Electoral Dysfunction

Could Andy Burnham come unstuck on immigration and welfare?

It’s been almost 100 days since Andy Burnham became PM, but do the people who voted him in in Makerfield feel he has been living up to their expectations – and do they think he will be able to take on...

2026-10-23

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Does Andy Burnham know enough about AI?

Is the UK Government ready for artificial intelligence (AI) – and will there be any jobs left for the next generation? Former technology secretary Liz Kendall joins Beth Rigby, Ruth Davidson and Har...

2026-10-16

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Has Zack Polanski’s Green bubble burst?

No matter how they try to spin it, it's been a difficult week for Zack Polanski's Green Party. The party leader didn't win the by-election to become the MP for Holborn and St Pancras (Sir Keir Starme...

2026-10-09

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Andy Burnham draws his battle lines

Andy Burnham set out his stall during an emotional speech at the Labour Party conference – pledging to scrap the triple lock, create a national care service, and reform the first-past-the-post voting ...

2026-10-02

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Can Andy Burnham make Britain believe again?

Can Andy Burnham bring back hope - or is he all style and no substance? Following the prime minister's meeting with Donald Trump in New York, Beth Rigby, Ruth Davidson and Harriet Harman discuss whe...

2026-09-25

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Is the government doing anything to stop AI killing us all?

The government needs to step up and properly regulate AI - that’s what Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy told the podcast - saying we can expect to hear more about it soon. She’s on the podcast this week ...

2026-09-18

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Why did Andy Burnham choose Israel for his biggest moment yet?

Ed Milliband made a bold statement in the Commons this week - UK government sanctions on Israeli settlements. But is there more to the timing of this? Harriet makes the case for why it's principled r...

2026-09-11

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What changes if Zack Polanski is an MP?

Could Zack Polanski win in the St Pancras and Holborn by-election – and how crushing would a loss be to the Green Party’s momentum? Harriet Harman, Ruth Davidson and Beth Rigby discuss – and mull ove...

2026-09-04

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'A bloodsport': Were journalists to blame for Keir Starmer’s downfall?

Do lobby journalists bear some responsibility for the collapse of the Starmer Government – or was it down to poor polling and a loss of authority? Beth Rigby, Ruth Davidson and Harriet Harman discuss...

2026-08-28

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How ‘mega-donors’ are buying political influence... and your algorithm

How are our political parties funded – and is it time for a cap on donations? Ruth Davidson and Harriet Harman pull back the curtain on political donations – and discuss whether bots astroturfing soc...

2026-08-21

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What does Nigel Farage’s win in Clacton actually prove?

Nigel Farage is an MP once again as he was victorious in the Clacton by-election, winning 63% of the vote and overcoming his main competitor - Count Binface. But has the vote left us with more questi...

2026-08-14

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'I hated it': Jess Phillips on life inside Keir Starmer's government

Hear from Jess Phillips regularly on our Tuesday members episode, subscribe at https://skynews.com/electoraldysfunction Jess Phillips joins Beth Rigby to reflect on her time as a minister under Keir ...

2026-08-07

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‘Intensely unpopular’: Was Keir Starmer doomed from the start?

Beth Rigby and Harriet Harman dive into what went wrong for Sir Keir Starmer – and why the public turned against him so quickly. And Harriet asks if the Labour party might, in retrospect, have been a...

2026-07-31

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Is the Burnham government starting to feel like The Traitors?

In appointing his new cabinet Andy Burnham has removed many of Keir Starmer's faithfuls, including previously key figures like Rachel Reeves and Darren Jones. And critics feel 'traitors' who had trie...

2026-07-24

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Did a "difficult woman" upset Andy Burnham's cabinet plans?

We didn't get details of Andy Burnham's top team until most people had gone to bed... so why did it take so long? Beth, Jess, Harriet and Ruth discuss whether some ministers negotiated for different ...

2026-07-22

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Has Starmer done Burnham any favours?

We're in a transition as Andy Burnham becomes Labour leader three days before he becomes Prime Minister. In Ukraine, Beth Rigby asks the outgoing PM, Keir Starmer, about why he chose to see President...

2026-07-17

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Could Farage's by-election plan backfire?

Rachel Reeves says if Nigel Farage wants to "spend the summer arguing with a bin" then that's up to him. The Reform leader triggered a by-election by resigning this week. He is standing again to figh...

2026-07-10

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Will women get a seat at Andy Burnham’s table?

The New Labour band might be getting back together around Burnham’s cabinet table. Good for nostalgia, but the women have other thoughts if there are set to be two Milibands in the great offices of st...

2026-07-03

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Can Andy Burnham really govern without an election?

Andy Burnham is closing in on Downing Street as Nigel Farage endures a tricky political week. But does Burnham actually have a mandate to be Prime Minister? Or should we have a general election? Beth...

2026-06-26

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Keir Starmer resigns. What’s next?

The prime minister has resigned after less than two years in Downing Street. In this extra episode, Beth Rigby and Harriet Harman react to a dramatic morning in Westminster and ask the question now h...

2026-06-22

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Electoral Dysfunction

Episodes (220 episodes)

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