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Electoral Dysfunction

Sky News
Electoral Dysfunction
Latest episode

215 episodes

  • Electoral Dysfunction

    What does Nigel Farage’s win in Clacton actually prove?

    2026/08/14 | 40 mins.
    Nigel Farage is an MP once again as he was victorious in the Clacton by-election, winning 63% of the vote and overcoming his main competitor - Count Binface.
    But has the vote left us with more questions than answers? And why didn’t Farage go to the count?
    Ruth Davidson and Harriet Harman are joined by pollster Luke Tryl, executive director of More In Common, to dissect Farage’s victory.
    Plus, Harriet explains what happens next when it comes to the parliamentary standards' investigation into Farage's finances, and why she thinks another by-election could be imminent.
    To listen without ads, get new episodes a week early, exclusive bonus episodes, and much more, become a Sky News Insider. Find out more and subscribe at https://skynews.com/electoraldysfunction
    Got a question for the burner phone? WhatsApp 07934 200 444 or email electoraldysfunction@sky.uk.
    Sky News Insider requires a paid subscription and is available to UK listeners aged 18 and over.
  • Electoral Dysfunction

    'I hated it': Jess Phillips on life inside Keir Starmer's government

    2026/08/07 | 35 mins.
    Hear from Jess Phillips regularly on our Tuesday members episode, subscribe at https://skynews.com/electoraldysfunction
    Jess Phillips joins Beth Rigby to reflect on her time as a minister under Keir Starmer.
    And she asks whether Andy Burnham can fulfil the Labour manifesto commitment to halve violence against women and girls in a decade. Are disinterested government departments to blame for slow progress?
    Plus, why did Gaza nearly cost Jess her Birmingham Yardley seat, and will the row over Labour’s policy in the Middle East continue to plague inner-city MPs?
    To listen without ads, get new episodes a week early, exclusive bonus episodes, and much more, become a Sky News Insider. Find out more and subscribe at https://skynews.com/electoraldysfunction
    Got a question for the burner phone? WhatsApp 07934 200 444 or email electoraldysfunction@sky.uk.
    Sky News Insider requires a paid subscription and is available to UK listeners aged 18 and over.
  • Electoral Dysfunction

    ‘Intensely unpopular’: Was Keir Starmer doomed from the start?

    2026/07/31 | 43 mins.
    Beth Rigby and Harriet Harman dive into what went wrong for Sir Keir Starmer – and why the public turned against him so quickly.
    And Harriet asks if the Labour party might, in retrospect, have been able to ride out those disastrous local election results without changing its leader.
    Plus – why has the Labour party waited so long for a female leader, and is a woman-only shortlist the answer?
    We’ll be back on Tuesday for our Sky News Insider subscribers - find out how to subscribe here: https://skynews.com/electoraldysfunction
    And here's a taster of this week's bonus episode.
    Got a question for the burner phone? WhatsApp 07934 200 444 or email electoraldysfunction@sky.uk.
    Sky News Insider requires a paid subscription and is available to UK listeners aged 18 and over.
  • Electoral Dysfunction

    Is the Burnham government starting to feel like The Traitors?

    2026/07/24 | 45 mins.
    In appointing his new cabinet Andy Burnham has removed many of Keir Starmer's faithfuls, including previously key figures like Rachel Reeves and Darren Jones.
    And critics feel 'traitors' who had tried to destabilise the recently departed PM are being rewarded for their disloyalty.
    Former Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, called for Starmer to go back in February. Now he's off to the Lords for a ministerial job under Burnham.
    At the Electoral Dysfunction Round Table, Beth Rigby asks Harriet Harman and Ruth Davidson how Burnham can deal with the bad blood his choices have created. Harriet wants him to 'build bridges' with those he ousted.
    We also have lots of questions from Dysfunctioners about a big political week.
    We’ll be back on Tuesday for our Sky News Insider subscribers - find out how to subscribe here: https://skynews.com/electoraldysfunction
    Got a question for the burner phone? WhatsApp 07934 200 444 or email electoraldysfunction@sky.uk.

    Sky News Insider requires a paid subscription and is available to UK listeners aged 18 and over.
  • Electoral Dysfunction

    Did a "difficult woman" upset Andy Burnham's cabinet plans?

    2026/07/22 | 38 mins.
    We didn't get details of Andy Burnham's top team until most people had gone to bed... so why did it take so long?
    Beth, Jess, Harriet and Ruth discuss whether some ministers negotiated for different jobs – and whether nobody wanted to be justice secretary.
    Harriet also has stern words for "bitter" former cabinet ministers who are criticising the new government from the sidelines.
    If you would like to subscribe to Sky News Insider, find out how here https://skynews.com/electoraldysfunction
    Got a question for the burner phone? WhatsApp 07934 200 444 or email electoraldysfunction@sky.uk.
    Sky News Insider requires a paid subscription and is available to UK listeners aged 18 and over.
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About Electoral Dysfunction
Political powerhouses Beth Rigby, Ruth Davidson and Harriet Harman unite to unravel the spin and explain what’s really going on in Westminster and beyond. Each episode examines who holds influence, what politicians are really saying, and the forces driving decisions behind closed doors. With authoritative insight and candid conversation, they assess who is rising, who is falling, and who is heading for Electoral Dysfunction. For audience questions and comments, message the team on WhatsApp: 07934 200444
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