Electoral Dysfunction – Details, episodes & analysis

Beth and Ruth have some news! They’ve got a new permanent co-host on Electoral Dysfunction.   

Labour legend and former deputy prime minister Harriet Harman is joining the line up every week to take you behind the curtain of the biggest political stories and answer your questions.  This week, they discuss the prime minister’s abrupt end to summer and how he is preparing the country for a busy political autumn. 

Harriet is also joining Beth and Ruth live on tour. For more information on dates and tickets for our tour, go to https://www.aegpresents.co.uk/event/electoral-dysfunction-live/  

Email Beth, Ruth and Harriet at electoraldysfunction@sky.uk, post on X to @BethRigby, or send a WhatsApp voice note on 07934 200 444.  

Ruth and Beth are once again joined by the former Labour MP and ex-shadow culture secretary, Thangam Debbonaire to answer listener questions.

They explain the role of special advisers in politics and discuss whether the devolved nations still need their own secretaries of state in Westminster.  

They also give us a history lesson on PMQs and dissect political messaging around the economy.  

For more information on dates and tickets for our tour, go to https://www.aegpresents.co.uk/event/electoral-dysfunction-live/  

Email us at electoraldysfunction@sky.uk, post on X to @BethRigby, or send a WhatsApp voice note on 07934 200 444. 

Former Labour adviser Ayesha Hazarika is back with Beth and Ruth for the last few days of the election campaign. 
  
On this episode they discuss how Beth is preparing for election night – what constituencies to look out for and they give a listener advice on election snacks. 
  
They also discuss the final days of campaigning and why the Tories are attacking Keir Starmer for suggesting he will finish work at 6pm on a Friday night if he becomes Prime Minister.   
  
Email Beth, Ruth, and Ayesha at electoraldysfunction@sky.uk, post on X to @BethRigby, or send a WhatsApp voice note on 07934 200 444. 

For the final call-up from Jess’ subs bench, Beth and Ruth get their first male co-host – Rylan! 
 
The self-confessed politics junkie explains where his interest comes from, why he always keeps Wednesday free for PMQs – and his own experience of interviewing the Prime Minister. 
 
Plus, he explains how his own experience in the public eye could help new MPs. 
 
And there’s an update on Ruth’s campaign letterbox injury.
  
Email us at electoraldysfunction@sky.uk, post on X to @BethRigby, or send a WhatsApp voice note on 07934 200 444.         
   

Former Labour adviser Ayesha Hazarika is back with Beth and Ruth as the election campaign moves towards its final week.  

On this episode they answer listener questions about Nigel Farage - after the Reform UK leader suggested the West provoked Russia's invasion of Ukraine, while insisting he was not an "apologist or supporter of Putin" - and more on Priti Patel's chances of becoming leader of the Conservative Party.  

They also discuss the role of Sir Keir Starmer's wife Victoria in the Labour campaign and what her role might be if Labour form the next government. 
  
Email Beth, Ruth, and Ayesha at electoraldysfunction@sky.uk, post on X to @BethRigby, or send a WhatsApp voice note on 07934 200 444.         

Presenter turned political campaigner Carol Vorderman joins Sky News political editor Beth Rigby and Conservative peer Ruth Davidson as the general election campaign enters its final fortnight.

Jess has chosen Carol for her subs bench this time because of the campaigning she now does on social media.

They assess the damage accusations people close to the PM placed bets on the election date, could have on the Conservative campaign.

Plus, Beth, Ruth and Carol talk about why some listeners are seeing no campaigning on their doorstep, while others can’t escape the leaflets.

Email Beth, Ruth, and Carol at electoraldysfunction@sky.uk, post on X to @BethRigby, or send a WhatsApp voice note on 07934 200 444.  

In this episode we mention the constituency of Bristol North West, the full list of candidates are: 

• Caroline Gooch (Liberal Democrats)
• Darren Jones (Labour Party)
• Scarlett O'Connor (Reform UK)
• Mary Page (Green Party)
• Laura Saunders (Conservative and Unionist Party)
• Ben Smith (Social Democratic Party)

Former Labour adviser Ayesha Hazarika joins Sky News political editor Beth Rigby and Conservative peer Ruth Davidson as the general election campaign heads towards its final fortnight. 
  
They're assessing whether Labour can shake off the questions about its taxation policies. 
  
As Conservative Grant Shapps seemed to accept election defeat in an interview, is that something anyone should do in the middle of the campaign? 
  
They discuss the "what ifs" of Reform UK leader Nigel Farage as he tries to become an MP. 
  
And as the SNP launch their manifesto, how is the election shaping up differently in Scotland? 
  
Plus, Beth, Ruth and Ayesha tackle listeners' questions on manifesto promises and Reform UK’s unusual set-up. 
  
Email Beth, Ruth, and Margaret at electoraldysfunction@sky.uk, post on X to @BethRigby, or send a WhatsApp voice note on 07934 200 444. 
  
In this episode, we mention the Clacton-on-Sea constituency, the full list of candidates are:   
  
Bensilum, Matthew (Liberal Democrats) 
  
Farage, Nigel Paul (Reform UK) 
  
Jamieson, Craig (Climate Party) 
  
Mack, Tony (Independent) 
  
Osben, Natasha (Green Party) 
  
Owusu-Nepaul, Jovan (Labour Party) 
  
Papanastasiou, Tasos (Heritage Party) 
  
Pemberton, Andrew (UKIP – NO to Illegal Immigration) 
  
Watling, Giles Francis (Conservative Party) 

Former Labour MP Margaret Hodge joins Sky's Beth Rigby and Conservative peer Ruth Davidson to talk about the latest developments in the general election campaign.   
  
On this episode, Beth takes us behind the scenes of Sky's leaders' event in Grimsby, where Sir Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak faced not just Beth, but an audience of voters on their plan for the country. Ruth and Margaret give their take on how the two men did, and they also react to Labour's 'no surprises' manifesto launch.   
  
Plus, the trio answer listeners' questions - including which MPs they hope to see popping up on reality TV after the election. 

Email Beth, Ruth, and Margaret at electoraldysfunction@sky.uk, post on X to @BethRigby, or send a WhatsApp voice note on 07934 200 444.    

If you missed the The Battle for Number 10: A Sky Leader’s Special, you can catch up here: https://news.sky.com/video/the-battle-for-number-10-a-sky-news-leaders-special-13152233    

Former Labour adviser Ayesha Hazarika joins Sky’s Beth Rigby and Conservative peer Ruth Davidson to talk about the latest developments in the general election campaign.   
  
On this episode, they discuss whether Rishi Sunak can recover from his D-Day blunder, the fallout from Douglas Ross’s resignation as leader of the Scottish Conservatives, and how the parties are funding their manifestos as they are revealed this week.  
  
Plus, Beth tells us how she is preparing to interview the prime minister and Sir Keir Starmer at the upcoming Sky Leaders’ Event. 

Email Beth, Ruth, and Ayesha at electoraldysfunction@sky.uk, post on X to @BethRigby, or send a WhatsApp voice note on 07934 200 444.        

Labour grandee Harriet Harman joins Beth Rigby and Ruth Davidson as the first Friday sub for Jess Philips during the election period.  
  
They break down the Labour tax row that has dogged both Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer since the first leaders’ debate earlier this week, give their take on the impact Nigel Farage standing in Clacton-on-Sea will have on the campaign, and lift the curtain on how the parties will be writing their manifestos.   
  
Plus, Harriet reveals a surprise ally from her time in the Commons.   
    
Email Beth, Ruth, and Harriet at electoraldysfunction@sky.uk, post on X to @BethRigby, or send a WhatsApp voice note on 07934 200 444.