Westminster Insider

POLITICO

POLITICO’s weekly political series lifts the curtain on how Westminster really works, offering in-depth insight into the political issues which typically only get broad-brush treatment in the wider media.

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193 episodes
Updated July 3

Episodes193

Newest first

May 7, 2021 · 39 min
Why by-elections matter
As the dust settles after the Hartlepool by-election, Jack Blanchard looks back at some of the great by-election contests of recent years — and ponders whether these quintessentially British political battles are always as significant as they seem.
Apr 30, 2021 · 39 min
A short history of Scottish separatism
With the Scottish parliament election less than a week away, Jack Blanchard looks back at the history of the Scottish nationalist movement and explains how it shifted from a fringe pursuit to perhaps the majority view in Scotland.
Apr 23, 2021 · 2 min
Coming soon: POLITICO's Westminster Insider season 2
The new season of Jack Blanchard’s weekly podcast on how Westminster really works kicks off on April 30. Subscribe now and never miss an episode.
Mar 18, 2021 · 39 min
A year of lockdowns — How the pandemic changed Westminster
Jack Blanchard heads back to Westminster on the anniversary of the first coronavirus lockdown to hear how the pandemic has changed British politics for good.
Mar 12, 2021 · 38 min
Meet: Chancellor Rishi Sunak — beyond the Budget
Jack Blanchard sits down with Rishi Sunak to discuss his whirlwind first year as U.K. Chancellor, and hear more about his Hindu faith, his fears for the future and his love of computer games.
Mar 4, 2021 · 39 min
Cabinet secretaries ... and why Sir Humphrey always wins
As Britain's most powerful civil servant, Simon Case, marks his six-month anniversary in the job, Jack Blanchard takes a closer look at the role of the Cabinet secretary — and asks if 'Sir Humphrey,' the fictitious character from "Yes Minister," really do
Feb 25, 2021 · 39 min
When Budgets go wrong
As Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer, finalizes his speech ahead of next week's Budget, Jack Blanchard looks back at the pitfalls and disasters which have plagued Chancellors in years gone by.
Feb 18, 2021 · 37 min
MPs’ postbags: The hidden costs of lockdown
Jack Blanchard abandons Westminster for a week and explores the hidden costs of lockdown, by delving into the postbags of two MPs in different parts of the U.K.
Feb 12, 2021 · 38 min
Meet: Prof Neil Ferguson — life after the coronavirus pandemic
Jack sits down with Britain's top epidemiologist, Professor Neil Ferguson, to discuss how the next few months of the coronavirus pandemic are likely to pan out — and why things went so badly wrong last year.
Feb 4, 2021 · 39 min
How to charm a US president
As Boris Johnson ponders how to woo the newly-elected President Joe Biden, Jack Blanchard looks back at how past prime ministers have tried to charm their counterparts in the White House — with varying degrees of success.
Jan 28, 2021 · 36 min
Westminster's morning newsletter revolution
To kick off Season 1, Jack Blanchard takes a deep dive into a subject close to his heart — the world of morning politics newsletters, and how they've transformed the way Westminster starts the day.
Jan 8, 2021 · 38 min
Pilot: The history of pandemics — and how politicians always react the same way
In our pilot episode, Jack Blanchard explores how Western leaders struggling with the coronavirus pandemic are merely repeating the same old mistakes politicians have always made.
Dec 15, 2020 · 2 min
Westminster Insider Trailer
Welcome to Westminster Insider: Jack Blanchard's brand new weekly podcast on how Westminster really works. Subscribe now and never miss an episode.