Can anyone challenge Andy Burnham for PM?
6/23/202636 min
Can any other Labour MP amass sufficient support to challenge Andy Burnham for the top job, or is his ascent to No 10 now all but assured? Just 24 hours after Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation as prime minister, host Lucy Fisher is joined by FT colleagues Miranda Green, Robert Shrimsley and Chris Smyth to discuss the merits of a leadership contest over a coronation, who will win big roles in a Burnham cabinet and his early policy priorities. Plus the group considers the political ripples that a Burnham government will have on the other parties.
Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.com; Chris: @Smyth_Chris and @chris-smyth.bsky.social; Miranda:@greenmiranda and @greenmirandahere.bsky.social and Robert: @robertshrimsley and @robertshrimsley.bsky.social
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Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsLucy Fisher· Host0:03
Who's afraid of Andy Burnham? Will anyone dare to stand against the favorite, or is a coronation all but inevitable? Hello, and welcome to Political Fix from the Financial Times with me, Lucy Fisher. Well, it's Tuesday, and we're back in the studio for this episode, and I must say it's blissful because we have air conditioning, so you're all looking very calm and collected. The story in Westminster is moving fast. There's jostling for position in Burnham's top team, so we'll play a bit of Cabinet Bingo. Plus, we'll look at what will be in the top of his in tray, and is defense shaping up to be the first Burnham-Starmer showdown? To discuss it all, I'm joined by my FT colleague, deputy opinion editor Miranda Green. Hi, Miranda.
Miranda Green· Panelist0:43
Hi, Lucy.
Lucy Fisher· Host0:43
Chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley.
Robert Shrimsley· Panelist0:46
Hi, Lucy.
Lucy Fisher· Host0:46
Hi, Robert. And public policy editor Chris Smyth. Hi, Chris.
Chris Smyth· Panelist0:50
Hi, Lucy.
Lucy Fisher· Host0:50
Miranda, first let's check in on the state of the contest, 'cause we're all talking like the King of the North, uh, is destined for Downing Street within weeks. But there are these two key holdouts who are keeping us all on our toes. Um, tell us about Darren Jones and Al Cairns, and is there actually any credibility in the idea of them getting campaigns off the ground?
Miranda Green· Panelist1:14
I don't think they could win. [laughs] And I say that with some confidence. One can never be totally 100% in this world, but with some confidence. But I think it's interesting that there are still some Labor MPs who are not