Podcasts about capx

As unemployment climbs and youth joblessness surges past 16%, ministers insist the labour market is merely adjusting. But in this essay, Andrew Griffith, Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade, argues the truth is far starker: Labour's higher payroll taxes, expanded union powers and sweeping employment regulations have made hiring more expensive, riskier and less attractive. The result, he says, is a steady erosion of Britain's once-flexible jobs market — with young people paying the highest price.Despatch brings you the best articles from CapX's unrivalled daily newsletter.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

America has long liked to see itself as the world's dream factory – from the birth of Hollywood to the moon landings, a belief in thinking bigger has been central to the national story. But attitudes towards artificial intelligence reveal a worrying shift. Surveys show that more people are anxious about AI than excited by its spread, with around six in ten saying the technology is moving too fast.James Pethokoukis is the author of The Conservative Futurist and writes the Substack newsletter Faster, Please. He's also a senior fellow and the DeWitt Wallace Chair at the American Enterprise Institute, where he analyses US economic policy. He joins Marc Sidwell to discuss the transformative possibilities of AI, how its risks can be managed, and why a more optimistic outlook may be warranted.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As younger voters grow disillusioned with a housing system that denies them real control over their homes, the battle over leasehold has become a test of whether capitalism still delivers on its promises. In this essay, Harry Scoffin, founder of Free Leaseholders, argues that reforming — and ultimately replacing — leasehold with commonhold is not a left-wing cause, but the logical continuation of Thatcher's popular capitalism. From Randolph Churchill to Margaret Thatcher, Conservatives once championed mass ownership as a bulwark against socialism. Scoffin makes the case that finishing that project could restore faith in markets, revive homeownership and prevent a new generation from turning away from the system altogether.Despatch brings you the best articles from CapX's unrivalled daily newsletter.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When the Conservative Party last entered government, in coalition with the Liberal Democrats, the UK was still finding its feet after the global financial crisis. What followed was a succession of events that quickly came to dominate political life: Brexit, the pandemic, and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.Each of these moments demanded large, costly interventions from the state. But Britain now faces a new set of challenges: an ageing population, a fresh industrial revolution driven by AI, growing global security risks, and the pressures of a changing climate.John Penrose is the founder of the Centre for Small Conservatives. A former Conservative MP, he joins Marc Sidwell to discuss why he's arguing for moving beyond rhetoric and towards serious, practical policy ideas — ones he believes can deliver tangible results in the real world.Guest: John Penrose, former MP and founder of the Centre for Small State ConservativesStay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can a Prime Minister really be on borrowed time less than two years after a landslide election victory? Benjamin Wilson speaks to ConservativeHome's Henry Hill about the mounting speculation around Sir Keir Starmer — and why Labour's internal unrest may be less surprising than it looks.Henry argues that Starmer's problems were baked in from the start: a low-turnout election, a deliberately cautious manifesto, and a parliamentary party that never felt bound to deliver painful choices on welfare, spending, or reform. But now the problems run even deeper: Labour's rebellions, the structural difficulty of governing with a huge and undisciplined majority, the changing expectations placed on leaders in the age of social media, and the stagnant fiscal reality that now threatens any party in power. From Reform's rise to the fragmentation of the electorate, Henry thinks Britain may be entering a brutal cycle in which voters punish every governing party for problems no leader can easily fix.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After decades of chronic undersupply, even modest housing reforms can feel like cause for celebration. But in this essay, John Penrose, Chair of the Conservative Policy Forum and founder and director of the Centre for Small-State Conservatives, argues that the Government's latest plans don't go nearly far enough. His solution is simple and radical in equal measure: give homeowners the right to build up, not out. By gently increasing density in towns and cities, Penrose says Britain could unlock millions of new homes, restore urban beauty, and finally make housing affordable for a new generation.Despatch brings you the best articles from CapX's unrivalled daily newsletter.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special live discussion, Mervyn King, Lord King of Lothbury, and Terry Burns, Lord Burns, reflect on the economics and politics of the Lawson boom, chaired by Daniel Mahoney. Drawing on their first-hand experience working with Nigel Lawson, they revisit one of the most consequential periods in modern British economic history.Presented in front of a live audience, the discussion touches on the inheritance of 1970s inflation and the controversial 1981 Budget, tax reform, monetary targeting, exchange-rate policy, and the late-1980s boom and bust. King and Burns challenge the myth that the 1988 Budget alone caused the Lawson boom, arguing instead that prolonged low interest rates, financial deregulation, data misreads, and global conditions played a decisive role.Looking forward, they connect these lessons to today's debates on inflation after Covid, the role of money and fiscal discipline, supply-side reform, and the growing strain on central bank independence. A timely, candid exchange between two architects and critics of Britain's modern macroeconomic framework – and a crucial reminder of how hard-won credibility must be renewed.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As calls grow louder to cap personal fortunes, a new philosophy – “limitarianism” – argues that no one should be allowed to be rich beyond a fixed limit. In this essay, Tim Worstall, Senior Fellow at the Adam Smith Institute, takes aim at the idea, arguing that it rests on a fundamental misunderstanding of how wealth, value and incentives actually work. From Mark Zuckerberg to global inequality, he makes the case that extreme riches are not a social failure, but often the by-product of innovations that benefit billions – and that banning wealth would leave society poorer, not fairer.Despatch brings you the best articles from CapX's unrivalled daily newsletter.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Robert Jenrick defects to Reform UK, pressure is mounting on the Conservative Party to chart a new course. In this episode of The Capitalist, Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg joins Marc Sidwell to dissect the fallout — and to make the case for a pre-election pact between Reform and the Tories.One of the party's most recognisable figures, Rees-Mogg argues that Kemi Badenoch has emerged strengthened, but warns that division on the Right could lead to catastrophe. Drawing on the historical precedents of 1918 and 1931, he outlines how a pact might work in practice — and why, in his view, the future of the Right depends on swift, strategic unity.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Jenrick's dramatic defection to Reform UK has blown open long-simmering tensions on the British Right — and handed Kemi Badenoch a serious test as Conservative leader. In this essay, Joseph Dinnage, deputy editor of CapX, dissects the intrigue behind Jenrick's dismissal, the risks Badenoch took in cutting him loose, and the uncertain gains for Nigel Farage's insurgent party. It's a story of ambition, loyalty and timing — and one that may yet reshape the balance of power on the Right.Despatch brings you the best articles from CapX's unrivalled daily newsletter.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when a regime shuts off the internet — and then turns its guns on its own people? For the IEA's Mani Basharzad, the question is deeply personal: he hasn't heard from his mother or friends in Iran for days. As the country plunges into its most violent crackdown in decades, reports of mass killings, information blackouts and nationwide protests raise a stark question: is the Islamic Republic finally losing control?In this urgent episode of The Capitalist, Joseph Dinnage speaks to Mani about what an internet shutdown really means on the ground, why this wave of protests feels fundamentally different from those that came before, and how a broad coalition of Iranians — rich and poor, secular and religious — are rallying around the prospect of regime change. Mani explains the role of Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, the economic collapse hollowing out the state, and why this movement is less a revolution than a fight to reclaim basic normality.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As ministers insist the labour market is merely “normalising”, the numbers tell a more troubling story — especially for the young. In this essay, Damian Pudner, an independent economist specialising in monetary policy, argues that Britain is sliding into a slow-burn recession under Rachel Reeves, with youth unemployment surging and entry-level jobs disappearing. Higher payroll taxes, tighter regulation and rising business costs, he warns, are scarring a generation before their working lives have properly begun — with consequences that could haunt the economy for decades.Despatch brings you the best articles from CapX's unrivalled daily newsletter.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are today's culture wars, party fractures and populist backlashes really something new — or are we simply reliving an old British story? In this episode of The Capitalist, Marc Sidwell looks three centuries into the past to understand the political turmoil of the present. From riots over immigration to furious pamphlet wars, from elite anxiety about misinformation to bitter arguments over Britain's role in Europe, the foundations of modern politics were laid in the age of Whigs and Tories.Marc is joined by historian and author George Owers, whose book "The Rage of Party" (one of CapX's favourites of 2025) brings the birth of British party politics vividly to life. Together they explore the explosive origins of left and right, the rise of finance and global ambition, the dangers of suppressing demagogues, and why moderation — however unfashionable — has always been the hardest political art to master.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Margaret Thatcher remains one of the most consequential leaders in modern British history. Rising to power after the "Winter of Discontent," she steered the country through economic turmoil, high inflation, and widespread industrial unrest. Her bold embrace of free-market principles reshaped Britain — and left a legacy still fiercely debated today.Now, as political uncertainty returns to Westminster, Thatcher's conviction-led leadership feels more relevant than ever.In this short interview, former Foreign Secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind — one of only five ministers to serve throughout both the Thatcher and Major governments — reflects on his time at the heart of power. With insight and candour, he reveals what set Mrs Thatcher apart, and why her leadership style made such a lasting impact, even in the face of fierce opposition.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With local elections looming in May, Labour collapsing in the polls, and Westminster rumbling with leadership intrigue, Marc Sidwell asks whether Sir Keir Starmer is heading for a reckoning — and whether figures like Ed Miliband could seize the moment. Meanwhile, Reform UK continues to hover around the 30% mark, the Conservatives search for a bounce under Kemi Badenoch, and Britain's politics looks increasingly like a multi-party fight.In this new year forecast, Marc is joined by Joseph Dinnage, Deputy Editor of CapX, to map the fault-lines of the next 12 months — from the battle for the right, to the economic hard choices that no party can dodge, to America's 250th birthday under Donald Trump and the possibility of a post-Trump succession fight led by JD Vance. If 2025 was the year the centre cracked, 2026 may be the year it fully gives way.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Britain entering an age of permanent political fragmentation? As Labour falters despite its landslide victory, Reform UK surges, the Greens flirt with wealth taxes, and the Conservatives search for renewed purpose under Kemi Badenoch, the old certainties of British politics are unravelling. Across the Atlantic, Donald Trump's second term has proved no less turbulent — from the collapse of his Department of Government Efficiency to a tariff regime that's shaken the global trading order.In this end-of-year review, Marc Sidwell is joined by Joseph Dinnage, Deputy Editor of CapX, to take stock of a chaotic political year. Together they explore why reform has proved so elusive, how populism is reshaping both left and right, and what Trump's unpredictability means for Britain, Europe and the global economy.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With nearly a million under-24s out of work, education or training, good intentions are no longer enough. In this essay, John Penrose, Chair of the Conservative Policy Forum, argues that Britain's education and careers system is quietly wasting talent — steering young people into the wrong courses, offering patchy guidance, and making it far too hard to change direction later in life. His solution is strikingly pragmatic: better information on outcomes, stronger careers advice in schools, and a smarter system to recognise real-world skills — reforms that could transform life chances without costing the taxpayer a fortune.Despatch brings you the best of CapX — the sharpest writing from the UK's most insightful daily newsletter.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when foreign governments try to police American speech? For years, UK and EU regulators have slapped massive fines on U.S. tech firms — but Washington may finally be ready to hit back. Free speech lawyer Preston Byrne joins The Capitalist to unveil the GRANITE Act, a bold new proposal that would strip foreign regulators of immunity in U.S. courts and allow American companies to sue for millions in damages.In a wide-ranging conversation, Byrne explains how a growing clash over online regulation could redefine the internet itself — and why the next front in the global free speech war may be fought not in Silicon Valley or Brussels, but in Washington.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if every political party had to face real economic scrutiny? As Britain's political landscape fragments and fiscal debate grows ever more chaotic, Joseph Dinnage, deputy editor of CapX, asks a provocative question: should the Office for Budget Responsibility judge all parties, not just the one in power? In this essay, he charts Rachel Reeves's faltering economic credibility, the radicalism of the Greens and Your Party, and the inconsistencies on the Right — arguing that an upgraded OBR, modelled on the Dutch system, could bring much-needed discipline and transparency to a system swamped by unserious ideas. It wouldn't make forecasting perfect, he says, but it would help voters see which plans add up — and which are pure fantasy.Despatch brings you the best of CapX — the sharpest writing from the UK's most insightful daily newsletter.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can Britain's oldest political party reinvent itself for a new age? Former Foreign Secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind joins Marc Sidwell to discuss the future of the Conservative Party, the legacy of Margaret Thatcher, and the dangers of Britain's political drift. From the crisis over the European Convention on Human Rights to the challenge of illegal migration and the war in Ukraine, Rifkind offers a veteran's view of how Britain can regain both control and confidence.One of only five ministers to serve for 18 years, throughout the whole Prime Ministerships of both Margaret Thatcher and John Major, he also reflects on what made Thatcher so effective — a rare blend of conviction and pragmatism — and what her example means for Kemi Badenoch as she seeks to rebuild the party after its worst defeat in a generation.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Faced with weak growth, mounting debt and global instability, Britain needed a bold, pro-enterprise Budget. Instead, says James Price, Senior Fellow at the Adam Smith Institute, Rachel Reeves delivered one designed for party management rather than national renewal. In this essay, Price argues that Labour has no credible growth strategy — no serious tax reform, no supply-side agenda, and no appetite to shrink the state. The result, he warns, is an economy trapped in stagnation and a government running out of time to act.Despatch brings you the best of CapX — the sharpest writing from the UK's most insightful daily newsletter.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are higher taxes really inevitable — or just a political choice? Former Chancellor Jeremy Hunt joins Marc Sidwell on The Capitalist to share a rare insider's view of what it's like to build a Budget under pressure. From last-minute policy decisions to the fine balance between fiscal responsibility and economic growth, Hunt explains why Britain's current course risks stifling productivity and shrinking the private sector.In a candid conversation, Hunt argues that welfare reform — not ever-higher taxes — is the real key to restoring growth. With insight from his time at the Treasury and the Department of Health, he lays out a vision for an economy that rewards work, innovation, and enterprise rather than punishing them.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After years of stagnation, high taxes and spiralling public spending, Britain risks locking itself into permanent decline. As Rachel Reeves prepares her second Budget, Ewen Stewart, City economist and member of the Growth Commission, sets out a bold plan to reverse course — cutting £105 billion in spending, simplifying taxes, and unleashing private enterprise. He argues that only by shrinking the state, freeing up markets and restoring sound money can Britain return to real growth and prosperity.Despatch brings you the best of CapX — the sharpest writing from the UK's most insightful daily newsletter.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Next week, former Chancellor Jeremy Hunt will join Marc Sidwell for a special interview as Rachel Reeves delivers her much-anticipated Budget. Ahead of that, Henry Hill, deputy editor of Conservative Home, assesses the political allure—and economic illusion—of a wealth tax. From the risks of capital flight to the moral tension between fairness and prosperity, the conversation explores whether any government can afford to punish success without hurting growth.Are we witnessing the rise of a new class war in British politics? As Labour eyes higher taxes on those with the “broadest shoulders” and the Greens embrace what they call “eco-populism,” the rhetoric around wealth and fairness is sharpening. But would taxing the rich really fix Britain's economic woes—or simply drive away the people who keep the system afloat?Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Elon Musk edges toward an eye-watering new milestone, the idea of a trillionaire sparks more fear than fascination on the left. But what if extreme wealth could accelerate progress rather than hoard it? In this essay, James Price, Senior Fellow at the Adam Smith Institute, argues that visionaries like Musk and other billionaire entrepreneurs reinvest their fortunes in projects that governments could never deliver—from AI-driven education to medical breakthroughs and space exploration. The result, he suggests, is a private sector more capable of solving humanity's biggest problems than any public institution. Despatch brings you the best of CapX — the sharpest writing from the UK's most insightful daily newsletter.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How does Britain's most famous broadcaster recover from a crisis that's reached the very top? In the space of a week, the BBC has lost two of its most senior executives and now faces an extraordinary legal threat from the President of the United States. What began as an editing error in a Panorama documentary has spiralled into a full-blown test of the corporation's credibility — and its future.In this episode of The Capitalist, Marc Sidwell is joined by veteran journalist Robin Lustig, former BBC World Service and Radio 4 presenter, to explore what this storm reveals about the state of public service broadcasting, political polarisation, and the shifting media landscape. Together, they ask whether the BBC can still command trust in a divided Britain — and what must change to restore its authority.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Britain heading for another 1976 moment? With a £30 billion fiscal hole and few promises left unbroken, Rachel Reeves looks set to raise income tax — a move that could mark a grim turning point for Britain's economy. In this essay, Reem Ibrahim, Head of Media at the Institute of Economic Affairs, warns that higher taxes on work will punish aspiration, stifle growth, and echo the policy mistakes that once sent Britain to the IMF, cap in hand. Her message is clear: without spending restraint, Reeves risks repeating history's harshest lesson.Despatch brings you the best of CapX — the sharpest writing from the UK's most insightful daily newsletters.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rachel Reeves' speech on Tuesday gave every indication that tax rises are on the way — though she was careful not to name names.The challenge is clear: raising serious revenue usually means turning to the big three — income tax, National Insurance, or VAT. But Labour's manifesto ruled those out, leaving the Chancellor with a fiscal puzzle and limited room to manoeuvre.Joining CapX deputy editor Joseph Dinnage to make sense of it all are Reem Ibrahim from the Institute of Economic Affairs and Henry Hill from Conservative Home.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should the Right back Britain's most ambitious science corridor? The Oxford–Cambridge Arc has long been dismissed as another government slogan in search of substance. Yet beneath the jargon lies a bold vision: a world-class corridor linking Britain's greatest minds, laboratories, and industries—from quantum computing to Formula One. In this essay, James Price, Senior Fellow at the Adam Smith Institute, argues that the Arc could be the key to Britain's renewal—if only conservatives have the courage to back it. With smarter planning, faster connections, and freer markets, he says, the region could transform from a bureaucratic idea into a global powerhouse.Despatch brings you the best writing from CapX — the sharpest ideas from the UK's most insightful daily newsletter.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Labour's New Towns Taskforce promised a bold vision for housing. But with only three modest sites selected, is this really the step-change the country needs — or just more planning fatigue?Plus: with welfare spending rising and tax burdens at record highs, is it time for serious reform? As the Treasury looks for ways to plug a £22 billion shortfall, we ask whether the current system still delivers value for money.And can London win back its missing millionaires? After years of sluggish growth and rising levies, business leaders are calling for a rethink of the capital's tax regime. Benjamin Wilson is joined by City AM's Alys Denby and Lawrence Newport from Looking for Growth to explore what's needed to put London back on the global map.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the new Despatch — your Monday briefing for a sharper, more optimistic week. London's super-prime property market has long been the world's barometer of confidence. When Britain welcomes success, investment flows freely; when it punishes ambition, the money quietly leaves. Now, even before the Chancellor unveils his Budget, the warning lights are flashing. Economist Damian Pudner explains why London's property slowdown is a symptom of fading confidence — and sets out practical steps to bring capital, and optimism, back.Despatch comes from the team behind The Capitalist. Don't miss our full podcast every Wednesday.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Labour prepares its first Budget, can the party really blame Brexit for Britain's sluggish productivity – and will voters be convinced? We also ask why Britain still isn't building enough homes, and whether a new environmental levy risks making the crisis worse.Plus: in an age of short-form video and fractured attention, where have all the great communicators gone? With Thatcher's centenary in mind, the panel explores what it takes to cut through in modern politics – and who, if anyone, is getting it right.Marc Sidwell is joined by writer and strategist John Oxley and former Downing Street communications adviser Robert Midgley for a sharp look at the week's big political questions.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fifty years since Margaret Thatcher became leader of the Conservative Party, her face, and even some of her iconic outfits, were all over this year's party conference. Not everyone was happy about that. Hot takes and tweets grumbled about it being time to move on, to pack away the old clothes and put out something a bit more 2025.At CapX, however, we're proud to still fly the Thatcherite flag. Not just because, as part of the Centre for Policy Studies, the think tank she co-founded, Thatcher's ideas are in our DNA. But, as Marc Sidwell argues, because Mrs Thatcher remains the woman for this moment, with the ideas that Britain still needs to get back on the right track.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can a British regulator really fine an overseas website under the banner of the Online Safety Act? In today's edition of The Capitalist, host Marc Sidwell is joined by free speech lawyer Preston Byrne and journalist Harry Phibbs to discuss Ofcom's £20,000 penalty against 4chan — and what it means for free expression in the digital age.The conversation then turns to calls for a one-off wealth raid to patch Britain's public finances, and to Marc's own argument that Margaret Thatcher's unfinished revolution still offers Britain a blueprint for national renewal.From digital censorship to tax grabs and the battle for Britain's economic soul, this is a sharp, timely look at what freedom really means in 2025.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Javier Milei's Argentina has drawn the admiration of many British conservatives. But what would a “British Milei” really look like — and would the civil service, Parliament, or the public ever let one govern? That question animated a lively CapX panel at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester, chaired by Joseph Dinnage, with Jack Rankin MP, Annunziata Rees-Mogg of Popular Conservatives, Tom Clougherty of the Institute of Economic Affairs, and Tom Harwood of GB News. The discussion drew heavily on Argentina's libertarian experiment under President Javier Milei — his slash-and-burn of ministries, his rapid deficit elimination, and his flair for political theatre. Could such radicalism take root in Westminster's rule-bound soil?The panel's admiration was tempered by realism. Clougherty praised Milei's fiscal discipline — cutting Argentina's deficit from 5% of GDP to zero in a month — but warned that “chainsaws don't travel well.” Rees-Mogg highlighted Milei's “depth of conviction,” arguing Britain's leaders have lost the courage to act decisively. Rankin cautioned that “the Overton window hasn't yet moved on the economy,” though he expects a coming fiscal reckoning to force honesty about debt, welfare, and spending. Harwood, meanwhile, drew parallels with Liz Truss's ill-fated mini-budget: “Markets thought we'd gone loopy,” he said, underscoring that radicalism without credibility is ruinous.Where Argentina acted from crisis, Britain's crisis is one of confidence. The conversation returned again and again to communication — how to marry tough economics with moral clarity. “We need to explain the why,” Rees-Mogg insisted. The lesson from Buenos Aires, it seems, isn't to imitate Milei's chainsaw, but his conviction: to tell the truth early, show belief in reform, and build consent before crisis forces the issue.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“The Tory Party isn't dead... yet.”Live from the Conservative Party Conference 2025 in Manchester, The Capitalist tests that claim with a frank post-mortem and a blueprint for revival. Host Marc Sidwell grills Tom Harwood (Deputy Political Editor, GB News) and Lord Graham Brady (former MP and long-time chair of the 1922 Committee) on whether this bruised party can regain credibility — and how fast. From the mood on the conference floor to the hard maths of the public finances, they weigh the big gambles: leaving the ECHR to make border policy bite, putting spending cuts ahead of tax hikes, and shifting the national conversation back to growth, competitiveness and a simpler, flatter tax system.Expect sharp takes on the Reform Party squeeze, why messaging matters as much as manifestos, and what Thatcher-era discipline can still teach a fractious Right. With the autumn Budget looming and trust at a premium, our guests debate whether a “strong borders, strong economy” pivot can move votes — or if this is just the first step in a long road back.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Ed Miliband the greatest threat to climate action in Britain today? In this edition of Despatch, Sam Hall — Director of the Conservative Environment Network — delivers a clear critique of Labour's energy agenda. While the left rails against climate sceptics like Nigel Farage, Hall argues it's actually Ed Miliband's heavy-handed, ideologically driven policies that risk turning the public against the green transition.From sky-high subsidies and rushed decarbonisation targets to politicised rhetoric tying climate change to broader progressive causes, Labour is making clean energy more expensive, less competitive, and dangerously partisan. The result? Higher bills, slower adoption of electric vehicles and heating, and growing resistance from voters who should be onside.With the Conservative Party Conference approaching, Hall makes the case for a pragmatic, pro-market approach to climate policy — and calls on the right to reclaim its environmental legacy from both denialists and dogmatists.Despatch is the sharp weekly briefing from the team behind The Capitalist, unpacking the political ideas shaping Britain's future.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Labour is playing a dangerous game on immigration – edging closer to Reform's hardline rhetoric but risking alienation from their own base, while never going far enough to satisfy Reform's supporters. Against this backdrop, Rachel Reeves prepares the ground for potential tax rises. Can Labour raise revenue without choking off long-term growth? Marc Sidwell is joined by City AM's Alys Denby and Dr Lawrence Newport of the Looking for Growth campaign. Also on the agenda: what the government's new residency rules mean for Britain's workforce, and whether cutting obscure planning red tape will really deliver the economic momentum Labour has promised.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With party conference season underway and Andy Burnham circling with a bolder agenda, former special adviser Callum Price asks the hard questions: Why is Labour so wary of defining its purpose? Why does Starmer still seem like a fox pretending to be a hedgehog — chasing contradictory goals without a guiding principle? And what happens when a party with power has no story to tell?Drawing on lessons from Isaiah Berlin and even Margaret Thatcher's ideological clarity, this edition explores what happens when governments try to govern without vision — and why the vacuum is already being filled.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nigel Farage and Sir Ed Davey may sit on opposite ends of the political spectrum, yet both share a flair for spectacle — deft at seizing headlines, even when the substance is thinner than the show.Reform UK's proposal to scrap the route to permanent residency for migrants marks a striking departure from the policies of Britain's main parties. But beyond all the talk, what would such a move really mean for the economy? CapX's Marc Sidwell speaks with Daniel Freeman of the Institute of Economic Affairs and Maxwell Marlow of the Adam Smith Institute to separate fact from fiction.Elsewhere, the Liberal Democrats are often cast as too staid to capture attention – yet their strong election performance suggests that there may, in fact, be an appetite for more measured politics. And across the Atlantic, freedom of speech is often celebrated as a cornerstone of American life. The recent controversy surrounding Jimmy Kimmel, however, underlines how contested the principle has become – in the US as much as in Europe. As the digital age reshapes debate, are our assumptions about liberty shifting too?Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the real revolution isn't coming from the Left — but from the forgotten champions of free markets and personal freedom?In this special edition of Despatch, former Conservative MP Steve Baker lays out a bold and urgent case for a political reawakening. With the UK economy stumbling under the weight of high taxes, ballooning debt, and bureaucratic drift, Steve argues that the real danger isn't populism — it's the slow death of freedom under a stifling managerial consensus.Launching his new movement Fighting for a Free Future, Steve says we're facing a huge crisis and we need a paradigm shift: a return to the principles that once lifted billions out of poverty and could do so again — if only we had the courage to unleash them.Drawing inspiration from Leonard Read's classic essay "I, Pencil" and Argentina's dramatic turnaround under President Javier Milei, this episode is a passionate reminder that voluntary cooperation, not state coercion, lies at the heart of human progress.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is the centre-right cracking? From Westminster defections to French fiscal chaos, this week has delivered a sharp shock to Europe's conservative mainstream. In London, Tory MP Danny Kruger crossed the floor to join Reform UK, denouncing his former party as “over.” In Paris, a fresh downgrade to France's credit rating has cast a long shadow over President Macron's government as strikes loom and talk of wealth taxes rattles business leaders.In this timely edition of The Capitalist, host Marc Sidwell is joined by policy analyst François Valentin and Conservative Home deputy editor Henry Hill to explore what these moments reveal about the state of centre-right politics across the continent. Are voters turning away from moderation? Can mainstream parties adapt — or are they being outflanked on both sides?Sharp analysis, calm insight — and the questions every serious observer of European politics should be asking.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Britain sleepwalking into a very French crisis? In this Despatch, Joseph Dinnage argues that Westminster is starting to look uncomfortably like Paris: a revolving door at the top, a debt “swamp” that spooks markets, and electorates hooked on ever-costlier entitlements. After François Bayrou's fall and Sébastien Lecornu's rise, France's soaring debt and pension politics serve as a cautionary tale—one Britain may be replaying with the triple lock, winter fuel U-turns and a ballooning interest bill. As Marine Le Pen and Nigel Farage reshape the conversation, Dinnage makes a brisk, unsentimental case for fiscal grit from Labour and a credible growth plan from the Tories—before voters decide the duopoly has had its day.Despatch features the best writing from CapX's daily newsletter, brought to you by the team behind The Capitalist. Don't miss our full show every Wednesday.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Argentina's Javier Milei has defied critics by bringing sweeping economic reform to an economy many had written off. Former MP Steve Baker — the “hard man of Brexit” — says a similarly radical free-market reform can save Britain, too. In this special edition of The Capitalist, Steve joins Marc Sidwell to launch his new project, Fighting for a Free Future.From soaring house prices to the looming pensions crisis, Steve pulls no punches: the managerial state is broken, the emperor has no clothes, and unless Britain slashes spending, abandons failed orthodoxies, and embraces liberty, we face managed decline — or worse.Britain is running out of time. Debt is spiralling, taxes are at breaking point, and politicians refuse to face the truth. This is a conversation about courage, crisis, and the bold choices we must make before it's too late.Discover more about Steve's new project: https://www.fightingforafreefuture.com/Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Despatch, we ask whether Labour's deputy leader is about to fall victim to her own class war. Once the scourge of Conservative ministers accused of impropriety, Rayner now faces her own reckoning over unpaid stamp duty. Yet her life story – from single mother at 16 to the country's second-in-command – makes her both Labour's populist powerhouse and a figure of fascination for some Tories.William Atkinson of The Spectator explores the political theatre, the stakes for Keir Starmer, and why Rayner's survival could reshape Labour – and perhaps Britain's future leadership.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Britain's migration debate has reached boiling point. With migrant hotels sparking legal battles, border policies under fire, and trust in government eroding, the question is no longer just about numbers – it's about whether Britain can regain control of its borders and its future.In this edition of The Capitalist, Marc Sidwell is joined by City AM's Alys Denby and economist Julian Jessop to unpack the UK's immigration crisis, its decade of economic stagnation, and the explosive rise of Reform UK. From the economics of mass migration to the politics of the ECHR, the panel offers clear-eyed analysis on a nation at a crossroads.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Britain's new Online Safety Act was meant to protect children — but it's becoming an international embarrassment. Not only is it pushing young people towards darker corners of the web, it's also turning the UK into a would-be global censor.This week on Despatch, legal scholar Andrew Tettenborn reveals how Ofcom is sending heavy-handed legal threats to US websites like 4chan, Gab, and KiwiFarms, demanding they obey UK law — only to be laughed off. The result? Britain now looks like a bully abroad, a censor at home, and a country at odds with its proud tradition of free speech.From VPN loopholes to threats of a “Great British Firewall”, this is a searing look at a law that's doing far more harm than good — and why it's time for a rethink.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Britain's tax system is overly complex and destroys our growth prospects. Should Labour follow Australia's lead and convene a roundtable of business leaders and experts to really overhaul the system? CapX's deputy editor Joseph Dinnage is joined by Dr Lawrence Newport from Looking for Growth and the political strategist John Oxley for a clear-eyed look at how to cut the fat and get Britain moving again. Plus: the Tories say they'll introduce fines for noisy phones on the tube. But who's going to enforce the rule? And why is the Notting Hill Carnival still so dangerous?Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sir Keir Starmer is reportedly becoming more and more frustrated at the sluggish reality of government within the current system. Who can blame him? Government is beset by a sclerotic Civil Service and continuous legal battles. But, as Looking for Growth's Lawrence Newport explains, a renewed sense of urgency might be just what Labour needs.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump's encounter with Vladimir Putin has raised fresh doubts over the prospects for peace in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Argentina's dramatic economic turnaround offers lessons that Britain's Conservatives may find hard to ignore. And with whispers of sweeping reform to the UK's property taxes, what might this mean for growth and political credibility? CapX editor Marc Sidwell is joined by economist Cornelia Meyer and National Review columnist Dominic Pino to unpack the forces now reshaping markets and strategy across the West.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.