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- The State of It
89 episodes
The State of It, page 2
by The Times · English
What’s really being said inside the corridors of power. Join Steven Swinford, Patrick Maguire, Ben Riley-Smith and Lara Spirit for exclusive interviews, political scoops and the best analysis from Westminster. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Burnham's three big tests - and trouble at Reform UK
Andy Burnham’s “three big tests” for autumn—early release of dangerous prisoners, a potentially tax-raising budget with devolution, and welfare reform (Alan Milburn review on NEETs; Stephen Timms…
18 Aug 2026 · 35m · 10 chapters
Farage wins Clacton – but his £5m headache remains
Nigel Farage wins the Clacton by-election (63% of the vote; Count Binface 27%), but the episode argues his “£5m headache” won’t go away: the Standards Commissioner investigation into an undisclosed…
14 Aug 2026 · 19m · 8 chapters
PC Harper's killers: Andy Burnham's first major test
The episode of State of It focuses on two UK political stories. First, it discusses Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s “early release scheme” for prisoners and his first major test: whether he can block…
11 Aug 2026 · 30m · 10 chapters
Will a Reform-Restore alliance unite the right?
The episode debates whether Reform and Restore can unite the right, while also covering Labour’s early-release prison policy and the Greens’ summer strategy.
4 Aug 2026 · 27m · 7 chapters
The Burnham Bounce: how long can it last?
Early days of UK PM Andy Burnham and whether the “Burnham bounce” in opinion polls can last; how his communications style and policy agenda may reshape the left and the right, and what challenges…
28 Jul 2026 · 28m · 9 chapters
Andy Burnham's week of maximum vibes
Andy Burnham’s first week as UK Prime Minister—“maximum vibes” via rapid, election-campaign-style announcements—plus the reshuffle fallout and what’s coming next week (NEETS, defence, and a major…
24 Jul 2026 · 30m · 13 chapters
No, you're a factionalist: Labour's new battle lines
The State of It episode argues Labour’s reshuffle under Andy Burnham is being seen as factional, despite claims to end factionalism.
21 Jul 2026 · 30m · 14 chapters
Shabana Mahmood: The 'ruthless' incoming Chancellor?
The episode focuses on Westminster infighting during Andy Burnham’s transition and the fight over who becomes Chancellor.
16 Jul 2026 · 29m · 13 chapters
Burnham's cabinet: Ed Miliband fails the smell test
Andy Burnham’s incoming Labour leadership and cabinet formation, with a focus on whether Ed Miliband will be Chancellor, plus likely cabinet reshuffles and what Burnham will do once Prime Minister.
14 Jul 2026 · 28m · 10 chapters
Nigel Farage's Clacton by-election gamble
The episode discusses Nigel Farage’s decision to resign as Reform UK MP for Clacton-on-Sea to trigger a by-election, framed as a “people versus the establishment” gamble.
7 Jul 2026 · 26m · 11 chapters
Nigel Farage and Posh George: why it matters
The episode is a bonus edition of The State of It about Nigel Farage’s alleged undisclosed “benefits in kind” funded by George Cottrell, a convicted fraudster.
6 Jul 2026 · 27m · 11 chapters
Paranoia in the Labour Party: the Andy Burnham enigma
Labour Party leadership transition paranoia around Andy Burnham’s cabinet appointments; MPs and ministers pitch for jobs, fear being blamed as “collaborators” with the hated Starmer regime, and worry…
2 Jul 2026 · 20m · 9 chapters
"You can't have more Milibands than women in top jobs" - Cain and Abel mark II
The episode argues that Andy Burnham’s emerging Labour leadership project will face major political friction over cabinet appointments, especially if both Miliband brothers return.
30 Jun 2026 · 29m · 16 chapters
Andy Burnham builds a plane mid-flight as Starmer checks out
The episode of The State of It focuses on two tracks: (1) the rapid transition to Andy Burnham’s premiership after Labour’s leadership change, and (2) a major political funding scoop involving Nigel…
23 Jun 2026 · 25m · 14 chapters
Keir Starmer resigns. Andy Burnham prepares for power
Emergency political analysis of Keir Starmer’s resignation as Labour leader/PM and the rapid transition to Andy Burnham as likely next UK Prime Minister, focusing on what went wrong for Starmer and…
22 Jun 2026 · 21m · 8 chapters
Andy Burnham wins Makerfield: what happens now?
Andy Burnham’s by-election win in Makerfield and what it means for Keir Starmer’s Labour leadership, plus implications for Reform UK and the Conservatives.
19 Jun 2026 · 33m · 13 chapters
Ghostings and betrayals: Starmer's cabinet prepares for an Andy Burnham coup
The episode of The Times’ “The State of It” argues that Andy Burnham’s expected win in the Makerfield by-election could trigger a “coup” against Keir Starmer, including cabinet resignations and a…
16 Jun 2026 · 29m · 11 chapters
A circular firing squad: the bitter war over defence spending
The episode of The State of It focuses on a bitter internal UK political fight over the defence investment plan and funding.
9 Jun 2026 · 31m · 13 chapters
The tragic death of Henry Nowak and a political reckoning
The episode links two political stories: the murder of 18-year-old Henry Novak (including police body-cam footage and claims of racist bias/two-tier policing) and the “Lord Mandelson files” (leaked…
2 Jun 2026 · 32m · 13 chapters
We’re all just normal people railing against politics
The episode of The State of It focuses on the UK Makerfield by-election and the political implications of a potential leadership change, especially for Labour’s chancellor Rachel Reeves.
26 May 2026 · 29m · 10 chapters
Inside Keir Starmer's plan to remain PM till 2027
The State of It episode argues that Keir Starmer’s government is internally “toxic” despite a public “delivery” focus, and that Starmer may try to stay Prime Minister until early 2027.
19 May 2026 · 29m · 9 chapters
What the hell’s going on in Westminster?
A bonus episode of The State of It analyzing Wes Streeting’s resignation from government, why he didn’t trigger a Labour leadership contest, and what it means for Keir Starmer, Andy Burnham, and the…
14 May 2026 · 26m · 12 chapters
Keir Starmer: the end game
A live Times/Sunday Times panel dissects a Labour Party leadership crisis after Keir Starmer provoked his cabinet to use a formal process to challenge him, amid speculation of a left-wing takeover…
12 May 2026 · 37m · 14 chapters
BONUS: Reform shake Labour to its core
UK election special focused on Reform UK’s surge and Labour’s collapse, with implications for Keir Starmer’s leadership, Labour’s internal stability, and threats from the Greens on the left; also…
8 May 2026 · 25m · 10 chapters