Podcast appearances and mentions of George Osborne

The future of a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine comes into question this week, as Ed Balls and George Osborne respond to a listener asking whether Israeli public opinion has shifted irreversibly after the October 7th attacks. Is peace still possible, or has that hope died with the victims?Another listener shares a devastating story about her mother's death during the junior doctors' strikes, raising serious questions about end-of-life care and what, if anything, Wes Streeting can do to bring doctors back to work. Is palliative care in this country just a postcode lottery?Plus - a challenge from Emily Thornberry on who kept ministers in check when Ed and George were in power, why successive governments might have gambled away billions in debt costs, and political flights that changed careers and reshaped governments.To get episodes early and ad-free, join Political Currency Gold or the Kitchen Cabinet:

The IMF has upgraded its global growth forecast - so things aren't quite as bleak as we feared. Still bleak, though.Ed Balls and George Osborne dig into what the numbers mean for Chancellor Rachel Reeves. With spending cuts ruled out and the Autumn Budget on the horizon, the question looms: can the government afford all it has promised? George thinks Reeves is avoiding the tough calls. Ed believes tax rises may be inevitable, unless Labour is willing to flirt with more debt and borrowing.Meanwhile, Keir Starmer has carefully negotiated an extraordinary weekend with the US President Donald Trump in Scotland, and has gone straight into a pledge to recognise the Palestinian state. What will this mean for the UK-US relationship?And with former Sun editor David Dinsmore appointed to shake up Downing Street comms, Ed and George reflect on what his appointment signals - and the risks when the people managing the message start making headlines themselves.To get episodes early and ad-free, join Political Currency Gold or the Kitchen Cabinet:

The UK's high speed railway has been plagued with cost blowouts, delays and scale-backs - so Ed Balls and George Osborne consider: has it all just been a big waste of money? Couldn't those funds have been put to better use? Perhaps for the NHS, for example?The pair also consider the concept of age limits on voting. We've got a minimum age - recently lowered by Labour to 16 years old - so why not a maximum too? A listener asks: was it fair for those over 70 to have a say in the Brexit referendum, for example, while many people who were set to inherit a departure from Europe were at the time too young to make their voice heard?Plus - heckling moments of brutality and brilliance. A listener recalls a well-timed response to Jeremy Corbyn in the House of Commons - and asks Ed and George to reflect on memorable moments of perfect comedic timing at their own, or other politicians' expense.To get episodes early and ad-free, join Political Currency Gold or the Kitchen Cabinet:

Parliament has broken up for summer, but politics shows no sign of cooling down. Ed Balls and George Osborne run through the latest from every party - the Tories' frontbench reshuffle, Labour's mounting tensions over Gaza, Reform's approach to protests worries - all while the Greens and Lib Democrats make their moves. What's really going on as MPs head off for the break?Meanwhile, the crisis in Gaza is becoming impossible to ignore across the country. With heartbreaking images and rising calls from Labour MPs to recognise Palestine, Ed and George ask how long Starmer can hold his ground - and whether the pressure will become so intense it will force a change.Meanwhile, Donald Trump is heading to Scotland to open a new golf course - but this visit isn't just about sport. Scheduled private talks with Keir Starmer and John Swinney could have serious implications for trade and Middle East diplomacy. How should Starmer handle this high-stakes meeting?To get episodes early and ad-free, join Political Currency Gold or the Kitchen Cabinet:

What should the NHS pay for, and what should it not? In this week's episode, Ed Balls and George Osborne tackle one of the toughest political questions: how do you decide what's “reasonable” for the state to fund when it comes to healthcare? As medical advances multiply and the public expects more from the NHS, is a national conversation about rationing unavoidable?Then, what happens when politicians leave office? A listener asks how Ed and George's lives outside Westminster - from Wall Street and museums to breakfast TV and Strictly Come Dancing - have changed how they see politics. Would they govern differently if they ever returned?Also this week: do the markets now have more power than elected governments? What should we expect from ministers on annual leave? And is there ever a good reason to read self-help books such as The 48 Laws of Power?Plus, what really happened in that lift in China with George Osborne and Boris Johnson?To get episodes early and ad-free, join Political Currency Gold or the Kitchen Cabinet:

Donald Trump wants to know why everyone won't just forget about the Epstein files already. As he keeps pointing out, the disgraced financier has been dead for years. But Trump himself stirred up fresh interest in a trove of documents that many hoped would reveal explosive new details. Now it looks like they won't be released after all - and the MAGA world isn't happy. Ed Balls and George Osborne ask: could this be the thing that finally turns Trump's base against him? And Andrew Bailey has sounded the alarm on banks issuing their own stablecoins. Is the UK risking being left behind on innovation in the financial services world? George doesn't want the UK to risk falling behind, but Ed thinks George as Chancellor would have sounded a very different note on crypto.And The UK and France have just signed the Northwood declaration, a new nuclear pact. So what does it signal about the state of French-British relations?To get episodes early and ad-free, join Political Currency Gold or the Kitchen Cabinet:

Which side of politics loves the monarchy more? Conventional wisdom says Conservatives are the monarchy's biggest fans. But are Ed Balls and George Osborne the exceptions to that rule? The pair explore how royalist sentiment plays out across the political spectrum, how long this current reign might last, and whether we'll ever see a King George.Then, it's onto a different question of longevity: what will it take for the Conservative Party to survive? Is the future in rebuilding the 2015 voter coalition of social liberals and economic conservatives? Or has that alignment passed its sell-by date? Ed and George debate whether One Nation Conservatism still has legs, or if the party is heading in a Reform-lite direction. Plus, what should Labour do next to avoid complacency after its 2024 landslide?And finally, parties of a different kind. A listener asks about the best parties they've ever been to. George plays it coy, but Ed eventually gets the details out of him - including a story or two from Madonna's legendary Oscars after party…To get episodes early and ad-free, join Political Currency Gold or the Kitchen Cabinet:

What is a fair way to govern? In response to a long time listener who feels a victim of his own success – disproportionately hit by taxes and ineligible for certain benefits – Ed Balls explains three different philosophical concepts of ‘fairness'. George Osborne meanwhile dismisses wealth tax as a catch all solution, underlining how the Labour government must look to the broader population. Listeners are reflecting on Keir Starmer a year into his premiership, with some wondering about his core set of beliefs (or lack thereof) and others questioning their decision to lend him their vote. What can the PM do to inspire these wavering voters?Ed and George also note institutional differences in the role academics play in government. Why is an economic academic more likely to find a role in the US government or the Bank of England then in the UK cabinet? And who are the UK's Machiavelli-like politicians of recent times? Boris Johnson is dismissed as a candidate but Ed Balls nominates someone closer to home, suggesting that George Osborne may have pulled more strings in the Cameron government than we appreciated. To get episodes early and ad-free, join Political Currency Gold or the Kitchen Cabinet:

Some incredible scenes in PMQs this week - in which Chancellor Rachel Reeves was openly crying - has Ed Balls and George Osborne considering just how bad things have got for the Labour government. Mere days after a dramatic climbdown over welfare reform, when the watered-down bill inched over the finish line amid threats of MP rebellion, the bond market slumped over speculation Reeves was facing the sack. Ed thinks it's been the worst week for Labour governments for a long time, and George thinks that, domestically at least, the government is now adrift. But the show must go on! French President Emmanuel Macron is due for a state visit next week, the first since President Nicholas Sarkozy's over a decade ago. Put aside the pressing political questions for more important matters - what is Ed going to wear to the big dinner at Windsor Castle? And, believe it or not, this week marks a whole year since the Starmer government took office. No doubt the PM is facing a slew of acute policy challenges, but has his personal approach and his leadership style shifted the course of the 12 months? Producer: Miriam Hall and Jarek ZabaVideo Editor: Danny PapeExecutive Producer: Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As 7 million people set to pay higher rate, 40%, tax this year, 16,000 millionaires will leave the UK this year under Rachel Reeves tax policies. Watch video - https://youtu.be/zH1p2uXz4C8 More landlords are being sucked into higher tax bands and paying more tax due to George Osborne's ‘Section 24' tax hike. If you are a buy-to-let property landlord and help with Section 24, contact: Charles@charleskelly.net #tax #section24 #landlordtax #higherratetax #millionairesleaveuk

Is the G20 still a force for peace and diplomacy, or just a stage for political performance? Ed Balls and George Osborne kick off this week's EMQs with a question about nuclear non-proliferation and whether South Africa should push it up the agenda this year.The pair then turns to a question from regular listener Douglas Alexander, Minister of State for Trade Policy and Economic Security. Fresh off publishing the new trade strategy, he asks for George and Ed's take on what it gets right and whether the Conservatives ever had anything similar.And is there a way to make people see the value in their taxes? Maybe just a little? Ed and George weigh in on one of life's certainties, thanks to a question from a gold subscriber who received world class care at Great Ormond Street Hospital.To get episodes early and ad-free, join Political Currency Gold or the Kitchen Cabinet:

Daddy's back in the (White) House! Ed Balls and George Osborne go over the major event of the week - starting with the NATO meeting in The Hague. Allies have agreed to up defence spending to 5 percent, but that's not what's grabbing the headlines. More attention has been on new Secretary General Mark Rutte referring to Donald Trump as “Daddy.” The pair consider what's really at play here, and what Trump's return to the world stage could mean for the UK.Back home, the government is refusing to say whether the US bombing of Iran violated international law. What's the strategy in dodging the question? And how long can they keep it up?But it's not the only issue on their plate. Labour's big majority is looking a bit shakier as over 120 MPs line up to rebel over welfare reform. Is this Starmer's first real test? And what does it tell us about who's really in charge?Plus, Glastonbury gets dragged into the headlines again - this time over Irish rap group Kneecap. Are we in for another culture war summer?To get episodes early and ad-free, join Political Currency Gold or the Kitchen Cabinet:

What happens when politics clashes with family life? Ed Balls and George Osborne take on big questions this week, starting with Michael Gove's ex-wife, Sarah Vine, who asks whether David Cameron should have stayed on after Brexit. Her daughter Beatrice wants to know if Ed and George would still choose a political career, given its toll on family and friends.The pair also hear from an anonymous listener fighting for answers about the Mull of Kintyre Chinook crash, and discuss why the documents have been sealed for a century and what that means for the families seeking the truth.Plus, a listener challenges the logic of ring-fencing certain government department in the Spending Review. And fellow podcaster Jimmy McCloughlin asks how AI is really shaking up the economy, and what Ed and George have been using it for lately.To get episodes early and ad-free, join Political Currency Gold or the Kitchen Cabinet:

Donald Trump is keeping everyone guessing on Iran. After Israel's surprise strike and Tehran's retaliation, George Osborne brings fresh insight from Washington on how far Trump might really go - and what it means for Britain if he does. Ed Balls asks whether Starmer's government could say no if the US wants to use British bases for strikes, and the pair unpack the real choices facing UK leaders caught between an unpredictable White House and deepening conflict in the Middle East.Back home, Keir Starmer has announced a long-demanded national inquiry into grooming gangs, after years of failures and political arguments about who knew what and when. Ed and George debate whether this is a moment of accountability or just another U-turn that risks backfiring.And Labour looks set to retreat on taxing non-doms' worldwide assets, amid signs the wealthy are packing up and moving out of London. Is this the only way to stop an exodus, or another blow to Labour's big fiscal promises?To get episodes early and ad-free, join Political Currency Gold or the Kitchen Cabinet:

Nadine Dorries is one of the most recognisable Conservative politicians from the past two decades. Elected as the MP for Mid Bedfordshire in 2005, she notably clashed with David Cameron and George Osborne (who she called ‘two arrogant posh boys') and lost the whip in 2012 when she took part in the reality show I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here. Loyal to Boris Johnson, she served in his government and rose to be Culture Secretary. She stood down in 2023 and went on to write about politics in the bestselling books The Plot and Downfall.On the podcast, Nadine tells the Spectator's executive editor Lara Prendergast about her memories of tinned burgers and Sunday lunches as a child, working long shifts as a nurse in Warrington and what it was like spending a year in Zambia. She also explains the ‘relentless' but ‘collegiate' atmosphere of Parliament and how she once saw a mouse at the Commons' salad bar. Nadine explains what it is like to have recently used the weight-loss jab Mounjaro and why, in her family, she is still the ‘queen of the Sunday roast'.Produced by Patrick Gibbons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nadine Dorries is one of the most recognisable Conservative politicians from the past two decades. Elected as the MP for Mid Bedfordshire in 2005, she notably clashed with David Cameron and George Osborne (who she called ‘two arrogant posh boys') and lost the whip in 2012 when she took part in the reality show I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here. Loyal to Boris Johnson, she served in his government and rose to be Culture Secretary. She stood down in 2023 and went on to write about politics in the bestselling books The Plot and Downfall. On the podcast, Nadine tells the Spectator's executive editor Lara Prendergast about her memories of tinned burgers and Sunday lunches as a child, working long shifts as a nurse in Warrington and what it was like spending a year in Zambia. She also explains the ‘relentless' but ‘collegiate' atmosphere of Parliament and how she once saw a mouse at the Commons' salad bar. Nadine explains what it is like to have recently used the weight-loss jab Mounjaro and why, in her family, she is still the ‘queen of the Sunday roast'.  Produced by Patrick Gibbons.

Could a weekly grilling like Prime Minister's Questions fix US politics? In the wake of Original Sin - Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson's damning account of Joe Biden's final days in office - Ed Balls and George Osborne ask whether a PMQs-style showdown could bring more accountability to American democracy. And are there any American political customs they'd import to the UK in return?The pair then flick open their ministerial boxes: what's it like to carry one, what can one find inside and why has it never been replaced in the digital age for something more user-friendly? A red tablet perhaps? Speaking of opening up, George responds to Michael Gove's ex-wife Sarah Vine's claims in her recent memoir “How not to be a Political Wife” - did he really tell her to borrow some money from her father when she was in a financial bind?Plus - Giles Winn, Special Advisor to the Treasury under Philip Hammond, asks about soft diplomacy in an era of ramped-up military spending. With UCL, he just released a report, The Soft Power impact of The BBC World Service' - and he wants Ed and George to weigh in. And Christine Farquharson from the Institute for Fiscal Studies asks about the politics of the rise of Sure Start, which she recently evaluated alongside co-authors in this report.To get episodes early and ad-free, join Political Currency Gold or the Kitchen Cabinet:

Pippa Crerar of The Guardian assesses the latest developments at Westminster. Pippa takes a closer look at Chancellor Rachel Reeves' Spending Review with the former Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Conservative MP John Glen and Labour's Dame Siobhain McDonagh, who sits on the Treasury Select Committee. How to prepare for an ageing society is the subject of an inquiry by the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee and Pippa discusses this with Labour peer, Stewart Wood, who chairs the committee and Daily Telegraph columnist Annabel Denham. Pippa interviews the Big Issue founder and crossbench peer, John Bird about the scrapping of the 200-year-old Vagrancy Act which will decriminalise rough sleeping in England and Wales. And, following the government's u-turn on winter fuel this week, David Gauke who was a Treasury minister at the time of what became known as the omnishambles budget under George Osborne and former BBC presenter Carolyn Quinn discuss famous political u-turns.

Rachel Reeves has finally delivered her much-anticipated Spending Review, but has it done anything to shift Labour's story? George Osborne calls it “continuity Sunak,” arguing that the big spending pledges are less a break from the past and more a continuation of Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak's economic path. Ed Balls says Reeves is taking ‘a real gamble' without ‘any insurance', boxing herself in with big promises, uncertain growth, and no room to manoeuvre.With defence and the NHS coming out on top, and departments like the Foreign Office facing deep cuts, what does this Review tell us about Labour's true priorities? And can the party really keep these pledges without raising taxes or breaking its own fiscal rules?Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, Donald Trump is making headlines once again, this time for turning on his old ally Elon Musk and deploying troops into LA over immigration protests. Ed and George assess what it all means for the UK's relationship with Trump, the future of US-UK diplomacy, and Starmer's carefully built transatlantic strategy.To get episodes early and ad-free, join Political Currency Gold or the Kitchen Cabinet:

Two Members of Parliament (and a former too!) are seeking Ed Balls' and George Osborne's counsel this week. The pair consider the impact of AI, courtesy of a question from Alan Mak, the MP for Havant and the Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology - who has rung in to ask how emerging technologies can help governments run better. Meanwhile, Jake Richards, a newly elected Labour member, wants their views on immigration policy.And Ed and George are live, unscripted, and face-to-face for the first time - answering questions at the SXSW festival. The pair consider how best to handle a political sacking - would a couple of sherries help? Or should one invest in a coffee machine so you never have to leave the house? They also mull the value of a Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE) degree. Plus, they share their favourite political jokes, and the role of humor and satire in the current environment … To get episodes early and ad-free, join Political Currency Gold or the Kitchen Cabinet:

When things go wrong - very badly wrong, as with the case of the infected blood and the sub-postmasters scandals - why can't the state act quickly to compensate victims? Ed Balls and George Osborne consider how the government should best respond, and balance the interests of innocent people as well as taxpayers. Harvard is the latest American university to feel the full force of Donald Trump's ire, with the US president trying to stop the storied institution from bringing on international students. Could there be benefits for Britain? George thinks the government should act now, without delay, to see if some of the best and brightest could abandon the USA for the UK.And the pair lift the lid on their own political memorabilia collection. Can you guess which former US president George has got a special connection to - thanks to some surprising collectors items?Don't forget we're doing our first Political Currency live show - we'll be taking to the stage on Thursday 5th June 2025 at SXSW London. Want a chance to grab a FREE ticket and a pass to the WHOLE six day business conference, worth £600?! Sign up to be a Kitchen Cabinet member to hear how you can get your hands on a ticket! To get episodes early and ad-free, join Political Currency Gold or the Kitchen Cabinet:

I've been viewing houses this past fortnight, so I thought I'd share my anecdotal 2p on the state of the London property market.I'm looking in Brockley, SE4, which, if you don't know it, used to be rough AF, but is now where all the cool kids are. The area has benefited from the various London rail line extensions – you can be in Shoreditch or Canary Wharf in 15 minutes; the Jubilee and Elizabeth lines are a similarly short step away – and that has attracted the slay crew to the area. The road links though are still horrendous though, made worse by 20mph speed limits and bus lane misallocation of essential road space. The drive to west London is interminable.Brockley has a good stock of beautiful detached, semi-detached and terraced Victorian houses. For example: With its proximity to Greenwich and the river docks, it was once a wealthy area, though, like most of south-east London, it got bombed to heck in the war.There are plenty of nice parks too. One of them, Hilly Fields, was modelled on Hampstead Heath, and there are many gorgeous houses in the roads running off it. Not quite Hampstead gorgeous, but getting there.Brockley also has the highest density of cemeteries in London, if you fancy dying any time soon, it's highly convenient. It is, I gather, London's most haunted area.It is only a bit stabby. Nothing like as bad as neighbouring Lewisham. (Maybe “only a bit stabby” will one day become part of estate agents' jargon, perhaps to replace “vibrant”. I can't believe how normalised stabbing now is that I'm talking like that.)The stabbiness is offset, however, by the plethora of nice restaurants, cafés, bars, craft ale breweries, the farmers' market, mini-festivals, pilates studios et al. I understand, in Browns, the area boasts London's best coffee and, in Babur, its best Indian restaurant. (Technically Babur is in Honor Oak, but, like England and many of its foreign sporting greats, we'll claim it as our own.)I shot this vid from the steps up to the station.Brockley feels younger and more up-and-coming than the once-cool areas to the west like Queen's Park, Kensal Rise, Clapham and so on, probably because of its easy access to east London. (A lot of people from Hackney move down here.)I moved here begrudgingly and skint in 2015 and have grown to really like it.But what about the housing market?I've known markets in which estate agents don't give you the time of day, there are so many prospective buyers, but – perhaps because they know I am an unencumbered buyer – the agents are maybe not quite all over me, but certainly on my case: lots of emails, phone calls and the rest of it. That indicates it's more of a buyers' market.But, while I would describe the housing market here as slow, it is not dead. Stuff has been going under offer in the two weeks I've been looking, though rarely at asking.With the costs of moving – Stamp Duty is 10% above £925k, and 12% above £1.5m, plus an extra 5% if you own another property – buyers have got to really want to buy.Sellers, meanwhile, have to really want to sell, which often entails reducing their asking prices. Stuff which is unrealistically priced is staying on the market a long time. Look at this one (actually up the road in Honor Oak):This is a 5,000-square-foot property, not so nice inside, but with access to a 2-acre private garden behind with its own tennis court – quite something in London. From £2.5 million to £1.75 million and they still can't shift it. (It needs a lot of money spending on it.)On the other hand, there don't seem to be many forced sellers – people who can't make their payments – and we won't get any house price crash, long-awaited or not, until that is a reality.I imagine Brockley, as a young, trendy area, is busier than other parts of town, but that is my overall feel: slow, but not dead.I've looked at a few family houses. I can't really comment on flats, but I gather there is an oversupply of 2-bed flats across London, and it is really hard to shift them. I'm not sure if this applies to Brockley or not.It doesn't feel as expensive as it did around 2019–2022 (realised sales prices are a fraction lower, but there is obviously currency debasement to consider too), but nor does it feel super cheap. We're a long way off where we were in, say, 2013, even though grander parts of London – Kensington and Chelsea, for example – are back at those 2013 levels.Where does the housing market go from here? It all depends on two things: interest rates and Stamp Duty.Britain's zombie housing market, brought to you by Stamp Duty.If rates go lower, the market will not collapse. There won't be the forced sellers. We'll continue as we are: stagnant. If rates go higher, the market is in trouble.But get rid of Stamp Duty, and you'd have a flurry of activity across the country tomorrow. People aren't moving because of the amount of dead money involved. Stamp Duty has immobilised the country.If you're buying a two-million-pound house, you will pay £153,750 in stamp duty. Cash. Money you've already paid tax on once. You can't borrow the money. You have to be extremely rich, or extremely desperate for a home, to be willing to pay a £150k one-off tax of this kind. Most would rather avoid paying it, so they don't move.You will pay more if you are not a UK resident.If you happen to own another property – which most people in that wealth bracket will, either their first flat they never sold, a property they inherited, or a home in the country – and the house you are buying is not your main residence, the tax rises to £253,750. A quarter of a million quid.That's why houses in Kensington and Chelsea no longer sell. EDIT: My mate, whose kids have now flown the nest, sent me this: "We live in a 4 floor house, 2 floors we don't use, I haven't been to the top floor for about 5 years (seriously). We would love to move and downsize but makes no sense as the costs of buying a new house would use up all the gain on downsizing . IE We just end up with a smaller house."This happens all the way down the scale. Kirstie Whatsit off the telly was tweeting about it the other day.My mother's friend, who is in her 70s, lives in a 2-bed flat two floors up in Wandsworth worth maybe £700,000. She is worried about climbing the stairs at her age, and wants to move to another 2-bed flat. She will pay £25,000 in Stamp Duty on top of all her other moving costs. She doesn't have 25 grand to throw away.The result is this nearly dead market. Britain's zombie housing market.Stamp Duties were one of the taxes the ignited the American Revolution. If only we had muskets today …The biggest villains in all this are former Chancellor Gordon Brown for first raising Stamp Duty on property transactions (before him it just one per cent on all properties over £60,000), and, worst of all, George Osborne for raising the rates to today's ludicrous levels. Rather than address the root causes of unaffordable housing – fiat money, artificially low interest rates, improper measures of inflation and dumb planning laws – he blamed the market, and attacked it with Stamp Duty. But all of Jeremy Hunt, Rishi Sunak, Sajid Javid, Philip Hammond and Alistair Darling must take their share of the blame for failing to do anything about it, when they had the chance. (We'll give Kwasi Kwarteng and Nadhim Zahawi a pass on the grounds they didn't have the gig for long enough).Osborne, Brown et al have given birth to the zombie situation we have now. They have immobilised the country in the process. Government. Yet again. 0 stars. Would not use again.It's enough to make you a libertarian. Until next time,DominicPS If you enjoyed today's article, please like, share and all that stuff. It really helps.PPS If you missed this week's market commentary, here it is:As always If you are buying gold to protect yourself in these times or relentless currency debasement, the bullion dealer I use and recommend is the Pure Gold Company. Pricing is competitive, quality of service is high. They deliver to the UK, the US, Canada and Europe or you can store your gold with them. Find out more here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.theflyingfrisby.com/subscribe

Helen Thomas is the CEO of Blonde Money, an independent consultancy firm that analyses and monitors mispriced risks in financial markets in the US, UK and the EU. Helen has a long and distinguished career in both finance and politics. She was an adviser to the former Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne. Previously, Helen has been a partner in the global macro hedge fund, ABD Investment Management, and a former Head of Currency Alpha for State Street Global Advisors. In this podcast we discuss the return of political risk after unusual low interest rate/low volatility world, S&P 500 derivative risks and upcoming correction, Trump's ‘controlled demolition' strategy, and much more.    Follow us here for more amazing insights: https://macrohive.com/home-prime/ https://twitter.com/Macro_Hive https://www.linkedin.com/company/macro-hive

If Labour was hoping for one of those quick and easy policy U-turns, they certainly haven't got it. With Rachel Reeves' spending review a scant two weeks away, the government is still having trouble explaining the details - or providing any detail, really - on how winter fuel payments are now going to work. Now that cutting the two-child benefit cap is in the mix, who is going to explain what is playing out to the general public, and when? Ed Balls thinks it's all pretty messy, while George Osborne has got a different word for it: baffling.Meanwhile, King Charles has just been in Canada to open up the parliamentary session. An interesting piece of soft diplomacy as Prime Minister Mark Carney navigates a tense relationship with US President Donald Trump. The pair consider - with an unprecedented second state visit to the UK for Trump on the horizon and a chaotic on-again off-again US trade war underway - how should the government best handle it?And they turn their attention to the US tech giants dominance of the UK app store. Is the Apple-Google duology stifling UK growth?A reminder that we're doing our first Political Currency live show - we'll be taking to the stage on Thursday 5th June 2025 at SXSW London. Want a chance to grab a FREE ticket and a pass to the WHOLE six day business conference, worth £600?! Sign up to be a Kitchen Cabinet member to hear how you can get your hands on a ticket! To get episodes early and ad-free, join Political Currency Gold or the Kitchen Cabinet:

Can a quick political win keep the public on side while the hard work happens behind the scenes? This week on Ex-Ministers' Questions, Ed Balls and George Osborne debate whether Labour's lack of early symbolic moves has cost them public goodwill - and whether a bit of political theatre can actually make or break a government.They also tackle questions from across the UK and the US: how can Kemi Badenoch rebuild morale in a bruised Conservative Party? What's the right way to pitch bold economic ideas in a divided world? And who really decides where government contracts go - ministers or mandarins?Plus: a look back at Keynes's legacy with HM Treasury's Mario Pisani, a tip of the hat to Mr Bates vs the Post Office, and Ed's run-in with a very enthusiastic listener at Harvard.And a reminder, we're doing our first Political Currency live show - we'll be taking to the stage on Thursday 5th June 2025 at SXSW London. Want a chance to grab a FREE ticket and a pass to the WHOLE six day business conference, worth £600?! Sign up to be a Kitchen Cabinet member to hear how you can get your hands on a ticket! To get episodes early and ad-free, join Political Currency Gold or the Kitchen Cabinet:

Did someone say U-turn? Ed Balls and George Osborne have been saying it for a while, actually, when it comes to the matter of the controversial winter fuel tax cut. Now that the government has walked it back, will it do the trick and soothe voters and ease tensions with Labour MPs? Ed thinks the approach is “politically and technically messy”. George, for his part, thinks it's nothing short of a damaging “fiasco” for Labour. Meanwhile, David Lammy announced this week the suspension of trade talks with Israel, in light of the escalating violence in Gaza. Does this signal a shift in the UK-Israel relations? And will it make much difference to the crisis if it does? George isn't so sure… Plus, the pair discuss the newly-minted, post-Brexit deal with the EU - did Britain make the right calls and the right concessions? And a trip down banking regulation memory lane: is it time to wind back bank ringfencing, an ongoing legacy from the Osborne era?And a reminder, we're doing our first Political Currency live show - we'll be taking to the stage on Thursday 5th June 2025 at SXSW London. Want a chance to grab a FREE ticket and a pass to the WHOLE six day business conference, worth £600?! Sign up to be a Kitchen Cabinet member to hear how you can get your hands on a ticket! To get episodes early and ad-free, join Political Currency Gold or the Kitchen Cabinet:

California Governor hopeful Steve Hilton has a question for Ed Balls and George Osborne this week: which American state would they choose to live in, and would they rather be a senator or a governor? A trip down fantasy lane has the pair questioning the best path to political glory, based on previous presidents' CVs. Ed Balls for 2032? Seems… far fetched.Back in the real world, the pair debate whether cutting Employer National Insurance Contributions could help get people back into work - and whether Trump's approach to tariffs has, unintentionally, made him a little bit green.Plus, they reflect on their time facing PMQs in Parliament - and what was really driving their biggest moments at the despatch box.Some exciting news from us! We're doing our first Political Currency live show - we'll be taking to the stage on Thursday 5th June 2025 at SXSW London. Want a chance to grab a FREE ticket and a pass to the WHOLE six day business conference, worth £600?! Sign up to be a Kitchen Cabinet member to hear how you can get your hands on a ticket! To get episodes early and ad-free, join Political Currency Gold or the Kitchen Cabinet:

Keir Starmer's controversial reference to an “Island of strangers” as part of his immigration overhaul has sparked a furore, and inspired a comparison to his previous stance on migration. Ed Balls thinks while there's no doubt it will cause some consternation, it will be a price worth paying. George Osborne, meanwhile, is getting Tory vibes … it all sounds a bit like it could've come from a Conservative government to him. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump is on a glitzy tour of the Middle East, shaking off any suggestion the gift of a plane from Qatar might be running afoul of a little thing called the US constitutional emoluments clause. What's the foreign policy impact of this trip? And speaking of the president, the pair consider Trump's tariff on film production outside the US. It's a bid to restore the American film industry to its former glory, but at what cost? And what kind of fallout will there be in the UK's industry?Plus, some exciting news from us! We're doing our first Political Currency live show - we'll be taking to the stage on Thursday 5th June 2025 at SXSW London. Want a chance to grab a FREE ticket and a pass to the WHOLE six day business conference, worth £600?! Sign up to be a Kitchen Cabinet member to hear how you can get your hands on a ticket! To get episodes early and ad-free, join Political Currency Gold or the Kitchen Cabinet:

This week on Ex Ministers' Questions Ed Balls and George Osborne hear from listeners from the high seas, the Dubai sun, and the halls of Parliament - including a Gold subscriber who circumnavigated the globe listening to the podcast under the stars.The pair consider, has the press been too negative on the government's brand new free trade deal with India? And while they're talking about global alliances, they share their thoughts on CANZUK, a proposed alliance between Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK.Meanwhile, the newly-elected Reform UK Mayor Andrea Jenkyns asks for advice on putting Greater Lincolnshire on the map. They weigh in on how cash-strapped local councils can protect the most vulnerable. And they cast their minds back to when they last slept out in a tent…To get episodes early and ad-free, join Political Currency Gold or the Kitchen Cabinet:

It's been an impressive week for the Labour government, with trade deals with both India and the US. Ed Balls and George Osborne consider: what does this say about the Starmer government's ‘softly-softly' approach to the wildly unpredictable Trump administration? Being the first in the world to ink a deal with the Americans is nothing to be sniffed at, even if it is a little light on the details – but they both agree the big prize will be a deal with the European Union.... What role will free labour movement play? And what price will Labour be willing to pay, considering the all-important need to keep voters placated on matters of immigration and the economy? Back home, Nigel Farage claims his Reform Party is now the official opposition of the land following a bruising local election for both the major parties. Ed and George consider how both Labour and the Tories will need to position themselves to keep their base. Plus, they turn to the matter of interest rates. The US Federal reserve opted to keep the base rate steady, while the Bank of England has granted borrowers something of a reprieve. What does this say about the direction of the British economy? To get episodes early and ad-free, join Political Currency Gold or the Kitchen Cabinet:

Ed Balls and George Osborne, fresh from a break for the Inside the Room Series: The Election that Never Was, jump straight back in with a slew of questions. With George's old mate and former David Cameron adviser Steve Hilton jumping into the Governor's race in California they counsel a stateside Republican voter (and Kitchen Cabinet member) on whether they think he's a good choice. They also mull data sources for parliamentarians. Are there rules on what's fair game when crunching the numbers? Or can you cherry pick and choose as it suits? They turn philosophical: is there ever a point when politics and policy has totally served its purpose? A listener who has been using the show to work up to GCSE studies asks: What's the best way to get across the financial aspect of politics? The pair share their tips on the best ways to build a good political and economic understanding in today's climate.To get episodes early and ad-free, join Political Currency Gold or the Kitchen Cabinet:

Local elections are taking place across England today - and they're a major political test for Keir Starmer, Kemi Badenoch, and Nigel Farage. Ed Balls and George Osborne break down what's at stake in these key contests, from mayoral races to a critical by-election.Meanwhile, across the pond, Donald Trump has just hit 100 days in office. With stock markets reeling, 142 executive orders signed, and a trade war brewing, Ed and George ask how Keir Starmer should handle the ‘special relationship' with a now even more unpredictable White House?Plus, Mark Carney - the former Bank of England Governor - has just led his party to victory in Canada. A backlash to Trump, or a one-off? And what might it signal for upcoming elections in Australia and beyond?To get episodes early and ad-free, join Political Currency Gold or the Kitchen Cabinet:

Election Speculation... Labour had a substantial lead in the polls in 2007, fuelling talk of a snap general election to cement Gordon Brown's place in Number 10. And things only got better as the party arrived in Bournemouth for their party conference. By the end of it, election fever was well and truly in the air.To listen to episode 3 straight away, sign up to Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. Head to Apple Podcasts or www.patreon.com/PoliticalCurrency to find out more. Subscribers will also get exclusive access to 'The Inquiry' - our bonus episode where Ed and George give their reflections on the series.EPISODE 2: Labour's rivals had to follow the show, and shadow chancellor George Osborne had an ace up his sleeve to unveil at their own conference in Blackpool: a hugely popular cut on inheritance tax. David Cameron followed it up with his own surprise move, a ‘no-notes' speech that was well received. Suddenly, the polls swung back, erasing the Labour lead in less than a week. Deborah Mattinson - a key pollster for Gordon Brown - continues in the studio with George and Ed to relive these tumultuous couple of weeks.Producers: John Rogers and Miriam HallTechnical Producer: Danny PapeExecutive Producers: Ellie Clifford and Dino SofosPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network Subscribe now on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gordon Brown Takes the Crown... Ed Balls and George Osborne relive the sliding doors moment that could have changed the course of British history - the 2007 election that never was.To listen to episodes 2 and 3 straight away, sign up to Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. Head to Apple Podcasts or www.patreon.com/PoliticalCurrency to find out more. Subscribers will also get exclusive access to 'The Inquiry' - our bonus episode where Ed and George give their reflections on the series.EPISODE 1: Gordon Brown had sat in Tony Blair's shadow for over a decade. But suddenly, in the summer of 2007, he had his chance. As Blair stepped back, Brown stepped up - from Number 11 to Number 10 - without a single vote being cast. On the 27th June, he visited Buckingham Palace, and accepted the invitation from Queen Elizabeth II to form a government.His first three months were somewhat chaotic. Before his first PMQs, he was dealing with terrorism attacks in London and Glasgow. An outbreak of foot and mouth disease came soon after, as did flooding across the country. And then came the runs on Northern Rock, the canary in the coal mine of the impending financial crash.George and Ed go 'Inside The Room' with Deborah Mattinson, Gordon Brown's chief pollster. Deborah and Ed were inside many of the same Labour war rooms together, as trusted lieutenants of the former Iron Chancellor, and they recall these positive early days of the Brown premiership. George, meanwhile, takes us inside the Tory camp of that era and David Cameron's struggle to land effective blows against Brown. We also hear from Andy Coulson, the Tory head of communications during that period.Producers: John Rogers and Miriam HallTechnical Producer: Danny PapeExecutive Producers: Ellie Clifford and Dino SofosPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network Subscribe now on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Easter special, Ed Balls and George Osborne meet a truly mythical creature: someone who wants to pay more tax, not less. And according to George, there's actually a way to do it.They also discuss a big political what-if: what happens if a Prime Minister loses their seat? They've talked before about how someone can become PM without being an MP - think Mark Carney in Canada - but this week they flip the question: could one keep the top job if your constituents vote you out?Also in the mix: is a government running out of money about to come for your pension? Would scrapping the tax-free lump sum be a smart or desperate move? And is it time to give our big cities more power - and more room to grow?And a note, don't miss our upcoming Inside the Room: The Election That Never Was - which is out tomorrow for subscribers and Monday for everyone else. Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD

As the US-China trade war heats up, Ed Balls and George Osborne ask: what if the Trump White House took the nuclear option… defaulting on its debts to China? Ed explains why that could be a catastrophic thing to do, while George points to the ‘Mar-a-Lago Accord' as a way that the US in reality may negotiate its debt. Sticking with Trump, Ed and George also ponder ‘patrimonalism' – a term coined by Max Weber to describe governance by personal loyalty and kinship… Is Donald Trump the first patrimonial President of the United States? Josh Simons MP, a rising star in the Labour Party, asks for advice on getting government backing for a new road in his Makerfield constituency. Is he right to lobby the Housing and Transport departments, and what sort of arguments will pique the interest of the Labour leadership?Right now, the UK has eight living former Prime Ministers. Ed and George conclude by comparing their behaviour upon leaving Number 10. Which PMs clearly can't let go, and whose stock has risen over time? Technical Producer: Danny Pape Producers: Miriam Hall and Jarek ŻabaExecutive Producer: Dino SofosPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD

It's ten years since George Osborne introduced his landmark private pension reforms, known as the ‘pension freedoms'. In this AJ Bell Money and Markets Deep Dive, we explore whether the pension freedoms have been a success and how you can make the most of them with your pension.   (05:26) Tom Selby and Rachel Vahey from AJ Bell will be joining Laith Khalaf to discuss what the pension freedoms were, and how people have been using them over the last decade. We'll also be running through the tax treatment of pension withdrawals and the chancellor's plans to levy inheritance tax on pensions.   (23:55) One of the architects of the pension freedoms, Sir Steve Webb, the Pension Minister in the coalition government of 2010 to 2015, talks to Laith about why the reforms took place and whether they've been a success.   (45:20) The team talk through the differences between drawdown and annuity and ask what a sustainable income is. We also discuss investment strategies in retirement, and ask whether annuities might be due a comeback. Finally we run through the resources that can help you decide how to take your retirement income.

It's been a rollercoaster few days for the world economy thanks to Donald Trump's ‘Liberation Day' tariffs announcement - and his dramatic U-turn a scant week later. With a 90-day pause for every country hit - aside from China - Ed Balls and George Osborne consider the significance of a hugely disappointing auction of US treasuries, and how it led to Trump's Treasury Secretary warning him of a looming economic crisis. They ask: are we watching in real time the US tearing at the foundations of the very system they created? And are there now the first rumblings of Republican discontent? Seems like there's the first signs of figures in Congress and on Wall Street starting to dissent … Meanwhile, Keir Starmer has vowed to ‘turbocharge' the UK economy in the face of global economic tumult. George runs through the options available to the Prime Minister… Is the answer in softening ‘ironclad' fiscal rules, deals with India or the EU, or hoovering up scientific talent alienated from the US? And they turn their attention to a Harvard and Kings College London paper, co-authored by Professor Ed Balls – what can the UK learn from ‘Bidenomics'? Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD

This week, Ed Balls and George Osborne mull museums and memes via bank holidays and pennies. With listeners telling us their locations of choice, funeral director Ross ranks highly with his admission that Ed and George are sometimes listened to in a hearse on the drive home. The pair consider: what are the merits of regulating the funeral industry?Should our cultural institutions be charging more for access?George calls upon his expertise as Chair of the British Museum to weigh it up. Meanwhile, Ed shares his own research into the economics of a bank holiday… do we really stand to lose billions if the government was to introduce another?Toxic masculinity and online safety are in the spotlight in the wake of Netflix's hit show Adolescence, with research indicating that young people in the UK are particularly worried about these issues. Ed and George look at the role of government in addressing their concerns, before assessing whether the humble penny should remain a staple of British life. And a touch of nostalgia …  a listener reminds the economic duo of the ‘Budget Rap Battle', put together by Sky News when the pair were on opposite sides of the dispatch box. Ed expresses scepticism that such memes can make a political difference, although both agree that Nick Clegg's I'm Sorry remix was a damaging – albeit amusing – moment in the Lib Dem leader's career…. Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD

In the wake of Donald Trump's ‘Liberation Day', Ed Balls and George Osborne break down the economic thinking – or lack thereof – behind President's tariffs. Rather than the numbers emerging from complicated analysis, Ed explains how they are merely reached through a simple formula. Will the Federal Reserve be able to cut interest rates as quickly as Trump would like in the wake of his tariffs?  Back home, Keir Starmer is calling for calm and resisting a push to reciprocate, as he seeks to strike an ‘economic prosperity deal' with the US. Is a wider security concern at play here?And on the other side of the globe, Australians are preparing for a federal election, called by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for May 3rd. It's currently looking like a neck and neck contest. Peter Dutton, his Liberal Party opponent, has previously made Elon Musk-like noises, creating his very own shadow ministry for government efficiency… But at a time when Musk might be finding himself out of favour, is this a wise way for Dutton to position himself? Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD

A whole host of Treasury buffs have sent in their questions this week in wake of the Spring Statement, for Ed Balls and George Osborne to answer. Former Chancellor Jeremy Hunt asks whether in the light of Labour's announcing civil service reductions and welfare reform, the government is “stealing our clothes”? Lord Macpherson, Permanent Secretary to no less than three Chancellors, praises Rachel Reeves' “courageous” claim of non-negotiability on her fiscal rules (which George translates as a euphemism for ‘bonkers').Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride is predictably critical of the Chancellor's choices, but how much is Rachel Reeves to blame for the situation she finds herself in? And Ruth Curtice, Chief Executive of the Resolution Foundation and another former Treasury civil servant, sparks a conversation about how living standards will ultimately dictate Labour's electoral chances. Plus, Ed and George also clash over Keir Starmer's use of “coalition of the willing” - is this a conscious attempt to provoke American sentiment, or simply a widely used buzzphrase? You could have been listening to this episode of EMQs early and ad-free with a Political Currency Gold subscription! And even better, you can now get even more perks by becoming a member of our KITCHEN CABINET to get access to live tickets, merch and more! Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrency. Please note Kitchen Cabinet subscriptions are only available through Patreon.Technical Producer: Danny Pape Producers: Miriam Hall and Jarek ŻabaExecutive Producer: Ellie Clifford Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Subscribe now on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rachel Reeves doesn't want to use the word 'austerity', but has she found a narrative to help explain her cuts to welfare and government spending? Why was 'fixing the roof when the sun is shining' such an effective message for David Cameron and George Osborne? And which of Danny's three types of strategy will Labour adopt at the next General Election?Send questions, comments and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Has Chancellor Rachel Reeves got it right? Ed Balls and George Osborne provide their immediate reaction to her Spring Statement, questioning whether she's missed her big opportunity for a relaunch. George likens her approach to ‘staying at the Roulette table', having failed to land on black the first time around… He also compares her inflexibility to fiscal rules to his own approach while Chancellor, before the pair turn their attention to the government's own impact assessment on welfare reform. Ed explains what the findings of the report potentially means for millions of families across the country. And, having returned from the HSBC Global Investment Summit in Hong Kong mere hours before recording, they turn their attention to uncertainty over the global economy following the announcement of yet more tariffs from Donald Trump. They also ponder somewhat gloomy international perceptions of the UK, with Brexit and Liz Truss being consistent themes that are still raised in conversations abroad. Finally the US national security establishment strayed into farcical territory this week, sharing operational details of a strike on Houthi rebels in Yemen on the messaging app Signal - and accidentally including the editor of The Atlantic, Jeff Goldberg, in the conversation. George and Ed express their bemusement at this turn of events and share their own experiences in government of receiving highly classified intelligence... You could have been listening to this episode of EMQs early and ad-free with a Political Currency Gold subscription! And even better, you can now get even more perks by becoming a member of our KITCHEN CABINET to get access to live tickets, merch and more! Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrency. Please note Kitchen Cabinet subscriptions are only available through Patreon.Technical Producer: Daniel PapeProducer: Miriam Hall and Jarek ŻabaExecutive Producers: Ellie Clifford Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Subscribe now on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With talk of raiding pensions, George Osborne and Ed Balls consider how to increase the incentives for working people to save. As former Treasury insiders, the pair reflect on specific parts of their own previous pension reforms and ask: what approaches would they take if they were still setting policy today? They're also pressed on recent arguments made by Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak that Russian assets held in European banks should be directly channelled towards the Ukrainian war effort. Is this a viable approach to funding support for Ukraine? And how can Mark Carney become Prime Minister of Canada without sitting as a member of Parliament? From Lord Halifax to Alec Douglas-Home, George provides an overview of historical precedent for such an occurrence in the UK whilst explaining the impracticalities of it happening today. But what is the one British government role that demands you be an MP?Finally a question to you, our EMQ listeners – what are your favourite hobbies and pastimes to do whilst listening to the podcast? And can you beat this week's question-asker?You could have been listening to this episode of EMQs early and ad-free with a Political Currency Gold subscription! And not only that… get even more exclusive perks by signing up to be a member of our KITCHEN CABINET! Including bonus content, access to live events, exclusive merch and more.Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrency. Please note Kitchen Cabinet subscriptions are only available through Patreon.Technical Producer: Danny Pape Producers: Miriam Hall and Jarek ŻabaExecutive Producer: Ellie Clifford Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Subscribe now on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week: why is economic growth eluding Labour? ‘Growing pains' declares The Spectator's cover image this week, as our political editor Katy Balls, our new economics editor Michael Simmons, and George Osborne's former chief of staff Rupert Harrison analyse the fiscal problems facing the Chancellor. ‘Dominic Cummings may have left Whitehall,' write Katy and Michael, ‘but his spirit lives on.' ‘We are all Dom now,' according to one government figure. Keir Starmer's chief aide Morgan McSweeney has never met Cummings, but the pair share a diagnosis of Britain's failing economy. Identifying a problem is not, however, the same as solving it. As Rachel Reeves prepares her Spring Statement, ministers are bracing themselves for cuts in day-to-day spending as the public finances deteriorate. Is austerity back? Michael and Rupert joined the podcast to discuss further. (1:02) Next: survival of the fittest vs seduction by the hottest Biologist and Conservative peer Matt Ridley writes about the concept of sexual selection in the magazine this week, explaining that evolution might not just be driven by survival of the fittest but also by section by the hottest. This, he says, would explain some of nature's most colourful oddities, particularly within birds, as outlined in his new book Birds, Sex and Beauty. Charles Darwin proposed this as a later part of his evolutionary theory, but it caused a rift amongst his contemporaries – why is it a controversial concept? And could it be true for other species such as humans? Matt joined the podcast alongside David Puts, Professor of Anthropology and Psychology at Penn State University. (19:13) And finally: what makes historic murders so fascinating? Historian and author Hallie Rubenhold's new book, Story of a Murder: The Wives, the Mistress and Dr Crippen, retells the famous murder case from the perspective of the women involved. Lisa Hilton declares it an ‘intellectual adventure' in the lead book review in the magazine this week. But why do these cases continue to capture our imaginations, decades and even centuries later? And, whether as victims or as accomplices, what makes women such compelling subjects in historic cases like these? Hallie joined the podcast alongside the historian and broadcaster Alice Loxton, author of Eighteen: A History of Britain in 18 Young Lives. (30:40) Presented by William Moore and Lara Prendergast. Produced by Patrick Gibbons.

This week: why is economic growth eluding Labour? ‘Growing pains' declares The Spectator's cover image this week, as our political editor Katy Balls, our new economics editor Michael Simmons, and George Osborne's former chief of staff Rupert Harrison analyse the fiscal problems facing the Chancellor. ‘Dominic Cummings may have left Whitehall,' write Katy and Michael, ‘but his spirit lives on.' ‘We are all Dom now,' according to one government figure. Keir Starmer's chief aide Morgan McSweeney has never met Cummings, but the pair share a diagnosis of Britain's failing economy. Identifying a problem is not, however, the same as solving it. As Rachel Reeves prepares her Spring Statement, ministers are bracing themselves for cuts in day-to-day spending as the public finances deteriorate. Is austerity back? Michael and Rupert joined the podcast to discuss further. (1:02) Next: survival of the fittest vs seduction by the hottest Biologist and Conservative peer Matt Ridley writes about the concept of sexual selection in the magazine this week, explaining that evolution might not just be driven by survival of the fittest but also by section by the hottest. This, he says, would explain some of nature's most colourful oddities, particularly within birds, as outlined in his new book Birds, Sex and Beauty. Charles Darwin proposed this as a later part of his evolutionary theory, but it caused a rift amongst his contemporaries – why is it a controversial concept? And could it be true for other species such as humans? Matt joined the podcast alongside David Puts, Professor of Anthropology and Psychology at Penn State University. (19:13) And finally: what makes historic murders so fascinating? Historian and author Hallie Rubenhold's new book, Story of a Murder: The Wives, the Mistress and Dr Crippen, retells the famous murder case from the perspective of the women involved. Lisa Hilton declares it an ‘intellectual adventure' in the lead book review in the magazine this week. But why do these cases continue to capture our imaginations, decades and even centuries later? And, whether as victims or as accomplices, what makes women such compelling subjects in historic cases like these? Hallie joined the podcast alongside the historian and broadcaster Alice Loxton, author of Eighteen: A History of Britain in 18 Young Lives. (30:40) Presented by William Moore and Lara Prendergast. Produced by Patrick Gibbons.

They may have both been leading Brexiteers but Dominic Cummings and Nigel Farage were once fierce rivals, vying to be the top campaign of the referendum. As recently as last year Cummings accused Farage of ‘surrounding himself with useless characters' – so why are we now hearing of a secret meeting between the two before Christmas? Ed Balls and George Osborne pick apart the significance of this rendezvous at a time when Reform are contending with a senior bust up, as well as an imminent by-election in Runcorn where polling has them out in front. In a week where Diane Abbott and Andy Burnham backed Ed's criticisms of the government's welfare reform, Liz Kendall has been in the Commons to announce further detail of Labour's plan. And they reflect on what options Chancellor Rachel Reeves will have in her Spring Statement (or mini-budget) next week. Can she create a reset moment?Plus, in London this week was the new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. With rumours swirling about an imminent Canadian election, George and Ed debate the merits of calling a vote early into your premiership, reminiscing about the examples of Gordon Brown's ‘the election that never was' and Theresa May's disastrous loss of a majority in 2017. You could have been listening to this episode of EMQs early and ad-free with a Political Currency Gold subscription! And not only that… you could have been in the room asking a question as a member of Political Currency's KITCHEN CABINET, along with early and ad-free listening, and exclusive Political Currency merchSubscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrency. Please note Kitchen Cabinet subscriptions are only available through Patreon.Technical Producer: Daniel PapeProducer: Miriam Hall and Jarek ŻabaExecutive Producers: Ellie Clifford Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Subscribe now on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Ed Balls and George Osborne complete the chancellor triptych with current shadow Chancellor Mel Stride ringing in to ask: how much space should a treasurer leave themselves against their fiscal target? And pressingly, does Rachel Reeves pass their test?They also consider if Nigel Farage will come to regret his close alignment with Donald Trump. Could the electorate turn against him if Trump continues on his rampage of tariffs and military aid halts against Ukraine? Speaking of, why has it taken three years for Europe to come together to back Ukraine against Russian aggression physically, as well as financially?And they turn to the all-important issue of golf, spilling the tee (get it?) on their ideal political partner for a four-hour round on a golf course. Which political golfing invite made David Cameron deeply nervous?You could have been listening to this episode of EMQs early and ad-free with a Political Currency Gold subscription! And not only that… you could have been in the room asking a question as a member of Political Currency's KITCHEN CABINET, along with early and ad-free listening, and exclusive Political Currency merchSubscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrency. Please note Kitchen Cabinet subscriptions are only available through Patreon.Technical Producer: Oliver GeraghtyProducer: Miriam Hall and Rosie StopherExecutive Producers: Ellie Clifford Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Subscribe now on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Keir Starmer recently forced to promise his Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, would stay on until the next election, Westminster Insider Host Sascha O'Sullivan talks to former Chancellors and advisors who have worked in No 10 and No 11 Downing Street over the last 30 years to find out how to survive one of the toughest gigs in politics. She talks to former Chancellor Norman Lamont about the aftermath of the Black Wednesday financial crisis in 1992 and what lead to John Major sacking him less than a year later. Former advisor to Blair and Brown Theo Bertram tells Sascha the Chancellor-turned-PM Gordon Brown struggled to relinquish control over the Treasury to his new neighbour in No11, Alistair Darling. Sam White, who worked for Darling during his time as Chancellor, explains how an ideological wedge pulled the two apart before and after the 2008 financial crash. George Osborne, former Chancellor and now host of the Political Currency podcast, explains his unusual closeness with David Cameron through their shared belief in the merits of austerity. But he tells Sascha how their closeness may have risked a form of 'groupthink' during their time in office. Osborne also sets out why he thinks Rachel Reeves current economic plans have more in common with his economic agenda in the 2010s that people might realise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Davos day two, and Rachel Reeves has touched down in Switzerland to continue her hunt for growth. On the agenda today was a fireside chat with the Business Secretary on ‘The Year Ahead for the UK', and she will also be attending a series of meetings with business leaders. The party line is that ‘the time to invest in Britain is now'; however, she will be doing this from the sidelines, having not been given one of the headline speaking slots. Can she bring home the bacon? And why is Davos so important? Oscar Edmondson speaks to Katy Balls and Rupert Harrison, former chief of staff to George Osborne. Produced by Oscar Edmondson.