It sounds like concessions are being offered to the dozens of Labour MPs who had threatened to rebel over the government’s planned welfare cuts. On this episode, Beth, Ruth, and Harriet went over the possible options for the Prime Minister. They also talk about what Keir Starmer needs to learn from the chaos of the past few days. Plus, is President Trump the "daddy" in his handling of the Israel-Iran conflict, as NATO head Mark Rutte may have suggested? Remember, you can also watch us on YouTube...
Jun 26, 2025•50 min
Days after Keir Starmer told Beth that a US strike on Iran wasn’t imminent, Trump ordered US bunker busters to bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities. But the UK’s position on the attacks are unclear. The focus is not on what the Prime Minister is saying – but what he isn’t saying. After a brief interview, it’s clear Keir Starmer isn’t willing to either endorse the strikes, or criticise President Trump. For this extra episode Beth, Ruth and Harriet discuss the delicate situation the UK Prime Minister fi...
Jun 23, 2025•26 min
Is Donald Trump about to join Israel in attacks on Iran, and will he ask Keir Starmer to help him out? If he does - would it even be legal? A lot has happened since Beth, Ruth and Harriet last got together, with further significant developments expected before a big NATO summit next week - a gathering we don't even know if the US president will turn up to. So how did we get to the point where we're asking whether the UK will allow its ally - the US - to use its airbases? And how does the current...
Jun 19, 2025•45 min
A landmark bill is due to be voted on in the House of Commons next week that could decriminalise abortion for women in England and Wales. Currently, any woman who has had an abortion after 24 weeks - without two doctors signing it off - could be jailed under a Victorian law. So why has it taken until 2025 for this vote? And who are the women whose stories have led to a potential change in the law? Beth, Ruth and Harriet speak to Tonia Antoniazzi, the Labour MP proposing an amendment on the Crime...
Jun 13, 2025•45 min
As Rachel Reeves prepares for next week’s spending review, Beth explains why it could be a defining moment for the government and the chancellor is faced with difficult choices. Harriet talks about the two-child benefit cap and whether the government can afford to scrap it. And as Sir Keir Starmer puts the country on a war footing, Sky's defence correspondent Deborah Haynes joins Beth, Ruth and Harriet to talk about the strategic defence review and why there's no argument across parliament about...
Jun 06, 2025•47 min
Beth is catching up with Andy Burnham - the Mayor of Greater Manchester – in his office for an extra episode this week, recorded on Tuesday. It’s just days to go until the chancellor unveils her Spending Review, and it’s set to be good news for the North – they are about to get billions for big transport projects. But is that a good enough offer to keep working-class Labour voters interested? Burnham explains why he thinks the government could be doing better to connect with the working classes ...
Jun 05, 2025•30 min
Nigel Farage is using parliamentary recess to grab the microphone – he's been out and about during the half term holiday criticising the government and claiming Reform UK as the party for families. Harriet and Ruth ask whether he’s been smart in copying the tactics we’re used to seeing from leaders of the opposition. It’s just a week on from that EU debate he missed in the House of Commons because he was on holiday himself. So what are the rules for MPs going away in term time? Harriet has a tal...
May 30, 2025•34 min
Are Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves falling out over winter fuel payments? Beth tells us what she’s been hearing in Westminster about a rift between the pair and although it’s denied by Number 11, she’s heard there’s a “palpable tension” between the principal players over the change in policy. Also, with a vote on welfare reforms coming up next month Beth, Harriet Harman and Ruth Davidson discuss how it will play out with Labour MPs and whether the government is losing its grip despite having suc...
May 23, 2025•55 min
Another week, another sticky situation for the prime minister and some of his MPs - this time it's centred around his language on immigration. When Sir Keir Starmer announced his White Paper, he argued that Britain "risked becoming an island of strangers" if immigration levels were not cut. So was he intentionally evoking Enoch Powell's infamous 1968 Rivers Of Blood speech? Or was this a big mistake? Also, with the Assisted Dying Bill back in parliament this week, Beth Rigby, Ruth Davidson and H...
May 16, 2025•45 min
With Ruth away, Beth and Harriet are joined by Salma Shah, a former Conservative special adviser from 2014-2018 and now a political commentator. They unpack Donald Trump's surprise UK trade deal announcement and what it means for Keir Starmer, who's also landed a deal with India and is gearing up for key EU negotiations. But while the global optics look strong, the domestic mood is tense. Harriet has some advice for the Labour backbenchers who are unhappy over welfare cuts and the winter fuel al...
May 08, 2025•53 min
Beth Rigby, Harriet Harman, and Ruth Davidson assemble for an elections debrief. Beth's been following a very happy Nigel Farage after Reform gained an MP in Runcorn, took the Greater Lincolnshire mayoralty and seized control of several councils. But, how does the party promising change in its very name prove itself with greater power and responsibility? They also discuss how Keir Starmer reacts to the Labour's losses (Harriet says he needs to deliver on what he's promised) And what Kemi Badenoc...
May 03, 2025•41 min
Beth, Harriet and Ruth discuss the UK Supreme Court's judgment on how a woman should be defined in law. They also hear from Ellie, a trans woman who says she's now afraid for her safety and her future. Harriet literally wrote the law in question, the Equality Act 2010 - she and the team dig into what the judgement means for individuals and institutions across the country. And on May 1st, there are local and mayoral elections in England and the Runcorn and Helsby by-election. The polling group Mo...
Apr 25, 2025•56 min
Come and join us LIVE on Tuesday 20th May at Cadogan Hall in London, tickets available now: https://www.aegpresents.co.uk/event/electoral-dysfunction-live/ The two Baronesses of the podcast finally lift the lid on the House of Lords in this special Q&A episode. What’s it really like on the red benches in Parliament? And if you’re a Lord, are you a has-been? Also – was Tony Blair actually cool in the 90s? Or was it just a more optimistic time in politics? Remember you can also watch us on You...
Apr 18, 2025•24 min
Come and join us LIVE on Tuesday 20th May at Cadogan Hall in London, tickets available now: https://www.aegpresents.co.uk/event/electoral-dysfunction-live/ Donald Trump has pressed pause on his higher tariffs... but not before he unleashed absolute chaos on the global economy. It all came down to the bond market - which you might remember from Liz Truss's time as prime minister... Alongside most countries, the UK still has the base level of 10% tariffs on exports and 25% on automobiles, so is th...
Apr 10, 2025•33 min
Beth, Ruth and Harriet have some mid-week news for you... Get your diaries out because they're doing another live show in May! Tickets are on sale from Friday - for more information on dates and tickets, go to https://www.aegpresents.co.uk/event/electoral-dysfunction-live/
Apr 08, 2025•2 min
Another episode, another cheap hotel room to record the podcast for Beth as she follows Keir Starmer for the Labour local election launch. Ruth and Harriet are a bit closer to home to discuss the real implications of Donald Trump's scoreboard of tariffs. It might have felt a bit Eurovision but how does the PM stay calm about what it means for the UK? Harriet explains how there are three camps in Labour with different views on whether the Chancellor's promise not to raise any more taxes can hold....
Apr 04, 2025•48 min
Beth Rigby, Ruth Davidson and Harriet Harman analyse Rachel Reeves’s spring statement and how Donald Trump may have made things worse for her. The chancellor has redone her maths to make sure she sticks to her own rules on running the economy - but in doing that she has got tougher on welfare cuts. Can Labour keep the dissenting voices within their own party quiet? Harriet has some insight on how they'll be trying to do that. And do Trump's tariffs on US car imports (and the prospect of more tar...
Mar 28, 2025•43 min
As Rachel Reeves prepares to unveil the spring statement next week, Beth, Ruth and Harriet discuss what cuts the chancellor will make to close her budget deficit and how difficult it will be for her to justify her actions. They also examine the effects of this week's welfare reforms and look at what a change in the personal independence payment, or PIP, means for those who rely on it. Also, how will Sir Keir Starmer's "coalition of the willing" protect Ukraine from Russia without US support? The...
Mar 21, 2025•43 min
Sir Keir Starmer is doubling down on his bid to reduce government waste, but is his plan a fix or just more spending spin? Beth is in Hull after hearing what the Labour leader is promising, including scrapping NHS England to "cut bureaucracy" and bring management of the health service "back into democratic control". Alongside Harriet and Ruth, they also discuss Starmer potentially facing down a rebellion from his own MPs over plans to shake up benefits reform and welfare payments. The cracks are...
Mar 14, 2025•36 min
Beth’s been to 11 Downing Street to talk to the Chancellor for Electoral Dysfunction. She took some of your questions (and a couple of Electoral Dysfunction mugs) with her. Rachel Reeves reflects on her first few months in the job, explains what she thinks of the “Rachel from Accounts” label and shares her own money-saving tip which she tries to do every day when at Downing Street. She also hints on what might come in her Spring Statement with some strong words on the need for welfare reform. Em...
Mar 07, 2025•1 hr
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has returned from the US after what has been seen by Number 10 as a highly successful meeting with Donald Trump. This week, Beth Rigby, Harriet Harman and Ruth Davidson look at the preparation that went into this visit. Beth reveals how she caught the US president's attention. Plus, what is it like in the Oval Office? And how did Mr Trump react when he got that invitation from the King. They also discuss the resignation of development minister Annelise Dodds after...
Feb 28, 2025•35 min
What could a pact between Nigel Farage’s Reform party and Kemi Badenoch’s Conservatives look like? Are we about to see the Tory party lurch closer to the right? Beth, Ruth and Harriet answer this and more, as they go through your questions – which means we also get the backstory to the iconic Beth Rigby red lipstick. And how difficult is being married to an MP? We hear from Ruth’s partner Jen about their lives in the spotlight when Ruth was leader of the Scottish Conservatives. Email us at elect...
Feb 21, 2025•28 min
Do MPs say one thing in public, and another in private? This week, Beth Rigby, Harriet Harman and Ruth Davidson ask what’s been going on with the two MPs suspended from the Labour party over WhatsApps messages containing offensive comments. Andrew Gwynne and Oliver Ryan both lost the whip after Sunday newspaper revelations. It’s been a difficult week for Harriet – she's worked with Andrew Gwynne for a number of years and says it’s made her question her judgement. Also – are we about to see by el...
Feb 14, 2025•40 min
This week, Ruth's changed her opinion about Kemi Badenoch – but it isn't any more favourable for the new Tory leader. Ruth had thought she'd get two years in the job – now she's thinking it might be less than 18 months. Beth's in a hotel room in Preston after an interview with Keir Starmer. She reflects on how the prime minister can push his domestic message when most people want to talk about Donald Trump. And Harriet goes all headmistressy with a warning to new Labour MPs in the "red wall" who...
Feb 07, 2025•38 min
You can now watch Beth, Ruth and Harriet on YouTube! Just search for "Electoral Dysfunction". The chancellor was trying to channel Love Island when she announced her plans for growth this week. But are her new ideas actually the "bombshell" her advisers hope they'll be? Can they get everyone's attention? And will the strategy be enough for Rachel Reeves to keep all of the cabinet and the Labour Party on side when so many of them have been opposed to the third runway at Heathrow? Meanwhile, on th...
Jan 31, 2025•39 min
As Axel Rudakubana is sentenced for the murder of three young girls and the attempted murder of 10 more people last year, Electoral Dysfunction reflects on how the prime minister has handled claims that authorities covered up how much they knew about the killer in the days and weeks after. Beth discusses how Sir Keir Starmer answered her questions about those claims. Harriet calls for the public inquiry into the failings to be completed quickly and Ruth agrees with the PM about changing the lega...
Jan 24, 2025•34 min
After "going dark" for most of the week, Beth pops up in Poland to talk world politics with Ruth and Harriet. Top security, a slow train and Russian drones are all part of the inside story of the prime minister's visit to Ukraine. Beth explores why UK solidarity with Ukraine could mean British boots on the ground. And overshadowing everything is president-elect Trump. He is already leaving his mark on the world. Trump claimed his impending inauguration piled on the pressure to get the Gaza cease...
Jan 17, 2025•34 min
We just want to let you know about a new Sky News podcast which is launching next week! Trump 100 will follow the daily twists and turns of Donald Trump's first 100 days in The White House with the latest updates and analysis...in under 15 minutes. Our top US team of James Matthews, Martha Kelner and Mark Stone will be joined by special guests to delve a little deeper into what's happening and why. It will be available every weekday morning from 6am as well as extended weekend editions. Follow T...
Jan 16, 2025•47 sec
Beth, Harriet, and Ruth dive into the storm surrounding Elon Musk's incendiary comments about UK grooming gangs, Sir Keir Starmer, and safeguarding minister Jess Phillips. They unpack the political fallout, whether Labour's response has been enough, and if the Conservatives have been opportunistic in their approach. Plus, how Musk's influence mirrors larger challenges, from misinformation to political donations. You can catch Beth's full interview with Jess Phillips in the Electoral Dysfunction ...
Jan 10, 2025•42 min
In this extra episode of Electoral Dysfunction, Jess Phillips sits down with Beth and reveals what she has lived through in the past few weeks. Elon Musk accused the Labour MP of being a "rape genocide apologist", putting her in the middle of a political storm. As the safeguarding minister, Jess Phillips also explains what the government is doing to tackle violence against women and girls. Email us at [email protected] , post on X to @BethRigby, or send a WhatsApp voice note on 07934 2...
Jan 09, 2025•36 min
