The makers of the 7 Up series set out to prove a point about class. What they achieved is far more profound | Jonathan Freedland
The epic documentary series reveals much about the shifting social attitudes of the last 60 years – and much more about the quiet mystery of human lifeFor an hour or two this week, I’ve been in the company of people whose lives I’ve seen unfold, almost…
‘We will get stuff done’: Burnham seeks to banish ghosts of Starmerism at Labour conference
The PM returns to Liverpool, where he was mocked last year, with a promise that no one will be left wondering what he’s trying to doUK politics live – latest updatesAndy Burnham was not even in the audience for the prime minister’s speech at the Labour…
I love a drink in the stands, but Burnham’s beer proposal feels out of step with modern football | Marva Kreel
Focusing on the right to drink at your seat is an odd place to start when discrimination in the game runs much deeperAndy Burnham is right that football fans have historically been treated differently from other sports fans. But if we’re going to talk…
Jeffrey Donaldson could face more than 10 years in jail for child sexual abuse, court told
Age difference between former Democratic Unionist party leader and his victims an aggravating factor, say prosecutorsJeffrey Donaldson, the former leader of the Democratic Unionist party in Northern Ireland, could be sent to prison for more than 10 years…
Daniel Thomas pleads not guilty after alleged dinghy slashing in Channel
Far-right activist who was filmed appearing to slash boat with blade is refused bail as he denies chargesThe far-right agitator Daniel Thomas has pleaded not guilty to causing criminal damage after he was filmed apparently slashing a boat in the Channel…
What are the Lib Dems for? They must champion localism to stay relevant in an age of single-issue politics | Simon Jenkins
Ed Davey’s party are the obvious candidates to push for the deeper local democracy the public is crying out forSeptember is the cruellest month for political commentators because it is when something has to be said about the Liberal Democrats. They are a…
Digested week: I had Nigella down as tradwife burlesque but her Bake Off debut won me over | Emma Brockes
Plus, Prince Harry spreads his love of Marmite to his kids, and Dolly Parton’s nephew turns out to be fairly unusualIt was a big week at the UN, Buckingham Palace and the White House, but for all sentient people of Britain, the top story this week was…
Plans are under way to finally help Britain’s unemployed young people – will Labour pull it off? | Polly Toynbee
Alan Milburn is preparing to implement his report to bring young people back into work. Let’s hope the government will see it throughAs certainly as the moon pulls on the tides, Labour governments improve the lives of the poorest children. Just as…
‘We can’t ride this storm’: the English farmers facing uncertainty after sustainability funding runs dry
After the available money ran out after just six hours, some fear they will have to reverse efforts to boost natureOn Tuesday morning, farmer Peter Hatley logged on to his computer at 10am. England’s 2026 sustainable farming incentive (SFI) was opening…
‘Everyone can relate to pain and struggle. So I’m sharing mine’: Michael Kiwanuka on life after his devastating stroke
The Mercury prize winner hasn’t been able to go home since falling ill last summer. In his only interview, he opens up about the ‘poignancy’ of finally releasing the new album his stroke shelvedAt the end of July 2025, Michael Kiwanuka was back home in…