Rayner urges government to be more ‘unapologetically Labour’ as PM confirms ground rents cap – UK politics live

Decision to cap leaseholders’ ground rent also seen as a win for former deputy PM Angela RaynerSome Labour MPs have not given up trying to get the part to rethink its decision to ban Andy Burnham from being a candidate in the Gorton and Denton byelection.As Pippa Crerar, Jessica Elgot and Peter Walker report in our overnight story, the executive of the soft-left Tribune group of MPs – which includes the former ministers Louise Haigh and Justin Madders and the select committee chair Sarah Owen – have told Shabana Mahmood, the chair of Labour’s national executive committee (NEC), that they are unhappy about the decision.As a former cabinet member and the current Labour mayor of Greater Manchester, there is no legitimate reason why Andy Burnham should not have the democratic right to put his candidacy to the local people of Gorton and Denton.This is particularly important as polling clearly shows he may be our very best chance at winning this byelection. Continue reading...