Today, Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer face off in the first debate of the election. Adam is joined by Henry Zeffman, former Boris Johnson adviser Jo Tanner and former Ed Miliband adviser Tom Hamilton to look ahead to the first head-to-head TV debate, and share their stories about how politicians prepare. And James Cook gives the low-down from last night’s Scottish leaders’ debate. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Newscast brings you daily a...
Jun 04, 2024•38 min
Today, we look at Nigel Farage announcing he is standing for election to become a MP, and will also become leader of Reform UK. The former UKIP and Brexit Party leader announced he had ‘changed his mind’ after initially ruling himself out of standing. At an ‘emergency election announcement’ it was revealed he would be taking over from Richard Tice as Reform’s leader. Adam, Chris Mason and Alex Forsyth discuss what this means for the rest of campaign. And Marianna Spring gives us an update from h...
Jun 03, 2024•37 min
Up to 4 July, we’ll be looking at how the election is unfolding on social media feeds up and down the country. On this episode of Newscast, Disinformation and Social Media Correspondent Marianna Spring joins Adam to explain how. Using data from the National Centre for Social Research, she’s set up fictional social media profiles for twenty four undercover voters based in eight constituencies around the UK. They’ll give us an insight into voters' digital worlds up to the election, and Marianna wi...
Jun 02, 2024•28 min
Today, Laura’s been talking to the health secretary and the shadow home secretary, as the Conservatives promise more GP surgeries, and Labour promises less immigration. Sir Keir Starmer gave details of the policy to The Sun on Sunday. We also discuss the extend to which newspapers will play a role in this election. We also hear about a Lib Dem NHS pledge. And we discuss the Green party, after an interview with one of its co-leaders, Adrian Ramsey. Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest...
Jun 02, 2024•33 min
Today, we look at how fighting within the Labour party over who should be their general election candidates is only the latest turn in a long running battle between different its different political wings. Laura and Paddy look at what it’s meant for the campaign so far, and they discuss the Lib Dem’s strategy. Plus - we answer questions from Newscasters including, what do polls actually tell us? Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presente...
Jun 01, 2024•32 min
Today, we look at Keir Starmer saying Diane Abbott can “go forward” as a Labour candidate. Plus, both Sunak and Starmer answer questions on the conviction of Trump. Labour Leader Keir Starmer has spoken after days of speculation about the future of Diane Abbott saying she is “free to go forward as a Labour candidate”. Abbott claimed she had been banned form standing for Labour, something Starmer has previously denied. Adam and Chris reflect on what this means for Labour. Plus, after the historic...
May 31, 2024•32 min
Donald Trump has been convicted on all 34 counts of falsifying business records in his historic criminal trial in New York. He called the verdict a “disgrace” and maintained his innocence - the sentencing happens on 11 July. Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. This episode is a collaboration with our friends at Americast. Listen to more episodes of Americast on BBC Sounds or wherever you usually listen to podcasts. You can join our Newscast onlin...
May 31, 2024•30 min
Today, we discuss the latest defection by former Conservative MP Mark Logan. Adam, Chris and Laura are joined by Jo Coburn, Politics Live presenter, to discuss the ongoing argument within the Labour party about Diane Abbott standing as a Labour candidate. They also discuss Rishi Sunak handling a question from a member of the public about Partygate. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political...
May 30, 2024•37 min
Today, we look at the confusion around whether Diane Abbott can stand as a Labour candidate in the general election. Keir Starmer has denied Diane Abbott has been barred from standing for the party, but Abbott told the BBC she has in fact been stopped from standing. Adam and Alex are joined by Newsnight’s Nick Watt to try and get to the bottom of what has happened with the veteran Labour MP. Meanwhile Chris Mason has been travelling with the Prime Minister in the South West of England and joins ...
May 29, 2024•35 min
Today, we look at the economic election battle, with spending announcements from the Tories and Labour. Plus, Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner will face no police action in the row over her council house sale. Rishi Sunak has today launched his ‘Triple Lock Plus’: a promise to raise the tax-free pension allowance if he wins the general election. Meanwhile, Greater Manchester Police have confirmed that Angela Rayner will not face no further action in the row over her council house sale. Adam ...
May 28, 2024•34 min
Today, Adam and Chris discuss Keir Starmer’s first major speech of the general election campaign and the latest on Rishi Sunak’s plan to bring back national service for 18-year-olds. The Labour leader delivered a speech which included a detailed account of his upbringing as well as plans for national security. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak showed off his football skills while he continued his campaign by returning to his plan to bring back national service for teenagers. The Liberal Democrats’ were...
May 27, 2024•32 min
Today, Laura, Paddy and Adam discuss Labour’s tax pledge and the Conservative plan bring back mandatory national service. Rachel Reeves says there will be no rises in income tax or national insurance if Labour wins the general election - but spending cuts have not been ruled out. James Cleverly says the Tory national service plan would address social fragmentation and get young people "out of their bubble" Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It w...
May 26, 2024•28 min
Laura and Paddy are back in the Newscast studio as the party leaders spend the weekend campaigning. Rishi Sunak met with veterans in his constituency in North Yorkshire as Sir Keir Starmer campaigned in the West Midlands. Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Laura Kuenssberg & Paddy O’Connell. It was made by Chris Gray with Miranda Slade. The technical producer is Ricardo McCarthy. The social producer is Charlie Henry. The ...
May 25, 2024•29 min
Today, we look at Keir Starmer kicking off his party’s Scottish campaign, and Jeremy Corbyn confirming he will stand as an independent candidate in Islington North. Plus, a surprise announcement from Michael Gove! Adam is joined by Chris from Westminster and James from Scotland. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was ma...
May 24, 2024•32 min
Today, we look at Rishi Sunak confirming that no deportation flights to Rwanda will set off before the general election. Plus Nigel Farage says he will not run to be a MP. It had been thought that the government would try to get the first flight off the ground to Rwanda before the election on 4th of July. Sunak has now said they will go ahead “If i’m re-elected”. Labour has pledged to scrap the plan if it wins power. And, Nigel Farage has announced he will not stand in the general election. In a...
May 23, 2024•37 min
Today marks day one of the general election campaign, and the Prime Minister has done his first round of interviews. Adam and Chris discuss what was said, what the party slogans say about their campaigns and where the leaders start on the campaign trail. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Chris Gray with Mir...
May 23, 2024•27 min
Rishi Sunak has called the UK General Election for the 4th July. Adam is joined by Laura Kuenssberg, Faisal Islam and Alex Forsyth to discuss the surprise announcement by the Prime Minister this afternoon. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Miranda Slade with Jack Maclaren, Gemma Roper, Sam McLaren and Natas...
May 22, 2024•40 min
Today, we look at, how much the victims of the infected blood scandal could receive in compensation And a major row between a Hollywood A Lister and OpenAi. The government has announced some infected blood victims will receive £210,000 compensation within 90 days. This is an initial payment whilst work continues on a final scheme. It is estimated final payments could rise to £2.6m for certain infected people. Adam is joined by the BBC’s health reporter Jim Reed. And, Hollywood star Scarlett Joha...
May 21, 2024•33 min
Today we look at the final report into the infected blood scandal, which accuses doctors, the government and the NHS of letting patients catch HIV and hepatitis. In total, it's thought about 2,900 people have died since being infected by contaminated blood, and the number continues to rise. The report into the scandal suggests evidence of failure and cover-up. PM Rishi Sunak apologised to the victims and described it as a “day of shame for the British state”. Adam is joined by Chris Mason and Ji...
May 20, 2024•36 min
Today we look at the death of Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash. The hard-line cleric was killed alongside Iran’s foreign minister when a helicopter they were travelling in, crashed in heavy fog in northern Iran. The president was elected in 2021 and was seen as a potential successor to Iran’s Supreme Leader. Adam is joined by the BBC’s Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet to discuss what this means for Iran and the region. You can join our Newscast online community h...
May 20, 2024•20 min
Today, we heard from the government and the Labour party about the infected blood scandal - ahead of the inquiry’s final report being published tomorrow. Laura and Henry discuss what defence secretary Grant Shapps had to say about the government’s plan to compensate victims and how much they would be prepared to spend - as well as more on defence spending. And, after forgetting one of Labour’s six pledges, shadow health secretary Wes Streeting tells Laura more about how he’ll deliver on the pled...
May 19, 2024•29 min
Today, Adam and Laura discuss ‘Project Sunak’, and Laura shares some of the insights she’s heard from people who know and have worked with the Prime Minister about what he’s like behind the scenes - as well as the operation to improve his popularity. And Laura has interviewed Leonid Volkov, a close ally of Alexei Navalny, who was attacked with hammers outside his home in Lithuania last year. You can read Laura's piece here https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy6332vx5n8o You can join our Newscas...
May 18, 2024•32 min
Today, we look at Russian President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to China, where he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Putin, on his first foreign visit since being sworn in for a fifth term as president last week, was greeted with a rare hug from Xi Jinping before the leaders met to discuss trade between their two countries. Adam discusses the significance of this visit - and its potential ramifications for China’s relations with the West - with Gordon Corera, security correspondent, John S...
May 17, 2024•30 min
Today, we look at Keir Starmer revealing the “first steps” Labour would take if they won the general election. Speaking at an event in Essex, the Labour leader unveiled a pledge card with six key policies, including delivering "economic stability" and providing 40,000 more hospital appointments each week. Starmer rejected claims the party had scaled back its ambitions, and that it was a “copycat” of Tony Blair who launched his pledge card and went on to win the general election for Labour in 199...
May 16, 2024•32 min
Today, we look at what we know about the assassination attempt on Slovak PM Robert Fico. The alleged assailant has been detained by the police and ministers have told reporters it was a politically-motivated attack. Europe editor Katya Adler is on to explain what we know about what happened, and who Robert Fico is. And Chris joins James to discuss why some prisoners are being released early in England. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere New...
May 15, 2024•28 min
Today, we look a new study which suggests obesity jabs, such as Wegovy and Ozempic, could also cut the risk of heart attacks and strokes. The drug semaglutide, which suppresses the appetite, is prescribed by the NHS and now has growing use as a “skinny jab”. Researchers have said that weekly shots could benefit the cardiovascular health of millions of adults, but the results have not yet been fully reviewed. Adam is joined by David Aaronovitch, Presenter of Radio 4’s Briefing Room, and Dr Ellie ...
May 14, 2024•37 min
Today, we look at Rishi Sunak’s claim that the election would be a choice “between past and future”, as Labour accused him of rebranding again. In a wide-ranging speech, the PM said that Keir Starmer would make the UK less safe and that the Tories are “the only party really talking about the future.” But Labour responded by claiming this was Rishi Sunak’s “7th reset” during his time in office. Are the battlegrounds for the election being drawn? Adam is joined by Chris who questioned Sunak after ...
May 13, 2024•39 min
Today we take a look at accusations that former Conservative MP Natalie Elphicke lobbied former Lord Chancellor, Sir Robert Buckland, over her then-husband Charlie’s sexual assault case. A spokesman for Ms Elphicke, said the claims were "nonsense". Laura, Paddy and Henry discuss how big a problem it is for the party, and how the story came to light. And Laura’s been speaking to the foreign secretary, Lord David Cameron, as Israel expands its military operation in Rafah. Paddy also reveals what i...
May 12, 2024•32 min
Today we take a look at Keir Starmer’s election plan with a man who was once one of his closest colleagues. Former chief of staff to the Labour leader, Sam White, joins Laura and Paddy to talk about what he thinks his old boss needs to do to avoid throwing away his lead. He also reveals details about their conversations about defections, and his own sacking. And there’s controversy at Eurovision where Dutch contestant, Joost Klein, has been banned, and the and Irish contestant, Bambie Thug withd...
May 11, 2024•32 min
Today, Keir Starmer set out his plan to stop small boats crossing the channel. Joined in Dover by the newest Labour MP, Natalie Elphicke, Keir Starmer took questions on his plan for a new Border Security Command. Chris Mason tells Adam all about the plan and his interview with the Labour leader. And we look ahead to the Eurovision Song Contest final. Adam is joined by Paddy O’Connell and Eurovisioncast host Daniel Rosney to discuss protests and controversy at this year’s competition, as well as ...
May 10, 2024•35 min
