Andy Burnham: our next Prime Minister?
6/19/202632 min
Andy Burnham will return to Westminster as an MP, and potential challenger to Keir Starmer, after decisively beating Reform UK to win the Makerfield byelection. Kiran Stacey and Jessica Elgot chat through what happens next. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
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First 90 secondsMax Rushton0:00
This is The Guardian.
Andy Burnham· Soundbite0:01
[pensive music] People here have voted for change. They have voted for more power for the North and everywhere forgotten by Westminster. They have voted for hope. Now let's give that back to them.
Speaker 30:26
First of all, we congratulate Mr. Burnham on holding, uh, what is actually one of the safest Labor seats. It's been Labor for 100 years, so no great surprises in that instance.
Kiran Stacey· Host0:39
Well- We were the underdogs ... all right He was expected to win. Ex- except that- I think he's earned the right to be heard here tonight.
Speaker 50:45
I don't think there's another politician in the country, another Labor politician, that could've done what he's just done here, and this is history in the making.
Kiran Stacey· Host0:52
If there is a contest, just to be clear with you, then yes, I will run. I will stand, and I've said repeatedly I'm not gonna walk away from that. He's back. Having won a thumping majority at the Makefield by-election, Andy Burnham is on his way to Westminster. So will the so-called King of the North be our next prime minister? I'm Kieran Stacey, and you're listening to Politics Weekly for The Guardian. Joining me today is my colleague, Jessica Elgot. Jess, hi.
Jessica Elgot· Guest1:20
Hello.
Kiran Stacey· Host1:21
So I started my shift this morning at 6:00, uh, by which point the result was done and dusted.