Exit Starmer, enter Burnham

Exit Starmer, enter Burnham

Author: Financial Times June 22, 2026 Duration: 24:09

With Andy Burnham sworn in as an MP and on track to become the UK’s seventh prime minister in 10 years after Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation today, host Lucy Fisher is joined by political editor George Parker and deputy political editor Jim Pickard to assess Starmer’s time in office and discuss how Burnham will have to hit the ground running to avoid the fate of his predecessors. 


Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.com; Jim @PickardJE or jim.pickard@ft.com; and George @GeorgeWParker or george.parker@ft.com


Want more?  


How Keir Starmer was undone by caution and no clear plan 

Keir Starmer’s premiership in charts

Keir Starmer steps down as UK prime minister

Waiting for Andy: what will a Burnham premiership mean?

Why does Britain keep changing prime ministers?

What Andy Burnham’s Westminster past reveals about him


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Political Fix was presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Persis Love. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and sound engineering by Breen Turner. The global head of audio is Flo Phillips.


Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com


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Every Friday, the team behind Political Fix gathers to make sense of the week's political turbulence. This isn't just a recap of headlines; it's a deep, often lively conversation that pulls back the curtain on how decisions are really made in Westminster and beyond. You'll hear from the Financial Times journalists who are actually there, in the corridors and committee rooms, paired with expert voices who provide crucial context. Together, they untangle complex policy debates, analyse the shifting alliances, and question the strategies defining Britain's future. The result is a clear-eyed, authoritative look at the forces shaping the nation, delivered with the FT's signature rigor and insight. Tuning into this podcast feels like gaining access to a private briefing, one that prioritizes substance over noise. It’s for anyone who wants to move past the soundbites and understand the real stories and personalities driving the political agenda. New episodes arrive weekly, offering a consistent and essential perspective on a landscape that never stops moving.
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