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Where Keir Starmer went wrong | Wes Streeting interview
18/06/2026 | 58 mins.
The former Health Secretary reveals why he believes Keir Starmer is failing.

When Wes Streeting resigned from cabinet in May, it put an end to months of speculation. The former Health Secretary does want Keir Starmer’s job.

Since then, the Defence Secretary, John Healey, and the Armed Forces minister, Al Carns, have both resigned over the Defence Spending plan.

Keir Starmer’s leadership is looking more and more precarious.

Now Andy Burnham is running in the Makerfield by-election. If he becomes an MP, that could clear a way for him to contest the leadership himself.

In the days leading up to the by-election, Wes Streeting came into the New Statesman studio for an extended interview with our Political Correspondent, Ethan Croft. In the conversation you’re about to hear, Streeting speaks candidly about the reasons he left government, his views on Keir Starmer’s leadership and what he believes Labour needs to do to reverse its ailing fortunes. He’s also surprisingly complimentary about his potential rival in a future leadership contest, Andy Burnham.

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If Andy Burnham wins, what next?
17/06/2026 | 43 mins.
Tomorrow - the fate of the Labour government, and Keir Starmer’s premiership, is in the balance as voters head to the polls in Makerfield for the most consequential by-election in a generation.

If Andy Burnham wins, what are his next steps? How will the following days and weeks play out?

Will Lloyd is joined by Ailbhe Rea to discuss.

READ
https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2026/06/makerfield-days-andy-burnham-kenyon-farage-by-election
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Makerfield: What are the polls saying?
15/06/2026 | 25 mins.
On Thursday, Makerfield goes to the polls in the most consequential by-election in a generation.

Can Andy Burnham finally gain the parliamentary seat he needs to enter the Labour leadership race? Will Robert Kenyon and Reform stop Burnham’s charge to Downing Street and further cement their status as Labour’s inevitable successors?

Anoosh Chakelian is joined by senior data journalist Ben Walker to discuss.
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The Makerfield candidates’ normal person contest | Will and Anoosh
13/06/2026 | 43 mins.
The Makerfield by-election candidates battle it out to be the most “normal”, the travails of journalists from the US to the NS and more crossover between the worlds of AI and politics.

Will Dunn and Anoosh Chakelian round up the stories of the week
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Wes Streeting: Keir Starmer doesn't take responsibility
12/06/2026 | 29 mins.
After the resignations of Defence Secretary John Healey and Armed Forces Minister Al Carns, Wes Streeting joins the Politics Show to reflect on why Keir Starmer is losing support from his loyal ministers.

Streeting resigned his own post as Health Secretary in May, and has said he would run in a future race to replace Keir Starmer as Labour leader and Prime Minister.

Also in this episode, Tom McTague and Ethan Croft discuss the resignations and what they mean – for the UK's ability to defend itself, and for the future of the government.

The interview excerpt featured here is taken from an hour-long conversation with Wes Streeting which will publish next week.

READ: John Healey's resignation heralds the end for Keir Starmer, by Andrew Marr
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About The Politics Show

Helping you make sense of politics – every week.Anoosh Chakelian and the New Statesman team bring you sharp reporting, clear analysis and thoughtful conversations to help you understand what’s really going on in Westminster and beyond.The New Statesman is Britain’s leading source of news and commentary on politics and culture with a progressive perspective. On The Politics Show, our journalists and expert guests cut through the noise of the headlines to explain the forces shaping our world. From the battles inside the Labour Party to the future of the Conservatives, from the rise of Reform UK to the debates that dominate Parliament, we provide the clarity you need to follow UK politics.--START HERE:▶︎ Kemi Badenoch isn't working | Cover Story with Tom McTague▶︎ Do billionaires really benefit the UK?▶︎ One year of Labour rule: can things still only get better?--LISTEN AD-FREE:📱Download and subscribe in the New Statesman app to enjoy all our episodes without the ads.--MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ Ask a question - we answer them on the podcast every Friday⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter in your inbox every morning✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday--Hosts:Anoosh ChakelianRegular contributors and co-hosts:Tom McTague, Editor-in-chiefAilbhe Rea, Political editorProduction team:Senior podcast producer: Catharine HughesPodcast and video producer: Rob Le MareAssistant producer: Biba KangExecutive producer: Chris Stone Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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