The New Statesman Podcast

For so long a fixture of public debate in the US, the software company Palantir is now increasingly being talked about here in Britain.In September the UK government announced a £1.5bn investment by Palantir in the military. It already has contracts with the police and the NHS. So, should we be worried?Tanjil Rashid is joined by journalist James Vincent.LISTEN AD-FREE:

Whilst Your Party and the Green Party attempt to occupy the space on the left of British politics that they feel Labour has abandoned, our listener asks, what about the British communist parties?Oli Dugmore is joined by Tom McTague to discuss this, along with other listener questions on political briefings to the press and whether Labour can make a comeback.READ: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/the-sketch/2025/11/britains-young-communists-are-ready-for-revolutionLISTEN AD-FREE:

Shabana Mahmood was back in the Commons today outlining her controversial immigration plans.Meanwhile, Clive Lewis said he'd give up his seat for Andy Burnham and a Labour MP defects to the Greens.In the second half of the podcast, Calum Weir from Labour Together tells us what really matters to Britain. Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Rachel Cunliffe and Ailbhe Rea.LISTEN AD-FREE:

Meet the money men with Britain's future in their hands.*Next week Rachel Reeves will deliver her budget and, for all the talk of fiscal rules, headroom and tax rises, there is a higher power she must contend with. When the Chancellor goes for meetings in the City, she is rarely introduced to the people whose job it is to press the button on buying or selling several hundred million pounds' worth of gilts. It is to these people that we have been speaking in the run-up to the Budget. You would not guess that they wield political power, but for them politics is not personal. They approach it with blunt, professional interest, seeing opportunity in chaos. And if Reeves thinks she can rely on their support, she's wrong: the bond vigilantes.Read: Meet the bond market vigilanteshttps://www.newstatesman.com/business/economics/2025/11/meet-the-bond-market-vigilantesLISTEN AD-FREE:

Home secretary Shabana Mahmood has set out her plans for the biggest shake up of asylum laws in 40 years. It divided the Labour party, impressed some Conservatives and even earned the home sec an invite to join Reform.But what will it mean in the long term for Britain, and for the families affected?Oli Dugmore is joined by Anoosh Chakelian and Rachel Cunliffe. LISTEN AD-FREE:

Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary, has unveiled a series of changes to the migration and asylum system. The plans, which have been trailed over the weekend, have been met with scorn from within the Labour party.“This approach isn't just morally wrong” the MP Richard Burgeon tweeted earlier today, “it's politically disastrous.”Oli Dugmore is joined by Ethan Croft.LISTEN AD-FREE:

"If he feels talking about his favourite novel is politically disadvantageous, that's a sad state of affairs" - David Szalay on Keir Starmer's reading habits.--David Szalay is the winner of the 2025 Booker Prize for Fiction.He disputes claims that his novel, Flesh, is a tale of modern masculinity as reviewers have claimed. Though it certainly explores the male expression of emotion. In Flesh, Szalay's protagonist, István, navigates sexual grooming, violence and prison before rising to the ranks of the super-rich - narrating his story in economical, tightly packed sentences.Nicholas Harris met Szalay in London shortly after his win. They discuss the role of the novel, Szalay's "post-brexit" identity as a "European author", and why the Prime Minister should be reading more.LISTEN AD-FREE:

We share our strategy advice for the Labour rebels allegedly trying to oust Keir Starmer.Ailbhe Rea and Luke O'Reilly join Rachel Cunliffe to answer listener questions. In this episode:What's the best strategy for Labour rebels hoping to dethrone Starmer?How much power does a party chair wield?Can any politicians affect positive change?LISTEN AD-FREE:

After weeks of preparing to break their manifesto pledge, Starmer and Reeves have ditched their plans to raise income tax. They're scared it would have angered their MPs and voters, amid a dire performance in the polls.How will Reeves plug the £30 billion gap in public finances if she doesn't raise income tax?Oli Dugmore is joined by Ailbhe Rea and Will Dunn to discuss.READ: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/morning-call/2025/11/whats-behind-labours-income-tax-u-turnLISTEN AD-FREE:

The BBC is still reeling from the dramatic resignation announcement of its director general Tim Davie on Sunday.Rachel Cunliffe gets Lewis Goodall's insider perspective, drawing on his time working on BBC's Newsnight programme.Lewis also shares his thoughts on the leadership threats surrounding Keir Starmer.READ: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/media/2025/11/trumps-attack-can-rescue-the-bbcLISTEN AD-FREE:

Labour hit its lowest-ever poll rating last week, coming fourth at just 17 per cent. Westminster is full of chatter about a leadership coup at the hands of Wes Streeting. And Labour MPs and government aides alike are dismayed by Keir Starmer's leadership and the state of No 10. Has the Prime Minister reached the point of no return?Anoosh Chakelian is joined by our new political editor Ailbhe Rea to discuss her cover story.Read: Does Keir Starmer realise how much trouble he's in?LISTEN AD-FREE:

It's now "impossible" to limit climate change to 1.5 degrees. Can COP30 achieve anything material at all?--Keir Starmer has been in Brazil ahead of COP30 - the world's largest annual climate meeting - where world leaders were told it's now “virtually impossible” to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. That's according to the UN's chief meteorologist.Brazil wants money to protect the rainforests, but Starmer doesn't want to give it.Meanwhile China, India and the US – three of the biggest emitters – can't be bothered to turn up.So what, exactly, is the point of these climate talks?Oli Dugmore meets Rachel Kyte, the UK's climate envoy, and Christiana Figueres, the diplomat who led the Paris Agreement, to ask if there's any hope at all for global climate plans.--Hear Christiana Figueres grill Ed Miliband on the Outrage and Optimism podcast: https://www.outrageandoptimism.org/episodes/inside-cop-ed-miliband-on-multilateralism-leadership-and-the-uks-climate-dilemma?hsLang=enLISTEN AD-FREE:

Yesterday evening, BBC director general Tim Davie resigned, as first reported in the New Statesman by our new political editor Ailbhe Rea, along with his head of news, Deborah Turness.In the end, it came down to a Panorama documentary accused of featuring a misleadingly edited speech by Donald Trump.But, having weathered years of BBC scandals, could Davie's departure be described as death by a thousand cuts?Oli Dugmore is joined by Hannah Barnes to discuss.LISTEN AD-FREE:

Has Labour let down Millennials? Are tax hikes on the horizon? And what would happen to the commonwealth if Britain dumped our King? Rachel Cunliffe joins Anoosh Chakelian to answer listener questions.Treat yourself or someone special to big ideas, bold politics and proper journalism from just £2 this Christmas when you subscribe to the New Statesman. Subscribe today at newstatesman.com/xmaspod25Ask us a questionLISTEN AD-FREE:

“The dream of home ownership is closed off to younger people today” - Steve Reed, Housing SecretarySteve Reed exclusively tells the New Statesman about the seven billion pounds Labour are giving to the six mayoral combined authorities for social and affordable housing.In an interview with Oli Dugmore, Labour's housing secretary outlines the plan, and discusses young people's housing woes, abolishing landlords and his history with Morgan McSweeney.Treat yourself or someone special to big ideas, bold politics and proper journalism from just £2 this Christmas when you subscribe to the New Statesman. Subscribe today at newstatesman.com/xmaspod25Ask us a questionLISTEN AD-FREE:

Voters in New York City have elected a socialist, Muslim, 34-year old Mayor. Here's what Labour need to learn from Zohran Mamdani's campaign.--Zohran Mamdani calls himself "Donald Trump's worst nightmare". In the UK, senior Labour figures including Wes Streeting have praised the young Democrat Mayor-Elect's campaign. But should Labour be celebrating a win in America's Democrat stronghold, when they can't win their own seat in Wales?George Eaton and Megan Kenyon join Anoosh Chakelian to discuss what the Left in Britain must learn from the Mamdani campaign - and whether, in fact, this spells better news for Zack Polanski's Greens than Keir Starmer's Labour government.LISTEN AD-FREE:

A four-month investigation with Channel 4 News reveals harrowing failings at one of Britain's most prestigious hospitals.Oli Dugmore speaks to the New Statesman's Investigations Editor, Hannah Barnes.Read: Britain's next maternity scandalLISTEN AD-FREE:

Is Britain becoming a country of mass violence?On Saturday evening, a Doncaster to London train was forced to stop in Huntingdon after eleven people were injured in a stabbing spree. Anthony Williams, a 32 year-old British national, was charged on Monday with multiple counts of attempted murder.Oli Dugmore is joined by Anoosh Chakelian and Rachel Cunliffe.Read: Knife crime is creeping into Middle EnglandLISTEN AD-FREE:

Today, Nigel Farage set out his updated vision for the UK economy.At a speech and press conference in London, The Reform UK leader talked tax, immigration, welfare, Brexit and his days working in the City.The New Statesman's Ethan Croft was at the event.Ethan joins Oli Dugmore to discuss.LISTEN AD-FREE:

Is Build Baby Build doomed? Is Katie Lam running for leader? Where is Priti Patel? Can the UK really support 5 large leftist parties?Luke O'Reilly joins Anoosh Chakelian to answer listener questions.Ask us a questionLISTEN AD-FREE:

The Deputy PM believes that Labour can beat the threat of the populist right, Nigel Farage and Reform. Lammy says that Labour can achieve this by tackling the cost of living crisis, uniting the centre and left of British politics and putting security first.Oli Dugmore sat down with David Lammy to discuss his plan.Read: Nigel Farage can be stoppedLISTEN AD-FREE:

Which are the most deprived neighbourhoods in England and how might this map onto voter intent?Anoosh Chakelian is joined by senior data journalist Ben Walker, to discuss what we can learn from the English Indices of Deprivation.LISTEN AD-FREE:

Another bad week for Prince Andrew. You could say the man hasn't had a good week since 2011. Although, actually, he does live in a 30-bedroom mansion in Windsor and enjoyed a million quid a year from his mum.In this week's cover story Will Lloyd makes the case for abolishing the monarchy, and that the Windsors have always been more involved with British politics than we know. He speaks to Oli Dugmore in this episode.LISTEN AD-FREE:

With the Autumn budget looming, the government has some tough decisions to make. Rachel Reeves has to find a predicted £30bn in extra revenue to meet her self-imposed fiscal rules.But as part of its manifesto pledges, Labour promised not to raise income tax, national insurance or VAT.And after a crushing defeat in Wales last week, what can the government actually get away with without angering the public further?Anoosh Chakelian is joined by polling analyst Steve Akehurst.Read: Just Raise Tax by Will DunnRead: Least worst options: understanding voter attitudes in the run up to the 2025 BudgetLISTEN AD-FREE:

The Caerphilly by-election proves Reform can be beaten. But is Keir Starmer the man to do it?Last week voters in Caerphilly confounded pundits by electing their first Plaid Cymru Member of the Senedd (MS). Reform UK had expected to be the party to overturn Labour's 100 year dominance in the Welsh seat - but they were wrong.The loss was a disaster for Labour, but came with a glimmer of hope: Reform UK can be beaten.Now the party needs to ask whether their current leader, Keir Starmer, is the man to do it.Back in Westminster, Lucy Powell has been elected deputy leader of the Labour Party - and she's not the winner Keir Starmer had hoped for.In this episode, Harry Clarke-Eziddio and George Eaton join Anoosh Chakelian to analyse what the Caerphilly loss and the new deputy leader mean for the future of the Labour Party.LISTEN NEXT: The death of Welsh LabourLISTEN AD-FREE:

With only her second novel The Inheritance of Loss, Kiran Desai won the 2006 Booker Prize, the leading literary prize in the global Anglosphere, becoming - at the time - the youngest person ever to do so. She was thirty-five. Then: silence. 19 years of it, before another novel emerged - this year. The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny. It, too, has been shortlisted for the Booker Prize. Will Desai win it again?LISTEN AD-FREE:

Is Welsh Labour dead?Plaid Cymru won a historic victory in the by-election, trouncing Labour who had been dominant for over 100 years.The "middle child" as Plaid's new MS describes them, also beat Reform, who pollsters expected to win the seat.In this episode, Harry Clarke-Ezzidio reports from Caerphilly to analyse the results of the election. He speaks to Rhun ap Iorwerth, Huw Irranca-Davies, Llyr Powell, and Dan Evans.LISTEN AD-FREE:

After 14 attempts, Lindsay Whittle has won the Caerphilly seat in South Wales for Plaid Cymru. Reform came in second with over a third of the vote, and Labour trailed in third with 11%. A devastating loss for the party.Harry Clarke-Ezzidio is joined by Ben Walker in Caerphilly Leisure Centre.LISTEN AD-FREE:

Andrew Marr says he thought Labour would fix everything, but: "I was wrong".--Andrew Marr is stepping down as political editor of the New Statesman. In this, his last regular podcast appearance (he'll be back, don't worry!) he reflects on the last three years in politics - and where we're heading next.He admits committing "the journalistic sin" of optimism when Keir Starmer was elected, and addresses criticism he's faced from media colleagues on both the left and right of the political divide. He explains why he believes the Labour party is failing the country.Speaking to Tom McTague, Marr also looks to the future and explores the likelihood of a Nigel Farage-led Reform government, the rise of Zack Polanski's Green Party and whether a coalition could be on the cards for the next election.READ: I thought Labour would fix everything. I was wrong.https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/2025/10/i-thought-labour-would-fix-everything-i-was-wrongLISTEN AD-FREE:

Donald Trump's planned summit with Vladimir Putin is cancelled. Here's why.--Less than a week after Donald Trump offered to meet Vladimir Putin in Budapest, the proposed summit has already fallen apart.Officially, "there's no need" for the two presidents to meet, since their respective foreign ministers are conducting conversations.But what's really behind the cancellation?And what on earth is Donald Trump up to in Venezuela? Seven extra-judicial attacks on civilian boats, dozens dead without trial, and now massing troops and weaponry in the Caribbean. Is this really about "narco-terrorism", or is something more sinister afoot?Katie Stallard and Freddie Hayward discuss Trump's foreign policy on the New Statesman podcast.LISTEN AD-FREE:

James Schneider, the former director of strategic communications for Jeremy Corbyn, was involved in the founding of Your Party earlier this year. He has since stepped back from the project.In this episode he joins Anoosh Chakelian to discuss the growing gap on the left of UK politics and who could fill it.LISTEN AD-FREE:

Andrew had already stepped down as a working royal, after that disastrous Newsnight interview in 2019, but he's now gone a step further and agreed to relinquish the “title or the honours which have been conferred upon” him.Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Will Lloyd and Rachel Cunliffe to discuss what these latest decisions, announced on the eve of the publication of Virginia Roberts Guiffre's posthumous memoir, mean for the Royal Family.LISTEN AD-FREE:

A century on from the her birth, Tanjil Rashid sits down with the Iron Lady's official biographer, Charles Moore.LISTEN AD-FREE:

For over 30 years, John Gray has written for the New Statesman on everything from Artificial Intelligence to Friedrich Nietzsche. He joins deputy editor Will Lloyd to discuss the state of the nation.LISTEN AD-FREE:

Andrew Marr joins Rachel Cunliffe to discuss his column in this week's magazine, Tax the old.They also discuss the latest developments in the China spy case.LISTEN AD-FREE:

"All I've done all my life is deals. The greatest deals just sort of happen…” President Trump announced at a celebratory peace-deal signing attended by dozens of nations in Sharm el-Sheikh earlier this week.But who were the powers behind Trump? Behind this deal?Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Freddie Hayward who has written this week's cover story The Emperor: How Trump and his British Courtiers secured the Gaza dealLISTEN AD-FREE:

Did Keir Starmer's government quash an espionage case to curry favour with China?--There's fury in Westminster over the case of two alleged China spies which collapsed last month. Kemi Badenoch has accused the Labour government of deliberately quashing the prosecution to appease China, blaming National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell. The government denies this, and Keir Starmer has said Powell has his "full support". So what really happened? And why does China matter so much to the UK government?Oli Dugmore is joined by George Eaton and Katie Stallard.LISTEN AD-FREE:

All 20 remaining, living hostages have returned to Israel after 2 years in captivity, following the October the 7th Hamas attacks. The remains of the 28 deceased hostages are yet to be returned.Meanwhile, Israel is expected to release 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,700 detainees from Gaza today.To discuss this historic day in the Middle East and how it came to be, Oli Dugmore is joined by Katie Stallard and Freddie Hayward. Later in the episode Ethan Croft and Rachel Cunliffe look at the question of the UK's involvement in this peace process.LISTEN AD-FREE:

Is Labour reading from the Reform handbook? And what is the government doing to address rising child poverty?Oli Dugmore is joined by Rachel Cunliffe to answer listener questions.Got a question? Ask us here!LISTEN AD-FREE:

Almost 10 years ago the Calais 'Jungle' was demolished by the French authorities, structures were burned to the ground and the migrants were forced to flee, once again.Small-boats crossings are on the rise, and for those waiting for their chance, a new 'Jungle' has become home.Oli Dugmore is joined by Miles Ellingham and Jack Jeffrey who reported this week's cover story The truth about the small-boats crisis from northern France.LISTEN AD-FREE:

Andrew Marr joins Tom McTague to discuss the ascension of Shabana Mahmood, and the Blairites haunting Keir Starmer's government.LISTEN AD-FREE:

You might have missed it, many people did, but this week the Conservatives met for their annual party conference in Manchester.Rachel Cunliffe is joined by Ethan Croft, who's just stepped out of the conference hall listening to Badenoch's speech, and later in the episode by Will Dunn - who's been watching the whole affair on GB News.LISTEN AD-FREE:

Is the Green Party Britain's only viable left wing party? Amid other proposals, their conference voted to abolish landlords at the weekend.Meanwhile Labour is tweaking the surveying process for house buying, and the Tories say they'll cut benefits to subsidise first time buyers.Oli Dugmore is joined by Luke O'Reilly and Megan Kenyon.LISTEN AD-FREE:

Two years ago, on October the 7th, 2023, Hamas militants committed a series of atrocities in southern Israel. 1,195 people were killed in the attacks. 251 people were taken hostage by Hamas, 47 remain in captivity. Some alive, some dead. Since then, war has ravaged the Gaza Strip and, in the form of escalating settler violence, spread to the West Bank. Israel has inflicted famine on Gazans. Over 60,000 Palestinians have been reportedly killed in the conflict, a third of them children.And this war has rippled far beyond Palestine, Israel and the Middle East, affecting communities and politics around the world. In Britain, protesters have filled the streets, and questions are asked about why our government has supported Israel with weaponry and intelligence used in the Gaza strip. Last Friday, on Yom Kippur, the Jewish calendar's most holy day, two worshippers were stabbed to death outside a synagogue in Manchester.Tanjil Rashid is joined by Rachel Cunliffe.Read: Under bombardment in Gaza City; What it's like to be Jewish in Britain now; The world has abandoned the hostages; How Israel warped the WestLISTEN AD-FREE:

And what do Labour really want from digital ID cards?Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Rachel Cunliffe to answer listener questions.LISTEN AD-FREE:

Yesterday morning, on Yom Kippur - the holiest day in the Jewish calendar - worshippers were attacked outside a synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester.Two Jewish men were killed, three remain in hospital and the attacker, now known as Jihad Al-Shamie - a British citizen of Syrian descent - was shot dead at the scene by police.It was soon declared a terrorist incident. In close proximity to the October 7th anniversary, Jewish communities across the country have been shaken.Oli Dugmore is joined down the line by Ethan Croft.LISTEN AD-FREE:

Keir Starmer is polling as the UK's most unpopular Prime Minister in history. But days after his conference speech, some are asking whether a Starmer comeback is on the cards. What would that look like? Are they delusional? Tom McTague is joined by Andrew Marr.LISTEN AD-FREE:

Donald Trump says he has a plan to end the war in Gaza and bring eternal peace to the Middle East.Will Lloyd is joined by Katie Stallard to discuss how Trump is pursuing diplomacy in his second term.LISTEN AD-FREE:

Keir Starmer is on a mission to reclaim British patriotism.The prime minister has just finished his conference speech in Liverpool, addressing a hall full of delegates waving flags from England, Scotland and Wales.In some ways this was an attempt to celebrate Britain, its values, and its triumphs. In other very clear ways it was an attempted attack on Nigel Farage.Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Rachel Cunliffe, Megan Kenyon and Ethan Croft.LISTEN AD-FREE:

The chancellor used her speech to define the Labour party in opposition to Reform and the Conservatives, and Shabana Mahmood the home secretary aimed to redefine patriotism in her speech, in hopes of clawing back voters lost to Farage's party.Meanwhile, Andy Burnham has been making headlines on the fringes.LISTEN AD-FREE:

The prime minister has described the opposition to Reform UK as “the fight of our times”, but a new poll has also found that Starmer has become the most unpopular PM on record. Meanwhile the spectre of Andy Burnham's leadership bid will not rest. There's a lot for Starmer to prove over the next few days in Liverpool at the Labour Party conference.Anoosh Chakelian is joined by George Eaton and Ethan Croft.LISTEN AD-FREE: