Rachael Burford

Chief Political Correspondent

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Rachael Burford is Chief Political Correspondent at Evening Standard

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Rachael Burford is Chief Political Correspondent at Evening Standard

London

Fresh crackdown on e-bikes as London council signs new deal with Lime

Westminster council strikes ‘pioneering’ agreement with Lime that will see the e-bike rental company share real-time information on the location and number of cycles across the borough

10 Jun 2026
Politics

Starmer says he won't be bullied by US as Trump threatens to quit NATO

Trump says removing the US from the defence pact is now ‘beyond reconsideration’

1 Apr 2026
Middle East conflict
Politics

Starmer vows closer ties with EU amid Iran war cost of living crisis

The Prime Minister insisted he would not change his position on Britain's involvement with the US-Israeli war against Iran despite “pressure” from Donald Trump

1 Apr 2026
World

Trump tells Britain 'go get your own oil’ in new attack over Iran war

Donald Trump has blasted Britain for refusing to help in the ‘decapitation of Iran’ as rising oil and gas prices hit UK consumers

1 Apr 2026
Politics

Labour MP suspended after speaking out against Starmer government

Karl Turner, who has repeatedly spoken out about Labour plans to restrict jury trials, had the Labour whip suspended

31 Mar 2026
Politics

Starmer holds emergency meeting as energy bills set to 'soar by £288'

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has already indicated that targeted help for poorer households could be available if bills continue to rise

31 Mar 2026
Politics

Ethnicity and religion will be examined by grooming gangs inquiry

Shabana Mahmood insisted there ‘will be no hiding place for the predatory monsters who committed these vile crimes’ as the grooming gang inquiry published its terms of reference

31 Mar 2026
Politics

Green Party candidate shared conspiracy theory about ambulance arson

A Green Party candidate standing in Havering at the local elections on May 7 suggested the attack on Jewish ambulances could have been carried out by Jewish people

30 Mar 2026
Politics

Ministers slammed over lack of cash to clear 'Rainham Volcano' dump

Locals living next to the toxic landfill say they feel like ‘prisoners in their own home’

28 Mar 2026
Politics

Disabled Londoners assigned coaches to get them back to work

In a visit to Westminster job centre this week, disability minister Sir Stephen Timms met with people using the new Pathways to Work Advisers

27 Mar 2026
Labour Party Conference 2023
Politics

Sadiq Khan could be handed peerage by Keir Starmer

The Mayor of London has recently been vocal about the shift to the right Labour has taken since Sir Keir Starmer became Prime Minister

27 Mar 2026
Politics

Farage's Reform takes on Tories in furious election battle for Croydon

The Reform UK leader also challenged Kemi Badenoch over the running of Croydon Council

27 Mar 2026
Politics

Rayner likely to play 'leading role in Government' says Starmer

Angela Rayner is poised for a significant position in the Government, according to Sir Keir Starmer, as she launches new podcast, Beyond the Bubble

27 Mar 2026
Politics

London slum where renters lived in tiny plywood homes with no toilets

Slum homes made of plywood and cardboard that posed a ‘serious risks to life’ were discovered by Harrow council

26 Mar 2026
Crispin Blunt court case
Politics

Former Tory minister admits drug possession and 'chemsex' parties

The former Conservative MP is fined £1,200 after pleading guilty to four counts of drug possession at Westminster Magistrates Court

26 Mar 2026
Politics

Why did the Met Police not investigate Morgan McSweeney's phone theft?

Keir Starmer's former chief of staff had his phone, which contained messages with Lord Peter Mandelson, stolen in London in October

25 Mar 2026
Politics

Council evicting households to buy block for temporary accommodation

‘Disturbing disregard’ shown for tenants as more than 30 households in Garden Court, Richmond issued with Section 21 eviction notices

24 Mar 2026
Rachel Reeves statement
Politics

Reeves reveals plan to protect public from unfair Iran war price hikes

The Chancellor is investigating cuts to tariffs on food and is meeting with supermarket and banking bosses this week to ‘discuss how they can further support their customers’

24 Mar 2026
Politics

Poll shows Tory Lord Coe could beat Sadiq Khan in London mayor race

Polling suggests the former Olympic champion could be the best chance the Conservatives have to defeat Labour and launch a London revival

24 Mar 2026
Starmer speaking
Politics

Iran war may not come to 'quick end' warns Starmer amid bill concerns

The Prime Minister said he had told his team not to fall into a sense of ‘false comfort’

23 Mar 2026
Politics

London Labour councillors defect to Greens ahead of local elections

The move by Lewisham councillors Tauseef Anwar and Rudi Schmidt means more than 50 local Labour representatives have joined the Greens since Sir Keir Starmer became Prime Minister

23 Mar 2026