The Rest Is Politics

Podbit · The Rest Is Politics

545. Burnham Beats Reform: Britain’s Next Prime Minister?

Explore episode Jun 19, 2026

Where this was said

Aberdeen South: The Tory Win and the Energy Sovereignty Argument

At 26:35 · chapter starts 25:33

Rory Stewart pivots to Scotland, where the story from Makerfield's night was very different: the Conservatives beat the SNP in Aberdeen South, reversing the general election result, while Labour's vote fell 19 points. Stewart frames this as a vindication of the energy sovereignty argument: Norway's Prime Minister is calling for Arctic drilling, Middle Eastern supply is vulnerable via the Strait of Hormuz, Russian gas has been cut off, and over-reliance on Donald Trump's LNG is politically uncomfortable. The argument isn't about price — it is about Britain having its own supply. Alastair Campbell agrees the result signals political risk for Ed Miliband's energy policy, notes likely tactical voting from Labour to Tory to stop the SNP, and flags that the episode's special Question Time next week will feature EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen. Kemi Badenoch's rising net popularity rating is noted, though Campbell cautions against over-reading a Scottish result for her UK prospects.

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