The Politics Show
Helping you make sense of politics – every week. Anoosh Chakelian and the New Statesman team bring you sharp reporting, clear analysis and thoughtful conversations to help you understand what’s really going on in Westminster and beyond. The New Statesman is Britain’s leading source of news and commentary on politics and culture with a progressive perspective. On The Politics Show, our journalists and expert guests cut through the noise of the headlines to explain the forces shaping our world. From the battles inside the Labour Party to the future of the Conservatives, from the rise of Reform UK to the debates that dominate Parliament, we provide the clarity you need to follow UK politics. -- START HERE: ▶︎ Kemi Badenoch isn't working | Cover Story with Tom McTague ▶︎ Do billionaires really benefit the UK? ▶︎ One year of Labour rule: can things still only get better? -- LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱Download and subscribe in the New Statesman app to enjoy all our episodes without the ads. -- MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a question - we answer them on the podcast every Friday ⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter in your inbox every morning ✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday -- Hosts: Anoosh Chakelian Regular contributors and co-hosts: Tom McTague, Editor-in-chief Ailbhe Rea, Political editor Production team: Senior podcast producer: Catharine Hughes Podcast and video producer: Rob Le Mare Assistant producer: Biba Kang Executive producer: Chris Stone Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Keir Starmer’s turn at the resignation lectern, Peter Murrell’s £400,000 shopping spree and Will Dunn’s attempt at a “Man v Horse” race.
Will and Anoosh discuss the stories of the week.
READ: https://www.newstatesman.com/this-england/2026/06/one-small-step-for-man-much-further-for-a-horse
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From a by-election victory in Wigan, to the resignation of Keir Starmer, to an Avanti West Coast train bound for London, tracked by news helicopters - Andy Burnham’s return to Westminster has been a remarkable spectacle.
Whilst Burnham’s coup has overcome multiple challenges to get to this point, in many ways, the hard part is about to begin.
Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Ailbhe Rea and Tom McTague to discuss.
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This morning, Keir Starmer stood outside No 10 Downing Street and announced his resignation as Prime Minister - the sixth to leave office since the EU referendum, which was ten years ago this week. He will remain in office until Labour selects a new leader.
The Prime Minister’s likely successor Andy Burnham is sworn in as an MP today after his decisive victory in the Makerfield by-election last week. Burnham has alre...
The importance of branding in British politics, banning social media for under 16s and the Reform councillor who made “the biggest mistake” of his life.
Anoosh Chakelian and Will Dunn discuss the stories of the week.
READ: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/2026/06/the-brand-is-back-in-british-politics
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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 mo...
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.
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https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2026/06/makerfield-days-andy-burnham-kenyo...
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 th...
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 focu...
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 t...
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.
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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This week there’s only one subject to discuss – and that’s Tony Blair – who has written a blistering 5,000 word essay criticising everyone from Keir Starmer to Andy Burnham, Ed Miliband and Wes Streeting.
Tom McTague is joined by political editor Ailbhe Rea to discuss this “right wing” intervention.
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Nigel Farage’s £5 million “reward” from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne, the NHS “I feel lucky” syndrome and the Reform councillor who wants us to crack down on extra terrestrial activity.
Will Dunn and Anoosh Chakelian round up the stories of the week.
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The spotlight of British politics is shining on Andy Burnham - and his “long coup” is underway.
Meanwhile, Keir Starmer himself has to find a way to resume some semblance of government as usual.
Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Ailbhe Rea and Tom McTague to discuss.
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Andy Burnham is running in a by-election in Makerfield, which is likely to be held on 18 June, to return to Parliament as an MP. If he wins, he will be the frontrunner in a contest to replace Keir Starmer as Prime Minister.
Burnham’s personal brand of politics is often referred to as “Manchesterism”. So, what is it?
Anoosh Chakelian is joined by The New Statesman’s editor-in-chief Tom McTague, who prof...
Keir Starmer’s never ending cycle of political chaos, Reform’s suspended local councillors and Anoosh’s heckle of Boris Johnson.
Will Dunn and Anoosh Chakelian round up the stories of the week.
Read: https://www.newstatesman.com/comment/2026/05/will-progressives-ever-forgive-labour
https://www.newstatesman.com/business/economics/2026/05/the-bond-markets-will-not-save-keir-starmer
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