The New Statesman Podcast

Martin Lewis ambushed Kemi Badenoch, Your Party think bureaucracy will stop nuclear war, and the Sea Bass handling committee have released exciting new guidance.Anoosh Chakelian and Will Dunn round up the week's political news you might have missed.READ:Abandon all hope at the Your Party hustingsSAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

Does the Greens' decisive victory in Gorton & Denton spell the end of Keir Starmer's Labour?After the worst possible outcome for Labour in the Gorton & Denton by-election, Ailbhe Rea joins Tom McTague on Daily Politics from the New Statesman.They discuss what this means for Keir Starmer, for the Labour party - and for the future of politics in Britain.READ: Inside the Greens' seismic Gorton and Denton winSAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

Hannah Spencer, a plumber and Green Party councillor, is now the MP for Gorton and Denton.The party takes the seat from right under Labour, following weeks of what was seen to be a three way race with Reform.Megan Kenyon is joined by Ben Walker.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

Should some children be given drugs to stop them going through puberty?That's the question the NHS, the government and an independent research and ethics committee have been trying to answer.The “Pathways” trial, backed by the NHS and led by a team from King's College London, aims to test the effectiveness and safety of puberty blockers for children experiencing gender dysphoria.At the end of 2025, the trial was approved to go ahead. Health Secretary Wes Streeting reassured parliamentary colleagues it “could not have received more oversight and scrutiny”. But now the agency in charge of medicine regulation has U-turned. The study is now paused because of ethical and safety concerns. All of which, Hannah Barnes reports today on the New Statesman website, they knew about when they first approved it.So how did the study get approved in the first place? And what does this tell us about the systems we trust to ensure medical research is safe and ethical?Also: Baroness Amos has released the interim findings from her review into England's maternity care, and says the system is "not working". Oli Dugmore is joined by Hannah Barnes to discuss.READ MOREInside the decision to pause the puberty blockers trialEngland's maternity system "not working" for anyone, report saysSAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

Last Thursday, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He has since been released under investigation. The police have searched Andrew's former home, Royal Lodge.The former Prince's relationship to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein is triggering a reckoning for not just Andrew, but the monarchy itself.Oli Dugmore is joined by Will Lloyd to discuss. SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

On Thursday, a by-election in a Southern Manchester constituency, Gorton and Denton, is shaping up to be a seismic litmus test for British politics.After the previous MP, Labour's Andrew Gwynne, stepped down in January, an opening for a new MP has set in motion a battle between Labour and their insurgent challengers, Reform and the Green Party.Oli Dugmore is joined by our senior data journalist Ben Walker to discuss.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

It has been four years since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The war has settled into a grinding and uncertain stalemate.Despite proving remarkably resilient, Ukraine, and the rest of the world, must face the question: What if Russia wins?Katie Stallard explores this urgent question with German political scientist, Professor Carlo Masala.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

Why has Keir Starmer ordered an investigation into Labour Together? What the hell is going on with our local elections? And what are we meant to make of Reform UK's new “shadow cabinet”?You asked, we'll answer. Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Rachel Cunliffe for the listener questions episode of Daily Politics from the New Statesman.

This week we launched another, that's right ANOTHER, podcast. The Exchange is the New Statesman's long-form interviews show, featuring some big names you know, and some big names you'll be glad to learn of.Listen on: Spotify and AppleSAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

The King's brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, has been arrested.The alleged offence: misconduct in public office. The arrest came after claims Andrew allegedly shared official documents during his time as UK Trade Envoy, with two emails in particular showing up in the latest Epstein files – although police haven't yet released the specifics of their investigation.Police have searched Andrew's homes, and at the time of recording the former Prince is in custody. He's not yet been charged, and has previously – strenuously – denied any wrongdoing on these matters related to Epstein. The King has said “the law must take its course”. Oli Dugmore is joined by Will Lloyd in the studio.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

From “Nazi” to “Marxist” Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary, has faced intense criticism from all sides.But how exactly is she trying to reform the British education system? For the cover of this week's New Statesman magazine, our executive editor Pippa Bailey has written an extended profile of Phillipson - exploring what motivates the education secretary, and how consequential the next few months could be for her - and the Labour Party.She joins Oli Dugmore in the studio.

Eluned Morgan, the first minister of Wales speaks to Megan Kenyon about her relationship with Keir Starmer, Welsh Labour's prospects in the upcoming Senedd election and the threat of Plaid Cymru and Reform.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

Will Keir Starmer ban kids from social media?Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2DHAQOeEg-Z-4trARDXHRA?sub_confirmation=1The PM has promised a crackdown on social media and said he's “open-minded” to a full on, Australia-style ban for under 16s. Oli Dugmore is joined by senior editor George Eaton.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

Labour's unpopularity contest, the joys of figure skating and bonkers advice from RFK Jr's nutrition chatbot.Anoosh Chakelian and Will Dunn explore the most ludicrous and laughable stories of the week.Including calls for Britain to set up a “Ministry of Sex”...SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

A listener paying 67% in tax asks if Labour are destroying UK productivity. From the new and improved New Statesman podcast studio, Anoosh and Rachel answer listener questions on tax, student loans and Nigel Farage MP's second (and third, and fourth) jobs.In the mailbag this week:A listener earning over £100,000 writes in to ask why the government is failing to address the "tax trap" that means high-earning parents are "penalised".Would the British public back student loan forgiveness?And why can Nigel Farage and other parliamentarians present TV shows, run consultancies, and earn money on the side of their MP job?SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

55 babies died at the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust between 2019 and 2023 that may have survived with better care. The New Statesman's investigations editor Hannah Barnes joins Anoosh Chakelian to explore the findings of her investigation.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

Morgan McSweeney – Keir Starmer's closest aide and confidante – has left the Number 10 operation.Our editor-in-chief Tom McTague asks, is it the beginning of the end for the Prime Minister – or the end of the beginning?He speaks to deputy editor Will Lloyd.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

For days and weeks Westminster has been quivering with anticipation at the prospect of yet another prime ministerial resignation and leadership election.But following the resignation of Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney in the wake of the Mandelson scandal, MPs appear to have closed ranks, rallying around Keir Starmer.So, no leadership election, at least for now. But are his supportive MPs shoring up the PM - or just biding their time?And can British politics ever break its addiction to psychodrama?SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

Less than 24 hours after Starmer's chief of staff Morgan McSweeney resigned, Tim Allan, director of communications, has quit. Is this a rutheless clearout by the PM, or signs of an entire system collapse? Ailbhe Rea joins Anoosh Chakelian.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

Elon Musk's Epstein lies, Draco Malfoy as a Chinese mascot and two Reform MPs “accidentally” voting to scrap the two child benefit cap.Anoosh Chakelian and Will Dunn explore their stories of the week.Including the woman who just can't stop stealing chocolate…SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

The Labour government is fighting for its life as the Peter Mandelson scandal continues to unfold. Yesterday, Keir Starmer apologised for believing Mandelson's "lies" and appointing him as US ambassador when his friendship with the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein was public knowledge.Now, senior government figures are preparing to hand over private messages between Mandelson and Starmer's top team. Editor Tom McTague is joined by Jim Pickard, deputy political editor at the Financial Times, whose reporting cracked open this shocking story. SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

Keir Starmer has been grilled in the Commons on his decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, despite knowing his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein continued after the financier's conviction in 2008.Starmer pledged to release the vetting documents relating to Mandelson's appointment, but argued that some details would need to be redacted on national security grounds.This angered backbench MPs who, along with former deputy leader Angela Rayner, forced the PM into another humiliating climb down. Will anger in the party force Keir Starmer out?Anoosh Chakelian is joined by political correspondent Megan Kenyon. SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

Keir Starmer knew about Peter Mandelson's friendship with the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein – but still appointed him US ambassador.After a bruising Prime Minister's Questions for Keir Starmer, Ailbhe Rea joins Anoosh Chakelian to discuss whether the Mandelson affair could be the downfall of the Prime Minister – or his closest aide, Morgan McSweeney, who championed Mandelson.Ailbhe shares her exclusive reporting on the process which led to Mandelson's appointment, and the impact this scandal will have on the Labour Party and the Prime Minister.READThe Mandelson Affair: inside the scandal of a centurySAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

On Friday, the US Justice Department released millions of pages of the Epstein files.Dan Neidle, journalist and tax lawyer, used his investigative skills to uncover some of the most controversial details. In particular, damning emails suggesting ex-Labour business secretary Peter Mandelson shared highly sensitive UK government tax plans with Jeffrey Epstein. Dan joins Oli Dugmore to discuss.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

Peter Mandelson has resigned from the Labour Party following further revelations about his friendship with the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.The access Epstein had to the British government marks a serious breach and existential questions for the Labour Party.Oli Dugmore is joined by Rachel Cunliffe. SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

If Chinese hackers accessed the government's private messages, maybe they could share the missing 5,000 text messages the Covid inquiry was looking for.Will Dunn and Anoosh Chakelian discuss their stories of the week, including: Border breach of the week: China accused of hacking Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss aides.Lee Anderson can't find the right constituency to campaign in.Do the Fabians secretly run the world? (spoiler: no.)Planning objection of the week: Greens and Reform unite in an unlikely alliance to block new homes.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

Britain faces a looming student loan crisis. What can graduates do?Last week's episode on student loans prompted a flurry of questions. How did it get this bad? Should students sue over mis-sold loans?Rachel Cunliffe and Anoosh Chakelian answer your questions.Also in this episode:Labour's internal factions explainedWhat does Nigel Farage really believe?Local government changes: what's really going onMentioned in this episode: Meet the Blue Labour bros, by Morgan JonesSAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

Last October, a Senedd by-election took place in Caerphilly, South Wales. As long as the seat had existed, for over 100 years, it had belonged to Labour.But that night, Welsh Labour fell to third place. Reform galloped into second. And after fighting in 18 elections since the 1980s, Plaid Cymru's Lindsay Whittle took first place with almost 50 per cent of the vote.Is this a stark demonstration of how politics in Wales is changing? Plaid Cymru leader Rhun Ap Iorwerth joins Megan Kenyon.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

Millions of leaseholders in England and Wales will get their ground rents capped at £250 per year as part of Labour's long-promised overhaul of a hated system.Reforms also include proposals to ban the sale of new leasehold flats, in a bid to give people greater control over their homes.Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Will Dunn.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

The Home Secretary's known for her blue Labour roots, a tough stance on immigration and has just proposed what she calls the “biggest ever” policing reforms for centuries.Tom McTague joins Oli Dugmore.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

Yesterday, Keir Starmer's camp blocked Andy Burnham's plans to return to parliament. Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Ailbhe Rea to discuss how this has landed inside the party. But first, another defection in the one way pipeline from Conservative to Reform.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

In a tumultuous week in geopolitics, Donald Trump delivered a bizarre speech in Davos. Will Dunn finds the moments of (unintentional) humour amidst the chaos.Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Will to for a rundown of this mad week.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

Robert Jenrick's defection prompted a lot of listener questions. So we'll try to answer them!Last week Robert Jenrick dramatically defected to Reform after being booted out of the Conservatives by a furious Kemi Badenoch. The Tory leader claimed that she had "irrefutable evidence" that Jenrick had been planning to defect in "the most damaging way possible". So she sacked him from the government and removed the Conservative whip.This prompted a lot of listeners to write in to Daily Politics with questions about the Jenrick defection, the future of Reform, and what it means for the Conservatives.Megan Kenyon and Ethan Croft selected the best of your questions, and do their best to answer them in this listener questions edition of Daily Politics from the New Statesman.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

Andrew Gwynne, the MP for Gorton and Denton in Greater Manchester, has resigned.This opens up the path for another Andrew, King of the North and Labour leadership hopeful, Andy Burnham, to return to Westminster. Ailbhe Rea joins Anoosh Chakelian.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

With Donald Trump threatening tariffs on the UK and eviscerating Keir Starmer on Truth Social, does the PM have no choice but run back into the arms of the EU? Many Labour MPs think yes.Tom McTague joins Rachel Cunliffe.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

Cast your mind back to 2010… Apple launched the ipad, a volcano erupted in Iceland and David Cameron and Nick Clegg passed a bill that would screw over a generation of young people.This was, of course, the decision to triple university tuition fees in England to £9,000 per yearOli Dugmore is joined by Rachel Cunliffe to discuss how this has radicalised graduates.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

“Considering your country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace.” This is what Donald Trump wrote in a letter to Norway's prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre this weekend.And true to his word, peace is not on the US President's mind.Oli Dugmore speaks to the New Statesman's editor Tom McTague about Starmer's options, and in the second half of the episode, senior editor Katie Stallard interviews Rasmus Jarlov, chair of the Danish defence committee.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

Claims from politicians both at home and abroad paint an increasingly decrepit picture of the nation's capital. But just how much crime and chaos is there really in London? Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Will Dunn to discuss her reporting on the issue, as well as a rundown of the big and brazen ongoings in political Britain this week.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

A frustrated listener calls for consequences over broken Labour promises. Anoosh Chakelian and Rachel Cunliffe answer listener questions about UK politics. In the mailbag this week:Should parliament impose legislation to force governments to honour manifesto pledges?Is it time to reform council tax?The Scottish independence referendum settled the question for "a generation". But what counts as a generation?How would politics be different if the House of Commons was a different physical shape?Send in your questions at newstatesman.com/youaskusListen next: Why Starmer u-turned on Digital IDSAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

Robert Jenrick has become the latest Tory to defect to Reform. This morning he was fired by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, after she discovered his plan.The announcement followed former Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi defecting to Reform earlier this week.Tories broke Britain, say Tories.What does it mean? How did it happen?Oli Dugmore is joined by Rachel Cunliffe and Ethan Croft.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

How many U-turns before you admit you don't know where you're going?As little as four months ago, Keir Starmer said: "You will not be able to work in the UK if you don't have a digital ID, it's as simple as that." Now, he's done yet another 180. Oli Dugmore is joined by Anoosh Chakelian and Ailbhe Rea.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

Keir Starmer is challenging Elon Musk and x.com over AI generated non-consensual intimate images.A proliferation of these images, generated by x.com's AI chatbot Grok, has flooded the platform. Users have been instructing Grok to create these images of high profile figures and even of children.The British government have announced they will introduce legislation to prevent these images. This debate has raised issues of free speech, big tech, power and transatlantic relations.Oli Dugmore unpacks it all with Tom McTague and Ailbhe Rea.

"Britain needs Nigel Farage as prime minister” said the former chancellor.Oli Dugmore is joined by Rachel Cunliffe and Ailbhe Rea.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

We're launching our new culture and society podcast here at the New Statesman: The New Society.Tanjil Rashid, the New Statesman's culture editor, discusses his interview with Salman Rushdie, Rushdie's latest work as a reflection of his life, and also what listeners can expect to hear on future episodes of this new podcast.You can find the full interview via the links below.Follow The New Society on SpotifyFollow The New Society on Apple PodcastsWatch The New Society on YouTubeSAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

Labour is splitting.Earlier this week we reported that the government is now THIRD in the opinion polls behind Reform and the Tories.Now, as they barrel inexorably towards testing local elections in May, rifts are emerging within the Labour party. This week, Preet Kaur Gill – a personal private secretary to Home Secretary Shabhana Mahmood – announced in the Telegraph, of all places, that she (Preet Kaur Gill) is “Blue Labour”.The intervention sparked fierce debate among MPs, with divisions down ideological lines.Can the party hold it together?Oli Dugmore is joined by Ethan Croft, who has been speaking to Labour MPs this week, and Megan Kenyon. LISTEN NEXT: It's official – Labour are in third place SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

Keir Starmer is planning on developing a “closer relationship” with the single market.The PM wants to realign with the EU in three key areas to help the free flow of trade: food and farm exports, electricity and emissions trading.But what will this mean for Britain, and how is it going down in Westminster?Anoosh Chakelian is joined by associate political editor, Rachel Cunliffe. SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

Christmas polling has revealed that the Tories have edged past Labour into second place in the polls.Nigel Farage's Reform UK are still sitting pretty in the top spot, with Zack Polanski's insurgent Greens chasing Labour's tail.With elections in May incoming, this is the last thing Labour need.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

In 2019, according to a deposition, Russia signalled that they could ease off their support for Venezuela if Washington were to ease its own position in Ukraine. The testimony was delivered by Fiona Hill, a former senior director on the US's national security council during the first Trump administration.Fiona Hill joins Megan Gibson to discuss that Russian proposal, as well as the US's strike on Venezuela – and what this means for the global order.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

Emily Thornberry MP joins us to discuss the US's actions in Venezuela, the legality, and the international response. In the second half of the podcast, the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee reflects on Starmer's moves to a closer relationship with the EU.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

It's New Year's celebrations, part 2!Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Ben Walker to discuss the political climate of 2026. From the 10 year anniversary of Brexit and the UK's relationship with the US, to our ageing population and SEND Reforms, here's what to expect from next year. If you missed part one of our “Look ahead”, where we discussed the May elections and what's in store for our political parties, you can find that in the previous episode on your feed.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

Happy New Year from the New Statesman podcast!What will 2026 have in store? Will Labour flop in the May elections? Will the Greens make gains? And will Reform overtake the ailing Conservatives?Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Ben Walker to make their political predictions.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE: