Evening Briefing: Tuesday 19 May 2026
- Andy Burnham was formally confirmed today as Labour’s candidate for the 18 June Makerfield by-election — the Guardian reports the NEC rubber-stamped the selection with no other candidates shortlisted. Reform UK unveiled local plumber Robert Kenyon minutes later, with Nigel Farage framing the contest as “The Plucky Plumber taking on Open Borders Burnham”. The Independent reports a parallel YouGov poll showing 47% of Labour members would back Burnham for prime minister. The contest now formally starts; the immediate question is whether Burnham’s “ruling out any imminent EU return” pivot and his recommitment to the fiscal rules hold through the campaign.
- Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander confirmed in the Commons today that HS2 will cost between £87.7 billion and £102.7 billion in 2025 prices — roughly double the previous government’s figure in 2019 terms — and that the first trains will not run until 2036-2039, up to six years late. Top speed is being cut from 360km/h to 320km/h. Alexander’s framing – “If it seems like I’m angry, it is because I am” – positions the Labour government as inheriting a Conservative failure; the structural fiscal envelope for the autumn Budget tightens further.
- The Iran situation is in a holding pattern. President Trump’s “two or three days” window holds; the Jerusalem Post carries new analysis from the German Institute for International and Security Affairs that any renewed war would see Iran fire “tens or hundreds of missiles a day” at Israel and target Gulf oil infrastructure to drag the Gulf states into a war they have explicitly sought to avoid. Unexplained explosions were reported on Iran’s Qeshm island. Brent eased modestly to $107.30; the immediate strike risk premium continues to come off.
JPost/NYT: Iran Could Fire “Hundreds of Missiles a Day” if War Renews
Hamidreza Azizi of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs said in an interview yesterday that if hostilities resume, Iran may fire “tens or hundreds of missiles per day” at Israel and the United States to “effectively…
Iran: Explosions on Qeshm Island in Strait of Hormuz; Cause Unknown
Explosions were heard on Iran’s Qeshm island in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, the Jerusalem Post reported, citing the semi-official Iranian Mehr news agency, which said the cause was unknown and no further details were available. Qeshm…
Trump: “No Nuclear Weapons for Iran”; Hegseth + Caine Stand Ready
President Donald Trump’s Truth Social cancellation of last night’s scheduled US military strike against Iran — at the joint request of the Qatari Emir, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Emirati President Mohamed bin Zayed — includ…
Iran: 1,500 Vessels Waiting for Hormuz Permission; Cables Threat Continues
The Iranian regime’s newly-established Persian Gulf Strait Authority continues to formalise its claim to manage transit through the Strait of Hormuz, with Iranian state media reporting that 1,500 vessels are currently waiting for Iranian p…
Russia Hits Ukraine with 546 Drones, Missiles; Belarus-Russia Begin Nuclear Drills
The Institute for the Study of War confirms that Russian forces launched 546 drones and missiles at Ukraine overnight on 17-18 May, including 14 ballistic missiles and 8 cruise missiles, with 18 missiles and 16 drones striking 34 locations…
Burnham Confirmed as Labour’s Makerfield Candidate; 18 June Vote
Andy Burnham was today confirmed as Labour’s candidate for the Makerfield by-election expected on 18 June, after Labour’s National Executive Committee rubber-stamped his selection. The party said no other candidates had been shortlisted fo…
Reform Unveils “Plucky Plumber” Kenyon; Farage Frames David vs Goliath
Reform UK unveiled local plumber Robert Kenyon as its Makerfield by-election candidate minutes after Burnham’s confirmation. Kenyon — an army reservist and former NHS specialist technician in Lancashire — came within 5,399 votes of Josh Si…
HS2: £87.7-£102.7bn Cost, Opening Pushed to 2036-2039
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander confirmed in the Commons today that the HS2 high-speed rail line will cost between £87.7 billion and £102.7 billion in 2025 prices — roughly double the previous government’s figure in 2019 terms — and th…
Alexander: “I’m Angry”; “Litany of Failure” Inherited from Tories
The Transport Secretary’s Commons statement on HS2 today set the Labour government’s framing on inherited infrastructure failure with unusual sharpness: “Instead of signalling the country’s ambition, HS2 became a signal of the country’s de…
Lammy: Raise Age of Criminal Responsibility from 10 to 14?
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy is considering lifting the age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales from 10 to as high as 14, The Times reported this morning. The government is “eyeing Scotland’s law”, under which children can…