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

Politics

Keir Starmer clashes with Reform MP over Belfast riots

Sir Keir Starmer accused Richard Tice and his party of trying to ‘whip up fear and division’ after disorder in north Belfast

10 Jun 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
Politics

Starmer holds emergency cost-of-living meeting amid soaring prices

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer leads a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee to consider the looming economic impact of the Middle East crisis

23 Mar 2026
Politics

Donald Trump shares Saturday Night Live UK skit mocking Prime Minister

The US President shared the video where Sir Keir is portrayed telling David Lammy ‘I just hate conflict so much’ on his Truth Social platform

23 Mar 2026
Politics

Two new London towns revealed as part of government building blitz

Up to 21,000 homes are lined up for Enfield, while a riverside site in Greenwich will see some 15,000 new flats alongside the Docklands Light Railway extension

22 Mar 2026
Politics

Fresh turmoil for Liz Truss as Mayfair private members' club delayed

The ex-Prime Minister has thrown her backing behind the Leconfield, an exclusive invitation-only facility in Mayfair that has been delayed again

21 Mar 2026
Politics

UK border security chief quits after failing to stop small boats

Almost 60,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel in small boats since Martin Hewitt was appointed

20 Mar 2026
Politics

London opens drug testing site amid concerns over synthetic opioids

Chemists and health professionals will allow Londoners to submit ‘substances of concern’ for free testing before they are taken

20 Mar 2026
Politics

'Carry on as normal,' Starmer tells UK as Trump Iran war hits economy

The Prime Minister sought to reassure millions of households amid a new warning that energy bills could rise by more than £300

20 Mar 2026
Politics

Farage calls for ban on mass religious observances after Iftar row

Sir Sadiq Khan was among worshippers at a Ramadan event in Trafalgar Square, which Tory shadow minister Nick Timothy as an ‘act of domination and division’

20 Mar 2026
Politics

New east London town the size of Winchester gets planning permission

Some 20,000 homes, two new schools, hotels, a care home, shops, pubs, bars, parks, offices and student accommodation, were officially signed off as part of the project

19 Mar 2026
Politics

Sadiq Khan hits back at Tory MP after public Muslim prayer remark

The Prime Minister called for Kemi Badenoch to fire her shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy after he made the comments about an event attended by Sir Sadiq Khan in Trafalgar Square

18 Mar 2026
Politics

UK prepares for court fight with Roman Abramovich over Chelsea funds

The Russian oligarch, who is subject to UK sanctions, was given a March 17 deadline to hand over the money

18 Mar 2026
Politics

Polanski vows rent controls as Green Party makes major push for London

The Green Party leader unveiled his plan to end ‘rip-off Britain’ during a speech in Wood Green

18 Mar 2026
Politics

Ex Tory minister Crispin Blunt charged with drug offences

Illegal substances were allegedly found at the home of Crispin Blunt, the ex Tory MP for Reigate in Surrey

18 Mar 2026
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea has calculated that the controversial shake-up will inflict a blow of £82.7 million over the three years
Politics

London borough unable to collect council tax for four months

Households living under Kensington and Chelsea council who pay their bills by direct debit are being asked to stump up between £274 and £1,095 in one go

18 Mar 2026
Politics

Farage to pay energy bills for UK street in controversial giveaway

Reform’s Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick said the public could enter the contest on a website where the party has set out its plans to cut fuel payments

17 Mar 2026
London

Borough where half of adults are overweight to fund free swimming

Tower Hamlets council is also proposing a multi-million-pound major redevelopment of Whitechapel leisure centre

17 Mar 2026
Politics

London's most expensive petrol! 253.9p-a-litre unleaded as costs soar

Motorists hit with steepest fuel price increases since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

17 Mar 2026
Politics

Starmer vows energy bill support for some households

Sir Keir Starmer announced £53 million in support for ‘those households that are most exposed’ to rising heating oil prices on Monday

16 Mar 2026
Politics

Thousands support pie and mash shop facing closure over rent hikes

Ruth Phillips has been serving up food at Cockney’s in Portobello Road for over 30 years

16 Mar 2026