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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had wanted to kick off the new year with a strong domestic start, tackling the cost of living crisis head on, in the hopes of improving his dire poll ratings. Instead, he has found himself firefighting on the international front, trying to navigate Donald Trump’s foreign policy frenzy.
How will Starmer manage his ‘special relationship’ with the US president in light of recent events? Where do Trump’s latest actions leave Nato, especially with regard to Ukraine? And what does all this global uncertainty mean for the Labour leader’s agenda at home?
Host George Parker discusses the balancing act facing the government with the FT’s deputy opinion editor Miranda Green, chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley and acting Whitehall correspondent David Sheppard.
Follow George, Miranda, Robert & David
Want more?
Strategic supplication is Europe’s only Trump policy
France and UK commit to deploying troops under proposed Ukraine peace deal
UK armed forces warn of £28bn defence funding shortfall
Greenland’s future must be decided by island and Denmark, Starmer warns Trump
‘Not in my name’: Labour’s new towns battle
And sign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter, Inside Politics, for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue-(mostly)-in-cheek analysis.
Political Fix was presented by George Parker, and produced by Lulu Smyth and Julia Webster. Flo Phillips is the executive producer. Sound engineering by Simon Panayi. Manuela Saragosa is the FT’s acting co-head of audio.
What did you think of this episode? Let us know at politicalfix@ft.com
Clip from UK Parliament
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
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Imagine a graph with one line going up over time. Below it, another line does just the opposite. It kind of looks like the letter K. On the FT's Swamp Notes podcast, Claire Jones and Rob Armstrong break down why people are saying that letter represents the state of the economy and what it means for the White House.
Mentioned in this podcast:
Does the K-shaped economy theory even make sense?
Email Marc with your questions (Marc.Filippino@FT.com)
Sign up for the FT’s Swamp Notes newsletter here
This is a repeat of an episode published on Swamp Notes, a sister podcast of Political Fix, on Nov. 28, 2025. Follow the Swamp Notes podcast to hear more.
Swamp Notes is hosted by Marc Filippino, and produced by Henry Larson. This week’s show was mixed by Sam Giovinco. The FT’s acting co- head of audio is Topher Forhecz. Special thanks to Pierre Nicholson.
The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts.
CREDIT: Bloomberg, PBS, CNN
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Can you name all the Labour frontbenchers who resigned or were sacked during the past year? Why was Peter Mandelson delayed from returning to the UK after being sacked as US ambassador? And who will be crowned Political Fix’s Wonk-in-Chief? Find out as host George Parker puts the entire podcast panel - Miranda Green, Stephen Bush, Robert Shrimsley, Jim Pickard and Anna Gross - through their paces in this big, fat, fiendishly difficult end-of-year quiz. The panellists also highlight their most memorable moment of 2025 and unveil their wildest predictions for the year ahead. Plus, discover who scooped all the chocolate coins in the studio to win the annual Political Fix stockpicks portfolio prize.
Political Fix has been nominated for a People’s Choice Award at the Political Podcast Awards. Vote for us here.
Follow the panel on Bluesky - George @georgewparker.bsky.social; Miranda @greenmirandahere.bsky.social; Jim @pickardje.bsky.social; Robert @robertshrimsley.bsky.social and Stephen @stephenkb.bsky.social
Political Fix is presented by George Parker, and produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Manuela Saragosa. Our video engineers are Bianca Wakeman and Andrew Georgiades.
What did you think of this episode and Political Fix this year? Let us know at politicalfix@ft.com
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
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It’s been another turbulent year in politics. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has faced down rebellions from within his own party, overseen scandals and sackings, and delivered a constant barrage of bad news from health and housing to small boats and the Budget. He’s fared a little better on the world stage – with successful state visits, securing a comparatively competitive trade deal with Trump, as well as a tentative rapprochement with Europe. But with every international success, Starmer’s standing domestically seems to diminish: he ends the year, on some measures, as the most unpopular PM ever.
In this special live episode of Political Fix, host George Parker is joined by Anna Gross, Stephen Bush and Chris Giles to analyse how the Labour party got here – and where it goes next.
Follow George on @georgewparker.bsky.social; Stephen on @stephenkb.bsky.social; and Chris on @chrisgiles.ft.com
Political Fix has been nominated for a People’s Choice Award at the Political Podcast Awards. Vote for us here.
Want more? Free links:
Return to EU customs union would ‘unravel’ UK trade deals, Starmer warns
Inside Politics: Neither Keir Starmer nor Kemi Badenoch wants to reverse Brexit
Nigel Farage rejects allegations of teenage racist abuse
Wes Streeting calls for better ‘storytelling’ from Starmer’s ‘technocratic’ government
Chris Giles: Why UK borrowing costs are so high
George and Anna’s FT scoop on Labour’s tax U-turn
Sign up to Stephen's morning newsletter Inside Politics here, and to Chris’ newsletter on Central Banks here.
Presented by George Parker, and produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. Our broadcast engineers this week were Bianca Wakeman, Petros Gioumpasis and Andrew Georgiades. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Manuela Saragosa.
What did you think of this episode? Let us know at politicalfix@ft.com
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Sir Keir Starmer started the week with not one but two speeches defending his party’s Budget decisions in the wake of claims that chancellor Rachel Reeves had misled the public and fellow MPs about the state of the nation’s finances. Was his sell convincing? The prime minister also brought up Brexit, but as panellist Robert Shrimsley points out, Starmer was characteristically unclear as to whether the Labour party was ultimately leaning into or out of the EU.
Plus, host George Parker and the rest of the panel, Miranda Green and Jim Pickard, discuss the FT report that Nigel Farage told Reform UK donors he expects his party to do some sort of deal with the Tories in the run-up to the next general election — potentially helped by the single biggest donation any UK political party has had from a living donor.
Follow George on Bluesky @georgewparker.bsky.social; Miranda @greenmirandahere.bsky.social; Jim @pickardje.bsky.social; Robert @robertshrimsley.bsky.social
Want more? Free links:
Nigel Farage tells donors he expects Reform UK will do an election deal with the Tories
Head of UK fiscal watchdog quits after Budget leak
UK government orders review into rising diagnoses of mental health conditions
Janan Ganesh: The rise of unpopular populism
UK envoy to Moscow enters race to be the next ambassador
Political Fix will go live next week on Wednesday 10 December at 1.15pm. If you don’t want to wait for it to drop in this feed on Friday, register here.
Sign up to Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter. Get 30 days free at https://www.ft.com/InsidePoliticsOffer. For details about FLIC, the FT’s Financial Literacy and Inclusion Campaign, read more about it here or click here and to donate, click here.
Presented by George Parker, and produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Manuela Saragosa.
What did you think of this episode? Let us know at politicalfix@ft.com
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It’s been a rollercoaster week for both UK politics and our personal finances, with chancellor Rachel Reeves setting out tens of billions of pounds of tax rises in the Budget. But how will these new taxes be applied and what could they cost you? In a Money Clinic podcast recorded live at the FT, host and consumer editor Claer Barrett is joined by Dan Neidle, the founder of Tax Policy Associates; Stuart Kirk, the FT’s investment columnist; and Tej Parikh, the FT’s economics leader writer, to field questions from readers and listeners. They cover everything from what the Budget means for people investing in UK markets, the new rules on pensions and salary sacrifice, how to stay under the £100,000 threshold for childcare support and much more.
To find out how much the five-year freeze to tax thresholds could cost you, find a free link to the FT’s Budget stealth tax calculator here
Claer’s Budget column: A horrid Budget for ‘Henrys’
Salary sacrifice shake-up: what it means for staff and employers
Follow Claer on social media @Claerb
This episode was made available with thanks to FLIC, the FT’s Financial Literacy and Inclusion Campaign.
For details about the campaign, read more about it here or click here and to donate, click here.
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
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After months of speculation, predictions and U-turns, Rachel Reeves finally announced her Budget this week. And, symptomatic of the chaos this Budget has wrought, there was one final twist: the entire Budget appeared on the Office for Budget Responsibility's website 45 minutes before the chancellor was set to give her speech. It sent the media and the markets into a spin…the key takeaway: a historic tax rise achieved without officially breaking the government’s manifesto promise. So what are the crucial implications of this Budget? Who are the winners and losers? And what is the political fallout for Labour?
Host George Parker is joined by economics editor Sam Fleming, markets columnist Katie Martin and politics columnist Stephen Bush to break down this long-awaited Budget.
Follow George on Bluesky or X: @georgewparker.bsky.social, @GeorgeWParker; Stephen @stephenkb.bsky.social, @stephenkb; and Katie @katie0martin.ft.com
What did you think of this episode? Let us know at politicalfix@ft.com
Want more? Free links:
Rachel Reeves’ Budget raises UK taxes to all-time high
‘Spend now, pay later’: Rachel Reeves’ Budget delays the fiscal pain
Reeves’ Budget fails her own 3 claims
The four audiences Reeves’ ‘high-wire’ Budget must satisfy
If you want to find out what the budget means for your personal finance, check out a special episode of the FT's Money Clinic podcast, wherever you get your podcasts.
Sign up here for 30 days free of Stephen ‘Inside Politics’ newsletter. You can listen to Katie on Unhedged here, or search ‘Unhedged’ wherever you listen.
To sign up for free to the new FT Alphaville newsletter on Substack, go to ftav.substack.com
Political Fix is presented by George Parker, and produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Manuela Saragosa.
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Investors are spending billions of dollars on novel ways to extend human life through inventive treatments, therapies, and even manipulating our genes. And increasingly, it seems as though anti-ageing efforts have moved from the super rich to a mass market consumer industry. In this series, we’re covering the past, present and future of the longevity movement. We’ll be looking at where the fixation on longevity is coming from, and trying to understand the practical and ethical issues at the heart of this cutting-edge field of research.
From Silicon Valley fantasies, to Singaporean health spas, to Colombian genetic clinics and beyond, the FT’s Hannah Kuchler and Michael Peel ask whether breakthroughs in science and technology can really help us live longer, and even stop us aging altogether.
Free to read:
US ‘wellness’ industry scents opportunity to go mainstream
The quest to make young blood into a drug
This season of Tech Tonic was produced by Josh Gabert-Doyon. The senior producer is Edwin Lane. Flo Phillips is the executive producer. Sound design by Breen Turner and Samantha Giovinco. Fact checking by Simon Greaves, Lucy Baldwin and Tara Cromie. Original music by Metaphor Music. Manuela Saragosa is the FT’s acting co-head of audio.
The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Home secretary Shabana Mahmood announced a tough set of measures overhauling immigration policy this week, in a bid to deter illegal boat crossings and tackle the thorny issue of asylum seekers that dominates the news agenda. But how did the announcement go down with a divided Labour party?
And, just days away from the Budget, chancellor Rachel Reeves is under huge pressure after a series of U-turns and leaks on taxation policy.
Host George Parker discusses whether anything can be done to reverse the fortunes of the government with the FT’s deputy opinion editor Miranda Green, political columnist and writer of the Inside Politics newsletter Stephen Bush, and Whitehall correspondent David Sheppard.
Follow George on Bluesky @georgewparker.bsky.social; Stephen @stephenkb.bsky.social; Miranda @greenmirandahere.bsky.social; David @oilsheppard.bsky.social
What did you think of this episode? Let us know at politicalfix@ft.com
Want more? Free links:
Labour needs a way out of the infernal circle of immigration policy
Why the small boats won’t stop
High earners to be eligible for UK settlement within 3 years of arrival
UK asylum seekers face seizure of jewellery to pay for accommodation
Covid response of ‘toxic’ UK government was ‘too little, too late’, inquiry finds
To sign up for free to the new FT Alphaville newsletter on Substack, go to ftav.substack.com
The FT is hosting a live webinar on November 28 on what the UK Budget will mean for your money. You can put questions to FT journalists Claer Barrett, Stuart Kirk, Tej Parikh and special guest, tax expert Dan Neidle. Get your pass now at ft.com/budgetwebinar.
Sign up to Stephen's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek. Get 30 days free at https://www.ft.com/InsidePoliticsOffer.
To sign up for free to the new FT Alphaville newsletter on substack, go to ftav.substack.com
Presented by George Parker, and produced by Lulu Smyth and Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Original music by Breen Turner, mix by Odinn Inigbergsson. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Manuela Saragosa.
Clips from BBC
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It has been a whirlwind week in Westminster with the BBC in crisis and a supposed challenge to the prime minister’s leadership. So, was there a putative coup from within Keir Starmer’s own cabinet? Is there a “toxic culture” in Downing Street? Plus: the panel’s take on the runners and riders for the top job at the national broadcaster. Host George Parker is joined by Anna Gross, Stephen Bush and Jim Pickard to discuss.
This episode was recorded before the FT broke the story about the chancellor scrapping proposals to raise income tax. Read the article here:
Starmer and Reeves drop proposal to increase income tax rates in Budget
Plus, stay tuned for our panel discussion next week ahead of the Budget on November 26.
Follow George @georgewparker.bsky.social; Jim @pickardje.bsky.social and Stephen @stephenkb.bsky.social
Want more?
Self-inflicted leadership crisis unites factions against Starmer
‘He’s played a blinder’: How Wes Streeting won the week
Brain-dead Labour retreats to its comfort zone: campaigning
Who will be the next director-general of the BBC?
And sign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek analysis. Get 30 days free.
Plus, the FT is hosting a live webinar on November 28 on what the UK Budget will mean for your money. You can put questions to FT journalists Claer Barrett, Stuart Kirk, Tej Parikh and special guest, tax expert Dan Neidle. Get your free pass now at ft.com/budgetwebinar.
Our email address is politicalfix@ft.com
Political Fix was presented by George Parker and produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Original music by Breen Turner, mix by Odinn Ingibergsson. The video engineers are Petros Gioumpasis and Andrew Georgiades. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Manuela Saragosa.
Clip from BBC
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
With just three weeks to go until the Budget, Rachel Reeves gave a surprise speech to reset expectations on who she’s planning to hit with more taxes on November 26. This has fuelled further speculation about whether the government's central manifesto pledge to not raise income tax rates is now doomed.
Host Miranda Green is joined by FT colleagues Jim Pickard, Sam Fleming and Katie Martin to discuss the chancellor’s options: a pick’n’mix of tax rises or breaking a central pledge to the electorate. What then happens to the Labour government’s credibility, and how are the markets likely to react? Plus: can Reform become fiscally respectable?
Follow Miranda @greenmirandahere.bsky.social; Jim @pickardje.bsky.social; and Katie @katie0martin.ft.com
Want more?
What are Rachel Reeves’ tax options in the Budget?
Bond markets are winning the Budget stand-off
Robert Shrimsley: The inescapable logic of Labour’s choices
Inside Politics: Why Rachel Reeves won’t raise income tax
Paywalled: End of The Line: how Saudi Arabia’s Neom dream unravelled
Sign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek analysis. Get 30 days free.
Plus, the FT is hosting a live webinar on November 28 on what the UK Budget will mean for your money. You can put questions to FT journalists Claer Barrett, Stuart Kirk, Tej Parikh and special guest, tax expert Dan Neidle. Get your free pass now at ft.com/budgetwebinar.
Our email address is politicalfix@ft.com
Political Fix was presented by Miranda Green and produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The video engineers are Bianca Wakeman and Andrew Georgiades. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Manuela Saragosa.
Clip from ITV
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
With a month to go until the Budget, chancellor Rachel Reeves needs to find a projected £30bn to balance the books. And the forecasts are not in her favour, with the OBR’s bigger than expected productivity downgrade dealing another blow to the Treasury this week. So where will the chancellor find the money – and if Labour have no choice but to break their manifesto tax pledge, where will that leave them with the electorate?
Host George Parker is joined by associate editor and columnist Stephen Bush, chief UK commentator Robert Shrimsley and the FT’s economics editor Sam Fleming.
Follow George: @georgewparker.bsky.social, @GeorgeWParker; Stephen at @stephenkb and Robert @robertshrimsley.bsky.social
Want more?
Reeves faces £20bn hit to public finances from productivity downgrade
Keir Starmer puts Labour MPs on notice for Budget tax rises
Starmer refuses to stand by manifesto tax pledge
Letting agent admits mistake in Reeves’ rental tax row
Sign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek analysis. Get 30 days free.
Plus, the FT is hosting a live webinar on November 28 on what the UK Budget will mean for your money. You can put questions to FT journalists Claer Barrett, Stuart Kirk, Tej Parikh and special guest, tax expert Dan Neidle. Get your free pass now at ft.com/budgetwebinar.
Our email address is politicalfix@ft.com
Political Fix was presented by George Parker and produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The video engineers are Bianca Wakeman and Petros Gioumpasis. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Manuela Saragosa.
Clip from BBC
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves received a rare bit of good news from lower inflation statistics this week, which could reduce government borrowing ahead of the November Budget. But the uphill struggle to improve Labour’s standing in the polls continues after a drubbing in Caerphilly, the embarrassing failure of the one-in-one-out migrant policy and the chaotic start to the grooming gang inquiry. Host George Parker is on hand to dissect the week along with deputy political editor Jim Pickard, UK chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley and the FT’s northern England correspondent Jennifer Williams. Plus, is the King getting poor advice from the PM over Prince Andrew in the wake of further damaging revelations about the prince’s links to Jeffrey Epstein?
Follow George on Bluesky or X: @georgewparker.bsky.social, @GeorgeWParker; Robert: @robertshrimsley or @robertshrimsley.bsky.social; Jen on X @JenWilliamsMEN and Jim on X @PickardJE
Want more?
Labour suffers seismic by-election defeat to Plaid Cymru in Caerphilly
UK borrowing costs fall in boost for Rachel Reeves
Reeves vows to clear way for BoE rate cuts with cost of living pledge
Grooming gang victims call for minister to resign
A defining crisis for Britain’s royals
Britain’s flawed support for Jaguar Land Rover
Clips from: Sky & Parliament Live TV
Sign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek. Get 30 days free.
Our email address is politicalfix@ft.com
Presented by George Parker. Produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s acting head of audio is Manuela Saragosa.
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The countdown is on: Chancellor Rachel Reeves has just six weeks to finalise her Autumn Budget before the November 26 deadline. This week, she was in Washington DC for the annual meeting of the IMF, where she hinted at tax rises for the rich, while pinning some blame for Britain’s economic problems on her predecessors. The British public are not likely to love the chancellor’s efforts to fill the projected £22bn hole, but who will they hold responsible?
Host George Parker is joined by deputy opinion editor Miranda Green, associate editor and columnist Stephen Bush, and the FT’s economics commentator Chris Giles for a deep dive into the UK’s public finances, and to explain why the China spy case roiling Westminster is all about economics.
Follow George on: @georgewparker.bsky.social or @GeorgeWParker; Chris on @chrisgiles.ft.com or @ChrisGiles_; Stephen on @stephenkb and Miranda on @greenmirandahere.bsky.social or @greenmiranda
Want more?
Clear visions for tax reform exist — Reeves just needs to back one
How Brexit drained the Tories’ talent pool
No need for a moral panic about the welfare system
Letter: Only a strong economy can address Britain’s worklessness crisis
Rachel Reeves suggests spending cuts and tax rises on way
Join Chris Giles and FT colleagues Katie Martin and Claire Jones in conversation with former Fed vice-chair Lael Brainard and Fidelity’s Salman Ahmed on October 23 1200 GMT for an exclusive subscriber webinar Markets on edge: central banks, bonds and the risks ahead. Register now and put your questions directly to the panel at ft.com/edge
And click here to sign up for Chris Giles’ newsletter on Central Banks.
Plus sign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek analysis. Get 30 days free.
Our email address is politicalfix@ft.com
Political Fix was presented by George Parker and produced by Ethan Plotkin. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Manuela Saragosa.
Clip from Sky News
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Introducing Toxic Legacy, a new season of Untold from the Financial Times. Host Laura Hughes uncovers a lead poisoning epidemic across the UK. You might be living with lead and not know it: the toxin is often invisible to the human eye, but wreaks havoc on our bodies once we’re exposed. The first episode of Untold: Toxic Legacy launches October 22.
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your podcasts.
For information on how to live safely with lead, please visit the LEAPP Alliance website.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Conference season is over for another year and after a rousing speech from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch to the party faithful, the Political Fix panel is asking: has she done enough to silence her critics and reverse the party’s slide into oblivion? And while recovering from a month on the road, your trusty Political Fixers mull over the performance of the other parties and what lies ahead as parliament reconvenes on Monday. Plus, more questions than answers about a Chinese spying case that collapsed before reaching court. Host George Parker, the FT’s political editor, is joined by UK chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley, Whitehall editor David Sheppard and deputy opinion editor Miranda Green.
Follow George on X @GeorgeWParker or Bluesky: @georgewparker.bsky.social; David @oilsheppard.bsky.social; Robert @robertshrimsley.bsky.social; Miranda on X @greenmiranda
What did you think of this episode? Let us know at politicalfix@ft.com
Want more? Free links:
The Conservatives’ long road back to credibility
Kemi Badenoch pledges to scrap stamp duty on property
Robert Jenrick says UK ministers should have power to pick judges
The battle to dismantle Blair’s Britain
Spying case collapsed after UK refused to label China a ‘threat’, prosecutors say
Sign up to Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek. Get 30 days free at https://www.ft.com/InsidePoliticsOffer
Presented by George Parker and produced by Clare Williamson with Lulu Smyth and Flo Phillips. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix Jean-Marc Eck. Original music by Breen Turner.
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
US President Donald Trump has pledged to “plant the stars and stripes on the planet Mars”, China could send its first crewed mission to Mars within a decade, and Elon Musk wants people to actually settle on Mars, transforming the human race into an interplanetary species.
In a new series of Tech Tonic, the FT’s Peggy Hollinger asks if we’re really about to land, and even live, on the red planet.
Free to read:
Three days with America’s rocket chasers
Tech Tonic is produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval. The senior producer is Edwin Lane. Flo Phillips is the executive producer. Sound design by Breen Turner and Samantha Giovinco. Original music by Metaphor Music. Manuela Saragosa is the FT’s acting co-head of audio.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, the Political Fix team comes to you from Liverpool — with all the news from the annual Labour Party Conference. Sir Keir Starmer struck a patriotic tone to the Labour faithful, promising to fight Nigel Farage’s “politics of grievance” and build a renewed, healthy Britain “with the flag waving in our hands” — flags he was keen to reclaim from his opponents on the nationalist right.
And that confident tone had also been struck by his chancellor, the day before. Rachel Reeves reaffirmed the need for economic responsibility and a willingness to take tough decisions, whilst taking pot-shots at the mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, in the wake of his thinly veiled bid for the Labour leadership last week.
The prime minister arrived in Liverpool with widespread discontent over his leadership, speculation that he could face a challenge and a calamitous -54 poll approval rating. So did Starmer do enough to salvage his floundering premiership?
Host George Parker is joined by Jim Pickard, Anna Gross and Stephen Bush to unpack what the annual conference might mean for the future of the Labour party — and the nation.
Follow George on Bluesky @georgewparker.bsky.social; Stephen @stephenkb.bsky.social; Jim @pickardje.bsky.social and Anna on X @AnnaSophieGross
What did you think of this episode? Let us know at politicalfix@ft.com
Want more? Free links:
Starmer urges Labour to launch ‘patriotic’ fight against Reform
Rachel Reeves signals Budget tax rises, saying ‘world has changed’
Reeves will struggle to sell growth case to UK fiscal watchdog, economists warn
‘Lost the plot’: Tony Blair’s role prompts incredulity —– and some hope
Sign up to Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek. Get 30 days free at https://www.ft.com/InsidePoliticsOffer
Presented by George Parker, and produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Manuela Saragosa.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
As the prime minister prepares for his annual party conference, the mayor for Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, seems to be mounting a thinly veiled bid for the Labour leadership. In numerous interviews given to the media this past week, Burnham said he had been privately urged by MPs to challenge Sir Keir Starmer. And the provocation came with what looked like a personal manifesto: tax increases on the wealthy, mass nationalisations and a promise not to be “in hock to the bond market”. So do Burnham’s economic policies stand up? Does the metro mayor pose a serious risk to the PM? Or does his pitch for the leadership actually help Starmer shore up support from within?
Host George Parker is joined by Miranda Green, Stephen Bush, and the FT’s northern correspondent Jennifer Williams, to discuss the multiple challenges Starmer is facing both inside and outside the Labour tent, as well as what else to look out for at the conference next week.
Follow George on Bluesky @georgewparker.bsky.social; Stephen @stephenkb.bsky.social; Miranda @greenmirandahere.bsky.social; Jen @jenwilliamsft.bsky.social
What did you think of this episode? Let us know at politicalfix@ft.com
Want more? Free links:
Andy Burnham launches thinly veiled bid to replace Keir Starmer
Andy Burnham’s borrowing plans would spook gilt market, investors warn
Starmer can’t afford to wait for reckless Reform to implode
Andy Burnham’s two-horse act faces a big jump
Plans for high-speed rail line in northern England suffer fresh delay
Sign up to Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek. Get 30 days free at https://www.ft.com/InsidePoliticsOffer
If you want to know more about what's happening in UK politics you can read the FT’s live Q&A - where Stephen, Miranda and the FT’s UK chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley answered readers’ questions. Visit www.ft.com/ask-an-expert
Presented by George Parker, and produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Manuela Saragosa.
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
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President Donald Trump landed in Windsor this week for his historic second state visit to the UK. What ensued was a celebration of pomp and pageantry fit for a king: a Red Arrows flyby, a lavish banquet in a castle, and a press conference at Chequers – during which the president continually heaped praise on the ‘special relationship’. Was this display of UK soft power just symbolic sycophancy, or has it resulted in some real substance? Host George Parker – fresh from the prime minister’s country residence – is joined by Jim Pickard, David Sheppard, and Robert Shrimsley to discuss the dynamics of the ‘special relationship’, the £150bn tech prosperity deal, and whether the prime minister managed to move the dial on the president’s peace keeping efforts. Plus: the panel looks forward to the Liberal Democrat party conference this weekend.
Follow George on X @GeorgeWParker or Bluesky: @georgewparker.bsky.social; Jim @pickardje.bsky.social; David @oilsheppard.bsky.social; Robert @robertshrimsley.bsky.social
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Presented by George Parker, and produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Manuela Saragosa.
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.