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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.

  • 193 episodes
  • Updated July 3

Episodes193

  • Jun 27, 2025 · 42 min

    Westminster's half-term score card

    Even as Keir Starmer faces the threat of all-out rebellion over his welfare bill, Westminster can feel the summer recess approaching. So six months into the year and with the anniversary of Labour's electoral victory approaching, host Sascha O'Sullivan enrols a host of experts to give their view on the government's progress on the 'milestones' set out by the Prime Minister last year. Harry Quilter-Pinner, director of the IPPR and Charlotte Pickles, director of Re:State think tank (formerly called Reform) talk Sascha through each of the milestones – from the economy to energy security – and gives Keir Starmer and his cabinet a grade for each. The pollster Scarlett Maguire, founder of Merlin strategies, provides key insights into how voters view the government's record to date. Rachel Cunliffe, associate political editor at the New Statesman, and James Heale, deputy political editor of The Spectator, gives Sascha an assessment of the trials and tribulations on the opposition benches – from the Conservatives battles with Reform to the Greens' leadership election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • Jun 13, 2025 · 47 min

    What's the point of political satire?

    In the midst of spending reviews, rows of migration and fights about water bosses' bonuses, everyone could do with a laugh. So this week on Westminster Insider, host Sascha O'Sullivan speaks to a coterie of comedians and satirists in SW1 to find out: what's the point of political satire?

  • Jun 6, 2025 · 37 min

    Inside Westminster's Musk-inspired DOGE wars

    As Reform UK sends its Elon Musk-style Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team into its new councils to assess "wasteful spending", host Patrick Baker takes a trip to Durham to speak to the county council’s new deputy leader, the former Brexit activist and GB News broadcaster, Darren Grimes, about what Reform's DOGE plans might mean for the local area.

  • May 30, 2025 · 39 min

    A boozy lunch with Jo Coburn

    Host Sascha O'Sullivan goes for lunch with Jo Coburn as she leaves her position as presenter of Politics Live, the BBC's lunchtime political programme.

  • May 23, 2025 · 36 min

    How to run your Cabinet: Lessons for Starmer

    With tensions simmering in Keir Starmer’s top team over Labour’s approach to the economy, this week host Patrick Baker looks at what the PM might be able to learn about managing your ministers from past Cabinets and examines Starmer's own leadership style.

  • May 16, 2025 · 47 min

    Can Labour still own the North?

    With Nigel Farage's Reform UK muscling in to key parts of the country, Westminster Insider Host Sascha O'Sullivan speaks to politicians through the North of England, where Labour has an uphill battle to convince their heartlands they can be trusted.

  • Mar 28, 2025 · 41 min

    War and Peace in Europe

    With Ukraine and Russia in the throes of attempting to negotiate a ceasefire, Westminster Insider Host Sascha O’Sullivan talks to some of the leading figures on the frontline of the war in Russia.

  • Mar 21, 2025 · 41 min

    How to launch a backbench rebellion

    With the stench of rebellion hanging around the tearooms of SW1 after ministers announced fresh welfare cuts, this week host Patrick Baker explores the backbench revolts of years past, asking how disobedient MPs really plan and plot against their own parties.

  • Mar 14, 2025 · 40 min

    When politicians fight the law and the law wins

    As Mike Amesbury bows out of his career as a Labour MP after being caught on tape assaulting a constituent, this week’s episode of Westminster Insider goes inside politicians’ wrangles with the law.

  • Mar 7, 2025 · 44 min

    Inside COBRA

    Have you ever wondered about COBRA? Not the snake or the yoga pose — but Cabinet Office Briefing Room A, the place at the heart of Whitehall where a highly sensitive, critical government committee meets when a crisis hits the U.K.

  • Feb 28, 2025 · 48 min

    How to survive No 11 Downing Street

    With Keir Starmer recently forced to promise his Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, would stay on until the next election, Westminster Insider Host Sascha O'Sullivan talks to former Chancellors and advisors who have worked in No 10 and No 11 Downing Street over the last 30 years to find out how to survive one of the toughest gigs in politics.

  • Feb 14, 2025 · 45 min

    How Westminster goes viral (without Elon Musk)

    For years, Westminster has been addicted to Twitter (now called X). Host Sascha O'Sullivan looks at how the site – and SW1's reliance on it – has changed since tech billionaire Elon Musk took over.

  • Feb 7, 2025 · 47 min

    How to be a UK Ambassador to the US

    Peter Mandelson, the new British ambassador to the United States, has finally taken up the daunting challenge of being the U.K.’s Trump whisperer.

  • Dec 20, 2024 · 48 min

    The year ahead in 45 minutes

    For the final episode of the year, new host Patrick Baker and a selection of expert guests take you through 2025 — a year that looks like it might well be even crazier than the last.

  • Dec 13, 2024 · 48 min

    Westminster's class war over private schools

    This week on Westminster Insider, host Sascha O'Sullivan finds out whether public schools still dominate or if state educated Rachel Reeves and Bridget Phillipson's move to tax fees reflects the end of the era of Etonians.

  • Nov 29, 2024 · 45 min

    What really happens when MPs vote with their conscience?

    As the House of Commons agonizes over legalizing assisted dying, host Sascha O'Sullivan looks back at previous votes of conscience to find out what happens when MPs don't have the party whip guiding them.