On the byelection campaign trail with Andy Burnham

On the byelection campaign trail with Andy Burnham

Author: The Guardian June 4, 2026 Duration: 30:18
With three weeks to go until the Makerfield byelection, where an Andy Burnham victory could change the direction of the Labour party, Pippa Crerar joins him on the campaign trail in Wigan and Leigh, speaking to voters on their doorsteps. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politicspod">theguardian.com/politicspod</a>

Every seven days, the whirlwind of Westminster, Holyrood, and beyond offers more headlines than anyone can easily digest. That’s where Politics Weekly UK comes in, offering a necessary pause for reflection and analysis. Hosted by Guardian columnist John Harris, the conversation is joined by the paper’s political editor Pippa Crerar and policy editor Kiran Stacey. Together, they don’t just recount the events; they pull apart the parliamentary manoeuvres, scrutinise the policy announcements, and trace the human stories behind the soundbites. You’ll hear informed debate that cuts through the noise, drawing on the deep reporting resources and editorial insight that The Guardian is known for. This isn't about partisan point-scoring, but a clearer understanding of the forces shaping the country. Tuning into this podcast provides a coherent narrative through the complexity, making sense of what just happened and what might come next. It’s an essential companion for anyone trying to look beyond the day-to-day frenzy and grasp the deeper currents in British public life.
Author: Language: en-gb Episodes: 100

Politics Weekly UK
Podcast Episodes
The Greens, Reform and the end of two-party politics? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:07
In part two of our interview, Kiran Stacey speaks to the political scientist Prof Rob Ford about the voters Labour and the Conservatives are losing to the Greens and Reform, and how May’s elections could play out. Help s…
Labour’s mistakes: is it too late to turn things around? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:56
In part one of a special two-part interview, Kiran Stacey talks to the political scientist Prof Robert Ford about Labour’s so-called ‘landslide win’, the long-lasting impact of Brexit on our politics, and the lessons tha…
How will the Iran war play at the ballot box in May? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:27
Pippa Crerar and Jessica Elgot look at how the continuing and deepening conflict in the Middle East will hit people in the UK, and how it could impact May’s elections. Plus, as parliament breaks for recess, has the assis…
Wes Streeting: ‘I don’t want to see Keir challenged in May’ [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:11
Wes Streeting gave a speech outlining his performance on the NHS and plans for the future. Was this his unofficial leadership pitch? Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey sit down with the health secretary to find out. Help supp…
Trump rows back on strait of Hormuz threat – what next? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:43
The US president has extended by five days his deadline to ‘hit and obliterate’ Iran’s power stations and energy infrastructure if Tehran does not allow shipping to move freely. Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss what…
Off Duty: The Crime [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:35
On the evening of 29 December 2011, Officer Clifton Lewis was moonlighting as a security guard at a Chicago minimart when two men walked in. They shot Lewis several times, then took off with his gun and police star. A we…
Do the Conservatives have a problem with Muslims? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:51
At the launch of the Conservative local elections campaign on Thursday, Peter Walker asked Kemi Badenoch about her shadow justice secretary’s claim that Muslims praying in Trafalgar square was an ‘act of domination’. Her…
Can Starmer avoid being drawn into the US-Iran war? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:45
The PM says the UK will not be dragged into wider war in the Middle East and pledges support for households struggling to pay for heating oil. Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey talk about what the government is doing to supp…
How damaging are the Mandelson files for Starmer? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:50
As the first tranche of documents relating to the hiring of Peter Mandelson are released, how bad will the fallout be for Keir Starmer and the government? Pippa Crerar is joined by Peter Walker to discuss. Plus, the fuel…
Is the UK government prepared for oil price hikes? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:57
Oil prices have already shot up thanks to the US-Israeli war in Iran. But what is the economic fallout likely to be? Will interest rates rise? What about inflation? Could the cost of borrowing increase – and by how much?…