Episode description

"The battle for the General Election is getting started" - that was the message from Labour's Deputy Leader today.

Angela Rayner made also a promise to change anti-strike laws within the first 100 days of a Labour government, in her speech to the TUC.

So on the day that Labour gets serious about the next election, Emily hears from Labour's Peter Kyle - the new Shadow Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology.

He's also running their campaign in the Mid Bedfordshire by-election and claims the Lib Dems there have launched "personal attacks" on the Labour candidate there.

The Lib Dems say no personal attacks have been made. A source said:  

"People in Mid Bedfordshire are disappointed that Labour have chosen a London councillor as a candidate to represent their rural towns and villages. After Nadine Dorries, people want a local MP, not someone who has been parachuted in." 

And could there be a spy for China in Parliament? If so, how did they get there and what damage could be done? Christopher Steele, former head of the Russia desk at MI6 joins Emily in the studio.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Planning Producer: Alex Barnett

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Producer: Will Gibson-Smith

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".

The News Agents is a Global Player Original and a Persephonica Production.