{"id":62272,"date":"2026-06-13T14:50:55","date_gmt":"2026-06-13T14:50:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/62272\/"},"modified":"2026-06-13T14:50:55","modified_gmt":"2026-06-13T14:50:55","slug":"andy-is-not-a-superhero-doubts-grow-over-burnham-as-pm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/62272\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Andy is not a superhero’: Doubts grow over Burnham as PM"},"content":{"rendered":"

The wait is almost over.<\/p>\n

Like football fans anticipating the World Cup, Westminster has been holding its breath for next week\u2019s \u201cexistential\u201d Makerfield by-election, perhaps the most consequential in recent political history.<\/p>\n

Thursday\u2019s poll will determine whether Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham can return to Parliament and challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the keys to Downing Street.<\/p>\n

And if it felt make-or-break a month ago, John Healey\u2019s devastating resignation<\/a> as defence secretary in a row over military funding on Thursday ramped up the stakes even higher for a Prime Minister who has vowed to fight any leadership challenge.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tShorts\n\t\t<\/p>\n

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The price, size and variety of eggs differ<\/p>\n

But which is the best value
for money and taste?<\/p>\n

Food Editor Sophie Morris
tested 15 supermarket packs, scrambled and fried.<\/p>\n

Her findings? The most expensive wasn\u2019t the best.<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

\nSupermarket eggs taste test\n<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

M&S Golden Yolk Eggs<\/p>\n

These shells win the beauty contest and the yolk colour is amazing when scrambled. 4\/5<\/p>\n

Taste the Difference<\/p>\n

These Sainsbury\u2019s eggs taste as good as they look with gorgeous orange middles and a rich flavour. 4\/5<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

St Ewe Rich Yolk Eggs<\/p>\n

These are \u201chigher welfare\u201d free-range eggs but the yolks taste no better than other high-end eggs, says Morris. 4\/5<\/p>\n

\nSupermarket eggs taste test\n<\/p>\n

Aldi Golden Yolk Eggs<\/p>\n

Winner! The Specially Selected eggs are a great price with a delicious yolk. 4\/5 <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Savers Small Eggs<\/p>\n

Morrisons Savers eggs are great for the price (\u00a31.10) but not rich in flavour. 3\/5<\/p>\n

Burford Brown Eggs<\/p>\n

They taste great, but not noticeably better than the other high-end eggs. The spend is more to do with\u00a0branding. 4\/5<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

\nSupermarket eggs taste test\n<\/p>\n

7Tesco Finest Bluebell Aruacana
The pale blue shells won me over but the insides are just as rewarding with a rich flavour.
4\/5<\/p>\n

8Waitrose Duchy Organic Eggs
Their sunny yellow middle scrambles beautifully into light, fluffy folds.
4\/5<\/p>\n

9Lidl Deluxe Golden Yolk Eggs
They\u2019re a great deal and the yolk is a lovely bright orange and the taste is\u00a0rich and eggy.
3.5\/5\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nSupermarket eggs taste test\n<\/p>\n

M&S British Free Range Eggs<\/p>\n

Large eggs with brown shells and a light orange yolk and they\u2019re a great price for high-welfare large eggs. 4\/5<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Ocado Large Free Range Eggs<\/p>\n

These are the best value large eggs that I try. The yolks are a dark yellow and the eggs turn out a lovely rich and fluffy scramble. 4\/5<\/p>\n

\nSupermarket eggs taste test\n<\/p>\n

Packington British Free Range Eggs<\/p>\n

Pretty white eggs with a yellow yolk that taste fine but, given the price, I expected a little more. 3.5\/5<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

\nSupermarket eggs taste test\n<\/p>\n

Waitrose No.1 Longstock Gold Eggs<\/p>\n

They are delicious: meltingly rich, they scramble into fat folds. They have beautiful green shells, almost too pretty to eat. 4\/5<\/p>\n

\"EggsCaption: Eggs are seen in a carton on Monday, April 13, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo\/Jenny Kane)
Photographer: Jenny Kane
Provider: AP
Source: AP<\/p>\n

\"ACaption: A detail of cracked egg falling into the pan as woman holds egg shells in both hands.
Photographer: SimpleImages
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Moment RF<\/p>\n

Asda Organic Mixed Size Eggs<\/p>\n

The yolk is a pale yellow and when scrambled the result is an unappealing yellowish grey colour. These are the most bland-tasting of the lot. 2\/5<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Food inflation could reach as much as 10 per cent by the end of 2026<\/p>\n

Why you should stockpile<\/p>\n

The\u00a0modern food system is incredibly efficient \u2013 but that efficiency depends on a constant flow and just-in-time delivery. Stockpiling, at its best, isn\u2019t panic buying. It\u2019s creating a small buffer between us and a system that was never designed to pause.<\/p>\n

S\u00e9amus Higgins, author of\u00a0Food and Us: The incredible story of how food shapes humanity<\/p>\n

\"ShoppingSupermarkets will find ways of holding down the price of the basics, and try to make their money on the fancy lines (Photo: Roy James Shakespeare\/Getty)<\/p>\n

\nWhat you should consider buying\n<\/p>\n

\"SmilingTap water is generally safe to drink in Europe (Photo: Klaus Vedfelt\/Getty)<\/p>\n

Bottled water <\/p>\n

While we are accustomed to free-flowing water, in recent years, supply has failed for a number of days in many areas of the UK.<\/p>\n

Canned essentials<\/p>\n

Morris keeps tomatoes, beans, pulses, chickpeas, lentils and fish in her cupboard.<\/p>\n

\"ChickpeasChickpeas are a great source of protein (Photo: Christian Mouysset)<\/p>\n

\"YoungMany of us like to add milk to our tea, so you may be wondering whether that affects its benefits (Photo: Maca and Naca\/Getty)<\/p>\n

Tea and coffee<\/p>\n

As prices vary, and are increasing, it\u2019s good to bulk buy if you can. <\/p>\n

\nWhat you should stockpile\n<\/p>\n

Dried goods<\/p>\n

A base of dry goods, like rice, pasta, oats and flour, are the backbone of a reliable pantry. Make sure bags are stored correctly and replace them when they go out of date.<\/p>\n

\"AsianCaption: Asian girl grocery shopping in supermarket. She is choosing fresh fruit juice along the beverage aisle, reading the nutrition label and checking ingredients on the bottle. Making a healthier food choice and balanced diet. Healthy eating lifestyle
Photographer: d3sign
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Moment RF<\/p>\n

\"CloseCaption: Close up of a woman preparing a wholesome breakfast by pouring oats into a bowl from a plastic free jar with fresh berries.
Photographer: Dougal Waters
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Digital Vision
Copyright: Dougal Waters Photography Ltd<\/p>\n

UHT drinks<\/p>\n

UHT dairy, squash and long life milks and juices are worth keeping for emergencies.<\/p>\n

\nWhat you should stockpile\n<\/p>\n

A well-stocked freezer is also important, but it doesn\u2019t need to be a huge space. <\/p>\n

Focus on versatility and rotation in fruit, veg, fish and bread, and buy what you\u2019ll use.<\/p>\n

\"Close-upCaption: Close-up of peanut butter on toasted bread on light gray plate. Food background.
Photographer: Yuliia Zaitseva
Provider: Getty Images\/iStockphoto
Source: iStockphoto<\/p>\n

Peanut butter, or a jarred treat like jam or Nutella, is also a good idea. <\/p>\n

Nut butters are a great source of protein, fibre, has a long shelf life and can be used on savoury and sweet foods.<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Want to slow down brain ageing? Try a hobby<\/p>\n

\nThe hobbies that slow brain ageing\n<\/p>\n

Practise a musical instrument<\/p>\n

A study of 108 amateur musicians in the journal\u00a0Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences\u00a0found those with more musical experience had better attention control.<\/p>\n

\"CaucasianCaucasian mid adult patient writing a diary while recovering in the hospital ward \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

\"IVANO-FRANKIVSK,Caption: IVANO-FRANKIVSK, UKRAINE \u2013 NOVEMBER 13, 2022 \u2013 Musicians of the NAONI Orchestra (National Academic Orchestra of Folk Instruments of Ukraine) hold a concert at the Ivan Franko Academic Regional Ukrainian Music and Drama Theatre in Ivano-Frankivsk, western Ukraine. (Photo credit should read Yurii Rylchuk \/ Ukrinform\/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
Photographer: Future Publishing
Provider: Future Publishing via Getty Imag
Source: Future Publishing<\/p>\n

Journal in the evening before bed<\/p>\n

Reflecting on your day supports your memory as you\u2019re rehearsing the things you\u2019ve done, especially if you do it with pen and paper, says Prof Catherine Loveday, author of\u00a0The Secret World of the Brain. <\/p>\n

\nThe hobbies that slow brain ageing\n<\/p>\n

\"CawdorThe flowering gardens at Cawdor Castle (Photo: Dennis Barnes\/Getty\/Stockbyte Unreleased)<\/p>\n

Garden for 20 minutes<\/p>\n

Connecting with nature replenishes cognitive resources and boosts vitamin D levels, says Loveday. <\/p>\n

Join a knitting group<\/p>\n

Knitting improves coordination and working memory \u2013 your brain\u2019s ability to store and use information according to the British Journal of Occupational Therapy.<\/p>\n

\"SeniorSenior female friends spending leisure time knitting while sitting at table in retirement home \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

\"IncreasingAs society sees the largest ever intergenerational shift of assets, younger clients will need people they can relate to, instead of relying on AI and social media for financial advice (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

Learn a language<\/p>\n

Learning a second language helps improve our ability to retrieve words.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The hobbies that slow
brain ageing<\/p>\n

Games, like Minecraft, helps improve spatial representation, speed and reaction times.<\/p>\n

Reading fiction twice a week stimulates the language parts
of the brain, says Loveday.<\/p>\n

One study also found that chess players had better cognitive reflection and greater focus. <\/p>\n

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LIFESTYLE<\/p>\n

5 min read<\/p>\n

Why crossing your legs could be bad your health\u2026<\/p>\n

It\u2019s one of those every day moves that we rarely think twice about \u2013 especially when sitting for longer periods \u2013 but it could be inadvertently contributing to your back pain, high blood pressure or even issues like infertility.<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

\nWhy you shouldn\u2019t cross your legs\n<\/p>\n

The fact it\u2019s comfortable doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s good for us<\/p>\n

62%<\/p>\n

of people prefer to cross their right over their left leg.<\/p>\n

While 26 per cent cross their left over the right and 12 per cent have no preference.<\/p>\n

S shape<\/p>\n

The natural shape of the spine when stood up is an S-shaped curve.<\/p>\n

But when we sit in a chair with our feet flat on the ground our pelvis is rocked backwards creating a C shape.<\/p>\n

\"AIn some people, blood pressure stays high despite medication, and hormones may be the reason (Photo: Tatiana Maksimova\/Getty Images\/Moment RF)<\/p>\n

How does it impact blood pressure?<\/p>\n

We\u2019re restricting venous return of blood from peripheral tissues like the foot going back to the heart.<\/p>\n

Says Adam Taylor, Professor and Director of the Clinical Anatomy Learning Centre, at Lancaster University. <\/p>\n

Although your blood pressure should drop once you move from the position, it can have longer term impacts if you have pre-existing conditions like diabetes.<\/p>\n

\nHow it can impact the nervous system\n<\/p>\n

In extreme it can
lead to a phenomenon
called foot drop.<\/p>\n

\"SeniorSenior woman on sofa feeling and suffering from back pain. \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

Over the short term crossing can give you pins and needles. If you leave it there for half an hour, an hour, or longer, you can actually interfere with the muscular function of the muscles, says Taylor. <\/p>\n

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LIFESTYLE<\/p>\n

5 min read<\/p>\n

How it impacts posture<\/p>\n

\"A(Photo: Justin Paget\/ Getty).<\/p>\n

Sam Bhide, advanced physiotherapy practitioner, believes the main impact of sitting cross-legged is gluteal tendonitis,\u00a0resulting in moderate to severe hip pain.<\/p>\n

One study<\/a>\u00a0found that sitting cross-legged leads to a bent and asymmetrical posture and other research shows it increasing the misalignment of the hips.<\/p>\n

How it impacts fertility<\/p>\n

We know that crossing your legs warms up the groin area by somewhere in the remit of three degrees. If you are a man who sits with your legs crossed for a prolonged period of time, that is not good for sperm production.<\/p>\n

ADAM TAYLOR, PROFESSOR AND DIRECTOR OF THE CLINICAL ANATOMY LEARNING CENTRE<\/p>\n

\"Undated(Photo: Andrew Matthews\/PA).<\/p>\n

\nHow to fix it\n<\/p>\n

\"IncorrectCaption: Incorrect seated posture.
Photographer: Science Photo Library
Provider: Getty Images\/Science Photo Libra
Source: Science Photo Library RF<\/p>\n

Get out of the habit<\/p>\n

If crossing our legs is the cause, then the obvious solution is to do it less.<\/p>\n

Microbreaks<\/p>\n

Take time off from sitting, and put your musculoskeletal system through a normal range of motion.<\/p>\n

\"\"There are many ways to improve your finances this Easter (Amr Bo Shanab\/Getty Images\/fStop)<\/p>\n

\"A(Photo: Justin Paget\/Getty).<\/p>\n

Focus on symmetry<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re a right over left leg crosser, try crossing the other way, so those forces are at least going\u00a0through the body equally.<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

The foods the experts always have in the cupboard<\/p>\n

\nFoods to keep in the cupboard\n<\/p>\n

\"JohnCaption: John West tuna chunks in brine, ??1.50\/125g
Copyright: John West<\/p>\n

Tinned fish<\/p>\n

These are a great way to get Omega-3 fats and fish with soft bones are a great source of calcium, says dietician Emma Shafqat. <\/p>\n

Ready whole grains<\/p>\n

Dietitian Lucy Upton recommends brown rice, quinoa and barley which are low in salt.<\/p>\n

\"RiceRice cooked \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

\"\"Photographer: HakanEliacik \/ 500px
Provider: Getty Images\/500px Prime
Source: 500px Prime
Copyright: Hakan Eliacik \u2013 05062142485<\/p>\n

Olive oil<\/p>\n

Cold-pressed extra\u00a0virgin olive oil\u00a0has polyphenols and antioxidants, says Dr Frankie Phillips. <\/p>\n

\nFoods to keep in the cupboard\n<\/p>\n

Nuts and seeds<\/p>\n

They boast unsaturated fats,\u00a0fibre, plant\u00a0protein, vitamins and minerals. Raw or dry roasted\u00a0should have no additives, like salt. Dr Shafqat recommends brands like Meridian, Pip & Nut and Whole Earth. <\/p>\n

\"ADried fruit
(Photo: Wirestock\/Getty\/iStockphoto\/Juergen Wiesler)<\/p>\n

\"Various <\/p>\n

Dried fruit <\/p>\n

If you\u2019re mindful of the addd sugar, they can be great for fibre as part of a meal. Dr Phillips recommends dried apricots as they\u2019re verstaile and add iron to the diet.<\/p>\n

\"dark-chocolate\" <\/p>\n

Dark chocolate<\/p>\n

It surprises many people that dark chocolate contains fibre.<\/p>\n

It counts as a health food thanks to\u00a0its high polyphenol count.\u00a0<\/p>\n

To really optimise the health benefits, choose chocolate\u00a0that is 70 per cent cocoa as it has fewer ingredients and a higher polyphenol content. <\/p>\n

Lindt 70 to 85 per cent, Green & Black\u2019s, Divine Fairtrade, Aldi\u2019s Moser Roth (70 per cent) and Lidl\u2019s own brand\u00a0(85 per cent) are great, accessible options.<\/p>\n

\nFoods to keep in the cupboard\n<\/p>\n

Oats<\/p>\n

Plain oats are a cheap, accessible and nutritious food that provide beta-glucan, a type of soluble fibre which helps to manage cholesterol levels.<\/p>\n

\"\"Packing out your curry with pulses (Photo: Michelle Garrett\/Getty)<\/p>\n

\"CloseCaption: Close up of a woman preparing a wholesome breakfast by pouring oats into a bowl from a plastic free jar with fresh berries.
Photographer: Dougal Waters
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Digital Vision
Copyright: Dougal Waters Photography Ltd<\/p>\n

Pulses<\/p>\n

Dr Phillips keeps canned cannellini beans, kidney beans, chickpeas and red lentils in the cupboard, and adds them to soups, stews and savoury mince dishes. <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

The UK\u2019s mild climate may be destroyed<\/p>\n

While much of the world is set to grow hotter as a result of the\u00a0climate crisis, the UK could soon face a different fate. <\/p>\n

Climate scientists fear a \u2018cold blob\u2019 in the Atlantic Ocean may bring Arctic conditions instead of a tropical future. <\/p>\n

Bill McGuire, a professor of geophysical and climate hazards at University College London (UCL), is one of them. <\/p>\n

Here he shares why cold temperatures could be our reality in a few decades.<\/p>\n

Why this could happen<\/p>\n

At the moment, global heating is making the UK hotter. This warmth is thanks to the presence of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), a system of currents over the Atlantic.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Without these currents, our climate would be more akin\u00a0to the much colder weather in north-eastern\u00a0Canada.<\/p>\n

And the AMOC might be set to U-turn.<\/p>\n

One study suggests that the AMOC has weakened by 15 per\u00a0cent since the mid-20th century.<\/p>\n

There is not much we can do to stop
this decline. Emissions would need to
be cut in half within five years to have
any chance of dodging a permanent global temperature change.<\/p>\n

\nHow to prepare for a change\n<\/p>\n

\u201cAll countries need to ensure that infrastructure, food security, services
and public engagement are robust,\u201d
says Professor McGuire.<\/p>\n

\"SnowCaption: Snow falls over in Middleton-in-Teesdale, County Durham. Storm Chandra brought travel disruption and flooding as strong winds and heavy rain hit much of the UK. Picture date: Tuesday January 27, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Owen Humphreys\/PA Wire
Photographer: Owen Humphreys
Provider: Owen Humphreys\/PA Wire
Source: PA
Copyright: PA Wire<\/p>\n

\"AA train arrives into the station in the town of Glossop in the snowy weather last week. New rail projects planned for the North of England are \u2018really exciting,\u2019 the Transport Secretary has said (Photo: Oli SCARFF \/ AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

One paper estimated that only seven per cent of UK land would be suitable for
arable farming in the new climate,
compared with the current 32 per cent. \u201cManaging this looks like rationing and restricted civil liberties,\u201d he claims.<\/p>\n

The global impact<\/p>\n

\"FILESmoke billows from a fire in an area of the Amazon rainforest near Porto Velho, Rondonia State, Brazil (Photo: Bruno Kelly\/Reuters)<\/p>\n

It could cause the weakening of the African and Asian monsoons, resulting in famine.<\/p>\n

Increased warming of the southern hemisphere could further dry out the Amazon.<\/p>\n

Increase melting across Antarctica would accelerate sea level rise.<\/p>\n

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LIFESTYLE<\/p>\n

5 min read<\/p>\n

What we need to do<\/p>\n

This is entirely the result of\u00a0global heating caused by human activities. It is critical that monitoring of the AMOC is maintained, even increased. European governments really need to be planning for a future that could well be
much colder.<\/p>\n

AUTHOR OF THE FATE OF THE WORLD: HOW OUR FUTURE IS WRITTEN IN THE PAST<\/p>\n

\"SnowSnow covering Arlington Row in the Cotswolds village of Bibury. \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

Our shared ownership home is a disaster<\/p>\n

\"PaulPaul Afshar is struggling to sell his shared ownership flat in Hackney Wick (Photo: Charlie Forgham-Bailey)<\/p>\n

Paul Afshar felt a sense of pride when
he purchased 25 per cent of a new home in East London \u2013 as a way to get on the property ladder without huge financial backing. <\/p>\n

But years on, Afshar has discovered the drawbacks of the scheme, including the rising costs and difficulty moving on. <\/p>\n

\nThe background\n<\/p>\n

A 25 per cent of a one-bedroom flat in London.<\/p>\n

In 2007 Afshar put a five per cent deposit (\u00a32,500) on his share of the flat and entered a 35-year mortgage on a standard variable rate.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Although he only owns a quarter of his flat in Hackney but is eligible for 100 per cent of the maintenance costs.<\/p>\n

Between 2007 and 2024 his mortgage rose 48 per cent from \u00a3268.65 to \u00a3400.28. He also pays \u00a3865.48 on rent (shared ownership requires paying rent to the organisation who owns the rest) and a service charge.<\/p>\n

Fixing unsafe cladding on his block of will also cost in excess
of \u00a350,000, as it isn\u2019t eligible for government funding.<\/p>\n

The impact on residents<\/p>\n

It has definitely triggered a deep sense of anxiety in me that affected my mental health. It\u2019s this constant heavy, nervous feeling in my stomach.<\/p>\n

AFSHAR, 41<\/p>\n

\"PaulCaption: Paul Afshar, campaigner for End Our Cladding Scandal (EOCS). who???s flat in Hackney Wick has been affected by unsafe cladding which means that he is unable to sell the property. <\/p>\n

Photographed leaving his flat.
Photographer: Charlie Forgham-Bailey
Provider: Charlie Forgham-Bailey
Source: Charlie Forgham-Bailey<\/p>\n

Shared ownership in the UK<\/p>\n

\"BRENTFORD,Caption: BRENTFORD, ENGLAND \u2013 OCTOBER 19: A general view of some of the student accommodation blocks within the Paragon Residential development which have been placed on a mandatory evacuation order, on October 19, 2020 in Brentford, England. Paragon is a development of six apartment blocks owned by one of London\u2019s largest housing associations, Notting Hill Genesis. A recent investigation into the exterior cladding coupled with structural and fire safety issues has led to the association asking residents of the 1059 flats to evacuate while further investigations are made. The estate was developed by Berkeley First, part of The Berkeley Group plc. (Photo by Leon Neal\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n

Myra Butterworth
Photographer: Leon Neal
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Getty Images Europe
Copyright: GETTY IMAGES<\/p>\n

In 2024, 200,000 households were shared ownership properties.<\/p>\n

In 2021-22 there were 19,386 new\u00a0shared ownership properties.<\/p>\n

Fewer than 2,000 shared ownership households managed to staircase from part to full ownership in 2022.<\/p>\n

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Big Read<\/p>\n

9 min read<\/p>\n

\nSelling up\n<\/p>\n

Afshar couldn\u2019t sell his flat but didn\u2019t feel safe to live in it \u2013 because of the cladding. So he lived with his partner for three years, still paying the mortgage and charges.<\/p>\n

\"PaulCaption: Paul Afshar, campaigner for End Our Cladding Scandal (EOCS). who???s flat in Hackney Wick has been affected by unsafe cladding which means that he is unable to sell the property. <\/p>\n

General view of the unsafe timber cladding.
Photographer: Charlie Forgham-Bailey
Provider: Charlie Forgham-Bailey
Source: Charlie Forgham-Bailey<\/p>\n

\"PaulCaption: Paul Afshar, campaigner for End Our Cladding Scandal (EOCS). who???s flat in Hackney Wick has been affected by unsafe cladding which means that he is unable to sell the property. <\/p>\n

Photographed inside his flat.
Photographer: Charlie Forgham-Bailey
Provider: Charlie Forgham-Bailey
Source: Charlie Forgham-Bailey<\/p>\n

Property expert\u00a0Crystal Olenbush says selling is the biggest issue. \u201cYou\u2019ve got to figure out how to divvy any equity, then you\u00a0need to find someone to take over the side of the seller\u2019s portion of the mortgage. There\u2019s a whole legal process to transfer that shared ownership stake. If anyone tries to skip steps, it creates huge problems.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"PaulPaul Afshar is struggling to sell his shared ownership flat in Hackney Wick
(Photo: Charlie Forgham-Bailey)<\/p>\n

The takeaway<\/p>\n

I got into something I didn\u2019t fully understand.\u00a0I was sold a dream of homeownership and it\u2019s come back to bite me years later. It\u2019s heartbreaking.<\/p>\n

Looking back Afshar wishes he\u2019d have looked into the service charge, mortgage rate and selling protocols sooner.<\/p>\n

Thinking of getting
a divorce?<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not always the solution, says psychotherapist and author Philippa Perry, who has been married for 32 years. <\/p>\n

Here are the five things she recommends asking yourself before dishing
out the divorce papers.<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

\nThe questions you should ask\n<\/p>\n

Is it a you problem?<\/p>\n

\"Couple,Couple, talk and arguing with fight at house for disagreement, conflict and divorce discussion. Woman, explain and bored man for conversation, toxic relationship and drama and marriage fail in lounge \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not a good idea to get divorced when you\u2019re just depressed and stressed. You\u2019re naturally irritated by everything and everybody. It\u2019s too easy to\u00a0take that out on your partner and think they\u2019re the problem.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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OPINION<\/p>\n

2 min read<\/p>\n

\"Asian(Photo: Kawee Srital-on\/Getty).<\/p>\n

Are you telling
yourself a story?<\/p>\n

We cherry-pick the evidence against our partner until we\u2019re so set on them being the enemy\u2026<\/p>\n

It feels almost like tying up loose ends. But it won\u2019t really solve the problem. It just makes it much worse. It\u2019s okay to be wrong. Good relationships are full of ruptures and repairs.<\/p>\n

\nThe questions you should ask\n<\/p>\n

It is a mixmatch of
conflict styles?<\/p>\n

When we\u2019re under stress, we have our preferred way of coping.<\/p>\n

You want a\u00a0partner who\u2019s on the same page as you, so that you have moments of connection.<\/p>\n

Some people think a lot, other people want to go straight to action. <\/p>\n

If you\u2019re a thinker, and you\u2019re married to a do-er, it\u2019s important to remind them that they don\u2019t have to fix every problem. If you are a doer, you have to say something like, explain your process and thoughts a little more.<\/p>\n

Do you believe the
grass is greener?<\/p>\n

If this is you, do some serious therapy on yourself. What gets in the way of a good relationship is thinking that the grass is greener and therefore having a lack of commitment. This is why we have marriage because you make a commitment. <\/p>\n

PHILIPPA PERRY, AUTHOR OF BEST-SELLING BOOKS ON PARENTING AND RELATIONSHIPS<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Do you have moments
of inclusion?<\/p>\n

\"HappySon\u2019t assume your partner knows how you think (Photo: ljubaphoto\/Getty\/E+)<\/p>\n

Moments of inclusion are the ones when you both feel like you\u2019ve both clicked, and really get on. \u00a0<\/p>\n

If these moments are missing, we need to leave more space for them.<\/p>\n

Also treat love as an action, not a feeling. Ask yourself, what can I do for my partner today?<\/p>\n

\t
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\n\t<\/a><\/p>\n

LIFESTYLE<\/p>\n

5 min read<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\"\"\/<\/p>\n

But while Burnham is talked of as if he will simply stroll into Downing Street should he win in Makerfield, where Reform UK is putting up a strong fight<\/a>, some MPs believe the shine might be starting to come off the Greater Manchester Mayor.<\/p>\n

Burnham\u2019s policy platform is \u2018anyone\u2019s guess\u2019<\/p>\n

Thursday\u2019s extraordinary row over the defence investment plan helped Burnham in that it drowned out another policy U-turn<\/a> or backpedal \u2013 this time over compensation for so-called Waspi women who claim they lost out on pension payments when the claim age was raised.<\/p>\n

He said the women deserve recompense, which would cost \u00a310.5bn, but quickly backtracked following a backlash from Labour MPs, some of whom were already beginning to have doubts about Burnham, citing ideological splits among his supporters and the lack of a cohesive policy platform.<\/p>\n

Burnham remains the favourite for the leadership, if a contest is triggered, but rivals, including former health secretary Wes Streeting, are increasingly hopeful that they can win the battle of ideas and turn a Labour leadership contest on its head during any campaign.<\/p>\n

One MP who was involved in a previous Burnham leadership campaign said they had reservations about his candidacy, claiming he lacked creativity and policy ideas and had inherited many of his successes, like the publicly run Bee Network of buses he has set up as Greater Manchester mayor.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe hasn\u2019t innovated those ideas himself,\u201d the MP said.<\/p>\n

A Labour MP said Burnham\u2019s policy platform was \u201canyone\u2019s guess\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s clear about the need for a National Care Service but I don\u2019t think he has thought through the rest,\u201d they said.<\/p>\n

This is causing jitters among some that Burnham could replicate the worst parts of Starmer\u2019s leadership because he does not have a plan for power.<\/p>\n

Split vote in Makerfield won\u2019t help Burnham<\/p>\n

A Labour source said they were worried that \u201chistory is repeating itself\u201d when it comes to Burnham\u2019s preparations for Government.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope they will start getting a platform together soon\u201d, they said.<\/p>\n

They argued that the current administration had struggled because \u201cthey didn\u2019t have a vision before they started\u201d.<\/p>\n

The source also said that Burnham would need to think up a fresh vision, as \u201cManchesterism\u201d was unlikely to translate across the country.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t say to people in Newcastle they should be more like Manchester. That won\u2019t work. It\u2019s a very Westminster-centric view that Manchester is the second-best city in the country.\u201d<\/p>\n

The feeling of inevitability around Burnham is partly being driven by the idea that if he can win Makerfield, in the Wigan area where Reform UK swept the board in May\u2019s local elections, he will undoubtedly prove he is the man to take on Nigel Farage for Labour at the next general election.<\/p>\n

\"ASHTONReform UK leader Nigel Farage on Wednesday at a press conference for the Reform candidate Robert Kenyon ahead of the Makerfield by-election (Photo: Ryan Jenkinson\/Getty)<\/p>\n

However, with signs the right-wing vote in Makerfield is splitting between Farage\u2019s Reform and Rupert Lowe\u2019s Restore Britain, even this narrative is now being questioned.<\/p>\n

One minister said the situation in Makerfield was \u201cvery tight\u201d. \u201cIt\u2019s tough up there. The most surprising thing is how many people are saying they are voting for Restore. I don\u2019t know where the support is coming from but we knocked on a lot of doors and they said they were going for Restore.\u201d<\/p>\n

It is, of course, in the interests of Labour to talk up the prospects of Reform\u2019s right-wing rival in order to split the anti-Labour vote.<\/p>\n

Burnham, some feel, will have to win by a margin greater than Reform and Restore\u2019s vote combined to demonstrate he can see off the right.<\/p>\n

The minister added: \u201cThe trouble for Andy then is, he has to make sure his margin of victory is bigger than the Restore vote, otherwise it raises questions over whether it was down to him or a split vote.\u201d<\/p>\n

Burnham \u2018relying on \u2018vibes\u2019<\/p>\n

Starmer loyalists are also attempting to ramp up pressure on Burnham, suggesting he is relying on \u201cvibes\u201d, with a senior party insider saying: \u201cWe all wish there was a superhero waiting in the wings somewhere ready to save the party and save us the job of having to think and do the hard work, but that is never going to happen and it\u2019s not Andy.\u201d<\/p>\n

A Government source raised doubts as to whether Burnham\u2019s succession was a foregone conclusion, citing his recent U-turns, which also include rowing back on rejoining the EU and a pledge to serve out a full third term as Manchester Mayor.<\/p>\n

They also cited a recent failure to answer when asked about the details of Chancellor Rachel Reeves\u2019s spending rules, which he has promised to meet.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s definitely not a given [that he wins],\u201d the insider said. \u201cThis is why we can\u2019t have a coronation. There has to be a leadership contest so people can hold him and his ideas to account. His refusal to say what the fiscal rules were was just embarrassing.\u201d<\/p>\n

There is also anger at Burnham\u2019s disloyalty from those who remain loyal to Starmer.<\/p>\n

A Labour MP said they were deeply worried about what a leadership challenge would unleash.
\u201cWe\u2019ve opened a Pandora\u2019s Box without doing the thinking about where we\u2019re going,\u201d they lamented.<\/p>\n

The MP predicted that the \u201ccult of personality\u201d which had built up around Burnham as \u201cKing of the North\u201d would soon collapse under the weight of the pressure and scrutiny of being in No 10.<\/p>\n

A \u201cdesire to please everyone all the time\u201d meant Burnham constantly pandered to his audiences with rash words, which he later had to \u201crow back\u201d, they claimed.<\/p>\n

The MP, who represents a seat in the North West, also worried that a win for Burnham would trigger a by-election for the Greater Manchester Mayoralty, which would result in Labour handing over \u201cthe fastest growing part of the UK\u201d to Reform.<\/p>\n

Burnham accused of keepng policy positions open<\/p>\n

A senior Labour source said there appeared to be a \u201ctug of war\u201d over Burnham and what direction he could take as Prime Minister.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe question is which Andy are we going to get: 2010 Andy Burnham, 2015 Andy, or Manchester mayor Andy Burnham?\u201d<\/p>\n

They pointed out that Burnham was leaving his policy positions open, for example, saying he is committed to \u201cpublic control\u201d of utilities like water and energy.<\/p>\n

\"ESTONIAJohn Healey\u2019s resignation as defence secretary has further undermined Starmer (Photo: Leon Neal\/Getty)<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re Clive Lewis, when you hear Andy say public control, and you hear nationalisation,\u201d the source said. \u201cIf you\u2019re a centrist who supports Andy, you hear franchising. Someone\u2019s going to be let down.<\/p>\n

There are already signs this Burnham\u2019s attempt to appeal across the political spectrum is eating into his support, according to the source, who said left-wingers in the Socialist Campaign Group of backbenchers are \u201cpretty unhappy\u201d at reports that he will back Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood\u2019s changes to the immigration system.<\/p>\n

\u201cAndy doesn\u2019t want a contest for that reason,\u201d the source said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll want Keir to set out a timetable [to leave No 10] and a coronation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018Wes has f***ked it completely\u2019<\/p>\n

Allies of Streeting now believe that while he is \u201cstarting as an underdog\u201d, he has had a month without fighting a by-election or holding a Cabinet role in which he has been able to begin setting out his arguments and policy platform, which is also developing behind the scenes, and he is now \u201cready\u201d for a contest.<\/p>\n

One Streeting ally said: \u201cPeople try to turn politics into a prediction game and one poll can decide how people see things but the truth is politics is a battle of ideas, it\u2019s an argument, it\u2019s about persuasion.<\/p>\n

\u201cWes bucked the trend to win his own seat in Ilford; he won his selection against the odds, he held his council in May, and he is confident he can change people\u2019s minds and win them over again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Starmer supporters also believe Burnham will try and engineer a coronation, with one MP claiming Cabinet ministers could resign next Friday once the Makerfield results are known to try and force the Prime Minister out, starting with Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy.<\/p>\n

\u201cI expect Cabinet members will resign on the 19th and try to bump the PM,\u201d the MP said.<\/p>\n

A source close to Nandy denied she was preparing to resign next week, saying there was \u201cno truth\u201d in the claim. Miliband\u2019s team were contacted for comment.<\/p>\n

But while Starmer and Streeting have vowed to fight Burnham in a contest, another MP said a Burnham coronation was \u201cinevitable now\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think if he wins on 18 June, there is a coronation.\u201d<\/p>\n

There are also major doubts as to whether Streeting has missed his moment, having quit the Cabinet but not triggered a leadership contest last month.<\/p>\n

The MP said: \u201cMy impression right now of Wes is that he\u2019s f**ked it up completely. Like completely\u2026 It\u2019s just a bit tragic now. It\u2019s just ambition, it\u2019s like a classic Macbeth, my ambition that o\u2019erleaps itself\u2026 He\u2019s overplayed his hand and he\u2019s done that because he\u2019s wanted since he was born or whatever to be prime minister, and he thought that now was his chance and he grabbed at it, and it\u2019s just been a disaster\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe has killed himself politically,\u201d said one former Cabinet colleague. \u201cI don\u2019t think there is any way back for him. He just played it completely wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

Starmer \u2018bluffing\u2019 about fighting on<\/p>\n

The senior Labour source who highlighted the \u201ctug of war\u201d over Burnham also believes Starmer is \u201cbluffing\u201d about fighting a leadership contest.<\/p>\n

While Burnham\u2019s supporters acknowledge \u201canything is possible\u201d and that he may yet fail to win the Labour crown in a \u201cfebrile situation\u201d, he is unlikely to fall short if he wins Makerfield.<\/p>\n

A Labour insider said: \u201cIf Andy wins what has essentially become a safe Reform seat, in a world where every Labour MP is panicked about how we beat Reform, and most have lost confidence, then the most likely outcome is the outcome people think is coming down the track. But nothing is guaranteed.\u201d<\/p>\n

The insider acknowledged that Burnham has \u201cwork to do\u201d on his policy platform, but added: \u201cWhat he gives Labour people is a sense that change is actually possible after all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Burnham\u2019s team have been contacted for comment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The wait is almost over. Like football fans anticipating the World Cup, Westminster has been holding its breath…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":62273,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[4],"tags":[7786,3135,9969,31,2019,5,6],"class_list":["post-62272","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-uk","tag-andy-burnham","tag-iweekend","tag-labour-leadership","tag-labour-party","tag-politics-long-read","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@UnitedKingdom\/116743365480315831","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62272","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=62272"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62272\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/62273"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=62272"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=62272"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=62272"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}