Podcasts about Labour

It's our first podcast back in the office of 2026 – and the year has started with a bang, of course, after the successful US operation to remove Nicolas Maduro from Venezuela. He will appear in a Manhattan court later today. This throws up all sorts of problems for Labour and the left more broadly – they seem to be hedging their bets on whether to condemn this as a breach of, if not international law, then certainly international norms, or to celebrate the removal of a corrupt regime. Could this be a dividing line for the Labour party?Elsewhere, the battle that Labour want to focus on is the cost of living crisis. As a result – I'm sure – of lots of focus grouping and polling, they have hit on this as the issue that has the most salience and one that they are going big on for the new year. Given events in Venezuela, has Keir been able to cut through at all?Oscar Edmondson speaks to Tim Shipman and James Heale.Produced by Oscar Edmondson.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts.Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2026 may be the year that Anas Sarwar finally leads Labour back into power at Holyrood. In this revealing and hilarious interview from 2021, he outlines what Labour needs to do to win.Since then Labour have won a landslide at Westminster... can he replicate that?THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE26 January: Special VIP Guest16 February: David Miliband9 March: Zack Polanski30 March: Lisa Nandyhttps://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/SIGN UP to Matt's mailing list to get free audience tickets to his Radio 4 series:https://www.mattforde.com/mailing-list SEE Matt's brand new stand-up tour 'Defying Calamity' across the UK:https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2026 will be as bad as last year! STARMER TRUMP FARAGE #Starmer #UKPolitics #Trump #GeneralElectionNow #LIVE #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV #Farage Live show with Jon Gaunt. Join in and have your say. STARMER IS STAYING PUT- or so he thinks? Did you see that interview on BBC?! Trump has liberated Venezuela but Lefties are crying into their Skinny Lattes. Iran is collapsing but the BBC aren't really covering it! The Boats keep coming and the Flip Flop Warriors are still invading but Starmer doesn't mention it in his big speech. What a mess. How do we solve this? Is Nigel Farage our only hope? #Trump #Starmer #UKPolitics #BritishPolitics #StarmerFailures #StarmerUTurns #LabourGovernment #Britain2025 #UKCrisis #BorderCrisis #ElFattah #GeneralElectionNow #MayElections #BritainFirst #PutBritainFirst #PoliticalDebate #LiveDebate #LIVE #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV #Venezuela Trump, Starmer UK, Farage, British politics, Starmer failures, Starmer U turns, Labour government, Britain 2025, UK crisis, border crisis, El Fattah UK, General Election now, May elections UK, Britain first, put Britain first, political debate, live debate, LIVE, Jon Gaunt, Jon Gaunt TV, Venezuela, This is political blogging and hard-hitting social commentary from Triple Sony Gold Award-winning talk radio legend, Jon Gaunt — former host on BBC, Talk Radio, and Sky News. On Jon Gaunt TV, we cut through the noise and say what others won't. No political correctness. No censorship. Just real conversations that matter.

James Heale sits down with Sir John Curtice, the doyen of British polling, to take stock of an extraordinary year in UK politics and to look ahead to what 2026 might hold. Curtice explains why the rise of Reform UK during the spring local elections marked a historic turning point – establishing the longest period in polling history where a party outside the traditional Conservative–Labour duopoly has led nationwide and assesses Labour's continued slide, the unprecedented collapse in support for both major parties, and the growing influence of the Greens under new leadership.John also explores why Britain has entered a new era of multiparty politics, how cultural divides now rival economic ones, and why neither Labour nor the Conservatives can rely on their old electoral coalitions. He breaks down the challenges facing each party in Scotland, Wales and England ahead of next year's crucial local and devolved elections, and considers how fragmentation, voter disillusionment and shifting identities could reshape the political landscape. Will 2026 see the definitive end of the two-party consensus?Produced by Oscar Edmondson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

James Heale sits down with Sir John Curtice, the doyen of British polling, to take stock of an extraordinary year in UK politics and to look ahead to what 2026 might hold. Curtice explains why the rise of Reform UK during the spring local elections marked a historic turning point – establishing the longest period in polling history where a party outside the traditional Conservative–Labour duopoly has led nationwide and assesses Labour's continued slide, the unprecedented collapse in support for both major parties, and the growing influence of the Greens under new leadership.John also explores why Britain has entered a new era of multiparty politics, how cultural divides now rival economic ones, and why neither Labour nor the Conservatives can rely on their old electoral coalitions. He breaks down the challenges facing each party in Scotland, Wales and England ahead of next year's crucial local and devolved elections, and considers how fragmentation, voter disillusionment and shifting identities could reshape the political landscape. Will 2026 see the definitive end of the two-party consensus? Produced by Oscar Edmondson.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts.Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A far cry from the ‘roaring twenties' of the early 20th Century, the 2020s can be characterised as the ‘boring twenties', argue Gus Carter and Rupert Hawksley in our new year edition of the Spectator. Record numbers of young people are out of work but even those with jobs face such a dire cost-of-living situation that they have no money left over to spend on fun. Traditional cultural outings – like going to the theatre – are increasingly confined to older, richer generations. This is long-standing issue, but compounded by Labour's economic policies. A slightly downbeat start to the new year here at the Spectator, but at least the episode provides a free dose of fun.For this week's Edition, host Lara Prendergast is joined by opinion editor Rupert Hawksley, economics editor Michael Simmons and author and academic Philip Hensher. Rupert points out the perceived lack of fairness across the Budget, Matthew thinks we shouldn't be surprised that a Labour government delivered a Labour Budget and Igor makes the case that artists thrive as a consequence of an inefficient state.As well as the cover, they discuss: the demographic decline challenging British policy-makers; the merits of having young people engaged in politics; the etiquette around leaving theatre shows (and even funerals!) early; and finally, ‘BuzzBallz' – the alcoholic drink that the Spectator team enjoyed before our Christmas party.Plus: what new years' resolutions have our contributors made?Produced by Patrick Gibbons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A far cry from the ‘roaring twenties' of the early 20th Century, the 2020s can be characterised as the ‘boring twenties', argue Gus Carter and Rupert Hawksley in our new year edition of the Spectator. Record numbers of young people are out of work but even those with jobs face such a dire cost-of-living situation that they have no money left over to spend on fun. Traditional cultural outings – like going to the theatre – are increasingly confined to older, richer generations. This is long-standing issue, but compounded by Labour's economic policies. A slightly downbeat start to the new year here at the Spectator, but at least the episode provides a free dose of fun.For this week's Edition, host Lara Prendergast is joined by opinion editor Rupert Hawksley, economics editor Michael Simmons and author and academic Philip Hensher. Rupert points out the perceived lack of fairness across the Budget, Matthew thinks we shouldn't be surprised that a Labour government delivered a Labour Budget and Igor makes the case that artists thrive as a consequence of an inefficient state.As well as the cover, they discuss: the demographic decline challenging British policy-makers; the merits of having young people engaged in politics; the etiquette around leaving theatre shows (and even funerals!) early; and finally, ‘BuzzBallz' – the alcoholic drink that the Spectator team enjoyed before our Christmas party.Plus: what new years' resolutions have our contributors made?Produced by Patrick Gibbons.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts. Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You asked, Nish and Coco answered! What are their most conservative opinions? Why do both the left and right hate NATO so much? Should we ditch GDP? Why doesn't the UK have compulsory voting and why do some many progressives stay true to Labour when the party is failing to measure up? All that plus the latest on Coco's love-hate relationship with AI and a quickfire round to make sure no question is left unanswered. CHECK OUT THESE DEALS FROM OUR SPONSORS  BABBEL Babbel.com/PSUK  SHOPIFY Shopify.co.uk/podsavetheuk CALM Calm.com/PTSUK Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media. Contact us via email: PSUK@reducedlistening.co.uk Support PSUK! Don't forget to like and subscribe. Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodSavetheUK TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheuk Insta: https://instagram.com/podsavetheuk BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/podsavetheuk.crooked.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/podsavetheuk Facebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheuk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lewis Aspinall is back with Late Night Live following a frustrating New Year's Day evening at Anfield, where Liverpool FC were held to a drab 0-0 draw by Leeds United. He breaks down the key moments from a game dominated by possession but short on incision, reflecting on missed chances, predictable patterns in attack, and a lack of urgency when it mattered most. With familiar issues resurfacing against deep opposition, Lewis asks the hard questions about what must change quickly if Liverpool are to avoid more afternoons like this as the season enters its decisive phase. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Swiss authorities say about forty people are known to have died in a fire that ripped through a bar packed with young people celebrating the New Year in the ski resort of Crans-Montana. At least 115 were injured - many with severe burns. We speak to a doctor who's treated many of the victims, and one of the UK's leading fire safety experts.Also on the programme:leaked details of the government's upcoming special needs reforms have prompted concern that some pupils may no longer get specialist provision. The Labour chair of the education select committee says any changes mustn't remove an entitlement.And as the King prepares to release a documentary about his environmental activism on a major streaming network, we'll discuss how Charles is reshaping the role of the monarchy.

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.

Queen Camilla has praised the courage of BBC racing commentator John Hunt and his family - after his wife, Carol, and two daughters, Louise and Hannah, were killed by Louise's ex-partner.Israel's ban on almost 40 aid agencies working in Gaza and the West Bank is described as "unacceptable" by countries including the UK. The Israelis say the organisations must vet their staff more thoroughly.Plus: our political editor Chris Mason reflects on the prospects for Labour and the Prime Minister in 2026.

Education secretary Bridget Phillipson joins George Osborne on the podcast this week for a special conversation, giving him another sit down with a rising cabinet member after his interview with Wes Streeting in the summer. The pair talk about the challenges of entering government and whether Labour (or any party) still prioritises education, education, education. They debate the effectiveness of scrapping the two-child benefit cap versus reviving plans like Sure Start, and what to expect from the education department in 2026. They also talk about Phillipson's deputy leadership campaign, how she felt about being ‘No. 10's candidate', and whether she would contest any future leadership bids…Finally, they turn to the challenge on every Labour MP's mind: Reform. Phillipson's Sunderland constituency is at the heart of the Reform challenge to Labour, which means she is acutely aware of the looming threat. How can her party can beat Nigel Farage?Don't forget to vote for us as the Political Podcast Awards People's Choice of the year. Follow the link to vote: https://politicalpodcastawards.co.uk/the-peoples-choice-award/ And we love hearing from you, so please don't forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question.Thanks for listening. Subscribe now for ad-free listening and early access. Kitchen Cabinet members also get exclusive access to live EMQs recordings, briefings from the team, and an exclusive Political Currency mug. Sign up today.

In de laatste aflevering van het jaar blikken Lia en Connor terug op een pittig jaar voor de Britse Koninklijke familie en voor de BBC. Koning Charles zette met het afpakken van de titels van zijn broer Andrew een drastische stap. Is het genoeg om de publieke opinie aan zijn kant te houden? Voor het eerst worden zaken zoals de politieke invloed van Charles en de kosten van de Royals voor de Britse belastingbetaler openlijk bediscussieerd. En de BBC, in zekere zin ook een Brits kroonjuweel, staat onder zware druk van het Witte Huis en van rechtse politici in eigen land. Komt het tot een rechtszaak met Donald Trump, die zegt 10 miljard dollar van de Britse publieke omroep te willen incasseren voor reputatieschade en laster? Over Van Bekhovens Britten In van Bekhovens Britten praten Lia van Bekhoven en Connor Clerx elke week over de grootste nieuwsonderwerpen en de belangrijkste ontwikkelingen in het Verenigd Koninkrijk. Van Brexit naar binnenlandse politiek, van de Royals tot de tabloids. Waarom fascineert het VK Nederlanders meer dan zo veel andere Europese landen? Welke rol speelt het vooralsnog Verenigd Koninkrijk in Europa, nu het woord Brexit uit het Britse leven lijkt verbannen, maar de gevolgen van de beslissing om uit de EU te stappen iedere dag duidelijker worden? De Britse monarchie, en daarmee de staat, staat voor grote veranderingen na de dood van Queen Elisabeth en de kroning van haar zoon Charles. De populariteit van het Koningshuis staat op een dieptepunt. Hoe verandert de Britse monarchie onder koning Charles, en welke gevolgen heeft dat voor de Gemenebest? In Van Bekhovens Britten analyseren Lia en Connor een Koninkrijk met tanende welvaart, invloed en macht. De Conservatieve Partij leverde veertien jaar op rij de premier, maar nu heeft Labour onder Keir Starmer de teugels in handen. Hoe ziet het VK er onder Keir Starmer uit? En hoe gaan de ‘gewone’ Britten, voor zover die bestaan, daar mee om? Al deze vragen en meer komen aan bod in Van Bekhovens Britten. Een kritische blik op het Verenigd Koninkrijk, waar het een race tussen Noord-Ierland en Schotland lijkt te worden wie zich het eerst af kan scheiden van het VK. Hoe lang blijft het Koninkrijk verenigd? Na ruim 45 jaar onder de Britten heeft Lia van Bekhoven een unieke kijk op het Verenigd Koninkrijk. Als inwoner, maar zeker geen anglofiel, heeft ze een scherpe blik op het nieuws, de politiek, de monarchie en het dagelijkse leven aan de overkant van de Noordzee. Elke woensdag krijg je een nieuwe podcast over het leven van Van Bekhovens Britten in je podcastapp. Scherpe analyses, diepgang waar op de radio geen tijd voor is en een flinke portie humor. Abonneer en mis geen aflevering. Over Lia Lia van Bekhoven is correspondent Verenigd Koninkrijk voor onder andere BNR Nieuwsradio, VRT, Knack en Elsevier en is regelmatig in talkshows te zien als duider van het nieuws uit het VK. Ze woont sinds 1976 in Londen, en is naast correspondent voor radio, televisie en geschreven media ook auteur van de boeken Mama gaat uit dansen, het erfgoed van Diana, prinses van Wales (1997), Land van de gespleten God, Noord-Ierland en de troubles (2000), In Londen, 9 wandelingen door de Britse hoofdstad (2009) en Klein-Brittannië (2022). Over Connor Connor Clerx is presentator en podcastmaker bij BNR Nieuwsradio. Hij werkt sinds 2017 voor BNR en was voorheen regelmatig te horen in De Ochtendspits, Boekestijn en de Wijk en BNR Breekt. Als podcastmaker werkte hij de afgelopen tijd aan onder andere De Taxi-oorlog, Kuipers en de Kosmos, Splijtstof, Baan door het Brein en Welkom in de AI-Fabriek. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

British politics is entering a new and unstable era.In this Whitehall Sources New Year special, we're joined by Luke Tryl of More in Common.Calum Macdonald, political strategist Jo Tanner and former No.10 adviser Kirsty Buchanan, to break down the biggest polling stories of 2025 and what they mean for 2026's critical elections.

As 2025 turns into 2026, the NAO team look at the critical May elections and beyond. What will the impact be if Labour gets wiped out in Scotland, Wales and local government? And will the fragmentation of the party system lead to parties on the left and ri Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Part Two of this Old Newscast, we pick up with Jeremy Corbyn on the campaign trail. Veteran left-winger Jeremy Corbyn entered the leadership contest with many doubting he would win the necessary 35 nominations from Labour MPs to make it on to the ballot. Three months later, on the 12th September 2015, he was elected as leader with almost 60% of the vote.Adam is joined by two journalists who followed each twist and turn of the 2015 Labour leadership contest, Jane Merrick and Nick Watt, to revisit how the Corbyn campaign won.You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers.You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXdNewscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Shiler Mahmoudi. The technical producer was Michael Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

STARMER tried to wreck the UK in 2025 — WHY? Can 2026 be better? #Starmer #UKPolitics #ElFattah #GeneralElectionNow #LIVE #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV Let's stop pretending this was an accident. 2025 has been a disaster — and Keir Starmer owns every inch of it. Broken pledges. Cowardly U-turns. Empty slogans followed by total retreat. A Prime Minister who talks "tough" until the moment toughness is required — then vanishes. Britain was promised stability. What we got was managed decline. Brits working harder for less. Communities ignored. Borders still out of control. A political class obsessed with looking virtuous while the country frays at the edges. And then — the moment that summed it all up — Starmer lets El Fattah into the UK. At a time when public trust is collapsing, when people are crying out for common sense and backbone, this government chooses arrogance over accountability. It felt like a slap in the face. Another reminder that ordinary British people are last in the queue. Today we stop swallowing the nonsense. This debate puts Starmer's record on trial: Were the failures of 2025 incompetence — or ideology? Why does Starmer always cave when it matters? Is this government even capable of putting Britain first? And as next May's elections loom, let's make one thing absolutely clear: We do NOT want a reshuffle. We do NOT want a rebrand. We do NOT want another hollow replacement. Britain needs a GENERAL ELECTION. Britain needs fresh ideas, not recycled failures. Britain needs leadership that puts BRITAIN AND THE BRITISH FIRST — without apology. No more excuses. No more gaslighting. No more being told decline is "progress". This is raw. This is angry. This is live. No scripts. No safe answers. No hiding places. If you're furious — good. If you disagree — come and face it. Britain's had enough. Let's talk — properly — for once. #KeirStarmer #Starmer #UKPolitics #BritishPolitics #StarmerFailures #StarmerUTurns #LabourGovernment #Britain2025 #UKCrisis #BorderCrisis #ElFattah #GeneralElectionNow #MayElections #BritainFirst #PutBritainFirst #PoliticalDebate #LiveDebate #LIVE #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV Keir Starmer, Starmer UK, UK politics, British politics, Starmer failures, Starmer U turns, Labour government, Britain 2025, UK crisis, border crisis, El Fattah UK, General Election now, May elections UK, Britain first, put Britain first, political debate, live debate, LIVE, Jon Gaunt, Jon Gaunt TV This is political blogging and hard-hitting social commentary from Triple Sony Gold Award-winning talk radio legend, Jon Gaunt — former host on BBC, Talk Radio, and Sky News. On Jon Gaunt TV, we cut through the noise and say what others won't. No political correctness. No censorship. Just real conversations that matter.

Actor Idris Elba and Lionesses manager Serena Weigman lead the New Year Honours - but where did this tradition come from, and do you think the people in receipt of these gongs generally deserve them?The head of the Unite union - Labour's biggest donor - says the Prime Minister is toast and has warned his would-be successor not to make the same mistakes he has. Is she right? But what about party leaders Kemi Badenoch and Sir Ed Davey? Will they still be in their jobs at the end of 2026?A third of us say you have to be born in Britain to be truly British. What is "Britishness"?

Today's Old Newscast is travelling all the way back to 2015: it's the morning after the general election, and Ed Miliband resigns as leader of the Labour party. Veteran left-winger Jeremy Corbyn entered the leadership contest with many doubting he would win the necessary 35 nominations from Labour MPs to make it on to the ballot. Three months later, on the 12th September 2015, he was elected as leader with almost 60% of the vote.Adam is joined by two journalists who followed each twist and turn of the 2015 Labour leadership contest, Jane Merrick and Nick Watt, to revisit how the Corbyn campaign won.You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers.You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXdNewscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Shiler Mahmoudi. The technical producer was Michael Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Many of his supporters hoped the prime minister would restore the UK's commitment to international law. Yet Labour's record over the past year has been curiously mixed By Daniel Trilling. Read by Simon Darwen. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Shaun Woodward was one of the masterminds behind the Conservatives 1992 election victory and subsequently he became a Tory MP. Soon after Labour's 1997 landslide he changed sides, and ultimately became a Labour cabinet minister. • The first show of 2026 is in the main concert hall at Kings Place on the 11th of February. Tickets are available here. • Subscribe to Patreon here for the main podcast a day early and ad free, bonus podcasts and exclusive live events. • My biography of Tony Blair is out now, available here. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Vaughan Roderick looks back at interviews over the past year. Professor Elwen Evans from Universities Wales came in October, following a year of headlines on the financial challenges facing universities. Professor Kevin Morgan talked about his book, Serving the Nation, and the importance of good public food. On the 100th anniversary of the report of the Irish Border Commission, Cormac Moore discussed the redrawing of the lines that divided the young Irish Free State from Northern Ireland. Ten years after Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board first went in to special measures, current Chief Executive Carol Shillabeer explained what she was doing to try and turn the health board around. Before Lindsay Whittle went on to win the Caerphilly by-election for Plaid Cymru, Sir Deian Hopkin remembered the 1968 election when Plaid Cymru gave Labour a run for its money but ultimately didn't gain the seat in Westminster. And following the publication of her book 'Artists, Siblings, Visionaries', Judith Mackrell illustrated the effects the early death of their mother had on the lives of Welsh-born Gwen and Augustus John.

The Spectator's senior editorial team – Michael Gove, Freddy Gray, Lara Prendergast and William Moore – sit down to reflect on 2025. From Trump's inauguration to the calamitous year for Labour, a new Pope and a new Archbishop of Canterbury, and the ongoing wars in Gaza and Ukraine, the year has not been short of things to write about.The team take us through their favourite political and cultural topics highlighted in the magazine this year, from the Assisted Dying debate, the ongoing feud over Your Party and Reform's plan for power, to Scuzz Nation, Broke Britain – and Porn Britannia.Produced by Patrick Gibbons.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What the hell is STARMER up to now?!  #Starmer #UKPolitics #AlaaAbdElFattah #LabourGovernment #FarmersTax #BritishFarming #Pubs #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV #Live  CLUELESS & DANGEROUS — What the hell is STARMER up to now?! I don't use those words for shock value — I use them because the pattern is now impossible to ignore. While Parliament was closed for Christmas, Keir Starmer quietly U-turned on his farmers' tax, avoiding scrutiny and debate. He followed it with a speech to the nation so flat and empty it reassured no one.  At the same time, pubs and the hospitality sector — the heart of communities across Britain — continue to close, with little meaningful help from this government.  And then came the moment that left many people stunned. The Prime Minister publicly welcomed and celebrated the entry into the UK of Alaa Abd El-Fattah, a highly controversial activist. Alaa Abd El-Fattah is regarded by some as a political prisoner — but past statements attributed to him and widely circulated online, including violent rhetoric, have caused serious concern for many people.  He is accused of being a Jew Hater.  Whether you support his release or not, this was a decision that demanded explanation and judgement — not celebration and silence.  Each of these issues on its own raises questions. Taken together, they point to something far more serious: a Prime Minister showing poor judgement, bad instincts, and no awareness of how his actions land with the British public. That's why this matters. Because leadership without judgement isn't just weak — it's clueless… and it's dangerous.

In case you missed them, over Christmas we're bringing you some of the best editions of the year. Our first selection: It's February and Labour legend and former leader Neil Kinnock joins us for the FIFTEEN HUNDREDTH edition of The Bunker. On the agenda: the story Labour should be telling… what his battles against Thatcherism can teach Starmer about fighting the rising right wing… the dangers of a radicalised Conservative Party… and how to hit Reform UK where it hurts. With Andrew Harrison and Alex von Tunzelmann. www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Spectator's senior editorial team – Michael Gove, Freddy Gray, Lara Prendergast and William Moore – sit down to reflect on 2025. From Trump's inauguration to the calamitous year for Labour, a new Pope and a new Archbishop of Canterbury, and the ongoing wars in Gaza and Ukraine, the year has not been short of things to write about.The team take us through their favourite political and cultural topics highlighted in the magazine this year, from the Assisted Dying debate, the ongoing feud over Your Party and Reform's plan for power, to Scuzz Nation, Broke Britain – and Porn Britannia.Produced by Patrick Gibbons.  Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts. Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Guardian's editor-in-chief Katharine Viner looks back on the biggest news stories of 2025. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Alan Finlayson is back to discuss with Jem the key developments in UK politics since the last time they talked about it. Covering the Labour deputy leadership, the politics of the Budget and of immigration, the origins of Britain’s bargain-hunting austerity mindset, Starmer on Tik-Tok, the Green Party surge, whether Blue Labour actually exists, whether […]

Climate refugees. The Animal (whatever Act) and the beginning of the end for factory farming. Reform, Farage dogging (the hunting ban). Cornwall's octopi bloom. The London Stock Exchange with June Sarpong - Bondi Beach fallout, Winter Solstice, White Christmas dreams, Nuclear Energy and the Romans, and different view of Crimbo.  It's not Ed or Labour wot did it - the greenest xmas on the grid ever. 

Vlak voor de kerst blikken Lia en Connor terug op een bewogen jaar in de Britse politiek. Keir Starmer ging van onpopulair naar ronduit gehaat, de Conservatieven zitten na het grootste verlies ooit weer enigzins in de lift richting normaliteit en Zach Polanski van de Greens kan zijn geluk niet op. Wat waren de grootste ontwikkelingen van het jaar en hoe ziet het komende jaar eruit bij de Britten? Ook in deze aflevering Naast kommer en kwel hebben de Britten sommige dingen daadwerkelijk gewoon goed voor elkaar De jacht op het beste kerstbroodje van Engeland Over Van Bekhovens Britten In van Bekhovens Britten praten Lia van Bekhoven en Connor Clerx elke week over de grootste nieuwsonderwerpen en de belangrijkste ontwikkelingen in het Verenigd Koninkrijk. Van Brexit naar binnenlandse politiek, van de Royals tot de tabloids. Waarom fascineert het VK Nederlanders meer dan zo veel andere Europese landen? Welke rol speelt het vooralsnog Verenigd Koninkrijk in Europa, nu het woord Brexit uit het Britse leven lijkt verbannen, maar de gevolgen van de beslissing om uit de EU te stappen iedere dag duidelijker worden? De Britse monarchie, en daarmee de staat, staat voor grote veranderingen na de dood van Queen Elisabeth en de kroning van haar zoon Charles. De populariteit van het Koningshuis staat op een dieptepunt. Hoe verandert de Britse monarchie onder koning Charles, en welke gevolgen heeft dat voor de Gemenebest? In Van Bekhovens Britten analyseren Lia en Connor een Koninkrijk met tanende welvaart, invloed en macht. De Conservatieve Partij leverde veertien jaar op rij de premier, maar nu heeft Labour onder Keir Starmer de teugels in handen. Hoe ziet het VK er onder Keir Starmer uit? En hoe gaan de ‘gewone’ Britten, voor zover die bestaan, daar mee om? Al deze vragen en meer komen aan bod in Van Bekhovens Britten. Een kritische blik op het Verenigd Koninkrijk, waar het een race tussen Noord-Ierland en Schotland lijkt te worden wie zich het eerst af kan scheiden van het VK. Hoe lang blijft het Koninkrijk verenigd? Na ruim 45 jaar onder de Britten heeft Lia van Bekhoven een unieke kijk op het Verenigd Koninkrijk. Als inwoner, maar zeker geen anglofiel, heeft ze een scherpe blik op het nieuws, de politiek, de monarchie en het dagelijkse leven aan de overkant van de Noordzee. Elke woensdag krijg je een nieuwe podcast over het leven van Van Bekhovens Britten in je podcastapp. Scherpe analyses, diepgang waar op de radio geen tijd voor is en een flinke portie humor. Abonneer en mis geen aflevering. Over Lia Lia van Bekhoven is correspondent Verenigd Koninkrijk voor onder andere BNR Nieuwsradio, VRT, Knack en Elsevier en is regelmatig in talkshows te zien als duider van het nieuws uit het VK. Ze woont sinds 1976 in Londen, en is naast correspondent voor radio, televisie en geschreven media ook auteur van de boeken Mama gaat uit dansen, het erfgoed van Diana, prinses van Wales (1997), Land van de gespleten God, Noord-Ierland en de troubles (2000), In Londen, 9 wandelingen door de Britse hoofdstad (2009) en Klein-Brittannië (2022). Over Connor Connor Clerx is presentator en podcastmaker bij BNR Nieuwsradio. Hij werkt sinds 2017 voor BNR en was voorheen regelmatig te horen in De Ochtendspits, Boekestijn en de Wijk en BNR Breekt. Als podcastmaker werkte hij de afgelopen tijd aan onder andere De Taxi-oorlog, Kuipers en de Kosmos, Splijtstof, Baan door het Brein en Welkom in de AI-Fabriek. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reg Prentice was a Labour cabinet minister after the 1974 elections, but was threatened with deselection by his local Labour party for being on the right. There were rowdy meetings as Prentice's cabinet allies spoke in his defence and by the time of the 1979 election Prentice had defected to Margaret Thatcher's Conservative party. • The first show of 2026 is in the main concert hall at Kings Place on the 11th of February. Tickets are available here. • Subscribe to Patreon here for the main podcast a day early and ad free, bonus podcasts and exclusive live events. • My biography of Tony Blair is out now, available here. Written and presented by Steve Richards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is an episode of Political Fix, the FT weekly podcast that takes you into the corridors of Westminster to unwrap, analyse and debate British politics with a regular panel of FT correspondents. It's been another turbulent year in UK politics. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has faced down rebellions from within his own party, overseen scandals and sackings, and delivered a constant barrage of bad news from health and housing to small boats and the Budget. He's fared a little better on the world stage – with successful state visits, securing a comparatively competitive trade deal with Trump, as well as a tentative rapprochement with Europe. But with every international success, Starmer's standing domestically seems to diminish: he ends the year, on some measures, as the most unpopular PM ever. In this special live episode of Political Fix, host George Parker is joined by Anna Gross, Stephen Bush and Chris Giles to analyse how the Labour party got here – and where it goes next.This is a repeat of an episode published on Political Fix, a sister podcast of FT News Briefing, on December 12, 2025To listen and subscribe to more episodes, find Political Fix on your favourite platform by clicking here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's our last regular episode of 2025 and we've got a ton of labor news for you all. We start with headlines from Starbucks, Amazon, New Seasons Grocery, Sysco, the WNBA, the University of Maine, and the nations of Portugal, Bolivia, Mexico, and Brazil. Resident doctors in the UK have gone on strike again, this time with a Labour government in power that refuses to pay them. A recent Workday Magazine piece exposes Disney as a user of prison labor in Minnesota. New York City officials are actually standing up against corporate giants Amazon and UPS for once, following recent worker movements. Finally, we discuss the implications of the possible super merger between either Netflix or Paramount and Warner Brothers Discovery for workers in the entertainment industry. Join the discord: discord.gg/tDvmNzX  Follow the pod at instagram.com/workstoppage, @WorkStoppagePod on Twitter,  John @facebookvillain, and Lina @solidaritybee

Today, Adam is joined by Labour's deputy leader Lucy Powell to reflect on her first few weeks in the role and what lies ahead for the Labour government in 2026.The pair also discuss Health Secretary Wes Streeting's new comments on the UK's relationship with the EU, his leadership ambitions, and the importance of the party sticking together and showing a united front.Plus, how will Labour take on the political challenge represented by the Reform party and Nigel Farage next year? And, crucially, does she think that Keir Starmer will still be Prime Minister by next Christmas?You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Rufus Gray with Adriana urbano. The social producer was Joe Wilkinson. The technical producer was Stephen Bailey. The assistant editor was Jack Maclaren. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Richie is joined by author and criminologist Stuart Waiton. Did you know that the UK's Supreme Court recently declared that in Scotland, men who stand accused of sexual offences against women cannot receive a fair trial? It's a national scandal and yet the press and broadcast media won't touch it. Why? Stuart shares his thoughts. The guys also discuss the Labour government's plan to limit jury trials in the UK and social engineering in UK schools. Don't miss this.https://www.jimsscotland.org/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ks7qpxxD9FI

Keynes. Woolf. Hitchens. The New Statesman has an illustrious history and editor Tom McTague is the latest custodian of that grand tradition.But how does a centre-left magazine pitch itself in the ferocious world of social media and hot takes?What's its relationship with the Labour Party?How does it handle disagreements on the Left?And, more importantly, what does Labour need to do to win next time?THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE26 January: Special VIP Guest16 February: David Miliband9 March: Zack Polanski30 March: Lisa Nandyhttps://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-political-party-with-matt-forde/ SEE Matt's brand new stand-up tour 'Defying Calamity' across the UK:https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Iain Dale talks to Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator for The Times about the life and career of the UK's current prime minister.

It's been a year of political chaos, controversy and very few highs. Camilla and Tim are joined by Telegraph columnists Allister Heath and Annabel Denham to look back at the biggest political stories of 2025 – from Labour's annus horribilis to the rise of Reform and the return of Donald Trump.They ask whether the Prime Minister and his Chancellor can survive into 2026; if Nigel Farage will make it to Number 10; and what next for the BBC after back-to-back scandals.From Westminster to Washington, this is The Daily T's definitive political review of the year.We want to hear from you! Email us at thedailyt@telegraph.co.uk or find @dailytpodcast on TikTok, Instagram and X► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditorProducer: Lilian Fawcett Senior Producers: John Cadigan and David Levene Executive Producer: Charlotte Seligman Video Producer: Andy Mackenzie Social Producer: Nada AggourEditor: Camilla Tominey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a Trip episode about the meaning of mainstream, this time the gang go deeper into ‘Mainstream' – that is, the new soft-left faction inside Labour. Yes, a festive episode about the inner workings of a political party! Don't say we don't spoil you. Jem, Nadia and Keir explain the emergence of Mainstream's ‘radical realists' […]

Episode Summary:In this episode of Explaining History, Nick continues his exploration of post-war American affluence. We often think of the 1950s as a golden age of middle-class expansion, where the old divisions of wealth and status melted away under a wave of chrome-plated cars and suburban lawns. But was this "classless society" a reality or a comforting myth?Drawing again from James Patterson's Grand Expectations, we delve into the changing nature of work and the rise of the white-collar economy. We examine how unions secured unprecedented benefits like health insurance and paid vacations, creating a unique moment where a steelworker could live a life of bourgeois comfort. Yet, beneath the surface, manual labour remained the backbone of the economy, and inequality persisted. Why did the US labour movement abandon the fight for universal healthcare in favour of employer-based benefits? And how did this decision shape the fragmented social safety net we see today?Key Topics:The Myth of the Classless Society: How affluence disguised, but didn't erase, social stratification.The Rise of Fringe Benefits: Why unions prioritized employer-based healthcare over state provision.Blue Collar vs. White Collar: The shifting demographics of the American workforce.The End of an Era: How financialization and offshoring eventually hollowed out the working-class dream.Books Mentioned:Grand Expectations: The United States, 1945-1974 by James T. PattersonSet the Night on Fire by Mike Davis and Jon WienerThink and Grow Rich by Napoleon HillExplaining History helps you understand the 20th Century through critical conversations and expert interviews. We connect the past to the present. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and share.▸ Support the Show & Get Exclusive ContentBecome a Patron: patreon.com/explaininghistory▸ Join the Community & Continue the ConversationFacebook Group: facebook.com/groups/ExplainingHistoryPodcastSubstack: theexplaininghistorypodcast.substack.com▸ Read Articles & Go DeeperWebsite: explaininghistory.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Warning: this episode contains a use of a racial slur. From the rollback of human rights and Trump's BBC lawsuit to AI slop in politics - what the %@£! was that? Nish and Coco are joined by comedian Shappi Khorsandi and political commentator Jovan Owusu-Nepaul to make sense of the wild year that was.  Labour's first full year in office was marked by u-turns and an inability to use the word ‘genocide' but there were some significant new bills that boosted the rights of renters and employees.  Reform's polling and local election success had mainstream parties running scared - but the reality of actually running stuff may have revealed the party's limits. While Starmer focused on the threat from the right, the left was revitalised by the resurgence of the Greens and the (albeit chaotic) energy of Your Party - can they shift the political dial? As 2025 draws to a close - Nish and Coco hand out some very special awards and can we get a Palestinian lullaby to Christmas No.1? CHECK OUT THESE DEALS FROM OUR SPONSORS  AURA FRAMES https://www.auraframes.com Code: PSUK CALM calm.com/PTSUK SHOPIFY Shopify.co.uk/podsavetheuk GUESTS  Shappi Khorsandi, Comedian Jovan Uwusu-Nepaul, Co-Host of What's Left?  USEFUL LINKS https://togetherforpalestine.bandcamp.com/album/lullaby CREDITS Labour Party/TikTok  Parliament TV Sky News/YouTube   Channel 4 News/YouTube  Channel 4 News/YouTube  BladeoftheSun/X  Shaparak Khorsandi/TikTok The Last Leg/Channel 4 Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg/BBC Basil the Great/X Sky News/YouTube 5 Live/BBC Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media. Contact us via email: PSUK@reducedlistening.co.uk BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/podsavetheuk.crooked.com Insta: https://instagram.com/podsavetheuk Twitter: https://twitter.com/podsavetheuk TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheuk Facebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheukYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodSavetheUK Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The NHS is warning of an unprecedented flu season - we check what the numbers say.Is there really a mass exodus of Brits leaving the UK due to Labour tax policies? We look at the latest emigration figures.We take a look at the prison service's curious habit of letting prisoners out early – or keeping them in for too long - is there a trend?Plus - why the US economy can't grow at 25 percent a year.Presenter: Tim Harford Reporter: Nathan Gower Producers: Charlotte McDonald, Katie Solleveld, Lizzy McNeill and Tom Colls. Production co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele Sound mix: Gareth Jones Editor: Richard Vadon

Today, the UK government announced it is set to rejoin the Erasmus study scheme. Victoria is joined Joe Pike to discuss - and they speak to Nick Thomas-Symonds, minister for EU relations about whether it's worth the £570m cost.Plus, Andrea Egan becomes the new secretary general of the UK's biggest union - Unison. We explain what that could mean for the Labour party and Keir Starmer's leadership.You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenters were Victoria Derbyshire and Joe Pike. It was made by Jem Westgate and Laura Cain. The social producer was Beth Pritchard. The technical producer was Philip Bull. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Resident doctors in England have begun five days of strike action after rejecting the government's latest offer to resolve a long-running dispute over pay and jobs. The health secretary, Wes Streeting, met the British Medical Association on Tuesday in a final attempt to reach an agreement, but they failed to agree a deal. It means that resident doctors – formerly known as junior doctors – will remain on strike until 7am on Monday. Lucy Hough talks to the Guardian's health policy editor, Denis Campbell – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Carl and Dan discuss the continuing collapse of the centre in Britain.

Today Hong Kong's most prominent media mogul was convicted of flouting national security legislation. Our correspondent explains the consequences for the territory. Why the policies of Britain's Labour government are damaging London. And our correspondent offers sober advice on how (not) to cure a hangover.  Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today Hong Kong's most prominent media mogul was convicted of flouting national security legislation. Our correspondent explains the consequences for the territory. Why the policies of Britain's Labour government are damaging London. And our correspondent offers sober advice on how (not) to cure a hangover.  Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.