Paranoia in the Labour Party: the Andy Burnham enigma episode artwork

EPISODE · Jul 2, 2026 · 19 MIN

Paranoia in the Labour Party: the Andy Burnham enigma

from The State of It

Andy Burnham is keeping his cards close to his chest and no one seems to know who'll get what job. That means there's a huge amount of paranoia and jostling for position the Labour Party. Cabinet ministers and MPs are lavishing praise upon him, but they're worried about his plans - both on policy and personnel. There's a lot of ill-feeling that could bubble up to the surface surprisingly quickly.Steven Swinford, political editor, The TimesPatrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The TimesProducers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry KitsonExecutive producer: Molly GuinnessPicture: Getty Images00:00 - Burnham's Intense One-on-One MP Meetings00:32 - Paranoia and Panic in the Cabinet01:44 - Will Burnham Appeal to Southern Voters?02:50 - Desperate Ministers Begging to Keep Their Jobs03:40 - The Ghost of 2007: Burnham's "Woman Problem"06:13 - Ed Miliband's Chancellor Dilemma07:18 - How Departments Are Pandering to Burnham08:29 - Is David Miliband Making a Comeback?10:54 - The Real Reason Angela Rayner Has Been Weakened13:10 - Burnham's Frustration with Westminster "Ambulance Chasers"16:56 - A Long Goodbye: Starmer's Farewell Barbecues17:30 - The £15 Billion Defence Plan Black Hole18:20 - Government Paralysis and the Rochdale CaseThis podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Paranoia in the Labour Party: the Andy Burnham enigma

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