The death of Pope Francis prompts a host of questions for our team about what separates faith leaders from political leaders. Should politicians "do God" and where does morality come in to the equation? In our weekend magazine edition, the team
With MPs back at Westminster this week, we ask which bit of the government in tray looks more scary: the domestic fiscal squeeze and search for growth or the epoch making shifts in geopolitics? And our team ask whether voters will make any allo
In an Easter special, our team assess the fortunes of the government and opposition parties since the start of 2025. How is Keir Starmer adapting to power and dealing with Donald Trump? Can Reform build on its strong showing in the polls? What
All the main parties backed some form of state intervention to save the Scunthorpe steel plant. Does this rare consensus mark a new era of the active state? Plus, the wider implications of the refuse strike in Birmingham. And which of us refers
Opinion polls often determine the political mood but now party leaders face the first set of elections since the general election, and a by-election. If the polls are right, Reform is set to make a significant breakthrough in local government a
The market impact of President Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariff war has been dramatic and disastrous already. The team asks whether Trump's political and corporate backers, and American voters, will stick with him or peel off as the ride becomes
With Labour targeting “working people” and implementing benefit cuts, and their opponents seeking to woo the better off who vote reliably, are the poor being left behind? Plus, a related issue, as supermarkets close their cafes and fracturing s
With Trump on the verge of announcing tarrifs and negotiating sympathetically with Putin where does this leaves Starmer’s polite diplomacy? Are other leaders more effective in taking an aggressive stance? Plus our take on Ed Davey riding a toy
Trump is unique for many reasons. One of them is his public projection, his near permanent presence on the TV screen commentating on his own presidency, updating on sensitive negotiations and announcing new ideas that are far from concrete poli
In another pivotal week for the Labour Chancellor our team discuss the degree to which Reeves is trapped and explore the options available. Our suggestions range widely and there is no consensus in the podcast around any of them, other than agr
In our weekend magazine edition the team delve deep on the question of divided parties. The British system, with first past the post and traditionally dominant large parties, rests on leaders being effective party managers. Does Keir Starmer ha
Liz Kendall has announced £5 billion of benefit cut but are her proposals an historic reform of welfare or driven speedily by Rachel Reeves’ need to meet her fiscal rules and Number Ten’s desire to please voters who support cuts in benefits ? W
Are the policies of the new administration causing an anti-American backlash? And how will European governments respond? The Brits may need to recalibrate in spite of decades spend standing "shoulder to shoulder" with the US. Post-Brexit, is th
Nigel’s Farage’s insurgent party is mired in infighting with Rupert Lowe MP having had the whip withdrawn. Is this row a minor spat or does it point to a bigger battle over the future direction of the party? Is Reform going to struggle to broad
In the middle of a blizzard of news, the team debate the best sources of analysis, perspective and context to help make sense of the current acceleration of history. With listening and reading recommendations (and a glass of wine for Steve). Ho
With events moving fast and the US President suspending military aid to Ukraine, Britain’s Prime Minister has been widely praised. Our team discuss his handling of the crisis and the British diplomatic effort to keep the US in Europe. What are
With Germany's election results highlighting the rise of populist parties across western democracies, the team take a broad look at the roots of the malaise feeding outsider parties of both left and right, including Reform UK. Is there common g
Keir Starmer has announced an increase in defence spending ahead of his trip to Washington this week. The announcement would not have been made now if he was not meeting President Trump. Many questions arise from this. Is Starmer right to make
With the world changing fast and America’s security guarantee of Europe’s security in doubt, or over, our team ask what will it mean for Keir Starmer and Britain’s political parties. If defence spending has to rise where will the money come fro
Trump has made his opening moves to end the war in Ukraine by starting a dialogue with Putin. Zelensky and European leaders look on fearfully. The team discuss whether Starmer has responded smartly or recklessly by saying UK forces could form p
A new book has caused waves by suggesting Morgan McSweeney wields more power than Keir Starmer. Is he freakishly influential as a behind the scenes figure? If so what does this tell us about Starmer? Or do all prime ministers depend on their ch
With President Trump casting aside political norms and Labour promising "disruption" this week's episode considers the roots of disaffection and whether a radical upheaval is on the way. The team start out assessing recent resignations but it q
We begin episode three with the fall of Margaret Thatcher approaching. What triggered her removal in November 1990? Had she lost the plot? Or was it really about Tory tensions over European policy? After explaining the fall, our team discuss Th
We begin episode two after the 1979 election when Margaret Thatcher became prime minister. Was she a radical with a pragmatic streak? What was the nature of the sweeping changes that she brought about? We focus on early monetarism and its conse
Are Starmer’s attempts to ‘reset’ the UK’s Brexit deal compatible with his desire to form close relations with Trump? If not which of the two will he choose? And what is Trump up to in imposing or threatening tarrifs? Hosted on Acast. See acast