Advertise on podcast: How To Win An Election

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

We're at Labour conference, where Andy Burnham is enjoying North Korean-style levels of support from party members. But how long will it last? John Healey has warned there isn't any money left, and is softening the party up for welfare cuts. The political masterminds also discuss Burnham's conference speech - should he be writing it himself, does he still need to introduce himself, and how can you tell if AI has crept into political oratory? Send your questions, comments and emails to [email protected] Video Producers: Harry Kitson & Kim McCarthy Executive Producer: Andrew Alexander Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The polling company YouGov has released its latest MRP survey, and in a dramatic reversal of last year's findings it now projects a hung parliament, with Labour on top and Nigel Farage’s Reform UK squeezed by the rise of Restore Britain. But is it too soon for Labour and the Tories to break out the champagne, especially given the difficulty of putting together a coalition that could command a majority in the Commons? With Danny away, Sally, Polly and Hugo are joined by Guto Harri, who worked for Boris Johnson when he was Mayor of London and was his Director of Communications in Downing Street. We also talk about attempts to freeze out the mainstream media, from Boris Johnson through to Donald Trump launching Trump TV, and enjoy this remarkable early YouTube appearance by Tony Blair. Send your comments, questions and voicenotes to [email protected] Video Editor: Kim McCarthy Executive Producer: Andrew Alexander Picture: Getty Images Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does big money win elections? As Reform UK receives record sums from billionaire donors, we look at what it will take to translate the cash into votes. The team recalls the fall-out from the Bernie Ecclestone affair and the cash-for-honours scandal during the Blair years, and both Danny and Sally say they've been approached by people asking for a peerage. Plus: After the 'Gail's' strategy, what do the Liberal Democrats need to do to get out of the electoral doldrums? Send your questions, comments and voicenotes to [email protected] Video editor: Kim McCarthy Executive Producer: Andrew Alexander Picture: Getty Images Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump faces accusations of bribery after promising every adult $5,000 if they vote Republican - but Danny says he advised Rishi Sunak to present tax cuts to the British public in the same way. The political masterminds also consider whether Andy Burnham made a mistake in saying national security can't come at the expense of social security, whether the British government's sanctions on Israeli settlements are born from principle or political calculation, and at what point the voters notice sleaze. The book Danny refers to is The Rise of Reform by Nick Tyrone. It's available to order at the Times Bookshop where Times Plus members can get a 20% discount. Send your comments, questions and voicenotes to [email protected] Executive Producer: Andrew Alexander Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There's a by-election on the way, thanks to Keir Starmer's decision to stand down as MP for Holborn and St Pancras. Green Party leader Zack Polanski wants to stand - just how big a risk is he taking, and could he fall flat on his face? The team have been looking into the likely scenarios. We also talk about Andy Burnham's ongoing efforts to do politics differently, and we try to give Reform advice on how to get back on track after a tricky summer. But does Nigel Farage really want to campaign all the way to the next election? Send your questions, comments and voicenotes to [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nigel Farage has seen off along list of novelty candidates to increase his majority in the Clacton by-election. The Reform UK leader says it's a resounding victory, but over whom? And if it was, why wasn't he been out trumpeting the result? The political masterminds (well, most of them) return from their summer break to explain what the outcome means for the general election, and whether the 'Burnham Bounce' has actually been a bit flat. Send your questions, comments and voicenotes to [email protected]. The podcast will be back on September 3. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham’s first week in Downing Street has been full of promises - but can he keep everyone happy and still balance the books? Hugo, Sally, Polly and Danny look at the prime minister’s first week in power, from his plans for public services and tax cuts, to the questions over how he will pay for them.  They also discuss John Healey’s appointment as Chancellor, the fallout from the purge of Starmer allies, and whether Burnham’s approach risks trying to please everyone.   Send your questions, comments and voicenotes to [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham will soon be making his first speech from Downing Street as prime minister - how will he introduce himself to the nation? The team discuss striking the right balance between optimism and acknowledging the scale of the challenge, and look back at their role in preparing speeches for Tony Blair, David Cameron and Nick Clegg. And, does the choice of lectern actually matter? We also answer a question from a listener who asks whether Nigel Farage could lose the Clacton by-election. Send your questions, comments and voicenotes to [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week the political masterminds are answering more of your questions. Does Andy Burnham risk becoming all things to all people, and will that inevitably result in disappointment? What jobs would Sally, Polly and Danny have in No 10 North? Have former military figures seized the agenda over defence spending, and is Labour worrying enough about a possible Tory revival? Send your voicenotes, questions and comments to [email protected] And you can watch the podcast on YouTube here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nigel Farage has announced his resignation as an MP, saying he will fight a 'people versus the establishment' by-election in Clacton. Is it a high risk stunt by the Reform UK leader? When have by-elections backfired in the past, and will it make questions about his finances, and his future, go away? Hugo, Sally, Polly and Danny analyse Farage's gamble. Send your questions, comments and voicenotes to [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What have we learned so far about Andy Burnham's plan for government? Danny has been reading his book, Head North, and thinks he's proposing a clear left turn when it comes to the economy and public services. Does Burnham's vision of a more devolved United Kingdom add up to an electoral strategy, or is that actually coming from Morgan McSweeney's playbook? Plus: We're joined by comedian and host of the How To Win The World Cup podcast Matt Forde to discuss whether success on the football pitch can give a boost at the ballot box. Send your questions, comments and voicenotes to [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The team bring their years of experience inside Downing Street to the question of how Andy Burnham will construct his cabinet, and who he could pick as chancellor. After the return of James Purnell as chief of staff, is there a risk of having too many veterans of the Blair and Brown years back in power? And - Polly sets out her vision for replacing Chequers with a Mar-a-Lago-style resort in Blackpool. Send your questions, voicenotes and views on Polly's policy to [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sally and Danny join Hugo for this extra episode to examine the Keir Starmer legacy - if there is one - and ask whether Andy Burnham could be a more consequential leader than the consensus gives him credit for. And, how will Reform UK attack Burnham - can they make the label 'Captain Flip-flop' stick? Send your comments, questions and voicenotes to [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham has won, and won big in the Makerfield by-election - what happens next in Downing Street and the Labour Party, and what does it all mean for the next general election? Sally, Polly, Danny and Hugo discuss Keir Starmer's insistence he won't walk away from No 10, the reaction of the cabinet, who will get the top jobs in a Burnham government, and whether Reform UK will need to change strategy. Send your questions, comments and voicenotes to [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.