In our weekend edition, the team discuss the advantages and perils of a large Commons majority. The context is the parliamentary crisis facing the Prime Minister. The conflict with a large number of Labour MPs over the welfare bill raises questions. We ponder why a huge majority can prove so hard to manage. With lessons from tight votes that challenged the authority of previous beleaguered leaders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jun 27, 2025•44 min
Trump’s ceasefire between didn’t last very long. He responded with an astonishing public verbal onslaught against Nethanyahu. Who is weakened by the latest developments and what might happen next? We discuss the many layers of this complex story, disagreeing and occasionally agreeing about Trump, Nethanyahu, the situation in Iran and whether Starmer’s ambiguity is sustainable for much longer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jun 25, 2025•46 min
For the weekend edition, we share tips for surviving or avoiding SW1's summer party circuit. Then soberly turn to whether Reform's rise might help the SNP hang on to power in Scotland for even longer. And if Labour ever could be vulnerable in Wales, might new changes to voting next year deliver an upheaval? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 21, 2025•43 min
With Louise Casey's report prompting promises of a national inquiry, the team discuss why it took so long - and whether throwing political blame is distasteful or necessary. Plus: is Israel right to attack Iran and has Israel's attack on Iran wrong-footed Donald Trump? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 18, 2025•1 hr
The Not Another One team answer questions from listeners in this special edition of the political podcast. Have we got what we voted for? How does Farage get away with presenting himself as a “man of the people”? What would an AI version of Not Another One sound like? Is there too much focus on the theatre of politics? By rearming are we making the same mistakes leaders made in the run-up to war in 1914? Our team tackle these questions and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more in...
Jun 13, 2025•52 min
After a bumpy first year can the comprehensive spending review give the government a clearer sense of direction? There’s the winter fuel payment u-turn, more cash for free school meals, defence, NHS and a pledge to increase capital spending. But some departments face real terms cuts and the economy remains fragile. How is Rachel Reeves going to pay for her plans and will she have to find more money by the autumn? Plus, what’s been happening behind the scenes in Reform and do Sarah Vine’s reflect...
Jun 11, 2025•51 min
Bracing for an election victory last summer, Keir Starmer and his team were given a memo by Sue Gray, then chief of staff. Dubbed "Sue's s*** list" it warned of six domestic policy disasters waiting to happen. We review and add to it as Labour's challenges grow in office. Plus: our team can’t stop wrangling about the Strategic Defence Review. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 06, 2025•52 min
The Strategic Defence Review implies significant increases in spending and Sir Keir Starmer has insisted the money will be found but without explaining how. Will any new money for defence be well spent and how will Starmer and Rachel Reeves fund the increases? Is defence a more urgent priority than other needs such as social care and the NHS? What will be the political consequences? And is the UK heading for war or investing to avoid one? We attempt to answer these epic questions and disagree in...
Jun 04, 2025•52 min
To celebrate the first birthday of the Not Another One podcast, the team discuss whether divisions over the vote would have split the Tory party, whether Labour would have stuck with Corbyn and how policy might be different. With added froth this week as we toast a year of these debates. Thanks to all our listeners. Cheers! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 30, 2025•51 min
After the election the chancellor was the dominant figure in the government. Whatever she wished to announce or implement was announced and implemented. Keir Starmer raised no objections. Now, her winter fuel payment cut is being reversed and Starmer has indicated he supports scrapping the two child benefit cap. Ministers are stirring over cuts being imposed in the public spending round. Is her authority being challenged and what will be the consequences? Plus the team assess Reform’s economic p...
May 28, 2025•54 min
Keir Starmer announced a u-turn on winter fuel payments in the face of growing backbench discontent this week. There’s also speculation more than 100 Labour MPs will rebel against benefit cuts. Meanwhile, there’s already speculation that Tory MPs might move against Kemi Badenoch. Are MPs more disloyal than they used to be or do they have more cause for insurrection against incompetent party leaderships? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
May 23, 2025•47 min
As Keir Starmer and the government seek to improve Britain’s Brexit deal our team ask whether its original architect will soon be returning to lead the Tories? The team explore Starmer’s reset with the EU along with the potentially significant practical and political consequences. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 21, 2025•47 min
Keir Starmer warns of an “island of strangers” in an attempt to counter the rise of Nigel Farage. What do the PM’s words tell us about him and the policies he was announcing? In this weekend edition our team explore the language of politics. Leaders tend to be identified by a few words- “the lady’s not for turning”, “tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime” etc. Yet the words are often far removed from the policies they describe and in some cases the character of the leader. Why are soundbi...
May 16, 2025•46 min
The Prime Minister caused controversy this week when he spoke of the dangers of a lack of integration, saying Britain risked becoming an island of strangers. Has Starmer miscalculated by using the language of Farage? Or is he right? Does he need to be on this terrain using this kind of rhetoric? Our team also ask whether there is any way to fix the UK’s immigration policy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 14, 2025•59 min
Often dubbed political history's masters of adapting to survive, the Tories currently face a threat that could be existential. Examining the fallout of the local and mayoral elections we look at what could save them from Farage and offer a bit of advice to Kemi Badenoch. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 11, 2025•39 min
Labour suffered a by-election defeat and serious losses in the local elections with previous supporters backing parties on the left and Reform. Do Starmer, McSweeneh and Reeves carry on as before or change tack? Are they capable of recognising the scale of the challenge and navigating a way through to a second term? Later in the week we’ll discuss whether the Tories are doomed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 07, 2025•48 min
Our team take questions from regular listeners in this weekend special edition. Tim, how can you defend Trump? Steve, was there anything Liz Truss got right? Miranda, why are you hanging around with these people? Iain, do you regret Brexit? When was the last time any of you changed your mind? These questions and many more are answered by the team. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 02, 2025•51 min
Reform is expected to make sweeping gains in the local elections and to win the Runcorn by-election in a previously safe Labour seat. Will this signal a seismic and permanent change in the political landscape or are these elections a fleeting protest against the government and the Conservatives? Why is this happening and what will be the consequences? Plus, what Canada’s election results and the victory of Mark Carney mean. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Apr 30, 2025•55 min
The death of Pope Francis prompts a host of questions for our team about what separates faith leaders from political leaders. Should politicians "do God" and where does morality come in to the equation? In our weekend magazine edition, the team wrestle with the relationship between religion and temporal affairs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 25, 2025•40 min
With MPs back at Westminster this week, we ask which bit of the government in tray looks more scary: the domestic fiscal squeeze and search for growth or the epoch making shifts in geopolitics? And our team ask whether voters will make any allowances for the international backdrop if things don't get better on the home front. Plus, a regular listener has sent us a cake and a note which sparks an important, serious discussion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Apr 23, 2025•54 min
In an Easter special, our team assess the fortunes of the government and opposition parties since the start of 2025. How is Keir Starmer adapting to power and dealing with Donald Trump? Can Reform build on its strong showing in the polls? What are the pitfalls for Nigel Farage? How bad is the situation for the Tories? And what of Ed Davey and the Lib Dems and the SNP in Scotland? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Apr 19, 2025•1 hr 1 min
All the main parties backed some form of state intervention to save the Scunthorpe steel plant. Does this rare consensus mark a new era of the active state? Plus, the wider implications of the refuse strike in Birmingham. And which of us refers most to Mrs Thatcher in the podcast? A listener has monitored every podcast to provide the answer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 16, 2025•48 min
Opinion polls often determine the political mood but now party leaders face the first set of elections since the general election, and a by-election. If the polls are right, Reform is set to make a significant breakthrough in local government and the Conservatives face another electoral hammering. How significant is this campaign at a local and national level? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 11, 2025•47 min
The market impact of President Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariff war has been dramatic and disastrous already. The team asks whether Trump's political and corporate backers, and American voters, will stick with him or peel off as the ride becomes scary. Will he back down? Plus, how can and should the UK respond to Trump "unleashed"? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 07, 2025•53 min
With Labour targeting “working people” and implementing benefit cuts, and their opponents seeking to woo the better off who vote reliably, are the poor being left behind? Plus, a related issue, as supermarkets close their cafes and fracturing social media flourishes where are the institutions that bind communities together? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 04, 2025•57 min
With Trump on the verge of announcing tarrifs and negotiating sympathetically with Putin where does this leaves Starmer’s polite diplomacy? Are other leaders more effective in taking an aggressive stance? Plus our take on Ed Davey riding a toy horse to launch his party’s local election campaign and Le Pen’s route to the presidency being blocked dramatically. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 02, 2025•48 min
Trump is unique for many reasons. One of them is his public projection, his near permanent presence on the TV screen commentating on his own presidency, updating on sensitive negotiations and announcing new ideas that are far from concrete policies. Compare him with other presidents who restrict their appearances to the point they can be close to silent or invisible for relatively long periods of time. What will be the consequences of Trump’s freakish ubiquity and are there lessons for more reti...
Mar 28, 2025•43 min
In another pivotal week for the Labour Chancellor our team discuss the degree to which Reeves is trapped and explore the options available. Our suggestions range widely and there is no consensus in the podcast around any of them, other than agreement that the Chancellor is in trouble. Our team ask: how long will Reeves be Chancellor? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 26, 2025•53 min
In our weekend magazine edition the team delve deep on the question of divided parties. The British system, with first past the post and traditionally dominant large parties, rests on leaders being effective party managers. Does Keir Starmer have a strategy for managing tensions and splits in Labour? Can Kemi Badenoch hold the Tories together? And can Nigel Farage manage the growing pains of Reform? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Mar 21, 2025•46 min
Liz Kendall has announced £5 billion of benefit cut but are her proposals an historic reform of welfare or driven speedily by Rachel Reeves’ need to meet her fiscal rules and Number Ten’s desire to please voters who support cuts in benefits ? What are the wider political implications? Starmer has a landslide Commons majority and largely pliant ministers but on this parts of his party are stirring. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Mar 19, 2025•45 min
