Today, Kemi Badenoch gave a speech at the Conservative party conference. Adam, Chris, and Henry Zeffman were listening and give their immediate reaction. She announced a flurry of new policies, including abolishing stamp duty and introducing a fiscal “golden rule”. Did she manage to silence her critics? And is her job as party leader, at least for now, safe? She also attacked Labour for the collapse a case of two men accused of spying for China, which they deny. But is she right to accuse the go...
Oct 08, 2025•35 min
Today, how much political danger are the Conservative party in? Adam and Chris are at Conservative party conference in Manchester where some comments from shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick have dominated the headlines. In a recording reportedly made during a dinner and published by the Guardian, Jenrick said he had not seen "another white face" in the hour-and-a-half he spent in the Handsworth area of Birmingham filming a video about litter. Jenrick has defended the comments. Adam and Chri...
Oct 07, 2025•39 min
Today, negotiators from Israel and Hamas head to Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt to start indirect talks over an end to the Israel-Gaza war. It appears this is the closest both sides have come to a deal since the war began two years ago. But Donald Trump's 20-point peace plan - which Israel has agreed to and Hamas has partly agreed to - is really just a framework, only a few pages long. So will the talks survive the detail? Adam talks to Lyse Doucet, chief international correspondent, about how the nex...
Oct 06, 2025•37 min
Today, the Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announces new police powers to restrict protests. Plus Tory leader Kemi Badenoch talks about her plan to remove 750,000 illegal migrants over five years, saying those who come to the UK without permission should "go back to where they came from". And how much closer is a resolution of the conflict in Gaza? You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers....
Oct 05, 2025•31 min
Today, Laura has visited the scene of the Manchester synagogue attack and spoken to members of the local community. Paddy and Laura discuss the political reaction to Thursday’s attack on the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue. Plus, Kemi Badenoch has arrived in Manchester for her first Conservative party conference as leader. What’s at stake for her? And are we about to see her vision of Badenochism? You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask B...
Oct 04, 2025•34 min
Today, we discuss the aftermath of the Manchester synagogue attack as Greater Manchester Police say that one of the victims killed in yesterday's attack was hit by police gunfire as they shot the attacker. It’s not yet clear whether this was the cause of death. Two Jewish men were killed when a man, who police believe to be Jihad Al-Shamie, drove a car at members of the public before stabbing people. Three people remain in hospital, with one also being treated for a non-life-threatening gunshot ...
Oct 03, 2025•42 min
Today, an attack on a synagogue in Manchester has been declared a terrorist incident by counter-terror police. Members of Manchester’s Jewish Community were worshipping at the Heaton Park synagogue on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, when the attacker rammed a car and carried out a knife attack. Adam is joined by BBC News Correspondent Danny Savage, who has been on the scene in Manchester today. Plus, Adam speaks to Zack Polanski, leader of the Green Party of England and Wales...
Oct 02, 2025•38 min
Today, a company linked to Michelle Mone and her husband Doug Barrowman has been ordered to pay £122m in damages after a judge ruled it breached a government contract for the supply of PPE during the Covid pandemic. A spokesperson for Mr Barrowman has described the ruling as "a travesty of justice". In December 2023, Baroness Mone, a former Conservative peer and lingerie tycoon, admitted to the BBC that she stood to benefit from tens of millions of pounds of profit from the contracts. Adam is jo...
Oct 01, 2025•36 min
Today, Keir Starmer has used his conference speech to attack Nigel Farage saying he “doesn’t like Britain”. The Prime Minister warned against “the politics of grievance” and said that the UK is at a “fork in the road”. In response Nigel Farage has accused Starmer of being an unfit PM. Adam, Chris and Alex discuss this, as well as two policy announcements from the speech surrounding further education and the creation of NHS Online. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to...
Sep 30, 2025•31 min
Today, the Home Secretary has told Labour conference that migrants will have to prove they are contributing to society to earn the right to remain in the UK. Under the proposals, legal migrants will have to learn English to a high standard, have a clean criminal record and volunteer in their community to be granted permanent settlement status. Meanwhile, earlier in the day the chancellor Rachel Reeves warned of harder choices to come when it comes to economic choices. Adam, Alex and Chris explai...
Sep 29, 2025•46 min
Today, Keir Starmer has told Laura he thinks Reform’s policy of scrapping indefinite leave to remain is "racist" and "immoral". The policy, which could effectively lead to hundreds of thousands of people who are here legally being deported from the UK, was announced by party leader Nigel Farage last week. Speaking on Laura’s on her BBC One Sunday show, the prime minister was anlso questioned on asylum hotels, the government’s new digital ID proposals, tax, and questions over leadersh...
Sep 28, 2025•46 min
Today, the prime minister warned that Reform UK “will tear this country apart” ahead of the Labour party conference. Sir Keir Starmer said the conference would be an opportunity to show Labour's alternative to the "toxic divide and decline" offered by Nigel Farage’s party. But he faces mounting pressure, with polls showing Labour trailing Reform UK, alongside speculation that Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham could mount a leadership challenge. Laura and Paddy are joined by former pollster t...
Sep 27, 2025•26 min
Today, Keir Starmer is to announce plans for a digital ID scheme. Number 10 say it would help crack down on illegal working and modernise the state. The previous Labour government's attempt to introduce ID cards was ultimately blocked by the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition. Adam, Chris, Vicki and Joe discuss this and Boris Johnson coming out against Nigel Farage and Reform UK. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newsc...
Sep 26, 2025•31 min
Today, Andy Burnham has said he’s ready to support the Prime Minister and the government in forming a “proper plan to beat Reform”. His latest comments follow several interviews over the last few days which have been taken as a sign that he might be interested in challenging Sir Keir Starmer for labour party leadership and Prime Minister. Adam is joined by Henry and Tony Diver, associate political editor at the Telegraph who spoke to Andy Burnham yesterday. Plus, the government says it has yet t...
Sep 25, 2025•40 min
Today, Russia has reacted to comments from Donald Trump claiming that Russia is a “paper tiger”, whose weak economy leaves them exposed to a Ukrainian counter offensive retaking all of their lost territory. It’s a huge shift from the president, but how seriously can we take his words? Catriona Perry and Vitaly Shevchenko join Adam to answer that question, and more. Plus, Faisal Islam is in the studio to tell us about a big news story that’s coming down the track; an OBR forecast on productivity ...
Sep 24, 2025•37 min
Today, Ed Davey has vowed to lead the fight against Nigel Farage in his speech to the Liberal Democrat Conference. Davey argued that the Lib Dems had a "moral responsibility" to challenge Reform and urged his party to embrace patriotism to speak for "Britain's decent silent majority". Adam speaks to Chris from the conference in Bournemouth, and also interviews the Liberal Democrats’ deputy leader Daisy Cooper. Plus, Adam is joined by Jeremy Bowen, the BBC’s international editor, to discuss his n...
Sep 23, 2025•41 min
Today, what does recognising a Palestinian state actually mean? More countries are preparing to join the UK, Canada and Australia in recognising Palestine as a state as world leaders meet in New York for the United Nations. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has said recognition gives "a huge reward to terrorism" - he also says a Palestinian state "will not happen". Adam is joined by the BBC’s chief presenter in Washington Caitriona Perry and diplomatic correspondent James Landale. Plus, in a press c...
Sep 22, 2025•40 min
Today, we look at what Sir Keir Starmer’s promise to recognise a Palestinian state means. Laura and Paddy are joined by political correspondent Joe Pike to discuss the arguments for and against the move. And we discuss the Liberal Democrat’s party conference, and whether Ed Davey’s stunts are playing well with voters and members. You can take part in the Newscast census here - https://bbc.in/newscastcensus You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BB...
Sep 21, 2025•33 min
Today, we look at whether Russia is deliberately testing Nato, after three Russian fighter jets flew into Estonia’s airspace. Ukraine Correspondent James Waterhouse joins Laura and Paddy from Kyiv to discuss the how Europe is responding. Laura and Paddy also discuss an early rift in the leadership of Your Party, the new political party set up by former Labour MPs Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana. You can take part in the Newscast census here - https://bbc.in/newscastcensus You can now listen to N...
Sep 20, 2025•23 min
Today, Adam sits down with former Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to discuss his time in office, how he became the leader of Ireland and his new book Speaking My Mind. You can take part in the Newscast census here - https://bbc.in/newscastcensus You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscord Get in touch with Newscast...
Sep 19, 2025•44 min
Today, Donald Trump and Sir Keir Starmer faced questions from the press on everything from Gaza to Lord Mandelson. The press conference at the PM's country residence Chequers, lasted just under an hour. After a difficult few weeks today was seen as the moment of most jeopardy for the Prime Minister, so faced with the press, did the two men avoid flash points? Adam, Chris, Alex and Faisal discuss. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds t...
Sep 18, 2025•30 min
Today, King Charles has rolled out the red carpet for President Trump at Windsor Castle on his second state visit to the UK. BBC Senior Royal Correspondent Daniela Relph and Chief North America correspondent Gary O’Donoghue join Adam to explore all the pomp and ceremony and what both nations want to get out of this vist. Plus, the government has announced a new UK-US tech deal which will see major US tech companies invest £31 billion into the UK AI sector. BBC Economics editor Faisal Islam joins...
Sep 17, 2025•37 min
Today, a United Nations commission of inquiry has said that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. A new report says there are reasonable grounds to conclude that four of the five genocidal acts defined under international law have been carried out since the start of the war with Hamas in 2023. Israel's foreign ministry said it categorically rejected the report, denouncing it as "distorted and false". Adam is joined by John Simpson - BBC World Affairs Editor and Presenter of...
Sep 16, 2025•35 min
Today, Danny Kruger the Conservative MP and shadow minister has defected to Reform. Speaking at a press conference alongside Nigel Farage, Kruger said “the Conservatives are over” and confirmed he would not be triggering a by-election. In response Kemi Badenoch says she is “not going to get blown off course” - Adam and Chris discuss this, and the Prime Minister’s comments today that he would “never” have appointed Mandelson had he known full Epstein links. Plus, Adam is joined by Panorama presen...
Sep 15, 2025•47 min
Today, we hear from the family of Virginia Giuffre, who became the most prominent victim of Jeffrey Epstein. In an interview with Laura, they said that Lord Mandelson should never have been given the position of UK ambassador to the United States. And Business Secretary Peter Kyle told her it was "highly unlikely" Lord Mandelson would have been appointed if the extent of his relationship with Epstein was known to those in government. We unpack the interview, the government response, and what it ...
Sep 14, 2025•38 min
Today, we look at how Bloomberg broke the story of Mandelson’s emails to Jeffrey Epstein that got him sacked as US ambassador. And we hear new information about the investigation Keir Starmer carried out into the relationship before appointing him. Laura and Paddy are joined by Alex Campbell who led the Bloomberg team. You can take part in the Newscast census here - https://bbc.in/newscastcensus You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to...
Sep 13, 2025•21 min
Today, we look back at a very difficult week for Keir Starmer and the Government. Lord Mandelson’s sacking as UK ambassador to the US comes only days after the Prime Minister reshuffled his cabinet and the resignation of his deputy, Angela Rayner. Starmer sacked Lord Mandelson after new information emerged about his friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein – a week before US President Trump’s visit to the UK. Where does this string of trouble leave the party? And, why is there so muc...
Sep 12, 2025•38 min
Today, Keir Starmer sacked US Ambassador Lord Peter Mandelson following the publication of messages he exchanged with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Adam and Chris discuss how the ambassador’s position became untenable, and what this means for questions around Starmer’s leadership plus Trump’s planned state visit next week. And Charlie Kirk, an influential right-wing activist and a close ally of US President Donald Trump, was shot dead while speaking at an event at a university in Utah. But who was...
Sep 11, 2025•33 min
Today, politicians across the House of Commons have called for Lord Mandelson to resign as UK ambassador to the US over his connection to Jeffrey Epstein. Lord Mandelson acknowledged that there could be more "embarrassing" exchanges to come from his correspondence with Epstein who he described as his "best pal" in a letter for his 50th birthday. He likened his association with Epstein to "an albatross around my neck", adding he felt "profoundly upset that I was taken in" by a "charismatic crimin...
Sep 10, 2025•34 min
Today, Israel carried out a surprise strike on senior Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar. Hamas claims the leaders - who were in Doha as part of the delegation negotiating a possible ceasefire deal - survived but said that six others were killed in the strike. The Trump administration was notified about the strikes before they happened by the US military, and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says it was a “wholly independent Israeli operation”. What does this mean for the ongoing war in Gaza...
Sep 09, 2025•30 min
