Can Andy Burnham remake Britain at home and abroad?

In this week’s episode of Independent Thinking, our experts discuss Andy Burnham’s first week in office as prime minister of the United Kingdom and the challenges that await him

Audio

Published 24 July 2026 — 40 minute listen

Andy Burnham took over as UK prime minister with a vow to restore hope in British politics – and an early volley of voter-friendly policy promises. But are they quite as significant as billed?

How much room to manoeuvre does Burnham really have? Will new chancellor John Healey release enough funds to the Ministry of Defence, which he quit in frustration? Does Ed Miliband have what it takes to succeed as foreign secretary? And how will Britain’s place in the world change?

Olivia O’Sullivan, director of Chatham House’s UK in the World Programme, is joined by The Economist’s political correspondent Hugo Gye and Chatham House associate fellow Jamie Gaskarth to discuss the first days of Burnham’s premiership.

About Independent Thinking

Independent Thinking is a weekly international affairs podcast hosted by our director Bronwen Maddox, in conversation with leading policymakers, journalists and Chatham House experts providing insight on the latest international issues.

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