The UK has experienced an unprecedented week of constitutional upheaval with new national and political leadership. We discuss the death and mourning of Queen Elizabeth II, the arrival of King Charles III and what it all means for the new prime minister Liz Truss. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Peter Foster, George Parker, Robert Shrimsley and special guest Hannah White. Produced by Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth. -Read the latest on ...
Sep 17, 2022•38 min
Following the sad news of the death of Queen Elizabeth II - who died on September 8 2022 at the age of 96 - we are in tribute republishing this platinum jubilee episode, in which we looked back on Her Majesty's 70 years on the throne. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Chris Giles and Sarah O'Connor. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth. -Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk -Follow @Seb P...
Sep 09, 2022•30 min
The Tory leadership race finished this week, with foreign secretary Liz Truss widely expected to triumph. We discuss the final campaign developments, Truss’ pledges on tax, and what Boris Johnson might do next. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Robert Shrimsley and Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth. -Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk -Follow @Seb Payne &...
Sep 03, 2022•26 min
With energy bills set to soar from October, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak faced mounting questions about how they would help struggling families, yet neither of the candidates to be the new prime minister has set out detailed plans. We examine the foreign secretary's tax proposals, whether they will address the economic turbulence ahead and if Whitehall needs a new ethics adviser. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with chief political correspondent Jim Pickard, political corresp...
Aug 27, 2022•28 min
Two new opinion polls put Liz Truss 32 points ahead of her rival Rishi Sunak in the race to be the next Tory leader and prime minister. We analyse whether the contest is over, and the latest clashes between the two contenders on the union and economy. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe and special guest Paul Goodman of ConservativeHome. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth -Read the latest on ht...
Aug 20, 2022•27 min
As much of the country wilts in a heatwave, the focus in the Tory leadership contest this week has been on colder times to come. The two rivals for UK prime minister have disagreed publicly on how to help the most vulnerable cope with rising energy costs in the autumn. Rishi Sunak is promising direct help, while Liz Truss has criticised what she calls “handouts”, favouring tax cuts instead. But in the face of dire warnings that energy bills could reach more than £4,000 a year, is Truss softening...
Aug 13, 2022•22 min
The voting process in the contest for a new Tory leader and prime minister was delayed over security concerns, but the campaign continued with Liz Truss looking all but certain to win. We discuss her lines of attack and her proliferation of new ideas, and delve into why Rishi Sunak is struggling to present himself as the grown-up. Will the delay to voting help him gain ground? Presented by political editor George Parker, with Robert Shrimsley, chief political commentator, and...
Aug 06, 2022•19 min
The race to be the next UK prime minister rolled on this week, as foreign secretary Liz Truss firmed up her campaign lead and former chancellor Rishi Sunak struggled to make headway. We delve into the trio of debates, policy clashes on China and taxes, and ask whether the race is all but over. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with political editor George Parker, chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley and political correspondent Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shann...
Jul 30, 2022•28 min
In this week’s episode, we delve into the positions and policies of the two final candidates in the contest to succeed Boris Johnson as Conservative leader and UK prime minister. Who is likely to win the votes of the Tory party membership over the next six weeks? Political editor George Parker and associate editor Stephen Bush analyse Rishi Sunak while economic editor Chris Giles and special guest Katy Balls, deputy political editor of the Spectator, look at Liz Truss. P...
Jul 23, 2022•34 min
In this week’s episode, we’ll delve into the two classes of contenders to be the next UK prime minister: the frontrunners and the outsiders. Political editor George Parker and associate editor Stephen Bush will discuss former chancellor Rishi Sunak, who is in pole position, and the surprise surge of Penny Mordaunt. Plus, chief political correspondent Jim Pickard and columnist Camilla Cavendish will look at the three other remaining candidates, Liz Truss, Kemi Badenoch and Tom Tugendhat. Pr...
Jul 16, 2022•38 min
In this week’s bumper episode, we’ll be taking you behind the scenes on a week that brought Boris Johnson’s time as prime minister to a rather bitter close. We’ll take you through his handling of the Chris Pincher affair, the dramatic Cabinet resignations and the moments the prime minister knew the game was finally over. And we’ll be looking at another Conservative party leadership contest, the candidates already out of the blocks and how the process is going t...
Jul 08, 2022•41 min
We discuss whether Boris Johnson's Global Britain ambitions were achieved during his recent overseas trip and the fallout from the resignation of deputy chief whip Chris Pincher. Plus, we explore Nicola Sturgeon's plans for a second Scottish independence referendum and whether the next general election will decide the future of the United Kingdom. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with political editor George Parker, political correspondent Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe, UK chief political co...
Jul 02, 2022•36 min
The FT just launched a new podcast on porn, power and profit. When FT reporter Patricia Nilsson started digging into the porn industry, she made a shocking discovery: nobody knew who controlled the biggest porn company in the world. Now, she and her editor, Alex Barker, reveal who is behind it and much more. This eight-part investigative podcast reveals the secret history of the adult business and the billionaires and financial institutions who shape it. Brought to you by the Financial Times and...
Jun 29, 2022•33 min
The Conservatives lost two crucial by-elections this week in Yorkshire and Devon, putting UK prime minister Boris Johnson’s leadership under scrutiny. Host Sebastian Payne, the FT’s Whitehall editor, discusses these results — and the resignation of Tory party chair Oliver Dowden — with political editor George Parker and UK chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley. Sebastian is also joined by economics correspondent Delphine Strauss and transport correspondent Philip Georgiadis to talk about ...
Jun 24, 2022•35 min
We examine the situation with the Northern Ireland protocol, whether the government’s plans break international law and how the EU might respond. Public policy editor Peter Foster digs into the details with our Ireland correspondent Jude Webber. Plus, the resignation of Lord Christopher Geidt, the prime minister’s independent adviser on ministerial ethics. Why did he quit after a turbulent year? Chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley will chat through with special guest Hannah White from t...
Jun 18, 2022•33 min
The prime minister had a close shave with his MPs this week when 41 per cent of the Conservative parliamentary party voted to oust him. We discuss how and whether Johnson can renew his leadership and whether he will face another vote of no confidence in the near future. Plus, we look at the government's latest proposals to address the housing crisis - do they go far enough? Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Robert Shrimsley, Jim Pickard and special guest Vicky Spratt. ...
Jun 11, 2022•34 min
The Queen celebrates her platinum jubilee this weekend. To mark 70 years since she took to the throne, we look back on how the country has changed politically, economically and societally since 1952. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Chris Giles and Sarah O'Connor. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Singsworth. -Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk -Follow @Seb Payne -Subscribe to https://www.ft.co...
Jun 03, 2022•30 min
We start with that huge bailout package for struggling families announced by the chancellor and the controversial taxes he raised to fund it - a £5bn windfall tax on energy companies with more to come. The FT’s economics correspondent Delphine Strauss and special guest Torsten Bell, director of the Resolution Foundation think-tank, discuss. Next and Sue Gray’s long-awaited report into the Covid parties scandal in Downing Street landed on Wednesday and the ...
May 28, 2022•28 min
Behind the Money is back with all-new episodes! From hostile takeovers to C-suite intrigue, Behind the Money takes you inside the business and financial stories of the moment with reporting from Financial Times journalists around the world. The podcast returns May 25. You can follow the show now! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
May 23, 2022•1 min
Should the prime minister now fear the fallout from the full investigation by Whitehall official Sue Gray? Or is he safe for now? Chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley will discuss with special guest Paul Goodman from Conservative Home. And then we dig into the economics of the UK’s cost of living crisis. Inflation hit 9% this week and pressure is growing on the government to do more, something, anything, to help those struggling to make ends meet. But what exactly could that mean?&...
May 21, 2022•40 min
This year’s Queen Speech was Boris Johnson’s attempt to reset his government’s policy agenda but it did little to tackle the growing cost of living crisis. We look at what the government might do, plus whether the EU and UK are about to enter a trade war over the Northern Ireland protocol. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Jim Pickard, Robert Shrimsley, George Parker and Jude Webber. Produced by Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth. -Read the latest...
May 14, 2022•35 min
The Conservative party lost hundreds of councillors across the county in this year's local elections, with the Labour party making significant gains in the capital. We analyse the results in London, the red wall, blue wall and beyond, plus what they mean for Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe, Jennifer Williams, Jim Pickard and Robert Shrimsley. Produced by Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and...
May 07, 2022•40 min
In this week’s episode we’ll be looking at why the government is anxious to find ways to fix rising fuel and food prices. Why is the Treasury not doing more? And how does this play into next week’s local elections? Political editor George Parker will provide analysis with chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley. Plus, we discuss the return of “Pestminster”. Why does Westminster have such a problem with sexism and is enough being done to call out bad behaviour? Political ...
Apr 30, 2022•35 min
The prime minister came to the House of Commons to apologise for misleading MPs over the partygate scandal, but now faces a third probe into his conduct. We discuss whether support for Boris Johnson is draining away and what might happen next. Plus we dive into the PM's trip to India, what it says about the government's Global Britain ambitions and whether relations with the EU are about to become problematic once again. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Robert Shrimsley, George Parker, P...
Apr 23, 2022•33 min
No10 and No11 Downing Street were thrown into chaos when the Met Police issued fines to the prime minister and chancellor. We discuss the seriousness of the lawbreaking, whether Tory MPs are minded to move against Boris Johnson, the public mood and whether the new migration strategy involving Rwanda is a distraction. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Jim Pickard, Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe and Robert Shrimsley. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Josh Gabert-...
Apr 16, 2022•32 min
We delve into two messes the government has got itself into, over the tax affairs of Rishi Sunak’s wife and the long-awaited energy white security paper. Will the chancellor’s spouse be forced to give up her non-dom status? And why did Boris Johnson shy away from tough new targets for onshore wind farms? Associate editor and columnist Stephen Bush and energy correspondent Nathalie Thomas will dissect these along with our. Plus, we look at the decision to privatise Channel 4 — which culture...
Apr 09, 2022•34 min
London's Metropolitan Police issued the first fines over the Partygate scandal this week. British prime minister Boris Johnson has yet to be fined, but does the scandal still pose a threat to his leadership? We also explore how this will shape the local elections, the internal Tory debate on trans rights and why the government is struggling to publish its new strategy on energy security. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Laura Hughes, Jim Pickard, Nathalie Tho...
Apr 02, 2022•39 min
Rishi Sunak delivered a mini-Budget this week that slashed taxes and attempted to tackle the cost of living crisis and deal with inflation. But the UK chancellor was widely criticised for failing to help the poorest and was told that his measures did not go far enough. We delve into the Spring Statement, including what it means for businesses, the wider economy and workers. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parke...
Mar 25, 2022•40 min
The UK celebrated the return of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe after six years of imprisonment in Iran. We discuss how she was released and what it says about other parts of foreign policy. Plus we discuss Boris Johnson’s failed visit to Saudi Arabia, the latest sanctions against Russian oligarchs and preview Rishi Sunak’s Spring Statement next week. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Laura Hughes, Robert Shrimsley and special guest Rupert Harrison. Produced by Anna Dedhar ...
Mar 19, 2022•35 min
The UK has been criticised for failing both to fulfil its rhetoric on sanctions and on opening the door to refugees fleeing Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine. Is it due to Whitehall incompetence, political leadership or domestic politics? We also discuss how the economic isolation of Russia will worsen the cost of living crisis in Britain and what options the Treasury has to ease the pain. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Laura Hughes, Robert Shrimsley, Chris Giles and Jim Pi...
Mar 12, 2022•31 min
