The Story podcast

Can the ‘Burnham bounce’ survive reality?

9/2/2026
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Andy Burnham faced parliament for the first time as prime minister on Tuesday. He’s spent the summer projecting a sunny, optimistic vision of Britain’s future – but how long can the good vibes last as Burnham faces the cold, hard realities of governing?


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Guest: Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Micaela Arneson, Leo Danczak, Jennifer Kennedy.

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Read more: Keir Starmer’s final U-turn gives Andy Burnham an early headache

Further listening: The impossible dilemma of early release

Clips: BBC, Parliament TV, Andy Burnham via TikTok, Number 10, Channel 4, Sky News, CNBC, The Mirror.

Photo: Getty Images.


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