Boris Johnson made it clear this week that he will not rush into easing the nationwide lockdown - what will the UK prime minister set out in his road map next week? Will schools return and when will further measures be eased? Plus, we discuss the surprise appointment of Lord David Frost to Johnson's cabinet and what it says about relations with the EU and the next ministerial reshuffle. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Sarah Neville, Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe, George Parker and Robert Shrimsley...
Feb 20, 2021•30 min
Hotel quarantine will finally be introduced to the UK next week, but can the logistics work? Will it stop new variants of the virus spreading - and are enough countries going to be included? Plus, we discuss whether Sir Keir Starmer is stalling as Labour leader and whether he is critical enough of the government's coronavirus policies. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Jim Pickard, Alice Hancock, Robert Shrimsley and special guest Sienna Rodgers, editor of LabourList. Produced by Anna Dedhar an...
Feb 13, 2021•31 min
This week the UK faced the prospect of the emergence of new coronavirus mutations while surging past 10m vaccinations. Will this progress speed up the relaxation of the lockdown? What timetable is the prime minister working to? Plus, we discuss how Brexit is affecting trade in Northern Ireland and whether the contentious trade protocol will be suspended or improved to ease tensions. Presented by Sebastian Payne. With Sarah Neville, Clive Cookson, George Parker and Peter Foster. Produced by Anna ...
Feb 06, 2021•30 min
Boris Johnson set out how England will exit its nationwide lockdown this week, with schools set to reopen in early March but shops and other businesses due to come later. We speak to Mark Harper, chair of the Covid Recovery Group, about what Tory MPs want to hear from the prime minister. Plus, we examine the Scottish National party's latest push for independence and whether their plan B will run foul of UK law. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Mure Dickie and special guests Conservative MP Mar...
Jan 30, 2021•30 min
Joe Biden was inaugurated as the new US president this week - what does it mean for UK-US relations? Can Boris Johnson forge a rapport with him on shared policy areas? Plus, we examine how the UK-EU Brexit trade deal has bedded in and whether the supply disruption in Northern Ireland will be permanent. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Gideon Rachman, Peter Foster and special guest Anna Jerzewska. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Josh de la Mare. The sound engineer was Breen Turner an...
Jan 23, 2021•31 min
The UK's battle against the new strain of Covid-19 has had mixed results this week – deaths continued to be high while infections started to fall. Are enough people following the rules? And is the vaccine rollout going to plan? Plus, we discuss the government's plans to move 22,000 civil servants out of Whitehall and whether it will help the prime minister's "levelling up" agenda. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Jim Pickard, Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe, Andy Bounds and special guest Jill Rutter ...
Jan 16, 2021•31 min
UK prime minister Boris Johnson put England into its third lockdown this week, as the new strain of coronavirus risked the health service being overwhelmed. How long will it last and why does everything now rely on vaccine roll out? Plus, we discuss Mr Johnson's political struggles with the latest restrictions, the chaos around schools reopening and closing again and whether the local elections in May will become a Covid referendum. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Sarah Neville, Clive Cookson...
Jan 09, 2021•32 min
The UK has fully left the EU, ending 47 years of membership. In this Brexit special, we examine the last-minute trade deal that Prime Minister Boris Johnson brokered last week, the new checks and red tape that have been introduced, how Britain will use its regulatory freedoms and why the future of the United Kingdom will dominate politics in 2021. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Peter Foster and special guest Allie Renison of the Institute of Directors. Produced by Anna Dedhar ...
Jan 01, 2021•30 min
Talks between the UK and the EU on a trade deal have reached their final days. Can a deal be agreed, or could an accidental no-deal still occur? Plus, we discuss the latest Covid-19 rules, progress on vaccine plans and whether the easing of restrictions during the Christmas period will lead to a third national lockdown in January. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Jim Brunsden, Sarah Neville and Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Josh de la Mare. The sound engi...
Dec 19, 2020•31 min
With negotiations on a Brexit trade deal between the UK and EU stalled again, and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson warning of a no-deal outcome, can the process be salvaged? Plus, with the Brexit arrangements for Northern Ireland resolved this week in a new protocol, has the threat of a new trade border in the Irish Sea really been removed? Presented by George Parker, with Jim Brunsden, Peter Foster, Sam Lowe of the Centre for European Reform and Jess Sergeant from the Institute for Government. P...
Dec 12, 2020•28 min
Britain became the first country to approve a coronavirus vaccine this week. The first doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech jab will arrive soon, but is the UK ready to distribute it? Which groups will get it first and what impact will it have on the Covid-19 restrictions? Plus, we speak to Douglas Ross, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, about his plans to save the United Kingdom, how he intends to take on Nicola Sturgeon and whether he finds Boris Johnson embarrassing. Presented by Sebastian Payne,...
Dec 05, 2020•34 min
Chancellor Rishi Sunak delivered his spending review this week amid the harsh economic effects of coronavirus and the UK's mounting debt pile. Why was foreign aid cut, should public sector workers have received a pay rise and have all the hard choices been delayed until next year? Plus, we discuss how England will exit its national lockdown next week, what happens at Christmas and why there is much unhappiness about the new system of regional tiers. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Sarah Nevil...
Nov 28, 2020•32 min
In his bid to reset the UK government's image, Boris Johnson announced a 10-point plan for a 'green recovery' costing billions of pounds. Will it do enough to tackle climate change and does it risk alienating Johnson's 'Red Wall' supporters? The prime minister has also pledged the biggest investment in defence since the end of the cold war. But is there any strategy behind the spending, and can the UK afford it? Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Pilita Clark, Jim Pickard, Helen Warrell and Geor...
Nov 21, 2020•31 min
In a dramatic week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson lost two of his key aides, chief adviser Dominic Cummings and director of communications Lee Cain, both senior forces in the Vote Leave campaign. Will their departure mark a new beginning for Downing Street? Plus, Westminster welcomed the news of a coronavirus vaccine breakthrough from Pfizer, but how much will it allow the UK to relax social distancing rules? Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Robert Shrimsley, Sarah Neville and Cl...
Nov 14, 2020•30 min
With Joe Biden on the cusp of becoming the 46th US president, how will Boris Johnson recalibrate and repair transatlantic relations? We discuss whether the two can overcome their differences on Brexit and how the election result will affect trade talks and diplomatic relations. Plus, we examine Rishi Sunak's latest economic stimulus package, why the chancellor had to extend furlough again and whether the Johnson government is struggling to see obvious policy threats ahead. Presented by Sebastian...
Nov 07, 2020•33 min
Keir Starmer made the dramatic move to suspend Jeremy Corbyn from the Labour party this week, following an investigation into anti-Semitism. Is a new and bitter rift about to start within the opposition party? Plus, we speak to Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham about his battles with Boris Johnson, why mayors need more powers and whether he will ever return to Westminster. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Jim Pickard and special guests Andy Burnham and Sienna Rogers. Produced by Anna Dedha...
Oct 31, 2020•32 min
The prime minister found himself at odds with northern leaders this week, as disputes grew over localised coronavirus restrictions. Is Boris Johnson facing a governing crisis with mayors and devolved leaders? Plus, we discuss yet another economic stimulus package from Rishi Sunak to save jobs and whether the Treasury has given up on going for growth this year. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Robert Shrimsley, Chris Giles and special guest Gemma Tetlow. Produced by Anna Dedlar a...
Oct 24, 2020•34 min
Boris Johnson's coronavirus strategy was yet again tested to breaking point this week, as Labour opposition leader Keir Starmer and leaders of northern English cities tore into the government's new three-tier alert system. Where does this leave the prime minister's strategy for handling the pandemic? Meanwhile, Brexit talks are set to enter a tense couple of weeks. Following a European Council meeting on Friday, Mr Johnson said he was convinced the EU was not ready to offer the UK a "Canada-styl...
Oct 17, 2020•27 min
Tension over coronavirus rules pervaded local and national UK politics this week as the north of England faced further restrictions, and pubs and restaurants in central Scotland were closed. Will Westminster now take a more centralised approach to restrictions? Plus, we discuss Prime Minister Boris Johnson's virtual Conservative party conference speech and whether he has any hope of achieving his domestic agenda in the age of coronavirus. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Sarah Neville, Mure Di...
Oct 10, 2020•32 min
Home secretary Priti Patel's initiative to examine plans for an offshore immigration centre on Ascension Island — more than 4,000 miles from the UK — put the government's asylum policy under the spotlight this week and bore striking similarities with policies adopted by Australia's centre-right Liberal party. Why are the Tories so fond of Australia? Plus, a look at why Downing Street has not shied away from warning the public that tougher coronavirus restrictions may lie ahead this winter. Prese...
Oct 03, 2020•29 min
Prime Minister Boris Johnson introduced further restrictions to halt the spread of Covid-19 in the UK but faced a backlash from Conservative MPs. Chancellor Rishi Sunak's winter economic plan, however, received a much warmer reception. How much will it help the UK economy? We also discuss Keir Starmer's first conference speech as Labour leader and whether the party's grassroots are happy with the direction he is going. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Chris Giles, Jim Pickard an...
Sep 26, 2020•31 min
Boris Johnson found himself in another parliamentary stand-off over Brexit legislation this week, and eventually found a compromise with rebellious Conservative MPs. Why is the prime minister struggling with his party and is he becoming a diminished figure in Westminster? Plus, with the takeover by US chipmaker Nvidia of British-based chip designer Arm, and Hitachi's decision to withdraw from a major nuclear power project in Wales, does the UK have a coherent industrial policy? Presented by Seba...
Sep 19, 2020•30 min
Boris Johnson's government is bringing in a new law — the internal market bill — that threatens to undermine the UK's withdrawal agreement with the EU. Will this push negotiations for a trade deal between the UK and EU even closer to collapse? Plus, coronavirus is spreading rapidly once more in Britain and, in response, new measures to limit gatherings are to be introduced. But will they be enough to stop the UK heading towards a second national lockdown? Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Peter...
Sep 12, 2020•30 min
In the latest from our special interview series, the FT's Sebastian Payne talks to Bridget Phillipson, Labour's shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, about the government's economic recovery plan, and how Labour would approach it differently. Plus, how the party plans to regain support across the north of England and why it needs to move beyond the Brexit divide. Produced by Fiona Symon and Liam Nolan, with research by George Steer. The sound engineer is Breen Turner. Theme music by Metaphor M...
Sep 09, 2020•25 min
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has warned both the public and Conservative MPs that difficult decisions must be taken on tax and spending. How dire is the UK economy and will taxes rise? We also discuss the closure of the Department for International Development, which has been rolled into the all-new Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Will this strengthen the UK's foreign policy, and at what cost to aid projects? Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Chris Giles, Robert Shrimsley...
Sep 05, 2020•30 min
Prime Minister Boris Johnson made yet another abrupt policy change this week to get pupils in England back to school. Are the wrong people in government making these decisions, and how much is the civil service at fault? Plus, we discuss the election of Ed Davey as the new leader of the Liberal Democrats and whether the party can reclaim the centre ground of British politics. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Laura Hughes, Robert Shrimsley and special guest Lib Dem MP Daisy Cooper. Produced by ...
Aug 29, 2020•30 min
It has been an embarrassing week for the Johnson government, as education secretary Gavin Williamson was forced into a U-turn on exam results. Will the prime minister rethink his management style and does he face a leadership challenge? Plus, the UK and EU are still struggling to strike a trade deal in the latest Brexit negotiations. Will an agreement be reached in time for the end-of-year deadline? Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Paul Goodman, editor of the ConservativeHome website, and the ...
Aug 22, 2020•31 min
In the latest from our summer interview series, Sebastian Payne talks to Ed Davey, Liberal Democrat leadership candidate, about why he thinks the party’s “radical reforming agenda” can win over voters at the next election. Produced by Fiona Symon. The sound engineer is Breen Turner and the editor is Liam Nolan. Theme music by Metaphor Music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 19, 2020•29 min
The UK is in its deepest recession on record, official data showed this week. Not only does Britain have the worst coronavirus death toll in Europe, but the economy has been harder hit than any other G7 country. Is it Boris Johnson’s fault? Plus, we discuss the exams debacle and the anger at how grades have been awarded to students who couldn’t sit their exams because of Covid-19. Presented by George Parker, with Delphine Strauss, Alice Hancock, Mure Dickie and Bethan Staton. Produced by Anna De...
Aug 15, 2020•24 min
Boris Johnson’s government has been warned by the opposition that it has less than a month to fix the test, track and trace system to get pupils back into schools, while avoiding another coronavirus outbreak. Can it be done? Plus, we delve into the biggest shake-up in England’s housing planning rules since the second world war and whether it will lead to beautiful new buildings or ugly eyesores. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Sarah Neville, Robert Shrimsley and George Hammond....
Aug 08, 2020•32 min
