Episodes

  • Is it all over for Reform?

    Is it all over for Reform?
    Mar 12 2025
    Nigel’s Farage’s insurgent party is mired in infighting with Rupert Lowe MP having had the whip withdrawn. Is this row a minor spat or does it point to a bigger battle over the future direction of the party? Is Reform going to struggle to broaden its support heading towards the next election? Or are the old parties so disliked by the electorate that British politics is in for even more upheaval from Reform and other insurgent forces? Our team discuss all this and more in the latest episode.

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    47 mins
  • Can political journalism keep up with events?

    Can political journalism keep up with events?
    Mar 6 2025
    In the middle of a blizzard of news, the team debate the best sources of analysis, perspective and context to help make sense of the current acceleration of history. With listening and reading recommendations (and a glass of wine for Steve).

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    49 mins
  • Trump crisis: Is Keir Starmer playing a blinder?

    Trump crisis: Is Keir Starmer playing a blinder?
    Mar 5 2025

    With events moving fast and the US President suspending military aid to Ukraine, Britain’s Prime Minister has been widely praised. Our team discuss his handling of the crisis and the British diplomatic effort to keep the US in Europe. What are the risks for Starmer? And why have the opposition parties taken such contrasting approaches to JD Vance’s controversial comments?



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    50 mins
  • Is Trumpism contagious?

    Is Trumpism contagious?
    Feb 28 2025
    With Germany's election results highlighting the rise of populist parties across western democracies, the team take a broad look at the roots of the malaise feeding outsider parties of both left and right, including Reform UK. Is there common ground on how to address it? Or do new divides on issues such as net zero mean we are headed for even more polarisation?

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    57 mins
  • Is Trump running Starmer’s defence policy?

    Is Trump running Starmer’s defence policy?
    Feb 26 2025
    Keir Starmer has announced an increase in defence spending ahead of his trip to Washington this week. The announcement would not have been made now if he was not meeting President Trump. Many questions arise from this. Is Starmer right to make the move before the publication of the strategic defence review in an attempt to please Trump? Is he right to cut spending on aid to pay for it? Is the increase enough? Where does the international crisis leave the “special relationship”?

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    54 mins
  • What are the domestic consequences of the international crisis?

    What are the domestic consequences of the international crisis?
    Feb 21 2025
    With the world changing fast and America’s security guarantee of Europe’s security in doubt, or over, our team ask what will it mean for Keir Starmer and Britain’s political parties. If defence spending has to rise where will the money come from? Will it mean more borrowing or cuts to welfare? Or a combination of both? How will voters respond? And will the insurgent Reform become the anti-war and anti-rearmament party?

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    48 mins
  • Trump’s initiative: Peace in Ukraine or war in Europe?

    Trump’s initiative: Peace in Ukraine or war in Europe?
    Feb 19 2025
    Trump has made his opening moves to end the war in Ukraine by starting a dialogue with Putin. Zelensky and European leaders look on fearfully. The team discuss whether Starmer has responded smartly or recklessly by saying UK forces could form part of a peacekeeping force? Will defence spending soar in the UK and beyond ? Above all will Trump secure peace or trigger a wider war?

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    52 mins
  • Is Morgan McSweeney too powerful?

    Is Morgan McSweeney too powerful?
    Feb 14 2025
    A new book has caused waves by suggesting Morgan McSweeney wields more power than Keir Starmer. Is he freakishly influential as a behind the scenes figure? If so what does this tell us about Starmer? Or do all prime ministers depend on their chosen allies, advisers and gurus from Marcia Williams to Dominic Cummings?

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    40 mins