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In the first episode of a special summer interview series, Sebastian Payne talks to Jeremy Hunt, former health secretary and chair of the health select committee, about why the UK was not better prepared for the pandemic and what lessons need to be learnt from the government’s response so far. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
The FT politics podcast has relaunched as 'Payne's Politics' and in this first episode presenter Sebastian Payne and his guests analyse Boris Johnson's plan to get his government back on track and radically reform Whitehall. Plus, they discuss the UK's generous offer to the people of Hong Kong facing the latest Chinese clampdown. Seb's guests this week are George Parker, Robert Shrimsley, Laura Hughes and Gideon Rachman. Produced by Anna Dedhar, Josh de la Mare and Breen Turner. Clip source...
Boris Johnson announced this week that July 4 would be the UK’s Independence Day, when swaths of the economy would reopen. But is the prime minister moving too fast and going against scientific and medical advice? Plus, we discuss why Labour leader Keir Starmer sacked Rebecca Long-Bailey from his shadow cabinet, and why Mark Sedwill and Robert Jenrick are both in trouble. Presented by Sebastian Payne with Robert Shrimsley, Sarah Neville, George Parker and Jim Pickard. Produced by Anna Dedhar and...
Boris Johnson caved in to Marcus Rashford’s campaign to provide free school meals over the summer holidays, but why did it take so long? No 10 responded by defending the statue of Winston Churchill and engaging further in the ‘war on woke’. Plus, we discuss the merger of DFID and FCO and why the NHS contact-tracing app was binned to be replaced by Apple and Google’s alternative. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Robert Shrimsley, Laura Hughes and Sarah Neville. Produced by Anna D...
Tory ministers and MPs were furious this week at Downing Street’s refusal to ease the 2m social distancing rule to boost the ailing economy. Will Boris Johnson go against the advice of his scientists and relax it? And is the new track-and-trace programme working as planned? Plus, we discuss the Black Lives Matter protests, the defenestration of Edward Colston in Bristol and whether the UK is descending into a lively debate about its past, or a depressing culture war. Presented by Sebastian Payne...
Boris Johnson’s government found itself confused this week about why it was introducing a 14-day quarantine for all arrivals in the UK. Ministers and MPs warned it would undermine the economy, while scientists said it was not required. So why is the prime minister pushing ahead with it? Plus, we discuss the farcical scenes in parliament, the reopening of pubs and restaurants this summer and Britain’s offer to the people of Hong Kong. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Jim Pickard ...
Westminster has been engulfed by the extraordinary row over Boris Johnson’s chief adviser Dominic Cummings and whether he broke the UK’s lockdown rules. How long will he now stay in government? Why did the prime minister go to extraordinary lengths to save his adviser? And what does it tell us about the state of Downing Street and the Conservative party? Plus, we discuss the launch of the government’s Covid-19 contact-tracing scheme and look forward to lockdown easing next week. Presented by Seb...
The government found itself in a mess this week over whether schools can return on June 1, with teaching unions and local authorities arguing it is not safe. What does it say about the plans for lockdown easing? Plus, we discuss the continued tribulations with the NHS’s contact-tracing app, the prime minister’s rapid U-turn on the health service surcharge, his PMQs clash with Labour leader Keir Starmer and the return of Brexit to the political agenda. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Pa...
Boris Johnson revealed his gradual plan for taking the UK out of lockdown, but his government’s new strategy was undermined by confused messages. Why has Downing Street struggled this week? Is the prime minister favouring white-collar workers over blue? Plus, we discuss Rishi Sunak’s decision to extend the expensive furlough scheme till October and whether he can avoid mass unemployment. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Jim Pickard, Laura Hughes and Robert Shrimsley. Produced by Anna Dedhar an...
Boris Johnson will finally set his exit strategy this weekend, but any changes will be gradual and limited. Why is the prime minister reluctant to move quickly? We also discuss why the government is failing to continue to meet its 100,000 target for coronavirus tests, growing concerns from the Treasury about the cost of the shutdown and Keir Starmer’s interview with the FT about how he intends to make the Labour party electable again. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Jim Pickard...
The prime minister returned to Downing Street this week and began to set out how the lockdown will end. Why is Johnson relying on the science and the R rate? Are businesses and Britons ready to go back to work? Plus, we discuss the 100k tests-a-day target, why the UK’s death toll is surpassing other European countries and why Labour leader Keir Starmer is being cautious in his criticism. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Chris Giles and Laura Hughes. Produced by Anna Dedhar and B...
The UK government is confident of reaching its target for daily Covid-19 tests by the end of April, but why is it still struggling to use its capacity? Is the NHS ready for nationwide contract tracing through volunteers and a new app? Plus, we look at what the prime minister faces when he is back in Downing Street, what can be done to help struggling small businesses and how the new Labour leader Keir Starmer performed at his first PMQs. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Sarah Ne...
Dominic Raab, standing in for Boris Johnson while the prime minister recovers from Covid-19, announced this week another three weeks of social distancing. What can Britain learn from other European countries as they begin tentatively to ease their lockdowns? Plus, we discuss the government’s hardline stance on an extension to the transition period to leave the EU, and what Brussels thinks of it. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Robert Shrimsley, Laura Hughes and Ben Hall. Produced by Anna Dedh...
The health of the prime minister has dominated this week, as the prime minister was admitted to intensive care suffering from Covid-19. Can foreign secretary Dominic Raab fill his shoes? Will the Quad of ministers be important in his absence? Plus, we discuss how and when the UK can exit the lockdown and what Keir Starmer has done in his first week as Labour leader. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Laura Hughes and Robert Shrimsley. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Breen Turner. Host...
The coronavirus crisis deepened this week as Boris Johnson’s government battled to increase the levels of testing, or explain why the UK is having such problems. Who is to blame? We also discuss why chancellor Rishi Sunak is having to provide extra help to small businesses and what Keir Starmer will do if he is elected Labour leader today. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Laura Hughes and Jim Pickard. Produced by Anna Dedhar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more infor...
The prime minister addressed the nation and put Britain in lockdown at the beginning of the week after persuasion alone proved failed to keep people apart. By the end of the week Boris Johnson and Matt Hancock, health secretary, tested positive themselves. Can he run the country from isolation? Plus, we discuss concerns over the shortage of testing kits and PPE for NHS staff. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Clive Cookson and Laura Hughes. Produced by Anna Dedhar. Hosted o...
Prime Minister Boris Johnson significantly upped the UK’s action to tackle coronavirus this week with stringent new social distancing measures, while the chancellor unveiled a huge economic stimulus to keep the economy going. We also discuss the prospect of a London shutdown, how the NHS is coping and how Mr Johnson is coping with the crisis. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Sarah Neville and Robert Shrimsley. Produced by Anna Dedhar Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mo...
The new chancellor delivered his first Budget this week and pulled off a complicated, uncertain fiscal event. Has he defined what Johnsonism is? How does the Conservative party feel about the big spending increases? And how will it all be paid for? Plus we discuss Boris Johnson's decision to increase the UK's efforts to combat coronavirus, why No10 is relying on behavioural scientists and taking a different approach to the virus from other countries. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Par...
The rapid spread of coronavirus has dominated this week's political agenda, as Boris Johnson tried to grapple with the crisis. Has the government shifted out of campaigning mode and into governing? We also discuss the collapse of Flybe and what it means for the government's levelling-up agenda. Plus, we discuss the resignation of senior civil servant Philip Rutnam and what is to blame for his clashes with home secretary Priti Patel. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Jim...
The second part of our first live podcast from Bracken House. Our panel answers questions from listeners on whether we’re heading for a united Ireland, what will happen in the next Scottish elections, whether politics is becoming too cultish, what Bernie Sanders would do for a UK-US trade deal and much more. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Robert Shrimsley, Miranda Green and Jim Pickard. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Jack Denton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inf...
The first part of our first live podcast from Bracken House. We discuss the UK and EU’s mandates for the negotiations and whether the talks could collapse before they’ve even begun, Priti Patel’s rows with civil servants, what Rishi Sunak will do in his first Budget and how Keir Starmer will lead the Labour party. Presented by Sebastian Payne with George Parker, Robert Shrimsley, Miranda Green and Jim Pickard. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Jack Denton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mor...
The UK and the EU presented somewhat different approaches to the Brexit trade talks this week, with Brussels and London disputing what kind of deal can be struck. Are the parties too far apart or is there a landing zone for an agreement? Plus, we discuss the government’s new immigration system, the policy thinking behind it and whether businesses should be worried. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Jim Brunsden and Laura Hughes. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Jack Denton. Hosted on Acast. Se...
Boris Johnson’s first major cabinet reshuffle did not go to plan this week, as Sajid Javid abruptly quit as chancellor over a row about his advisers. We look at the tension between No 10 and No 11 Downing Street, Javid’s replacement Rishi Sunak, and what lies ahead for the Budget. Plus, we’ll examine the other hirings and firings in the cabinet. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Miranda Green and Chris Giles. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Jack Denton. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com...
The UK and the EU unveiled their mandates for the trade talks this week, setting out the dividing lines for striking a deal this year. Are the sides irreconcilably split, or is there a path towards an agreement on the three key issues? Plus, we discuss the Derek Mackay scandal engulfing the SNP in Scotland — are their hopes of secession in danger? Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Miranda Green, Robert Shrimsley, Ben Hall, Laura Hughes and Mure Dickie. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Jack Denton.&n...
The UK has left the EU, three and a half years after the referendum result. What has been the mood leading up to departure day, will anything actually change and how will Boris Johnson define Britain's future position in the world? Plus we discuss the High Speed 2 railway project and why it has been drastically mismanaged. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Miranda Green, Robert Shrimsley, Jim Pickard and Gill Plimmer. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Jack Denton Hosted on Acast...
UK chancellor Sajid Javid has been in Davos with the world's rich and powerful this week, talking up the UK economy post-Brexit. Is there good news on the economy, and is there more to him than a very junior partner to Prime Minister Boris Johnson? Brexit Day is next Friday, but that doesn't mean it'll all be over. We discuss what happens next - expect a roller-coaster year. Presented by Miranda Green, with Robert Shrimsley, David Bond, Delphine Strauss and Laura Hughes. Produced by Anna Dedhar ...
What line is Brussels likely to take in the next phase of talks now Prime Minister Boris Johnson has his mandate to act tough? Keir Starmer is ahead in the competition to replace Labour’s Jeremy Corbyn but Rebecca Long Bailey and Lisa Nandy are making their marks. Plus, a discussion of the FT’s profile of the powerful Dominic Cummings in No 10. Presented by Miranda Green, with George Parker, Jim Pickard and Sam Fleming.Produced by Anna Dedhar and Jack Denton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privac...
The contest to succeed Jeremy Corbyn is well underway, with Keir Starmer and Rebecca Long Bailey in poll position. Can any of the other candidates halt their momentum? Who will make it on the ballot paper? Plus, we discuss Ursula von der Leyen’s first encounter with Boris Johnson and how he might tackle alignment in a future trade deal. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Jim Pickard, Robert Shrimsley and Laura Hughes. Produced by Anna Dedhar. Hosted on Acast. See acast....
After 28 years at the FT, Whitehall editor James Blitz looks back on his time as political editor and defence editor, and the stories he has covered - including Tony Blair’s election victory, the Iraq war, the fights with Gordon Brown, the future of the armed forces, the civil service and Brexit. Presented by Sebastian Payne and produced by Anna Dedhar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
After 14 years of editing the Financial Times, Lionel Barber discusses British politics over the last three decades - including the fall of Margaret Thatcher, her relationship with Ronald Reagan, the first Conservative wars over Europe, the rise of New Labour, the financial crisis, Brexit and Boris Johnson. Presented by Sebastian Payne, and produced by Anna Dedhar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
