Electoral Dysfunction

Sky News

Political powerhouses Beth Rigby, Ruth Davidson and Harriet Harman unite to unravel the spin and explain what’s really going on in Westminster and beyond.
Each episode examines who holds influence, what politicians are really saying, and the forces driving decisions behind closed doors.
With authoritative insight and candid conversation, they assess who is rising, who is falling, and who is heading for Electoral Dysfunction.
For audience questions and comments, message the team on WhatsApp: 07934 200444

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208 episodes
Updated Friday

Episodes208

Newest first

Feb 6, 2024 · 1 min
Electoral Dysfunction: How do you get politics and people to connect?
With polls suggesting trust in politicians is low, three political powerhouses unite to unravel the spin and explain what’s really going on in Westminster and beyond. Every week, they will examine our political leaders and their policies – how they’re written, and how they’re sold to voters – as we prepare for a general election.  With so much at stake, they will work out which politicians are coming out on top and who is having an Electoral Dysfunction – and what it all actually means for you. Starting on Friday March 1st 2024. Email us: electoraldysfunction@sky.uk
Feb 1, 2024 · 2 min
Introducing Patient 11
Young mother and former GB youth swimmer, Alexis Quinn, agrees to enter NHS England psychiatric care following a family tragedy. She could never imagine that her three-day admission will turn into a three-year ordeal. Then undiagnosed with autism, and often the subject of 24-hour surveillance as well as long periods in solitary confinement, Alexis descends to the darkest reaches of locked-in, psychiatric care. There, she encounters the kind of threat she never could have imagined in a secure mental health hospital. In a bid to break free, Alexis plots a daring escape. Making it back to her daughter, however, will pit her against some of the most powerful institutions in the State, including the police. This series contains discussions about sexual assault. Narrated by Nicholas Pinnock (Top Boy, Django, For Life). To hear all episodes now, follow Patient 11 on your favourite podcast player.
Jul 21, 2023 · 30 min
Beth Rigby Interviews... Iain Anderson
Sky News' political editor Beth Rigby is joined by Iain Anderson – the chair of LGBT rights charity Stonewall. They discuss issues including how trans and women's rights interact, culture wars and trans people in sport. Email Beth Rigby with your thoughts at bethrigbypodcast@sky.uk
Jul 7, 2023 · 39 min
NHS at 75 | Steve Barclay and Wes Streeting
Sky News' political editor Beth Rigby is joined by editor of the Health Service Journal, Alistair McLellan as the NHS turns 75. This week Beth has sat down with Health Secretary Steve Barclay and Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting to discuss how their respective parties intend to tackle the issues facing the NHS, from strikes to waiting times. Email Beth Rigby with your thoughts at bethrigbypodcast@sky.uk
Jun 30, 2023 · 37 min
Beth Rigby Interviews... Irvine Welsh
Sky News' political editor Beth Rigby is joined by Daily Mirror political editor John Stevens to analyse the week's big stories. From former Health Secretary Matt Hancock's appearance at the Covid Inquiry, the Court of Appeal ruling the government's plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda was unlawful and more fallout from the privileges committee report into Boris Johnson and partygate. Plus, Beth interviews Trainspotting author, Irvine Welsh. Email Beth Rigby with your thoughts at bethrigbypodcast@sky.uk.
Jun 23, 2023 · 38 min
Rishi Sunak’s personal pledge to bring down inflation and David Furnish on his fight to eradicate AIDS
Sky News' political editor Beth Rigby analyses the week's big stories - including the pressure piling on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to get inflation under control. And speaks to filmmaker and chair of the Elton John AIDS foundation, David Furnish, about the work the foundation is doing in Ukraine, and the irony of Russian President, Vladimir Putin being an Elton John fan. Email Beth Rigby with your thoughts on the week's stories at bethrigbypodcast@sky.uk.
Jun 16, 2023 · 34 min
Beth Rigby on Boris Johnson misleading parliament, plus an interview with Dame Wendy Hall
Sky News' political editor Beth Rigby analyses the week's big stories - why former PM Boris Johnson has been accused by MPs of “deliberately” misleading parliament over partygate, and the consequences of his resignation for Rishi Sunak. She hears from Johnson-backer Jacob Rees-Mogg for his thoughts on the prospect of the former-PM having his parliament pass revoked. Plus, Beth interviews Dame Wendy Hall, a professor of computer science at the University of Southampton about Artificial Intelligence and how it might impact our lives. Beth is joined by politics producer Mollie Malone. Email Beth Rigby with your thoughts on the week’s stories at bethrigbypodcast@sky.uk.
May 26, 2023 · 43 min
Braverman speeding row, migration figures and guests Nigel Farage and Yvette Cooper
Sky News’ political editor Beth Rigby and guests analyse the week’s big stories – how Home Secretary Suella Braverman handled a speeding offence and net migration figures hitting a new high. Nigel Farage tells Beth the Tories have 'betrayed' Brexit and should accept worker shortages to cut immigration. Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper says a "points-based system is the right approach following Brexit". Daily Mirror political editor John Stevens, and Caroline Wheeler, political editor at the Sunday Times, look at the other big stories. Email Beth Rigby with your thoughts at bethrigbypodcast@sky.uk. Audio credit: ITV This Morning
May 19, 2023 · 22 min
Beth Rigby Interviews.... Rishi Sunak
Sky News’ political editor Beth Rigby is in Japan this week as the leaders of the G7 nations meet in Hiroshima to discuss the war in Ukraine. She sits down with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to ask about new sanctions being placed on Russia, as well as questioning him on his party’s stance on immigration and his reaction to Conservative losses at the local election. Plus, Beth is joined by producer Mollie Malone to talk about what else the G7 leaders have been discussing in Japan. Email bethrigbypodcast@sky.uk to get in touch.
May 12, 2023 · 42 min
Beth Rigby Interviews... Keir Starmer and Russian journalist turned dissident Marina Ovsyannikova
As the fall-out from the local elections continues, Keir Starmer refuses to rule out going into coalition with the Liberal Democrats. The Labour leader tells Sky's political editor Beth Rigby that the local elections were a success for his party despite projections showing they would not win an outright majority at the next general election. Beth also travelled to Paris this week to sit down with former Russian state TV journalist Marina Ovsyannikova to discuss her decision to protest on live TV against the invasion of Ukraine, and how she believes Putin can be stopped. Plus, Beth and her producer Mollie Malone reflect on some of the week's other big stories. Email bethrigbypodcast@sky.uk to get in touch. Podcast producer: Rosie Gillott Editor: Paul Stanworth
Apr 28, 2023 · 32 min
Raab fallout with Lord Simon McDonald, plus Aston Villa’s Christian Purslow
Lord Simon McDonald was permanent under-secretary at the Foreign Office during Dominic Raab’s time there. He’s told Sky’s political editor Beth Rigby he thinks the former deputy prime minister, who resigned from Government after a report upheld two bullying claims against him, should apologise for his behaviour. On the podcast this week, Beth also talks football, as she is joined by Aston Villa’s chief executive Christian Purslow with the future of the Premier League and a new government regulator for football among topics discussed. Plus, Beth and her producer Mollie reflect on some of the week’s other big stories following the Diane Abbott racism row. Email bethrigbypodcast@sky.uk Annie Joyce – senior podcast producer Paul Stanworth – editor
Apr 21, 2023 · 15 min
Beth Rigby Interviews... Hillary Clinton
The former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks to Sky News’ political editor Beth Rigby about the war in Ukraine, next year’s US presidential election and the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. Mrs Clinton says that the age of the "showman" is over as she put support behind President Joe Biden. She praised the President's work on Ukraine and she reiterated the importance of the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland on its 25th anniversary. Email: bethrigbypodcast@sky.uk
Mar 31, 2023 · 32 min
Labour’s David Lammy, new Scottish First Minister and migration crisis
On this week's podcast, Sky's political editor Beth Rigby is joined by the shadow foreign secretary David Lammy. Other discussion topics include MPs' second jobs, Ukraine and migration. Plus, Beth is joined by her producer Mollie Malone as they talk about some of the week’s other big talking points including the election of Humza Yousaf as SNP leader and Scottish First Minister. Email bethrigbypodcast@sky.uk Annie Joyce - senior podcast producer Paul Stanworth - editor
Mar 24, 2023 · 38 min
Boris Johnson 'on the BBQ’, Rishi Sunak’s tax return and Nicola Sturgeon’s legacy
Sky News' political editor Beth Rigby is joined by Katy Balls, political editor at The Spectator and Sir Craig Oliver, former director of communications at Number 10 (2011-2016) as they discuss former prime minister Boris Johnson's performance in front of the privileges committee, the current PM Rishi Sunak's tax returns and Nicola Sturgeon's legacy. We also hear Beth’s interview with Scotland’s out-going first minister and SNP leader. Email bethrigbypodcast@sky.uk Annie Joyce – senior podcast producer Alex Edden – interviews producer Paul Stanworth – editor
Mar 17, 2023 · 36 min
The budget, TikTok, Gary Lineker - and guest Liam Neeson
Sky News' political editor Beth Rigby is joined by Caroline Wheeler, political editor at the Sunday Times and John Stevens, political editor at The Mirror to dissect Jeremy Hunt’s ‘back to work’ budget and react to the government’s ban on TikTok from government devices. Plus, Beth speaks to Hollywood actor, Liam Neeson about his 100th film, growing up in the troubles and the anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. Email bethrigbypodcast@sky.uk Click to subscribe to Beth Rigby Interviews… wherever you get your podcasts Podcast producers: Rosie Gillott and Alex Edden Editor: Paul Stanworth
Mar 3, 2023 · 33 min
Alex Salmond on the SNP’s future, plus Windsor Framework not yet a ‘slam dunk’
Sky News’ political editor Beth Rigby interviews former SNP leader and Scotland First Minister Alex Salmond after a leadership race began last month for Nicola Sturgeon’s replacement. Beth asks about his relationship with the woman who succeeded him in the top job, her legacy and the candidates looking to take the party forward into the next election. Plus, Beth is joined by her producer Mollie Malone as they discuss the week’s big talking points – including the Windsor Framework deal struck between the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the European Union. Email bethrigbypodcast@sky.uk Annie Joyce – senior podcast producer Dave Terris - editor
Feb 24, 2023 · 53 min
Starmer’s mission, Sunak’s protocol plan and the Briton captured by Russian forces
Sky News’ political editor Beth Rigby interviews Shaun Pinner – a British national captured by Russian forces whilst fighting alongside Ukranian troops. He was one of five Britons released as part of a prisoner swap last September. He discusses his experiences – from being on the battlefield and watching his Ukrainian home city of Mariupol flattened, to his treatment in detention and the sham trial that followed. The former soldier also called on Britain to give Ukraine the fighter jets requested by President Zelenskyy. Plus, from 41 mins 30 in, Beth and producer Mollie Malone discuss what’s been happening in politics – include a new vision for Labour laid out by Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak’s attempts to for a change on the Northern Ireland protocol. Email bethrigbypodcast@sky.uk
Feb 3, 2023 · 37 min
Beth Rigby on Raab and Zahawi. Plus, guest Mike Pompeo
Sky News’ political editor Beth Rigby sits down with Mike Pompeo, United States secretary of state during President Trump’s administration, and a former CIA director – the first person to have held both positions. He says President Xi of China is a bigger threat to the world than Russia’s Vladimir Putin – and accuses President Biden of weakness and allowing the war in Ukraine to happen. Plus, producer Mollie Malone joins to debrief on the political stories from the UK this week, including accusations against Deputy PM Dominic Raab and Conservative chairman Nadhim Zahawi’s sacking, as well as answering more listener emails. You can email the team at bethrigbypodcast@sky.uk.
Jan 27, 2023 · 32 min
Rishi Sunak’s reaction to Nadhim Zahawi… And guest Archbishop of Canterbury
Sky News political editor Beth Rigby on how the Prime Minister has reacted to Conservative chair Nadhim Zahawi’s tax affairs – including how Rishi Sunak’s language at PMQs might suggest a growing divide between the men. Plus, her assessment of Labour’s reaction to the investigation by his independent ethics advisor – and how Keir Starmer might be trying to capitalise. Her guest is Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, who says it’s “disappointing” that politicians haven’t resolved challenges facing the social care sector. He also talks about the Church of England’s reaction to same-sex marriage and his role in the Coronation. Plus, producer Mollie Malone joins for emails from listeners on the problems in the NHS Email bethrigbypodcast@sky.uk
Jan 20, 2023 · 38 min
What's Boris Johnson doing? And guest Lord Winston
Sky's political editor Beth Rigby speaks to the Labour peer, professor, doctor and scientist Robert Winston about what he thinks needs to change to save the NHS, and his own experience with the health service following his wife's death in 2021. Plus, Beth and producer Mollie Malone reflect on the big political stories of the week including Boris Johnson's trip to Davos and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's resignation. Email the podcast at bethrigbypodcast@sky.uk. Paul Stanworth - editor Annie Joyce - senior podcast producer