Labour Leadership Switch: Andy Burnham, the “King of the North,” was confirmed as Labour leader on Friday and is set to become prime minister on Monday, replacing Keir Starmer after Burnham secured nominations from 379 of 403 Labour MPs; in his first address he promised “hope back” and a major “rebalancing of power” away from Westminster, with more control for regions and a “Number 10 North” in Manchester. Devolution & Local Government: As Burnham’s agenda ramps up, the government also moved ahead with big council reshuffles, including plans for four new unitary councils in Lancashire, replacing 15 authorities—raising questions about how services and local representation will change for residents. Parliament & Security: The MoD refused to say how many Royal Navy ships will be cleared to deploy the Naval Strike Missile by end-2026, citing operational security, in response to a Commons question. Justice & Public Safety: Police investigating the death of former MP Ann Widdecombe say they believe she was attacked nearly 24 hours before her body was found, and Counter Terrorism Policing has taken over the inquiry. Benefits System: The DWP confirmed disability and sickness assessments will be audio recorded by default (with an opt-out), aiming to improve transparency for PIP, WCA and ESA assessments.