Well, the leader stepped up. He delivered when it mattered, and he proved to be a winner.

Andy Burnham, you should be so lucky as it was Harry Kane who spared England's blushes this week.

But it's true we're watching closely how both of them perform when they get to a higher

altitude. And for now, at least, it's still coming home, but is that home, Manchester, London or

somewhere else? I promise that is it for tortured football analogies. My name is Alex Thomas,

and this is Inside Briefing the podcast from the Institute for Government, recording until we are

instructed otherwise in London. And the King of the North for Government, recording until we are instructed otherwise in

London. And the King of the North says he will remain, for some of the time, in his kingdom.

Andy Burnham, weeks away from succeeding Kirstama as Prime Minister, has set out his vision for

a devolution circuit breaker, powered by a new No. 10 in Manchester. If and when that becomes

reality, how does it work alongside the original?

Who calls the shots? Who is in charge? And do we need a new job lot of shiny black doors?

And what will it mean, more importantly, for the balance of power across the centre of government?

And then on to Keir Stama's parting gift or parting shot. The outgoing Prime Minister has signed off on the

much anticipated defence investment plan. What is in it? How will it be paid for? Will

we ever trust the Ministry of Defence to spend our money? And will the truce finally be called

on all those rows about the defence budget? All of that to come. Joining me throughout

is our very own King of the North and that's our chieftain economist Tom Pope, based for several years now in Manchester. Tom, can you feel the power flowing into the north-west? There's something in the air up here, Alex. Glad to hear it. Hannah Keenan, who leads our civil service work programme, is here with me in London too. Are you ready to relocate if you're called upon, Hannah? Oh, any day, Alex. And I'm delighted that we're joined again by Sir David Littington, whose long ministerial career included time at the Foreign Office, Cabinet Office and as Theresa May's deputy. Hello, David. After all those Conservative Party leadership changes in recent years, how are you finding the experience of watching Labour follow suit? I mean, there's a side of me that just feels in human terms, sympathy for Kea Stama,

because I've seen close up with Conservative Prime Ministers.

It's grim when somebody has to step down from being head of governance

is something that they have had an ambition force driven for throughout their political career.

But my goodness, you know, talk about leaving poison pills for your successor.

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