Parliament returned this week and Boris Johnson delivered on his election pledge of voting on Brexit legislation before Christmas. We discuss what lies ahead for the government’s programme, the new Bank of England governor and the mini cabinet non-reshuffle. Plus, we examine the latest in the Labour leadership race to succeed Jeremy Corbyn and Nicola Sturgeon’s efforts to push for another Scottish independence referendum. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Miranda Green, Robert Sh...
Dec 21, 2019•36 min
With a majority of 80, Boris Johnson has delivered the Conservative party’s best performance in three decades. With such a significant mandate, the UK is now leaving the EU and the political landscape has been ripped up. We unpick the election result, the key moments throughout the night, its implications for Brexit, the future of the Labour party, the Liberal Democrats, the Scottish Nationalists, the future of the union and more. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Robert Shrimsle...
Dec 13, 2019•40 min
Boris Johnson endured some of the most difficult days of the campaign to date, as he struggled to deal with an NHS crisis in Leeds. Will it knock him off course? Plus, we discuss Jonathan Ashworth's leaked comments, why the Liberal Democrats are miserable and how the Conservative campaign is going in target seats in the north of England. Presented by George Parker with Sebastian Payne and Laura Hughes. Produced by Anna Dedhar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Dec 11, 2019•15 min
The last full week of the UK’s election campaign was dominated by Boris Johnson’s failure to turn up to an interview with Andrew Neil, yet another anti-Semitism row in Labour and the Brexit party descending into more infighting. We analyse all the latest developments, plus we discuss our exclusive interview with John McDonnell and what is happening on the campaign trail in Kensington and Peterborough. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Miranda Green, Robert Shrimsley, George Parker, Jim Pickard ...
Dec 07, 2019•36 min
As the campaign enters the final week, the Conservative party is eager to ensure its lead is not knocked off course. Prime Minister Boris Johnson must hope US president Donald Trump does not destabilise his chances of re-election, and that neither Friday's TV debate nor a collapse in the Liberal Democrat vote produce a boost for the Labour party. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Laura Hughes and James Blitz. Produced by Anna Dedhar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy fo...
Dec 04, 2019•18 min
The UK's general election continued as the opposition Labour party struggled with anti-Semitism and its economic platform. A major new poll suggested the Conservatives are on course for a comfortable majority, but will the polls themselves stop that from happening? Plus, we discuss how the campaign is looking for the Liberal Democrats and Labour from the key seats of Golders Green and Northampton South. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Miranda Green, Robert Shrimsley, Jim P...
Nov 30, 2019•33 min
An unprecedented intervention from the UK’s chief rabbi has knocked Jeremy Corbyn’s campaign off course. A disastrous BBC interview also raised questions about his party’s economic credibility. Can the leak from UK-US trade talks put Labour’s campaign back on track? Plus, we look at the Conservatives’ manifesto, which has already almost been forgotten. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Laura Hughes and Jim Pickard. Produced by Anna Dedhar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pri...
Nov 27, 2019•19 min
The second week saw Labour propose sweeping tax and spend changes, the Liberal Democrats struggle to make an impact and the inconclusive first TV leadership debate. We discuss whether the sums made public so far add up and look ahead to the Conservatives' manifesto, too. Plus, we hear what the voting public is saying in marginal seats around the country. Presented by Miranda Green, with George Parker, Robert Shrimsley, Sebastian Payne and Chris Giles. Produced by Anna Dedhar and E...
Nov 23, 2019•31 min
Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn survived their first head-to-head encounter but neither candidate to be prime minister scored major points or made much headway. Plus, we discuss the manifestos from the Liberal Democrats and Labour and where the opposition parties sit in the campaign. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Robert Shrimsley, Laura Hughes and Jim Pickard. Produced by Anna Dedhar. Clips from the ITV debate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Nov 20, 2019•23 min
The first week of campaigning is over, but none of the parties have made much progress. Boris Johnson struggled with the floods, Nigel Farage tied himself in knots on where to stand candidates, Jo Swinson tried to cut through and Jeremy Corbyn unveiled a radical policy to offer free broadband for all. We examine all their campaigns and what might happen next. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Jim Pickard, Miranda Green, Robert Shrimsley and Laura Hughes. Produced by Anna Ded...
Nov 16, 2019•34 min
Nigel Farage's decision to stand down his candidates in Tory-held seats was intended to help the Conservatives, but should he stand them down in Labour marginals, too? How is Jo Swinson going down on the doorstep, and who is winning in the Labour-Tory battle over spending? Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker and Laura Hughes. Produced by Anna Dedhar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Nov 13, 2019•19 min
The first week of the election did not go to plan for the Conservatives, as their campaign was beset by gaffes and mistakes. Can Boris Johnson get back on track? Is Labour pleased with how its campaign is going, despite the resignation of Tom Watson? Plus, we delve into the new fiscal rules pledged by both parties and what the spending splurge means. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Miranda Green, Chris Giles and Robert Shrimsley. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Eoin McSwinney. ...
Nov 09, 2019•32 min
The prime minister finally succeeded in calling a general election this week, so Britain is heading to the polls on December 12. How is the campaign going to shake up? How did the launches for Labour and the Brexit party go? What will be the key themes? Plus, we discuss why so many female moderate Conservatives are quitting politics and the changing face of parliament. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Robert Shrimsley, Laura Hughes and Miranda Green. Produced by A...
Nov 02, 2019•32 min
The prime minister introduced legislation to parliament this week to deliver Brexit. It may have passed a vote in principle, but the government's rapid timetable for implementing it was rejected. Why did Boris Johnson not agree a slower implementation? And why is he now pushing once again for a general election? We examine the bill, the parliamentary arithmetic and the scenarios of what might happen next. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Jim Pickard, Robert Shrimsley, James Blitz and...
Oct 26, 2019•32 min
After a week of intense diplomacy with the EU, Boris Johnson brokered a new withdrawal agreement - without the troublesome Irish border backstop but with a contentious customs border in the Irish Sea. He lost support from the DUP, but does it have a chance of passing parliament? We dig into all the details and drama. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Sam Fleming, Robert Shrimsley, Miranda Green, James Blitz and Laura Hughes. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Eoin McSweeney. Hosted on A...
Oct 18, 2019•32 min
The highest court in Britain ruled that Boris Johnson's decision to shut down parliament was unlawful, with parliament unexpectedly returning this week. What are the constitutional implications of this landmark decision? What is the Commons planning to do now? And has our political rhetoric become too toxic? Plus, we review a radical Labour party conference, its latest convulsions on Brexit and radical policies on the environment - and look forward to the Tories' gathering next week. Presented b...
Oct 14, 2019•33 min
After months of stalemate, a Brexit deal suddenly became increasingly possible after an unlikely breakthrough between Boris Johnson and Leo Varadkar on the Wirral this week. What sort of new deal is being cooked up? Can it pass parliament? And will it be ready for October 31? Plus we discuss whether 10 Downing Street is dysfunctional or if the apparent chaos surrounding Dominic Cummings is planned. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Sam Fleming, Miranda Green and Robert Shrimsley....
Oct 14, 2019•29 min
As the Conservative’s annual conference came to a close in Manchester, Boris Johnson made his bold play on Brexit - proposing the long-awaited ideas to replace the infamous Irish border backstop. Does it have any hope of gaining favour with the EU? And is another Brexit delay inevitable? Plus we’ll be reviewing Boris’ first conference as Tory leader and look at how ready the party is for an election later this year. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Sam Fleming, Miranda Green and...
Oct 05, 2019•31 min
Brexit returned to the Supreme Court this week as judges and lawyers debated whether Boris Johnson legally prorogued parliament earlier this month. We discuss what arguments were made and what will happen if the government loses. Plus, we look back at the Liberal Democrats' conference, whether its new Brexit policy will help the party at the next election and how Labour might respond. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Jim Pickard, Miranda Green, Jane Croft and David Allen Green. Produced by Ann...
Sep 22, 2019•30 min
The government is accused of not doing enough preparation to rescue a deal but there are rumours of movement on the Northern Ireland backstop. Plus, as the conference season opens, we discuss who might emerge stronger or weaker - Boris Johnson, Jeremy Corbyn, Jo Swinson or Nicola Sturgeon. Presented by Miranda Green, with George Parker, David Bond, James Blitz and Robert Shrimsley. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Janina Corboye. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Sep 14, 2019•31 min
The prime minister lost control of his Brexit strategy this week, as parliament forced no deal off the table, 21 Tory MPs rebelled and were ejected from the party. Will Johnson be successful in forcing a snap election? Plus we discuss Labour’s plans for government, the radical redistribution of assets and when it wants Britain to go to the polls. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Miranda Green, James Blitz, Jim Pickard and Chris Giles - plus special guest Maddy Thimont Jack. Produced by Carolin...
Sep 07, 2019•37 min
The prime minister announced plans to shut down parliament for five weeks this autumn to thwart efforts to stymie his Brexit strategy. Was it wrong, clever or unconstitutional? And what does it mean for legislative efforts to avoid a no-deal Brexit? Presented by Sebastian Payne. With George Parker, Robert Shrimsley and James Blitz of the FT - plus Maddy Thimont Jack of the Institute for Government. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Salome Pkhaladze. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priva...
Aug 31, 2019•34 min
The prime minister set off on his first visit to world leaders, meeting Angela Merkel in Germany and Emmanuel Macron in France. What was his Brexit message - and has anything changed? Plus, we discuss the leak of the Operation Yellowhammer document. Presented by Sebastian Payne with James Blitz, Miranda Green and Robert Shrimsley. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Salome Pkhaladze Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Aug 24, 2019•25 min
The Labour leader announced plans this week to form a temporary government to avoid a no-deal Brexit, appealing to other opposition MPs to back his efforts. But he was soon rebuffed by the Liberal Democrats and independents who don't trust him in office. Does this plan to stop a no deal have any chance of success? Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Robert Shrimsley, Miranda Green and guest Maddy Thimont Jack of the Institute for Government think-tank. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Salome Pkha...
Aug 17, 2019•22 min
The prime minister and his aides have made it known they’re ready to force through leaving the EU with or without a deal, even if MPs collapse his government. Is this a bluff, and will it work? Plus, we discuss Labour’s position on forming a caretaker government and whether it is now aligned with the Scottish nationalists. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Miranda Green, Robert Shrimsley and Mure Dickie. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Salome Pkhaladze. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy f...
Aug 10, 2019•28 min
We look back at a mixed first full week in the job for Boris Johnson, as he toured Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland against a backdrop of a slump in sterling and Bank of England warnings about economic trouble ahead. In Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast, the self-styled "Minister for the Union" was warned he could break up the country if he presses ahead with a no deal Brexit. Opinion polls look good for the new PM, but in the real world the Tories lost the Brecon by-election. Presented by Geor...
Aug 03, 2019•21 min
The key appointments by Britain's new Conservative prime minister and what we're learning about his priorities and strategy, especially - of course - on Brexit. Plus, we discuss the jostling for position among the other political parties, and Nigel Farage's latest project in the US. Presented by Miranda Green, with George Parker and Jim Pickard of the FT and Henry Newman of the Open Europe think-tank. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Salome Pkhaladze. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more i...
Jul 27, 2019•25 min
Theresa May's last days in No 10 - is she going with a bang or a whimper? And who will be the next prime minister, and what do we know about him? Plus, the new top team in Brussels, the balance of power in Europe and what it will mean for Brexit. Presented by George Parker, with Jim Pickard, Miranda Green, Ben Hall and Alex Barker. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Salome Pkhaladze. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jul 20, 2019•25 min
The resignation of the UK's ambassador to the US this week caused a huge stir in Westminster, thanks to a leak of confidential diplomatic cables. Why did Kim Darroch decide to go? Was Boris Johnson to blame? And what does it tell us about the state of the civil service? Plus, we discuss the BBC expose of how Labour has dealt with anti-Semitism complaints and whether it is finally becoming the party of Remain. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Robert Shrimsley, James Blitz and Jim...
Jul 13, 2019•32 min
The ballot papers have gone out to Conservative members for the leadership election and voting has begun. Boris Johnson is leading in the polls, Jeremy Hunt is still fighting - but is it game over for him? We also discuss the prospect and wisdom of an early election. Presented by Miranda Green, with George Parker and James Blitz in London and Sebastian Payne on the campaign trail in Darlington. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Salome Pkhaladze. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informat...
Jul 06, 2019•31 min
