Michael Gove’s right-hand man has found a place at the heart of the Labour leadership.  Nick Boles ran Michael Gove’s campaign in a bid to be leader of the Conservative Party but has now found himself as a key player in Sir Keir’s political operation.

Boles introduced the shadow Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, when she announced her new economic plan.  Labour who are committed to following the Conservative fiscal rules, have said that nationalising the railways will not result in a cut to fares and that their £28BN green industrial strategy is dumped.

We knew that Labour had lurched to the right when Peter Mandelson started pulling the strings but even I am surprised that they are bringing Michael Gove’s henchman to ‘guide them to victory’.

If that was not enough, Sir Keir has proudly revealed the first Labour MP to be a member of the pro-Brexit ERG.  Natalie Elphick can fairly be said to be more right-wing than me.

Sir Keir, as one of the few front benchers to remain loyal to Jeremy Corbyn MP whilst demanding a second referendum on the EU, has found his new soulmates but what of his values?

The local elections across Bolton were really rather positive and I was reassured to see people put their values first.  The Green Party won their first ever councillor in the borough and there were great campaigns by the independent candidates and Reform.

Values do matter and I have a huge respect for all of the candidates for standing up for what they believe rather than ditching their values.  It sends a message, as we approach the general election, to support candidates with values rather than the glory hunters.

The GM administrative area had its mayoral election and… Andy Burnham won by a landslide.

His victory speech was elegant and is well worth watching.  The two most notable points was his recognition that he received many cross-party votes as well as his ambition for the MBACC award.

There is a right way and a wrong way to cross the political divide – some get it and others don’t.