This Is Why

The constituency of Makerfield has been a Labour safe seat for generations, but in the May elections, Reform UK won nearly every seat that was up for grabs at the local council.
So how much of a gamble is it for Andy Burnham to try to stage a Commons return here?
In his favour is his personal popularity in Greater Manchester and the fact he grew up in the area. Against him is the momentum of Reform and the fact that Makerfield hasn't benefitted from some of Burnham's key policies as mayor of the city.
To discuss his chances, Niall speaks to Rob Ford, professor of political science at the University of Manchester.
Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show - [email protected]

On Thursday lunchtime, Wes Streeting resigned from Sir Keir Starmer’s government. The now-former health secretary said he had “lost confidence” in the PM’s premiership – the first cabinet minister to jump ship.
But what he didn’t say (yet) is that he will challenge Starmer for the Labour leadership – and with it, the keys to Number 10.
So, why hasn’t Streeting fired the starting gun on a contest his critics say he’s been desperate to fight? What sort of leader might he eventually be, and what’s his track record in government?
Niall is joined by Sky News’ political correspondent Rob Powell.
Watch Wes Streeting’s appearance on Electoral Dysfunction with Beth Rigby here.
Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: [email protected]

The UK is providing jets, drones and our only operational Type 45 destroyer – HMS Dragon – as part of a multinational mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz.
Thousands of tankers and cargo ships remain stranded after the Strait was closed at the end of February due to the Iran war.
Defence Secretary John Healey has stressed the deployment is a defensive measure to secure freedom of navigation – but will only be used once a ceasefire is in place.
Will these military assets actually make a difference, and how does the Ministry of Defence operate at a time of such political uncertainty?
Niall is joined by military analyst Professor Michael Clarke to find out more about the mission and the equipment the UK is sending.
For more on HMS Dragon, you can listen to our episode with defence analyst Tom Sharpe here.
Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: [email protected]

Keir Starmer is on the brink, as more and more Labour MPs and ministers call for his resignation – less than two years after he walked into Number 10.
He remains defiant (for now), but whatever the fate of the prime minister, his predicament is one we've seen repeated over the past decade in a seemingly never-ending cycle of chopping and changing leaders.
Since David Cameron's resignation in 2016 – after Britain voted to leave the European Union – no prime minister has served a full parliamentary term.
Gareth Barlow speaks to pollster and founder at Merlin Strategy Scarlett Maguire about our impatience with politics and why the country feels ungovernable.
Have you got a question for the show? Email us: [email protected]

Despite a disastrous set of local and national election results, the prime minister has vowed to carry on regardless. But dozens of Sir Keir Starmer's Labour MPs have now called on him to resign – or at least set out a timetable for when he will leave Downing Street.
Surely choosing a replacement – or even triggering a leadership contest – should be straightforward? However, even though there are any number of potential challengers, the PM could well be safer than you think.
Niall is joined by Sky’s political correspondent, Lucy McDaid, to discuss the Labour leadership election process, how it differs from the Tories and what needs to happen for Starmer to be ousted.
Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show: [email protected]