{"podcast":{"title":"This Is Why","slug":"this-is-why-1011487","podcast_index_feed_id":1011487,"rss_url":"https://feeds.captivate.fm/this-is-why/","website_url":"https://www.skynews.com","image_url":"https://artwork.captivate.fm/af4d448c-300f-43e5-b1cc-5994e35475fe/THIS-IS-WHY-HERO-1x1-3000px.jpg","author":"Sky News","episode_count":1000,"summary":"The world’s a pretty confusing place right now – so how do you make sense of it all? This Is Why takes one story every day, explains how we got here and why it matters to you. Sky News’ Niall Paterson speaks to experts and correspondents from around the world, getting simple answers to some complex questions. Available every weekday afternoon. This Is Why is a Sky News podcast – if you have a question, contact us: why@sky.uk","last_synced_at":"2026-08-01T00:18:38.462333+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/this-is-why-1011487"},"episode":{"title":"Why winning Makerfield might not be so easy for Andy Burnham","slug":"why-winning-makerfield-might-not-be-so-easy-for-andy-burnham","published_at":"2026-05-15T16:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/this-is-why-1011487/why-winning-makerfield-might-not-be-so-easy-for-andy-burnham","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/this-is-why-1011487","url":"https://www.skynews.com","audio_url":"https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/3b0a0b75-00b6-431e-8b2b-3e79a8fff688.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=2ca7ec14-a9a8-4a0c-8b24-e04eb2953ca0&aw_0_1st.episodeid=3b0a0b75-00b6-431e-8b2b-3e79a8fff688","summary":"The constituency of Makerfield has been a Labour safe seat for generations, but in the May elections, Reform UK won nearly every seat that was up for grabs at the local council. So how much of a gamble is it for Andy Burnham to try to stage a Commons return here? In his favour is his personal popularity in Greater Manchester and the fact he grew up in the area. Against him is the momentum of Reform and the fact that Makerfield hasn't benefitted from some of Burnham's key policies as mayor of the city. To discuss his chances, Niall speaks to Rob Ford, professor of political science at the University of Manchester. Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show - why@sky.uk","meta_description":"The constituency of Makerfield has been a Labour safe seat for generations, but in the May elections, Reform UK won nearly every seat that was up for grab…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":1250,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/this-is-why-1011487/episodes/why-winning-makerfield-might-not-be-so-easy-for-andy-burnham/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/this-is-why-1011487/why-winning-makerfield-might-not-be-so-easy-for-andy-burnham.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}