Political Fix: Makerfield or bust: Burnham goes for broke
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Hey guys, it's Mark.
What is the significance of the Makerfield by-election?
Next week, there's a local election in the UK that could be the most consequential in recent British political history. Voters in Makerfield, just outside Manchester, head to the polls to choose a new member of parliament. Among the candidates is former Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham. He's widely seen as a potential challenger to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Labour's future leader. Burnham is the bookmaker's favorite, but there's a catch, a strong challenge from Reform UK, the insurgent party that continues to disrupt British politics.
Who are the main candidates in the Makerfield race?
If Burnham wins, attention would be on what his return to Westminster would mean. But if Reform pulls off an upset, it would send shockwaves through the political establishment. In this episode of the FT's Political Fix podcast, Lucy Fisher and her panel look beyond the headlines and they ask, what's really driving voters in Makerfield and how could the result shape the future of British politics? Enjoy. I just want somebody fresh, somebody new, somebody from here, somebody who gets it. A flavour there of what voters are saying in Makerfield. We need somebody with a backbone. With all people in, they're supposed to do what they said they're going to do.
None of them have so far. Welcome to Political Fix from the Financial Times with me, Lucy Fisher. Now we are recording this in a pub in Makerfield where I've been on the ground for two days now trying to take the political temperature ahead of the by-election next week. It is shaping up to be potentially the most historic by-election in British history. It could change the course of the country if Labour candidate Andy Burnham wins and successfully challenges Sir Keir Starmer as we know he's planning to do for the premiership. And we're just sitting down to record as John Healey, the defence secretary, has sensationally resigned in protest over the financial settlement for Britain's military. So, so much to discuss here with Jennifer Williams, the FT's Northern England correspondent.
What issues are influencing voters in Makerfield?
Hi, Jen. Hi, Lucy. And Jim Pickard, the FT's deputy political editor. Hi, Jim. Hey, Lucy. So to set the scene first, I should say we are in the Buck's Head pub in Abram in the Makerfield constituency. So big shout out and thanks to Chris, the landlord, for letting us record here, especially as there is a bingo game going on behind us that you might hear. We're having a bit of lunch. Jen, you've fallen prey to stereotype. You're eating.
How does Andy Burnham's candidacy impact Labour's future?
I am doing the Andy Bedman special.
I'm having chips and gravy.
That's a reference to Andy Burnham being asked what his favourite biscuit was. Can you remember his reply?
It was chips and gravy and you think also a pint of beer, don't you?
I think he also had a beer just to max the northern cliché.
Okay, but you're on the orange juice.
What are you having, Lucy?
I've already had some fish fingers in the pub, but I have procured, for your deletion, Jim, what I'm told is a Wigan pie. It is a minced steak party pie inside a soft white bap, known locally, I'm told, by Galloway Bakery as a bam. So it's... It's a bam.
Sorry, a bam. It's a wig and kebab.
A wig and kebab, I've been corrected.
Forgive me. And we've got a bam. The regional variations on bread rolls in this country are kind of pretty spectacular, I think. Around here, it's bam.
Okay, so it's bread around pastry. Jim, I don't eat meat, but you've got to take a bite in the name of authenticity.
It looks amazing. I've had a McDonald's, but I'm going to enjoy that on the train home.
Great. So let's kick off with discussing what we've heard so far on the campaign trail. Jen, we've just come up, you know, this week, but you've been covering this ever since the by-election was called. And obviously, you know the area well from your years reporting around here. Give us a sense of what you've picked up from voters on the ground.
I think there's the things that you would expect to come through and have come through for a long time, especially in a constituency like this, where, you know, immigration and cost of living are at the top of people's lists on the doorstep.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:00–0:01
2
What is the significance of the Makerfield by-election?
0:01–0:32
3
Who are the main candidates in the Makerfield race?
0:32–1:57
4
What issues are influencing voters in Makerfield?
1:57–2:24
5
How does Andy Burnham's candidacy impact Labour's future?
2:24–8:48
6
What are the implications of John Healey's resignation?
8:48–19:16
7
How are local sentiments shifting towards Reform UK?
19:16–36:28
8
What challenges does Burnham face if he wins?
36:28–46:29