In a development that has political analysts dusting off their 'things are looking up' buttons, Labour has overtaken Reform UK in a voter intention poll for the first time since March 2025. The weekly tracker by the non-profit agency More in Common shows Labour up four points to 28%, while Reform and the Greens have dropped two and three points respectively to 24% and 8%. The Tories remain stubbornly unchanged at 22%, and the Liberal Democrats are up one point to 12% - which is, presumably, cause for a very modest celebration.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who has been in office for a whole week, is apparently riding a wave of momentum built on a flurry of policy announcements and media appearances. Luke Tryl, UK director at More in Common, noted: "It's only been a week since he entered office, but it's clear that momentum is on the prime minister's side." Burnham's policies - a tax cut on energy bills, a cap on bus fares, and a cut to business rates for pubs and clubs - have broadly landed well, though not without criticism. Burnham himself said he would not get "carried away" but was pleased to have "connected with people." He added that he would address "big issues" this week, including youth unemployment, social care, and housing.

Meanwhile, Nigel Farage and Reform UK have been dealing with a series of negative headlines concerning undeclared gifts and donations, an adviser who is a convicted fraudster, and a byelection that has descended into farce. The parliamentary standards watchdog launched an investigation in May into whether a £5m donation from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne fell within rules requiring MPs to declare relevant gifts. Farage denies any breach. Additionally, George Cottrell, a longtime aide and convicted fraudster, provided funding for Farage's operation. Payments to Reform are now being investigated by the Metropolitan police, focusing on two donations of £250,000 made by Britain Means Business before the 2024 general election. Reform UK has denied any wrongdoing.

Farage resigned his seat in Clacton to trigger a byelection, which he framed as a contest between the "people and the establishment." Critics see it as a distraction. The byelection has become something of a joke after no major parties fielded a candidate, leaving Farage to face off against comedy characters like Count Binface. Democracy, it seems, is having a laugh.