Andy Burnham has won the historic Makerfield by-election, he's soon expected to speak to Starmer or trigger a leadership election.

Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Ethan Croft in Wigan.

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The former Health Secretary reveals why he believes Keir Starmer is failing.

When Wes Streeting resigned from cabinet in May, it put an end to months of speculation. The former Health Secretary does want Keir Starmer’s job.

Since then, the Defence Secretary, John Healey, and the Armed Forces minister, Al Carns, have both resigned over the Defence Spending plan.

Keir Starmer’s leadership is looking more and more precarious.

Now Andy Burnham is running in the Makerfield by-election. If he becomes an MP, that could clear a way for him to contest the leadership himself.

In the days leading up to the by-election, Wes Streeting came into the New Statesman studio for an extended interview with our Political Correspondent, Ethan Croft. In the conversation you’re about to hear, Streeting speaks candidly about the reasons he left government, his views on Keir Starmer’s leadership and what he believes Labour needs to do to reverse its ailing fortunes. He’s also surprisingly complimentary about his potential rival in a future leadership contest, Andy Burnham.

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Tomorrow - the fate of the Labour government, and Keir Starmer’s premiership, is in the balance as voters head to the polls in Makerfield for the most consequential by-election in a generation.

If Andy Burnham wins, what are his next steps? How will the following days and weeks play out?

Will Lloyd is joined by Ailbhe Rea to discuss.

READ

https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2026/06/makerfield-days-andy-burnham-kenyon-farage-by-election

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On Thursday, Makerfield goes to the polls in the most consequential by-election in a generation.

Can Andy Burnham finally gain the parliamentary seat he needs to enter the Labour leadership race? Will Robert Kenyon and Reform stop Burnham’s charge to Downing Street and further cement their status as Labour’s inevitable successors?

Anoosh Chakelian is joined by senior data journalist Ben Walker to discuss.

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The Makerfield by-election candidates battle it out to be the most “normal”, the travails of journalists from the US to the NS and more crossover between the worlds of AI and politics.

Will Dunn and Anoosh Chakelian round up the stories of the week

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After the resignations of Defence Secretary John Healey and Armed Forces Minister Al Carns, Wes Streeting joins the Politics Show to reflect on why Keir Starmer is losing support from his loyal ministers.

Streeting resigned his own post as Health Secretary in May, and has said he would run in a future race to replace Keir Starmer as Labour leader and Prime Minister.

Also in this episode, Tom McTague and Ethan Croft discuss the resignations and what they mean – for the UK's ability to defend itself, and for the future of the government.

The interview excerpt featured here is taken from an hour-long conversation with Wes Streeting which will publish next week.

READ: John Healey's resignation heralds the end for Keir Starmer, by Andrew Marr

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From prisons to speed cameras and welfare to nuclear warning systems, the British government has outsourced a huge number of state operations to private companies – including the housing of asylum seekers.

This week, riots erupted on the streets of Belfast following the stabbing of Stephen Ogilvy. The suspect is an ex asylum seeker. It’s the third summer in a row that the asylum accommodation system has been the focus of violent protests.

Has Britain lost control?

READ: How Britain lost control

https://www.newstatesman.com/cover-story/2026/06/how-britain-lost-control

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Ahead of the by-election in Makerfield on June 18th, polling expert Scarlett Maguire spoke to voters in the constituency for the New Statesman. This episode is made up of clips from these Makerfield locals.

Scarlett spoke to two groups, some who said they would be voting Reform, some who said they would be voting Labour.

They shared their concerns about the current state of the UK and its politics, and their opinions on the two main parties and candidates battling it out in Makerfield.

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Andy Burnham’s tucked-in t-shirt, a bonkers “festival of AI optimism” and which MP would make the best James Bond.

Will Dunn is joined by editor Tom McTague to discuss the stories of the week.

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The spectre of the Makerfield by-election on June 18th is hanging over British politics.

If Andy Burnham wins, he’s in prime position to challenge Keir Starmer’s leadership. However, a Burnham victory in Makerfield is far from certain. Reform and their candidate Robert Kenyon are mounting a serious challenge.

Tom McTague is joined by polling expert Scarlett Maguire and our political editor Ailbhe Rea to discuss.

READ

https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/2026/06/in-makerfield-voters-on-both-sides-are-united-by-despair

https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/2026/06/andy-burnhams-door-knock-to-downing-street

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While Westminster looks inward, the world is moving fast. Keir Starmer's government needs to focus on the urgent changes affecting all of our lives.

Tom McTague joins Anoosh Chakelian to discuss his latest essay for the New Statesman, and answer listeners questions.

This week, listeners ask: "Why have British politicians been so useless for the past 20 years?" and "is it finally time for voting reform?"

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