Andy Burnham is now prime minister-in-waiting and is laying out his vision for Britain. On Monday he outlined his approach to the economy, but is his vision any different to Keir Starmer’s? Ed Balls and George Osborne worry the speech lacks a theory of change, and sets him up for the same troubles Starmer faced. George puts forward the two key challenges Burnham will face: defence and communication. Starmer’s Defence Investment Plan leaves a £5bn gap and stray briefings are confusing Burnham’s messaging. If he can’t get on top of these, is he destined to fail as Starmer has?

The primary policy laid out in Burnham’s speech was a No. 10 in the North, based in Manchester. But this plan comes with risks. Ed worries this could lead to increased divisions between No. 10 and the Treasury, which will kneecap the government’s agenda. George feels these changes are too radical mid-Parliament, and distract from policy.

And finally, this Saturday marks the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence and, to mark this historic milestone, Ed and George reflect on the country’s history. They look at the founding fathers, their own relationship with the country, and what future relations will look like with the UK under Burnham.

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Credits:

Research: Sam Burton

Production: Caillin McDaid & Nasreen Arain

Video Editor: Louis Norris

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford & Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should Andy Burnham appoint an entirely new Cabinet or resist the temptation for a full reshuffle? Ed Balls and George Osborne discuss whether constant ministerial churn is a hindrance to effective government, and who the new Prime Minister should keep in post to provide stability.

They also revisit one of the biggest political "what ifs" of the year. Was Keir Starmer wrong to stop Burnham returning to Westminster earlier? Looking back, could allowing him to fight Gorton and Denton have changed the course of events, or was Starmer's fate already sealed?

A listener's memories of school evacuation drills before the Iraq War prompt a wider conversation about how governments prepare the public for crises. From terrorist attacks and pandemics to extreme weather, Ed and George reflect on the challenge of planning for events that may never happen.

Elsewhere, they discuss why Classical Civilisation remains out of reach for many pupils, whether today's political infighting has more in common with Ancient Rome than we might like to admit, and reveal the surprisingly practical advice they'd give to an ambitious young Conservative hoping to enter Parliament, including where politicians really go to get suited and booted.

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Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.

Credits:

Research: Sam Burton

Production: Caillin McDaid & Nasreen Arain

Video Editor: Sam Gruet

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford & Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The pathway from Makerfield to Downing Street seems inevitable. Andy Burnham was sworn in to Parliament hours after Keir Starmer resigned and now seems set to be crowned as prime minister next month. But who is he? Ed Balls and George Osborne have known him for over 25 years, and speak to how the man they know will govern once he enters No. 10. How will his style as a footballer be reflected in his governing?

Ed and George then examine the likelihood of whether Andy Burnham will call an early General Election. Either way he risks repeating the mistakes of Gordon Brown or Theresa May. Ed lays out the three tests Burnham must ask himself before going to the polls, while George lays out how a General Election could play out for the opposition parties.

Finally, they turn to the man still in Downing Street. What will Keir Starmer’s final weeks in post look like? Ed and George look back on the final moments of Brown’s and Cameron’s premierships, and what the thinking will be in the Starmer team in these final days and weeks.

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Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.

Credits:

Research: Sam Burton

Production: Caillin McDaid & Nasreen Arain

Video Editor: Sam Gruet

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford & Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.