Podcast Episodes

Persistent Knobheadery

Keir Starmer has suspended four of his MPs over repeated breaches of party discipline, or as one party source described it to the Times, “persistent …

7 months, 2 weeks ago

PMQs: Don't Mention The Data Leak

Keir Starmer said Conservative ex-ministers have serious questions to answer over the Afghanistan data leak at the start of Prime Minister's Question…

7 months, 2 weeks ago

Melania, Billionaires And The Power Of Pessimism

Patrick Maguire is unpacking the politics of the day, asking James Marriott and Libby Purves whether Melania Trump changed the US president's mind ov…

7 months, 3 weeks ago

Tax Rises: The Question Of The Summer

What is a "working person" and who is on a "modest income"? Government ministers are pressed to say who could face higher taxes, as expectation mount…

7 months, 3 weeks ago

Sick Note Britain?

GPs are being told to stop handing out so many sick notes as part of the government's efforts to get more people back to work. And why are women turn…

7 months, 3 weeks ago

"Washed-up Tories" Defecting to Reform

Former Conservative Chairman Jake Berry is the second ex-Tory minister to defect to Reform this week, but is this working in Nigel Farage's favour?

Hu…

7 months, 3 weeks ago

PMQs: 'Flirting' With A Wealth Tax

Keir Starmer reiterated his tax pledges at PMQs as Kemi Badenoch accused him of 'flirting' with a wealth tax. 

Hugo Rifkind pauses and unpacks the exc…

8 months ago

Can Starmer and Macron Stop the Boats?

Keir Starmer is hoping to use the French President's visit as a chance to talk migration, but will they reach a deal? 

Hugo Rifkind is joined by Times…

8 months ago

Another Labour Rebellion Looms

The government could be facing another backbench rebellion, this time over its plans to reform special needs support. Why aren't the 'Starmtoopers' a…

8 months ago

Can A New Left-Wing Party Succeed

A year after Labour's landslide election victory, how serious is the threat to Keir Starmer from a new left-wing party led by Zarah Sultana and (poss…

8 months ago