There is considerable intrigue around Andy Burnham's possible cabinet, not least because the eldest Miliband brother is being linked to the position of Foreign Secretary. Are we about to see UK politic's Cain and Able story return for a second round? And most importantly, Is Andy Burnham ready?

Burnham's debut speech caused headlines with his bold plans to reshape the British state. But there are difficult questions lurking behind the rhetoric, namely what does any of it actually mean? Plus, Reform UK gears up to choose their top candidates to challenge Burnham in his own backyard.

Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times

Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times

Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times

Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson

Executive producer: Molly Guinness

Picture: Getty Images

Audio: Reuters

Email us: thestateofit@thetimes.co.uk

00:00 The Return of David Miliband?

02:53 The Miliband Brothers Psychodrama

04:23 Labour's "Boys Club" Optics Problem

08:02 The Brutal Fight for Top Cabinet Jobs

11:20 How Burnham is Manipulating Westminster

13:56 Burnham vs Starmer: The Real Difference

16:27 The Hidden Cost of Devolution (Tax Rises?)

19:31 What is "Number 10 North" Really About?

22:31 Why the Tories Fear Ed Miliband as Chancellor

25:29 Nigel Farage's Secret Plot for the North

27:35 The £5 Million Farage Crypto Investigation

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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

Andy Burnham and Keir Starmer both want an orderly transition but one day in, it's looking anything but orderly.

It's a transition beset with bad blood and uncertainty and also some serious technical hurdles. Is he building a plane mid-flight or is he more like Gromit, sitting on a speeding train, laying down the track in front of him?

The biggest unanswered question facing Andy Burnham is who will be his chancellor. Three names are in contention: bookmakers' favourite Wes Streeting, rank outsider Shabana Mahmood, and Ed Miliband — the bête noire of the bond markets.

Patrick reports from parliament's bars, where the champagne is flowing and Labour MPs have suddenly become shameless attention-seekers, hoping to seduce Andy Burnham's allies.

Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times

Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times

Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times

Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson

Executive producer: Molly Guinness

Picture: Getty Images

Audio: Reuters

Email us: thestateofit@thetimes.co.uk

0:00 - Can Andy Burnham Build the Plane Mid-Flight?

1:15 - Drama on the Commons Terrace: Euphoria & Champagne

4:20 - Keir Starmer's "Revenge" Timetable

6:30 - The Next Chancellor: Miliband vs. Streeting vs. Mahmood

13:12 - Scrapping the Triple Lock & Upcoming Wealth Taxes

17:37 - Inside Number 10: Starmer's Farewell Speech

19:33 - The £10bn Defence Plan Rupturing Labour

21:55 - Civil Service Gridlock: Why Access Talks Are Delayed

25:20 - The Crypto Billionaire Bankrolling Nigel Farage & Reform UK

29:00 - Will There Be an Emergency Election?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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

Andy Burnham could be prime minister within weeks after Keir Starmer's resignation. He may now need to build a government before the World Cup final. This is where the real trade-offs start. How long can Andy Burnham's hopey, changey, Northern Soul vibes last in Downing Street? There's already an almighty row going on over who will be his chancellor.

Also today, where did all go wrong for Keir Starmer and what did Labour MPs think of his resignation speech?

Wes Streeting has said he will not contest Andy Burnham for the Labour leadership, but are there any other possible candidates for the leadership contest?

Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times

Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times

Executive producer: Molly Guinness

Producers: Harry Kitson, Euan Dawtrey

Picture credit: Getty Images

Audio: Reuters

00:00 — Starmer’s Resignation: The Total Lack of Contrition

00:48 — A Surreal Timeline: Six Prime Ministers in a Decade

01:56 — The Emotional Exit vs. The Bitter Backroom Reality

03:04 — Where It Went Wrong: Sins of Tone & Policy U-Turns

04:30 — The Brutal Verdict: "He Wasn't Up To It"

05:47 — Outsourcing Power: Sue Gray, McSweeney, and Rachel Reeves

08:46 — Enter Andy Burnham: Can He Rebrand the Labour Party?

11:36 — Ed Miliband vs. The Financial Markets

14:31 — Team Burnham's Impossible Economic Trade-offs

16:36 — Will the Gloss Wear Off? The Unforgiving Spotlight of No. 10

18:24 — Legitimacy Crisis: Nigel Farage Demands an Early Election

20:06 — The Whitehall Machine in Total Chaos

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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