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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? 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.

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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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 [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.