The Story The State of It: What ministers won't say in public
Oct 2, 2025
The atmosphere at the Labour Party conference is electric, with reactions to Keir Starmer's speech stirring mixed feelings among MPs. The podcast tackles Starmer's provocative comments about Nigel Farage and the risks they may entail. As leadership speculation brews, Andy Burnham's surprising unifying role comes to light. With the economy weighing heavily on voters' minds, discussions of Rachel Reeves' budget strategy reveal challenges ahead. The focus on immigration as a hot-button issue underscores the political landscape, setting the stage for upcoming battles.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Conference Relief, Not Revival
- Labour conference felt like a sealed bubble offering relief but not renewed faith in Keir Starmer.
- Many MPs privately assume his removal is inevitable and see May local elections as the crucial reckoning.
Burnham United Critics, Helped Starmer
- Andy Burnham's attacks unified critics and inadvertently bolstered Starmer by providing a convenient foil.
- That dynamic delayed immediate leadership change but didn't resolve underlying doubts about Starmer.
Rising Stars Test The Water
- Siobhan Mahmood hinted at leadership ambition while insisting she's focused on being Home Secretary.
- Wes Streeting's conference speeches and karaoke performances suggested he might be cultivating a higher profile.