A 'painful' Budget awaits this autumn and things will get 'worse before they get better', Sir Keir Starmer warned this week. But is Labour taking a risk projecting such a gloomy outlook? Political Fix host Lucy Fisher is joined by regulars Stephen Bush and Robert Shrimsley, as well as FT economics editor Sam Fleming, to consider how the new government might fund the fiscal black hole it claims the Tories left behind – and find a message of hope. Plus, the group analyses who’s ahead and who’s falling back in the Tory leadership race.

Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, Stephen @stephenkb, Robert @robertshrimsley, Sam @Sam1Fleming

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Wealthy households and businesses brace for tax rises after Starmer speech

Starmer warned he cannot sidestep Brussels in bid to reset UK-EU relations

Eurozone inflation falls to 2.2% in August

JD Vance urges billionaire Peter Thiel to help bankroll Trump campaign

Pubs hit out at UK plans to ban smoking in outdoor areas

Sign up here for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award. 

Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Tamara Kormornick with Leah Quinn. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Sound engineering by Jean-Mark Eck with original music by Breen Turner. Broadcast engineering by Andrew Georgiades and Rod Fitzgerald. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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Democrats from across the US gathered in Chicago for their presidential convention this week, promising to move past the Donald Trump-era of American politics. But if their newly-minted nominee, vice-president Kamala Harris, wins November’s election, she’ll have her work cut out to keep her party together. The FT’s deputy Washington bureau chief, Lauren Fedor, and US political news editor, Derek Brower, join the FT's US politics podcast, Swamp Notes, to explain what the future of the party might look like.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Five key points from Kamala Harris’s acceptance speech

Kamala Harris vows to ‘strengthen, not abdicate’ US global leadership

Kamala Harris’s underwhelming economic agenda

Listen to Swamp Notes every Saturday on the feed of the FT News Briefing

Swamp Notes is produced by Ethan Plotkin, Sonja Hutson, Lauren Fedor and Marc Filippino. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Special thanks to Pierre Nicholson. 

CREDIT: PBS NewsHour

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As Sir Keir Starmer appoints his cabinet and unveils his first raft of policies, host Lucy Fisher is joined by the FT’s deputy political editor Jim Pickard and columnist Stephen Bush to assess the new prime minister’s in-tray. Top of the list is planning reforms, but crisis looms in public services, from the NHS to prisons. Plus, Lucy and the panel discuss how the Conservative party will fare in opposition.

To take part in the audience survey mentioned by Lucy, and to be in with the chance to win a pair of Bose QuietComfort 35 wireless headphones, click here. Click here to find T&Cs for the prize draw.

Follow Lucy on X @LOS_Fisher, Jim on @PickardJE and Stephen on @stephenkb

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Labour’s new blood: The class of ’24

Labour expected to launch ‘postmortem’ audit of NHS finances

Podcast host, Israel critic: Meet England’s new attorney-general

Conservative party chair Richard Holden quits after election defeat

Keir Starmer begins tour of UK nations to ‘reset’ relations

Sign up for 90 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award: 

https://ft.com/insidepoliticsoffer

Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. 

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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Britain is seeing a swelling wave of industrial action this winter, from nurses to rail workers. Is the country facing a de facto general strike and is there an economic landing zone for the government and workers? We discuss what the different unions want. Plus, we examine Sir Keir Starmer's strategy for attacking Rishi Sunak - does it amount to class war, or just expose the prime minister's weaknesses? 

Presented by Sebastian Payne, with chief political correspondent Jim Pickard, economic correspondent Delphine Strauss, associate editor and columnist Stephen Bush and special guest political strategist John McTernan. 

Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Howie Shannon and Jan Sigsworth.

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Audio: BBC / Sky

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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Rishi Sunak's authority with Tory MPs is waning and he is now facing policy battles on almost every front. 

We analyse which fights the new prime minister can win and which aren’t worth engaging in, and whether the Conservative party is serious about the next election. 

Plus, we look at the Tory and Labour wooing of business at this week’s CBI conference and if Sir Keir Starmer is doing enough on immigration to win enterprise over. 

Presented by Sebastian Payne, with columnist and associate editor Stephen Bush, deputy opinion editor Miranda Green, chief political correspondent Jim Pickard and chief business correspondent Dan Thomas. 

Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers are Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth.

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Audio: BBC / Sky

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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The chancellor unveiled a £55bn plan for fiscal tightening this week, with the biggest drop in living standards for 70 years. We unpack all of the fiscal forecasts, tax rises, spending cuts and how Rishi Sunak can navigate the tricky politics. Plus, we also examine whether Hunt has shot Labour’s fox and what alternatives the party might put forward. 

Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Chris Giles, Jim Pickard and special guest Carys Roberts of the IPPR think-tank. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth.

Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk

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Audio: BBC

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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Rishi Sunak forced Sir Gavin Williamson out from his government this week, the third time the former cabinet minister has been made to quit. Why did Sunak hire the controversial former chief whip in the first place? And what does his departure say about the prime minister's judgment?

Plus, we look ahead to next week's Autumn Statement and where the Treasury's tax and spend axe will fall.

Presented by Sebastian Payne, with chief UK political commentator Robert Shrimsley, deputy opinion editor Miranda Green, chief political correspondent Jim Pickard and special guest Torsten Bell, chief executive of the Resolution Foundation.

Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Persis Love and Jan Sigswoth.

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Audio: Sky News / BBC / The Bunker

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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We ask whether the home secretary Suella Braverman can survive in her post with attacks on multiple fronts. 

Does she have a plan for dealing with backlogged asylum claims? Can she be trusted with national security? And does she have the confidence of prime minister Rishi Sunak?

Plus, the curious and hilarious case of Matt Hancock, the former health secretary who has decided to make good use of his constituents' time by going on the reality show 'I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!'

Is it ever a good idea for politicians to diddle off from Westminster when parliament is sitting?

Presented by Sebastian Payne with chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley, political correspondent Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe, chief political correspondent Jim Pickard and deputy opinion editor Miranda Green.

Produced by Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Persis Love, Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth.

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Audio: Sky News / BBC / ITV

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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After another turbulent week and the potential return of Boris Johnson. Rishi Sunak became Britain's latest prime minister - its first non-white leader and the youngest in modern history. We discuss how he triumphed in the leadership contest, how Johnson failed to gain momentum, the make-up of Sunak's first cabinet and the options for filling the fiscal blackhole left by “Trussonomics”.

Presented by Sebastian Payne, with political editor George Parker, chief political correspondent Robert Shrimsley, economics editor Chris Giles and special guest former Treasury official Jill Rutter.

Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth.

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Audio: Sky News / BBC

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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We look back on what can only be described as a total bonkers week in Westminster: how Liz Truss became the shortest and one of the worst prime ministers in British history, the very sticky end, and crucially what happens next - including the question on everyone’s lips: will Boris Johnson return? Our political editor George Parker and associate editor Camilla Cavendish will be unpacking it all with special guest Paul Goodman, editor of the Conservative Home website.

Produced by Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth.

Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk

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Audio: Sky News / BBC

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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A tumultuous week and a dramatic Friday as Liz Truss was forced to reverse on tax cuts again and sacked Kwasi Kwarteng. Doubts are growing over whether she can survive as prime minister.

Presented by Sebastian Payne with political editor George Parker, economics editor Chris Giles and associate editor Camilla Cavendish. 

Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth.

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Audio: Sky News / BBC

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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Liz Truss endured one of the most traumatic Conservative party conferences in living memory, with open revolt from her cabinet and MPs. Can the new prime minister survive and where does her economic reform agenda go next? Plus we discuss whether business is moving its opinions sharply towards Labour with the potential of the party's return to government in sight. 

Presented by Sebastian Payne, with political editor George Parker, associate editor Stephen Bush, chief political correspondent Jim Pickard and business columnist Cat Rutter Pooley. 

Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Persis Love and Jan Sigsworth.

Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk

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Audio: Sky News

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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Markets showed their dismay and the pound crashed to its lowest levels ever as Prime Minister Liz Truss and chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng struggled to defend their economic strategy. Where does the crisis go next? Political editor George Parker and economics editor Chris Giles make sense of it all. We also look back on the Labour party conference in Liverpool and discuss whether Sir Keir Starmer’s party is preparing to return to power. Chief political correspondent Jim Pickard and northern correspondent Jennifer Williams take us into the corridors of the convention centre.

Presented by Sebastian Payne. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon

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Audio: BBC

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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As Sir Keir Starmer steps over the threshold of Number 10, FT experts answer audience questions about what to expect from the new Labour government. Will Keir Starmer’s landslide victory lead to lasting change? The FT’s Lucy Fisher is joined by colleagues Stephen Bush, George Parker, Miranda Green and Robert Shrimsley to discuss the Labour landslide and the future of the defeated Tory party

Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, Robert on @robertshrimsley and George on @GeorgeWParker, Stephen on @stephenkb and Miranda on @greenmiranda

Want more?  

Keir Starmer enters Downing Street as UK prime minister after historic victory

Starmer stands supreme but he cannot ignore the Reform surge

‘Hard to imagine a worse outcome’: Tory collapse sparks blame game

Historic UK election hauls reveal bigger voter trends

Sign up here for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award. 

Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Audrey Tinline with Leah Quinn. Original music by Breen Turner. Mix by Odinn Ingibergsson.The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. 

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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Kwasi Kwarteng delivered his first Budget in all but name this week, with the biggest overhaul in taxes in half a century. We unpack all the major tax cuts and examine whether the Truss government's huge bet on growth will pay off, and what happens if it doesn't. 

Plus, we look at the ABCD plan to see the health service through the winter and whether the UK is losing its focus on science. 

Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Chris Giles, Sarah Neville and Clive Cookson. Produced by Howie Shannon. 

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Audio: House of Commons / BBC

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The UK has experienced an unprecedented week of constitutional upheaval with new national and political leadership. 

We discuss the death and mourning of Queen Elizabeth II, the arrival of King Charles III and what it all means for the new prime minister Liz Truss. 

Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Peter Foster, George Parker, Robert Shrimsley and special guest Hannah White. 

Produced by Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth.

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Audio: House of Commons / BBC

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Following the sad news of the death of Queen Elizabeth II - who died on September 8 2022 at the age of 96 - we are in tribute republishing this platinum jubilee episode, in which we looked back on Her Majesty's 70 years on the throne.

Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Chris Giles and Sarah O'Connor. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth.

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The Tory leadership race finished this week, with foreign secretary Liz Truss widely expected to triumph. We discuss the final campaign developments, Truss’ pledges on tax, and what Boris Johnson might do next. 

Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Robert Shrimsley and Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe. 

Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth. 

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Audio: LBC / BBC

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With energy bills set to soar from October, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak faced mounting questions about how they would help struggling families, yet neither of the candidates to be the new prime minister has set out detailed plans. We examine the foreign secretary's tax proposals, whether they will address the economic turbulence ahead and if Whitehall needs a new ethics adviser.

Presented by Sebastian Payne, with chief political correspondent Jim Pickard, political correspondent Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe and special guest economist Gerard Lyons.

Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Carlos San Juan. 

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Two new opinion polls put Liz Truss 32 points ahead of her rival Rishi Sunak in the race to be the next Tory leader and prime minister. We analyse whether the contest is over, and the latest clashes between the two contenders on the union and economy. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe and special guest Paul Goodman of ConservativeHome.

Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth

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Audio: BBC + Sky

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As much of the country wilts in a heatwave, the focus in the Tory leadership contest this week has been on colder times to come. The two rivals for UK prime minister have disagreed publicly on how to help the most vulnerable cope with rising energy costs in the autumn. Rishi Sunak is promising direct help, while Liz Truss has criticised what she calls “handouts”, favouring tax cuts instead. But in the face of dire warnings that energy bills could reach more than £4,000 a year, is Truss softening her stance?

The FT’s political editor George Parker is joined by economics editor Chris Giles and political correspondent Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe. The producer was Philippa Goodrich and the sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth.

Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk

Follow @SebastianEPayne

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The voting process in the contest for a new Tory leader and prime minister was delayed over security concerns, but the campaign continued with Liz Truss looking all but certain to win. We discuss her lines of attack and her proliferation of new ideas, and delve into why Rishi Sunak is struggling to present himself as the grown-up. Will the delay to voting help him gain ground?

Presented by political editor George Parker, with Robert Shrimsley, chief political commentator, and political correspondent Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe. 

Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth

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Audio: BBC / Sky

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The race to be the next UK prime minister rolled on this week, as foreign secretary Liz Truss firmed up her campaign lead and former chancellor Rishi Sunak struggled to make headway. We delve into the trio of debates, policy clashes on China and taxes, and ask whether the race is all but over. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with political editor George Parker, chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley and political correspondent Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe.

Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth

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Audio: BBC / Talk TV

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In this week’s episode, we delve into the positions and policies of the two final candidates in the contest to succeed Boris Johnson as Conservative leader and UK prime minister.

Who is likely to win the votes of the Tory party membership over the next six weeks?

Political editor George Parker and associate editor Stephen Bush analyse Rishi Sunak while economic editor Chris Giles and special guest Katy Balls, deputy political editor of the Spectator, look at Liz Truss.

Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth

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Audio: BBC / ITV / C4

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Labour is heading for the biggest “landslide majority” Britain has ever seen. That’s the verdict from Mel Stride, one of prime minister Rishi Sunak’s closest ministerial allies, who has in effect conceded defeat ahead of Thursday’s UK general election. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by columnist Robert Shrimsley, political editor George Parker and political correspondent Anna Gross to discuss the campaign strategies of the various parties, and to look ahead to the results.

Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, Anna on @AnnaSophieGross, Robert on @robertshrimsley and George on @GeorgeWParker

Want more?  

How 120 knife-edge seats may tip the Tories from defeat to wipeout

Tories warn of Labour landslide in final day of election campaigning

What to watch out for on election night

Join us on July 5 at 13:00 UK (GMT+1) when Political Fix host Lucy Fisher will dissect the election outcome with Inside Politics author Stephen Bush, political editor George Parker and columnists Robert Shrimsley and Miranda Green. Register and put your question to the panel by visiting www.ft.com/ukwebinar

Sign up here for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award. 

Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Manuela Saragosa with Leah Quinn. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. 

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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In this week’s episode, we’ll delve into the two classes of contenders to be the next UK prime minister: the frontrunners and the outsiders. Political editor George Parker and associate editor Stephen Bush will discuss former chancellor Rishi Sunak, who is in pole position, and the surprise surge of Penny Mordaunt. Plus, chief political correspondent Jim Pickard and columnist Camilla Cavendish will look at the three other remaining candidates, Liz Truss, Kemi Badenoch and Tom Tugendhat. 

Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Edwin Lane and Jan Sigsworth

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Audio: BBC / LBC

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In this week’s bumper episode, we’ll be taking you behind the scenes on a week that brought Boris Johnson’s time as prime minister to a rather bitter close. We’ll take you through his handling of the Chris Pincher affair, the dramatic Cabinet resignations and the moments the prime minister knew the game was finally over.

And we’ll be looking at another Conservative party leadership contest, the candidates already out of the blocks and how the process is going to work.

On the panel: political editor George Parker, chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley and special guest Hannah White from the Institute for Government think-tank.

Produced by Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth

-Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk

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Audio: BBC / Sky / ITV

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We discuss whether Boris Johnson's Global Britain ambitions were achieved during his recent overseas trip and the fallout from the resignation of deputy chief whip Chris Pincher. 

Plus, we explore Nicola Sturgeon's plans for a second Scottish independence referendum and whether the next general election will decide the future of the United Kingdom. 

Presented by Sebastian Payne, with political editor George Parker, political correspondent Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe, UK chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley and Scotland correspondent Lukanyo Mnyanda. 

Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth

-Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk

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Audio: BBC

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

The Conservatives lost two crucial by-elections this week in Yorkshire and Devon, putting UK prime minister Boris Johnson’s leadership under scrutiny. Host Sebastian Payne, the FT’s Whitehall editor, discusses these results — and the resignation of Tory party chair Oliver Dowden — with political editor George Parker and UK chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley. Sebastian is also joined by economics correspondent Delphine Strauss and transport correspondent Philip Georgiadis to talk about the UK rail strikes and what deals ministers might make on public sector pay. 

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For the latest from the FT on UK politics: 

https://www.ft.com/world/uk/politics

Follow @SebastianEPayne @GeorgeWParker and @RobertShrimsley

Clips: BBC / Sky News

Presented by Sebastian Payne. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Philippa Goodrich. The sound engineers are Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth. 

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We examine the situation with the Northern Ireland protocol, whether the government’s plans break international law and how the EU might respond. Public policy editor Peter Foster digs into the details with our Ireland correspondent Jude Webber. Plus, the resignation of Lord Christopher Geidt, the prime minister’s independent adviser on ministerial ethics. Why did he quit after a turbulent year? Chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley will chat through with special guest Hannah White from the Institute for Government think-tank.

Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth

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Audio: BBC / Sky News

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The prime minister had a close shave with his MPs this week when 41 per cent of the Conservative parliamentary party voted to oust him. We discuss how and whether Johnson can renew his leadership and whether he will face another vote of no confidence in the near future. Plus, we look at the government's latest proposals to address the housing crisis - do they go far enough?

Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Robert Shrimsley, Jim Pickard and special guest Vicky Spratt. 

Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth

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Audio: BBC / LBC

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The Queen celebrates her platinum jubilee this weekend. To mark 70 years since she took to the throne, we look back on how the country has changed politically, economically and societally since 1952. 

Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Chris Giles and Sarah O'Connor.

Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Singsworth.

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Audio: Movietone News

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We start with that huge bailout package for struggling families announced by the chancellor and the controversial taxes he raised to fund it - a £5bn windfall tax on energy companies with more to come.

The FT’s economics correspondent Delphine Strauss and special guest Torsten Bell, director of the Resolution Foundation think-tank, discuss.

Next and Sue Gray’s long-awaited report into the Covid parties scandal in Downing Street landed on Wednesday and the prime minister is still there. We’ll be sifting through the debris to assess the damage sustained by the PM after months of scrutiny of his conduct and probity. 

Jim Pickard and Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe consider whether Boris Johnson really is in the clear or whether this is the start of a long farewell.

Presented this week by George Parker.

Produced by Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Joshua Gabert-Doyon

 and Jan Sigsworth. 

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Audio: BBC

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With under a week to go until polling day, Lucy Fisher and her panel — the FT’s Miranda Green and Stephen Bush — pull together the threads of the campaign to explore the remaining ‘known unknowns’ in this election. They are joined by FT columnist Simon Kuper whose new book ‘Good Chaps’ looks at the disintegration of public service in our national life and examines how to rid our political system of sleaze.

Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher

Want more? Free links:

Reform UK activist calls for migrants to be shot

A safe space at the eye of the storm: onboard Rishi Sunak’s battle bus

Blue Wall vulnerable to tactical voting as natural Conservatives turn against party

How the Conservatives lost touch with England’s prosperous south

Sign up here for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award. 

Presented by Lucy Fisher. 

Produced by Philippa Goodrich and Leah Quinn

Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and audio mix by Breen Turner. 

The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. 

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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Should the prime minister now fear the fallout from the full investigation by Whitehall official Sue Gray? Or is he safe for now? 

Chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley will discuss with special guest Paul Goodman from Conservative Home.

And then we dig into the economics of the UK’s cost of living crisis. Inflation hit 9% this week and pressure is growing on the government to do more, something, anything, to help those struggling to make ends meet. But what exactly could that mean? 

Economics editor Chris Giles and consumer editor and host of the FT’s Money Clinic podcast Clear Barrett will explore.

Produced by Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth. 

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Audio: BBC

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This year’s Queen Speech was Boris Johnson’s attempt to reset his government’s policy agenda but it did little to tackle the growing cost of living crisis. We look at what the government might do, plus whether the EU and UK are about to enter a trade war over the Northern Ireland protocol. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Jim Pickard, Robert Shrimsley, George Parker and Jude Webber. 

Produced by Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth. 

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Audio: BBC

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The Conservative party lost hundreds of councillors across the county in this year's local elections, with the Labour party making significant gains in the capital. We analyse the results in London, the red wall, blue wall and beyond, plus what they mean for Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer. 

Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe, Jennifer Williams, Jim Pickard and Robert Shrimsley. 

Produced by Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth.

Note: this edition was recorded at 12.00 BST on Friday 6th May.

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Audio: Sky / BBC

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In this week’s episode we’ll be looking at why the government is anxious to find ways to fix rising fuel and food prices. Why is the Treasury not doing more? And how does this play into next week’s local elections? Political editor George Parker will provide analysis with chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley. Plus, we discuss the return of “Pestminster”. Why does Westminster have such a problem with sexism and is enough being done to call out bad behaviour? Political correspondent Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe will discuss with special guest Ayesha Hazarika, political commentator and a former Labour party adviser.

Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth.

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Audio: Sky / ITV

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The prime minister came to the House of Commons to apologise for misleading MPs over the partygate scandal, but now faces a third probe into his conduct. We discuss whether support for Boris Johnson is draining away and what might happen next. 

Plus we dive into the PM's trip to India, what it says about the government's Global Britain ambitions and whether relations with the EU are about to become problematic once again. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Robert Shrimsley, George Parker, Peter Foster and special guest Hannah White.

Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth.

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Audio: LBC

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No10 and No11 Downing Street were thrown into chaos when the Met Police issued fines to the prime minister and chancellor. We discuss the seriousness of the lawbreaking, whether Tory MPs are minded to move against Boris Johnson, the public mood and whether the new migration strategy involving Rwanda is a distraction. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Jim Pickard, Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe and Robert Shrimsley. 

Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Josh Gabert-Doyon and Jan Sigsworth.

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Audio: BBC / Sky

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We delve into two messes the government has got itself into, over the tax affairs of Rishi Sunak’s wife and the long-awaited energy white security paper. 

Will the chancellor’s spouse be forced to give up her non-dom status? And why did Boris Johnson shy away from tough new targets for onshore wind farms? Associate editor and columnist Stephen Bush and energy correspondent Nathalie Thomas will dissect these along with our.

Plus, we look at the decision to privatise Channel 4 — which culture secretary Nadine Dorries wrongly claimed receives public sector money.

We’ll be exploring what it tells us about the government’s so-called culture wars and whether it is about ideology or pragmatism. Media editor Alex Barker will discuss with our assistant editor Janine Gibson.

Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth.

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Audio: BBC, Sky

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London's Metropolitan Police issued the first fines over the Partygate scandal this week. British prime minister Boris Johnson has yet to be fined, but does the scandal still pose a threat to his leadership? We also explore how this will shape the local elections, the internal Tory debate on trans rights and why the government is struggling to publish its new strategy on energy security. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Laura Hughes, Jim Pickard, Nathalie Thomas and special guest Paul Goodman. 

Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth.

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Audio: LBC

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Rishi Sunak delivered a mini-Budget this week that slashed taxes and attempted to tackle the cost of living crisis and deal with inflation. But the UK chancellor was widely criticised for failing to help the poorest and was told that his measures did not go far enough. We delve into the Spring Statement, including what it means for businesses, the wider economy and workers. 

Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Chris Giles and special guests Frances O'Grady and Tony Danker.

Produced by Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Persis Love and Jan Sigsworth.

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Audio: LBC

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The UK celebrated the return of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe after six years of imprisonment in Iran. We discuss how she was released and what it says about other parts of foreign policy. Plus we discuss Boris Johnson’s failed visit to Saudi Arabia, the latest sanctions against Russian oligarchs and preview Rishi Sunak’s Spring Statement next week. 

Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Laura Hughes, Robert Shrimsley and special guest Rupert Harrison. 

Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth. 

Audio: Sky / BBC

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The Conservatives’ embattled campaign suffered yet another setback this week, as the betting scandal escalated and the party finally suspended two candidates ensnared by the row. But when did it first start to go wrong for the Tories? Lucy Fisher is joined by the FT’s chief data reporter John Burn-Murdoch, who charts the beginning of the party’s descent back to 2019. The pair are joined by Political Fix regulars Robert Shrimsley and George Parker to discuss whether Britain’s “first past the post system” will lead to the biggest ever mismatch between parties’ share of the vote and their share of Westminster seats. 

Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher

Want more? Free links:

How the Conservatives lost touch with England’s prosperous south 

No, Keir, the real opposition is behind you 

Brace for the most distorted election result in British history

The seeds of the Tory collapse were sown in 2019

Starmer will be centrism’s last chance

Sign up here for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award. 

Presented by Lucy Fisher. 

Produced by Persis Love and Audrey Tinline.

Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and audio mix by Breen Turner. 

The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. 

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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The UK has been criticised for failing both to fulfil its rhetoric on sanctions and on opening the door to refugees fleeing Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine. Is it due to Whitehall incompetence, political leadership or domestic politics? We also discuss how the economic isolation of Russia will worsen the cost of living crisis in Britain and what options the Treasury has to ease the pain.

Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Laura Hughes, Robert Shrimsley, Chris Giles and Jim Pickard. 

Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Joshua Gabert-Doyon and Jan Sigsworth. 

Audio: Sky

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Russia’s invasion of Ukraine became more brutal this week, with urban bombardment of civilians. We discuss what is likely to happen next and the west’s response. Plus, we explore whether the UK is doing enough to tackle dodgy Russian money in London and what further sanctions should be introduced. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Gideon Rachman, Laura Hughes, Tom Burgis and special guest Tom Tugendhat. 

Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth.

Audio: BBC

-Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk

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After weeks of warnings from the west, Russia invaded Ukraine this week, prompting what some say could be the continent's worst conflict since the second world war. We explore why President Vladimir Putin decided to invade, his histrionic explanation, the situation on the ground and how the conflict will pan out. Plus, we examine the response from western nations, whether sanctions will work and what the effect on Britain would be.

Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Max Seddon, Ben Hall, George Parker and Laura Hughes. 

Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth.

Audio: BBC

-Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk

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