In today’s podcast, Michael Gove is joined by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Steve Reed, at a Spectator event titled ‘Levelling Up vs Pride in Place’, sponsored by Autodesk.

They discuss the evolution of government plans to empower local communities – from Big Society to Levelling Up and now Pride in Place – the challenges they face, the lessons that Labour is trying to learn from Conservative mistakes, and why continuity matters when it comes to governing.

However, their conversation coincides with a time when Labour’s continuity of leadership is under serious threat, given Wes Streeting’s resignation and – live as Michael and Steve were in conversation – the decision by Josh Simons MP to relinquish his duties as the MP for Makerfield so Andy Burnham can begin the process of returning to the Commons. Listen as Steve – one of Keir Starmer’s closest allies and friends – digests the news and responds to those who think there is a ‘caped superhero that’s coming our way who has got all the answers to these problems’.

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After days of deliberation, Wes Streeting has finally quit Keir Starmer’s government. At the stroke of 1 p.m., the Ilford MP resigned as Health Secretary in a two-page letter that laid out his differences with the Prime Minister. He details, at length, the results the pair have achieved in government and says they offer ‘good reasons for me to remain in post’. But: ‘As you know from our conversation earlier this week, having lost confidence in your leadership, I have concluded that it would be dishonourable and unprincipled to do so.’

So there we go – the starting gun has been fired on the Labour leadership race... or has it? Noa Hoffman, James Heale and Tim Shipman discuss how this carefully worded resignation leaves the door open for Andy Burnham.

Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

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Wes Streeting is/was expected to make his move today for the Labour leadership – but does he have the numbers? There was some frantic briefing last night, with competing claims about who has the required number of MPs and who might be prepared to give up their seat to Andy Burnham. It almost takes us back to the days of Tory infighting.

But the big news this morning is that Angela Rayner has been cleared by HMRC. In an incredibly well-timed judgment, there is now nothing standing in her way from making her own bid for the top job. So where are we on Thursday morning? What should we expect from the next 48 hours?

James Heale speaks to Tim Shipman and James Lyons, former director of strategic communications in Number 10.

Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.

For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts.

Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.