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.

We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles:

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Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:

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👉 Apple Podcasts

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.

After Keir Starmer delivered his resignation speech this morning, Ed Balls and George Osborne reflect on what comes next for the government, for the country, and for the outgoing Prime Minister. Was Starmer’s ‘clinical’ address a sign of a weak legacy and further inability to communicate his successes? The pair argue the performance was lacking in both emotion, and in recognition for the work of his cabinet colleagues.

Plus, as Wes Streeting backs down and a coronation of Andy Burnham seems imminent, will any other Labour MPs dare to stand against the King of the North? Or will they now start trying to book a spot at the next Cabinet table instead? Ed suggests an outsider candidate could launch a pre-contest to have their moment in the limelight and give Burnham some scrutiny. Meanwhile, George speaks of the need for Andy Burnham to nail down a plan for the government and get ahead of the tide of public opinion.

Lastly, they discuss where this leaves the Labour government two years on from its landslide majority. Has Starmer fallen into the same trap as previous governments of not sticking to a clear plan, as George says? And, as Ed theorises, is the Starmer legacy now tied to the performance of a future Burnham government?

We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles:

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Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:

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Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.

Credits:

Research: Sam Burton

Production: Caillin McDaid

Video Editor: Oliver Geraghty

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.