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The State of It

The Times

What’s really being said inside the corridors of power.

Join Steven Swinford, Patrick Maguire, Ben Riley-Smith and Lara Spirit for exclusive interviews, political scoops and the best analysis from Westminster.

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Yesterday · 33 min
" Run away, turn away, run away, turn away" - Healey's Bronski Beat budget
John Healey’s first Budget is being dubbed the “Bronski Beat Budget”: a Chancellor running away from the big decisions on welfare and defence. With growth downgraded, energy bills set to soar and taxes at record highs, how much room for manoeuvre does he really have? And is this Burnham’s economy now, with the Chancellor merely keeping the engine running until the Prime Minister’s 10-year plan arrives? Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times Ben Riley-Smith, political editor, The Sunday Times Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson Pictures: Getty Images This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tuesday · 32 min
Brexit, oil and immigration: Labour's three rows
Arguing in the Labour party is ramping up. Andy Burnham has further fuelled the Brexit wars, floating a return to free movement and even EU membership, even though he claimed there was “nothing socialist” about free movement a decade ago. Is this political manoeuvring, or does Burnham himself know where he wants to end up? Meanwhile, Labour’s cabinet is split over North Sea drilling and immigration, with ministers publicly contradicting one another. Is Burnham a sort of Scouse Boris, coasting on charisma alone? And then there’s Wednesday's Budget. A fuel duty freeze, help with energy bills and a possible bank tax are all in the mix — but with the public finances under pressure, could John Healey have a rabbit up his sleeve? Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times Ben Riley-Smith, political editor, The Sunday Times Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson Pictures: Getty Images 00:00 - The Free Movement Bombshell 00:33 - The Scoop: How Andy Burnham Reopened the Brexit Debate 01:22 - Did Burnham Cross His Own Red Lines? 03:41 - Testing the Waters: Tactical Leak or Honest Mistake? 05:46 - A Scouse Boris? Burnham’s High-Risk Politics 07:44 - European Summit Secrets & Whitehall Panic 09:20 - Cabinet Mutiny: The Ministers Pushing Back 12:10 - Rejoining vs Growth: The Threat to British AI & Industry 13:30 - Burnham vs His Past Self: The 2016 Anti-EU Speech 15:48 - Cabinet Split Round 2: The Rosebank Oil War 18:24 - Resignation Watch: Will Ed Miliband Walk? 21:17 - The Brutal Pile-On Against Shabana Mahmood 23:26 - Leaked Budget: OBR Warns of Record-Breaking Taxes 25:04 - Cost of Living: Fuel Duty, Energy Hikes & "Puffin" Borrowing 26:55 - John Healey's Warning: "An Economic Storm Is Coming" 29:40 - The Global Crisis: Why the Government Can’t Save Your Wallet 31:25 - Final Predictions & Tomorrow's Budget Special This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Friday · 33 min
You can't vibe-code your way to growth
Former Bank of England chief economist Andy Haldane, a close ally of Andy Burnham, has sounded the alarm over the upcoming budget, warning the Prime Minister can’t “vibe-code his way to growth”. Patrick joins John Healey on the road, getting a glimpse of the Chancellor’s pro-business pitch — and the bottle of HP Sauce he keeps in his briefcase. Ben takes us inside the budget, unpacking four key areas: help with business costs, support for households facing rising energy bills, a fuel duty freeze and a package to tackle youth unemployment. Can Healey’s budget deliver meaningful change, or is the big stuff still being kicked down the road? Ben reflects on his time with Andy Burnham, exploring the mayor’s ambitions, political instincts and frustration with Westminster — and what his first 100 days reveal about his wider national project. Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times Ben Riley-Smith, political editor, The Sunday Times Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson Executive producer: Molly Guinness Pictures: Getty Images This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
October 20 · 28 min
Andy Burnham's welfare plan: spend first, cut later
Andy Burnham's welfare reforms are likely to start with more, not less, spending. In his review into Neets, young people not in education, employment or training, Alan Milburn will propose restricting access to universal credit for 16 to 24-year-olds, and spending money instead on employment support. The prime minister will tell MPs the government needs to spend first, cut later to bring about meaningful welfare reform. That may please Labour MPs but will the bond markets keep the faith? Meanwhile, the home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, is facing opposition within Labour over plans to double the wait for indefinite leave to remain from five to 10 years. Will Burnham back her reforms, or carve out an exception for migrant care workers? Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times Ben Riley-Smith, political editor, The Sunday Times Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson Executive producer: Molly Guinness Pictures: Getty Images This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
October 19 · 34 min
AI rows and pre-budget jitters – The State of It Live
In this live recording of The State of It, Patrick and Steve assess the state of play ahead of budget day. John Healey is preparing a steady-as-she-goes budget, but with the big decisions on welfare, defence and tax rises pushed into next year, is Labour ducking the difficult choices? Meanwhile, AI evangelists want Britain to seize the opportunities, while Ed Miliband is pushing back on environmental grounds. Cue an almighty cabinet row. Reform UK’s poll lead has narrowed as Restore eats into its support. But is Westminster writing off Nigel Farage too soon? Reform remains the most trusted party on immigration and is sharpening its economic pitch to working-class voters. Finally, Andy Burnham faces one of Labour’s biggest challenges: reforming the welfare system. Recorded in Westminster as part of The Battle of Ideas festival. Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson Executive producer: Molly Guinness Picture: Getty Images 00:00 - "The bond vigilantes are ready to split our throats" 00:09 - Inside Healey’s budget: Bank taxes & disappearing headroom 02:04 - "He’s a dud": Cabinet backbiting over the Chancellor 04:34 - The budget trap: Delaying big tax rises until next year 07:02 - Courting the squeezed middle: Business rates vs Reform UK 08:53 - Shock YouGov polling: Only 3% expect to be better off 11:24 - Is Reform UK finished, or are the pundits wrong? 15:45 - The bizarre reason Number 10 secretly wants a Tory comeback 18:12 - Cabinet AI civil war: Silicon Valley vs British jobs 22:30 - The UK grid crisis: Can we even power AI data centres? 24:51 - The Milburn Review: Plans to ban benefits for under-25s 29:19 - Broken PIP system: Backdated lump sums and 18-year assessment delays 32:15 - Can Labour ever shake the "welfare party" label? This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
October 13 · 31 min
Burnham brings back Brexit wars: what’s the strategy?
Andy Burnham has pulled the lever marked ‘Brexit’, threatening to reignite the wars of yesteryear. The soft left are delighted, but there’s unease in his cabinet. Is this a route back to a referendum, or just a meagre SPS (Sanitary and Phytosanitary) deal? Or is Burnham already firing the opening shots of his election campaign — at the expense of the leave-voting areas he promised to win over? Has he already failed the Makerfield test? It’s budget season, and speculation is mounting over what’s inside John Healey’s red box. This is billed as a budget for the high street: for the white van man and the beauticians of Rotherham, funded by a crackdown on online retail giants. But with John Lewis sounding the alarm, how far will the chancellor go? Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times Ben Riley-Smith, political editor, The Sunday Times Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson Executive producer: Molly Guinness Picture: Getty Images 00:00 - The Brexit Wars Return 02:51 - Why Andy Burnham Wants Closer EU Ties 05:25 - Nigel Farage Delighted & Secret Cabinet Rifts 08:04 - The Real Cost: Free Movement & Single Market Traps 10:50 - Is Labour Priming The Polls For An Early Election? 13:46 - Has Burnham Abandoned The 'Makerfield Test'? 17:46 - The Russia Claim: Anatomy Of A 24-Hour U-Turn 20:06 - "Authenticity" Or Chaos? Burnham's Loose Talk 22:25 - The Budget: John Healey Targets 'White Van Man' 26:11 - High Street vs Online Giants: Retailers Strike Back 28:56 - Historic Tax Hikes: Distracting From The Pain This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
October 9 · 23 min
Zack Polanski on the brink
Zack Polanski's defeat in the Holborn & St Pancras by-election puts him in a tough position. The Green leader lost the by-election by 3,300 votes to Sagal Abdi-Wali, the Labour candidate. He's also facing criticism after the Green Party voted to declare that Zionism is racism. Polanski did not vote and has been accused of failing to show leadership. How tenable is his position now? Plus, parliament is back next week and the real business of government gets going. We look at what's in store and how the chancellor, John Healey, is preparing for a very, very difficult budget. Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times Producer: Harry Kitson Executive producer: Molly Guinness Picture: Getty Images 00:00 - By-Election Result: Labour Wins Holborn & St Pancras 00:36 - Is Zack Polanski’s Leadership in Trouble? 01:56 - Green Party Rifts & The Palestine Motion Controversy 07:34 - Is This the Beginning of the End for Polanski? 11:06 - Andy Burnham’s Electoral Boost & Labour’s Position 11:44 - Parliament Returns: Navigating the Autumn Budget 13:18 - John Healey, Treasury Trips, and Bank of England Warnings 16:39 - Defence Spending vs Public Services Dilemma 20:39 - Welfare Reviews, Jackdaw Gas Field & Election Speculation This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
October 7 · 31 min
Kemi Badenoch bets the house on the economy
Kemi Badenoch's attack on Reform UK was all about character and her attack on Labour was all about economics. In her speech at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham, she said she would to scrap inheritance tax on family homes and that under a Conservative government, couples would be able to leave an extra £1m inheritance tax free to their children. Badenoch was withering about Nigel Farage and Reform UK, saying: "The circus goes on and on and it will never stop because this is who Reform are — so to those who say ‘unite the right’, we are not uniting with that.” We look at the Conservatives' electoral strategy, their prospects — especially compared with a year ago — and the vibes among their MPs. Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times Ben Riley-Smith, political editor, The Sunday Times Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson Executive producer: Molly Guinness Picture: Getty Images 00:00 - Live from Tory Conference: Badenoch’s Speech Analysis 00:41 - The Inheritance Tax Gamble: Family Homes Exempt 02:01 - Strategic Shift: Winning Back the South & Abandoning the Red Wall 05:14 - Why Immigration Was Dropped From the Main Message 06:33 - "We Will Not Unite": Direct Rejection of Reform UK & Farage 08:03 - Character vs. Policy: The New Strategy Against Reform 10:45 - Key Omissions: Public Services and the NHS 13:17 - Football Legends, Identity, and Patriotism 17:36 - Vibe Check: A Surprisingly United Tory Party 20:19 - Badenoch’s Dominance: "Captain, Manager, and Owner" 22:13 - Path to Power: Rebuilding Economic Trust 25:08 - Behind the Scenes: Bars, Protesters, and Business Access 29:34 - Did Badenoch’s Speech Set the Political Weather? 32:50 - Looking Ahead to the Budget This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
September 29 · 17 min
Andy Burnham's radical British reset
The Labour Party is jubilant. Andy Burnham has fired the starting gun for the next general election with one of the most consequential conference speeches in recent memory. He used it to set out a series of major proposals, including an end to the triple lock, the abolition of first-past-the-post and closer ties with Europe. At the heart of his national project is a care service free at the point of use. Burnham has set out a vision that promises to put Britain on a different road. But can he persuade the country to buy into it? Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times Ben Riley-Smith, political editor, The Sunday Times Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson Executive producer: Molly Guinness Pictures: Getty Images This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
September 28 · 32 min
Labour parties like it's 1997
At the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, the mood is jubilant. They have a popular leader who can speak fluently in public. Andy Burnham's speech on Tuesday will be a big moment and it's expected to be full of announcements. Whitehall and cabinet ministers are trying to keep up. The problem, as always, is making the sums add up. The prime minister has made social care the main topic of conversation. We discuss whether he is ready to ditch the triple-lock on pensions to pay for social care reform and whether he could fight an election promising tax rises. In Rachel Reeves's first budget, taxes went up more than £30 billion, and then she had to come back for more. The Treasury wanted to avoid a third tax-raising budget but the numbers are moving against them. Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times Ben Riley-Smith, political editor, The Sunday Times Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson Executive producer: Molly Guinness Pictures: Getty Images This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
September 26 · 34 min
EXCLUSIVE - John Healey: budget will prove I'm pro-business
John Healey, the chancellor, tells us his budget will offer people breathing space on both the cost of living and the cost of business. He said he was concerned about the rising price of fuel and that he wanted wealthy people to stay in Britain. In July, Andy Burnham, the prime minister, said that he would use "any flexibility" in the government's fiscal rules, but Healey was clear that there was no room for manoeuvre on the fiscal rules. Listen to the full interview to hear how he's getting notes in caps lock from Gordon Brown, his thoughts on bringing down the welfare bill and a Treasury Dragon's Den. Ben Riley-Smith, political editor, The Sunday Times Producer: Euan Dawtrey Picture: Getty Images This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
September 25 · 27 min
A snap election - surely not?
The Labour Party conference starts in Liverpool this weekend. It's a chance for Andy Burnham to lay out his vision for the country. Expect worldview, class, solidarity and hope. How much criticism is likely to come from allies of Keir Starmer? Darren Jones, Starmer's former right-hand-man, has been giving interviews. Will others do the same? Could Burnham call a snap election? An MRP mega poll for The Times and Sky News suggested that if an election were held now Labour would win 241 seats, the Conservatives would have 130 and Reform UK would be in third on 123 seats. The split on the right makes it tempting for Labour to call a snap election. Is that a realistic possibility? Ben Riley-Smith, political editor, The Sunday Times Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson Executive producer: Molly Guinness Picture: Getty Images 00:00 - Tactical Voting: The Left’s New “Cheat Code”? 00:10 - Heading to Liverpool: Navigating Labour Conference 01:26 - Decoding Andy Burnham’s “Hope Again” Vision & Liverpool Roots 04:07 - Inside Number 10: How the New Team is Bedding In 06:56 - The Reform UK Threat & Marginal Seat Panic 09:12 - The Dangers of Relying on Tactical Voting 14:10 - Snap Election Rumours: Is Burnham About to Gamble? 18:55 - Labour Infighting: Sacked Cabinet Ministers Strike Back 23:07 - Critiques From Within & What Success Looks Like 26:07 - John Healey Interview Preview This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
September 22 · 32 min
Raise taxes, fix welfare later: Labour's tough sell
What a difference a year makes The Labour Party conference awaits. Has Andy Burnham's folksy charm and optimism taken the party as far as it can, or can he consolidate power and popularity? Six-party politics A YouGov poll for The Times and Sky News puts Reform UK and the Conservative Party on level pegging for the first time in 18 months. Thursday's mega poll, the first MRP from YouGov in a year, will be a fascinating snapshot of the shifting electoral tectonic plates. Labour MPs are pinning their hopes on a split on the right, but will Burnham's government be able to build enough support from potential Green and Liberal Democrat voters? What will Andy Burnham's government do about welfare? Three reports into work and benefits are imminent: Charlie Mayfield's recommendations about how to keep people in work, Alan Milburn's report into Neets (young people not in education, employment or training) and a government review of mental health conditions. All of them put the welfare system into the spotlight. The timing creates a political problem for the government because next month's budget will not address the welfare bill. Raising taxes without fixing welfare is difficult for a prime minister who has talked about the power of politics to change things. Meanwhile his chancellor, John Healey, is buffeted by rising borrowing costs, which hit £18.3 billion in August, up nearly a fifth on August last year. Brexit re-litigated? On the plane to New York, Andy Burnham refused to rule out rejoining the European Union. A year ago he said he hoped the UK would rejoin the EU in his lifetime. Could he really be tempted to try to boost economic growth by aligning more closely with the EU or putting rejoining the EU in the next manifesto? Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times Producer: Harry Kitson Executive producer: Molly Guinness Picture: Getty Images This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
September 18 · 29 min
Trump and Burnham meet: what could go wrong?
The Burnham Trump meeting Andy Burnham and Donald Trump will meet for the first time in New York next week. It's the biggest foreign policy moment in Burnham's premiership so far and there are many different ways in which it could go wrong. Burnham wants to be more confrontational with Trump than Starmer was...without damaging relations with the US. Autumn budget: the walls are closing in It's now accepted that next month's budget will be a money-raising budget. Does the new government have a plan for growth? Are the Liberal Democrats still relevant? The Liberal Democrats are about to hold their conference and some of their MPs are worried that Ed Davey isn't doing enough as leader. We look at their electoral strategy and their prospects. Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times Ben Riley-Smith, political editor, The Sunday Times Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times Producer: Harry Kitson Executive producer: Molly Guinness Pictures: Getty Images This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
September 15 · 35 min
Mr Hope and Mr Sensible step into the danger zone
Will Labour raise taxes? The cost of government borrowing is going up and up. That means the chancellor, John Healey, may well need to cut spending or raise taxes next month - and tax rises are much more likely. Labour MPs are overwhelmingly happy for the first time in living memory, but is that because they haven't woken up to the grim economic reality? The Labour Party conference slogan this year is 'Hope Again', but while the prime minister is projecting optimism, the chancellor is cutting a much more sombre figure as his fiscal headroom shrinks. Will Andy Burnham's desire to lead on economic policy survive next month's budget? How likely is an early election? The assumption has been that Burnham will either stick to the Labour manifesto or he'll call an early election. Would he consider breaking, or at least bending, the manifesto to pay for all the things he wants to do? The donations row explained Labour's plan to block donations to Reform UK from Christopher Harborne and Ben Delo is nakedly partisan. The row shines a light on the strange world of political donations and the surprisingly vague laws that govern them. How much of a difference would the £72m make to Reform's electoral prospects? Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times Ben Riley-Smith, political editor, The Sunday Times Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times Producer: Harry Kitson Executive producer: Molly Guinness Picture: Getty Images This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
September 11 · 22 min
Assisted dying is dead. What next?
MPs have voted against the assisted dying bill. The legislation was defeated by a margin of 16 votes, with 286 MPs in favour and 270 against, after 314 MPs backed the plan last year. It's a huge moment in the House of Commons. Why did the support for it fall away? How much of a difference did it make that Andy Burnham was not a supporter? Does it mean the issue is off the table for the foreseeable future? Where do we go from here? Does it galvanise the prime minister's mission to reform social care and palliative care? Plus, Andy Burnham is turning left, trying to appeal to the voters that Keir Starmer lost to the Greens and the Liberal Democrats. Will it work? And are the odds of an early election narrowing? Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times Ben Riley-Smith, political editor, The Sunday Times Producer: Harry Kitson Executive producer: Molly Guinness Picture: Getty Images Audio: Parliament TV This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
September 8 · 29 min
Why the UK is risking US anger with Israel sanctions
Ed Miliband, the foreign secretary, is announcing sanctions on Israel over West Bank settlements. Why is it such a priority for Andy Burnham's government and what are the risks? It creates yet another diplomatic sticking point for the prime minister when he meets President Trump later this month. At Reform UK's conference, a protester who disrupted Nigel Farage's speech was whacked with a stick and had her hair pulled. The party's economic spokesman Robert Jenrick says she had it coming. An astute political calculation or will it put off wavering voters? Has Reform weathered the storm after last week's resignations in the wake of the Verbatim/Channel 4 undercover investigation that showed senior aides arranging off-the-books polling? The party denies all wrongdoing. Does the story seriously damage them in the eyes of voters? John Healey's first speech as chancellor was a chance to show a radical new vision and also to show the markets he can be trusted not to do anything too radical. The problem is you can't do both. We look at some of the calculations going into next month's budget. Ben Riley-Smith, political editor, The Sunday Times Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times Producer: Harry Kitson Executive producer: Molly Guinness Picture: Parliament TV Audio: Sky News This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
September 4 · 24 min
Reform's conference begins with a crisis
Reform UK’s 2026 conference has begun in Birmingham under a cloud after Channel 4 broadcast allegations of an attempt to circumvent the rules on foreign donations — prompting Nigel Farage to turn on two of his closest aides, Dan Jukes and James Orr. Farage’s relationship with Jukes has been described as “father-son” so it’s a huge step for Farage and for Reform. Find out how it all unfolded in the early hours. The extraordinary fallout has overshadowed Farage’s big migration announcement with Jordan Bardella, Marine Le Pen’s National Rally running mate and the man who hopes to be the next French prime minister. Nigel Farage says Reform UK has done nothing wrong and that the investigation was carried out by far left activists. How much does the story damage Brand Reform? Are voters more interested in his small boats policy or in the questions raised by the documentary? Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times Ben Riley-Smith, political editor, The Sunday Times Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson Executive producer: Molly Guinness Picture: Getty Images This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
September 1 · 31 min
Starmerism with a human face: when vibes meet reality
Andy Burnham wants the first day back in the Commons to be all about hope. But how long can he and his chancellor John Healey keep up the feel-good vibes? After much talk of change, there's a whiff of continuity in the air. Find out what is making Labour MPs most nervous and angry - and why. The toughest calls on defence spending and the economy are deferred to 2027, creating a juggernaut for next year. The PM says that public control is a priority but a decision on Thames Water has been postponed. What is Labour's policy on North Sea oil and gas drilling? Scoop: the government will confirm gas drilling at Jackdaw, but it's unclear what they'll do about the more controversial Rosebank oil and gas field. What did we learn from Kemi Badenoch's reshuffle? Kemi Badenoch's ruthless shadow cabinet reshuffle has demonstrated her hold over her party. But will it help the Conservatives' electoral prospects? Reform UK Conference: what to expect Polling suggests Nigel Farage is most likely to be the UK's next prime minister, and at their conference this week Reform UK will attempt to show us all what it would be like. What would a Reform government deliver in its first 100 days? Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson Executive producer: Molly Guinness Picture: Getty Images This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
August 25 · 27 min
West Bank sanctions: the snag - and Burnham's blockbuster autumn
Scoop: Ed Miliband is expected to announce two different kinds of sanctions over Israeli settlements in the West Bank. We have the details, but will the plan be enforceable? Get ready for politics on hyperspeed this autumn: a decision on North Sea oil and gas, an announcement about the prisoner early release scheme, two welfare reviews, conferences, a budget and a 10-year plan. But amidst the flurry of activity, is Andy Burnham putting off some tough decisions? Reform UK says British-born workers should get priority for social housing. We look at the shifting Overton window on citizenship as three parties on the right - The Conservative Party, Reform UK and Restore UK - jostle for votes. Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times Fraser Nelson, columnist, The Times Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson Executive producer: Molly Guinness Picture: Getty Images 00:00 - Parliament Returns: The Autumn Political Agenda 01:45 - Ed Miliband, Gaza Sanctions & West Bank Trade Bans 07:50 - Early Release Scheme & Police Backlash (PC Harper Case) 10:45 - The Mini-Budget, Welfare Reviews & 10-Year Plan 15:00 - Reform UK's Housing Policy & Citizenship Split 23:30 - Kemi Badenoch Meets Giorgia Meloni in Rome This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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