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

Jul 15, 2022 · 46 min
What's the point of Prime Minister's Questions?
As Boris Johnson prepares for his final session of Prime Minister's Questions, Ailbhe Rea takes a look inside the weekly showdown at the heart of British politics.
Jul 8, 2022 · 42 min
Through the lens of Twitter: Watching a government collapse in real time
https://www.politico.eu/westminster-insider-podcast/
Jul 1, 2022 · 43 min
Labour's Tom Watson on political plots, weight loss and living with ADHD
Co-host Ailbhe Rea sits down with the Labour Party's charismatic former deputy leader Tom Watson to discuss his life in politics and much beyond.
Jun 24, 2022 · 47 min
Why Britain always hates its leaders in the end
In the wake of Thursday's crunch by-election results, Jack Blanchard considers why Britain always seems to turn against even its most popular prime ministers in the end.
Jun 17, 2022 · 40 min
A boozy dinner with David Davis MP
This week Jack Blanchard sits down for dinner with former Brexit Secretary David Davis to discuss his 35-year career in politics.
Jun 10, 2022 · 35 min
Casinos, coups and life on the breadline with Labour’s Jon Ashworth
Co-host Jack Blanchard speaks to Jon Ashworth, Labour’s pugnacious shadow work and pensions secretary about his extraordinary childhood and his 20-plus years in Parliament.
Jun 3, 2022 · 41 min
Victims of The Troubles: A year of turmoil in Northern Ireland
Host Ailbhe Rea takes us on her year-long journey covering the British government’s contentious efforts to find peace and reconciliation within Northern Ireland’s war-torn past.
May 27, 2022 · 43 min
Inside the Lobby: Westminster's political journalists
New host Ailbhe Rea explores the quirks and the controversies of the pack of journalists who inhabit Westminster, known universally as 'the lobby.'
May 21, 2022 · 30 sec
Westminster Insider Trailer
POLITICO’s weekly narrated story, hosted by Ailbhe Rea, lifts the curtain on how Westminster really works, and looks in-depth at political issues which typically only get broad-brush treatment in the wider media. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.
May 20, 2022 · 4 min
Coming soon: Westminster Insider returns
Westminster Insider is back ... with a twist. In this sneak preview, Jack Blanchard meets the new voice of Westminster Insider, Ailbhe Rea.
Mar 18, 2022 · 51 min
The road to Brexit — 30 years since the Maastricht Treaty
Jack Blanchard speaks to some of the key U.K. players involved in the passage of the Maastricht Treaty and ponders whether this was the moment which set Britain on the path to Brexit.
Mar 11, 2022 · 59 min
How to avoid a nuclear war
As Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine continues, Jack Blanchard speaks to diplomats, nuclear experts and historians about how we can best hope to avoid the conflict escalating into full-blown nuclear war.
Mar 4, 2022 · 40 min
Bar room talk with Labour’s Andy Burnham
This week Jack Blanchard heads north to Manchester to talk music, football, history and politics with Mayor Andy Burnham.
Feb 25, 2022 · 41 min
Russia and Britain — A brief history, from Navarino to Ukraine
As Vladimir Putin's brutal invasion of Ukraine plunges Russia's relations with the West into crisis, Jack Blanchard talks to the historian and former U.K. Foreign Secretary David Owen about the turbulent history of the Anglo-Russian relationship.
Feb 18, 2022 · 52 min
Cold water swimming with Johnny Mercer MP
This week Jack Blanchard heads to Plymouth to meet Johnny Mercer, the ex-soldier who as a Tory MP has proved one of the government's fiercest critics.
Feb 11, 2022 · 57 min
How to topple a prime minister
With questions swirling about Boris Johnson's future, Jack Blanchard looks into the murky world of leadership challenges and asks what it's like to topple a prime minister.
Feb 4, 2022 · 53 min
Why there's nothing new about Leveling Up
As Boris Johnson publishes his much-delayed plan to "Level Up" the country, Jack Blanchard explores the long history of the North/South divide in England and the efforts of past governments to narrow the gap.
Jan 28, 2022 · 1 hr
Notes on a scandal
As the "party-gate" controversy rocks Boris Johnson's premiership, Jack Blanchard takes a look at the history and the nature of political scandals.
Dec 24, 2021 · 53 min
The year ahead in 53 minutes
As another eventful year in U.K. politics draws to a close, Jack Blanchard is joined by 10 special guests to predict the big stories we'll be talking about in 2022.
Dec 17, 2021 · 55 min
From opium wars to cyberattacks: 200 years of UK-China friction
As Hong Kong goes to the polls for a highly controversial election, Jack Blanchard is joined by politicians, historians and diplomats to reflect on 200 years of U.K.-China relations.