Electoral Dysfunction

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

Is the Burnham government starting to feel like The Traitors?

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

Did a "difficult woman" upset Andy Burnham's cabinet plans?

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

Has Starmer done Burnham any favours?

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

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