Politics Weekly UK

After Ann Widdecombe’s murder, Reform UK has criticised the Commons speaker, Lindsay Hoyle and suggested its MPs are not given enough security. Pippa Crerar tells Kiran Stacey what Hoyle’s team have been telling her. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Andy Burnham has apologised for Labour’s slow response in calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. In an exclusive interview with Pippa Crerar, he says that more pressure should be put on the Israeli government, including a ban on trade in goods with illegal settlements. Burnham also says that there is increasing evidence that war crimes appear to have been committed, but that international courts must determine this, not politicians. Plus Pippa and Kiran discuss the fallout from Nigel Farage’s shock resignation on Tuesday. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Nigel Farage claimed he was the victim of an ‘establishment hit job’ after it was revealed he accepted money from his friend, the convicted felon George Cottrell. The parliamentary standards commissioner is currently investigating whether Farage broke the rules previously, in relation to an undisclosed gift from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne. Farage has always said the money was for personal use, and denied breaking any rules. But where does this leave him and the future of Reform UK?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Keir Starmer has been accused of leaving Andy Burnham with a £4.7bn black hole in defence funding. The government announced on Tuesday the defence investment plan, complete with a £15bn boost – but nearly £5bn would have to be found by a future chancellor. Allies of Burnham have called the announcement an ‘unexploded bomb’, so what options does the PM-in-waiting have? Kiran Stacey and Jessica Elgot discuss the political fallout. Plus Kiran and Jess answer your questions on Labour, No 10 North and Burnham. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Andy Burnham, the prime minister-in-waiting, has made his first major speech since becoming the MP for Makerfield. Speaking in Manchester, he said the Westminster system was ‘broken’ and that a ‘more of the same’ attitude would not work. He promised a ‘No 10 North’ as part of his proposals for devolution, the biggest council housebuilding programme since the post-war period, and ‘good growth in every postcode’. Pippa and Kiran look at what the speech tells us about Burnham’s ambitions for the economy. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod