How To Win An Election

With Hugo away, Lara Spirit joins Sally, Polly and Danny to answer the crucial question after John Healey's first budget - will it help Andy Burnham win the next election?

Danny warns the chancellor has charted a course for the government that will end up on the rocks, and we ask what happened to a break with 40 years of neoliberalism.

We also find out why, despite Burnham's repeated denials, speculation about a snap election continues - and why that speculation can tell us quite a lot about the direction of politics.

Plus, why is the choice of desk in Downing Street so important?

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Video Editor: Kim McCarthy
Executive Producer: Andrew Alexander
Picture: Getty Images
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Andy Burnham approaches 100 days in office, Sally, Polly and Danny discuss the value of having a leader who is actually interested in politics - unlike Keir Starmer. Will Burnham be able to keep the party united through difficult decisions over energy and immigration, as long as he's ahead in the polls?

Danny thinks he has increased the chances of Labour winning the next election with a rhetorical shift to the left - or at least reduced the chances of the party being completely destroyed.

We also discuss John Healey's HP Sauce obsession, with Sally revealing how many cups of tea Tony Blair drank a day, and Danny telling us about William Hague's bland sandwiches.

Video Editor: Kim McCarthy
Executive Producer: Andrew Alexander
Picture: Getty Images
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the Green Party and Reform UK facing claims that they're providing a home for extremists from far left and far right, the political masterminds are looking at how to deal with entryists.

Danny argues that the most important decision a political party can make is about who it won't let in, and Sally recalls fighting Labour's long battle against the Militant faction in the 1980s.

We also reflect on the failed coup against Sir Ed Davey, and ask whether there's another political strategy available to anyone who might have designs on replacing him.

Send your comments, questions and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk

Video Editor: Kim McCarthy
Executive Producer: Andrew Alexander
Picture: Getty Images
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kemi Badenoch has made an unashamed pitch for voters in Middle Britain with her conference promise on inheritance tax, trying to frame the next election as a battle between traditional Conservative and traditional Labour ideas.

But does a focus on the 'blue wall' mean abandoning any hopes of building a broader coalition, and giving up hopes of winning voters back from Reform UK? Have comparisons with Margaret Thatcher misrepresented both leaders? And should speechwriters be banned from referring to a 'battle for the soul of the nation'?

We also hear about Polly's new project with consumer advice guru Martin Lewis, and try out some small but significant policy ideas.

Send your comments, questions and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk

Video Editor: Kim McCarthy
Executive Producer: Andrew Alexander
Picture: Getty Images
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham has outlined his vision for the country, and in the process written a good chunk of Labour's next manifesto.

But could his ambitious promises cost more than the UK economy can bear? Danny argues the country can't afford his old Labour instincts, and Hugo says the party is like an ostrich putting its head in the sand. Sally thinks he's being mean.

Send your comments, questions and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk

Video Editor: Kim McCarthy
Executive Producer: Andrew Alexander
Picture: Getty Images
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.