Episodes

  • It’s been two days since chancellor Rachel Reeves put a £40bn tax increase at the heart of a plan to fix the country’s “broken” finances and public services, and unveiled a sharp increase in borrowing to fund an extra £100bn of capital spending. But will these measures bolster investment and growth in the UK economy? And what does the Budget tell us about the country’s economic direction over the next five years? The FT’s Lucy Fisher discusses these questions and more with UK political editor George Parker, columnist and host of The Economics Show Soumaya Keynes and economics editor Sam Fleming.


    This is a recording of an FT Live subscribers’ webinar, recorded on Friday, November 1.


    Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, George on @GeorgeWParker, Sam @Sam1Fleming and Soumaya @SoumayaKeynes


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    Budget poses new challenge for UK public finances, Moody’s warns


    Business and wealthy bear brunt of £40bn tax increases in UK Budget


    The Budget in brief: what you need to know


    Reeves has made her choice — but success is not guaranteed


    Rachel Reeves defiant after historic tax and spend Budget


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    Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com


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  • Rachel Reeves has rewritten her fiscal rules on the eve of her seismic first Budget next week. She says her new borrowing rule will help get Britain building, but how will it go down with voters – and the markets? Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer is in Samoa, where a debate about reparations for slavery has threatened to overshadow the Commonwealth summit. Plus, the PM has had to grapple with Donald Trump’s allegations of illegal election interference by Labour. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by Political Fix regular Stephen Bush and FT political correspondent Anna Gross, along with the FT’s deputy Washington bureau chief Lauren Fedor.


    Will Labour’s budget boost growth? Ask the FT’s economics editor Sam Fleming and colleagues at a Political Fix live subscriber webinar, hosted by Lucy Fisher, on Nov 1 at 1300 GMT. Register for your free pass at ft.com/ukgrowth


    Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, Stephen @stephenkb, Anna @AnnaSophieGross and Lauren @LaurenFedor


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    Rachel Reeves confirms change to UK fiscal rules to help fund £20bn of annual investment

    Rachel Reeves: My fiscal rules will provide the stability on which growth depends

    Keir Starmer flies to Samoa to answer tricky questions from Commonwealth allies

    Donald Trump accuses UK Labour party of interference in White House race 

    Labour paid for top Starmer aide to attend Democratic National Convention

    A Trump victory would end ‘normal’ politics between UK and US


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    Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. 


    Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com



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  • Rachel Reeves’s plans for a tough spending round later this month have sparked a fierce revolt among a raft of cabinet ministers. But will their protests make a difference? Host Lucy Fisher is joined by Political Fix regulars Robert Shrimsley and George Parker to discuss. They also hear from the FT’s chief features writer Henry Mance about the cash-strapped and crumbling English justice system. Plus, the panel considers whether Labour’s investment summit was a success and who is shaping up to win the Tory leadership contest.


    Will Labour’s Budget boost growth? Ask the FT’s economics editor Sam Fleming and colleagues at a Political Fix live subscriber webinar, hosted by Lucy Fisher, on Nov 1 at 1300 GMT Register for your free pass at ft.com/ukgrowth


    Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, George @GeorgeWParker, Robert @robertshrimsley, Henry @henrymance


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    Read Henry’s report here: How the English courts reached breaking point


    Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves face down cabinet revolt over spending cuts


    Rachel Reeves looking at sweeping inheritance tax changes in Budget


    UK innovation will be undermined by science department Budget squeeze, industry leaders warn


    Robert Jenrick vs Kemi Badenoch: meet the next Conservative leader


    David Lammy to raise human rights and support for Russia on China trip


    Sign up here for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award. 


    Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Tamara Kormornick. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. Andrew Giorgiades and Rod Fitzgerald were the studio engineers. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.


    Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • What kind of economy did Labour inherit this summer, and how does Britain measure up to international comparators? Political Fix host Lucy Fisher sits down with Martin Wolf to examine the strengths and weaknesses inherent in the UK’s economy as Rachel Reeves prepares for her seismic first Budget on October 30. Wolf assesses the options facing the chancellor on tax, spending and debt. 


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    Keir Starmer vows to rip up bureaucracy to unleash ‘shock and awe’ of investment


    Rachel Reeves’s Budget must rescue Britain from its growth trap


    Reeves struggles to escape from self-imposed restraints


    Rachel Reeves needs a credible growth plan


    You too can step into the chancellor’s shoes and find out if you can run the UK economy with the FT’s new Budget game. Go to ft.com/chancellor-game and play from Tuesday, October 15


    Follow Lucy on X @LOS_Fisher


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    Presented by Lucy Fisher. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. 


    Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com


    View our accessibility guide 


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • As Labour reaches 100 days in government we take stock of how Sir Keir Starmer and his team have performed. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by Political Fix regulars Robert Shrimsley, Miranda Green and Jim Pickard to assess Labour’s stumbles – as well as its achievements – as the party gets to grips with power. The panel also examines what made it into Labour's flagship workers’ rights legislation – finally published this week. Plus, after the surprise elimination of moderate candidate James Cleverly from the Tory leadership race, how is the final stretch of the contest shaping up between rightwingers Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick?


     

    Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, Jim on X: @PickardJE, Robert @robertshrimsley, Miranda @greenmiranda


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    Keir Starmer looks to Morgan McSweeney to fix Labour teething troubles

    UK ministers fire starting gun on landmark worker rights reform

    Robert Jenrick vs Kemi Badenoch: meet the next Conservative leader

    The battle of Labour’s three brains

    This Tory leadership ballot suits nobody, only perhaps Keir Starmer 


    Sign up here for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award. 


    Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Clare Williamson with Mischa Frankl-Duval. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. Andrew Giorgiades and Rod Fitzgerald were the studio engineers.

    The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. 


    Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Who’s up and who’s down in the Tory leadership race after the four-day beauty parade at the party’s conference in Birmingham? Host Lucy Fisher and Political Fix regulars George Parker and Stephen Bush assess the four contenders’ performances, as Conservative MPs prepare to whittle down the field to two next week. The panel are also joined by the FT’s public policy editor Peter Foster to discuss Sir Keir Starmer’s first step on the road to resetting UK-EU relations. Plus, the group discusses the latest twist in freebiegate.


    Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher; George on X @GeorgeWParker, Stephen @stephenkb and Peter @pmdfoster


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    Tories embrace life in opposition at party conference

    Conservatives should pick James Cleverly. Here’s why they won’t 

    Keir Starmer to repay £6,000 for gifts including Taylor Swift tickets 

    Keir Starmer looks for post-Brexit ‘reset’ in meeting with EU leaders

    US and G7 warn Israel against strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities


    Sign up here for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award. 


    Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. 


    Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Labour’s conference in Liverpool should have been a celebratory event after its landslide win in the July election. Political editor George Parker, standing in for Lucy Fisher, is joined by Miranda Green and Robert Shrimsley to discuss why the mood was anything but triumphant. Plus, economics editor Sam Fleming explains how the government might increase capital spending despite Labour’s repeated warnings that the state coffers are empty; and chief foreign affairs commentator Gideon Rachman steps into the studio to assess Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s debut on the world stage at the UN general assembly this week. Lucy Fisher is back next week.

    Follow George on X: @GeorgeWParker, Robert @robertshrimsley, Miranda @greenmiranda, Sam @Sam1Fleming and Gideon @gideonrachman.


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    Keir Starmer struggles to fix morale at ‘weird’ Labour conference


    Rachel Reeves paves way for capital spending increase


    Gilt investors urge Reeves to keep investment ambitions in check


    Keir Starmer meets Donald Trump in New York


    Keir Starmer plays down significance of Storm Shadow decision for Ukraine


    Sign up here for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award. 


    Presented by George Parker. Produced by Tamara Kormornick. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The broadcast engineers were Rod Fitzgerald and Andrew Georgiadis. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.


    Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • A growing controversy around Lord Waheed Alli’s donations to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria risks tarnishing the new government, while propelling the normally discreet Labour donor into the public eye. Lucy Fisher discusses the saga with Political Fix regulars Stephen Bush and Jim Pickard. Plus, the panel is joined by chief business correspondent Michael O’Dwyer as business leaders warn that the UK government’s tax-raising plans and negativity about its economic inheritance risk undermining its efforts to boost private sector investment.


    Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, Stephen @stephenkb, Jim @PickardJE, Michael @_MODwyer


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    Labour denies ‘transparency’ issue after clothing donation to Keir Starmer’s wife


    Waheed Alli: How Labour donor’s largesse tarnished government’s squeaky clean image


    UK government borrowing overshoots in blow to Rachel Reeves


    Why has Sue Gray’s salary stoked unease and vicious briefings?


    Lib Dems to press Rachel Reeves to raise taxes on banks and wealthy


    Sign up here for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 “Best Newsletter” award. 


    Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Tamara Kormornick with help from Leah Quinn. The broadcast engineers were Rod Fitzgerald and Andrew Georgiadis. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. 


    Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • A government-commissioned review has found the NHS on life support. Can Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer succeed where his predecessors have failed in turning around the health service? And how long has he got to do it? Lucy Fisher is joined by Political Fix regulars Robert Shrimsley and George Parker, plus the FT’s global health editor Sarah Neville, to examine the future of the NHS for the country’s health, politics and economy. And party conference season is upon us, so what are the flash points ahead? Leah Quinn joins the conversation.


    Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, George @GeorgeWParker, Sarah @SarahNev Robert @robertshrimsley and Leah @thelittlerquinn


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    Links:


    England’s NHS in ‘critical condition’, official review finds 


    NHS to receive ‘no more money without reform’, says Starmer 


    ‘Dire’ NHS report shows scale of Sir Keir Starmer’s turnaround challenge

    And then there were four: The surviving Tory leadership hopefuls


    Green party calls for long-term approach to UK’s problems 



    Sign up here for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award. 


    Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. Audio engineer, Jean-Marc Eck. Broadcast engineers Andrew Georgiades and Petros Gioumpasis. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. 


    Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com


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  • With a planned overhaul of employment law imminent and moves to renationalise rail companies, we’re asking whether Labour has got it in for business. The FT’s Lucy Fisher is joined by colleagues Miranda Green and Jim Pickard to discuss the Labour government’s apparently more interventionist approach to business. Plus Middle East editor Andrew England joins the panel to analyse the UK government’s decision to suspend some arms export licences to Israel.


    Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, Jim on @PickardJE, Miranda on @greenmiranda and Andrew @cornishft 


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    Priti Patel knocked out of Tory leadership contest as Robert Jenrick tops first poll 


    Labour stands on the law to defend UK policy shift on Israel


    ‘Incompetence, dishonesty and greed’: Key findings of Grenfell report


    Tory HQ becomes ‘ghost ship’ after wave of senior staff exits


    Water executives to face jail if they obstruct UK investigations


    Sign up here for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award. 


    Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. Broadcast engineers Andrew Giorgiades and Rod Fitzgerald. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. 


    Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • A 'painful' Budget awaits this autumn and things will get 'worse before they get better', Sir Keir Starmer warned this week. But is Labour taking a risk projecting such a gloomy outlook? Political Fix host Lucy Fisher is joined by regulars Stephen Bush and Robert Shrimsley, as well as FT economics editor Sam Fleming, to consider how the new government might fund the fiscal black hole it claims the Tories left behind – and find a message of hope. Plus, the group analyses who’s ahead and who’s falling back in the Tory leadership race.


    Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, Stephen @stephenkb, Robert @robertshrimsley, Sam @Sam1Fleming


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    Wealthy households and businesses brace for tax rises after Starmer speech


    Starmer warned he cannot sidestep Brussels in bid to reset UK-EU relations


    Eurozone inflation falls to 2.2% in August


    JD Vance urges billionaire Peter Thiel to help bankroll Trump campaign


    Pubs hit out at UK plans to ban smoking in outdoor areas


    Sign up here for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award. 


    Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Tamara Kormornick with Leah Quinn. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Sound engineering by Jean-Mark Eck with original music by Breen Turner. Broadcast engineering by Andrew Georgiades and Rod Fitzgerald. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.


    Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com


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  • Democrats from across the US gathered in Chicago for their presidential convention this week, promising to move past the Donald Trump-era of American politics. But if their newly-minted nominee, vice-president Kamala Harris, wins November’s election, she’ll have her work cut out to keep her party together. The FT’s deputy Washington bureau chief, Lauren Fedor, and US political news editor, Derek Brower, join the FT's US politics podcast, Swamp Notes, to explain what the future of the party might look like.


    Mentioned in this podcast:

    Five key points from Kamala Harris’s acceptance speech

    Kamala Harris vows to ‘strengthen, not abdicate’ US global leadership

    Kamala Harris’s underwhelming economic agenda

    Listen to Swamp Notes every Saturday on the feed of the FT News Briefing


    Swamp Notes is produced by Ethan Plotkin, Sonja Hutson, Lauren Fedor and Marc Filippino. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Special thanks to Pierre Nicholson. 


    CREDIT: PBS NewsHour


    Register now for the FT Weekend Festival, and claim £24 off your pass using promo code FTPodcast at: ft.com/festival


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  • The billionaire owner of X, Elon Musk, has launched attacks on the UK government following the riots. So, how should Keir Starmer’s government deal with the self-declared “free speech absolutist” and his social media platform? The FT’s political editor George Parker is joined by Political Fix regulars Miranda Green and Stephen Bush, as well as political correspondent Anna Gross. Plus, the team considers how Rachel Reeves will be able to promote growth in the UK while balancing the books. And, as Keir Starmer cancels his holidays - should politicians always take their vacations?


    Follow George on X: @GeorgeWParker, Stephen @stephenkb, Miranda @greenmiranda, Anna @AnnaSophieGross


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    Brussels slaps down Thierry Breton over ‘harmful content’ letter to Elon Musk


    False information cases in wake of riots test UK’s online safety law


    AstraZeneca vaccine project in doubt as UK Treasury seeks to cut state aid 


    UK government plans fresh investment in supercomputing despite axing aid 


    How taking a holiday went global


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    Presented by George Parker. Produced by Audrey Tinline. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix by Sean McGarrity and original music by Breen Turner. Studio engineer: Petros Gioumpasis. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. 


    Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com


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  • Sir Keir Starmer has told police to stay on ‘high alert’ for more disorder, as rafts of rioters receive lengthy jail sentences in Britain’s courts. Has the unrest petered out, or could it yet flare up again? And how will the government get a grip on the longer-term challenges the recent violence has thrown up – from illegal immigration to community cohesion? The FT’s Lucy Fisher is joined by northern England correspondent Jennifer Williams and UK correspondent William Wallis to assess the fallout. Plus Sunder Katwala, director of British Future, a think-tank specialising in integration, joins with his analysis of how Starmer should start to heal the ‘fractious, divided and anxious country’.


    Follow Lucy on Twitter @LOS_Fisher, Jen @JenWilliamsMEN, William @WWFTUK, Sunder @sundersays


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    Keir Starmer tells police to stay on ‘high alert’ as UK rioters jailed


    Far-right riots centred on England’s deprivation hotspots


    The volatile far right on UK streets is becoming more difficult to label


    Huge UK anti-racist rallies held as far-right protests fail to materialise


    To take part in an audience survey, and to be in with the chance to win a pair of Bose QuietComfort 35 Wireless Headphones, click here. Click here to find T&Cs for the prize draw.


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    Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Leah Quinn and Audrey Tinline. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix by Sean McGarrity and original music by Breen Turner. Studio engineers: Andrew Georgiades and Petros Gioumpasis. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. 


    Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Sir Keir Starmer has announced a new national policing unit to tackle violent disorder as he vows to “put a stop” to unrest on British streets led by far-right “thugs”. But will it be enough to prevent a summer of riots? And is the unrest symptomatic of wider concerns? Lucy Fisher discusses these questions with colleagues Miranda Green, Camilla Cavendish and Anna Gross. Plus, after the chancellor Rachel Reeves accused the last Tory government of “lying” about its spending commitments, the group get to the bottom of the matter. They also examine Labour’s willingness to take on pensioners.


    Follow Lucy on Twitter @LOS_Fisher, Miranda on @greenmiranda, Anna on @AnnaSophieGross and Camilla on @CamCavendish


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    Keir Starmer announces new violent disorder unit as police brace for more riots


    Police make arrests after riot in UK town where girls died in mass stabbing


    Who is to blame for the UK government’s overspending?


    Rachel Reeves says she will raise taxes at the Budget


    The volatile far right on UK streets is becoming more difficult to label


    To take part in an audience survey, and get the chance to win a pair of Bose QuietComfort 35 Wireless Headphones, click here. Click here to find T&Cs for the prize draw.


    Sign up for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award: 

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    Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Leah Quinn and Josh Gabert-Doyon. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix by Sean McGarrity and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. 


    Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • The chancellor Rachel Reeves is about to confront the British public with the size of the black hole in the country’s finances. A funding shortfall of about £20bn is likely to lead to tax rises at the Budget later this year. So — how to fix the problem? The FT’s political editor George Parker sits down with colleagues Stephen Bush and Robert Shrimsley to consider the government’s options. Plus, the FT’s infrastructure correspondent Gill Plimmer outlines the scale of the debacle that is the cancellation of the high-speed rail link between Birmingham and Manchester. 


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    Rachel Reeves to pave way for UK Budget tax rises in ‘spending audit’


    Expect a Tory leadership race mired in bitter and personal fights


    Thames Water’s credit rating slashed to ‘junk’


    Britons may need to be put off taking trains due to HS2 curtailment, watchdog says 


    Follow George on X @GeorgeWParker, Stephen @stephenkb. Robert @robertshrimsley, Gill @gillplimmer1


    Sign up for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award: 

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    Presented by George Parker. Produced by Audrey Tinline.

    The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. 


    Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Sir Keir Starmer plans to hand more powers to metro mayors in what has been dubbed a ‘devolution revolution’. Host Lucy Fisher speaks with politics reporter Rafe Uddin, deputy political editor Jim Pickard and north of England correspondent Jen Williams about the merits of the proposal – as well as the potential backlash. Plus, the group discusses an internal dossier by Sue Gray that lists potential ‘bin fires’ in the new government’s in-tray, including the prisons capacity crisis, public sector pay disputes, cash-strapped universities and the possible collapse of Thames Water.


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    The Labour government’s ‘inheritance’ retort will not work on everything


    ‘Eat your greens’ politics brings its own dangers


    Conservative party plans to unveil next leader in November


    Starmer pledges to ‘fire up’ the training of UK workers to boost growth


    Why Labour’s pledge to fix the Tory mess means tax rises


    To take part in an audience survey, and to be in with the chance to win a pair of Bose QuietComfort 35 Wireless Headphones, click here 

    Click here to find T&Cs for the prize draw.


    Follow Lucy on X @LOS_Fisher, Jim @PickardJE, Rafe @rafeuddin_ and Jen @JenWillians_FT


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    Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. 


    Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Sir Keir Starmer took the chance to extend the hand of friendship to Britain’s neighbours when he hosted the European Political Community summit in Blenheim Palace on Thursday. The FT’s Lucy Fisher is joined by political editor George Parker, columnist Stephen Bush and public policy editor Peter Foster to discuss how far Britain wants to deepen relations with the EU again. Plus, the team examine the King’s Speech — analysing what Starmer has prioritised and what he’s shelved for now. 


    To take part in the audience survey Lucy mentioned, and to be in with the chance to win a pair of Bose QuietComfort 35 Wireless Headphones, click here 

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    Follow Lucy on X @LOS_Fisher


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    Keir Starmer opens door to processing asylum claims outside UK


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    Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Philippa Goodrich with Leah Quinn and Persis Love. The executive producers were Topher Forhecz and Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix by Simon Panayi and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. 


    Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com



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  • Sir Keir Starmer spoke for the first time with Donald Trump in the wake of the assassination attempt on the former US president at the weekend. After years of criticising him, Labour ministers are trying to strengthen relations ahead of Trump’s possible return to the White House. But does the Republican candidate’s appointment of JD Vance as his running mate throw a spanner in the works? Lucy Fisher considers the question with FT colleagues Anna Gross, Jim Pickard and Miranda Green. The panel also examines the new strategic defence review, and discusses the demoted Labour MPs who are licking their wounds – and plotting revenge. 


    To take part in the audience survey mentioned by Lucy, and to be in with the chance to win a pair of Bose QuietComfort 35 Wireless Headphones, click here. Click here to find T&Cs for the prize draw.


    Follow Lucy on X @LOS_Fisher


    Free to read:  


    China poses ‘deadly’ threat to UK, says former Nato boss


    Can the Conservative party survive defeat? | FT Film


    Ministers to examine complaints of harassment by UK election candidates


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    Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Edwin Lane with Leah Quinn. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. 


    Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Keir Starmer’s quest for closer EU ties received a tacit nod from US President Joe Biden as the UK prime minister made his global debut at the Nato summit in Washington. Biden told Starmer that Britain was ‘the knot tying the transatlantic alliance together’. The FT’s George Parker, Robert Shrimsley and Stephen Bush sit down in London to discuss the government’s foreign policy agenda, with Lucy Fisher dialling in from Washington with her take. Plus, the FT’s William Wallis lays out the stark truth behind the UK’s prisons crisis, and what the government might be able to do about it. 


    To take part in the audience survey mentioned by Lucy, and to be in with the chance to win a pair of Bose QuietComfort 35 Wireless Headphones, click here. 

    Click here to find T&Cs for the prize draw.


    Follow George on X @GeorgeWParker, Lucy on X @LOS_Fisher, Robert on X @robertshrimsley, Stephen on X @stephenkb


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    Joe Biden tells Keir Starmer UK is ‘knot tying transatlantic alliance together’


    Labour to free prisoners early as Keir Starmer warns ‘simply not enough’ spaces


    James Timpson: the key-cutter taking on England’s prisons crisis


    UK economy grows at double forecast pace 


    How will Rachel Reeves run the UK’s finances?


    The very resistible rise of Nigel Farage


    Sign up for 90 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award: 

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    Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Audrey Tinline with Leah Quinn. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. 


    Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.