'National hibernation is coming to an end' according to the Prime Minister, signalling a further easing of the lockdown. Adam Boulton and guests examine the political consequences of the decision as scientists warn the move is not without its risks. They also discuss the controversy surrounding the housing secretary Robert Jenrick and his role in a planning case involving the Tory donor Richard Desmond. Plus, four years on from the EU referendum an assessment of where we are at as the deadline f...
Jun 25, 2020•45 min
Adam Boulton and guests assess how things are going for the government in the week a Premier League footballer forced a u-turn over free school meals in England and additional lockdown measures were eased to allow non-essential shops to re-open. However, there is still no access to pubs, restaurants, theatres and hairdressers - not to mention the situation with schools. Confusion or an attempt to allow the public to exercise its judgement? They also touch on the row over the merging of the Depar...
Jun 18, 2020•43 min
Adam Boulton and guests discuss the tension between scientific advice and political decision making over the coronavirus response. An uncomfortable dilemma for the Prime Minister as lockdown measures are gradually eased but not enough for all pupils to return to school. And what about the two-metre social distancing rule? No sign of movement on that despite the impact it will could have on the economy. Joining Adam this week are the founder and headteacher of Michaela Community School in north w...
Jun 12, 2020•46 min
Adam Boulton guests discuss the fallout from the killing of George Floyd in America which has exposed racial fault lines and prompted protests across the US and Europe. They also reflect on the Public Health England report highlighting the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on black, Asian and minority ethnic people. And they examine the controversy over MPs being asked to return to Westminster rather than contribute and vote remotely. Joining Adam this week are the writer and former Brexit par...
Jun 04, 2020•42 min
Advisers advise and politicians decide, as the saying goes, and the Prime Minister has decided that his man stays put. In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, a political controversy as Boris Johnson's senior adviser Dominic Cummings is accused of breaking lockdown rules by travelling from London to Durham in March. On this week's AOP podcast, Adam Boulton and guests discuss the role of the adviser, whether Mr Cummings is indispensable and the fact that the whole affair has polarised public op...
May 28, 2020•48 min
Adam Boulton and guests examine the care homes controversy and how it has become the focal point of political and social debate. They discuss the blame game that appears to be opening up between ministers and scientists over the advice given and the decisions taken in the fight against the pandemic. And the debate over contact tracing is on the agenda as a government target is missed but the Prime Minister responds by promising a world beating system by June. Joining Adam this week are The Times...
May 21, 2020•40 min
The economy takes centre stage on this week's All Out Politics podcast as Adam Boulton and guests assess the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic. As scientists keep watch on the 'R' rate of infection, the 'R-word' has returned to the economic discourse with the Chancellor admitting the UK is facing a significant recession. The panel explore the messaging from the devolved nations and the challenges confronting the pandemic as a 'United' Kingdom. And is there a consensus on Adam's view t...
May 14, 2020•45 min
Adam Boulton and guests discuss the new NHS contact-tracing app that's being trialled in the Isle of Wight to help slow the spread of Covid-19. But the decision to go it alone has attracted criticism from privacy campaigners and tech experts who argue it will not be as effective as incorporating the global footprint of Apple and Google. In this week's All Out Politics podcast, the panel debate whether the centralised system envisaged by NHSX is more favourable than the decentralised option. And ...
May 07, 2020•57 min
As Boris Johnson returns to Number Ten, what lessons can the UK learn from its global counterparts on easing the lockdown? The next phase of what the government's calling the 'new normal' is on the horizon so Adam Boulton and guests discuss what that could look like and examine the approach taken by Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Could this be China's moment as it emerges from the other side of the virus? And how is this crisis affecting Russian president Vladimir Putin? The geopolit...
Apr 30, 2020•47 min
As MPs 'virtually' return to Westminster, there are some big political decisions to make over the easing of social restrictions to reignite the economy. Adam Boulton and guests discuss the options and predict where we will be in July. And what of Sir Keir Starmer as he uses his first appearance at PMQs as Labour leader to accuse the government of being too slow to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. Joining Adam this week are The Times columnist Melanie Phillips, the editor of politics.co.uk Ia...
Apr 23, 2020•45 min
Adam Boulton and guests discuss the scale of economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic after the Office for Budget Responsibility's forecast that the economy could shrink by 35% over the next three months. They also assess government plans to boost testing in care homes and question whether ministers been too slow to act as 2,000 homes report outbreaks of the virus. Joining Adam this week are The Spectator's economics correspondent Kate Andrews, The Guardian columnist Owen Jones and Sky'...
Apr 16, 2020•48 min
How does the government measure the length of the lockdown and what are the geopolitcal implications of the global coronavirus outbreak? In a sobering week, Adam Boulton and guests discuss the latest political predicaments as Prime Minister Boris Johnson continues to be treated in intensive care with Covid 19. In his absence, how will the government map out the next phase of the response and will the consequences of the crisis result in zombie economies around the world. Joining Adam this week a...
Apr 09, 2020•52 min
Two weeks in to the UK lockdown, Adam Boulton and guests examine the government's handling of the coronavirus crisis so far as delays to the testing of frontline NHS workers result in some uncomfortable headlines for the Prime Minister. They assess the lessons learned from previous pandemics like the Spanish Flu, the current response from ministers and the government's exit strategy as comparisons are made with China and South Korea. And reflections on Jeremy Corbyn's Labour leadership as the pa...
Apr 02, 2020•49 min
Adam Boulton and guests discuss the Prime Minister's big announcement of a near total lockdown as the country battles the coronavirus outbreak But is the messaging getting through and has the government got it right so far? They examine the emergency legislation rushed through parliament to enforce government measures and discuss efforts to fast-track testing - particularly for frontline NHS staff - as the Health Secretary announces a new temporary hospital in London. And as Parliament goes into...
Mar 26, 2020•50 min
A big global health pandemic needs big decisions from political leaders. This week Adam Boulton and guests discuss the government's approach to to handling the coronavirus crisis. An additional budget to prop up the economy, advice to avoid bars, clubs and theatres and school closures across the UK are just some of the measures that have been announced so far. Both the Prime Minister and the Chancellor are promising to do 'whatever it takes' to ease the burden of the virus. Joining Adam this wee...
Mar 19, 2020•35 min
In a week where the Prime Minister declared the UK was moving the next phase of its plan to combat coronavirus, Rishi Sunak delivered his first Budget, in an attempt to protect the economy. So how did it go down? Adam Boulton is joined by economist Ruth Lea, columnist for UnHerd Paul Embery, and Sky's political correspondent Tom Rayner.
Mar 13, 2020•41 min
As coronavirus dominates the world's news agenda, Adam Boulton and guests discuss whether the spread will have an impact on our faith in globalisation. They question whether a consequence of the virus could be that it brings 'big government' back into fashion as ministers respond to the outbreak. Also this week, pressure on the Home Secretary over allegations of bullying - which she denies - and there is a look ahead to next week's Budget as the panel predict what could emerge from Rishi Sunak's...
Mar 05, 2020•56 min
Brexit is far from being done as battle lines are drawn ahead of the start of trade negotiations with the EU next week. Adam Boulton and guests discuss the crucial next phase of the process in the week the UK and the EU set out their negotiating mandates. They also examine the government's response to the coronavirus and the floods as the Prime Minister is accused of going into hiding. And 100 years on from female journalists being allowed to watch Parliamentary proceedings, the panel champion w...
Feb 27, 2020•45 min
It wasn't supposed to end like this. Or was it? Sajid Javid's shock resignation as Chancellor was the main focus of the Cabinet reshuffle but what happened and why? Adam Boulton and guests dissect the behind-closed-doors discussions which resulted in the Prime Minister having much more sway over his new Chancellor's economic plans. They also assess the reasoning behind the sacking of the popular Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith, whether Sinn Fein's gain in last week's election in the Repu...
Feb 14, 2020•40 min
Relationships are the focus of this week's All Out Politics podcast. The UK's future relationship with the European Union. Will it be 'Canada' or 'Australia' or another arrangement? The mainstream media's relationship with 10 Downing Street following this week's confusion over which journalists were allowed access to an official government briefing. And the political relationship with the issue of climate change as the Prime Minister sacks a former minister who was due to chair a UN climate conf...
Feb 06, 2020•52 min
As the UK prepares to officially leave the European Union, this week's podcast features reflections on its 47 years as a member. Adam Boulton and guests discuss the pros and cons of being part of the union and what the future relationship could look like. And in the week the BBC announced hundreds of job cuts in its news division, they assess how the corporation can sustain itself. Joining Adam this week are the director of the Demos think tank Polly Mackenzie, director of Labour Future Campaign...
Jan 30, 2020•41 min
Has the government changed its policy on struggling companies following the Flybe rescue deal? Who would the Tories want to win the Labour leadership race - and who should they fear? And is it worth cranking up Big Ben to mark Brexit on 31st January. Some of the questions Adam Boulton and guests try to answer on this week's edition of the All Out Politics podcast. They also assess the diplomatic situation over Iran and the state of the Union as the Stormont Assembly reconvenes and the Prime Mini...
Jan 16, 2020•48 min
Adam Boulton and guests discuss the political and diplomatic tensions over Iran and Boris Johnson's response to this week's developments. They also assess the candidates in the running to succeed Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader. Joining Adam this week are The Daily Telegraph's chief political correspondent Christopher Hope, the historian and screenwriter Alex von Tunzelmann and Sky's deputy political editor Sam Coates.
Jan 09, 2020•50 min
In the final episode of 2019, Adam Boulton and guests review a tumultuous year in British politics. Best and worst political moments? The star of 2019? Who will be most missed? What next for Brexit? And predictions for 2020. Joining Adam in the studio are Lee Jones from Queen Mary University in London and co-founder of The Full Brexit; Director of the British Foreign Policy Group Sophia Gaston and Sky's chief political correspondent Jon Craig.
Dec 20, 2019•1 hr 6 min
Adam Boulton is joined by comedians Rory Bremner and Ria Lina and Sky's political correspondent Tamara Cohen to reflect on the general election campaign. They pick their best and worst moments and name the rising stars of the past six weeks in British politics. The panel also discuss the controversies over set-piece interviews and debates, the issues of 'post-truth politics' and trust and the prospect of tactical voting affecting the outcome of the election.
Dec 11, 2019•51 min
The Conservative and SNP manifestos are the main focus of this week's All Out Politics podcast as Adam Boulton and guests examine the parties' pledges. Have the Tories played it too safe after the controversy around the 2017 edition and can the SNP actually help Boris Johnson regain the keys to Number Ten? The panel also discuss this week's claims by Labour that the NHS is - in Jeremy Corbyn's words - up for sale under a post-Brext trade deal with the US. Joining Adam this week are the editor of...
Nov 28, 2019•56 min
It's manifesto launch season in the run up to the election campaign and this week Adam Boulton and guests examine the Labour and Liberal Democrat offer to the electorate. And what do the Conservatives have in store after Boris Johnson appeared to inadvertently reveal a big election giveaway with a cut in National Insurance Contributions? Joining Adam this week are Rachel Cunliffe from City AM, Joan Hoey from The Economist Intelligence Unit and Sky's political reporter Rob Powell.
Nov 22, 2019•45 min
It's been a tough week on the campaign trail, with both party leaders having to deal with hecklers. So how are the parties really doing, and what does the polling say? Joining Adam are political consultant Nina Schick, co-founder of The Full Brexit Dr Philip Cunliffe and Sky's deputy political editor Sam Coates.
Nov 14, 2019•49 min
The general election campaign is officially underway, the battles buses are on the road and already the Conservatives and Labour have encountered some bumps along the way. This week, Adam Boulton and guests discuss the state of the parties, the Remain versus Leave dynamic and with several prominent candidates deciding not to stand for re-election, they assess the talent pool available for the next Cabinet. Joining Adam this week are The Times columnist Melanie Phillips and the editor of Politics...
Nov 07, 2019•38 min
At the fourth attempt, Boris Johnson has secured the general election he wanted. Instead of discussing leaving the European Union, this week Adam Boulton and guests look ahead to the pre-Christmas vote - the first in December for almost a century. They examine the timing, the key policy battlegrounds and discuss the issue of toxicity in British politics as several MPs decide not to stand as candidates. A fascinating but bitter winter campaign lies ahead. Joining Adam this week are the columnist ...
Oct 31, 2019•56 min
