Fewer babies, bigger challenges? Thursday, 10 September, 2026 One of the biggest demographic changes of recent years has received surprisingly little attention, yet it is likely to shape many areas of policy in the years ahead. I’m talking about falling birth rates. In developed countries, the ‘replacement rate’ – the average number of children each woman would have if the population were to ‘replace’ itself in the long term, without migration and ignoring... Articles for the Herald and Post
Government hits the pause button on Local Government Reorganisation 7th September 2026 Reacting to today's announcement by the Secretary of State for Communities, Housing and Local Government, that the government's "reorganisation" plans for... Local News
Will Mr Burnham’s business rates plan work? 3rd September 2026 One of Andy Burnham’s first announcements was a 20 percent cut in business rates for pubs. The proposal is welcome. Although many pubs would still be paying... Articles for the Herald and Post
Damian appointed Shadow Health Secretary 1st September 2026 Damian has been appointed to the Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Health Secretary. Commenting on his appointment, Damian said: Health and social care are hugely... Local News
Will nationalisation reach a better destination? 27th August 2026 A little over a year ago, the Wessex Route – better known to us locally as South Western Railway or SWR – became the first rail franchise to return to state... Articles for the Herald and Post
Time to scrape the Barnacles off the boat, Mr Burnham 20th August 2026 Australian political strategist Sir Lynton Crosby has always believed in the power of simplicity. I remember 21 years ago in the 2005 general election he worked... Articles for the Herald and Post
That vocational education ambition, revisited 13th August 2026 "Unfortunately, for too long, we’ve had too many of our young people leaving school without the necessary skills or direction - and ending up on a dead-end... Articles for the Herald and Post
The final whistle for the PE Premium? 6th August 2026 Less than a year ago, I used this column to raise my concerns about the future of the Primary PE and Sport Premium. At the time, I had been questioning... Articles for the Herald and Post
Update - Housing target in East Hampshire 5th August 2026 Damian has written to Angela Rayner today to urge her to reconsider the government's current housing target for East Hampshire... Local News
Sugar-rush surge creates headache for Healey 30th July 2026 Andy Burnham arrived in Number 10 with people knowing little about his policy intentions. A couple of the Cabinet appointments looked carefully judged to try to... Articles for the Herald and Post
