The Real Andy Burnham (We've Known Him for 25 Years) | Political Currency

Who is Andy Burnham, really? What does the way he plays football tell us about how he'll govern Britain? Should a new Prime Minister call an early election or risk repeating the mistakes of Gordon Brown and Theresa May? In what’s been a momentous week in British politics, Ed Balls and George Osborne draw on more than 25 years of knowing Andy Burnham to explore what kind of Prime Minister he is likely to become. Ed has played football with Burnham in Demon Eyes F.C and served in Cabinet with him. George has negotiated across the political divide. In this episode, Ed and George go beyond the headlines to reveal the politician behind the public image. They discuss Burnham's leadership style, his biggest strengths, where he may struggle in Number 10, and the appointments that could define his premiership. Then they turn to one of the first major decisions facing any incoming Prime Minister: should Burnham seek an early general election? Ed sets out the three questions every new leader should ask before going to the country, while George explains why the Conservatives and Reform UK may fear an election sooner than many expect. Finally, with Keir Starmer entering his last weeks in Downing Street, Ed and George reflect on what really happens inside government during those strange end days of a premiership. Drawing on their own experiences during the departures of Gordon Brown and David Cameron, they reveal what happens behind the famous black door when everyone knows the end is coming. Political Currency is the award-winning podcast where former political rivals Ed Balls and George Osborne draw on their experience at the heart of government to explain the politics, economics and personalities shaping Britain and the world today. New episodes every Thursday. Bonus Ex Ministers' Questions (EMQs) every Monday. Got a question for Ed and George? Send your messages or voice notes to: [email protected] Ad-free and early access: 💼 To get episodes early and ad-free become a Political Currency Gold member or for even more perks, including our weekly newsletter, bonus content and live events, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:   / politicalcurrency   Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Connect with us on socials: ▶️ YouTube:    / @polcurrency   📸 Instagram:   / polcurrency   🐦 X: https://x.com/polcurrency 🎵 TikTok:   / polcurrency   🔗 Patreon:   / politicalcurrency   🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts