About this episode

The episode discusses the impact of Andy Burnham's past comments on his current campaign and the challenges faced by Keir Starmer and the Labour party.

Andy Burnham’s political opponents are finding plenty of attack lines to throw at him. So, are past comments and policy positions – from WASPI women to calls for an early election – coming back to haunt the Burnham campaign? Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy also wonder who is to blame for Keir Starmer’s troubles? Well, according to a focus group of Labour members – it's all the media’s fault! The duo unpack the mood within the party and the continued paralysis at the heart of government – affecting everything from the delayed reset of relations with the EU to the even more delayed Defence Investment Plan. You can see all the candidates standing in the Makerfield by-election here.

People in this episode

Hosts: Sam Coates, Anne McElvoy

Topics covered

• political campaign
• media influence
• Labour party
• government paralysis
• Burnham's past

Keywords

• Andy Burnham
• Keir Starmer
• Labour party
• WASPI
• political campaign
• media
• government

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Labour, EU, Defence Investment Plan, WASPI

More episodes of Politics At Sam and Anne's

• Belfast violence prompts fight on the right · June 10, 2026 · 21 min
• Why Burnham agrees with Farage · June 9, 2026 · 18 min
• Will Keir fight on? · June 8, 2026 · 21 min
• Could Andy Burnham build to victory? · June 4, 2026 · 21 min
• Revealed: Who are the brains behind Burnham · June 3, 2026 · 22 min
• Life after Keir - will it be coronation or contest? · June 2, 2026 · 21 min

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