'Andy Burnham must set out his stall in the next three weeks to make real change'

Without a Labour leadership contest, Andy Burnham has fewer opportunities to tell us exactly what he will do.

The next three weeks before entering No10 are so important. They are his only chance to set out his stall, and put ideas up for proper scrutiny. We welcome his willingness to do so.

Tomorrow he will unveil a plan to devolve more power to regional mayors to rejuvenate communities left behind by Westminster. Other ambitious policies are due to follow.

We need to know how he will tackle the pressing economic challenges facing the nation. What plans he has to boost sluggish growth, and lower cost-of-living pressures.

Reform leaders are demanding he call a general election to secure his mandate. That is typically hypocritical of them. No Tory MP who defected to Nigel Farage’s party held by-elections to see if their voters approved.

Mr Burnham should only consider an election if he intends to rip up Labour’s 2024 manifesto. But he has already indicated he will stick to Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ fiscal rules.

And there are no plans to change Labour’s other key promises not to raise income tax, VAT or employee national insurance.

By contrast, Conservative MPs who joined Reform rejected the manifesto pledges they were elected on and local voters were denied any say in those decisions.

Mr Burnham will inherit a Parliamentary majority big enough to bring about real change. But it is essential he spends the coming weeks giving us confidence in the changes he has in mind.

Climate and weather are not the same thing. But the sweltering last few days will dispel any doubt that one affects the other.

The world is clearly getting hotter. And unless we keep up efforts to cap global warming to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels last week will be the norm, not the exception.

People died, schools closed and transport struggled, while the related storms resulted in 800 flights delayed or cancelled yesterday and lightning setting homes ablaze.

The Met Office predicts this will only get worse with mid-40s temperatures in future unless climate change targets are met. Which is why we must not let up on net-zero goals.

There is a short-term cost, but the long-term price for ignoring them would be greater.

The nation mourned with heartbroken Dean Gregory and Claire Staniforth when a judge ruled baby daughter Indi’s life support would be switched off.

Now the nation’s heart will lift at news the couple have welcomed new baby Arabella Indi-Leigh into the world.

Just as we once shared their pain, we are delighted to share in their joy.