The News Agents comes to you live from Ed Davey’s back garden. This is not a euphemism. The Lib Dems are a big force in British politics once again, the most significant third party force in parliament for a century. Davey achieved this breakthrough by doing some very odd things including bungee jumping, paragliding and consistently falling into water. After one of the most curious election campaigns in history, Lewis sits down with the Lib Dem leader, not long before the party’s annual co...
Sep 06, 2024•40 min
The first round of the Conservative leadership race has seen Priti Patel leave the race, and Robert Jenrick take poll position. Could he be the Conservatives next leader? And what kind of Tory is he? We talk to Tory watcher and author Ben Riley Smith from the Telegraph. Later, is Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu in trouble? There is increasing desperation on the streets of Israel after the deaths of more hostages. The public mood has turned against the government and its ongoing war on Gaza. Wh...
Sep 05, 2024•36 min
The tragedy at Grenfell seven long years ago was one that was entirely avoidable. That was the conclusion today of the inquiry, which stated baldly that those 72 deaths in a high rise fire in west London would not have happened without a culture of dishonesty, greed on the part of the construction companies, and denial by the government who knew the dangers of flammable cladding but did nothing. What happens now for the families of the victims? Does this give closure? Or provoke rage? And will a...
Sep 04, 2024•38 min
Actor Michael Sheen joins us today to discuss his latest role playing a royal - Prince Andrew in Amazon's three part drama 'A Very Royal Scandal', based on the Newsnight interview Emily did with him in 2019. He tells us what he privately decided about Prince Andrew's character before he accepted the part - and he tells us what he thinks of Keir Starmer's early days and what needs to needs to happen politically. He also takes us back - metaphorically - to his home town Port Talbot - which has see...
Sep 03, 2024•32 min
Germany's hard right party the ADF have made astonishing gains in two regions of the country - the first time the hard right has seen substantial electoral gains since the Nazi era. What is propelling the rise? And what do the governing coalition parties do to combat them. Later, we sit down with Nadhim Zahawi - former chancellor, and former child refugee to talk about his party's rhetoric on immigration. And why he owed the treasury 5 million pounds of unpaid tax. Also, excitingly, there's a co...
Sep 02, 2024•40 min
This Friday, Jon and Lewis answer your questions. What's behind Biden and Obama's "complicated" relationship? Do members of the royal family vote? And which state will be the most interesting battle ground in the US election? And, win a money-can’t-buy meet-and-greet with Jon, after enjoying a live podcast recording by pre-ordering a copy of his new book Strangeland here…www.waterstones.com/win/strangeland-prize-draw Editor: Tom Hughes Producer: Natalie Indge Digital Editor: Michaela Walters Soc...
Aug 30, 2024•40 min
The disastrous "mini budget" of Liz Truss' short time in Downing Street will go down in history. But did she really consider stopping the NHS treating cancer patients in a bid to find the savings to clean up the fallout? Jon and Lewis speak to political biographer, Sir Anthony Seldon, about the dramatic 49 days of the shortest serving British Prime Minister. Editor: Tom Hughes Producer: Natalie Indge Digital Editor: Michaela Walters Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell Video Production: Rory Sym...
Aug 29, 2024•35 min
Keir Starmer is in Berlin, this time for some real politics, not a football match. He’s meeting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, unveiling a new UK/Germany defence agreement. Later he’s heading to Paris to meet President Macron. The new government is on a charm offensive, with much lofty talk of a reset of UK/EU relations post-Brexit. But is that really possible? How much is just vibes? Lewis and Jon analyse what has happened and crucially what has not happened, and are joined in News Agents HQ by...
Aug 28, 2024•33 min
Keir Starmer has made his first major speech as Prime Minister and he had an uplifting message for the public: things can only get worse. Jon and Lewis, firmly ensconced back in News Agents HQ analyse what the PM is up to and ask whether British politics can really sustain another project built on pessimism. They also discuss rumoured changes of the Labour Party’s leadership rules (if that doesn’t make you click, what will?) and Oasis’ imminemt return to the stage. Jon, predictably, swears from ...
Aug 27, 2024•38 min
This week on The Sports Agents... Fabian Hurzeler , Brighton's new 31-year-old manager - the youngest in Premier League history - joined Gabby for an exclusive interview. He talks his meteoric rise, embracing the culture on England's South Coast, looking forward to coming up against Pep Guardiola and more. Then on Thursday, with ITV's Mark Pougatch as our special guest host, we examined the Raheem Sterling situation at Chelsea and if their unusual recruitment strategy will ever actually work? Jo...
Aug 25, 2024•22 min
Kamala Harris pledged a "new way forward" for America as she formally accepted the Democratic party nomination for president at the DNC in Chicago. She makes history as the first black and Asian-American woman to lead a party's presidential ticket. But did the American people actually learn enough about Kamala and her politics last night? Will she need to do and say more if she's to beat Donald Trump in November's election? Or will simply being the "anti-Trump" candidate be enough? Editor: Tom H...
Aug 23, 2024•40 min
We’ve been on the road in Indiana, which isn’t far from the DNC in Chicago and yet feels so distant. Has Kamala Harris’ introduction to the nation reached heartland America? We find a state full of friendly people who have just stopped talking to each other, of not just competing politics, but parallel realities. And back in the United Centre, the previously little known Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has made his keynote speech. Jon has all the reaction from the Democrat bigwig. Editor: Tom Hughes...
Aug 22, 2024•43 min
The Obama's are back, and last night they enchanted the Democratic Party National Convention in Chicago. They took the fight to Donald Trump. And they did it with glee. They were laughing in the face of the Republican nominee. So how important will Barack and Michelle Obama be for Kamala Harris' campaign? Can they move the dial further in the Democrats favour and help ensure election victory in November? Editor: Tom Hughes Producers: Natalie Indge & Rory Symon Digital Editor: Michaela Walter...
Aug 21, 2024•43 min
On Monday night Joe Biden made what was almost certainly his final speech as US President, and Lewis and Jon were in the hall at the Democratic National Convention to watch it all. It was the speech Biden never wanted to make. But did it ensure a smooth handover of the baton to his VP Kamala Harris? Later in the show we bring you a special report from outside the convention centre earlier on Monday where thousands protested against the US government's policy regarding the war in Israel and Gaza....
Aug 20, 2024•36 min
Jon and Lewis are at the opening day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Joe Biden (he’s still president apparently) will be taking to the stage to give a farewell address to the Convention which should have been his. The Dems are giddy at the passing of the torch - but is that euphoria justified? Has Kamala actually restored the Democrats’ chances? We take a look at the electoral map and what’s ahead on this big week in the American political calendar. Editor: Tom Hughes Producers...
Aug 19, 2024•29 min
Jon and Lewis are live from Chicago on the eve of the Democratic Party national convention, as Kamala Harris prepares to address the nation as her party's presidential nominee. Is she able to put to bed any lingering doubts that she's capable of defeating Donald Trump? Will the positive vibes around her campaign continue? And as tens of thousands of people are expected to protest outside the convention centre on Monday, can she unite the party over the war in Gaza. Editor: Tom Hughes Producers: ...
Aug 18, 2024•23 min
This week on The Sports Agents , As we enjoy a brief post-Olympic break, we paused to reflect on an unforgettable summer of sport... From England's run to the final of the Euros in Berlin, to all of Team GB's success in Paris and so much sporting drama in between - The Sports Agents have been there for all of it. Plus, before leaving France, Gabby & Mark sat down to wade through all of your questions on everything from the rivalry between broadcasters, which sport they'd compete in at LA 202...
Aug 18, 2024•19 min
This Friday, we answer your most pressing questions... Will Trump drop JD Vance as his VP before the election? Who are the serious Tory leadership candidates? And what products does Lewis use on his hair? Editor: Tom Hughes Producers: Natalie Indge & Zeynel Can Yuce Digital Editor: Michaela Walters Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell Video Production: Rory Symon & Shane Fennelly You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents" The New...
Aug 16, 2024•37 min
The News Agents look back on how Twitter has evolved since it has become X under Elon Musk and ask if it's time to leave what has become an often dangerous platform of misinformation and abuse. And it's A Level results day, so Lewis puts Jon to the test. Editor: Tom Hughes Producers: Natalie Indge & Zeynel Can Yuce Digital Editor: Michaela Walters Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell Video Production: Rory Symon & Shane Fennelly You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ...
Aug 15, 2024•39 min
The former chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng joins us at News Agents HQ for an exclusive interview. He reflects on his disastrous time as chancellor under Liz Truss, and the mini-budget which sparked a market crash. He still bristles when asked to apologise for his role in it all. He discusses the future of the Conservative Party as it searches for its new leader, the US Presidential election, and of course his thoughts on Liz Truss herself, describing her as an "unusual" woman. Editor: Tom Hughes Produ...
Aug 14, 2024•36 min
Trump and Musk - it was a rambling conversation covering an extensive list of Trump's grievances. Will an endorsement from Elon Musk change the course of Trump's election campaign? And, Lewis and Jon are joined by Madam Speaker Nancy Pelosi for an in depth conversation about the presidential race, social media and Liz Truss. Editor: Tom Hughes Producers: Natalie Indge & Zeynel Yuce Digital Editor: Michaela Walters Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell Video Production: Rory Symon & Shane ...
Aug 13, 2024•37 min
Ukrainian forces have charged in to Russia in a surprise attack - how will this play out for President Zelensky? And, as the Olympics come to an end in Paris we ask how successfully they reunited the county. Editor: Tom Hughes Producers: Natalie Indge & Zeynel Can Yuce Digital Editor: Michaela Walters Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell Video Production: Rory Symon & Shane Fennelly You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents" The ...
Aug 12, 2024•37 min
As we bid ' au revoir' to the 2024 Paris Olympics, The Sports Agents round up the best of the big interviews from our final week inside Team GB House... Gabby & Mark were joined by running sensation and 1500m silver medalist Josh Kerr , and the most decorated British gymnast in history, Max Whitlock . Plus, renowned sports scientist, Professor Ross Tucker, to debunk and explain the controversy surrounding the two Olympic boxers at the heart of a gender row. New episodes every Tuesday and Thu...
Aug 11, 2024•19 min
After weeks of rising tension and violence across the country, we take a deep dive inside the mind of the far right. Lewis speaks to a former friend of Tommy Robinson - the man who made him go viral. What made him turn his back on their ideology? And what is the future of the far right in the UK? Editor: Tom Hughes Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus Producers: Natalie Indge & Zeynel Can Yuce Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell Digital Editor: Michaela Walters Video Production: Rory Symon & ...
Aug 09, 2024•40 min
Last night, the UK braced for violence. But a defiant display of counter-protest won. Jon and Lewis ask what happened to the far right riots - and will there be more to come? Later, Jon speaks to the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, who shares his experience as a prominent Muslim politician and his defiant stance in the face of racism. Editor: Tom Hughes Producers: Natalie Indge & Zeynel Can Yuce Digital Editor: Michaela Walters Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell Video Production: Rory Symon &...
Aug 08, 2024•38 min
Kamala Harris has finally selected her running mate - Minnesota governor Tim Walz. So can the pair take on Trump and Vance? And, with the UK military on standby to evacuate British citizens from Lebanon we speak to former British Ambassador to Lebanon, Tom Fletcher. Editor: Tom Hughes Producers: Natalie Indge & Zeynel Can Yuce Digital Editor: Michaela Walters Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell Video Production: Rory Symon & Shane Fennelly You can listen to this episode on Alexa - ...
Aug 07, 2024•31 min
As planned violence continues this week the Prime Minister has a new battle on his hands - and it's one of the most influential men on the planet. Elon Musk is trolling Kier Starmer. So, how do governments take on Big Tech? Later, Jon speaks to Scotland's former First Minister Humza Yousaf who questions whether the UK is the right place to raise his family following the "horrendous violence". Editor: Tom Hughes Producers: Natalie Indge & Zeynel Can Yuce Digital Editor: Michaela Walters Socia...
Aug 06, 2024•42 min
A week on from the attack in Southport, cities across the UK are burning as disinformation spreads and far right groups gather to riot. Lewis and Jon analyse Kier Starmer's response - how can the government get control of the situation? And how much is Elon Musk and social media to blame for the spread of the riots? Editor: Tom Hughes Producers: Natalie Indge & Zeynel Can Yuce Digital Editor: Michaela Walters Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell Video Production: Rory Symon & Shane Fenne...
Aug 05, 2024•34 min
After an unforgettable first week at the Paris Olympics, The Sports Agents return to round up the big interviews from their first week in Paris... Gold medal rowers Hannah Scott and Lola Anderson joined Gabby & Mark, in our Team GB House studio, to reflect on a nail-biting photo-finish win and wanting to shatter the traditional image of what a female athlete 'looks like'. Sky Sports boxing commentator Andy Clarke was on hand to try to explain GB boxing's disastrous Olympics so far and the bi...
Aug 04, 2024•15 min
This Friday we answer your questions. Which upcoming elections will Jon and Emily be staying up to watch? Will Huw Edwards have to pay back his BBC salary? And could Kamala Harris serve three terms as President? Editor: Tom Hughes Producers: Natalie Indge & Zeynel Can Yuce Digital Editor: Michaela Walters Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell Video Production: Rory Symon & Shane Fennelly You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents" ...
Aug 02, 2024•34 min
