend
Andy Burnham is facing pressure from senior government officials to back a "war bonds" financing model that would allow the Treasury to borrow beyond the £13.5 billion already earmarked for defence investment. The push, expected to be made during access talks ahead of Burnham becoming prime minister, reflects growing urgency around military spending amid heightened global security concerns. The proposal would represent a significant shift in how Britain finances its defence commitments.
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