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Episode details

Radio 4,05 Sep 2026,28 mins

Available for over a year

George discusses Andy Burnham's first week at Westminster as prime minister with former Home Secretary and Labour peer, David Blunkett and the political editor of The New Statesman, Ailbhe Rea. Reform UK's conference takes place this week as the party faces a controversy over donations. George speaks to Tim Montgomerie, a former influential Conservative activist who defected to Reform UK. Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch reshuffled her team this week. To discuss, George is joined by Tory MP Sarah Bool, who was made a Shadow Justice minister in the reshuffle, and the former Conservative cabinet minister, Sir David Gauke. Speculation about whether Andy Burnham should call an early general election is hanging over the conference season. George debates whether it is a good idea with elections analyst and professor of Political Science at Manchester University, Rob Ford, and Liz Bates, who served as an advisor in Sir Keir Starmer’s government.

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