‘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 able to ride out those disastrous local election results without changing its leader.Plus – why has the Labour party waited so long for a female leader, and is a woman-only shortlist the answer?We’ll be back on Tuesday for our Sky News Insider subscribers - find out how to subscribe here: https://skynews.com/electoraldysfunctionAnd here's a taster of this week's bonus episode. Got a question for the burner phone? WhatsApp 07934 200 444 or email [email protected] News Insider requires a paid subscription and is available to UK listeners aged 18 and over.

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 tried to destabilise the recently departed PM are being rewarded for their disloyalty.Former Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, called for Starmer to go back in February. Now he's off to the Lords for a ministerial job under Burnham.At the Electoral Dysfunction Round Table, Beth Rigby asks Harriet Harman and Ruth Davidson how Burnham can deal with the bad blood his choices have created. Harriet wants him to 'build bridges' with those he ousted.We also have lots of questions from Dysfunctioners about a big political week.We’ll be back on Tuesday for our Sky News Insider subscribers - find out how to subscribe here: https://skynews.com/electoraldysfunctionGot a question for the burner phone? WhatsApp 07934 200 444 or email [email protected] News Insider requires a paid subscription and is available to UK listeners aged 18 and over.

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 jobs – and whether nobody wanted to be justice secretary.Harriet also has stern words for "bitter" former cabinet ministers who are criticising the new government from the sidelines.If you would like to subscribe to Sky News Insider, find out how here https://skynews.com/electoraldysfunctionGot a question for the burner phone? WhatsApp 07934 200 444 or email [email protected] News Insider requires a paid subscription and is available to UK listeners aged 18 and over.

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 Zelenskyy on his final foreign trip.Ruth Davidson and Harriet Harman hold the Electoral Dysfunction fort back home.They weigh up whether Burnham should favour ability over popularity in his new cabinet - and consider how the polls are going for Burnham's own approval rating as he prepares to enter Number 10, with the help of Sky News' election analyst Rob Ford.To listen without ads, exclusive bonus episodes and much more, become a Sky News Insider. Find out more and subscribe at https://skynews.com/electoraldysfunctionTo see Beth's full interview with Keir Starmer, go hereGot a question for the burner phone? WhatsApp 07934 200 444 or email [email protected] News Insider requires a paid subscription and is available to UK listeners aged 18 and over.

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 fight for the seat. Count Binface is one of those planning to stand against him in Clacton but the main parties won't be there.Beth, Ruth and Harriet dig into whether there are cracks in Farage's plan to reset the narrative after claims about his financial arrangements. Plus, Beth is fresh off the prime minister's plane from Turkey where Sir Keir Starmer was given an illegal gift he couldn't bring back with him.Andy Burnham's also promised MPs an overhaul in party culture. Harriet and Ruth debate whether the changes will ever happen.We’ll be back on Tuesday for our Sky News Insider subscribers. Find out how to subscribe to our members club Sky News Insider here: skynews.com/electoraldysfunctionSky News Insider requires a paid subscription and is available to UK listeners aged 18 and over. Find out more and subscribe: skynews.com/electoraldysfunction Got a question for the burner phone? WhatsApp 07934 200 444 or email [email protected] of July 9th, we’re aware of the following people and parties planning to stand in the Clacton by-election:Adham Alkhatip, Forward PartyCount Binface, IndependentPiers Corbyn, IndependentNigel Farage, ReformLaurence Fox, Reclaim PartyOllie Granger, IndependentLuke Worley, Independent

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 state and no women.This week, Harriet tells Beth and Ruth this week that trust is broken between female Labour MPs and the top of the party, and now they’re expecting hard proof from Burnham that he sees them equally – because it’s “no more playing nice” from them.And as Keir Starmer leaves Burnham with a black hole in his budget as a parting gift – how can Burnham pay for it? And is this going to be a return of the welfare bill rebels?We’ll be back on Tuesday for our Sky News Insider subscribers - find out how to subscribe here: https://skynews.com/electoraldysfunctionGot a question for the burner phone? WhatsApp 07934 200 444 or email [email protected] News Insider requires a paid subscription and is available to UK listeners aged 18 and over.

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 Rigby, Ruth Davidson and Harriet Harman give their takes on what Burnham's first 100 Days could look like and who might be in his cabinet, including the all-important role of chancellor. Harriet says one of her picks for the job has to prove his credibility.And with more scrutiny on Nigel Farage’s £5 million gift from Christopher Harborne – how is Farage reacting?Farage has said he is "absolutely convinced I've done nothing wrong in any way at all" and he has "taken zero in personal expenses" since being elected in July 2024"I'm very careful and very cautious about these things," he said. "I believe it to be a wholly private matter, the standards commissioner may take a different view."To listen without ads, get new episodes a week early, exclusive bonus episodes and much more, become a Sky News Insider. Find out more and subscribe at https://skynews.com/electoraldysfunctionGot a question for the burner phone? WhatsApp 07934 200 444 or email [email protected] News Insider requires a paid subscription and is available to UK listeners aged 18 and over.

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 hanging over Labour: has the party failed, or is this the reset it desperately needed? And could Andy Burnham be the answer?Beth takes listeners inside the final hours of Starmer's premiership, from cabinet pressure to the emotional resignation speech on the steps of Number 10.Harriet reflects on Sir Keir’s legacy and why Labour MPs decided he couldn’t lead them into the next election. And did Nigel Farage play a part in Starmer’s departure?With Andy Burnham now the overwhelming favourite to succeed him, they also discuss what happens next, whether Labour is heading for a coronation rather than a contest, and if Burnham can succeed where Starmer could not.We’ll be back tomorrow for our Sky News Insider subscribers - find out how to subscribe here: https://skynews.com/electoraldysfunctionGot a question for the burner phone? WhatsApp 07934 200 444 or email [email protected] News Insider requires a paid subscription and is available to UK listeners aged 18 and over.

Andy Burnham is coming back to Westminster – is he about to become prime minister? And could Sir Keir Starmer be in denial?After a stunning victory in the Makerfield by-election, Burnham has gone from mayor of Greater Manchester to Labour MP, instantly kickstarting the speculation about a challenge to Starmer's leadership.So is this the beginning of the end for Starmer and will his MPs turn against him? Harriet has the lowdown from inside the Labour party – so how quickly will it kick off?Beth Rigby has raced back from Makerfield to join Harriet Harman and Ruth Davidson as they dissect one of the most consequential by-election results in recent political history and they’re answering some of your questions along the way.Plus, Ruth has the latest from Scotland after the by-elections in Aberdeen South and Arbroath and Broughty Ferry. Is this a change in fortune for the Tories?Got a question for the burner phone? WhatsApp 07934 200 444 or email [email protected] out how to subscribe to our members' club, Sky News Insider, here: https://skynews.com/electoraldysfunctionSky News Insider requires a paid subscription and is available to UK listeners aged 18 and over.

Find out how to subscribe to our members' club, Sky News Insider, here: https://skynews.com/electoraldysfunctionBeth Rigby, Harriet Harman, Jess Phillips and Ruth Davidson are back early this week with details of the first ever Electoral Dysfunction members’ only episode. To listen to the full podcast, follow the link above for all the information.In her first podcast back with the ED gang since quitting the government, Jess lifts the lid on what went on behind the scenes in the lead up to Starmer’s social media ban for under 16s, and explains why she thinks it took so long to get over the line.Plus, expect extra wittering on from the four hosts for one time only. In future Tuesday episodes, Jess and Harriet will be alternating alongside Beth and Ruth.Our Friday episodes will be just the same - in all the usual places as you get them now, with Beth, Ruth and Harriet.We’re still always checking the burner phone, so if you have a question WhatsApp us on 07934 200 444 or email [email protected] 33% off your first annual subscription, use the code DYSFUNCTION33Sky News Insider requires a paid subscription, and is available to UK listeners aged 18 and over.