Newscast

Today, Keir Starmer has resigned as Prime Minister.

Speaking outside number 10 on Monday morning the Prime Minister said he accepted that his party does not believe he is best placed to lead the country at the next general election. In an emotional speech he also thanked his wife and said he wanted to be the "best dad I can to my beautiful children".

Meanwhile, Andy Burnham has arrived in Westminster to be sworn in as the new MP for Makerfield. Burnham has confirmed he’ll stand to replace Starmer, and is currently the only candidate after Wes Streeting announced he was now backing Burnham.

James, Chris and Joe discuss another momentous day in Westminster.

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New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd

Today, we look at strong indications the prime minister may be on the verge of resigning.

Cabinet Secretary Peter Kyle’s message this morning was that he is reflecting on the "political realities". It’s a departure from the not ‘he’ll fight on’ message of 2026 up to now.

Henry Zeffman joins Laura and Paddy in the studio to look at the possible timetable of a resignation and the appointment of a replacement.

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New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd

Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenters were Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O’Connell. It was made by Chris Flynn and Maddie Drury. The social producer was Gabriel Purcell-Davis. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Insiders have told Laura that the Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has joined a list of people who’ve told Keir Starmer to set out a timetable for his departure. He's at Chequers - the PM’s retreat - considering his next move as talk of fighting a leadership challenge quietens.

Laura and Paddy unpack the shift in mood, and question whether Andy Burnham can appeal to voters outside the North West.

You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers.

You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscord

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing [email protected] or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd

Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenters were Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O’Connell. It was made by Chris Flynn and Maddie Drury. The social producer was Gabriel Purcell-Davis. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, Labour’s Andy Burnham wins the Makerfield by election - so how could we see a challenge to Keir Starmer as Labour Party leader?

Burnham won almost 25,000 votes, beating Reform UK's Robert Kenyon by more than 9,000 votes. In his victory speech Andy Burnham said "Everyone knows that politics isn't working, and has previously said he would seek to enter any Labour leadership contest.

So what happens now?

Adam and Chris are joined by Kevin Fitzpatrick political reporter for Radio Manchester and Luke Tryl Director of More in Common.

You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers.

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing [email protected] or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd

Today, the US and Iran have an agreement which extends the ceasefire between the two countries, and is now signed by US President Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers.

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing [email protected] or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd

Today, Keir Starmer returns home from the G7 with a warning to Andy Burnham not to rush into triggering a leadership contest if he wins in Makerfield tomorrow.

In an interview with Chris, the Prime Minister said that a leadership contest would be bad for the country but reaffirmed his intention to fight any challenges to his leadership.

Tomorrow’s by-election in Makerfield still stands in the way of any move Burnham could make to trigger a by-election. Alex is there on the ground and brings us the latest from Burnham’s competitors, including Robert Kenyon of Reform UK.

Adam, Chris and Alex discuss what it all means.

A full list of candidates and loads more information about the Makerfield by-election is available here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgrp1z8n4w2o

You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers.

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing [email protected] or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd

Today, what difference will banning social media make to children’s lives?

Speaking the day after the announcement of a ban on social media for under-16s the education secretary speaks to Adam in the Newscast studio.

They discuss; if children need to be bored more whether it’s OK for parents to watch youtube with their children and whether the school day should be longer?

You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers.

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing [email protected] or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd

Today, the prime minister has announced under-16s will be banned from social media.

Speaking at Downing Street Keir Starmer announced if passed in parliament the ban will come into force by spring 2027. Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X are among the platforms affected - but not WhatsApp or Signal.

So will the ban achieve what the government says it will? Adam and Henry are joined by Zoe Kleinman, BBC technology editor.

And, the US and Iran have agreed a deal to the end the war. Donald Trump says the Strait of Hormuz will be reopened and the US naval blockade of Iran will end. Details remain scarce about what any potential deal may look like in practice. Adam speaks to chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet.

You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers.

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing [email protected] or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd

Royal Marine Commandos have boarded a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in the English Channel in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Marines, joined by National Crime Agency officers, with the support of the RAF, intercepted and boarded the vessel in a six-hour operation - the first operation of its kind by UK armed forces.

The vessel, Smyrtos, will be held and monitored off the south coast of England as investigations continue, the MoD said.

Joe Pike joins Laura and Paddy to go through what we know about the operation, and put it into context in light of a week of resignations over the government's defence investment plan.

A full list of candidates and loads more information about the Makerfield by-election is available here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgrp1z8n4w2o

You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers.

You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscord

New episodes are released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd

Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC.

The presenters were Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O’Connell. It was made by Chris Flynn. The social producer was Jem Westgate. The technical producer was Gareth Jones. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Paddy is back from holiday and he’s also back from Ashton-in-Makerfield.

He joins Laura to discuss a new poll that suggests Rupert Lowe’s Restore Britain could steal enough votes from Reform UK to hand Andy Burnham a win.

Luke Tryl from More In Common - the pollsters behind the research - also joins with Joe Pike who’s sat in on a focus group they ran.

A full list of candidates and loads more information about the Makerfield by-election is available here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgrp1z8n4w2o

You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers.

You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscord

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing [email protected] or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes are released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd

Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC.

The presenters were Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O’Connell. It was made by Chris Flynn. The social producer was Jem Westgate. The technical producer was Frank McWeeney. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.