Political Fix

Can any other Labour MP amass sufficient support to challenge Andy Burnham for the top job, or is his ascent to No 10 now all but assured? Just 24 hours after Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation as prime minister, host Lucy Fisher is joined by FT colleagues Miranda Green, Robert Shrimsley and Chris Smyth to discuss the merits of a leadership contest over a coronation, who will win big roles in a Burnham cabinet and his early policy priorities. Plus the group considers the political ripples that a Burnham government will have on the other parties.

Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.com; Chris: @Smyth_Chris and @chris-smyth.bsky.social; Miranda:@greenmiranda and @greenmirandahere.bsky.social and Robert: @robertshrimsley and @robertshrimsley.bsky.social

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Labour MPs consider backing challenger to Andy Burnham

Waiting for Andy: what will a Burnham premiership mean?

The 10 headaches Starmer is handing to Burnham

The revolving door of Downing Street

Why does Britain keep changing prime ministers?

Labour’s Burnham sceptics don’t have the numbers to stop him

Join the Political Fix panel on Thursday June 25 for an FT Live event, ‘Ten years after Brexit: Can the UK deliver change?’ Register to take part at ft.com/anniversary and send us your questions. 

You can also sign up here for Stephen Bush’s morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free.

Political Fix was presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Persis Love and Clare Williamson. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and sound engineering by Breen Turner. The global head of audio is Flo Phillips.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Andy Burnham sworn in as an MP and on track to become the UK’s seventh prime minister in 10 years after Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation today, host Lucy Fisher is joined by political editor George Parker and deputy political editor Jim Pickard to assess Starmer’s time in office and discuss how Burnham will have to hit the ground running to avoid the fate of his predecessors. 

Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.com; Jim @PickardJE or [email protected]; and George @GeorgeWParker or [email protected]

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How Keir Starmer was undone by caution and no clear plan 

Keir Starmer’s premiership in charts

Keir Starmer steps down as UK prime minister

Waiting for Andy: what will a Burnham premiership mean?

Why does Britain keep changing prime ministers?

What Andy Burnham’s Westminster past reveals about him

Join the Political Fix panel on Thursday June 25 for an FT Live event, ‘Ten years after Brexit: Can the UK deliver change?’ Register to take part at ft.com/anniversary and send us your questions.

Sign up here for Stephen Bush’s morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free.

Political Fix was presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Persis Love. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and sound engineering by Breen Turner. The global head of audio is Flo Phillips.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham has stormed the Makerfield by-election, clearing the pathway for him to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the top job in Downing Street. Starmer has vowed to defend his position, but will Burnham’s team be able to cajole him into resignation? Host Lucy Fisher is joined by Financial Times commentators, Inside Politics columnist Stephen Bush, political editor George Parker and Northern England correspondent Jennifer Williams to discuss what could play out in Westminster over the coming weeks, who a Burnham premiership would have as chancellor, and what Reform’s defeat in Makerfield means for Farage. 

Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.com; Jen @JenWilliams_FT or @jenwilliamsft.bskyb.social; Stephen @stephenkb & @stephenkb.bsky.social and George @GeorgeWParker & @georgewparker.bsky.social

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Andy Burnham storms to by-election victory in challenge to Keir Starmer

What Andy Burnham now needs to do to become prime minister

Andy Burnham’s landslide win should worry Nigel Farage

‘Abysmal’: Nigel Farage’s Reform UK suffers another by-election blow

Who is Andy Burnham, Labour’s charismatic chameleon?

Can anyone stop Andy Burnham from becoming Labour leader?

Join the Political Fix panel on Thursday June 25 for an FT Live event, ‘Ten years after Brexit: Can the UK deliver change?’ Register to take part at ft.com/anniversary and send us your questions. 

Sign up here to Stephen Bush’s morning newsletter, Inside Politics, for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free.

Political Fix was presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Persis Love and Clare Williamson. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and sound engineering by Breen Turner. The FT’s global head of audio is Flo Phillips.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With a week to go until Makerfield heads to the polls in what may turn out to be the most consequential by-election in British history, host Lucy Fisher, northern England correspondent Jen Williams and deputy political editor Jim Pickard are on the ground hearing from voters in the seat. Polls and bookmakers confidently predict an Andy Burnham victory but they discuss whether that narrative is too neat and what issues are really shaping voters’ choices. The result could determine not just who represents Makerfield, but also the future of the country if Burnham wins and successfully challenges Sir Keir Starmer for the premiership. Plus, they weigh up the shock resignation of defence secretary John Healey who has blasted Starmer’s government for being “unwilling” to commit sufficient resources to protecting the country.

Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.com; Jen @JenWilliams_FT or @jenwilliamsft.bskyb.social; Jim on @PickardJE or @pickardje.bskyb.social

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John Healey: the ex-trade unionist who privately battled the Treasury

Andy Burnham rules out cash for Waspi women after Labour backlash

‘Pure racism’: East Belfast reels from riots led by masked young men

Keir Starmer weakened by John Healey’s scathing resignation  

The joke that deepened Keir Starmer and Andy Burnham’s toxic rift

Sign up here for Stephen Bush’s morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free.

Political Fix was presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Persis Love and Nisha Patel. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and sound engineering by Breen Turner. The FT’s global head of audio is Flo Phillips.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What began as a local tragedy in Southampton has quickly become a national flashpoint. Questions about policing and trust in UK institutions are dominating the debate, as party leaders compete to shape the public response, but are politicians missing the point that this is about police treatment of suspects? With the Makerfield by-election looming, the case risks sharpening divides. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by the FT’s Stephen Bush, Miranda Green and Chris Smyth to discuss the political fallout, plus the latest in Andy Burnham’s campaign. The panel also consider what Sir Keir Starmer is looking to cross off his bucket list as his allies suggest it increasingly appears a fait accompli that he will be forced out of Downing Street. 

Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.com; Stephen @stephenkb & @stephenkb.bsky.social; Miranda @greenmiranda & @greenmirandahere.bsky.social and Chris @Smyth_Chris 

Join us on Thursday the 25th of June for a special video episode of the Political Fix podcast on Ten Years after Brexit: can the UK deliver change? Register at ft.com/anniversary and send us your questions

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What if Andy Burnham loses? 

What Henry Nowak’s murder does — and does not — tell us about policing 

Policing minister says ‘wrong calls’ made amid anger over Henry Nowak murder 

Starmer pushes ‘bucket list’ policies as fatalistic mood descends on Number 10 

Disparities between ethnic groups are not always cause for alarm 

Nigel Farage gambles on playing to the far right

Electoral reform in the UK? Don’t bet on it

You can also sign up here for Stephen Bush’s morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free.

Political Fix was presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Persis Love and Nisha Patel. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and sound engineering by Breen Turner. The broadcast engineers are Andrew Georgiades and Petros Gioumpasis. 

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tony Blair’s lengthy – and excoriating – 5,600-word essay on the future of the Labour Party and Britain has set Westminster alight this week. The former prime minister's critique has sparked a lively debate, and triggered robust responses from Labour leadership hopefuls Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting. But is Blair right in some of his criticism? Host Lucy Fisher unpacks the article with FT colleagues Robert Shrimsley, Anna Gross and Stephen Bush. They also examine Rupert Lowe, the personality behind the far-right party Restore Britain, and whether it can harm Reform UK by splitting the rightwing vote.

Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.com

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Tony Blair criticises Labour’s Andy Burnham for leftwing ‘delusion’

Tony Blair ‘does not understand’ role of inequality in politics, Andy Burnham says

Labour’s retreat from intellectual debate traps it in comfort zone

Turning Neets into engineers

Britain’s expanding ‘lost generation’

UK risks ‘lost generation’ without more jobs for young people 

Nigel Farage loses viral touch to Musk-backed Rupert Lowe

Senior Reform UK figures clash over immigration plans 

You can also sign up here for Stephen Bush’s morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free.

Political Fix was presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Persis Love. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and sound engineering by Breen Turner. The broadcast engineers are Andrew Georgiades and Petros Gioumpasis. 

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham running for the Makerfield by-election has become far more than a contest for a safe Labour seat. It is being seen as a proxy battle over Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership, Labour’s direction after its bruising local election results, and even whether Reform UK can break permanently into Labour’s northern heartlands. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by George Parker, political editor, Robert Shrimsley, UK chief political commentator, and Jen Williams, northern England correspondent to discuss the latest developments. The team also examines the economic offerings and political positioning of the prospective Labour leadership contenders Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting.

Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.com; George Parker @GeorgeWParker ; Robert Shrimsley @robertshrimsley ; Jennifer Williams @JenWilliams 

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How will Andy Burnham pay for his plans for the UK?

What version of Manchesterism is Andy Burnham offering?

Wes Streeting floats ‘wealth tax’ in bid to woo Labour left

Wes Streeting: the confident performer with a mixed record of reform

Greens consider helping Labour’s Andy Burnham in Makerfield by-election

Reeves cuts food tariffs and children’s bus fares in cost of living plan

You can also sign up here for Stephen Bush’s morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free.

Political Fix was presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Nisha Patel and Persis Love. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and sound engineering by Breen Turner. The broadcast engineers are Andrew Georgiades and Bianca Wakeman. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s global head of audio.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a dramatic week at Westminster, Wes Streeting has quit as health secretary and ex-deputy prime minister Angela Rayner has said her wrangling with HMRC is finally over – but neither has launched a leadership challenge. Instead, all eyes are now on Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham as he attempts to chart a path back to the Commons, leaving Sir Keir Starmer’s premiership under severe pressure. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by political correspondent Anna Gross, deputy opinion editor Miranda Green and deputy political editor Jim Pickard to discuss the latest developments. The team also examines Reform UK leader Nigel Farage’s shifting story about his £5mn personal gift from a Thailand-based crypto investor in 2024, and looks ahead to consider what a Reform government would do.  

Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.com; Anna @annasophiagross; Miranda @greenmiranda & @greenmirandahere.bsky.social and Jim @pickardJE 

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Burnham’s return to Westminster will not be so easy 

Labour set to approve Andy Burnham’s by-election run

Starmer crisis as it happened: premier appoints new health secretary 

Angela Rayner says she has been cleared over tax affairs

Wes Streeting: the confident performer with a mixed record of reform 

To beat the populist right, Labour must be an insurgent government 

Zack Polanski admits ‘mistake’ over houseboat council tax

FT Series: Reform UK up close

Sign up here for Stephen Bush’s morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free.

Political Fix was presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Nisha Patel. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and sound engineering by Breen Turner. The broadcast engineers are Andrew Georgiades and Bianca Wakeman. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s global head of audio.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You sent in your burning questions, now our panel answers them. Will Sir Keir Starmer’s ‘relaunch’ work? Has Britain become ungovernable? Will the UK’s voting system be reformed, is the student loans system punishing youthful ambition, and what about defence? Host Lucy Fisher is joined by the FT’s George Parker, Miranda Green and Robert Shrimsley to discuss a range of topics spanning politics and policy.

Follow Lucy on Bluesky or X: @lucyfisher.bsky.social, @LOS_Fisher; Miranda @greenmirandahere.bsky.social, George: @GeorgeWParker & @georgewparker.bsky.social and Robert @robertshrimsley, @robertshrimsley.bsky.social

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Starmer vows he will not ‘walk away’ as leadership rivals circle 

There was nothing here to save Starmer

Keir Starmer to promise ‘urgent’ change as he fights for his political future

‘You’ve got to achieve things quickly’: lessons from a decade of leading London

The new politics may be more like the old politics than we assume 

Sign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek analysis. Get 30 days free.

Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Clare Williamson. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The broadcast engineers were Andrew Giorgiades and Petros Gioumpasis. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s global head of Audio.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s been a dreadful night for Labour as council seats across the country have turned from red to turquoise. The Conservatives have not fared much better with Reform UK the big winner so far. With results still coming in, host Lucy Fisher discusses the fracturing of the vote and the future for beleaguered Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer with the FT’s deputy political editor Jim Pickard, Northern England correspondent Jen Williams and political columnist Stephen Bush.

Have a question for the panel? We’re planning a question and answer episode on Monday May 11. Email your questions to political[email protected]

Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, and Bluesky: @lucyfisher.ft.com; Jim @PickardJE and @pickardje.bsky.social; Stephen @stephenkb & @stephenkb.bsky.social and Jen: @JenWilliamsMEN and @jenwilliamsft.bsky.social

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UK elections: Labour suffers heavy losses as Reform surges

Four things we learnt in the UK elections

Scale of defeat should shake ‘big two’ parties into serious action

Keir Starmer defies calls to quit after heavy Labour council losses

UK local and devolved elections: Hour-by-hour guide to key results

In Labour’s bleak moment, Andy Burnham relishes his own

Sign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek. Get 30 days free.

Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Clare Williamson. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The broadcast engineers were Andrew Giorgiades and Petros Gioumpasis. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s global head of Audio.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.