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.

Subscribe Listen in podnod RSS feed Show website

193 episodes
Updated July 3

Episodes193

Newest first

Nov 22, 2024 · 46 min
Inside the Downing Street spin room
Host Jack Blanchard speaks to some of the most powerful Downing Street spin doctors of the past decade — and asks whether they're really as angry as the 'Malcolm Tucker' stereotype suggests.
Nov 15, 2024 · 39 min
What's the secret to a great political lunch?
This week on Westminster Insider, host Sascha O'Sullivan lifts on the curtain on the best political lunches — who to invite, where to go, and what to talk about.
Nov 8, 2024 · 28 min
One crazy night in Washington
Westminster Insider heads to Washington to capture a historic election night that changed America — and the world.
Nov 1, 2024 · 46 min
How to deliver a great budget
Rachel Reeves' first budget was a historic moment — for her, for the Labour Party ... and for the nation's tax burden.
Oct 11, 2024 · 54 min
Does Westminster do God?
Alistair Campbell famously once proclaimed of Tony Blair's government: "we don't do God." Two decades on, this week on Westminster Insider, host Sascha O'Sullivan goes to the politicians' church St Bartholomew the `Great to find out if that's still true.
Oct 4, 2024 · 48 min
A boozy lunch with Sir Graham Brady
Host Jack Blanchard goes for a long lunch with Sir Graham Brady, the former chairman of the 1922 committee of backbench Conservative MPs — and the man who helped bring down multiple Tory prime ministers.
Sep 27, 2024 · 50 min
How to choose a Tory leader
Westminster Insider host Sascha O’Sullivan dives into what it’s really like to be a contender in a Tory leadership campaign — and how candidates can appeal to both MPs and party members alike.
Sep 20, 2024 · 55 min
Inside Labour Together: the project behind Keir Starmer
The red half of Westminster will shortly decamp to Liverpool for the first Labour conference since the party's general election landslide. Host Sascha O'Sullivan looks at a group which played a key role in that victory — the left-wing think-tank Labour Together.
Sep 13, 2024 · 47 min
What's it like to cover a US election?
Days after the drama of the first U.S. presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, host Jack Blanchard asks senior journalists on both sides of the Atlantic — what's it really like to cover an American election?
Sep 11, 2024 · 17 min
SPONSORED CONTENT: Homes for all: A strategy to end homelessness in Britain
In this sponsored episode, Lloyds Banking Group and Crisis, the U.K. homelessness charity, are calling for the U.K. to build 1 million more homes at social rent by 2033, an endeavor that will require strong partnership between the government and the private sector.
Sep 6, 2024 · 43 min
Can Labour make the trains run on time?
As the new Labour government introduces its landmark legislation to nationalize the railways, host Emilio Casalicchio asks: How do we get the trains to run on time?
Aug 30, 2024 · 56 min
Back to school briefing: A whirlwind guide to British politics in autumn 2024
As Westminster heads back to work after the summer recess, host Jack Blanchard talks to six political experts about what’s coming up in the months ahead.
Aug 23, 2024 · 48 min
Meet the new MPs taking on Westminster
Host Sascha O'Sullivan meets a few of the new parliamentarians slowly figuring out their way through Westminster.
Aug 16, 2024 · 48 min
From the archive: What ex-prime ministers do next
Our next season of Westminster Insider is gearing up with new episodes next week. To whet your appetite, we’ve reached into our extensive back catalogue to bring you one of our fan-favorite episodes.
Jul 5, 2024 · 35 min
14 hours that changed Britain
As Keir Starmer enters 10 Downing Street on the back of a landslide election victory, host Sascha O'Sullivan takes us inside the night power shifted in the U.K.
Jun 28, 2024 · 43 min
The last 10 days of an election campaign
As the general election reaches its final week, host Sascha O'Sullivan takes us inside the last push of the campaign.
Jun 21, 2024 · 45 min
Westminster's photographers: a politician's best friend or worst enemy?
As we approach the final lap of the 2024 general election, host Sascha O'Sullivan discovers what life is like for the photographers who trail hot on the heels of Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer.
Jun 14, 2024 · 55 min
Inside Nigel Farage's Reform party
As Reform teeters close to overtaking the Conservative in the polls, Aggie Chambre goes inside Nigel Farage’s party and asks if he will could actually achieve his takeover of British politics.
Jun 7, 2024 · 44 min
What's the point of a manifesto?
As Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer prepare to launch their election manifestos, host Sascha O'Sullivan takes a look at what goes into the making of these documents that spell out each parties' plan for government.
May 31, 2024 · 47 min
The art of the TV debate
Days before this general election's first television debate, host Aggie Chambre looks back at the history of debates in this country and asks how politicians go about winning them.