Hannah Spencer, a plumber and Green Party councillor, is now the MP for Gorton and Denton. The party takes the seat from right under Labour, following weeks of what was seen to be a three way race with Reform. Megan Kenyon is joined by Ben Walker. LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱 Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday ⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning ✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday Hosted on Acast. S...
Feb 27, 2026•14 min
Should some children be given drugs to stop them going through puberty? That’s the question the NHS, the government and an independent research and ethics committee have been trying to answer. The “Pathways” trial, backed by the NHS and led by a team from King’s College London, aims to test the effectiveness and safety of puberty blockers for children experiencing gender dysphoria. At the end of 2025, the trial was approved to go ahead. Health Secretary Wes Streeting reassured parliamentary coll...
Feb 26, 2026•28 min
Last Thursday, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He has since been released under investigation. The police have searched Andrew’s former home, Royal Lodge. The former Prince’s relationship to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein is triggering a reckoning for not just Andrew, but the monarchy itself. Oli Dugmore is joined by Will Lloyd to discuss. LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱 Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a question – ...
Feb 25, 2026•40 min
On Thursday, a by-election in a Southern Manchester constituency, Gorton and Denton, is shaping up to be a seismic litmus test for British politics. After the previous MP, Labour’s Andrew Gwynne, stepped down in January, an opening for a new MP has set in motion a battle between Labour and their insurgent challengers, Reform and the Green Party. Oli Dugmore is joined by our senior data journalist Ben Walker to discuss. LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱 Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN...
Feb 24, 2026•25 min
It has been four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The war has settled into a grinding and uncertain stalemate. Despite proving remarkably resilient, Ukraine, and the rest of the world, must face the question: What if Russia wins? Katie Stallard explores this urgent question with German political scientist, Professor Carlo Masala. LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱 Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday ⏰ Get our daily politi...
Feb 23, 2026•36 min
Why has Keir Starmer ordered an investigation into Labour Together? What the hell is going on with our local elections? And what are we meant to make of Reform UK’s new “shadow cabinet”? You asked, we’ll answer. Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Rachel Cunliffe for the listener questions episode of Daily Politics from the New Statesman. 📚 READ: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/2026/02/dismay-as-no-10-works-with-brendan-cox-after-misconduct-claims LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱 Download the New...
Feb 21, 2026•28 min
This week we launched another, that’s right ANOTHER, podcast. The Exchange is the New Statesman’s long-form interviews show, featuring some big names you know, and some big names you’ll be glad to learn of. Listen on: Spotify and Apple LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱 Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday ⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning ✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday Hosted on Acast. See acast.com...
Feb 20, 2026•22 min
The King’s brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, has been arrested. The alleged offence: misconduct in public office. The arrest came after claims Andrew allegedly shared official documents during his time as UK Trade Envoy, with two emails in particular showing up in the latest Epstein files – although police haven’t yet released the specifics of their investigation. Police have searched Andrew’s homes, and at the time of recording the former Prince is in custody. He’s not yet been charged, and ...
Feb 19, 2026•28 min
From “Nazi” to “Marxist” Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary, has faced intense criticism from all sides. But how exactly is she trying to reform the British education system? For the cover of this week’s New Statesman magazine, our executive editor Pippa Bailey has written an extended profile of Phillipson - exploring what motivates the education secretary, and how consequential the next few months could be for her - and the Labour Party. She joins Oli Dugmore in the studio. 📚 READ: ht...
Feb 18, 2026•36 min
Eluned Morgan, the first minister of Wales speaks to Megan Kenyon about her relationship with Keir Starmer, Welsh Labour’s prospects in the upcoming Senedd election and the threat of Plaid Cymru and Reform. LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱 Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday ⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning ✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information...
Feb 17, 2026•27 min
Will Keir Starmer ban kids from social media? Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2DHAQOeEg-Z-4trARDXHRA?sub_confirmation=1 The PM has promised a crackdown on social media and said he’s “open-minded” to a full on, Australia-style ban for under 16s. Oli Dugmore is joined by senior editor George Eaton. LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱 Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday ⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning ✍️...
Feb 16, 2026•32 min
Labour’s unpopularity contest, the joys of figure skating and bonkers advice from RFK Jr's nutrition chatbot. Anoosh Chakelian and Will Dunn explore the most ludicrous and laughable stories of the week. Including calls for Britain to set up a “Ministry of Sex”... LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱 Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday ⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning ✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday Ho...
Feb 14, 2026•33 min
A listener paying 67% in tax asks if Labour are destroying UK productivity. From the new and improved New Statesman podcast studio, Anoosh and Rachel answer listener questions on tax, student loans and Nigel Farage MP's second (and third, and fourth) jobs. In the mailbag this week: A listener earning over £100,000 writes in to ask why the government is failing to address the "tax trap" that means high-earning parents are "penalised". Would the British public back student loan forgiveness? And wh...
Feb 13, 2026•24 min
55 babies died at the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust between 2019 and 2023 that may have survived with better care. The New Statesman's investigations editor Hannah Barnes joins Anoosh Chakelian to explore the findings of her investigation. LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱 Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday ⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning ✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday Hosted ...
Feb 12, 2026•28 min
Morgan McSweeney – Keir Starmer’s closest aide and confidante – has left the Number 10 operation. Our editor-in-chief Tom McTague asks, is it the beginning of the end for the Prime Minister – or the end of the beginning? He speaks to deputy editor Will Lloyd. LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱 Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday ⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning ✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday Hosted...
Feb 11, 2026•29 min
For days and weeks Westminster has been quivering with anticipation at the prospect of yet another prime ministerial resignation and leadership election. But following the resignation of Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney in the wake of the Mandelson scandal, MPs appear to have closed ranks, rallying around Keir Starmer. So, no leadership election, at least for now. But are his supportive MPs shoring up the PM - or just biding their time? And can British politics ever break its addiction to psychod...
Feb 10, 2026•28 min
Less than 24 hours after Starmer's chief of staff Morgan McSweeney resigned, Tim Allan, director of communications, has quit. Is this a rutheless clearout by the PM, or signs of an entire system collapse? Ailbhe Rea joins Anoosh Chakelian. LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱 Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday ⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning ✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday Hosted on Acast. See acast...
Feb 09, 2026•23 min
Elon Musk’s Epstein lies, Draco Malfoy as a Chinese mascot and two Reform MPs “accidentally” voting to scrap the two child benefit cap. Anoosh Chakelian and Will Dunn explore their stories of the week. Including the woman who just can’t stop stealing chocolate… LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱 Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday ⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning ✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday Host...
Feb 07, 2026•38 min
The Labour government is fighting for its life as the Peter Mandelson scandal continues to unfold. Yesterday, Keir Starmer apologised for believing Mandelson's "lies" and appointing him as US ambassador when his friendship with the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein was public knowledge. Now, senior government figures are preparing to hand over private messages between Mandelson and Starmer’s top team. Editor Tom McTague is joined by Jim Pickard, deputy political editor at the Financial Times, whose rep...
Feb 06, 2026•38 min
Keir Starmer has been grilled in the Commons on his decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, despite knowing his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein continued after the financier’s conviction in 2008. Starmer pledged to release the vetting documents relating to Mandelson’s appointment, but argued that some details would need to be redacted on national security grounds. This angered backbench MPs who, along with former deputy leader Angela Rayner, forced the PM into another humiliating c...
Feb 05, 2026•19 min
Keir Starmer knew about Peter Mandelson's friendship with the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein – but still appointed him US ambassador. After a bruising Prime Minister's Questions for Keir Starmer, Ailbhe Rea joins Anoosh Chakelian to discuss whether the Mandelson affair could be the downfall of the Prime Minister – or his closest aide, Morgan McSweeney, who championed Mandelson. Ailbhe shares her exclusive reporting on the process which led to Mandelson's appointment, and the impact this scandal will...
Feb 04, 2026•25 min
On Friday, the US Justice Department released millions of pages of the Epstein files. Dan Neidle, journalist and tax lawyer, used his investigative skills to uncover some of the most controversial details. In particular, damning emails suggesting ex-Labour business secretary Peter Mandelson shared highly sensitive UK government tax plans with Jeffrey Epstein. Dan joins Oli Dugmore to discuss. LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱 Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a question – we ans...
Feb 03, 2026•36 min
Peter Mandelson has resigned from the Labour Party following further revelations about his friendship with the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. The access Epstein had to the British government marks a serious breach and existential questions for the Labour Party. Oli Dugmore is joined by Rachel Cunliffe. LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱 Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday ⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning ✍️ Enjoy the best of ou...
Feb 02, 2026•26 min
If Chinese hackers accessed the government's private messages, maybe they could share the missing 5,000 text messages the Covid inquiry was looking for. Will Dunn and Anoosh Chakelian discuss their stories of the week, including: Border breach of the week: China accused of hacking Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss aides. Lee Anderson can't find the right constituency to campaign in. Do the Fabians secretly run the world? (spoiler: no.) Planning objection of the week: Greens and Reform uni...
Jan 31, 2026•27 min
Britain faces a looming student loan crisis. What can graduates do? Last week's episode on student loans prompted a flurry of questions. How did it get this bad? Should students sue over mis-sold loans? Rachel Cunliffe and Anoosh Chakelian answer your questions. Also in this episode: Labour's internal factions explained What does Nigel Farage really believe? Local government changes: what's really going on Mentioned in this episode: Meet the Blue Labour bros, by Morgan Jones LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱 D...
Jan 30, 2026•28 min
Last October, a Senedd by-election took place in Caerphilly, South Wales. As long as the seat had existed, for over 100 years, it had belonged to Labour. But that night, Welsh Labour fell to third place. Reform galloped into second. And after fighting in 18 elections since the 1980s, Plaid Cymru’s Lindsay Whittle took first place with almost 50 per cent of the vote. Is this a stark demonstration of how politics in Wales is changing? Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth joins Megan Kenyon. LISTEN ...
Jan 29, 2026•29 min
Millions of leaseholders in England and Wales will get their ground rents capped at £250 per year as part of Labour’s long-promised overhaul of a hated system. Reforms also include proposals to ban the sale of new leasehold flats, in a bid to give people greater control over their homes. Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Will Dunn. LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱 Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday ⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every mo...
Jan 28, 2026•27 min
The Home Secretary’s known for her blue Labour roots, a tough stance on immigration and has just proposed what she calls the “biggest ever” policing reforms for centuries. Tom McTague joins Oli Dugmore. LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱 Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday ⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning ✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jan 27, 2026•29 min
Yesterday, Keir Starmer’s camp blocked Andy Burnham’s plans to return to parliament. Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Ailbhe Rea to discuss how this has landed inside the party. But first, another defection in the one way pipeline from Conservative to Reform. LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱 Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday ⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning ✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday Hosted on...
Jan 26, 2026•32 min
In a tumultuous week in geopolitics, Donald Trump delivered a bizarre speech in Davos. Will Dunn finds the moments of (unintentional) humour amidst the chaos. Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Will to for a rundown of this mad week. LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱 Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday ⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning ✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privac...
Jan 24, 2026•26 min
