The spectre of the Makerfield by-election on June 18th is hanging over British politics. If Andy Burnham wins, he’s in prime position to challenge Keir Starmer’s leadership. However, a Burnham victory in Makerfield is far from certain. Reform and their candidate Robert Kenyon are mounting a serious challenge. Tom McTague is joined by polling expert Scarlett Maguire and our political editor Ailbhe Rea to discuss. READhttps://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/2026/06/in-makerfield-voters-on-both-sides-are-united-by-despairhttps://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/2026/06/andy-burnhams-door-knock-to-downing-streetLISTEN AD-FREE:📱<a href="https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2022/06/newapp" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Download the New Statesman app</a> MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ <a href="https://www.newstatesman.com/podcasts/2022/10/you-ask-us" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ask a question</a> – we answer them every Friday⏰ <a href="https://morningcall.substack.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Get our daily politics newsletter</a> every morning✍️ <a href="http://saturdayread.substack.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Enjoy the best of our writing</a> via email every Saturday<hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

The spectre of the Makerfield by-election on June 18th is hanging over British politics. If Andy Burnham wins, he’s in prime position to challenge Keir Starmer’s leadership. However, a Burnham victory in Makerfield is far from certain. Reform and their candidate Robert Kenyon are mounting a serious challenge. Tom McTague is joined by polling expert Scarlett Maguire and our political editor Ailbhe Rea to discuss. READ https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/2026/06/in-makerfield-voters-on-both-sides-are-united-by-despair https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/2026/06/andy-burnhams-door-knock-to-downing-street LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday ⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning ✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The spectre of the Makerfield by-election on June 18th is hanging over British politics. If Andy Burnham wins, he’s in prime position to challenge Keir Starmer’s leadership. However, a Burnham victory in Makerfield is far from certain. Reform and their candidate Robert Kenyon are mounting a serious challenge. Tom McTague is joined by polling expert Scarlett Maguire and our political editor Ailbhe Rea to discuss. READhttps://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/2026/06/in-makerfield-voters-on-both-sides-are-united-by-despairhttps://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/2026/06/andy-burnhams-door-knock-to-downing-streetLISTEN AD-FREE:📱<a href="https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2022/06/newapp" rel="noopener noreferrer">Download the New Statesman app</a> MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ <a href="https://www.newstatesman.com/podcasts/2022/10/you-ask-us" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ask a question</a> – we answer them every Friday⏰ <a href="https://morningcall.substack.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer">Get our daily politics newsletter</a> every morning✍️ <a href="http://saturdayread.substack.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer">Enjoy the best of our writing</a> via email every Saturday Hosted on Acast. See <a href="https://acast.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer">acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

What does Makerfield make of Andy Burnham?

Helping you make sense of politics – every week. Anoosh Chakelian and the New Statesman team bring you sharp reporting, clear analysis and thoughtful conversations to help you understand what’s really going on in Westminster and beyond. The New Statesman is Britain’s leading source of news and commentary on politics and culture with a progressive perspective. On The Politics Show, our journalists and expert guests cut through the noise of the headlines to explain the forces shaping our world. From the battles inside the Labour Party to the future of the Conservatives, from the rise of Reform UK to the debates that dominate Parliament, we provide the clarity you need to follow UK politics. -- START HERE:▶︎ <a href="https://pod.fo/e/300fc1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kemi Badenoch isn't working | Cover Story with Tom McTague</a>▶︎ <a href="https://pod.fo/e/2cce68" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Do billionaires really benefit the UK?</a>▶︎ <a href="https://pod.fo/e/2f536d" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">One year of Labour rule: can things still only get better?</a> -- LISTEN AD-FREE:📱<a href="https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2022/06/newapp" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Download and subscribe in the New Statesman app</a> to enjoy all our episodes without the ads. -- MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ <a href="https://www.newstatesman.com/podcasts/2022/10/you-ask-us" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ask a question</a> - we answer them on the podcast every Friday⏰ <a href="https://morningcall.substack.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Get our daily politics newsletter</a> in your inbox every morning✍️ <a href="http://saturdayread.substack.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Enjoy the best of our writing</a> via email every Saturday -- <h3>Hosts:</h3>Anoosh Chakelian <h3>Regular contributors and co-hosts:</h3>Tom McTague, Editor-in-chiefAilbhe Rea, Political editor <h3>Production team:</h3>Senior podcast producer: Catharine HughesPodcast and video producer: Rob Le MareAssistant producer: Biba KangExecutive producer: Chris Stone<hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Society & Culture

News

Politics

Helping you make sense of politics – every week. Anoosh Chakelian and the New Statesman team bring you sharp reporting, clear analysis and thoughtful conversations to help you understand what’s really going on in Westminster and beyond. The New Statesman is Britain’s leading source of news and commentary on politics and culture with a progressive perspective. On The Politics Show, our journalists and expert guests cut through the noise of the headlines to explain the forces shaping our world. From the battles inside the Labour Party to the future of the Conservatives, from the rise of Reform UK to the debates that dominate Parliament, we provide the clarity you need to follow UK politics. -- START HERE: ▶︎ Kemi Badenoch isn't working | Cover Story with Tom McTague ▶︎ Do billionaires really benefit the UK? ▶︎ One year of Labour rule: can things still only get better? -- LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱Download and subscribe in the New Statesman app to enjoy all our episodes without the ads. -- MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a question - we answer them on the podcast every Friday ⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter in your inbox every morning ✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday -- Hosts:Anoosh Chakelian Regular contributors and co-hosts:Tom McTague, Editor-in-chief Ailbhe Rea, Political editor Production team:Senior podcast producer: Catharine Hughes Podcast and video producer: Rob Le Mare Assistant producer: Biba Kang Executive producer: Chris Stone Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Helping you make sense of politics – every week. Anoosh Chakelian and the New Statesman team bring you sharp reporting, clear analysis and thoughtful conversations to help you understand what’s really going on in Westminster and beyond. The New Statesman is Britain’s leading source of news and commentary on politics and culture with a progressive perspective. On The Politics Show, our journalists and expert guests cut through the noise of the headlines to explain the forces shaping our world. From the battles inside the Labour Party to the future of the Conservatives, from the rise of Reform UK to the debates that dominate Parliament, we provide the clarity you need to follow UK politics. -- START HERE:▶︎ <a href="https://pod.fo/e/300fc1" rel="noopener noreferrer">Kemi Badenoch isn't working | Cover Story with Tom McTague</a>▶︎ <a href="https://pod.fo/e/2cce68" rel="noopener noreferrer">Do billionaires really benefit the UK?</a>▶︎ <a href="https://pod.fo/e/2f536d" rel="noopener noreferrer">One year of Labour rule: can things still only get better?</a> -- LISTEN AD-FREE:📱<a href="https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2022/06/newapp" rel="noopener noreferrer">Download and subscribe in the New Statesman app</a> to enjoy all our episodes without the ads. -- MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ <a href="https://www.newstatesman.com/podcasts/2022/10/you-ask-us" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ask a question</a> - we answer them on the podcast every Friday⏰ <a href="https://morningcall.substack.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer">Get our daily politics newsletter</a> in your inbox every morning✍️ <a href="http://saturdayread.substack.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer">Enjoy the best of our writing</a> via email every Saturday -- Hosts:Anoosh Chakelian Regular contributors and co-hosts:Tom McTague, Editor-in-chiefAilbhe Rea, Political editor Production team:Senior podcast producer: Catharine HughesPodcast and video producer: Rob Le MareAssistant producer: Biba KangExecutive producer: Chris Stone Hosted on Acast. See <a href="https://acast.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer">acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Share What does Makerfield make of Andy Burnham?

Sign up to save your podcasts

What does Makerfield make of Andy Burnham?

What does Makerfield make of Andy Burnham?

More shows like The Politics Show

The Week in Westminster

Political Fix

Politics Weekly UK

Coffee House Shots

Politics Unpacked

Oh God, What Now?

Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards

Inside Briefing with the Institute for Government

The Rest Is Politics

The News Agents

The Rest Is Politics: Leading

The News Agents - USA

How To Win An Election

Political Currency

Audio Long Reads, from the New Statesman

Not Another One

Armando Iannucci: Westminster Reimagined | a New Statesman podcast