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The Politics Show

The New Statesman

Helping you make sense of politics – every week.

Anoosh Chakelian and the New Statesman team bring you sharp reporting, clear analysis and thoughtful conversations to help you understand what’s really going on in Westminster and beyond.

The New Statesman is Britain’s leading source of news and commentary on politics and culture with a progressive perspective. On The Politics Show, our journalists and expert guests cut through the noise of the headlines to explain the forces shaping our world. From the battles inside the Labour Party to the future of the Conservatives, from the rise of Reform UK to the debates that dominate Parliament, we provide the clarity you need to follow UK politics.

START HERE:

▶︎ Kemi Badenoch isn't working | Cover Story with Tom McTague

▶︎ Do billionaires really benefit the UK?

▶︎ One year of Labour rule: can things still only get better?

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Hosts:

Anoosh Chakelian

Regular contributors and co-hosts:

Tom McTague, Editor-in-chief

Ailbhe Rea, Political editor

Production team:

Senior podcast producer: Catharine Hughes

Podcast and video producer: Rob Le Mare

Assistant producer: Biba Kang

Executive producer: Chris Stone

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Yesterday · 17 min
Labour holds Starmer’s seat
Labour has held the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, with Sagal Abdi-Wali retaining the seat for the party despite a hard-fought contest from Green Party leader Zack Polanski. The result preserves Labour’s long-standing grip on the constituency, and disrupts Polanski’s momentum. Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Megan Kenyon and Ben Walker 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 politics newsletter every morning ✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Monday · 26 min
The Green Party’s Zionism reckoning
At the Green Party conference, party members backed a motion to describe Zionism as racism. Zack Polanski, currently campaigning in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, missed the controversial vote, which called for Israel to be replaced by a single Palestinian state. Is this a watershed moment for the Green Party? Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Megan Kenyon. 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.
October 1 · 38 min
Is Burnham brave or naive?
At this week’s Labour conference, Andy Burnham announced bigger and bolder policy ambitions than anyone expected. Was this too big a swing? Or the grand vision the country needs? Elsewhere, next Thursday, there is a by-election happening in Holborn and St Pancras, the seat vacated by Keir Starmer. Oli Dugmore is joined by business editor Will Dunn and political correspondent Megan Kenyon 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 politics newsletter every morning ✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
September 29 · 21 min
Burnham delivers packed conference speech
Labour Conference 2026 draws to a close with Andy Burnham's speech. The PM's announcements included scrapping the triple lock pension, electoral reform, a new help-to-buy scheme, Great British Grid, an end to the public ownership ban on water companies and a range of options for our relationship with Europe which he will be looking into. Anoosh Chakelian is at the Labour Conference and is joined by Ethan Croft and Ailbhe Rea 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 politics newsletter every morning ✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
September 28 · 24 min
Has Andy Burnham reached his peak?
The Chancellor gives his conference speech just four weeks before his first budget and Andy Burnham proposes a national care service in England. Anoosh Chakelian, Ailbhe Rea and Ethan Croft bring you the latest from the Labour Conference. 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.
September 26 · 33 min
Is Ed Davey too nice?
The rise of balaclava Britain, Kemi Badenoch’s billionaire baloney and Donald Trump’s AI rebrand. Anoosh Chakelian and Will Dunn discuss the stories of the week. 📚 READ: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/2026/09/ed-davey-has-a-superpower-immunity-from-embarrassment https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/bursting-the-bubble/2026/09/the-rise-of-balaclava-britain https://www.newstatesman.com/business/economics/2026/09/kemi-badenochs-billionaire-baloney 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.
September 24 · 55 min
Has power changed Andy Burnham?
For this week’s New Statesman, our Politics Show stars have been busy interviewing some key players in the past year of Labour turmoil. Ailbhe Rea, our Political Editor, had a fascinating encounter with the MP and former chief secretary to the Prime Minister, the Starmer loyalist Darren Jones. And speaking of Andy Burnham, Tom McTague, our Editor-in-Chief, has been busy profiling the Prime Minister himself… 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.
September 19 · 1 hr 8 min
Will AI kill us all?
Are tech companies turning apocalypse into profit? In 2022, we were all having fun with a new chatbot called ChatGPT. Meanwhile, ministers and civil servants of the British government were imagining how it might go horribly wrong. Four years ago, AI experts were concerned about what people might do using their technology. Today, they fear what the technology is doing on its own, without being asked. Tom McTague is joined by Will Dunn to discuss his cover story. READ: https://www.newstatesman.com/business/2026/09/will-ai-kill-us-all 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.
September 17 · 32 min
Burnham's political donations headache
Reform UK received two £36 million donations from crypto billionaire Ben Delo. This has sent shockwaves through Westminster and thrown the question of political finance reform into sharp relief. Labour is caught in an uncomfortable bind - appalled by the scale of Reform's fundraising, but reluctant to cap donations in a way that could threaten trade union funding and destabilise its own finances. 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.
September 12 · 28 min
Farage’s fan club doesn’t care about scandal
The fallout from Reform’s latest scandal, John Healey’s first major speech as Chancellor and Ukraine’s plan to tax porn stars. Anoosh Chakelian and Will Dunn discuss the stories of the week. Read: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/2026/09/the-gospel-according-to-nigel-paul-farage 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.
September 10 · 1 hr 4 min
Ed Miliband resets relations with Israel
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has unveiled the biggest reset in UK relations with Israel for decades, and, in typical fashion, is putting his stamp on his new role. Meanwhile, the scandal surrounding Reform and their finances continues, with the Met Police announcing they are launching a criminal investigation. Pippa Bailey is joined by Ailbhe Rea, and guest Ben Judah, 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 politics newsletter every morning ✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
September 5 · 36 min
Andy Burnham can’t explain the economy
Labour’s missing money metaphor, the millionaires still getting benefits and Dyson’s £420 toothbrush. Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Will Dunn to round up the stories of the week. READ: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/bursting-the-bubble/2026/09/andy-burnham-cant-explain-the-economy https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2026/09/britain-must-stop-paying-benefits-to-millionaires 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.
September 3 · 1 hr 2 min
Burnham vs Badenoch: PMQs, round one
This week was Andy Burnham’s first in the Commons as Prime Minister, facing his inaugural head to head with Kemi Badenoch at PMQs. As for the Tories, they have undergone a major reshuffle. Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Ailbhe Rea and Tom McTague. 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.
September 2 · 22 min
How can the UK protect its historic buildings from climate change?
As the UK faces hotter summers, wetter winters and more unpredictable weather, its historic buildings will need to adapt. But how can Britain make them more resilient without compromising the heritage that makes them worth protecting? Host Sarah Dawood is joined by Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, Chair of the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee, and Tor Burrows, Chief Sustainability Officer at Grosvenor, to ask whether the current system is fit for a changing climate. Their discussion explores the barriers to adapting and retrofitting older buildings, from complex planning processes to skills shortages. They also consider how historic buildings could contribute to housing, economic growth and the UK’s climate goals. They discuss the case for a more coordinated approach across government, a “reuse first” policy and clearer rules for low-risk retrofit. The conversation also looks at what needs to change to keep historic buildings useful, comfortable and resilient for the future. This New Statesman podcast episode has been fully funded by Grosvenor. 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.
August 29 · 28 min
The investigation into “Farage Fest”
The investigation into Nigel’s “Farage Fest” election party, Andy Burnham’s Ukrainian jam session and Pope Leo XIV making it onto Vanity Fair’s best dressed list. Anoosh Chakelian and Will Dunn round up the stories of 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 for more information.
August 27 · 36 min
Zack Polanski's honeymoon is over
It’s nearly a year since Zack Polanski took the reins of the Green party. In many ways the party has never been so successful – with five MPs, leading six local authorities and a leader who cuts through with the public. But now the Greens have to contend with a new – and relatively popular – Prime Minister, and internal factions within the party threaten to make life difficult for Polanski as he heads towards the summer conference. How is the Green leader faring one year on? Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Ailbhe Rea and Megan Kenyon Produced by Chris Stone 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.
August 24 · 30 min
How will Burnham navigate the North Sea?
One of the first big decisions of Andy Burnham’s premiership is looming: whether to drill for North Sea oil and gas. Labour made a manifesto promise not to grant new licences for oil and gas exploration, but the question of whether to go ahead and drill at the Rosebank and Jackdaw sites - offshore oil and gas fields that have pre-existing licences - remains. After a summer of wildfires and heatwaves, but with our energy security and cost-of-living precarious, the new Prime Minister faces a political dilemma. Anoosh Chakelian is joined by political editor Ailbhe Rea. 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.
August 22 · 29 min
Is the UK really poorer than Mississippi?
What constitutes a wealthy society, Richard Tice saying we should “enjoy” climate change and the clamour around Harry and Meghan’s return to the UK. Anoosh Chakelian and Oli Dugmore discuss the stories of 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 for more information.
August 20 · 30 min
Will Andy Burnham call an early election?
On the one hand, Burnham may never be as popular as he is now. On the other, the PM could lose an election if he calls it soon, bringing his long-held dream of being prime minister to a horribly premature end. Anoosh Chakelian is joined by political editor Ailbhe Rea. 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.
August 19 · 20 min
What should the UK do with its unrecyclable waste?
The UK still sends millions of tonnes of waste to landfill, creating environmental risks while losing resources that could be put to better use. Given there will always be some waste that we cannot reuse or recycle, what role should government and industry play in finding a more sustainable alternative? Host Emma Haslett is joined by Toby Perkins MP, chair of the Environmental Audit Select Committee and Karl Smyth, Director of External Affairs and Strategic Policy at enfinium. Our panel discusses the UK’s recycling ambitions and the gap between a circular economy and the reality of unavoidable waste, as well as the environmental and community impact of landfill. They talk about the role of Energy from Waste in diverting waste from landfill, supporting energy resilience and contributing to wider decarbonisation efforts. They also consider political consensus, community support and the action needed from government and industry. This New Statesman podcast episode is sponsored by enfinium. 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.

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