Podcast Episodes

A snap election - surely not?

The Labour Party conference starts in Liverpool this weekend. It's a chance for Andy Burnham to lay out his vision for the country. Expect worldview,…

9 hours ago

Raise taxes, fix welfare later: Labour's tough sell

What a difference a year makes

The Labour Party conference awaits. Has Andy Burnham's folksy charm and optimism taken the party as far as it can, or c…

3 days, 8 hours ago

Trump and Burnham meet: what could go wrong?

The Burnham Trump meeting

Andy Burnham and Donald Trump will meet for the first time in New York next week. It's the biggest foreign policy moment in …

1 week ago

Mr Hope and Mr Sensible step into the danger zone

Will Labour raise taxes?

The cost of government borrowing is going up and up. That means the chancellor, John Healey, may well need to cut spending or…

1 week, 3 days ago

Assisted dying is dead. What next?

MPs have voted against the assisted dying bill. The legislation was defeated by a margin of 16 votes, with 286 MPs in favour and 270 against, after 3…

2 weeks ago

Why the UK is risking US anger with Israel sanctions

Ed Miliband, the foreign secretary, is announcing sanctions on Israel over West Bank settlements. Why is it such a priority for Andy Burnham's govern…

2 weeks, 3 days ago

Reform's conference begins with a crisis

Reform UK’s 2026 conference has begun in Birmingham under a cloud after Channel 4 broadcast allegations of an attempt to circumvent the rules on fore…

3 weeks ago

Starmerism with a human face: when vibes meet reality

Andy Burnham wants the first day back in the Commons to be all about hope. But how long can he and his chancellor John Healey keep up the feel-good v…

3 weeks, 3 days ago

West Bank sanctions: the snag - and Burnham's blockbuster autumn

Scoop: Ed Miliband is expected to announce two different kinds of sanctions over Israeli settlements in the West Bank. We have the details, but will …

1 month ago

Burnham's three big tests - and trouble at Reform UK

The prison early release scheme is Andy Burnham's first big test as prime minister. There are no good options. Can he make a successful argument that…

1 month, 1 week ago