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Who Wants Normal? is also up for the Readers’ Choice award, which is voted for by the public! If you would like to vote for me, that’d be very nice. My 7 yr old niece checks my shelves for trophies so please help me quench her demanding thirst. VOTE: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

What lovely news: Who Wants Normal? Life Lessons from Disabled Women has been long-listed for best Non-Fiction at the Diverse Book awards. Hugely touched to be included in such a meaningful prize.

A few people are saying this so if it helps: cross-party collaboration is a standard strategy for helping to get a generational reform across the line. A landslide is only the first hurdle for a change this big. You also need to bring voters and (some) of the media along.

Labour: I hope other political parties, and the media, will allow the country to have a sensible debate about options for social care reform. Reform: Burnham is planning 'universal death tax' which we will 'fight every step of way'.

It’s worth pausing on the scale of Burnham’s social care pitch. This could be the biggest reform to health in England in a generation. A universal care system - effectively a second NHS - would be revolutionary. Just free personal care would be lifechanging for older and disabled people.

I’m sure this is true for some but it’s actually a myth when it comes to many disabled campaigners. Disabled people (including myself) are often pro-assisted dying; we know more than most about pain and lack of choice. But we also know the devastating impact of underfunded care and benefit systems.

Casey's social care review will be fast-tracked, with final recommendations out by next summer, Burnham has announced. The options for reform range in scale but the PM has notably said a National Care service - he first proposed in 2010 - is on the table. Tories and Reform would widely oppose it.

For those who’ve asked today: We don’t know as yet what Burnham is going to do about benefits, including Pip or young people out of work. I know it can be frustrating if I don’t get into this stuff in my columns when the news desk first report it. Or it might seem odd, as if I’m ignoring it. [cont]

Unequal capitalist societies survive on the lie certain things are inevitable. Millions will always be hungry. Some sleep on the street. Old age and disability means not having a regular wash. Burnham admits they’re political choices. So, what’s next? My col: www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Burnham is taking a bold risk by busting the big lie of politics – that change is impossible | Frances RyanUnequal capitalist societies survive on the premise that certain things are inevitable. Admit that these are political choices, and who knows what voters will demand, asks Guardian columnist Frances R...www.theguardian.com

“That’s the thing about a Burnham premiership: the right is scared he will fulfil his promises and the left is afraid he won’t.” My col. on what real change means - and why much of the right gets hysterical when ordinary people’s lives might improve a bit. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Andy Burnham has made a bold start – but convincing people that change is possible will take much more | Frances RyanThe new PM’s greatest task has long weighed down the left: convincing voters there are actually better days ahead, says Guardian columnist Frances Ryanwww.theguardian.com

And this is why disabled and older people in England are currently forced to sit in their own urine because they can’t get to the toilet.

It was lovely to talk to @libbybrooks.bsky.social for this morning’s First Edition newsletter on the Design and Disability exhibition. We chat about art, protest and why you should absolutely yell to a receptionist speaking to the non-disabled person behind you. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...

Friday briefing: How disabled creators are challenging an ableist worldIn today’s newsletter: Amid protests, policy battles and rising hostility, disabled ​designers and artists show how pleasure, creativity and visibility ​defy stigmawww.theguardian.com