Not Another One

In this listeners' question time episode, the team tackle a wide range of subjects. Is there too much doom and gloom? Is it time for ID cards? Could any government raise income tax? Why has the country forgotten Covid? And a listener asks: who are we? A good question. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An intense political battle is being fought over August, normally quiet in Westminster. It centres on the small boats and wider migration issues. But amidst the conflicting claims and policy ideas the boats keep on coming. The movement of people is a global crisis at least as challenging as the crash of 2008. Are leaders in Britain and elsewhere even close to meeting it? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is UK politics obsessed with certainty in an uncertain age? The terms of debate often demand that politicians and even the media adopt a fixed position and argue from strong convictions. This weekend's episode explores the virtues of doubt and pragmatism during a period of tumult. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With numerous crises to contend with on both the domestic and diplomatic front, Downing Street is hunkered down, looking towards an autumn Budget and a party conference speech from the PM that minimises or moves past this difficult phase in the life of the government. What might work? Unsolicited advice from the team as we ennumerate all his challanges. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How did Labour's first twelve months in power go? Will the recent rebellions fade away or grow? Our team consider where it all stands as Parliament goes into recess for the summer. We also ask whether the Tories can turn it around and assess the fortunes of the numerous other parties. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Kemi Badenoch conducts her first extensive reshuffle we explore the degree to which her moves will improve the Tories' fortunes, or make them worse, with a focus on the role of Robert Jenrick. Plus, is Keir Starmer right not to conduct a cabinet reshuffle after his first year in power? Much agreeable disagreement.Steve is presenting his RocknRoll Politics show at the Edinburgh Festival. Tickets here:https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/steve-richards-presents-rock-and-roll-politics Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The US President has shifted on Ukraine - criticising Putin and facilitating more weapons for Kyiv. Has the Russian leader miscalculated? On Iran, the US has managed to isolate the regime. Domestically, Trump's opponents are still in disarray. Six months in to his second term, is Donald Trump proving his critics wrong? Or is America heading in a sinister direction? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With a new Corbynite party mooted and Reform adopting policies traditionally seen as being on the other side of the divide, we ask whether the real shift of recent years has been towards a big state. And where does this shape-shifting populist threat leave Starmer and Reeves in their hunt for growth to pay for it all? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a bruising succession of setbacks and confrontations, and a dramatic disavowal from the PM, our team debate Starmer's chances of recovering. With lessons from 20th century history. Plus: a new Corbynite party and memories of Norman Tebbitt. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A year since Sir Keir Starmer and Labour won a landslide election victory, the team assess the performance and prospects of the other parties. In our weekend edition we ask whether Kemi Badenoch is struggling or turning a corner. More broadly, have the Tories failed to have a proper reckoning with their failures in office? Is Reform getting ready for power? What of the Lib Dems and Greens? And we explore the situation in Scotland and Wales ahead of next year's devolved elections. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do we know more about Keir Starmer now he has been prime minister for twelve months or even less? Why has a landslide government struggled to make headway on many key issues? Is a reset the answer and if so what form will it take? So many questions a year on from the election… and our team disagree (calmly) on all of them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In our weekend edition, the team discuss the advantages and perils of a large Commons majority. The context is the parliamentary crisis facing the Prime Minister. The conflict with a large number of Labour MPs over the welfare bill raises questions. We ponder why a huge majority can prove so hard to manage. With lessons from tight votes that challenged the authority of previous beleaguered leaders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trump's ceasefire between didn't last very long. He responded with an astonishing public verbal onslaught against Nethanyahu. Who is weakened by the latest developments and what might happen next? We discuss the many layers of this complex story, disagreeing and occasionally agreeing about Trump, Nethanyahu, the situation in Iran and whether Starmer's ambiguity is sustainable for much longer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the weekend edition, we share tips for surviving or avoiding SW1's summer party circuit. Then soberly turn to whether Reform's rise might help the SNP hang on to power in Scotland for even longer. And if Labour ever could be vulnerable in Wales, might new changes to voting next year deliver an upheaval? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Louise Casey's report prompting promises of a national inquiry, the team discuss why it took so long - and whether throwing political blame is distasteful or necessary. Plus: is Israel right to attack Iran and has Israel's attack on Iran wrong-footed Donald Trump? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Not Another One team answer questions from listeners in this special edition of the political podcast. Have we got what we voted for? How does Farage get away with presenting himself as a “man of the people”? What would an AI version of Not Another One sound like? Is there too much focus on the theatre of politics? By rearming are we making the same mistakes leaders made in the run-up to war in 1914? Our team tackle these questions and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a bumpy first year can the comprehensive spending review give the government a clearer sense of direction? There's the winter fuel payment u-turn, more cash for free school meals, defence, NHS and a pledge to increase capital spending. But some departments face real terms cuts and the economy remains fragile. How is Rachel Reeves going to pay for her plans and will she have to find more money by the autumn? Plus, what's been happening behind the scenes in Reform and do Sarah Vine's reflections on the Cameron era have wider lessons? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bracing for an election victory last summer, Keir Starmer and his team were given a memo by Sue Gray, then chief of staff. Dubbed "Sue's s*** list" it warned of six domestic policy disasters waiting to happen. We review and add to it as Labour's challenges grow in office. Plus: our team can't stop wrangling about the Strategic Defence Review. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Strategic Defence Review implies significant increases in spending and Sir Keir Starmer has insisted the money will be found but without explaining how. Will any new money for defence be well spent and how will Starmer and Rachel Reeves fund the increases? Is defence a more urgent priority than other needs such as social care and the NHS? What will be the political consequences? And is the UK heading for war or investing to avoid one? We attempt to answer these epic questions and disagree in a constructive spirit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To celebrate the first birthday of the Not Another One podcast, the team discuss whether divisions over the vote would have split the Tory party, whether Labour would have stuck with Corbyn and how policy might be different. With added froth this week as we toast a year of these debates. Thanks to all our listeners. Cheers! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After the election the chancellor was the dominant figure in the government. Whatever she wished to announce or implement was announced and implemented. Keir Starmer raised no objections. Now, her winter fuel payment cut is being reversed and Starmer has indicated he supports scrapping the two child benefit cap. Ministers are stirring over cuts being imposed in the public spending round. Is her authority being challenged and what will be the consequences? Plus the team assess Reform's economic policies and the Tory leadership's strategic dilemma. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer announced a u-turn on winter fuel payments in the face of growing backbench discontent this week. There's also speculation more than 100 Labour MPs will rebel against benefit cuts. Meanwhile, there's already speculation that Tory MPs might move against Kemi Badenoch. Are MPs more disloyal than they used to be or do they have more cause for insurrection against incompetent party leaderships? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Keir Starmer and the government seek to improve Britain's Brexit deal our team ask whether its original architect will soon be returning to lead the Tories? The team explore Starmer's reset with the EU along with the potentially significant practical and political consequences. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer warns of an “island of strangers” in an attempt to counter the rise of Nigel Farage. What do the PM's words tell us about him and the policies he was announcing? In this weekend edition our team explore the language of politics. Leaders tend to be identified by a few words- “the lady's not for turning”, “tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime” etc. Yet the words are often far removed from the policies they describe and in some cases the character of the leader. Why are soundbites and key phrases so central to politics and leadership? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Prime Minister caused controversy this week when he spoke of the dangers of a lack of integration, saying Britain risked becoming an island of strangers. Has Starmer miscalculated by using the language of Farage? Or is he right? Does he need to be on this terrain using this kind of rhetoric? Our team also ask whether there is any way to fix the UK's immigration policy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Often dubbed political history's masters of adapting to survive, the Tories currently face a threat that could be existential. Examining the fallout of the local and mayoral elections we look at what could save them from Farage and offer a bit of advice to Kemi Badenoch. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Labour suffered a by-election defeat and serious losses in the local elections with previous supporters backing parties on the left and Reform. Do Starmer, McSweeneh and Reeves carry on as before or change tack? Are they capable of recognising the scale of the challenge and navigating a way through to a second term? Later in the week we'll discuss whether the Tories are doomed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our team take questions from regular listeners in this weekend special edition. Tim, how can you defend Trump? Steve, was there anything Liz Truss got right? Miranda, why are you hanging around with these people? Iain, do you regret Brexit? When was the last time any of you changed your mind? These questions and many more are answered by the team. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reform is expected to make sweeping gains in the local elections and to win the Runcorn by-election in a previously safe Labour seat. Will this signal a seismic and permanent change in the political landscape or are these elections a fleeting protest against the government and the Conservatives? Why is this happening and what will be the consequences? Plus, what Canada's election results and the victory of Mark Carney mean. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The death of Pope Francis prompts a host of questions for our team about what separates faith leaders from political leaders. Should politicians "do God" and where does morality come in to the equation? In our weekend magazine edition, the team wrestle with the relationship between religion and temporal affairs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With MPs back at Westminster this week, we ask which bit of the government in tray looks more scary: the domestic fiscal squeeze and search for growth or the epoch making shifts in geopolitics? And our team ask whether voters will make any allowances for the international backdrop if things don't get better on the home front. Plus, a regular listener has sent us a cake and a note which sparks an important, serious discussion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In an Easter special, our team assess the fortunes of the government and opposition parties since the start of 2025. How is Keir Starmer adapting to power and dealing with Donald Trump? Can Reform build on its strong showing in the polls? What are the pitfalls for Nigel Farage? How bad is the situation for the Tories? And what of Ed Davey and the Lib Dems and the SNP in Scotland? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All the main parties backed some form of state intervention to save the Scunthorpe steel plant. Does this rare consensus mark a new era of the active state? Plus, the wider implications of the refuse strike in Birmingham. And which of us refers most to Mrs Thatcher in the podcast? A listener has monitored every podcast to provide the answer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Opinion polls often determine the political mood but now party leaders face the first set of elections since the general election, and a by-election. If the polls are right, Reform is set to make a significant breakthrough in local government and the Conservatives face another electoral hammering. How significant is this campaign at a local and national level? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The market impact of President Trump's “Liberation Day” tariff war has been dramatic and disastrous already. The team asks whether Trump's political and corporate backers, and American voters, will stick with him or peel off as the ride becomes scary. Will he back down? Plus, how can and should the UK respond to Trump "unleashed"? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Labour targeting “working people” and implementing benefit cuts, and their opponents seeking to woo the better off who vote reliably, are the poor being left behind? Plus, a related issue, as supermarkets close their cafes and fracturing social media flourishes where are the institutions that bind communities together? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Trump on the verge of announcing tarrifs and negotiating sympathetically with Putin where does this leaves Starmer's polite diplomacy? Are other leaders more effective in taking an aggressive stance? Plus our take on Ed Davey riding a toy horse to launch his party's local election campaign and Le Pen's route to the presidency being blocked dramatically. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trump is unique for many reasons. One of them is his public projection, his near permanent presence on the TV screen commentating on his own presidency, updating on sensitive negotiations and announcing new ideas that are far from concrete policies. Compare him with other presidents who restrict their appearances to the point they can be close to silent or invisible for relatively long periods of time. What will be the consequences of Trump's freakish ubiquity and are there lessons for more reticent leaders sticking to the old ways when they convey their messages? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In another pivotal week for the Labour Chancellor our team discuss the degree to which Reeves is trapped and explore the options available. Our suggestions range widely and there is no consensus in the podcast around any of them, other than agreement that the Chancellor is in trouble. Our team ask: how long will Reeves be Chancellor? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In our weekend magazine edition the team delve deep on the question of divided parties. The British system, with first past the post and traditionally dominant large parties, rests on leaders being effective party managers. Does Keir Starmer have a strategy for managing tensions and splits in Labour? Can Kemi Badenoch hold the Tories together? And can Nigel Farage manage the growing pains of Reform? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Liz Kendall has announced £5 billion of benefit cut but are her proposals an historic reform of welfare or driven speedily by Rachel Reeves' need to meet her fiscal rules and Number Ten's desire to please voters who support cuts in benefits ? What are the wider political implications? Starmer has a landslide Commons majority and largely pliant ministers but on this parts of his party are stirring. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are the policies of the new administration causing an anti-American backlash? And how will European governments respond? The Brits may need to recalibrate in spite of decades spend standing "shoulder to shoulder" with the US. Post-Brexit, is this geography re-asserting itself or a blip? Includes our top American cultural influences from movies to music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

With President Trump casting aside political norms and Labour promising "disruption" this week's episode considers the roots of disaffection and whether a radical upheaval is on the way. The team start out assessing recent resignations but it quickly becomes a discussion about political revolutions. They get so carried away that they never get to the promised section on Kemi Badenoch's troubled first 100 days as Tory leader. It will have to wait for another time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.