548. Burnham vs. Westminster and Trump’s Next Target

Where this was said

Malcolm Turnbull, Peter Hyman, and Strategic Communication

At 30:20 · chapter starts 27:20

Alastair relays Malcolm Turnbull's live reaction from Australia — the speech was broadcast live on Australian TV, a remarkable indicator of international interest in a backbench MP. Turnbull's verdict: Burnham offers a politics of disruption that will appeal to angry Reform voters, while still being grounded in substance rather than pure populism. Peter Hyman's Substack provides the episode's most quotable framing: where Farage offers victimhood, Burnham offers agency; where Farage offers scapegoats, Burnham offers common purpose. Alastair then defends Burnham's choice not to take press questions after the speech, arguing it allowed serious media coverage to land without being immediately derailed by gotcha moments. Rory teases that Alastair himself previously attacked Boris and Rishi for the same tactic, prompting a spirited denial.

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He's offering a politics of disruption which will appeal to a lot of the angry voters who are supporting reform. And I think he's getting that balance between basically saying I am a disruptor, but the way I'm disrupting it is actually by taking on respite.

Alastair Campbell

548. Burnham vs. Westminster and Trump’…

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Technology

'Andy's Not Interested in AI' — Rory's Devastating Revelation

548. Burnham vs. Westminster and Trump’s Next Target · Jun 30, 2026 Technology

A member of Burnham's staff told Rory Stewart that Burnham simply isn't interested in AI. For Rory, that is 'completely devastating' — because AI is the closest thing to a magic growth lever that any incoming PM could pull.

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