‘Andy Burnham is going to be Prime Minister’

‘Andy Burnham is going to be Prime Minister’

Author: Sky News June 19, 2026 Duration: 40:38

Andy Burnham is coming back to Westminster – is he about to become prime minister? And could Sir Keir Starmer be in denial?

After a stunning victory in the Makerfield by-election, Burnham has gone from mayor of Greater Manchester to Labour MP, instantly kickstarting the speculation about a challenge to Starmer's leadership.

So is this the beginning of the end for Starmer and will his MPs turn against him? Harriet has the lowdown from inside the Labour party – so how quickly will it kick off?

Beth Rigby has raced back from Makerfield to join Harriet Harman and Ruth Davidson as they dissect one of the most consequential by-election results in recent political history and they’re answering some of your questions along the way.

Plus, Ruth has the latest from Scotland after the by-elections in Aberdeen South and Arbroath and Broughty Ferry. Is this a change in fortune for the Tories?

Got a question for the burner phone? WhatsApp 07934 200 444 or email electoraldysfunction@sky.uk.

Find out how to subscribe to our members' club, Sky News Insider, here: https://skynews.com/electoraldysfunction

Sky News Insider requires a paid subscription and is available to UK listeners aged 18 and over.


Three formidable figures from the heart of British politics-Beth Rigby, Ruth Davidson, and Harriet Harman-sit down together each week for a conversation that cuts through the noise. This isn't a staged debate, but a frank, often surprising look behind the curtain of power. In Electoral Dysfunction, brought to you by Sky News, they apply their combined decades of frontline experience to dissect the real motives, the unspoken strategies, and the personal ambitions driving the headlines. You’ll hear them parse the language of politicians, questioning not just what is said but the meaning lurking between the lines. The core of this podcast is its unique dynamic: a blend of insider insight from across the political spectrum that identifies who is gaining ground and who, truly, is struggling with their own electoral dysfunction. It’s a masterclass in understanding the mechanics of politics, from policy to personality. Each episode feels like you’re eavesdropping on a private, knowledgeable discussion that makes sense of the week’s events in Westminster and across the country, offering clarity where there is often only confusion. For anyone trying to navigate the complexities of modern political life, this series provides an essential and deeply informed perspective.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Electoral Dysfunction
Podcast Episodes
Can Starmer survive the Mandelson scandal? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:24
Keir Starmer is fighting for his career amid one of the biggest political scandals of the century. Harriet thinks the prime minister could be brought down after he appointed Peter Mandelson as the US ambassador, despite…
What does Starmer really want from China? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:42
Beth joins the Prime Minister on his historic trip to China, where he has met the country's president Xi Jinping. It’s a trip that has sparked debate back in the UK, amid worries over espionage and security. But has it h…
EXTRA: Why Andy Burnham was blocked by Keir Starmer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:53
Andy Burnham came across as "entitled", according to Harriet Harman, when he went on social media after Keir Starmer blocked him from standing in the Gorton and Denton by-election. So what actually happened behind the sc…
Is this the end of social media for teenagers? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:05
Should social media be banned for under 16s? After a dramatic vote in the House of Lords, Beth, Harriet and Ruth dig into what a ban would really mean and what impact it will have on young people, and they hear from some…
Is Starmer still a player in Trump’s world? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:49
“We feel bullied” - former Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt joins Beth, Harriet, and Ruth on this week’s Electoral Dysfunction, as Denmark finds itself at the centre of a growing international crisis over Gre…
The vote that fractured politics | 10 Years of Brexit Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:32
This is the first episode of our two-part New Year special. Ten years on from the referendum that rewired British politics, Beth, Ruth and Harriet are joined by one of the architects of Brexit, Michael Gove, to rewind th…
Which Prime Minister had the worst Christmas? | Q&A [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:28
Put down the eggnog and stop the washing up because it’s a Merry Christmas from Electoral Dysfunction as Beth, Harriet and Ruth answer your questions.They’re joined by special guests including the Dish podcast’s Nick Gri…
How do you raise boys in a culture of misogyny? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:36
Do we have a cultural problem when it comes to teaching boys about sexual violence? The Labour government certainly thinks so with its new strategy.Home Office minister and former podcaster Jess Phillips tells Beth in th…