If he were alive today, Machiavelli would have enjoyed watching the first days of Andy Burnham’s premiership. An enemy of the Medicis, the Florentine diplomat (full name Niccolo di Bernardo dei Machiavelli) was a student of power. He would have appreciated the clarity, focus and – yes – the brutality of Burnham’s move against loyalists of former prime minister Keir Starmer.

This was not a purge comparable to Harold Macmillan’s “night of the long knives” in the 1950s. Back then, Macmillan sacked one third of his entire cabinet. But it does compare to Boris Johnson’s 2020 reshuffle when Sajid Javid was forced to resign as chancellor and other ministers were sacked as political power consolidated around Johnson’s chief adviser Dominic Cummings.

Apart from Starmer himself, ministers sacked or not reappointed in Burnham’s takeover include chancellor Rachel Reeves, deputy prime minister and justice secretary David Lammy, housing secretary Steve Reed, business secretary Peter Kyle, health secretary James Murray, and Cabinet Office minister Darren Jones.

Others, such as prisons minister James Timpson and science/innovation minister Patrick Vallance, jumped before they were pushed.

Many of these changes were expected and not all the ex-ministers were successful in office. Moreover, it is not unreasonable for an incoming prime minister, particularly one who so audaciously unseated a predecessor, to want to reward their supporters. Politics is, to use the cliche, a tough business and to the victors go the prizes of ministerial office.

Nevertheless, such an approach also has its risks. Jones pointing out that Burnham’s proposal to cut VAT from household electricity bills from October is “unfunded” is a timely reminder that there is now a group of disaffected and often still ambitious backbench MPs. Each has an intimate knowledge of how Whitehall works and a bulging address book of journalists from the lobby and beyond.

Creating enemies – lessons from Machiavelli

Despite Burnham’s protestations about how much he hates factionalism in the Labour party, this week saw raw factionalism in action. From now on, one is either for Burnham or against him.

And when the Burnham government’s honeymoon period ends and political capital is ebbing away, the potential for these excluded malcontents to seek revenge is obvious. So how does Burnham deal with this – and what lessons can be learned from Machiavelli’s treatise The Prince when assessing Burnham’s options?

The key takeaway is Machiavelli’s observation that power inevitably creates enemies. The wise ruler must manage, anticipate, and – if particularly deft at the political dark arts – cultivate these enemies for the purpose of overcoming them and being seen to do so.

This is because defeating an enemy publicly demonstrates strength, which enhances legitimacy and deters future challengers. So far, Burnham seems to have done this quite effectively. But so did his predecessor Starmer when he sidelined the Corbynites and eventually pushed Jeremy Corbyn out of the Labour party in 2024.

Some potential enemies are harder to manage, however. Machiavelli tells us that the wise ruler prevents rivals from uniting against them by keeping ambitious nobles competing with one another. This prevents one group from dominating.

He or she then uses reward, restraint and rotation of influence as disruptors. In other words, you lever ambition and rivalry to divide the opposition. Burnham’s decision to make John Healey chancellor of the exchequer, rather than Ed Miliband or Shabana Mahmood, is a classic Machiavellian move.

The conventional wisdom was that Miliband and Mahmood were rivals for the chancellorship. While Mahmood will be happy enough to retain her Home Office portfolio, Miliband’s failure to become chancellor (a job he apparently coveted) can be regarded as a modest but important clipping of the wings.

Similarly, the appointment of Wes Streeting as defence secretary is a shrewd appointment that places another potential rival in a demanding role that will keep him busy for now.

In the end, however, even the wise ruler run outs of political capital and luck. Burnham is the sixth prime minister since David Cameron resigned following the Brexit referendum of 2016. In his Downing Street speech following his visit to the king, Burnham expressed a desire to break the cycle of instability and push on with a ten-year national plan.

Starmer had a similar plan for “national renewal”, which is now in the dustbin of history. It would be unwise to bet against something similar happening to Burnham eventually. Which leads to another lesson from The Prince.

Machiavelli observes that all political acts – even those that are “good deeds” – create enemies in the end. After all, even beneficiaries resent feeling indebted. It may not be one of Burnham’s vanquished political enemies but rather one of the winners of this week’s political powerplay who eventually wields the knife.

Lewis Blair was last seen at his home address in Blackpool at around 9.20pm on that date.

He is described as being around 5ft 11in tall, of a slight build, with mousy brown hair, and a tattoo on his left arm saying ‘DAD’.

Lewis Blair (Image: Lancashire Police)

When he was last seen, he was wearing a cream polo shirt, a green fleece, light brown army camouflage shorts, and black pump shoes.

Lewis has links to Blackpool, Chorley, Bolton, and Scotland.

If you think you have seen Lewis or have any information as to where he could be, call 999 quoting log LC-20260724-0439.

Breightmet resident Dawn Exley says she confronted a man after witnessing what she believed was a bag of rubbish about to be thrown into a woodland beside Seven Acres Park.

The incident comes as concerns continue over vehicles littering and fly-tipping in the area.

Ms Exley said the incident was unrelated to recent issues and reflected concerns she says have existed for several years.

(Image: Newsquest)

She said: “Personally, I’m a little bit on a tightrope with my emotions at the minute.

“And I saw it and just thought I’m sick of it being a dumping ground.

“Whether it’s rubbish or anything else, I just thought I’m not having this. I’m really community spirited, and I don’t have any hidden agenda.”

The incident happened on the Waggon Road side of Seven Acres Park.

Ms Exley said she has been documenting what she says is littering in the area since 2021 and has previously reported concerns to Bolton Council.

She said she had witnessed what she believed was a bag being thrown into the woodland from a car with its rear doors open.

She explained that she challenged the driver and asked him to collect the bag, and that later he did.

(Image: Newsquest)

Ms Exley said she also asked him to remove another bag already at the location because she believed it may have belonged to him, but said the driver denied it was his.

Following a report of fly tipping near Seven Acres Park, Bolton Council said it visited the area but found no evidence of fly tipping.

Ms Exley said: “I stopped because I saw something that wasn’t right, and I addressed it.”

She said she wanted to make clear the incident should not be linked to wider community tensions in the town and added that she was worried about the affect littering could have on wildlife.

Commenting on fly tipping more generally across the borough, Cllr Sean Fielding said: “The thing about that area is you can drive up to it easily.

(Image: PHIL TAYLOR)

“There’s not loads of properties that overlook it, and there’s not loads of people around all the time.

“So unfortunately it’s just one of those places, in common with lots of places across the borough, where people are finding themselves able to tip unwitnessed.”

A Bolton Council spokesperson said: “We regularly monitor and clear fly tipping in public areas and respond to any reports we receive.

“Following a report of fly tipping next to Seven Acres Park, we recently visited the area but could find no evidence of fly tipping.”

“By taking an estate-wide view, we can invest in the places and experiences that help the West End succeed on the global stage – places such as 10 Piccadilly and 21-29 Glasshouse Street, where we are sensitively bringing heritage assets into their next chapter, creating outstanding new office, retail and hospitality spaces for London.

Harbour View Kindergarten in Seaham was ranked in the ‘strong standard’ area for four out of six categories, with the remaining two rated ‘expected standard’.

Inspectors have highlighted the high expectations staff have for children’s behaviour, describing interactions as “warm and trusting.”

The Ofsted report said: “Relationships between staff and children are warm and trusting.

“They take a genuine interest in every child who attends the setting.”

Parents commented in the report, saying: “The staff team go above and beyond”.

Staff were also commended for their understanding of each child’s needs and for working closely with parents and professionals.

The report added: “Children with special educational needs and disabilities and those who may have barriers to learning receive effective, swift and targeted support from staff.”

Inspectors praised the staff for working in collaboration with parents and professionals to ensure children who may need additional support receive the right interventions at the right time.

Outdoor learning was highlighted as a strength, with Ofsted observing children playing in the mud kitchen, waving bubble wands, and exploring the outdoors with their friends.

Settling-in procedures were described as high quality, with staff gathering detailed information on children’s dietary needs, allergies, weaning, and sleep routines before they start.

The leadership team was described as “passionate” about their work.

Kimberley Taylor, nursery manager, said: “We are delighted that our hard work has been recognised.

“This achievement reflects the dedication of our entire team, who work tirelessly to provide a warm, nurturing environment where every child can thrive.

“We are incredibly proud of the strong relationships we have built with our children and their families, and we are grateful for the trust and support they continue to show us. ”

The Ofsted report also noted that leaders and staff act quickly in cases of non-attendance and promote regular attendance through close communication with parents.

Children were observed to be well prepared for the next stage of their learning.

Although the curriculum and teaching were generally rated as expected standard, inspectors did identify some inconsistencies.

They noted that staff did not always make the most of spontaneous teaching moments to extend learning.

Ms Taylor added that while celebrating their achievement, the team remain committed to continuous improvement and will continue striving to provide an even better experience for the children in their care.

Despite this, children are making typical progress from their starting points, and the centre was praised for its inclusive approach.

I DISCOVERED Lothersdale whilst working in nearby Earby. It is a lovely, forgotten dale with an excellent short walk climbing to the trig point of Pinhaw Beacon. The views are wide ranging, interesting in particular north towards the 3 Peaks.

Lothersdale is a long, deep valley with the central village towards the eastern end. Whether you enter from the east or the west, head for the Hare and Hounds inn.

Park near the pub and head west for 100 metres until a signpost directs you left, uphill and on to the Pennine Way.

The Pennine Way leads all the way to the summit of Pinhaw Beacon and is therefore well signposted and generally easy to follow. The path climbs steeply out of Lothersdale.

After passing through a gate turn left (still uphill) and keep close to the fence/wall. The path at this stage is faint or non-existent on the ground so stick close to the fence, which turns in to a wall. After crossing a small stream there is a stile leading left, cross the field and emerge at a lane.

Cross the lane and carry on up the farm track initially. Past the farm the track becomes more of a path, crosses a stile and then take a sharp left alongside the boundary. Over another stile and the scenery takes an immediate turn for the better (at least in my opinion). This is open moorland, the path is good (paved in places due to being on the Pennine Way) and after continuing west for half a mile leads to the smart trig of Pinhaw Beacon. The views from here are excellent.

To the north are the Yorkshire Dales, on a good day all 3 Peaks can be seen, turning to the west the Forest of Bowland is in the foreground with the sea a distance beyond (on a clear day).

More walks:

Before you reach the trig take a few minutes to try and locate a small gravestone and inscription where Robert Wilson, a brave local man, died in 1805. Robert and his two companions had been sent up to the Beacon to watch for a warning from the nearby beacon at Colne for a sign of the invasion of Napoleon. On one cold winter day Robert set out to get supplies but never returned. His body was found within 200 metres of the hut and there lies a small stone to signify where he met his end.

Pinhaw Beacon

From the summit follow the Pennine Way for a further 250 metres south west before taking the south path from the corner of a wall. Leave the Pennine Way which heads north. Follow the wall for a few meters, bear left and head for a stile out of the moors and back in to farmland.

Drop steeply towards Calf Head Farm and then follow the lane east and then steeply downhill which brings you out near Knott Barn. A footpath skirts the cluster of buildings next to a stream (on its east bank) before opening out on to a series of fields). Continue down through the fields before a slight detour to the east brings you to a bridge and the welcoming sign of the Hare and Hounds pub.

On the final few hundred metres of the descent Lothersdale, the full dale, is spread out impressively in front of you.

Fact file:

Lothersdale map

Distance: Roughly four miles.

Height to Climb: 195m (645 feet)

Start: SD 960461. There is roadside parking near the pub.

Difficulty: Medium. The walk is short but the first mile is steep. The return through the fields needs some careful map work as the paths barely exist on the ground. Where the path is intermittent look for stiles/gates which mark the way.

Refreshments: The Hare and Hounds in Lothersdale is very good.

Be Prepared: The route description and sketch map only provide a guide to the walk. You must take out and be able to read a map (O/S Explorer OL21) and in cloudy/misty conditions a compass. You must also wear the correct clothing and footwear for the outdoors. Whilst every effort is made to provide accurate information, walkers head out at their own risk.

The police drama is set in Northern Ireland and is getting its own feature-length special later this year.

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Back in 2021, the BBC launched a brand-new drama based in Northern Ireland.

Hope Street is a beloved crime series which is set in the fictional coastal town of Port Devine. It centres on the local police force and the personal lives of its officers.

It boasts a cast including Kerri Quinn, Niamh McGrady, Niall Wright, Aaron McCusker, Des McAleer, Ciarán McMenamin and Finnian Garbutt, who sadly died this year.

The programme is currently in its 5th series, which premiered towards the end of last year.

It has recently been revealed that a feature-length special of the much-loved police drama is in the pipeline, with fresh faces set to join the ensemble, reports the Irish Mirror.

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Comedians Paddy Raff and Tim McGarry will make their Hope Street debuts alongside actress Letitia Hector.

While it will screen in cinemas throughout Northern Ireland in September this year, it will subsequently be released across the rest of the UK in October.

Mary McKeagney, Commissioning Editor, BBC Northern Ireland, said: “We hope this feature-length film will provide the perfect opportunity to tie up some loose ends for fans.

“And with some new characters thrown into the mix, I’m sure there will be plenty of drama in Port Devine! It is a bit of a thank you to all our audiences for engaging so enthusiastically with the series.

“Thanks, too, to the cast and crew, past and present, for bringing us such joy across all five series so far, and to Northern Ireland Screen for their continued support, and to the people of Donaghadee for having us.”

Since the programme debuted in 2021, viewers have expressed their opinions on the Irish drama.

One viewer remarked: “Excellent. At last I have found a program to watch on BBC that’s made it worth paying for the TV license. Every episode so far has made me smile. Nice that each episode has a self-contained story. Donaghadee is indeed a lovely seaside town and a great setting.”

Another person observed: “Binged it and loved it! I also don’t understand the negative reviews. I love this series, having binge-watched it over 2 days. It’s a feel-good, family drama that has the ambience of other BBC dramas, such as The Good Karma Hospital and Death in Paradise, All Creatures Great and Small, etc.”

While a third noted: “Perfect light entertainment. If you’re looking for a serious police drama, this is not for you. But if you want something easy to watch with a fun vibe and a great cast of characters, then this is absolute perfection.”

Hope Street is available to stream on BritBox and BBC One Northern Ireland

Victoria Smith, 50, was last seen at about 4pm  yesterday, Friday, July 24, near Northallerton.

She may be in the Osmotherley and Ellerbeck area, near the A19.

Victoria is white, of medium build, with brown shoulder-length hair. She was wearing a light-coloured T-shirt, jean shorts, and grey shoes, possibly with a grey hoodie.

Officers are extremely concerned for her welfare and the police helicopter has been involved in the search for her.

Anyone with information should call North Yorkshire Police on 101 or 999 for immediate sightings, quoting reference number NYP-24072026-0584.

BuzzBallz was founded by teacher Merrilee Kick, but was bought by the Sazerac Company, whose CEO is Jake Wenz, in 2024.

BuzzBallz’s UK’s mission statement, which was deleted after the BBC contacted the company about this story, said it “loves our planet as much as we love a good cocktail” and partnered with TerraCycle to ensure its packaging gets recycled.

However, TerraCycle, which involves consumers collecting packaging and sending it to be recycled, only runs the BuzzBallz scheme in the United States.

BuzzBallz’s UK FAQs, now also deleted, stated: “Yes, our packaging is recyclable. Please recycle your empties where local facilities allow.”

But no local facilities anywhere in the UK allow BuzzBallz to be recycled, said Adam Herriott, the head of packaging at WRAP.

“They’re a mix of two very recyclable materials that put together makes an unrecyclable format.

“No local authorities will accept these at the kerbside.

“If they end up at a sorting facility, they could end up contaminating the plastic stream because of the metals in there and that could be very problematic for plastics recyclers that get into the machinery.”

But why should people care if their drink packaging is not recyclable?

A Cambridgeshire council has agreed to fund free parking at four city centre car parks from August 3, but some people are not convinced it will make a big difference

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Readers of Cambridgeshire Live have expressed divided opinions on proposals to introduce free parking in a city centre after 3pm. While many have welcomed support for town centres, others have raised questions about how beneficial the timing would be for workers, and whether the policy ought to prioritise cars at all.

The introduction of complimentary parking in Peterborough city centre is set to start next month after funding for the scheme was approved. Peterborough City Council’s cabinet met on Tuesday (July 21), with members voting to provide free parking at four council-run car parks across the city.

Funding for the scheme has been provided by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA). The first day of free parking at four council-operated car parks will be Monday, August 3.

These four locations will be: Bishops Road; Car Haven; Riverside; Pleasure Fair Meadow. Parking at the above locations will be free after 3pm from Monday to Friday.

Some feel the offer should go considerably further. One commenter, Rhodabike, describes it as “A good start, but rather a minimal gesture.

“If they really want to support businesses and improve the economy, extend the free parking to 24-7. Make access to the city more affordable and convenient, and more people will visit, which is supposedly the idea.”

Freddly believes: “There is no such thing as ‘free’ parking; people who aren’t willing to pay for the space their car takes up are spongers.”

Over on our Facebook page, Pauline C comments: “So those that work early and park, does that mean they only pay till 3pm and after that it’s free for them? No help there for the majority of workers!?”

Alison O L asks: “Could Cambridge have some, please? Might get more people to the shops in the city.”

Paul L says: “So the car parks will be empty until 3pm.”

Edward J questions: “Why can’t we have free bus fares and funding for more cycling infrastructure instead of encouraging people to drive?”

Simon W says: “That’s great. I’m sure the people of Cambridge love the idea of subsidising other people’s parking through their Council Tax, given how reasonably priced it is to actually park in and around Cambridge itself. Crack on.”

Andy F writes: “Because we are losing our high street shops, all parking should be free.”

Gemma B feels: “People who work should get free parking on the days they are at work.”

Do you believe that this will help the high street? Comment below or HERE to join in the conversation.