Andy Burnham is running in a by-election in Makerfield, which is likely to be held on 18 June, to return to Parliament as an MP. If he wins, he will be the frontrunner in a contest to replace Keir Starmer as Prime Minister.

Burnham's personal brand of politics is often referred to as "Manchesterism". So, what is it?

Anoosh Chakelian is joined by The New Statesman's editor-in-chief Tom McTague, who profiled Andy Burnham back in September.

Keir Starmer's never ending cycle of political chaos, Reform's suspended local councillors and Anoosh's heckle of Boris Johnson.

Will Dunn and Anoosh Chakelian round up the stories of the week.

Read: https://www.newstatesman.com/comment/2026/05/will-progressives-ever-forgive-labour

https://www.newstatesman.com/business/economics/2026/05/the-bond-markets-will-not-save-keir-starmer

Donald Trump's political style has often been compared to reality TV - but what if the better comparison is professional wrestling?

Satirist Munya Chawawa joins Luke O'Reilly to discuss his new documentary, Wrestling With Trump, which explores the connections between WWE spectacle and modern American politics.

Wrestling with Trump is available to stream now on 4.

Wes Streeting resigned as Health Secretary on Thursday morning, but Ailbhe Rea says Keir Starmer is determined to fight on.

After days of speculation – and a 16-minute meeting at Number 10 – Wes Streeting has finally resigned from cabinet.

On the same day, Angela Rayner has announced she has been "cleared" of wrongdoing related to unpaid property tax, which would leave her free to run in a leadership contest if one is triggered.

However, sources inside Number 10 have told Ailbhe Rea that Wes Streeting does not have the backing of enough MPs to trigger a leadership contest. So what is the former Health Secretary hoping to achieve?

And if a leadership contest were triggered, who else would be likely to run?

Ailbhe Rea and Anoosh Chakelian discuss the latest from Westminster in The Politics Show.

READ: Wes Streeting resigns with an excoriating letter to Starmer

Eric Schlosser is one of America's foremost investigative journalists, writing about everything from the prison system to nuclear weapons, exploring the hidden systems underpinning modern life.

25 years ago, he set out to investigate the economic model behind one of America's most recognisable industries: a system built on low-paid workers, dangerous conditions and the exploitation of migrant labour.

He joins Oli Dugmore to discuss America's complicated relationship with McDonald's, the rise of fast food as both a cultural symbol and an economic system, and how Britain seeks to replicate this.

Over 80 MPs are calling for Keir Starmer's resignation, reaching the threshold required for a contender to mount a leadership challenge, with ministers - including Jess Philips - resigning from government too.

After a high stakes meeting this morning, several cabinet members voiced their support for the Prime Minister, as he defiantly vowed to "get on with governing".

Will the Prime Minister survive the week?

Keir Starmer has pledged to "prove the doubters wrong" as he tries to head off a leadership challenge after the disastrous local election results last week.

Fighting for his political life, the PM announced plans for stronger ties with the EU, powers to nationalise British steel and a scheme to help young people find work. But will it be enough?

Many of his own party don't seem to think so, with his former Deputy PM Angela Rayner calling for Andy Burnham to come back to Parliament.

Backbench MP Catherine West even threatened to mount a leadership challenge against Starmer, but has now backed down and called on him to go by September.

Spies - and stories about spies - are one of Britain's greatest cultural exports. From Ian Fleming's James Bond, to the works of John le Carré and Graham Greene, it seems that in the world's eyes there is something quintessentially English about the double agent and his, or her, deadly deceptions.

Novelist and screenwriter William Boyd shares this fascination. He first explored the theme of espionage in his 2002 novel Any Human Heart and went on to pen a James Bond continuation novel called Solo.

His latest trilogy explores what happens when a travel writer becomes entangled in Cold War Espionage.

He joins culture editor Tanjil Rashid.

Results from the local and devolved are coming in. It has been, as many expected, a disappointing result for the Labour Party.

Meanwhile, the insurgent parties, the Green Party to an extent, but especially Reform, have delivered on their promise of snowballing momentum.

Anoosh Chakelian is joined by senior data journalist Ben Walker, political editor Ailbhe Rea and editor-in-chief Tom McTague.

READ: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/may-2026/2026/05/live-results-map-wales-scotland-and-local-elections

The UK is gearing up for local and devolved elections on Thursday.

As Keir Starmer looks increasingly isolated as Prime Minister, much is being made of a potentially disastrous few days for the Labour Party. If results go as badly for Labour as some are predicting, this could be the end for the PM.

Meanwhile, the insurgent Reform and Green parties are looking to continue their surging momentum.