Does Starmer have a northern problem?
Political Fix26 Sep 2025

Does Starmer have a northern problem?

As the prime minister prepares for his annual party conference, the mayor for Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, seems to be mounting a thinly veiled bid for the Labour leadership. In numerous interviews given to the media this past week, Burnham said he had been privately urged by MPs to challenge Sir Keir Starmer. And the provocation came with what looked like a personal manifesto: tax increases on the wealthy, mass nationalisations and a promise not to be “in hock to the bond market”. So do Burnham’s economic policies stand up? Does the metro mayor pose a serious risk to the PM? Or does his pitch for the leadership actually help Starmer shore up support from within?


Host George Parker is joined by Miranda Green, Stephen Bush, and the FT’s northern correspondent Jennifer Williams, to discuss the multiple challenges Starmer is facing both inside and outside the Labour tent, as well as what else to look out for at the conference next week.


Follow George on Bluesky @georgewparker.bsky.social; Stephen @stephenkb.bsky.social; Miranda @greenmirandahere.bsky.social; Jen @jenwilliamsft.bsky.social


What did you think of this episode? Let us know at politicalfix@ft.com


Want more? Free links:


Andy Burnham launches thinly veiled bid to replace Keir Starmer


Andy Burnham’s borrowing plans would spook gilt market, investors warn


Starmer can’t afford to wait for reckless Reform to implode


Andy Burnham’s two-horse act faces a big jump


Plans for high-speed rail line in northern England suffer fresh delay


Sign up to Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek. Get 30 days free at https://www.ft.com/InsidePoliticsOffer


If you want to know more about what's happening in UK politics you can read the FT’s live Q&A - where Stephen, Miranda and the FT’s UK chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley answered readers’ questions. Visit www.ft.com/ask-an-expert


Presented by George Parker, and produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Manuela Saragosa.


Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episoder(573)

Bonus ep: How the UK is navigating the Trump era

Bonus ep: How the UK is navigating the Trump era

US President Donald Trump is coming to the UK next week. What can we expect from his visit? And where do things stand between the US and the UK? In this special bonus episode, our two FT political cha...

9 Sep 202531min

Rayner, Reeves and Reform

Rayner, Reeves and Reform

It wasn’t the start to the new parliamentary term that Prime Minister Keir Starmer hoped for. His insistence that his focus is now on “delivery, delivery, delivery” was eclipsed by the furore surround...

5 Sep 202532min

Farage, flags and the ghosts of Labour’s past

Farage, flags and the ghosts of Labour’s past

Just as Sir Keir Starmer was stealing a few days' summer holiday, Reform unveiled its immigration policy, former Labour heavyweights called for a withdrawal from the European Convention on Human Right...

29 Aug 202532min

The mess in the NHS

The mess in the NHS

England’s NHS is in a ‘critical and deteriorating condition’ - those are the words of Lord Darzi who investigated the state of the NHS for the new Labour government last year. In response, Starmer unv...

22 Aug 202535min

Starmer's superpower: soft power?

Starmer's superpower: soft power?

Maga arrived in Chipping Norton this week, heralding an intense round of British diplomacy ahead of the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska on Friday. Ukraine is top of the agenda and both Prime Minister Kei...

15 Aug 202527min

Introducing Swamp Notes: The real cost of gutting USAID

Introducing Swamp Notes: The real cost of gutting USAID

Political Fix is on a break this week. In its absence, we're taking the opportunity to introduce you to its sister podcast, Swamp Notes, the weekly US politics podcast from the Financial Times. Six mo...

8 Aug 202519min

Why Starmer changed his mind about Palestinian statehood

Why Starmer changed his mind about Palestinian statehood

Prime Minister Keir Starmer plans to recognise a Palestinian state in September at the UN General Assembly. The decision comes after some Labour MPs and cabinet ministers accused him of being too slow...

1 Aug 202535min

One year in opposition

One year in opposition

As MPs head back to their constituencies for the summer, the Political Fix panel reflects on the year in opposition for Kemi Badenoch and her Conservative party. Host George Parker is joined by Robert...

25 Jul 202534min

Populært innen Politikk og nyheter

giver-og-gjengen-vg
aftenpodden-usa
aftenpodden
i-retten
forklart
stopp-verden
popradet
fotballpodden-2
rss-gukild-johaug
nokon-ma-ga
det-store-bildet
dine-penger-pengeradet
bt-dokumentar-2
aftenbla-bla
hanna-de-heldige
rss-penger-polser-og-politikk
rss-dannet-uten-piano
frokostshowet-pa-p5
rss-ness
e24-podden