Electoral Dysfunction

Could Farage's by-election plan backfire?

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 electoraldysfunction@sky.uk.As 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

Will women get a seat at Andy Burnham’s table?

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 electoraldysfunction@sky.uk.Sky News Insider requires a paid subscription and is available to UK listeners aged 18 and over.

Can Andy Burnham really govern without an election?

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 electoraldysfunction@sky.uk.Sky News Insider requires a paid subscription and is available to UK listeners aged 18 and over.

Keir Starmer resigns. What’s next?

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 electoraldysfunction@sky.uk.Sky News Insider requires a paid subscription and is available to UK listeners aged 18 and over.

‘Andy Burnham is going to be Prime Minister’

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 electoraldysfunction@sky.uk.Find 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.