Michael Lambert: Andy Burnham's Great Ideas but How Will He Pay for Them?

Oct 2, 2026 | Andy Burnham's speech to the Labour Conference promised a 10-year plan to fix Britain - but how will it be paid for?

In an excellent speech Andy Burnham set out tougher controls on water companies and renationalisation, if needed, more council houses, an end to rough sleeping, proper reform and investment in social care to save the NHS, further devolution, electoral reform - and a hint at a return to the EU.

Britain is broke. We have the highest energy prices in Europe, the highest rail fares, the lowest state pension, plus massive waste on Hinkley Point and HS2.

You only get money by growing businesses, building new ones and increasing economic activity - and there was nothing in the speech about how to do that.

Democracy Now! Top US News & World Headlines

October 2, 2026

Democracy Now! can be supported here »

Can Burnham Dismantle Thatcher’s Revolution?

Oct 2, 2026 | UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged to reverse Margaret Thatcher’s economic legacy.

Bloomberg Originals explores whether this proposed rollback is feasible in the UK’s current fiscal landscape. …

Burnham rolls dice on radical policies he knows may backfire

„Willkommen zurück“: Frankreich und Spanien offen für britisches EU-Comeback

Oct 1, 2026 | Der britische Premier Burnham hat Überlegungen zu einer Rückkehr des Landes in die Europäische Union angestoßen. Der französische Präsident Macron nannte die Idee am Mittwoch „eine sehr gute Nachricht, sowohl für ihr Land als auch für die Europäer“.

Mit einem Mix aus „Hoffnung und Ehrlichkeit“ will Burnham die Rechtspopulisten schlagen. Auf dem Labour-Parteitag kündigt er heikle Renten- und Pflegereformen sowie eine EU-Initiative an.

"He Will Come to Regret It" | Andrew Neil and Chris Curtis Clash over Burnham's EU Stance

Oct 1, 2026 | The PM says it's possible Labour's next manifesto could promise a new in-out referendum on the EU.

Is Britain ready to re-open the issue which ten years ago split the country down the middle?

Journalist Andrew Neil and Labour MP Chris Curtis debate the PM's stance.

Interview by Victoria Derbyshire, with Political Editor Nick Watt.


Andrew Neil is an old fossil now. He is long past his sell-by date. Moreover, it cracks me up that he doesn't want us to return to the EU, denying the British people all those rights as EU citizens. But Andrew Neil himself is well-heeled enough to be able to live the good life in France. Sounds like double standards to me. It also reminds me of the phrase, 'I'm alright, Jack' — © Mark Alexander

Democracy Now! Top US News & World Headlines

October 1, 2026

Democracy Now! can be supported here »

Call It Evil: Understanding the Trump Era (w/ Susan Neiman) | TCHR

Oct 1, 2026 | In her new book, Call It Evil: Understanding the Trump Era, Susan Neiman investigates the structural evils of the Trump administration and how people are becoming ‘Good Germans’ in our fascist era.

Burnham Reopens Brexit Debate: EU Says UK Must Chart Its Own Path on Future Relations • FRANCE 24

Oct 1, 2026 | The EU said Wednesday it was up to London to chart a way forward for Britain's relations with the bloc, after Prime Minister Andy Burnham put the idea of rejoining on the table. Burnham reopened the divisive Brexit debate Wednesday by saying his centre-left Labour government could go "all the way" and propose membership of the bloc, once it has weighed the "pros and cons" of different possible relationships with Europe. For the European perspective, FRANCE 24's Dave Keating reports from Brussels.

No 10 Gathering Evidence on Public Support for UK Rejoining EU

THE GUARDIAN: Senior Downing Street officials reach out to thinktanks and pollsters as they look to test backing for reversing Brexit

Senior Downing Street officials have been reaching out to thinktanks and pollsters as they look to test public support for the UK rejoining the EU.

Aides to Andy Burnham have been talking to EU experts in a range of organisations about how the public would view a promise to rejoin, as momentum builds behind including such a pledge in the next Labour manifesto.

Some in No 10 are keen to promise that Labour would at least negotiate over re-entry to the bloc, something Burnham has previously said he wants to see happen “in his lifetime”. Others are nervous, however, that making such a promise could revive the flagging political fortunes of Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader.

Burnham used his first Labour conference speech as leader to announce a review of the options for Britain’s relationship with Europe, and added on Wednesday that these options should include rejoining entirely.

The prime minister told delegates on Tuesday: “Brexit has done more harm than good. So I will take the opportunity around the [UK-EU] summit to lay out to you, to lay out to the country, what I believe are the different options for Britain’s long-term relationship with our European partners.” » | Kiran Stacey and Lisa O’Carroll | Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Michael Lambert: Why Luck Is More Important Than Anything Else If You Are to Succeed

Sep 30, 2026 | Is success really earned - or are we just lucky? In this video I start from Martin Lewis's remarkable speech to LSE graduates - talent, hard work and focus matter, but luck matters more.

I explore why two people can do everything right and get totally different outcomes.

We talk about the luck of where you're born, the family you’re born into, the talents you’re born with, meeting the right partner at the right time, being in the right place for a job - and above all, health. Health is the jackpot.

And I end with the bigger question: if success is only measured in money, why are so many rich and famous people unhappy, while so many poor people seem happy? Maybe the truly lucky ones are those who find happiness regardless.


Michael, this is one of your very finest videos. This is a message that so many people, young and old alike, should heed.

So often, one hears the old trope that “the harder one works, the richer one gets”. No, that is not true; it’s a lie! That is not to say that hard work doesn’t play its part in success, but it should be remembered that graveyards are replete with dead people who worked extremely hard in life and got nowhere.

I know from personal and painful experience just how much luck, and bad luck, play their parts in life. — © Mark Alexander

Andy Burnham: 'Brexit Has Caused More Harm Than Good' | BBC Radio 4 Today

Sep 30, 2026 | Andy Burnham has suggested rejoining the EU is among options the government could examine to reshape the UK's long-term relationship with Europe.

Speaking to Today's Nick Robinson, the prime minister said "Brexit has caused more harm than good", and the government is exploring "different options".

He also agreed that the UK is facing an energy crisis but refused to say whether people will be offered more than the temporary VAT cut to help with rising energy bills.

When pressed on his vow to scrap the state pension triple lock by 2030, he said it will be an "adjustment" that keeps "in play" the three elements of rising with inflation, 2.5% or reflecting earnings growth.

Système économique, éloignement des zones de conflit… La « marca Argentina » débarque à Paris face aux décideurs européens

Cette image provient de cet article du Figaro. | Le président argentin Javier Milei au siège de l’ONU à New York, le 23 septembre 2026. Caitlin Ochs / REUTERS
LE FIGARO : DÉCRYPTAGE - À la tête d’une équipe de ministres et d’entrepreneurs, le président argentin se rend en France pour convaincre les décideurs du Vieux Continent d’investir dans son pays.

« Riche comme un Argentin. » Jusqu’à vendredi, ce dicton, né dans le Paris des années 1920, résonnera dans l’esprit des participants de l’Argentina Week, ce forum destiné à attirer investisseurs français et européens. Cent ans après s’être imposé comme le « grenier du monde », l’Argentine met en valeur la richesse de ses ressources naturelles, son capital humain, son éloignement des zones de conflit et, grande nouveauté, son système économique, présenté comme un modèle de dérégulation après vingt ans de protectionnisme et d’interventionnisme étatique. Tels sont les principaux arguments de la « marca Argentina », présentée aux décideurs du Vieux Continent.

Javier Milei ne part pas seul sur ce front de bataille. Accompagné de cinq ministres, dont Luis Caputo, qui pilote l’Économie, il pourra aussi s’appuyer sur treize gouverneurs, censés donner l’image d’un élan fédéral, ainsi que sur une douzaine d’entrepreneurs dans des secteurs en plein essor. Un collectif à mi-chemin entre la délégation olympique et le comité de direction d’un grand groupe l’entourera ainsi. Les temps forts seront l’intervention de Milei devant l’OCDE, jeudi matin, suivie d’une rencontre avec Emmanuel Macron, à l’Élysée. L’occasion d’évoquer le dossier de la vente de sous-marins Scorpène à la marine argentine. » | Par Fabien Palem, à Buenos Aires | mardi 29 septembre 2026

Réservé aux abonnés

ALSO READ:

As A.I. Fears Grow, President Milei Pitches Argentina as a Rules-Free Haven: Mr. Milei wants to go all in on artificial intelligence even as other leaders struggle to get a handle on a technology many fear poses existential threats. »

« Ils se sont comportés comme l’un des pires pays au monde » : les États-Unis interdisent l’importation de plusieurs produits canadiens

LE FIGARO : Les États-Unis interdisent plusieurs produits canadiens, en particulier les alcools, dans un nouveau durcissement des tensions commerciales entre Washington et Ottawa.

Les États-Unis ont franchi mardi un nouveau palier dans leur conflit commercial avec Ottawa en fermant la porte à certains produits canadiens, en particulier des alcools. L'interdiction est entrée en vigueur mardi à 00H01 (04H01 GMT). Elle vise toutes sortes de boissons alcoolisées (bière, vin, brandy...), le lactosérum (ou « whey »), une protéine très populaire issue de la transformation du lait, ou encore les grosses motos de plus de 800 centimètres cubes - celles qui pourraient faire concurrence aux Harley-Davidson américaines. La Maison Blanche avait annoncé cette mesure le 8 septembre, après que le Canada a imposé de nouveaux droits de douane sur des produits américains, en réponse aux surtaxes mises en place par Washington à l'encontre de ses propres exportations. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | mardi 29, 2026

Announcement

MARK ALEXANDER: I am delighted to be able to report that we have well exceeded 3 million visits today.

This wouldn’t have been possible without your support. So, of course, I should like to thank you all very, very much for your loyalty.

Hopefully, we shall soon be celebrating the next milestone together.

With many thanks to all,
Mark

Donald Trump Has Cost Americans Too Much | Steve Schmidt

Sep 28, 2026 | Donald Trump used taxpayer money to finance a campaign-style ad that aired during NFL games this weekend. Steve Schmidt breaks down the heinous misuse of power and why Donald Trump will face reality in 36 days.

How Americans put up with this bloody corrupt and incompetent man is beyond my comprehension! — © Mark Alexander

Trump Brought Venezuelan Gold to the U.S., but Refiners Won’t Touch It

Screenshot taken from this NYT article. | Gold miners at work in El Callao, Venezuela. Credit: Adriana Loureiro Fernandez for The New York Times
THE NEW YORK TIMES: The administration is brokering deals in a notoriously corrupt industry, including one with a company that the United States deems a security threat.

In early March, as President Trump basked in the success of a military intervention in Venezuela, he joined Interior Secretary Doug Burgum in the West Wing for a private celebration. A businessman also attended, and brought along a pile of gold.

The president looked approvingly at the 10 Venezuelan gold bars stacked in the Roosevelt Room, across from the Oval Office, White House officials recalled. Aides took photos and joked about keeping the gold.

Mr. Trump himself had once blacklisted Venezuelan gold, declaring that it destroyed the environment, poisoned people and financed gangsters and corrupt military officials. But after Mr. Trump toppled the Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro, his view changed.

On the same day that the bars arrived at the White House, the Trump administration issued a new policy allowing traders to import Venezuelan gold from one of the world’s most violent and corrupt mining regions. The first supplies would come from a state-owned mining company that remained a designated U.S. national security threat. » | Anatoly Kurmanaev, Tyler Pager and Rebecca R. Ruiz | Anatoly Kurmanaev reported from Caracas and the mining town of El Callao; Tyler Pager from Washington; and Rebecca R. Ruiz from London and Geneva. | Monday, September 28, 2026

Democracy Now! Top US News & World Headlines

September 28, 2026

Democracy Now! can be supported here »

Dr Bandy Lee Assesses Trump’s Genocidal Address at the UN General Assembly and Chinese State Visit

Sep 28, 2026 | Dr Bandy Lee returns to The Weekend Show to assess Trump’s humiliating address at the UN General Assembly as he threatened a genocide against the Iranian people. Plus his fawning over President Xi as America rolled out the red carpet for another authoritarian leader.

Steve Rosenberg: Russian Paper: “The Election’s Over. It’s Time for Unpopular Measures.”

Sep 28, 2026 | Today one Russian newspaper writes: “The parliamentary elections are over. The time has come for unpopular measures.” Another reports on contacts between the Kremlin and the far-right AfD.

🇨🇦 Canada - Foreign Minister Addresses United Nations General Debate, 81st Session

Sep 26, 2026 | Anita Anand, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Canada, addresses the General Debate of the 81st Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (New York, 22 - 26 and 28 September 2026). …