Burnham eyes Labour crown as Starmer clings on

Burnham eyes Labour crown as Starmer clings on

From Political Fix by Financial Times

May 15, 2026 · 45 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the political landscape in Westminster, focusing on Andy Burnham's potential return and the pressures on Keir Starmer's leadership.

In a dramatic week at Westminster, Wes Streeting has quit as health secretary and ex-deputy prime minister Angela Rayner has said her wrangling with HMRC is finally over – but neither has launched a leadership challenge. Instead, all eyes are now on Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham as he attempts to chart a path back to the Commons, leaving Sir Keir Starmer’s premiership under severe pressure. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by political correspondent Anna Gross, deputy opinion editor Miranda Green and deputy political editor Jim Pickard to discuss the latest developments. The team also examines Reform UK leader Nigel Farage’s shifting story about his £5mn personal gift from a Thailand-based crypto investor in 2024, and looks ahead to consider what a Reform government would do.   Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @ lucyfisher.ft.com ; Anna @annasophiagross; Miranda @greenmiranda & @greenmirandahere.bsky.social and Jim @pickardJE  Want more?   Burnham’s return to Westminster will not be so easy   Labour set to approve Andy Burnham’s by-election run Starmer crisis as it happened: premier appoints new health secretary   Angela Rayner says she has been…

People in this episode

Host: Lucy Fisher

Guests: Anna Gross, Miranda Green, Jim Pickard

Topics covered

  • Labour leadership
  • Westminster politics
  • Andy Burnham
  • Keir Starmer
  • Reform UK
  • political developments

Keywords

  • Andy Burnham
  • Keir Starmer
  • Wes Streeting
  • Angela Rayner
  • Reform UK
  • politics
  • Westminster

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Reform UK, Financial Times

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