With Andy Burnham tipped to waltz into Downing Street in a few weeks, the seventh UK prime minister in since 2016 we ask -

❓Is the UK ungovernable ?

❓Are the public too hard to please?

❓Are parliamentary parties addicted to the drama of leadership coups?

❓Is First Past The Post failing to drive consensus and compromise in a divided nation?

❓Is the fickle faith in leaders a new thing?

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It’s only Wednesday and it’s already been quite the week for the Prime Minister.

What questions will he face at PMQs ?

Will straight answers be in any greater supply than last week?

Join us as we listen to the questions from party leaders and Sir Keir Starmer’s answers.

Full exchange on the Parliament Youtube channel

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We take a look at what Andy Burnham’s resounding win in the Makerfield by election might mean.

Despite predictions of a photo finish result - Burnham romped home with 55% of the vote.

🔴What could the surprise result mean?

🔴How quickly will a Labour leadership contest ensue?

🔴How many contenders will fight for the crown?

Tell us what you think happens next and who will win out.

Leave us a comment or send a voice note or email studio@pppodcast.uk

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Future shows:-

Social media ban

Do you have something to say about the government's plans to ban social media for the under 16's ?

You might think it's the best idea, or may thing it's unworkable or government intrusion into lives where parents should be in control?

Brexit - 10 years on

How do you feel about Brexit as the 10 anniversary of the vote to leave the EU approaches on June 23rd.

Have you changed your mind? What have been the greatest wins from leaving the EU? What form do you think our future relationship with the EU should take? Should we join the customs union or single market ? Should we rejoin?

If you have something to contribute to either the social media ban or Brexit 10 years on topics, please let us know, whether you just have comments to share or maybe would want to join us on the show - send us a message on Facebook or voice-note or email studio@pppodcast.uk

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The PM’s away, join us as we look at today’s PMQs with David Lammy.

Asking questions from the opposition parties were:-

Shadow Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho

Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats Daisy Cooper

With Kier Starmer away at the G7, was this the time for the Deputy PM to shine, or was he just filling in? Which questions asked deserved a decent answer? Which got one? How much was point scoring, and how much was policy defining?

Full exchange on the Parliament channel

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Refreshed after an exhausting local election campaign, we catch up with Cllr Steve Pitt - Leader of Portsmouth City Council and ask how the minority Liberal Democrat administration in Portsmouth was able to secure a majority & what this changes for the council and the city. We discuss LGR & devolution, and what the uncertainty over the delivery of both creates in the way of problems for the city.

We also touch on the uncertainty floating about with the Labour leadership challenge that's effectively on hold until after the Makerfield by election.

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Join us as we review the results from Thursday. Where were the surprises?

-Was it as good or as bad as night as some are saying?

-Is there any difference between how the wards in Portsmouth North voted vs the wards in Portsmouth South?

-With turnout up - was there an increase in votes overall, or were voters for any party more motivated to get out and vote than others?

Our Results charts

PCC's Election results page

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Joining us for our 2026 Drayton & Farlington ward hustings are:-

🟦Simon Bosher

🟥Matthew Holland

(Our invitation was extended to the other three candidates).

Hustings rules available on our website https://www.pppodcast.uk/2026-hustings

Questions

1. What are the top three issues in the ward & how would you fix them?
2. Traffic and parking are frequent frustrations for residents - how would you tackle them?
3. What would you do to breathe new life into our shopping areas, or is the high street as we know it dead?
4. How will you increase the availability of defibrillators, and make sure they are shared on the responder app & BHF network so they can be found when needed?
5. To what degree do national politics overshadow local issues - which is more important, person or party?
6. HMOs. Good bad or ugly? Would you seek to improve them, limit them or stop them all together?
7. What would you see the council do to tackle the knife crime and other violent assaults on our city's streets?
8. LGR - good or bad thing for Portsmouth?
9. This year we celebrate the centenary of Portsmouth - what about the city are you most proud?

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Joining us for our 2026 Copnor ward hustings are:-

🟦Ben Swann

🟥Andy Butterworth

(Our invitation was extended to the other three candidates).

Hustings rules available on our website https://www.pppodcast.uk/2026-hustings

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aT--wYfSSM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2klCbY4ZH4

Questions

1. What are the top three issues in the ward & how would you fix them?
2. Traffic and parking are frequent frustrations for residents - how would you tackle them?
3. What would you do to breathe new life into our shopping areas, or is the high street as we know it dead?
4. Voter turnout across the city varies significantly, with some wards repeatedly less than half of others. How can this be addressed?
5. To what degree do national politics overshadow local issues - which is more important, person or party?
6. HMOs. Good bad or ugly? Would you seek to improve them, limit them or stop them all together?
7. What would you see the council do to tackle the knife crime and other violent assaults on our city's streets?
8. LGR - good or bad thing for Portsmouth?
9. This year we celebrate the centenary of Portsmouth - what about the city are you most proud?

Support Pompey Politics Podcast

Apple Podcast

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Subscribe on Youtube, Follow on Facebook or signup for our email newsletter. Donate to support the podcast