Angry about the lack of support for his war in Iran, Donald Trump stated that he didn’t need any help from the UK, despite using British airbases for strikes. In an angry social media rant, he also called Keir Starmer a “loser” and “no Winston Churchill”. Just a day later, the two leaders had a call to discuss military cooperation. Can relations be repaired? And is Westminster telling us the whole story? Anoosh Chakelian is joined by US Correspondent Freddie Hayward. LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱 Download ...
Mar 09, 2026•28 min
Despite Dubai’s proximity to Iran, is it safer than Sadiq Khan’s London? Do young people have a different perspective on class? And could the corgi be banned? Will and Anoosh round up their picks of news stories from the 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/privacy ...
Mar 07, 2026•36 min
On Tuesday 10 March, MPs will debate the Courts and Tribunals Bill, in what could be the biggest shakeup of the justice system since the 1970s. To tackle the Crown Court backlog of over 80,000 cases, the government has put forward proposals to radically reform which cases are heard where, including restricting the right to a trial by jury in all but the most serious cases. Sarah Sackman, Minister of State for Courts and Legal Services, speaks to Rachel Cunliffe to discuss the legislation and its...
Mar 06, 2026•31 min
Labour is losing the voters it used to count on, a new study reveals. In the aftermath of the Green Party’s triumph in the Gorton and Denton by-election, and with local elections in London councils and other major cities coming up, Labour is losing the left progressive voters it could once rely on having “nowhere else to go”. Now, the biggest study ever of these voters – shared exclusively with the New Statesman – reveals the true risk to Labour’s future of leaving them behind. This work, done b...
Mar 05, 2026•20 min
Yesterday, the Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered her spring statement - an economic update - to the commons. With the news completely dominated by conflict in the Middle East, you would be forgiven for not noticing. In fact, many have deduced that this was exactly what the government were hoping for. Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Will Dunn to discuss. LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱 Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday ⏰ Get our daily pol...
Mar 04, 2026•23 min
Yesterday afternoon in the Commons, Keir Starmer took a stance against Trump's attacks on Iran. The US President has expressed his dissatisfaction with the Prime Minister. Is a rift developing? Should the UK be pivoting away from the US and towards Europe? And should talk of the "special relationship" be banned from the government's parlance? Oli Dugmore is joined by journalist, author, and ex-Foreign Office special adviser Ben Judah to discuss. LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱 Download the New Statesman app ...
Mar 03, 2026•32 min
While the US bombs Iran, the Kremlin will see immediate advantages for Russia. Vladimir Putin expressed “deep condolences” to the people of Iran over the killing of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei by US and Israeli forces. The Russian president – currently leading his own brutal and illegal war in Ukraine – condemned what he called Khamenei’s “assassination” as a “cynical violation of all norms of human morality and international law”. Russia and Iran are long-term “strategic partners”. Th...
Mar 02, 2026•23 min
Fiona Hill, former presidential advisor, joins Megan Gibson. 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....
Mar 01, 2026•45 min
To mark Rare Disease Day, this special Spotlight episode explores why rare diseases - affecting an estimated one in 17 people in the UK – still face years of diagnostic delays and limited treatment options. Host Sarah Dawood speaks to CEO of LifeArc Dr Sam Barrell and Terry Pirovalakis, whose son Michael has been diagnosed with the rare neurological disorder SPG50. Their discussion looks at the reality of the “diagnostic odyssey”; gaps in data, investment and regulatory pathways; and the financi...
Mar 01, 2026•21 min
Martin Lewis ambushed Kemi Badenoch, Your Party think bureaucracy will stop nuclear war, and the Sea Bass handling committee have released exciting new guidance. Anoosh Chakelian and Will Dunn round up the week's political news you might have missed. READ: Abandon all hope at the Your Party hustings 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 28, 2026•34 min
Does the Greens' decisive victory in Gorton & Denton spell the end of Keir Starmer's Labour? After the worst possible outcome for Labour in the Gorton & Denton by-election, Ailbhe Rea joins Tom McTague on Daily Politics from the New Statesman. They discuss what this means for Keir Starmer, for the Labour party - and for the future of politics in Britain. READ: Inside the Greens' seismic Gorton and Denton win LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱 Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓...
Feb 27, 2026•51 min
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
