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A Simple Change To Your Commute Could Boost Your Brain, Says Dementia Charity

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According to neurologist Dr Richard Restak’s book How To Prevent Dementia, “Cognitive reserve theory refers to the representation stored within the brain of the knowledge, experience, and life events that accumulate during the course of a person’s lifetime”.

The more “cognitive reserve” we have, he explained, the better we might be protected against conditions like dementia. “A lifetime investment in building up cognitive reserve leads to healthy cognition and thinking later in life,” he wrote.

Dr Restak called reading fiction “perhaps the single most effective” way to build this up.

But Alzheimer’s Research UK, who have launched a Think Brain Health campaign this year, are releasing brain teasers to help us build up our reserves, which they say can be done in quiet moments like during your commut.

After all, research suggests that puzzles like crosswords may help to strengthen our minds as we age, too.

Challenging our brains is good for us – but may be falling out of style

Alzheimer’s UK found that only 30% of UK adults do “brain-teasing” activities like soduko and crosswords, while 32% say they do them less often now than they did a year ago.

And even though 71% of us have free time on public transport, 68% of us use that period to scroll through our phones or watch shows, they wrote.

So, the foundation has created a brain teaser to help people fill gaps like those in their schedule. They began by launching an image which hides 40 train station names, created with artist Chris Bishop.

“Research suggests that there are steps we can all take to protect our brain health and build our cognitive reserve, making our brains more resilient no matter what age we start,” Dr Jacqui Hanley, Head of Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said.

“If someone with a high cognitive reserve develops dementia, studies have found that they typically experience Alzheimer’s symptoms around five years later than those who don’t regularly challenge their brains.

“It’s never too early to make positive lifestyle changes, and this brain-teasing puzzle is a great way to introduce brain challenges into your daily routine”.

Alzheimer's Research UK

Alzheimer’s Research UK

Alzheimer’s Research UK

How many train station names can you find in this image?

For their first brain teaser, Alzheimer’s Research UK shared an image created with artist Chris Bishop and released with support from Great Western Railway.

It contains 40 hidden train station names in the UK. And if, like me, you find the image truly challenging, Alzheimer’s UK said, “This puzzle has been designed to help you challenge your brain, so don’t worry if you didn’t find them all”.

After all, Dan Panes, Head of External Communications at Great Western Railway, said, “This puzzle had some of our colleagues scratching their heads!”

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Tories Row Back After Launching Brutal Attack On Reform Defector Suella Braverman’s ‘Mental Health’

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The Conservatives have amended their initial reaction to Reform UK MP Suella Braverman’s defection after lashing out at her “mental health”.

The former Tory home secretary announced she was joining Nigel Farage’s new party on Monday – and the Conservative team quickly attacked her.

In their initial statement, a Tory spokesperson said: “It was always a matter of when, not if, Suella would defect.

“The Conservatives did all we could to look after Suella’s mental health, but she was clearly very unhappy.”

The initial message triggered significant backlash on social media, with Tory peer Stewart Jackson calling it a “nasty and unpleasant statement” on X.

He warned: “That’s another few thousand votes they’ve lost.”

Two hours later, the Tories sent out another “final” statement – and removed that second sentence, claiming the first draft was “sent out in error”.

A Reform source said: “It’s a gross affront to millions of people in this country’s; it’s also not true.

“Whether you like Suella or not, she is a Cambridge-educated barrister who has served in a series of extraordinarily senior positions in this country. It goes without saying that she has never been diagnosed with a mental health condition.

″[This] is a testament to the extent to which the Tory party is in real panic mode and is prepared to say anything.”

Braverman later told reporters at a subsequent press conference that those attacks from the Tories “say more about them than they do about me”.

She added: “It is a bit pathetic. I am afraid it’s more sorry signs of a bitter and desperate party that is in free fall.”

The keen eurosceptic announced earlier on Monday that she felt she had “come home” by joining Farage’s Reform.

Braverman was known for trying to push the Conservatives further right when her party was in government.

She held multiple ministerial positions under the last four Tory prime ministers, including attorney-general and home secretary.

As of this afternoon, the Conservatives’ final statement read:

“It was always a matter of when, not if, Suella would defect.

“She says she feels that she has ‘come home’, which will come as a surprise to the people who chose not to elect a Reform MP in her constituency in 2024.

“There are some people who are MPs because they care about their communities and want to deliver a better country.

“There are others who do it for their personal ambition.

“Suella stood for leader of the Conservatives in 2022 and came sixth, behind Kemi and Tom Tugendhat.

“In 2024 she could not even muster enough supporters to get on the ballot. She has now decided to try her luck with Nigel Farage, who said last year he didn’t want her in Reform.

“They really are doing our ‘Spring cleaning’!

“As always happens with Reform, they unveil defections just when the Labour government is tearing itself to pieces – Rayner, Mandelson, now Burnham.

“Reform are too busy opposing the Conservatives to hold the Labour government to account.

“The Conservative Party is now the only party that believes in smaller government, less welfare and Britain living within its means, and has the team and the experience to get Britain working again.”

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Kanye West Issues Public Apology ‘To Those I’ve Hurt’ Over Past Antisemitic Comments

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“25 years ago, I was in a car accident that broke my jaw and caused injury to the right frontal lobe of my brain. At the time, the focus was on the visible damage – the fracture, the swelling, and the immediate physical trauma. The deeper injury, the one inside my skull, went unnoticed.

“Comprehensive scans were not done, neurological exams were limited, and the possibility of a frontal-lobe injury was never raised. It wasn’t properly diagnosed until 2023. That medical oversight caused serious damage to my mental health and led to my bipolar type-1 diagnosis.

“Bipolar disorder comes with its own defence system. Denial. When you’re manic, you don’t think you’re sick. You think everyone else is overreacting. You feel like you’re seeing the world more clearly than ever, when in reality you’re losing your grip entirely.

“Once people label you as ‘crazy’, you feel as if you cannot contribute anything meaningful to the world. It’s easy for people to joke and laugh it off when in fact this is a very serious debilitating disease you can die from. According to the World Health Organisation and Cambridge University, people with bipolar disorder have a life expectancy that is shortened by 10 to 15 years on average, and a two-to-three-times higher all-cause mortality rate than the general population. This is on par with severe heart disease, type-1 diabetes, HIV, and cancer – all lethal and fatal if left untreated.

“The scariest thing about this disorder is how persuasive it is when it tells you: You don’t need help. It makes you blind, but convinced you have insight. You feel powerful, certain, and unstoppable.

“I lost touch with reality. Things got worse the longer I ignored the problem. I said and did things I deeply regret. Some of the people I love the most, I treated the worst. You endured fear, confusion, humiliation, and the exhaustion of trying to love someone who was, at times, unrecognisable. Looking back, I became detached from my true self.

“In that fractured state, I gravitated toward the most destructive symbol I could find, the swastika, and even sold t-shirts bearing it. One of the difficult aspects of having bipolar type-1 are the disconnected moments – many of which I still cannot recall – that lead to poor judgment and reckless behaviour that [often] feels like an out-of-body experience. I regret and am deeply mortified by my actions in that state, and am committed to accountability, treatment, and meaningful change. It does not excuse what I did, though. I am not a Nazi or an antisemite. I love Jewish people.

“To the Black community – which held me down through all of the highs and lows and the darkest of times. The Black community is, unquestionably, the foundation of who I am. I am so sorry to have let you down. I love us.

“In early 2025, I fell into a four-month long manic episode of psychotic, paranoid and impulsive behaviour that destroyed my life. As the situation became increasingly unsustainable, there were times I didn’t want to be here anymore. Having bipolar disorder is not a state of constant mental illness. When you go into the manic episode, you are ill at that point.

“When you are not in an episode, you are completely ‘normal’. And that’s when the wreckage from the illness hits the hardest. Hitting rock bottom a few months ago, my wife encouraged me to finally get help.

“I have found comfort in Reddit forums of all places. Different people speak of being in manic or depressive episodes of a similar nature. I read their stories and realised that I was not alone. It’s not just me who ruins their entire life once a year despite taking meds every day and being told by the so-called best doctors in the world that I am not bipolar, but merely experiencing ‘symptoms of autism’.

“My words as a leader in my community have real global impact and influence. In my mania, I lost complete sight of that. As I find my new baseline and new centre through an effective regime of medication, therapy, exercise and clean living, I have newfound, much-needed clarity. I am pouring my energy into positive, meaningful art: music, clothing, design, and other new ideas to help the world.

“I’m not asking for sympathy, or a free pass, though I aspire to earn your forgiveness. I write today simply to ask for your patience and understanding as I find my way home.”

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There Are Clear Body Language Signs Someone Thinks You Are Annoying

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We’ve all been there: mid-story, mid-vent, mid-enthusiastic ramble, and suddenly the other person’s energy shifts. Their smile fades. Their eyes wander down to their phone. Their whole body seems to quietly scream: “Please stop.”

Most of us don’t realise when we’re annoying someone. We just think we’re being ourselves.

We might think we’re offering the type of advice our spouse really needs to hear right now. We think sharing our story from last night’s gym session is just as funny to our friend as it was to us. Or we might (wrongly) assume that filling the silence with the latest story about our cat is a welcomed icebreaker for our co-workers in the break room.

But what might feel normal or relieving to us can feel like irritation to another.

The thing about annoyance is that it’s rarely announced out loud. People – whether on the playground or in the office – are often too polite to say, “Hey, you’re annoying me right now.” Instead, it shows up through subtle changes in posture, facial expressions, tone and attention.

While we might not always be liked by everyone, which is totally normal, if we’re not quick to notice the signs that we’re annoying someone, we might continue not reading the room and further alienate the people around us.

According to the licensed psychologists HuffPost spoke with, these quiet cues are often more honest than words. Here are the body language signs to watch for when you’re annoying someone.

Their face gives them away

Not everyone has a poker face – no matter how hard they might try.

“Annoyance may first appear in a person’s face,” says Dr. Michele Leno, a licensed psychologist and host of Mind Matters with Dr. Michele.

Subtle eye-rolling, a sudden blank expression or looking away while you’re talking – these are all red flags that you’re annoying someone.

“When someone is irritated, their nervous system activates a mild fight-or-flight response,” Leno explained. “Micro-expressions – like an eye roll – are quick, unconscious ways the body tries to release tension.”

In other words: even if they’re still nodding politely, their face may already be telling you how they really feel.

They look at their phone

This one is pretty much universal. “When someone looks at their phone, it often shows boredom or annoyance,” Samantha Whiten, a clinical psychologist, told HuffPost. “They’re using a socially sanctioned way to get out of talking to you and hoping you take the hint.”

In today’s always connected culture, phones provide an easy escape. But when someone is genuinely interested in you, they stay engaged, and if they do get interrupted, they usually apologise and try to come back to the conversation.

If you continuously encounter someone gazing down at their phone when you open your mouth, chances are, you annoy them.

If you continuously encounter someone gazing down at their phone when you open your mouth, chances are, you annoy them.

Dejan Marjanovic via Getty Images

If you continuously encounter someone gazing down at their phone when you open your mouth, chances are, you annoy them.

They start distancing themselves

If someone is annoyed with you, you may feel them pulling away – emotionally, physically or both.

“Did they walk away when you entered the room? Did they indirectly refuse to engage in conversation with you? If so, you may annoy them,” Leno said.

They may avoid you by declining invitations that include you. Texts might become sporadic or ultimately leave you on read.

It’s hard not to take this behaviour personally, but as Leno notes, people typically act like this when they feel “overwhelmed, and in an effort to protect their personal space, they keep their distance.

A person’s emotional bandwidth may not accommodate anxiety-producing situations, so they remove themselves as needed.”

They sigh, fidget or take deep breaths

Those exaggerated inhales you heard from your co-worker when you started talking about your latest Netflix obsession? They’re not random.

“We need to protect our well-being at all times,” Leno said. So behaviours like deep breaths, fidgeting or shifting in place, she said, are all physical attempts to calm the nervous system and reset when tension is building, aka when you’re annoying someone.

If someone suddenly starts sighing or picking at their fingernails while you’re talking, it may be their body signalling overload.

Their arms cross over their chest

Seeing someone with crossed arms doesn’t necessarily mean you have to hike up the thermostat at work – it’s often about protection.

“This is a defensive posture,” Whiten said. “The person is trying to put up a virtual shield.” If crossed arms are paired with looking away, a lack of smiling or silence, it’s a strong sign the person feels intruded on or overwhelmed.

That’s your cue to give them space.

Their tone changes

Listen not just to what a person says to you but how they say it.

“If a person goes from calm and engaged to flat or high-pitched, they may be attempting to reduce tension,” Leno said. Short answers like “yes” or “no” when more detail would normally come are another giveaway. This goes for text messages too.

Tone shifts often happen when someone wants out of a conversation but doesn’t feel comfortable saying it.

Tone shifts often happen when someone wants out of a conversation but doesn’t feel comfortable saying it.

Brasileira via Getty Images

Tone shifts often happen when someone wants out of a conversation but doesn’t feel comfortable saying it.

They yawn – openly

Most adults can usually control their yawns. So when someone yawns right in front of you?

“Some part of them is hoping you’ll notice and disengage,” Whiten said. ”If someone combines this with looking away or an unsmiling or quiet demeanour, it is best to conclude that you may be irritating or overwhelming them, and move to talk to another person.”

What to do if you realise you’ve annoyed someone

First: pause. “Listen without offering advice or judgment,” Leno said. “Ask what is needed instead of assuming.” Simply slowing down and being curious can de-escalate tension quickly.

The simplest tool to become more self-aware of your behaviour? Watch how people respond to you.

“The best way to understand how your behaviour affects others is to notice their reactions to your presence,” Leno said.

And if you suspect something is off, a gentle, honest conversation can help clear the air.

At the same time, it’s OK to accept that not everyone will love your communication style. “It’s important to be authentic,” Leno said. “If someone is unreasonably irritated by who you are, it may be healthier to create distance than to contort yourself to please them.”

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Andy Burnham ‘Disappointed And Concerned’ By Move To Block His Bid To Stand As Labour MP

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Andy Burnham has said he is “disappointed” by the decision to block him from standing as a Labour candidate in the upcoming by-election and “concerned” about the repercussions.

The mayor of Greater Manchester threw his hat into the ring for the Gorton and Denton by-election on Saturday after Andrew Gwynne stepped down.

But, as the directly elected mayor, Burnham – who served in the cabinet under Gordon Brown – had to seek approval from the National Executive Committee (NEC) to be considered as a Labour candidate.

Eight of its 10 members voted against allowing him to stand, with only one member voting in favour of letting him run and one abstaining.

The prime minister was among those who voted to stop Burnham’s bid to return to Westminster.

Burnham is often seen as a challenger to Keir Starmer and allies feared that his presence in Westminster may have destabilised the prime minister’s government.

In a post on X, the Labour politician wrote: “I am disappointed by today’s decision and concerned about its potential impact on the elections ahead of us.

“To whoever is Labour’s candidate and to our members in Manchester and Tameside: you will have my full support in this fight and I’ll be there whenever you need me.”

He added: “Tomorrow I return with full focus to my role as Mayor of GM, defending everything we have built in our city-region over many years. I decided to put myself forward to prevent the divisive politics of Reform from damaging that. We are stronger together and let’s stay that way.”

But the NEC’s move has sparked a major backlash from within the Labour Party, with one MP telling HuffPost UK that many backbenchers feel it was a “cowardly” decision.

Senior Labour figures including energy secretary Ed Miliband and deputy Labour leader Lucy Powell had previously said they thought Burnham should be allowed to run.

The Labour Party issued a statement defending the NEC on Sunday, saying allowing Burnham to run would have triggered an “unnecessary election for the position of Greater Manchester mayor”.

It claimed this “would have a substantial and disproportionate impact on party campaign resources ahead of the local elections and elections to the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Senedd in May”.

It added: “Although the party would be confident of retaining the mayoralty, the NEC could not put Labour’s control of Greater Manchester at any risk. ”

Housing and local government secretary Steve Reed told the BBC that it was not the right time for Burnham to return to parliament.

He said the NEC voted against it because “of the huge inconvenience to two million voters across Greater Manchester of having a by-election for a new mayor”.

“I know that’s disappointing for Andy,” Reed said. “But it’s good news for the people of Greater Manchester because he’s been doing such a good job as the mayor there.”

He claimed “voters don’t like elections that come mid-term” adding that “in due course, I look forward to seeing Andy back in parliament”.

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The Ripeness Level Of Your Avocado Actually Matters For Your Health – Here’s How

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Most people judge an avocado’s readiness by one simple test: a gentle squeeze. Too firm, and it stays on the counter. Too soft, and it risks going straight into the bin. (Yes, we agree, the window between those two states often feels comically short. But that’s fodder for another story).

Beyond texture and taste, though, the ripeness of an avocado actually shapes how your body digests it, absorbs its nutrients, and even responds metabolically after you eat it.

In fact, as avocados ripen, their internal chemistry changes. Fats become more accessible, carbohydrates shift form, and antioxidant levels rise and fall. According to doctors and nutrition experts, these changes can influence digestion, blood sugar response and nutrient absorption.

That’s all to say that an avocado’s health benefits aren’t fixed but actually evolve as the fruit matures – just as is the case with bananas.

Why avocado ripeness matters

When an avocado ripens, “there is a shift in the nutritional structure and absorption,” said Dr. Parth Bhavsar, a board-certified family medicine physician who specialises in nutrition.

Specifically, as time goes by, enzymes break down cell walls, which makes fats easier for the body to absorb. This also affects carotenoids like lutein and beta-carotene, whose bioavailability improves in a fat-rich environment.

Dr. Cintara Bradley, a resident physician at Sonoran University of Health Sciences Medical Center who specialises in nutrition, lifestyle management and digestive health, noted that ripening significantly changes lipid content, carbohydrate composition, amino acid availability and phenolic compounds.

While avocados remain nutrient-dense throughout their life cycle, the ratios of fats, fibre and antioxidants shift quickly as they approach and move past peak ripeness.

Unripe avocados

Unripe avocados are firm and difficult to eat for a reason. When an avocado hasn’t ripened yet, your body has a harder time breaking it down. At this stage, much of the starch hasn’t converted into more usable forms, the fats aren’t as easy to absorb, and the fibre is tougher.

Getty Images

Bhavsar explained that unripe avocados contain resistant starch and “less accessible lipids,” meaning your body can’t easily access all of the calories and nutrients during digestion. In practical terms, you’re getting less nutritional payoff from each bite.

There may be a small metabolic benefit, though. “Resistant starch resists the metabolic process and the post-prandial increase of blood sugar concentration,” Bhavsar said. Put simply: Unripe avocados digest more slowly and may help prevent blood sugar spikes after eating. He added that this process can support insulin sensitivity and gut bacteria balance.

Dr. Patrick Ryan, a primary care and sports medicine physician in San Diego and the founder of telehealth platform HemyRX, similarly noted that unripe avocados may help with glycemic control because glucose is absorbed more slowly.

Still, most experts say this stage isn’t ideal for everyday eating. Bhavsar pointed out that slow digestion and gastrointestinal discomfort can make unripe avocados unpleasant or hard on the stomach. And according to Bradley, unripe avocados don’t offer meaningful advantages over ripe ones, especially since avocados already have a low glycemic load, regardless of ripeness.

Barely ripe avocados

As avocados begin to soften, they also become easier for your body to handle. The tough starches start breaking down and the healthy fats inside the fruit become easier to absorb.

As Bhavsar put it, “resistant starch is gradually turning into non-resistant fats, while your levels of soluble fibres are increasing.” This means your body can access more nutrients without losing the fibre that helps you feel full.

Ryan explained that barely ripe avocados are easier to digest than unripe ones, while still slowing how quickly sugar enters the bloodstream. They also contain less fat than fully ripe avocados, which can be helpful for people who want the benefits of avocado without feeling weighed down.

Bhavsar added that avocados that gently yield when pressed can help control appetite and keep blood sugar steady. Because they are digested more slowly, they help prevent blood sugar spikes while still allowing your body to absorb key nutrients.

Fully ripe avocados

Fully ripe avocados give your body the most nutrients it can actually use in the easiest way for your body to absorb them, Bhavsar said.

According to Ryan, ripe avocados also help your body take in antioxidants and fat-soluble vitamins, which support heart health, balance hormones and reduce inflammation.

Bradley pointed out that antioxidants, especially phenolic compounds, are highest when the avocado is perfectly ripe, before enzymes start breaking them down. Other vitamins and minerals, like potassium, magnesium and folate, stay steady, while fats become fully available.

Because the fat is fully accessible, calories are higher at this stage. Ryan noted this matters for people who are watching calories and Bhavsar said portion size is key (though even fully ripe avocados are still healthier than refined carbs), but one thing is clear: Avocados that are fully ripe are at their peak in terms of flavour and variety of nutrients offered.

Overripe avocados

Once an avocado passes peak ripeness, oxidation begins to affect its nutritional quality. Bhavsar explained that while fats, fibres and minerals remain, antioxidant properties decline. “Browning signals an indicator that polyphenols, with potential health benefits, are being broken down and will instead ferment,” he said.

Bradley noted that oxidised fats contribute to bitterness while antioxidant levels diminish dramatically. However, if an avocado has only minor browning and no mould or odour, it can still be safely used in smoothies or baking.

So, is there an ideal ripeness?

The answer depends on your goals. Bhavsar suggested that “lightly to gently ripe” avocados optimise fat assimilation and satiety, while barely ripe may be preferable for gastrointestinal regulation.

Ryan agreed that ripe avocados work best for most people, but noted that blood sugar control or calorie awareness may influence preference.

Bradley, on the other hand, said that peak ripeness offers the best balance of nutrient density, bioavailability and enjoyment.

In short, it’s clearly not just about flavour: the ripeness of an avocado actually changes how (and what!) your body digests and absorbs.

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Donald Trump Praises ‘Great And Very Brave’ British Soldiers As He Backs Down In Nato Row

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Donald Trump has praised “the great and very brave soldiers of the United Kingdom” as he backed down after a furious row erupted over his comments about the contribution Nato troops made in Afghanistan.

The US president paid tribute to the 457 British soldiers who lost their life in the war, which was triggered by the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Centre.

To date, it is the only time Nato has triggered Article 5, which states all members must come to the aid of another if they are attacked.

In remarks which drew widespread condemnation, including from Keir Starmer, Trump said the military alliance has never come to America’s aid.

He said: “We have never really asked anything of them, you know, they’ll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan, or this or that, and they did. They stayed a little back, little off the frontlines.”

It is understood Starmer, who called his comments “frankly appalling” and suggested Trump should apologise, raised the matter in a phone call with the president on Saturday.

Shortly afterwards, Trump posted: “The GREAT and very BRAVE soldiers of the United Kingdom will always be with the United States of America! In Afghanistan, 457 died, many were badly injured, and they were among the greatest of all warriors. It’s a bond too strong to ever be broken. The U.K. Military, with tremendous Heart and Soul, is second to none (except for the U.S.A.!). We love you all, and always will! ”

A Downing Street spokesperson said: “The prime minister raised the brave and heroic British and American soldiers who fought side by side in Afghanistan, many of whom never returned home. We must never forget their sacrifice, he said.”

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: “I’m pleased President Trump has now acknowledged the role of the British armed forces and those brave men and women who gave their lives fighting alongside the US and our allies.

“It should never have been questioned in the first place.”

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Andy Burnham Tees Up Battle With Keir Starmer By Launching MP Bid

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Andy Burnham has launched his bid to be Labour’s candidate in a crunch by-election and return to Westminster as an MP.

The Manchester mayor told Labour bosses of his intentions to stand in Gorton and Denton following the resignation on health grounds of sitting MP Andrew Gwynne.

In a letter posted on X, Burnham – who quit as an MP in 2017 – said it was time for him to try to return to parliament.

As a mayor, he has to seek special permission from Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) to be allowed to apply to be a candidate.

Burnham said it had been “a difficult decision”, but vowed to run a “hopeful and unifying campaign” if chosen to as Labour’s candidate.

He there was now “a direct threat to everything Greater Manchester has always been about from a brand of politics which seeks to pit people against each other” – an apparent reference to Reform UK and the rise of the far-right.

He added: “I see this by-election as the front line of that fight for the Manchester way and I feel I owe it to a city which has given me so much to lead it from the front, despite the risks involved.”

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I have today written to the Chair of Labour’s National Executive Committee seeking permission to enter the selection process for a candidate for the forthcoming Gorton and Denton by-election.

Read my letter here.👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/TwKgADsuSB

— Andy Burnham (@AndyBurnhamGM) January 24, 2026

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I have today written to the Chair of Labour’s National Executive Committee seeking permission to enter the selection process for a candidate for the forthcoming Gorton and Denton by-election.

Read my letter here.👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/TwKgADsuSB

— Andy Burnham (@AndyBurnhamGM) January 24, 2026

Burnham’s decision tees up a major battle with Downing Street, where allies of Keir Starmer want the NEC to block his candidacy so he can’t mount a leadership challenge against the prime minister.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast in November, he refused to rule out making a third bid to lead Labour at some point in the future.

He said: “I am not going to sit here this morning and rule out what might or might not happen in the future. Why would I? I don’t know what the future holds.”

But blocking his candidacy would potentially trigger a civil war in the party, with senior figures including Labour mayor Sadiq Khan demanding that Burnham be allowed to stand.

Khan told a Fabian Society conference on Saturday: “I’m a firm believer in the best team having all the talent playing for them.”

Energy secretary Ed Miliband told the same event: “I very much hope the local party will have the option of selecting Andy Burnham as the candidate”.

Even if he were chosen as Labour’s candidate, there is no guarantee that Burnham would be elected as polls indicate the Gorton and Denton seat is now a three-way marginal between Labour. Reform UK and the Greens.

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