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The State of It
Andy Burnham wins Makerfield: what happens now?
Andy Burnham's victory in Makerfield makes him Labour leader and prime minister in waiting. How will the next days and weeks play out?
Keir Starmer has said he will stand in a leadership contest if one is triggered. So does that mean a bloody contest rather than a coronation?
In a special episode recorded live on Times Radio with Ed Vaizey, we go through the possible scenarios.
And if Andy Burnham does become prime minister, what will he do with power? Who will be in his cabinet? We're told that Shabana Mahmood has turned down the offer of chancellor and will stay as home secretary. Is Ed Miliband still a likely candidate for chancellor? And what to do about Wes Streeting?
We also look at the Conservative win in Aberdeen South. Is this a green shoot for the Conservative Party?
And will the Makerfield result prompt some soul searching in Reform UK?
Ed Vaizey, presenter, Times Radio
Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times
Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times
Producers: Harry Kitson, Erin Carney
Executive producer: Molly Guinness
Picture: Getty Images
00:00 - Intro: "They’re Going to Have to Drag Him Out"
00:20 - Welcome to The State of It: The Makerfield Shockwave
00:56 - An Extraordinary Result: How Andy Burnham Defied Political Gravity
03:00 - "Vote Burnham, Get Starmer Out" Campaign Strategy
04:05 - Keir Starmer Strikes Back: Leadership Contest or Coronation?
06:37 - Starmer's Response: "I'm Not Going to Walk Away"
07:14 - Inside Starmer's Bunker: Refusing an Orderly Transition
09:16 - The Secret List: 80+ MPs Backing Andy Burnham
11:06 - Nigel Farage's Disappointment: Reform UK Share Drops
12:00 - Kemi Badenoch's Tories Resurge in Scotland
13:04 - Did Reform UK Choose the Wrong Candidate?
14:04 - The Identity Schism Deepening Inside Reform UK
16:00 - What Does an Andy Burnham Premiership Actually Stand For?
17:48 - Tax Overhauls: Radical Land Tax vs. Council Tax
18:38 - The NATO Summit and the Defense Investment Plan Dilemma
21:00 - Tough Decisions on Welfare Cuts and Benefits
23:16 - The Power Brokers: Louise Haig & Anneliese Midgley
24:40 - Cabinet Secrets: Ed Miliband vs. Shabana Mahmood
27:12 - Shabana Mahmood’s Hardline Immigration Reforms
28:22 - Wes Streeting's Defiance: Forcing a Platform Battle?
32:38 - What Happens to the Hardcore Starmer Loyalists?
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The Burnham Bounce: how long can it last?
27:54|Andy Burnham's first week as prime minister has been decisive, optimistic and proactive. Labour has overtaken Reform UK in the polls for the first time in more than a year. Now Burnham is taking on education and social care reform: knotty political questions with many landmines. We look at the pitfalls that lie ahead.Zack Polanski's Green Party is losing support. And as Reform and the Conservatives fight to be the main party of the right, how does the new Labour government change things for Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch? Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The TimesGabriel Pogrund, Insight editor, The Sunday TimesExecutive producer: Molly GuinnessProducer: Euan DawtreyPicture: Getty Images
Andy Burnham's week of maximum vibes
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No, you're a factionalist: Labour's new battle lines
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Shabana Mahmood: The 'ruthless' incoming Chancellor?
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Burnham's cabinet: Ed Miliband fails the smell test
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Nigel Farage's Clacton by-election gamble
25:36|A furious Nigel Farage has said he will ‘stick two fingers up to the establishment’ by resigning and then winning a by-election in Clacton. Kemi Badenoch has accused him of having a hissy fit and Andy Burnham has said it's a gimmick designed to distract from questions over undeclared gifts. Will the Conservatives and Labour field candidates in the Clacton by-election?Will a Reform UK victory in Clacton boost Nigel Farage's standing in the rest of the country? And can Nigel Farage be suspended after a parliamentary standards investigation even if he wins the by-election?Who is George Cottrell, aka Posh George? Listen to the series here podfollow.com/posh-georgeSteven Swinford, political editor, The TimesLara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday TimesPatrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The TimesProducers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry KitsonExecutive producer: Molly GuinnessPicture: Getty ImagesAudio: ReutersEmail us: thestateofit@thetimes.co.uk
Nigel Farage and Posh George: why it matters
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Paranoia in the Labour Party: the Andy Burnham enigma
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