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  • 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


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

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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


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

  • 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


    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: 

    https://ft.com/insidepoliticsoffer


    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


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

  • 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.


    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: 

    https://ft.com/insidepoliticsoffer


    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: 

    https://ft.com/insidepoliticsoffer


    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. 


    Want more? Free links:


    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: 

    https://ft.com/insidepoliticsoffer


    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.


    Want more? Free links:


    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


    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: 

    https://ft.com/insidepoliticsoffer


    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 

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


    Follow Lucy on X @LOS_Fisher


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    Keir Starmer opens door to processing asylum claims outside UK


    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: 

    https://ft.com/insidepoliticsoffer


    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



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

  • 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


    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: 

    https://ft.com/insidepoliticsoffer


    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: 

    https://ft.com/insidepoliticsoffer


    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.

  • As Sir Keir Starmer appoints his cabinet and unveils his first raft of policies, host Lucy Fisher is joined by the FT’s deputy political editor Jim Pickard and columnist Stephen Bush to assess the new prime minister’s in-tray. Top of the list is planning reforms, but crisis looms in public services, from the NHS to prisons. Plus, Lucy and the panel discuss how the Conservative party will fare in opposition.


    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, Jim on @PickardJE and Stephen on @stephenkb


    Want more?  


    Labour’s new blood: The class of ’24

    Labour expected to launch ‘postmortem’ audit of NHS finances

    Podcast host, Israel critic: Meet England’s new attorney-general

    Conservative party chair Richard Holden quits after election defeat

    Keir Starmer begins tour of UK nations to ‘reset’ relations


    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: 

    https://ft.com/insidepoliticsoffer


    Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval. 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.

  • As Sir Keir Starmer steps over the threshold of Number 10, FT experts answer audience questions about what to expect from the new Labour government. Will Keir Starmer’s landslide victory lead to lasting change? The FT’s Lucy Fisher is joined by colleagues Stephen Bush, George Parker, Miranda Green and Robert Shrimsley to discuss the Labour landslide and the future of the defeated Tory party


    Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, Robert on @robertshrimsley and George on @GeorgeWParker, Stephen on @stephenkb and Miranda on @greenmiranda


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    Keir Starmer enters Downing Street as UK prime minister after historic victory


    Starmer stands supreme but he cannot ignore the Reform surge


    ‘Hard to imagine a worse outcome’: Tory collapse sparks blame game


    Historic UK election hauls reveal bigger voter trends


    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 Audrey Tinline with Leah Quinn. Original music by Breen Turner. Mix by Odinn Ingibergsson.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 is heading for the biggest “landslide majority” Britain has ever seen. That’s the verdict from Mel Stride, one of prime minister Rishi Sunak’s closest ministerial allies, who has in effect conceded defeat ahead of Thursday’s UK general election. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by columnist Robert Shrimsley, political editor George Parker and political correspondent Anna Gross to discuss the campaign strategies of the various parties, and to look ahead to the results.


    Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, Anna on @AnnaSophieGross, Robert on @robertshrimsley and George on @GeorgeWParker


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    How 120 knife-edge seats may tip the Tories from defeat to wipeout


    Tories warn of Labour landslide in final day of election campaigning


    What to watch out for on election night


    Join us on July 5 at 13:00 UK (GMT+1) when Political Fix host Lucy Fisher will dissect the election outcome with Inside Politics author Stephen Bush, political editor George Parker and columnists Robert Shrimsley and Miranda Green. Register and put your question to the panel by visiting www.ft.com/ukwebinar


    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 Manuela Saragosa with Leah Quinn. 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.

  • With under a week to go until polling day, Lucy Fisher and her panel — the FT’s Miranda Green and Stephen Bush — pull together the threads of the campaign to explore the remaining ‘known unknowns’ in this election. They are joined by FT columnist Simon Kuper whose new book ‘Good Chaps’ looks at the disintegration of public service in our national life and examines how to rid our political system of sleaze.


    Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher


    Want more? Free links:


    Reform UK activist calls for migrants to be shot


    A safe space at the eye of the storm: onboard Rishi Sunak’s battle bus


    Blue Wall vulnerable to tactical voting as natural Conservatives turn against party


    How the Conservatives lost touch with England’s prosperous south


    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 Philippa Goodrich and Leah Quinn

    Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and audio mix 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 Conservatives’ embattled campaign suffered yet another setback this week, as the betting scandal escalated and the party finally suspended two candidates ensnared by the row. But when did it first start to go wrong for the Tories? Lucy Fisher is joined by the FT’s chief data reporter John Burn-Murdoch, who charts the beginning of the party’s descent back to 2019. The pair are joined by Political Fix regulars Robert Shrimsley and George Parker to discuss whether Britain’s “first past the post system” will lead to the biggest ever mismatch between parties’ share of the vote and their share of Westminster seats. 


    Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher


    Want more? Free links:


    How the Conservatives lost touch with England’s prosperous south 


    No, Keir, the real opposition is behind you 


    Brace for the most distorted election result in British history


    The seeds of the Tory collapse were sown in 2019


    Starmer will be centrism’s last chance


    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 Persis Love and Audrey Tinline.

    Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and audio mix 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.

  • An election-betting scandal is sending the Tory campaign into freefall. The latest blow to the Conservatives comes as some polls predict a wipeout for the party on July 4. The FT’s Whitehall editor Lucy Fisher is joined by Political Fix regulars Stephen Bush and Jim Pickard to discuss this latest blow in a campaign littered with blunders. Plus, the team analyses the effect of the Reform party on the Tory vote and what might happen after the election. 


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


    Want more? Free links:


    Unusual burst of bets preceded Rishi Sunak’s election announcement


    ‘Every Tory I know is angry’: betting scandal sends election campaign into ‘freefall’


    Potential routes forward for the Tories post-election


    Tory leadership hopefuls jostle to replace Rishi Sunak


    Keir Starmer: ‘People need hope, but it needs to be realistic hope’


    Sketchy Politics: the extinction election?


    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 Audrey Tinline with Leah Quinn and Josh Gabert-Doyon.

    Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and audio mix 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 is promising voters not to raise a raft of taxes, not to borrow to fund day-to-day spending and not to return to austerity with major cuts to public services. How will it manage this? Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves insists economic growth will square the circle. The FT’s Whitehall editor Lucy Fisher asks economics editor Sam Fleming, who interviewed Reeves this week, whether her plans to increase UK output stack up. Plus, Helen Miller from the Institute for Fiscal Studies think-tank joins with her assessment of the “conspiracy of silence” by both big parties over tax and spend after the election. 


    Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, Sam @Sam1Fleming, Helen @TheIFS


    Want more? Free links:


    A dash for growth: the shadow chancellor prepares for government


    Rachel Reeves to seek ‘improved’ UK-EU trade terms if Labour wins election 


    The Labour party’s uncertain certainty dividend


    Labour’s EU plan will have ‘minimal’ impact on cost of Brexit, says think-tank


    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 Audrey Tinline with Leah Quinn. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and audio mix 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.