How To Win An Election

Andy Burnham has outlined his vision for the country, and in the process written a good chunk of Labour's next manifesto.But could his ambitious promises cost more than the UK economy can bear? Danny argues the country can't afford his old Labour instincts, and Hugo says the party is like an ostrich putting its head in the sand. Sally thinks he's being mean.Send your comments, questions and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.ukVideo Editor: Kim McCarthyExecutive Producer: Andrew AlexanderPicture: Getty Images

We're at Labour conference, where Andy Burnham is enjoying North Korean-style levels of support from party members. But how long will it last? John Healey has warned there isn't any money left, and is softening the party up for welfare cuts.The political masterminds also discuss Burnham's conference speech - should he be writing it himself, does he still need to introduce himself, and how can you tell if AI has crept into political oratory?Send your questions, comments and emails to howtowin@thetimes.co.ukVideo Producers: Harry Kitson & Kim McCarthyExecutive Producer: Andrew Alexander

The polling company YouGov has released its latest MRP survey, and in a dramatic reversal of last year's findings it now projects a hung parliament, with Labour on top and Nigel Farage’s Reform UK squeezed by the rise of Restore Britain.But is it too soon for Labour and the Tories to break out the champagne, especially given the difficulty of putting together a coalition that could command a majority in the Commons?With Danny away, Sally, Polly and Hugo are joined by Guto Harri, who worked for Boris Johnson when he was Mayor of London and was his Director of Communications in Downing Street.We also talk about attempts to freeze out the mainstream media, from Boris Johnson through to Donald Trump launching Trump TV, and enjoy this remarkable early YouTube appearance by Tony Blair.Send your comments, questions and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.ukVideo Editor: Kim McCarthyExecutive Producer: Andrew AlexanderPicture: Getty Images

Does big money win elections?As Reform UK receives record sums from billionaire donors, we look at what it will take to translate the cash into votes.The team recalls the fall-out from the Bernie Ecclestone affair and the cash-for-honours scandal during the Blair years, and both Danny and Sally say they've been approached by people asking for a peerage.Plus: After the 'Gail's' strategy, what do the Liberal Democrats need to do to get out of the electoral doldrums?Send your questions, comments and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.ukVideo editor: Kim McCarthyExecutive Producer: Andrew AlexanderPicture: Getty Images

Donald Trump faces accusations of bribery after promising every adult $5,000 if they vote Republican - but Danny says he advised Rishi Sunak to present tax cuts to the British public in the same way.The political masterminds also consider whether Andy Burnham made a mistake in saying national security can't come at the expense of social security, whether the British government's sanctions on Israeli settlements are born from principle or political calculation, and at what point the voters notice sleaze.The book Danny refers to is The Rise of Reform by Nick Tyrone. It's available to order at the Times Bookshop where Times Plus members can get a 20% discount.Send your comments, questions and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.ukExecutive Producer: Andrew Alexander

There's a by-election on the way, thanks to Keir Starmer's decision to stand down as MP for Holborn and St Pancras.Green Party leader Zack Polanski wants to stand - just how big a risk is he taking, and could he fall flat on his face? The team have been looking into the likely scenarios.We also talk about Andy Burnham's ongoing efforts to do politics differently, and we try to give Reform advice on how to get back on track after a tricky summer. But does Nigel Farage really want to campaign all the way to the next election?Send your questions, comments and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk

Nigel Farage has seen off along list of novelty candidates to increase his majority in the Clacton by-election. The Reform UK leader says it's a resounding victory, but over whom? And if it was, why wasn't he been out trumpeting the result?The political masterminds (well, most of them) return from their summer break to explain what the outcome means for the general election, and whether the 'Burnham Bounce' has actually been a bit flat.Send your questions, comments and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk. The podcast will be back on September 3.

Andy Burnham’s first week in Downing Street has been full of promises - but can he keep everyone happy and still balance the books?Hugo, Sally, Polly and Danny look at the prime minister’s first week in power, from his plans for public services and tax cuts, to the questions over how he will pay for them. They also discuss John Healey’s appointment as Chancellor, the fallout from the purge of Starmer allies, and whether Burnham’s approach risks trying to please everyone. Send your questions, comments and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk