Russia’s invasion of Ukraine became more brutal this week, with urban bombardment of civilians. We discuss what is likely to happen next and the west’s response. Plus, we explore whether the UK is doing enough to tackle dodgy Russian money in London and what further sanctions should be introduced. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Gideon Rachman, Laura Hughes, Tom Burgis and special guest Tom Tugendhat. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner ...
Mar 05, 2022•35 min
After weeks of warnings from the west, Russia invaded Ukraine this week, prompting what some say could be the continent's worst conflict since the second world war. We explore why President Vladimir Putin decided to invade, his histrionic explanation, the situation on the ground and how the conflict will pan out. Plus, we examine the response from western nations, whether sanctions will work and what the effect on Britain would be. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with...
Feb 25, 2022•30 min
Parliament may have been in recess this week but the political action hasn't stopped. We discuss our significant story about the next election featuring Labour and the Liberal Democrats. Not since the days of Paddy Ashdown's ultimately unproductive courtship of Tony Blair in the 1990s have relations between the two opposition parties looked so promising. Plus, we look at the Ukraine crisis and the way Boris Johnson's government is handling it, as Germany hosts a very tense Mu...
Feb 19, 2022•28 min
We examine the abrupt departure of Met Police commissioner Cressida Dick, what it means for the police investigation into the “partygate” scandal and how it plays into Boris Johnson’s hopes of resetting his government. We also look at the mini Cabinet reshuffle and the new No10 team. Political editor George Parker and chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley discuss. Plus, the government signals an end to all Covid restrictions in England by the end of February. Is it too hasty or a welcome ...
Feb 12, 2022•36 min
We ask whether the prime minister can survive the latest scandal engulfing his government. Is the departure of his closest and longstanding aide Munira Mirza the beginning of the end? Or the start of a reset? Chief political correspondent Jim Pickard will discuss with chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley. Plus, we look into the long-awaited levelling up white paper and ask if it delivers on the high promises to rebalance the UK - and will those pro-Brexit first-time Tory voters feel it i...
Feb 05, 2022•34 min
The official investigation into lockdown Downing Street gatherings was due to be concluded this week, but a criminal probe by the police has thrown Whitehall’s Sue Gray off course. When will the inquiry be released? Plus, we discuss the UK’s involvement in the worsening situation in Ukraine and what it says about post-Brexit foreign policy. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Robert Shirmsley, Laura Hughes and Gideon Rachman. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. T...
Jan 29, 2022•34 min
The latest twists and turns in the ‘partygate’ drama this week as Conservative MPs threatened a vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Boris Johnson. We explore the progress of Sue Gray’s inquiry into the partygate row, how Johnson will respond and whether he can survive. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Robert Shrimsley and Camilla Cavendish. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth. Audio: Sky News -Read th...
Jan 22, 2022•30 min
This week we’re devoting the episode to the “partygate” row which has blown up in Westminster. After the prime minister revealed he attended a party, calls for his resignation grew in and outside of the Tory party. Can he survive? Does his fate lie in the hands of a senior civil servant? Will Rishi Sunak walk out of the cabinet? And where does the story go next? We’ll be unpacking all the news and drama with a top line-up of guests: political editor George Parker, chief political commentator Rob...
Jan 15, 2022•35 min
We look at the trouble ahead for Boris Johnson, starting with the crisis in the energy market. What can the government do to stop bills doubling in the coming months? Along with sleaze investigations, how much of a threat is this to the PM? Political editor George Parker will discuss, together with chief political correspondent Jim Pickard. And we look at the latest with the spread of Omicron over the festive season and whether the new variant is putting too much pressure on the health service. ...
Jan 08, 2022•34 min
Michael Cockerell has made some of the best political documentaries about UK politics, covering prime ministers from Harold Macmillan to Boris Johnson. His new book, “Unmasking Our Leaders”, takes us into a career of political journalism and interviews regarding not just politicians and MPs and ministers but also the secret world of Whitehall. Cockerell looks back on the leaders he has met and what he learnt from them. Presented by Sebastian Payne. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon...
Jan 01, 2022•27 min
Andrew Mitchell went through many of the UK's most established institutions, from public school to the army to the City of London and parliament, the Whips Office and the cabinet. His new book, “Beyond A Fringe”, refers not only to his distinctive hairstyle but also his insider’s view of Britain. We explore his journey into politics, life in government and where he sees Tory politics going next. Presented by Sebastian Payne. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound...
Dec 25, 2021•30 min
We analyse the remarkable by-election outcome. On top of the two biggest parliamentary defeats of his career as prime minister, we’ll look at just how much trouble Boris Johnson is in and whether he’s about to face a leadership challenge. Political editor George Parker and chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley discuss. And we look at the coronavirus situation following a huge rise in case numbers and whether the NHS is at risk of being overwhelmed this winter. Will plan&nbs...
Dec 18, 2021•35 min
This week we analyse the new measures abruptly imposed in England in response to the alarming rise in Omicron coronavirus cases. What spooked the government? Science reporter Oliver Barnes and special guest science commentator Anjana Ahuja explain. Plus, the prime minister faces a Tory rebellion not only over the new Covid rules, but whether parties were held at No 10 last Christmas that broke lockdown rules, and who paid for the refurbishment of his ...
Dec 11, 2021•35 min
This week we dissect how much we know about the rising new variant and ask how worried we should be. Will we see much tighter restrictions imposed as Christmas approaches? Health editor Sarah Neville analyses the situation with science editor Clive Cookson. Plus, the Conservatives held the seat in the Old Bexley and Sidcup by-election but with a reduced majority as Labour and the Liberal Democrats collaborated in opposition - and there's another by-el...
Dec 04, 2021•37 min
Twenty-seven asylum seekers drowned trying to reach Britain, highlighting the growing crisis of small boats. How can the issue be resolved and what does it say about Anglo-French relations? Plus, we discuss another chaotic week for Boris Johnson and whether a new operation at No 10 would improve the prime minister’s standing. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with the FT’s Laura Hughes, Anna Gross, Robert Shrimsley and special guest Paul Goodman of Conservative Home. Produced by Anna De...
Nov 27, 2021•35 min
This week we delve into the plan for reshaping the UK’s railways. Is £100bn of investment the biggest change in a generation, or will it prove to be a massive disappointment? Chief political correspondent Jim Pickard discusses this with a special guest: George Osborne, the former chancellor and chair of the Northern Powerhouse Project. Plus, it’s been a torrid week for Boris Johnson but does any of it matter? The Tories may be behind in the opinion polls but is the party hanging with him and for...
Nov 20, 2021•39 min
This week we examine the row about outside interests for British MPs. Is it acceptable to be earning hundreds of thousands of pounds a year on top of their parliamentary work? And do voters care? Chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley will analyse the situation with political correspondent Laura Hughes. Plus, we look at the very odd case of the 92 hereditary peers in the House of Lords - the last vestiges of aristocracy in our politics. How do they still exist and will their time ever come...
Nov 13, 2021•34 min
This week we discuss the chaotic events surrounding the botched reform of the parliamentary standards committee. We look at why No 10 was so eager to save disgraced MP Owen Paterson and where the row goes next. Political editor George Parker, political commentator Robert Shrimsley and political correspondent Laura Hughes will explain all. And we look back at the first week of the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, where more than 120 world leaders gathered to make headway on climate change. ...
Nov 06, 2021•39 min
This week we examine the philosophy behind this year’s Budget and whether this is a marked change in how the Conservatives look at the economy. Political editor George Parker and chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley discuss. And we look ahead to the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, where world leaders will, or won’t, step up on tackling climate change. Will Boris Johnson’s bold ambitions be met? Or will it turn out to be another missed opportunity? Climate reporter Camilla Hodgson and co...
Oct 30, 2021•33 min
Rishi Sunak delivered his 2021 Budget that pledged to increase spending, cut taxes and burrow away money for saving too. Is it all things to all people and will it help with the cost of living crisis? Political editor George Parker and economics editor Chris Giles will dissect. Presented by Sebastian Payne. Produced by Breen Turner. -Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk -Follow @SebastianEPayne, @GeorgeWParker & @ChrisGiles_ on Twitter -Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newslet...
Oct 27, 2021•16 min
This week we discuss the return of Covid to the news agenda and ask whether the government will implement its so-called Plan B of measures as infections and hospital admissions rise rapidly. Political editor George Parker will give his analysis, along with health and science reporter Oliver Barnes. And we remember Sir David Amess, the veteran Conservative politician who was killed in his Essex constituency last Friday and examine what can be done to improve the secu...
Oct 23, 2021•31 min
This edition of Payne’s Politics was recorded before the news of the death of Conservative MP Sir David Amess who died after being stabbed at his constituency surgery in Essex on Friday. This week we discuss the latest with the UK’s shortages. Should the government be doing more and should the Treasury intervene? Political editor George Parker and chief political correspondent Jim Pickard will take us into the corridors of power. And later, we’ll be returning to Brexit and how to resolve the iss...
Oct 16, 2021•36 min
This week we analyse this year’s Conservative party conference. First, Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s speech: how credible was it? Can low-skilled immigration be simply replaced without a big inflation risk? Political editor George Parker and chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley analyse. And then, we look at the other main theme of this year’s conference: levelling up. Did we gain any extra insight from Johnson and Michael Gove on what it means, how it can be delivered and what success l...
Oct 09, 2021•37 min
This week, we’ll be analysing Labour’s annual jamboree and whether Sir Keir Starmer has met expectations. How did he take on the left and what was the core message of his keynote speech? Chief political correspondent Jim Pickard and political correspondent Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe will explore. Later on, we’ll turn our attention to the cost-of-living crunch approaching this winter. There are widespread fears across Whitehall that the situation could get worse, with inflation rising, fuel and foo...
Oct 02, 2021•38 min
This week, we analyse Boris Johnson’s trip to America, his address to the UN, his one-to-one with President Joe Biden and the health of the so-called special relationship. Joining to discuss are our political editor George Parker, and political and diplomatic correspondent Laura Hughes. Plus, we’ll be looking forward to the Labour party conference in Brighton next week. Keir Starmer has published a 14,000 word pamphlet setting out his vision for the country, but is anyone listening? Chief politi...
Sep 25, 2021•34 min
This week, we dissect prime minister Boris Johnson’s first major reshuffle of this parliament. We’ll be examining who went up, who went sideways, those who were sacked and what this all tells us about where the Johnson government is going next. Political editor George Parker and political correspondent Laura Hughes will take us through what happened. And we discuss a new book “Broken Heartlands: A Journey Through Labour’s Lost England”. Author Sebastian Payne has been pootling around England for...
Sep 18, 2021•34 min
This week we analyse prime minister Boris Johnson’s game on social care reform, what the plan involves and whether the Conservative party and its voters will swallow tax rises. Political editor George Parker and economics editor Chris Giles dissect the details. Plus we look at how the UK government hopes to try to avoid another coronavirus lockdown this winter through vaccine passports and booster jabs. With cases already running high, are hospitals about to be overwhelmed? Health editor S...
Sep 11, 2021•36 min
This week we examine how the UK got its withdrawal from Afghanistan so badly wrong and the subsequent Whitehall briefing war against the Foreign Office. Robert Shrimsley, our chief political commentator, and Laura Hughes, political and diplomatic correspondent, will analyse the issues. We also look at Whitehall’s contingency planning for what will happen to the UK’s nuclear deterrent in the event of Scottish independence. Will the Trident programme move to England, Ame...
Sep 04, 2021•31 min
In the fifth and final of our summer specials, Sebastian Payne meets Liz Truss, international trade secretary and minister for women and equalities. Truss is the most popular member of Boris Johnson’s government, and a keen advocate of a buccaneering policy of striking free trade deals with everyone and everywhere. We explore the economic worth of such agreements, what’s coming down the tracks and how her agenda may play into her own political future. Produced by Howie Shannon. The sound e...
Aug 28, 2021•32 min
In the fourth of our summer specials, Sebastian Payne meets Sir Malcolm Rifkind. In a week when the Taliban shocked the West with its rapid advance in Afghanistan, the former Conservative defence and foreign secretary examines where this leaves UK foreign policy. What does it mean for the UK’s so-called special relationship with the US and for the future of foreign interventions? Produced by Howie Shannon. The sound engineer was Breen Turner. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...
Aug 21, 2021•29 min
