On Sunday Morning the sound of gunfire filled the air in Damascus. The noise, not of fighting, but celebrations. President Bashar al-Assad and his family had fled to Russia. A family which ruled for more than 50 years, brought down by a rebel offensive which had begun less than two weeks earlier. Kate Lamble is joined by Rajan Menon, Marcel Dirsus, and John Jenkins to discuss what's next for Syria, Assad, and the wider region. Read: The fall of Assad represents a revolution ...
Dec 11, 2024•32 min
Is the Church experiencing an existential crisis? And what is the role of Christianity in modern Britain? Tom Gatti is joined by Pippa Bailey, David Sexton, and Madeleine Davies. Read: Conclave: this papal power struggle is high entertainment Read: The race for Lambeth Palace Read: The rise of cultural Christianity Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Dec 09, 2024•35 min
Hannah Barnes is joined by Will Dunn and Katie Stallard to answer your economics questions AND try to make sense of some big world events this week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 06, 2024•30 min
Former Labour strategist and architect of the Labour missions, Peter Hyman, joins the New Statesman podcast to discuss Keir Starmer’s “plan for change” speech on Thursday. Hyman discusses the difficulties Labour will face in implementing their missions and is scathing about Whitehall, saying resistance from staffers is stifling innovation: “Three permanent secretaries I've heard in the last month have been resisting having outsiders come in to help,” he says. “I don't ...
Dec 05, 2024•30 min
Labour’s white paper on how further devolution might work is due to be released in the next few weeks. It has been reported that the government is considering a reorganisation of local councils including abolishing some councils and replacing them with larger unitary authorities However, there have been suggestions Labour’s plans to bring power to the people, could actually make it more distant than ever. Kate Lamble is joined by Matthew Engel, Megan Kenyon and Jack Shaw. Hosted on Acast. See ac...
Dec 04, 2024•27 min
Artificial intelligence is fast becoming a part of life. The UK strives to become a global AI superpower. But do we have the talent, skills and regulatory framework to deliver on that? The New Statesman were media partners in a fascinating discussion hosted by 3M with technology and business leaders to explore how Britain can accelerate AI-driven innovation. Chair: Jane Wakefield Panellists: Paul Cardno, Global Digital Innovation Leader, 3M Hannah Russell, CEO, British Science Associ...
Dec 03, 2024•1 hr 16 min
Banquet Records, in Kingston South-West London, are probably the most influential record store in the UK right now at helping an artist or a band secure a number one. How did they do it? Tom Gatti is joined by Hannah Barnes to discuss the kingmakers of the UK album charts, and also as December is upon us, how to get a Christmas number one. Read: Kingmakers of the album charts Read: Forty years ago, Band Aid brought mad excitement to my generation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more i...
Dec 02, 2024•31 min
Wes Streeting is "a man in a hurry". In this episode, recorded in front of a live audience at the Labour party conference, the health secretary discusses his actions in government so far and his plans for NHS reform. Wes Streeting spoke to Hannah White, director of the Institute for Government, for this episode which is sponsored by the Institute for Government. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Nov 30, 2024•17 min
They're terrified of the whips - and of their tiny majorities. From a “fresher’s fair” with free sweets to the struggles of finding a place to live, joining parliament is a lot like starting at University - but with the fate of the country in your hands. Andrew Marr and Rachel Cunliffe have been speaking to the new intake of MPs and join Hannah Barnes to answer a listener question on what life is like for new Members of Parliament. Andrew, Hannah and Rachel also answer your questions on how long...
Nov 29, 2024•20 min
MPs are about to vote on arguably the biggest social change since abortion. ***If you enjoyed this, listen to our previous episode, "Is the UK ready for Assisted Dying?"*** Listen here: https://pod.fo/e/274d9c -- Kim Leadbeater’s private members bill proposing to legalise assisted dying faces a free vote on Friday November 29. In a free vote, MPs are not whipped by their party to vote in a particular way. This means the debate between MPs has taken an unusual course, with seemingly unlikely alli...
Nov 28, 2024•31 min
Last week, the US and the UK gave permission for long-range missiles to be used by Ukrainian forces against military facilities inside Russia for the first time. In response, Putin announced Russia had fired a new hypersonic intermediate-range missile at the Ukrainian city of Dnipro. Meanwhile the rhetoric from the Russian government and the western media has escalated, but what does this mean in reality for the conflict? And how does all of this fit in with the return of Donald Trump in J...
Nov 27, 2024•29 min
50 years ago this month the German band Kraftwerk released Autobahn – an album that not only marked a dramatic departure in their sound, but went on to change the entire course of contemporary music. With the title track, a 22-minute ode to the German motorway, Kraftwerk’s founding members Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider forged a modern musical language, using electronics to articulate a new and optimistic vision of the future. To discuss Autobahn’s genesis and enduring legacy Tom G...
Nov 25, 2024•28 min
And what's behind the global "incumbency curse" which has seen so many incumbent leaders ousted in 2024 elections? Hannah Barnes is joined by political editor Andrew Marr, and associate political editor Rachel Cunliffe to answer listener questions. Read Andrew's column: The UK’s broken system makes losers of us all Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Nov 22, 2024•19 min
Andrew Marr pays tribute to "an extraordinary character" - the former Labour deputy Prime Minister and titan of Blair-era New Labour, who died on Thursday. Also, George Eaton interviews the David Lammy in New York. The foreign secretary opened his appearance at the UN security council with a declaration of "shame on Putin". In an interview with George Eaton, Lammy explains why he believes Donald Trump will pursue "peace through strength" rather than giving way to Putin over Ukraine. George joins...
Nov 21, 2024•31 min
In 2020, Sinn Féin, a left-wing party born out of Ireland’s nationalist movement, claimed victory. At the time Ireland’s two major parties, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, went into coalition with each other, preventing Sinn Fein from forming a government. Sinn Fein’s leader, Mary-Lou McDonald proudly claimed that she would be the first female Taoiseach. Four years later, support for the left-wing has markedly dropped, scandals have surrounded them on both sides of the border, and party political ide...
Nov 20, 2024•31 min
The author of Orbital says Elon Musk's "individualistic" future is "problematic in all sorts of ways". Samantha Harvey, winner of the 2024 Booker Prize for fiction speaks to Nicholas Harris in this episode of Culture from the New Statesman. She discusses how her novel portrays the politics and powers of the world from orbit, and why the de-orbiting of the ISS marks the end of an era of "peaceful co-operation between nations". 📚 READ Nicholas Harris's write up of this conversation https://www.ne...
Nov 18, 2024•21 min
Where you live could drastically impact how long you live. According to the Office for National Statistics, a person in South Kensington, one of London’s wealthiest areas, can expect to live up to 16 years longer than someone in a more deprived area, like Blackpool. In this episode, host Sarah Dawood is joined by a panel of guests to discuss the stark health inequalities across the UK. - Jennifer Dixon DBE, CEO of The Health Foundation -&nb...
Nov 16, 2024•24 min
And what can Keir Starmer learn from Theresa May's relationship with Trump? (keep hands firmly in pockets) Read: Andrew Marr's weekly column Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 15, 2024•15 min
As Starmer contends with a fraught political landscape, he has increasingly turned to figures from the Blair administration: Jonathan Powell, Liz Lloyd, Peter Mandelson, Alan Milburn. What will this means for the factions within the current Labour government? We are also midway through COP29 which is taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan. Keir Starmer was only one of two G7 leaders to appear at the conference (where he announced new plans for the UK to cut its emissions by 81% compared to 1990 levels...
Nov 14, 2024•24 min
Last month Russia gained the most Ukrainian territory since March 2022 when the war was in its infancy. At least 10,000 North Korean troops have also joined the fight, which will do little to replace the roughly 1,500 Russian soldiers killed or injured daily. And among all that Donald Trump was re-elected as US President. Kate Lamble is joined by Chris York, Wolfgang Munchau, Angela Stent, and Mex Bergmann. Read: Putin stares down the west by Wolfgang Munchau Hosted on Acast. See acast.com...
Nov 13, 2024•32 min
Why are we all becoming increasingly angry? And what did Donald Trump understand about harnessing this emotion to win back the presidency? Tom Gatti is joined by New Statesman columnist Sarah Manavis and psychoanalyst Josh Cohen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 11, 2024•35 min
Fuel poverty is hitting homeowners, full-time workers, and young people. As energy prices rise and the cost of living crisis deepens, heating our homes is becoming increasingly difficult. In this episode, host Zoe Grunewald speaks with Jessica Taplin, CEO of British Gas Energy Trust, Martin Lord from Citizens Advice Essex, and Carol Shreve from Citizens Advice North Yorkshire and Law Centre. Together, they discuss the shifting demographics affected by fuel poverty, the importance of commu...
Nov 09, 2024•28 min
Nicholas Harris reports from the new Labour seat of Southport, which was rocked by riots three months ago. There he found anger and resentment towards migrants. A listener asks if Reform UK now pose as much of a threat to Labour as they do to the Conservatives. Plus Rachel Cunliffe joins Hannah Barnes and Nicholas Harris to answer a listener who asks whether Donald Trump's win is good news for new Leader of the Opposition, Kemi Badenoch. 🙋♀️ ASK a question We answer listener questions every Fr...
Nov 08, 2024•25 min
Class? Gender? Economy? What did the Democrats get wrong, what did Trump get right, and how will the UK respond to this? Hannah Barnes is joined by senior editors George Eaton and Katie Stallard as the dust settles on the US election. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 07, 2024•30 min
The US has headed to the polls and we want to ask what’s at stake - what will a Trump or Harris victory mean for America, international diplomacy, even your finances. Kate Lamble is joined by senior editor Katie Stallard and New Statesman columnists Jill Filipovic and Sohrab Ahmari. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Nov 05, 2024•41 min
What was behind the Washington Post's shock decision not to endorse a presidential candidate? Its owner, Jeff Bezos, has cited reasons of impartiality and a perception of bias. Others have suggested that the decision was financially motivated, made out of fear of losing support and contracts from a Trump government. Tom Gatti is joined by Alison Phillips, former editor of the Daily Mirror, to discuss the impact of this choice and also what drives the handful of men who have controlled our media ...
Nov 04, 2024•27 min
David Gauke reveals his pick for the Tory leadership “not without reservations”. As Labour deliver “hard decisions” in their first budget in 14 years, a listener asks if Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves are reliving Nick Clegg’s 2011. David Gauke, who served with Nick Clegg in government, gives his take. He joins Rachel Cunliffe and Hannah Barnes on our weekly listener questions episode, in which they also discuss the Conservative leadership election and David Gauke reveals who he, reluctant...
Nov 01, 2024•27 min
The first Labour budget in 14 years is "refreshing" but risky, say the IFS. Rachel Reeves has delivered her maiden budget in the House of Commons. As expected, thanks to leaks and pre-briefing over the preceding week or so, the Chancellor is raising employers' National Insurance, changing capital gains and inheritance tax, and increasing stamp duty. Andrew Marr and George Eaton join Hannah Barnes on the New Statesman podcast to analyse the politics of the Labour budget. They are also joined by B...
Oct 31, 2024•26 min
One week from the US Presidential Elections, the race remains tight. There’s been renewed focus on Trump’s political rallies. At Madison Square Garden in New York Trump spoke to tens of thousands about the enemy from within, others who appeared likened Kamala Harris to a prostitute with pimp handlers, called her the antichrist and described Puerto Rico an island of garbage. The rally drew comparisons to a fascist event held in the same arena on the eve of the Second World War in 1939....
Oct 30, 2024•28 min
A new film from Steve McQueen is about to hit cinema screens: Blitz. Set during the devastating German bombing raids of 1940 to 1941, it follows Saiorse Ronan as east end mum Rita, and her son George, played by Elliot Heffernan, as they travel across London searching for each other. In some ways, it’s a new look at history, Rita’s son is mixed race – and issues of race, class, and gender are present throughout McQueen’s film. But Blitz also takes its place in a long tradition: almost 80 years on...
Oct 28, 2024•28 min
