Which Andy Burnham will we get this time?

Which Andy Burnham will we get this time?

Author: The Spectator May 22, 2026 Duration: 16:35

Andy Burnham has officially launched his campaign today to be MP for Makerfield (read: Prime Minister). But what does he actually stand for? We’ve had briefings that, despite being the candidate of the soft left, he will stick to Rachel Reeves’s fiscal rules and keep Shabana Mahmood’s immigration reforms. He’s flirted with nationalisation of utilities, but which exactly? What’s the big pitch?

Burnham’s launch comes the day after some good news for the government, after net migration hit its lowest level since the pandemic. The number of people moving to Britain dropped to 171,000 in the 12 months to December, nearly half the figure recorded the year before. So why isn’t the government shouting about it?

Oscar Edmondson speaks to Michael Simmons and Noa Hoffman.

Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.


For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts.


Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


For a clear-eyed take on the day’s political developments, Coffee House Shots delivers concise, sharp discussion straight from the heart of Westminster. This daily podcast from The Spectator gathers the magazine’s most astute political observers-voices like Michael Gove, Tim Shipman, Isabel Hardman, and James Heale-around a virtual table for the kind of frank, insider conversation that happens away from the cameras. Each episode cuts through the noise of the 24-hour news cycle to examine the real forces shaping policy, elections, and power struggles. Listeners get more than just a recap of headlines; they’re offered analysis of the strategic calculations, the personal rivalries, and the underlying trends that the major bulletins often miss. The tone is informed and direct, reflecting the depth of experience within The Spectator’s team. It’s designed for anyone who wants to understand not just what is happening in British politics, but why it matters and what might happen next. Tune in for a regular dose of perspective that feels less like a formal briefing and more like overhearing a crucial chat in the corridors of influence. This podcast provides that essential context, making sense of the rapid flow of daily news with authority and clarity.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Coffee House Shots
Podcast Episodes
Why is Starmer so unpopular? with Lewis Goodall [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:22
Opinion polls consistently show Keir Starmer as one of the most unpopular Prime Ministers in history. His critics point to inertia and a lack of vision, while his supporters argue that media spin is harming the image of…
EU déjà vu: the emergency brake is back! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:58
Charles Grant from the Centre for European Reform and Tim Shipman join James Heale to reflect on the rumours about Britain's latest set of negotiations with the European Union. There are reports that the EU may be willin…
Will Trump pull the US out of NATO? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:27
Donald Trump has said he is 'strongly considering' pulling the US out of NATO, in comments made to the Telegraph – and it doesn't appear to be an April Fool. This isn't the first time he has rallied against the Alliance…
Why is Britain so exposed to rising energy prices? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:18
The IMF has warned Britain is particularly vulnerable to another spike in energy prices, and is more exposed than many of its European neighbours. Why is that the case? And does the government have any real plan to shiel…
Where does Labour's centre of gravity lie? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:14
Patrick Maguire, chief political writer at The Times, sits down with Tim Shipman for a reflection on Labour's odd year so far. From potential leadership challengers, like Wes Streeting and Angela Rayner, to cabinet heavy…
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 29/03/2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:39
Isabel Hardman presents highlights from Sunday morning's political shows.The Iran conflict has reached its second month. Figures from across the political spectrum debate how best to respond to a leap in energy prices.Be…
Energy crisis: are we in 1973 territory? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:33
The panic has set in around the cabinet table about this energy crisis, and fears of history repeating itself. Tim Shipman writes in the magazine about the comparisons being made to 1973 and the Opec oil shock, with the…
The curious case of Morgan McSweeney's missing phone [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:22
Questions are being asked about Morgan McSweeney's missing phone, which he reported stolen to police last year. What might seem like a minor case of petty theft actually has serious implications for the investigation int…