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‘He feels more relatable’: Burnham’s conference speech wins praise from drifting Labour voters

The UK prime minister has earned his party a rehearing but the battle of public opinion is not yet won “He’s offering what no other politician has offered for a long, long time. He actually feels like he’s one of us,” was how Neil, a geography teacher, described Andy Burnham in our focus group on Thursday night. Neil wasn’t alone in his praise: this group of Labour 2024 voters – some of whom had drifted to Reform, the Tories and Greens during the Starmer era – provided the most positive reception for a politician since Boris Johnson at the height of his Covid-vaccine bounce. Continue reading...

Burnham must remember: more regulation is not the best way to improve public services | Phillip Inman

In the NHS as in the private sector, the measure of success should be customer satisfaction and not just box-ticking Andy Burnham said he wanted to “rewire” the economy. Then he seemed to slam on the brakes, kicking most reforms into the 2030s. Local government reorganisation is on hold, along with an overhaul of the much-maligned water industry. Social care and significant welfare reform are matters to be resolved by the next government. Continue reading...

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Toone determined to come back better after 'difficult week'

Ella Toone reflects on a "difficult week" and looks back on a narrow win against Liverpool in the Women's Super League.

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Back-to-back wins for Man Utd as they see off Liverpool

Manchester United celebrate their 250th game in the club's history with a narrow victory over Liverpool in the Women's Super League.

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Man Utd & Arsenal eye Croatia striker - Sunday's gossip

Three Premier League clubs are interested in Freiburg striker Igor Matanovic, Juventus want Liverpool centre-back Giovanni Leoni, Newcastle willing to let Joe Willock leave in January, plus more.

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Hegseth is obsessed with testosterone therapy. If anything, I’d like the opposite | Dave Schilling

Maybe the key to life is being able to bench press 300lb at 75. But do we need more muscle-bound, angry guys around? I loathe going to the doctor. Not a controversial opinion, compared to some of the other ones in this section of the Guardian. I’m not exactly arguing for universal basic income or for Manchester City to be relegated to the Saudi Pro League here. No one looks forward to a doctor visit, with its recriminations for bad habits or various intrusive blood tests. People don’t have cocktail parties to celebrate their yearly check-up, and yet, it seems like every day, there’s a new reason to go get prodded by a stranger in a lab coat. Continue reading...

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Bowie seizing Scotland shot after World Cup disappointment

BBC Scotland speaks to Kieron Bowie after he scores his first goal for his country against North Macedonia.

Thousands of Glasgow council workers face pay cuts in one of UK’s biggest fire-and-rehire plans

Unison union refuses to ballot members on offer that would make 11% of council employees worse off UK politics live – latest updates Thousands of Glasgow council workers face being sacked and reappointed under less favourable terms in one of the UK’s biggest ever “fire-and-rehire” exercises, after union negotiations broke down once again this week. About 23,000 workers – all of the council’s non-teaching staff – first heard they were affected last week when talks between the SNP-led council and the GMB, Unison and Unite unions fell apart. Those negotiations concerned a new pay and grading system designed to resolve historical pay equality issues. Unison refused to ballot its members on an offer that would mean pay cuts for 11% of council employees, prompting the council to begin issuing fi

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Ronaldo still 'greatest symbol' of Portugal - Fernandes

Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes says Cristiano Ronaldo remains the country's greatest footballing figure despite leaving the squad this week after finding out he would not start a match.

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Bellingham unlocks new level and potential to be 'one of the greatest'

Jude Bellingham's international future was being called into question a year ago, but now he is regarded as potentially one of England's "greatest of all time".

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‘There’s a lot of silence’: have we created a new ‘Lonely Generation’?

Learning to be one human among many has always been a little lonely and discombobulating. But young people around the world are lonelier than ever. Why? In September, a Reddit user identifying themselves as a 25-year-old man turned to the r/ForeverAlone subreddit with a question : How do you deal with touch starvation? “It’s becoming obvious to me that I’ll probably be alone forever,” he wrote. He used to be worried about missing out on sex, but now he just misses hugs. Cuddles. “I don’t have many friends and none with that kind of physical relationship. I don’t really hug family either anymore. Some days, I feel so desperate for a hug with someone I love.” Continue reading...

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