The New Statesman Podcast

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:

As 2025 draws to a close Anoosh Chakelian joined by the New Statesman's associate political editor Rachel Cunliffe, and editor in chief Tom McTague to discuss the biggest domestic and international stories of the year.Daily Politics will return on 1 January 2026.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

How did Trump's tariffs affect the price of Labubus? Which bear was voiced by Volodymyr Zelensky? And what, crucially, did Katy Perry describe California girls as?Join the New Statesman team for our quiz of the year!SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

Months before 9/11, a passenger seized control of a Boeing 747 and nearly crashed it into the Sahara.Everyone survived - including a curious ensemble of famous passengers - but no one quite recovered.Kate Mossman tells the story of Flight 2069 to Oli Dugmore.READ: The strange fate of Flight 2069SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

Is the New Statesman too soft on Wes Streeting? Are the Lib Dems an unserious party?Plus our journalists make their predictions for what will happen in 2026, and listen back to their guesses from last year…Oli Dugmore is joined by Anoosh Chakelian and Rachel Cunliffe.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

After being pushed back not once, not twice, but three times, the government's long-awaited strategy to halve violence against women and girls has been revealed.Measures include training teachers to spot signs of misogyny in the classroom and police forces introducing specialist rape and sexual offence investigation teams.But do they go far enough?Rachel Cunliffe joins Luke O'Reilly.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

Jimmy Lai, Hong Kong's most famous media tycoon and a British citizen, could be sentenced to life in prison.What does his case say about the political climate in Hong Kong, and how might it affect relations between the East and West?Oli Dugmore is joined by Katie Stallard.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

Speculation surrounding a leadership challenge to Keir Starmer is rife.Andy Burnham, Manchester Mayor, is in the mix as a challenger. But can he find the necessary seat in parliament, and what hurdles does he face?Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Ethan Croft and George Eaton to discuss.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

The "evil" mass shooting at Bondi Beach was the latest in a rising number of antisemitic attacks.16 people died in the attack in Sydney, Australia. They were Jews who had gathered to celebrate the first night of Chanukah. Among them, a holocaust survivor and a ten-year old girl.Antisemitic attacks are on the rise. In this year to September, Australia recorded 1654 anti-semitic incidents. That's three times higher than any year before the war in Gaza.Here in the UK, Jews faced over 1,500 attacks in the first half of 2025, according to data from the Community Security Trust. That's the second-highest total in the first half of any year on record, and includes the terrorist attack on a synagogue in Manchester in which two people died. In July, a report authored by Lord John Mann & Penny Mordaunt found “widespread failures to address anti-jewish discrimination in NHS, education, arts and policing”. Oli Dugmore is joined by Rachel Cunliffe and Hannah Barnes to ask: are Jews safe?READ: The Bondi Beach shooting was an attack on Jews.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

Journalist Peter Oborne claims both Labour and Conservatives have fallen short on their response to Israel's war in Gaza.--Peter Oborne is a journalist, author and commentator. He was the political editor of The Spectator, a commentator for the Daily Telegraph and now writes for Middle East Eye. A long-time conservative, Oborne joins Oli Dugmore to explain why he believes the Conservative Party have abandoned their principles, and to discuss the role that successive British governments have played - or failed to play - in dealing with genocides around the world. Peter Oborne's book "Complicit: Britain's role in the destruction of Gaza" is out now.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

In this week's episode of You Ask Us, one listener wonders, is the media infatuated with Zack Polanski?And another challenges our journalists to listen to the Liz Truss podcast.You ask, we deliver. Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Rachel Cunliffe.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

Wes Streeting denied plotting to oust Keir Starmer.Ailbhe Rea met the Health Secretary to learn what he's really thinking.***Ailbhe writes: Labour is in danger of presenting itself as the “maintenance department for the country”, he says. “The problem with that kind of practical, technocratic approach is that if someone else comes along and says, ‘Well, I've got a maintenance company too, and mine's cheaper,' why wouldn't people go, ‘OK, well, we'll give that maintenance team a try'?” He doesn't name Starmer, but the critique of the Prime Minister's “practical, technocratic” leadership is clear.Streeting has denied plotting against the Labour leader. But when we speak, he strikes me as someone planning for what may lie ahead. I meet a cabinet minister ranging beyond his brief, thinking seriously about what his party needs to do to win the next election – and beginning to outline an alternative to that “maintenance department” approach.***Ailbhe Rea joins Anoosh Chakelian on Daily Politics from the New Statesman to discuss her interview with Wes Streeting, including the behind-the-scenes parts she couldn't reveal in her article.

If you are raped in London today, you could be waiting until 2030 for a trial. Justice secretary David Lammy has stated that 60 per cent of rape victims drop their cases whilst waiting for the trial. Rape Crisis estimates 1 in 6 women go to the police.Oli Dugmore is joined by Labour MP Natalie Fleet, who has written for the New Statesman on the fight for justice for victims of rape.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

Why does the Reform leader spend so much time in the US? Freddie Hayward has been speaking to him to find out.--Winston Churchill had an American mother. Boris Johnson was a dual citizen. But if Nigel Farage makes it to Downing Street, he'll have closer ties to the US than any other British PM. That's the argument of our correspondent Freddie Hayward, who joins Oli Dugmore on Daily Politics.He's been speaking to Farage and the MAGA figures he calls friends to find out how the Reform leader hopes to bring Trump tactics to British politics - and rekindle the most "special" of relationships.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

Keir Starmer described Green party policy as “nuts” and “dangerous” in an interview with the Observer yesterday. But is he underestimating one of Labour's biggest threats?And is Starmer alienating a generation of young voters who might run into the arms of Zack Polanski?Rachel Cunliffe is joined by George Eaton and Will Dunn.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

As the UK grapples with cost of living pressures, geopolitical shocks and a shifting political landscape, the case for net zero remains strong - but the story around it seems to have stalled.How can policymakers, businesses and campaigners reconnect climate action with public priorities such as jobs, growth, energy security and household bills?In this episode host Jon Bernstein is joined by Benj Sykes, UK Country Manager at Ørsted, Polly Billington, Labour MP and founder of Climate 100, and Daisy Powell-Chandler, Head of Energy and Environment at Public First, to examine the state of the UK's net zero consensus and what's really driving public attitudes.Their discussion looks at why Westminster debate has become more polarised even as public concern about climate change remains high; whether the language of “net zero” helps or hinders; and how to tell a more compelling, place-based story about the energy transition - from local jobs and warmer homes to cleaner transport and revitalised town centres.The panel also explores how to balance upfront investment with cost of living pressures, the case for an energy social tariff, and why decarbonisation should be framed as a national security priority that reduces exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets and future energy price shocks.This New Statesman podcast episode is sponsored by Ørsted.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

Is the Labour Party holding true to its founding principles? Have we lost trust in the police? Are we in a recession?Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Luke O'Reilly and Rachel Cunliffe to answer your questions.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

A recent result from pollsters Find Out Now has put Labour support at just 14%, behind Reform, the Tories and the Greens.Just how bad are these polling numbers for Labour?Oli Dugmore is joined by the New Statesman's senior data journalist and polling expert Ben Walker to discuss.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

Four senior Labour politicians are on manoeuvres. Ailbhe Rea reveals who's in the running to replace Keir Starmer.-- Keir Starmer has become desperately unpopular. All eyes now are looking towards the May 2026 local elections. A disappointing performance by Labour could prompt the Prime Minister to resign. And senior Labour figures are already positioning themselves to replace him.Ailbhe Rea and Rachel Cunliffe join Anoosh Chakelian to explore the most likely candidates, and the impact their manoeuvring is having on present relationships at the top of the Labour Party.READ: Angela Rayner is Wes Streeting's biggest obstacle to PMLISTEN NEXT: Keir Starmer is in denialSAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

After months of deliberation it's been decided, it's not our party, it's not their party, it's Your Party.This weekend, thousands of the new left party's delegates flooded into a conference centre in Liverpool to try and decide the future life and fate of the movement.But in keeping with the last 5 months of trials and tribulations, in-fighting and spats between the co-founding camps of Zarah Sultana and Jeremy Corbyn, things didn't run smoothly.Is it his party? Or her party? And is this really what the left in Britain want?Oli Dugmore is joined by Megan Kenyon, who spent the weekend in the throes of the socialist spectacle.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

In the past three weeks, 12 prisoners have been accidentally released - Justice Secretary David Lammy announced this morning. This is in addition to the 91 who've also been mistakenly freed in England and Wales in the last six months. It's fair to say, the justice system is in a bad way - leaking from the sides. Trying his best to mop this up, Lammy also announced today that jury trials in England and Wales should be scrapped except for in extreme cases. Oli Dugmore is joined by Rachel Cunliffe for a New Statesman justice review.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

Keir Starmer has backed Rachel Reeves – but the Prime Minister has miscalculated.After weekend front pages accused the Chancellor of lying about the "fiscal black hole" which, Reeves says, necessitated last week's tax-and-spend budget, the PM has given a speech supporting Reeves and saying he's "proud" of the budget.Meanwhile polling reveals a majority believe "the cost of living crisis will never end", and see no hope for improvements in their immediate future.Tom McTague and Rachel Cunliffe join Oli Dugmore to discuss whether the Prime Minister has grasped quite how broken the social contract is, and what's next for the government – and the country – following the budget.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

Another bit has fallen off Labour's car as its MPs flee Westminster and bid a hasty retreat to their constituencies.This time, Labour has been accused of breaking another manifesto promise by pulling a major one eighty on workers rights. Oli Dugmore is joined by Ailbhe Rea.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

It's Black Friday and consumers are hunting for bargains. However, are Brits spending more and more money on goods that are getting worse and worse?Will Dunn joins Anoosh Chakelian to discuss his theory of "crapflation".Will also spent time this week in an enormous pile of trash, dumped by organised criminals in a field in Oxfordshire.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

While many on the left were calling for a wealth tax, yesterday the Chancellor delivered a smorgasbord of stealth taxes.How will this platter of sneaky revenue streams boost the government's finances? And what does it mean in the longterm, economically, for the country?Anoosh Chakelian is joined by the New Statesman's business editor, Will Dunn, and political editor, Ailbhe Rea.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

Tax in Britain will rise to an all-time high following Rachel Reeves' budget.The Chancellor has unveiled her latest budget. She's promised to remove the two-child benefit cap, freeze income tax brackets and introduce a new mansion tax.Labour deny they are breaking their manifesto pledge to avoid raising income tax, while critics claim the freeze is doing just that.The Office for Budget Responsibility, who disastrously published their assessment before the Chancellor had made her statement to the House of Commons, say the budget will amount to a tax bill of £28 billion by 2029 – a record high.Oli Dugmore is joined by Rachel Cunliffe and George Eaton to discuss what the budget means for Britain, the Chancellor, and Keir Starmer's government.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

The Chancellor has admitted that the economy feels stuck. But will tomorrow's budget, which promises to “grip the cost of living” and looks likely to freeze income tax thresholds, actually do anything to help? Oli Dugmore is joined by the New Statesman's editor Tom McTague and political editor Ailbhe Rea. SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

This summer, MPs Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana announced the launch of the provisionally named ‘Your Party'. The new party was created to fill a gap on the left-wing of British politics that many believe Keir Starmer and his Labour government are ignoring. However, the launch process has not been smooth.Our political correspondent Megan Kenyon has been following all the updates from Your Party, and secured this exclusive interview with Jeremy Corbyn.They discuss whether Corbyn will lead the new party, why it's been such a struggle to launch, and whether he will collaborate with the Green Party's leader Zack Polanski.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

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: