Podcasts about labour mp

'Nearly half of all social housing in London has gone to households who are headed by someone who is not born in Britain. That is not fair Barry, that is a disgrace.'Matt Goodwin and Barry Gardiner clash over Reform's social housing policy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The revelation that a paedophile had changed his name more than 20 times to hide his past has renewed pressure on the government to change the law. Jason Brown was first convicted 12 years ago. He has now pleaded guilty to a further offence. There's been campaigning for many years for it to be illegal for sex offenders to change their name, as many use their new identities to avoid being monitored. The Labour MP for Rotherham Sarah Champion is one of those calling for this legal change and she tells Nuala why.Millions of Filipinos work overseas to help raise money for their families back home. And of these millions more than half are women. Here in the UK tens of thousands of Filipinos work in the NHS, they are one of the most common non-UK nationalities for nurses and health visitors in our health system. But what is life like for those who are left behind? Poet and nurse Romalyn Ante's debut novel, the Left Behind Child, explores the teenage years of Neneng, who is eleven when her mother, Rosa, leaves to work as a nurse abroad. Romalyn tells Nuala McGovern how her true story of being a ‘left behind child' influenced her writing. The parents of 30 children have told the BBC they fear they were given the wrong sperm or egg donors, during IVF treatments, in northern Cyprus. Fertility clinics in the Turkish-occupied territory are loosely regulated and are popular with British people who need medical help to have a baby. A small team of journalists first exposed this IVF scandal earlier this year - which led to many more people coming forwards. The BBC has now found the majority of cases are linked to one clinic and a small group of staff. Nuala hears from one of those families, a woman called Rachel, who was given the wrong sperm donor. She is joined by Investigative Journalist Anna Collinson and fertility lawyer, Natalie Gamble. From Dua Lipa to Zendaya, the bandana is the 90's accessory that's making a come back. In the heatwaves it has proved practical as well as stylish. But the simple square or triangle of fabric with the paisley design has a history with a range of meanings and cultural references, from workwear and protest movements to fashion and self-expression. Amber Butchart, Fashion & textile historian, and the author and broadcaster Emma Dabiri discuss the history behind the comeback. Presenter: Nuala McGovern Producer: Helen Fitzhenry

In Thursday's episode of The Daily T, Camilla Tominey and Tim Stanley discuss how Andy Burnham's controversial plan to distribute asylum seekers to middle-class constituencies is causing problems for Labour MPs, including York Central's Rachael Maskell. She is opposed to housing asylum seekers at a local RAF base, despite her long-standing pro-refugee rhetoric.Plus, with voting under way in the Clacton by-election, Camilla and Tim have spoken to two candidates vying for votes in Essex – William Clouston of the Social Democratic Party, and the intergalactic politician Count Binface, candidate for Planet Sigma 9.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/fromtheeditorThe Telegraph is the Publisher Podcast Awards' Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026Studio Operator: Meghan SearleProducer: David LeveneVideo Producer: Will WaltersSocial Producer: Nada AggourExecutive Producer: Charlotte SeligmanEditor: Camilla TomineyHighlights:The Left has an immigration hypocrisy problem.Count Binface tells Camilla what he would view as success.Was the eclipse a disappointment? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The former Carrington Hospital sits on the border of Point Chevalier and Mount Albert in a state of disrepair. There is uncertainty about the preservation of the historic building. Labour MP for Mt Albert Helen White spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss about preventing similar situations.

Send us Fan MailJonny Ball welcomes Minister for Veterans & People at the UK Ministry of Defence, Calvin Bailey MBE MP.  We talk about his growing up in South East London, what inspired him to join the RAF, and the power of football communities with the Armed Forces.  This was recorded exclusively for Veterans In Politics.We also pay tribute to Operation Pitting, as we hit the 5 year anniversary of the withdrawal from Kabul, Afghanistan, where as a pilot, Calvin played a vital role.  This episode is dedicated to all those who served and the civilians impacted by conflict.Calvin is the Labour MP for Leyton and Wanstead, elected on the 5th of July 2024. Born in Zambia, Calvin's family moved to London, settling in Plumstead. Growing up in south-east London as a young Black man, he faced far-right violence and was deeply affected by the tragic murder of Stephen Lawrence, the older brother of his close friend Stuart. This event profoundly influenced Calvin's politics and desire to serve the community. Calvin graduated with a Master of Engineering from the University of Exeter in 1999 and later completed a Master of Arts in War Studies at King's College London in 2017.Calvin spent over 24-years in the Royal Air Force, rising to the rank of Wing Commander. During his military service, he led humanitarian efforts and operations in conflict zones. He was awarded an MBE for his support of relief operations in Haiti and the Philippines. He also proudly led critical missions, including commanding the UK's largest deployed Air Wing during the COVID-19 pandemic and overseeing the evacuation of 14,000 people from Kabul during Operation Pitting where he made the critical decision to double the number of passengers taken per flight, recognising that the risk of overloading the aircraft was outweighed by the risk to the lives of those who would have been left behind.Calvin became a junior minister in Keir Starmer's government when he was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Veterans and People on 12 June 2026. A role he kept during the Burnham reshuffle.See more here: https://www.calvinbailey.co.uk/Support the show✅Support The Show Help Us Grow! Help us reach more veterans by donating the cost of a cup of coffee today...

After rounding up the day's top stories, Richie is joined by David Icke. David is an author, broadcaster and public speaker. His books have been read by millions of people around the world and he has sold out arenas in cities such as London, Amsterdam, Los Angeles and Sydney. David is due to speak at Nottingham's Motorpoint Arena next May. However, a Labour MP has called on the venue's operators to cancel the event, citing the need to protect "vulnerable groups". David discusses this and more with Richie.https://davidicke.com/https://ickonic.com/

As drought conditions worsen across England, MPs demand urgent government action to safeguard water supplies for food production. South Norfolk MP Ben Goldsborough says farmers need more flexible abstraction licences, simpler rules for building reservoirs and adequate support. We examine Defra’s new £1.5m Farmer Welfare Grant and ask whether improving personal resilience can help farmers navigate increasingly volatile weather, markets and government policy. Meanwhile, grain marketing consultant Richard Whitlock warns growers to carry out due diligence when selling grain as profitability among merchants comes under pressure. And we celebrate 150 volumes of the Aberdeen Angus Herd Book – and ask how genetics and data could shape the breed’s next 150 years. Guests * Ben Goldsborough – Labour MP for South Norfolk* Samantha “Sammy” Seaman – farm leadership, mindset and resilience coach* Richard Whitlock – grain marketing consultant* Robert Gilchrist – chief executive, Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society Chapters 00:55 – Farmers demand their fair share of water01:25 – Ben Goldsborough: “Drier than Jerusalem”02:28 – Abstraction licences and regulation03:16 – Food security versus data centres03:48 – What farmers can do05:35 – Is Defra listening?08:17 – What help do drought-hit farms need?10:57 – A climate “doom loop”?14:37 – Bayer Autumn Drilling Update16:55 – £1.5m Farmer Welfare Grant17:20 – Samantha Seaman on handling pressure20:01 – Building resilient farm businesses23:25 – Can farmers bounce back?26:31 – Bluetongue situation worsens30:57 – Sustainable Farming Incentive update32:27 – Harvest quality surprises34:47 – Be careful who buys your grain36:47 – Checking your grain buyer38:30 – Commodity markets41:27 – Aberdeen Angus at 15042:29 – Why Aberdeen Angus endures43:17 – Genetics, DNA and lower emissions49:30 – Closing remarks Useful links - Rural Payments Agency extreme weather guidance- Defra Farmer Welfare Grant- Samantha Seaman Coaching- Richard Whitlock – grain merchant analysis- Bayer Crop Science weed management- Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom. Edited and produced by Johann Tasker. To get in touch with the Farmers Weekly Podcast: - Contact or follow Johann: linkedin.com/in/johanntasker/ Contact or follow Louise: linkedin.com/in/louise-impey-95470b20b/ Contact or follow Hugh: linkedin.com/in/hugh-broom-9b11906a/ For Farmers Weekly, visit fwi.co.uk or follow linkedin.com/company/farmers-weekly To contact, sponsor or advertise on the Farmers Weekly Podcast, email podcast@fwi.co.uk. In the UK, you can also text the word FARM followed by your message to 88 44 0. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jonathan Ashworth is a former Labour MP and shadow cabinet minister. On today's podcast James Heale and Jonathan discuss Andy's first few weeks as Prime Minister, how he's changed since the Blair-Brown era, whether Burnham's promises in devolution stack up and they discuss whether Morgan McSweeney is right to change his mind on the Conservatives, rather than Reform being the greatest threat to Labour. 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.

In the latest of our series of summer interviews former safeguarding minister Jess Phillips speaks to Alain Tolhurst about government's battle with big tech to make the internet safer for women and children.The Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley said she was “like a kid at Christmas" as Andy Burnham prepared to enter Downing Street to replace him, and reveals how she felt his first few weeks in Number 10 were going, if the new PM was serious about tackling violence against women and girls, and what life is like back on the backbenches.To sign up for our newsletters click herePresented by Alain Tolhurst, produced and edited by Ewan Cameron for Podot

Dawn Neesom clashes with Labour MP Barry Gardiner during a heated debate over the government's approach to illegal migration and controversial plans for a proposed migrant detention centre in Piddington. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham is the first Prime Minister on How to Fail. Past leaders have run scared of doing a podcast with ‘fail' in the title - but not this one. As he says in this conversation: ‘if you've not succeeded, you have to understand why it happened, and what you're going to do about it.' Wise words from a global leader. Burnham is now our 7th Prime Minister in 10 years, having won a decisive by-election in Makerfield and having received nominations from 94% of Labour MPs in an unopposed leadership contest. In this exclusive episode, recorded at No. 10 North, Andy talks about growing up, how his Catholic faith has shaped his outlook (and whether or not he snuck some communion wine as an altar boy). Plus: imposter syndrome, what he learned from his past failed leadership bids, friendships within politics, how his wife responded to his desire to run for PM, the meaning of ‘home' and whether or not his dad, who suffers from Alzheimer's, knows his son has become Prime Minister. A must-listen, even if we do say so ourselves. IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Introduction 03:12 Imposter Syndrome and Authenticity 06:13 Faith and Catholic Roots 08:32 English Degree and Power of Words 10:19 Failed Leadership Bids 16:50 Politics Friendships and Family 21:07 Post Cambridge Job Hunt 25:06 What Home Means 26:26 Hillsborough and Two Britains 27:36 Number 10 North Vision 28:43 Building Safety and Hope 32:49 Radical Yet Sensible Politics 35:35 Fixing Social Care 38:16 Roy and Alzheimer's 43:10 Faith Power and Farewell LINKS + MENTIONS: Join the How To Fail community: www.howtofail.supportingcast.fm/#content Elizabeth's Substack: www.theelizabethday.substack.com WANT MORE? Ed Miliband - swap.fm/l/YTnZMo8h78DZNf7ZmKnF Sadiq Khan - swap.fm/l/FcuzDh396Ul76Sc46KRb Jess Phillips - swap.fm/l/EHHLbfGCH6oBDbOaMhbX LOVE THIS EPISODE? Subscribe on Spotify, Apple or wherever you get your podcasts Leave a 5⭐ review – it helps more people discover these stories Follow How To Fail & Elizabeth: Instagram: @elizabday TikTok: @howtofailpod Podcast Instagram: @howtofailpod Website: www.elizabethday.org Guest bookings for How To Fail only come from official @sonymusic.com emails Have a failure you're trying to work through for Elizabeth to discuss? Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com Production & Post Production Coordinator: Eric Ryan and Jen Mistri Sound Engineer: Ed Gill DOP: Keith Gubbins Assistant Camera Op: Charlie Painter Assistant Producer: Shania Manderson Senior Producer: Hannah Talbot Executive Producer: Alex Lawless Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Richie Allen with a news round-up like nothing you've ever heard. On today's show: Labour MP calls for mandatory vaccination for British kids to deal with falling uptake. Government pushes forward with early release scheme to ease overcrowding in prisons. Victims express horror. Nigel Farage says UK Navy will return migrants to French beaches! The French say no chance. Plus much more. Support YOUR show at www.richieallen.com

An Opposition MP's wary of National's social media ban, claiming some information's missing. Labour's Reuben Davidson says he's read the Bill multiple times but hasn't seen a regulatory impact statement or the Privacy Commissioner's advice. He wants a copy to discuss with his caucus, but Education Minister Erica Stanford says legally that's not possible. Davidson told Mike Hosking limited access is slowing down the process. He says there's a risk a bad Bill could create a false sense of security and allow harm to continue. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Erica Stanford says she can't give out a copy of National's draft social media ban bill, but Labour MPs will get a briefing this week. It's understood National needs Labour support to pass it. Labour's Reuben Davidson says he's seen the draft in Stanford's office, but wasn't allowed a copy to show colleagues to discuss. Newstalk ZB's Azaria Howell says it's expected that more Labour MPs will see this bill on Thursday. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US has said it will hit Canada with tariffs of 50 per cent on a wide range of goods, Chinese regulators are considering tightening export controls on AI and semiconductor technologies, and UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham picked John Healey as Britain's new chancellor. Plus, a US federal judge paused Paramount's $110bn acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery and the London Stock Exchange will launch round-the-clock trading next year.Mentioned in this podcast:US to hit Canada with 50% tariffs on wide range of goodsChina weighs tighter export controls on AI models and chipsBurnham stuns Labour MPs by choosing Healey as new chancellorUS judge pauses Paramount's $110bn Warner Bros acquisitionLondon Stock Exchange to launch round-the-clock trading next yearCredit: Reuters Want to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.comNote: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts The FT News Briefing is produced by Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, Katya Kumkova, and Fiona Symon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Peter Barber and David da Silva. Our intern is Cole van Miltenburg. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Flo Phillips is the FT's global head of audio. The show's theme music is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Just how much goodwill will the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, be able to keep, and for how long? Some argue that if he wants to deviate from the Labour manifesto, a general election is a must, although it may not produce the strong majority enjoyed by his predecessor. Removing VAT from energy bills seems like a good idea in theory, but how much will it really benefit bill payers? The roles in the political theatre that is the Cabinet have been published, with some surprises. Jeremy Kyle is joined today to discuss the new face of British politics by: Political commentator, Benedict Spence, Labour MP, Sam Rushworth, chief political writer at Spiked Online, Brendan O'Neill, shadow secretary of state for defence, James Cartlidge, Reform UK MP and chairman, Lee Anderson, and political editor at The Sun, Jack Elsom. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Andy Burnham takes over as Prime Minister, we ask leading campaigners and experts on women's issues what they think he should prioritise on day one of his premiership. Clare McDonnell is joined by Labour MP and former Violence against Women and Girls minister Jess Phillips, senior midwife Donna Ockenden who led the recent review into maternity care failings in Nottingham, and Chief Executive of the Fawcett Society Penny East.Fatboy Slim, one of the biggest DJs of the 1990s, has just finished playing four nights to appreciative crowds in his home town of Brighton. And among the crowd were a number of midlife women. More women in their forties and fifties, who are often experiencing the pressure of caring for both children and older parents, are exchanging an early night for being up raving at 4am. Clare McDonnell finds out more from Alinka Greasley, Professor of music psychology at the University of Leeds who has carried out research into women and raving and is a raver and DJ herself. How can we explore distant stars, buried water on Mars, or witness the first moments after the Big Bang? And what can we see without having to leave our back garden? Dr. Emma Chapman an award-winning radio astronomer based at the University of Nottingham, and a Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin research fellow. She will be appearing at the Buxton International Festival this Friday. She joins Clare McDonnell to discuss the radio universe, the upcoming Perseid Meteor Shower and a partial solar eclipse.English Heritage has warned the tradition of sending postcards could become “a distant nostalgic memory", after half of Brits surveyed said they never send them. But with the rise in popularity of 'Snail Mail', largely driven by social media, how are women leading the charge to stay connected through post? To discuss, Clare McDonnell is joined by Great British Bake Off finalist Alice Fevronia, who set up The Artful Baker Club, and Rebecca McMillan, who co-founded The Sunday Letter Project.Presented by Clare McDonnell Producer: Louise Corley

Former Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has officially become the new leader of the British Labour Party. He is expected to take over as the UK's prime minister on Monday, when Sir Keir Starmer will step down after spending two years in the role. We hear from a Labour MP, who's supportive of Burnham, about what the new leader's foreign policies might be.Also in the programme: China hits back at US President Donald Trump as he accuses the country of interfering in the 2020 presidential election; and a new Japanese law upholds the country's ban on female monarchs. (Photo: Andy Burnham speaks after being confirmed as the Labour Party's new leader and the UK's next Prime Minister, 17th July 2026. Credit: REUTERS/Henry Nicholls)

Andy Burnham has become the UK's new Labour leader, and will take over from Keir Starmer as Prime Minister on Monday.For more on this, Ciara is joined by Stephen Pound, former Labour MP for Ealing North and former Northern Ireland Shadow Minister.

The shocking killing of Ann Widdecombe has set a sombre tone in British politics in the last week. Ed Balls and George Osborne delve into the political implications of this tragedy, examining the changing police messaging and debating what the solution for protecting politicians should be. They also share memories of Widdecombe, who they both worked with throughout the years. ‘The King of North' (Andy Burnham) is set to enter Downing Street on Monday, after receiving the backing of over 90% of Labour MPs. But what is he going to do? The unknowns of the incoming Burnham premiership has resulted in breathless speculation hitting a fever pitch. George argues Burnham is focusing too much on the past in his messaging and must look to the future, while Ed cautions that Burnham should not assume he will be popular in the country off the bat. As Keir Starmer's time in No. 10 comes to an end, and Rachel Reeves time in No. 11 is likely to follow suit, the pair reflect on their political legacies and obituaries. They deliver a harsh sentence on their reigns, explaining why they were stuck in a doom loop the last two years, and how it speaks to wider problems in Britain in the last 10 years. 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 or send a question to our social media handles:

There were tears, there was gags, there were plenty of World Cup references. Keir Starmer's final PMQs had something of the last day of school about it as he and Kemi Badenoch shared some rare bonhomie and Starmer reflected on his time in No 10.Tributes to Ann Widdecombe were paid at the start of Starmer's last trip to the Chamber, and there was a rare friendly atmosphere in parliament with MPs clearly keen to show that there is common ground despite the weekly mudslinging.Will some Labour MPs be wondering why they've just sacked the man they stood to applause? Will normal service resume at the next PMQs? And why don't we know almost anything about what Andy Burnham's plan for government is?The News Agents is a Global Production.The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

The murder of Ann Widdecombe has sent shockwaves through Westminster and reignited the debate over politicians' security. But with questions still unanswered about the motive for the attack, Reform's response has already become politically charged. Is Nigel Farage right to argue that threats against him and his party have not been taken seriously – or is he ‘weaponising' Widdecombe's death for political advantage?Meanwhile, Andy Burnham is preparing to enter Downing Street, but Westminster is still struggling to work out what kind of prime minister he will be. Labour MPs are cautiously optimistic, yet many remain unconvinced that Burnham has the tactical judgement needed when the pressure mounts. With 322 MPs having backed him, his first challenge may be managing the expectations of the hundreds who will miss out on government jobs. Can he turn goodwill into authority – or will his opponents define him before he has a chance to define himself?Plus: Nigel Farage remains under pressure over his finances: is this his 'Mandelson' scandal? Tim Shipman speaks to 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.

Hot off Centrist Dad's sellout show last week, two listeners at the gig have sent in questions. Our Kitchen Cabinet winner, Douglas Law, asks a question on the mind of every junior Labour MP right now: will Burnham promote them? Ed Balls and George Osborne explain what ministers must do to secure a promotion in government, and what Burnham will look for.Then, they answer a question that has plagued every recent government: can you end the triple lock? Despite its salience amongst some, George argues why it is neither politically or fiscally sensible to do so. Ed more or less agrees, though proposes a possible path to reducing the burden on public finances.Former Olympic gold medalist, and mind behind the Bee Network, Chris Boardman then asks how the work in Manchester and across devolved administrations can be scaled in order to replicate things like the Bee Network. The pair explain why Chris and Andy Burnham's work was successful, and how cross-party collaboration is key for long-term viability.Finally, they look at the perks received by former PMs. As Keir Starmer becomes the ninth living ex-prime minister, and with Burnham eventually taking it to ten, many wonder if the expense paid to these leaders is becoming too much of a strain. George explains why they were brought in to begin with, and why they can still prove beneficial long after each person has left Downing Street.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 or send a question to our social media handles:

The murder of Ann Widdecombe has sent shockwaves through Westminster and beyond. News came today that counter terror police have now taken over the investigation following "new information and evidence". So what has changed? What have detectives found? And how do police steer the fine line between informing the public and telling us too much too soon? We talk to the host of the Crime Agents podcast, Andy Hughes.Later, how does this feel if you're a highly visible MP? Does the relationship between the public and our politicians have to change? And what part, if any, should political donations play in public life? We talk to Stella Creasy, Labour MP for Walthamstow.The News Agents is a Global production.The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

 As we (and everyone else) predicted a whole month ago in episode #341, Andy Burnham won the Makerfield by-election for Labour and is going to be the next Prime Minister. So now the question is one we ask on this podcast all the time - how can we bring power to those with wisdom and wisdom to those with power?  Specifically, how can he deliver a future that repairs the ruptures within our national and international culture in a time frame that works while in the face of biophysical collapse and the onward march of the political wing of predatory capital?In today's bonus episode, we're delighted to joined again by Rupert Read, Co-Director of the Climate Majority Project, and newly, by Clive Lewis, the Labour MP for Norwich South to explore the potential of this pivotal moment.  We recorded on one of the hottest days of one of the hottest years in human history with the El Niño effect due to ramp up considerably in the next 12-18 months. We're at a moment of geopolitical instability engineered by the hard-right (although here in the UK we have the summer silly-season comedy interlude of Nigel Farage deciding to charge the taxpayer for an unnecessary by-election and finding himself opposed primarily by man wearing a bin on his head. Link here for non UK listeners who may find this somewhat confusing). That apart, what do we who care about a future we'd be proud to leave behind really want from our politicians?  At this stage, there's all to hope for, so we talked to two deeply thoughtful, motivated people who spend all of their time working for exactly this future, thinking about how we get from where we are to a place that offers hope to future generations - and who are capable of talking eloquently, in detail - and wisely about the steps we can take to walk us through from where we are, to where we need to be.  This is Thrutopian Politics in action.  Enjoy!LinksClive's WebsiteClimate Majority Project CompassRecent Compass report on Progressive Politics —About Accidental Gods—We offer three strands all rooted in the same soil, drawing from the same river: Accidental Gods, Dreaming Awake and the Thrutopia Writing Masterclass Our next Open Gathering offered as part of our Accidental Gods Programme is 'BECOMING A GOOD ANCESTOR' which will run on Sunday 13th September 2026 from 16:00 - 20:00 GMT - details are here. You don't have to be a member of Accidental Gods to come along, but if you are, all Gatherings are half price.If you'd like to join us at Accidental Gods, this is the membership where we endeavour to help you to connect fully with the living web of life. If you'd like to train more deeply in the contemporary shamanic work at Dreaming Awake, you'll find us here. If you'd like to explore the recordings from our last Thrutopia Writing Masterclass, the details are hereManda and Louise both offer one-to-one Mentoring Calls.  Manda is writing a book just now, but if you'd like to contact Louise, details are here.

George reports on the political reaction to Friday's shocking news that police had launched a murder investigation in to Ann Widdecombe's death.Following Sir Keir Starmer's appearance at the Nato summit in Ankara, George is joined by Deputy Prime Minister, David Lammy, to reflect on the Prime Minister's record on the global stage.Andy Burnham is set to become Prime Minister without a contest as over 300 hundred Labour MPs this week nominated him for the leadership. To debate whether that is good for the country George is joined by Burnham supporter, Labour MP Emily Darlington, and the former Conservative Deputy Prime Minister, Sir Oliver Dowden.To discuss Nigel Farage's decision to call a by-election in Clacton, George is joined by Reform UK MP, Danny Kruger, and Times columnist, Fraser Nelson.And, ahead of the England Norway World Cup quarter final, George speaks to the Norwegian Ambassador to the UK, Tore Hattrem, and the Conservative Chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committe, Dame Caroline Dinenage.

Is Nigel Farage regretting his move to trigger a by-election now that his main rival is the novelty candidate Count Binface? What do Reform's supporters think, and has he blown his chances of broadening support for the party? Host Lucy Fisher is joined by political correspondent Anna Gross, columnist Stephen Bush and political reporter Rachel Rees to discuss the Reform leader's gamble. Plus Andy Burnham wins overwhelming support to become the next Labour leader, while outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has been talking up his legacy at the Nato summit in Turkey.Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.com; Stephen @stephenkb and @stephenkb.bsky.social, Rachel @rachel-rees.bsky.social and Anna, @AnnaSophieGrossWant more? Labour MPs queue up to back Andy Burnham as next leaderLabour MPs push for permanent ban on crypto political donationsPolice launch probe into donations to Robert Jenrick's Tory leadership campaign‘Nigel can fix it' — what Clacton voters think of Farage's gambitA timeline of Nigel Farage's £5mn gift and his return to politicsNigel Farage ridiculed in parliament as ‘farce' by-election gets go-aheadUS carries out second day of strikes against IranBritain's power problemYou can also sign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free.Political Fix was presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Persis Love and Clare Williamson. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and sound engineering by Breen Turner. The broadcast engineers are Andrew Georgiades and Petros Gioumpasis. Flo Phillips is the FT head of audio.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The race to become the next UK Prime Minister is nearing its conclusion. With Andy Burnham securing overwhelming support from Labour MPs and just one vote away from confirming his leadership. To discuss further was James Lyons, former Director of Strategic Communications for Keir Starmer.

Today's headlines include: Telstra has been warned it could face a multimillion-dollar fine after this week’s widespread outages. Outspoken media figure and former Senator Derryn Hinch has died at the age of 82 after a long and public health battle. Andy Burnham is almost guaranteed to be the UK’s next Prime Minister, after 322 Labour MPs nominated him to take over from Keir Starmer as leader. And today’s good news: The city of New York has announced funding to support a new pet‑food pantry program. Hosts: Elliot Lawry and Sam KoslowskiProducer: Rosa Bowden Want to support The Daily Aus? That's so kind! The best way to do that is to click ‘follow’ on Spotify or Apple and to leave us a five-star review. We would be so grateful. The Daily Aus is a media company focused on delivering accessible and digestible news to young people. We are completely independent. Want more from TDA?Subscribe to The Daily Aus newsletterSubscribe to The Daily Aus’ YouTube Channel Have feedback for us?We’re always looking for new ways to improve what we do. If you’ve got feedback, we’re all ears. Tell us here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Andy Burnham's Labour leadership bid has been backed by 322 Labour MPs.If no one else enters the contest, as expected, Burnham will be declared Labour leader next week before taking office as prime minister on 20 July. Burnham is currently just one short of securing 323 nominations, which is when it is mathematically impossible for a rival to reach the 81-MP threshold needed to run against him. Adam and Chris discuss.An interim review of Personal Independence Payments (Pip) in England and Wales had found it to be "not fit for purpose". Last year, the UK government asked Sir Stephen Timms to review whether Pip was "fair and fit for the future". His initial report is being published on Thursday ahead of the final recommendations due in the autumn.Adam and Alex discuss with Ben Chu Policy and Analysis Correspondent, BBC VerifyYou 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 Jack Maclaren with Gabriel Purcell-Davis. The social producer was Joe Wilkinson. The technical producer was Jonathan Greer. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Andy Burnham has promised to make Labour MPs feel "happy and fulfilled" by easing party discipline and turning the Whips' Office into something more like an HR department. It's a very different approach to Keir Starmer's leadership - but will it work?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Sarah Ditum and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Labour's prison crisis is spiralling out of control, and victims are paying the price.With dangerous sex offenders set to walk free after serving just a third of their sentences, Kemi Badenoch is urging Labour MPs to back an amendment to stop the early release scheme. Grooming gang survivors, including the courageous Fiona Goddard, say the system has failed them twice over. Meanwhile, convicted child rapist Shabbir Ahmed — guilty of 30 offences — could be back on British streets, with Labour only now scrambling for an emergency deportation law.Then, the benefits timebomb: over 100,000 people are claiming disability payments for ADHD with zero requirement to seek work — up 40% in just two years. Julia and commentator Sam Armstrong ask the hard questions about a system being gamed by many, whilst failing those who genuinely need support.And Nigel Farage faces mounting pressure from the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner over undeclared gifts — but is this legitimate scrutiny or a coordinated establishment takedown?Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Annabel Rook dedicated her life to supporting vulnerable women, yet her own life was violently taken by her partner. Annabel co-founded MamaSuze, a creative grassroots arts organisation in North London to enhance the lives of women who have survived violence. Her co-founder, Catherine Milne and Annabel's sister Sophie join Chloe Tilley to discuss Annabel's impact and what people can learn from their loss.Money is broken for women, according to the founders of Female Invest - a subscription-based financial education app founded in Denmark. In their new book, It's a Rich Man's World, they explore the life events and systemic obstacles that women face in building and holding on to wealth. Krupa Padhy talks to co-founder Anna-Sophie Hartvigsen about the possible solutions.As part of Radio 4's Once Upon a Time season we're looking at fairytales through a feminist lens. Award-winning author Kirsty Logan joins us down the line from Glasgow and the mythologist and psychologist Dr Sharon Blackie joins us from Cumbria. They tell Nuala McGovern why they believe women need fairy tales now more than ever and, crucially, why we should keep re-writing them for ourselves.In the week that Baroness Amos released her long-awaited National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation into maternity service failings in England, we hear reaction from the Labour MP and Government Maternity Advisor Michelle Welsh.When the award-winning poet Helen Mort became a stepmother, she went in search of literary role models, but was sadly disappointed by portrayals from the fairytale ‘wicked queen' to the put-upon parent of the modern blended family. She talks to Anita Rani about creating her new collection, Stepmother, to re-write the role.Presenter: Krupa Padhy Producer: Kirsty McQuire

Sonia Sodha discusses the long-awaited Defence Investment Plan, which was published this week, with the former Conservative Security minister Tom Tugendhat and the Labour MP and former Royal Marine Fred Thomas.To review Andy Burnham's devolution plans, Sonia speaks to the Labour Mayor of the East Midlands Claire Ward and Greg Clark, a former Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, who was one of the architects of devolution policy when the Conservatives were in government. Following a series of maternity scandals, Baroness Amos published her independent review this week. The Liberal Democrat MP, Layla Moran, who chairs the Health Select Committee and the Labour MP Michelle Welsh, who is the government's national maternity adviser discuss what has gone wrong. And to discuss Brand Burnham, Sonia brought together Rachel Cunliffe, the Associate Political Editor of the New Statesman and Farzana Baduel, the co-founder of Curzon PR and presenter of BBC Radio 4's ‘When It Hits the Fan'.

Andy Burnham is preparing for power – which means horsetrading, negotiations and planning.Ailbhe Rea has been speaking to MPs and advisors inside the Labour party to find out what's really happening in Team Burnham, who's in line for the top jobs, and why some Labour MPs are giving Burnham "the ick".Plus: Reform say Nigel Farage is having a great time. Other sources say he's struggling. What's going on inside the “unofficial opposition”? Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Tom McTague and Ailbhe Rea.LISTEN AD-FREE:

Kemi Badenoch has accused female Labour MPs of engaging in "failed identity politics" by asking Andy Burnham to commit to making 50 per cent of his ministers women.Is she right to accuse them of "moaning"?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Sarah Ditum and Matthew Parris.You can hear more of Hugo on Times Radio from Monday to Thursday, 10am-1pm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Setting out the stories of the next seven days… Andy Burnham is PM in waiting and the battle among Labour MPs for his attention is on. What's going to bubble up from what the Guardian calls a “massive bunfight for influence”? Plus, Shabana Mahmood finds a way to make immigration even more contentious, Trump finds a way to make America's 250th birthday horribly divisive… and Taylor Swift is getting married in New York. Ros Taylor and Andrew Harrison read the runes for the week ahead. • Special offer! Get 20% off any vehicle history check at carVertical.com/TheBunker. www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Andy Burnham looks set to go unchallenged in his leadership bid, Labour MPs are now jostling for a position in his cabinet. Who will have his ear, and what does that tell us about his leadership?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Can any other Labour MP amass sufficient support to challenge Andy Burnham for the top job, or is his ascent to No 10 now all but assured? Just 24 hours after Sir Keir Starmer's resignation as prime minister, host Lucy Fisher is joined by FT colleagues Miranda Green, Robert Shrimsley and Chris Smyth to discuss the merits of a leadership contest over a coronation, who will win big roles in a Burnham cabinet and his early policy priorities. Plus the group considers the political ripples that a Burnham government will have on the other parties.Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.com; Chris: @Smyth_Chris and @chris-smyth.bsky.social; Miranda:@greenmiranda and @greenmirandahere.bsky.social and Robert: @robertshrimsley and @robertshrimsley.bsky.socialWant more? Labour MPs consider backing challenger to Andy BurnhamWaiting for Andy: what will a Burnham premiership mean?The 10 headaches Starmer is handing to BurnhamThe revolving door of Downing StreetWhy does Britain keep changing prime ministers?Labour's Burnham sceptics don't have the numbers to stop himJoin the Political Fix panel on Thursday June 25 for an FT Live event, ‘Ten years after Brexit: Can the UK deliver change?' Register to take part at ft.com/anniversary and send us your questions. You can also sign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free.Political Fix was presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Persis Love and Clare Williamson. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and sound engineering by Breen Turner. The global head of audio is Flo Phillips. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

​Jeremy Kyle reacts as Sir Keir Starmer's tearful resignation has left Labour scrambling, with Andy Burnham poised for a rapid, contested march towards Downing Street. Opponents demand a general election, while Labour MPs weigh Darren Jones or Al Carns bids to prevent a Burnham coronation. With markets, defence plans and Brexit talks uncertain, Britain faces another leadership upheaval and mounting questions over democratic mandate.Wake up with Talk Breakfast in full on YouTube, DAB+ radio, Samsung TV Plus or the Talk App on your TV from 6am every morning. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer has announced he is standing down as prime minister after days of intense pressure from Labour MPs, including cabinet ministers, following Andy Burnham's byelection victory in Makerfield. Wes Streeting has ruled himself out of the running, so will it be a coronation for the ‘king of the north' or could another candidate emerge? Lucy Hough speaks to senior political correspondent Peter Walker – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Susan Hulme reports as the new Labour MP for Makerfield Andy Burnham arrives in Parliament.

Keir Starmer is on his way out and Andy Burnham looks set to become Britain's next Prime Minister. After years as Mayor of Greater Manchester, Burnham appears to have cleared the field, with Labour MPs rallying behind him and potential rivals standing aside. But what happens next?Can Burnham turn his popularity into a successful premiership? Does he have a plan for Britain's sluggish economy, rising welfare costs and growing defence commitments? What exactly is "Manchesterism", and can it work across the whole country?To discuss all of this and more, Krishnan Guru-Murthy is in Westminster, speaking to Channel 4 News Political Editor Gary Gibbon about Burnham's path to Number 10, the likely shape of his government, the future of Labour, and what Nigel Farage and Reform UK make of the challenge ahead. He's joined by Labour peer Ayesha Hazarika, the i Paper's Kitty Donaldson, and Ipsos UK Chief Executive Kelly Beaver to assess what a Burnham premiership could mean for British politics.

Andy Burnham is the new Labour MP for Makerfield, heading for parliament and, likely, Number 10. But what does his momentous win here on the outskirts of Wigan tell us about his chances of masterminding a wider Labour revival as prime minister? Host Patrick Baker has been in the constituency over the past few weeks, speaking to people who live and work in this curiously normal part of the country about the prospect of a Burnham premiership. On the campaign trail, Labour MP Peter Dowd reveals what kind of reaction he has been getting on the doorstep and shares his enthusiasm for Burnham's economic agenda. Reform voters at the Bryn Community Centre in Ashton explain why they feel Labour has abandoned them, but hint they might look again at voting Labour if Burnham can deliver for their area as prime minister. Patrick speaks to locals supporting Rupert Lowe's hardline anti-immigration party Restore Britain, as well as those concerned that two insurgent parties on the right could provide a boost to Labour's electoral chances. And Rob Ford, professor of politics at the University of Manchester, explains why being a popular mayor may not so easily translate into being a successful PM. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tim Harford investigates some of the numbers in the news. This week:(00:31) Claims have circulated on the internet that Europe sees a particularly high number of deaths from heat waves, especially when compared to the US. Can we really compare the statistics, and is air conditioning a silver bullet?(06:59) Sainsbury's are making the switch from brown to white eggs, on the basis of claims about their carbon footprint - but how do you work this out? We talk to an egg man about eggs. A lot. (13:56) Are Conservative MPs frit? That's what a Labour MP thinks after a recent PMQs saw no Conservative backbenchers ask a question. Are they really afraid to ask Keir Starmer a question? Or is it just probability? (19:20) In a series full of Welsh twists, another Welsh twist; have we been guilty of drastically underestimating the area of Wales by failing to account for its majestic mountains and plunging valleys? Topography is top of mind for our top team.More or Less is the programme that looks at numbers and statistics in news and in life. We're always looking for questions from listeners - you can contact us on moreorless@bbc.co.uk.Guests: Gary Ford - policy advisor at the British Free Range Egg Producers Association Dr Laura Graham - computational and spatial ecologist at the University of Birmingham Dr  Jen Visser Rogers - statistician and chief scientific officer at Coronado Research. Special guest appearance: Elis JamesPresenter: Tim Harford Series Producer: Tom Colls Reporter: Lizzy McNeill Producers: Nathan Gower, Josh McMinn Editor: Richard Vadon Programme Coordinator: Brenda Brown Sound Engineer: Neil Churchill

Tim Harford investigates some of the numbers in the news. This week:(00:31) Claims have circulated on the internet that Europe sees a particularly high number of deaths from heat waves, especially when compared to the US. Can we really compare the statistics, and is air conditioning a silver bullet?(06:59) Sainsbury's are making the switch from brown to white eggs, on the basis of claims about their carbon footprint - but how do you work this out? We talk to an egg man about eggs. A lot.(13:56) Are Conservative MPs frit? That's what a Labour MP thinks after a recent PMQs saw no Conservative backbenchers ask a question. Are they really afraid to ask Keir Starmer a question? Or is it just probability?(19:20) In a series full of Welsh twists, another Welsh twist; have we been guilty of drastically underestimating the area of Wales by failing to account for its majestic mountains and plunging valleys? Topography is top of mind for our top team.More or Less is the programme that looks at numbers and statistics in news and in life. We're always looking for questions from listeners - you can contact us on moreorless@bbc.co.uk.Guests:Gary Ford - policy advisor at the British Free Range Egg Producers Association Dr Laura Graham - computational and spatial ecologist at the University of Birmingham Dr  Jen Visser Rogers - statistician and chief scientific officer at Coronado Research.Special guest appearance:Elis JamesPresenter: Tim Harford Series Producer: Tom Colls Reporter: Lizzy McNeill Producers: Nathan Gower, Josh McMinn Editor: Richard Vadon Programme Coordinator: Brenda Brown Sound Engineer: Neil Churchill

STARMER IS FINISHED: BUT Is ANDY BURNHAM The Answer? #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV #Live #KeirStarmer #AndyBurnham #Labour #GeneralElection #UKPolitics #NigelFarage #ReformUK Keir Starmer's authority is under intense pressure. Polls are bleak, Labour MPs are restless, and rumours of a leadership challenge refuse to go away. But if Starmer falls, is replacing him with Andy Burnham really the answer? Tonight, Jon Gaunt asks a simple question: who actually voted for Andy Burnham to become Prime Minister? Millions of people voted in the last General Election based on Labour's manifesto and on the promises made by Keir Starmer. If Labour simply swaps leaders without returning to the country, is that democratic? Or is it another example of Westminster politicians deciding they know better than the voters? We'll debate whether the real issue is not Starmer himself, but the direction of the Labour Party. Has Labour abandoned the promises it made to the British people? Has it drifted away from the concerns of ordinary voters on immigration, crime, free speech and the cost of living?  And what would Andy Burnham actually do differently? Would he tackle concerns about unequal policing and justice? Would he recognise the growing public perception that some laws are enforced differently depending on who is protesting, who is speaking, or what cause is being promoted? Or would it simply be more of the same under a different face? If Starmer is finished, should the British people be given the final say through a General Election? Join Jon Gaunt  as we debate whether changing the captain can save the ship—or whether Britain needs a completely new course. Do you think Starmer is finished? Would Andy Burnham be any better? Or is it time for a General Election? Get involved in the live chat and have your say. Jon Gaunt, JonGauntTV, Live, Keir Starmer, Andy Burnham, Labour Party, General Election, UK Politics, Prime Minister, Labour Leadership, Westminster, Democracy, British Politics, Reform UK, Nigel Farage, Immigration, Crime, Two Tier Policing, Free Speech, Political Debate, Jon Gaunt Live #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV #Live #KeirStarmer #AndyBurnham #Labour #LabourParty #GeneralElection #UKPolitics #PrimeMinister #Democracy #Westminster #NigelFarage #ReformUK #Immigration #Crime #FreeSpeech #PoliticalDebate #TwoTierPolicing #Britain #PoliticsLive 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.

It's been 10 years since Jo Cox, the Labour MP for Batley and Spen, was murdered in broad daylight by a man who lived in her constituency, motivated by far-right extremism. That truly shocking event sparked a national conversation about the safety of our elected representatives, and the civility of our public discourse. During her lifetime, Jo's philosophy was that “we are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us” – a philosophy which led to the establishment of the Jo Cox Foundation after her death. Their CEO Olivia Field joins presenter Nuala McGovern, along with Alice Lilly, senior researcher at the Institute for Government, to discuss the impact of Jo's death and the safety of female politicians now. Actor Geraldine James is renowned for a host of roles in theatre and on screen, from her TV debut in The Sweeney five decades ago to Jewel in the Crown, Band of Gold, This Town, The Cage and comedy sketch show Little Britain to name a few. Now she's making her Chichester theatre debut in the stage premiere of the 2015 film 45 years, alongside Gabriel Byrne. The couple are about to celebrate 45 years of marriage, when news arrives in a letter from Switzerland about a woman's body that's been discovered in a melting glacier, sending shockwaves through their marriage. A new BBC podcast asks whether women are always safe on swinging websites. Swingers, an investigation from journalist Catrin Nye, explores serious concerns within the swinging community and asks if abuse can exist behind the language of sexual freedom. Nuala speaks to Catrin Nye and Rachel Horman Brown KC, a lawyer whose practice focuses on domestic abuse. The number of bookshops on our high streets has now grown to the highest number since 2012, with some of the rise being attributed to specialist genre shops fuelled by the surge in popularity for fantasy - and 'romantasy' - fiction. We hear from Amanda Logan who opened Ritual Reads in the town of Whitchurch, Shropshire, last November and says about 75% of her customers are women. Presented by: Nuala McGovern Produced by: Sarah Jane Griffiths

In PMQs today, Kemi Badenoch strategically chose not to talk about the Henry Nowak case given the sensitivity surrounding the subject. Instead she opted for welfare – asking the PM why spending has grown during Labour's government. A statistic some Labour MPs seemed proud of...Nigel Farage however didn't hold back and clashed with Keir Starmer over the police's handling of the murder of student Henry Nowak. Oscar Edmondson is joined by Noa Hoffman and Michael Simmons. 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.

Our Global Head of Fixed Income Research Andrew Sheets and Chief UK Economist Bruna Skarica discuss why they see a more constructive UK outlook than markets do, despite energy, fiscal and political risks.Read more insights from Morgan Stanley.----- Transcript -----Andrew Sheets: Welcome to Thoughts on the Market. I'm Andrew Sheets, Global Head of Fixed Income Research at Morgan Stanley. Bruna Skarica: And I'm Bruna Skarica, Morgan Stanley's Chief UK Economist. Andrew Sheets: Today, the debate around growth and debt in the United Kingdom. It's Wednesday, May 20th at 2pm in London. Bruna, I'm so glad you could join us today because I actually really did want to talk about what's going on here in the United Kingdom. I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that this is the country where you hear some of the strongest divergence of opinions. Pessimists point to political uncertainty, vulnerability to oil prices from the Strait of Hormuz, and rising bond yields. And yet, UK growth this year has been pretty good. Inflation is set to come down, and the currency's been pretty stable, hardly the stuff of big instability. So, Bruna, I was hoping you could help us set the scene. Let's start with how you see the economy. Bruna Skarica: I actually think your framing is perfect. For the past five years, there has been a striking divergence of opinion on the UK, which I do think mimics to a degree some of the divisions on the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee. The question really is – has the country underwent structural changes in the past decade of supply-side shocks such that its potential growth is very low, perhaps as low as 1 percent on the year. And has the inflationary process shifted in such a way that, for example, we need much higher jobless rate in order to generate enough economic slack to get inflation down to 2 percent? Or the other question is, has the UK just had a unique string of external shocks amplified perhaps by domestic policy choices, which mean that we have seen a prolonged period of low growth and high inflation – but again, without major structural changes. We are in the more constructive structural camp. I actually think that's probably Morgan Stanley's biggest out of consensus call in the UK. In recent years in particular, we have seen quite robust CapEx. And last year, actually very healthy private sector productivity gains. When you adjust for accurate labor market data, UK's private sector productivity growth is just under 2 percent as of the end of 2025, actually not too far off from the U.S. But for these good structural trends to persist and continue to improve, we do need a more supportive cyclical environment. And there, unfortunately, given the rise in oil prices, it's hard to be overly constructive about growth and inflation in the UK this year. We've downgraded our growth forecasts to around 1 percent over [20]26 and [20]27, and we have lifted our inflation projections by around 150 basis points at their peak to a peak of around 3.5 percent later in the year. Andrew Sheets: So, Bruna, how much does the price of oil or the price of natural gas matter for this outlook, especially as the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively shut? Bruna Skarica: It does matter a fair bit. We use Morgan Stanley's commodity team's forecasts in our own scenario analyses for the UK economy. Now, their base case still sees a gentle decline in oil prices this year, which leads to outcomes I've already mentioned. The activity flatlines from the second quarter, we have a rise in inflation from April onwards, but we don't have a recession. However, if we fail to see any movement lower in oil, and as you rightly pointed out, natural gas prices as well; or if we even saw a move higher over the summer, we do think that risks of a recession would be quite pronounced in the second half of the year. UK consumers are already in for a year of flat real disposable income growth. Higher prices of food and energy than in our base case could result in even lower discretionary spending growth than what we're already modeling. And if the Bank of England had to hike rates in this inflationary scenario, we think they would act twice in this kind of a scenario. We also have these tight financial conditions which would weigh on household spending. Andrew Sheets: So, Bruna, I think that's a great segue into that out-of-consensus call that we have on the Bank of England. You know, the market is expecting the Bank of England to raise interest rates. We think that they'll be on hold. And if you take a step back, it's a view that, kind of, puts the UK and the Bank of England a little bit between the Federal Reserve, which we think is going to be lowering rates over the next twelve months modestly, and the European Central Bank, which we think will raise rates in the near term. Could you talk a bit more about why you think it will remain on hold? And why you differ from what the market's seeing? Bruna Skarica: Yeah, absolutely. So, in our base case, the one where we do see a bit of a decline in oil and gas prices over the course of this year, we think the Bank of England remains on hold. It's important to remember that they were about to cut rates, prior to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. So, there is a bit of restrictiveness there in the starting stance, which we think can just be maintained for a longer period of time than would've otherwise been the case. And so, for the Bank of England to avoid having to tighten rates. Now, with respect to the market, I think it's fair to say that the market price is a probability-weighted outcome, where there is some chance, a non-negligible one, that the Bank of England will have to hike rates aggressively if oil prices were to rise from here. To give you a bit of clarity here, bank's own analyses suggests that in a scenario where oil prices were to rise towards $130 per barrel and stay there for a few months, the bank could hike rates by four times. Now, it's interesting that in this scenario, the bank actually doesn't forecast a recession. Now, we think that in the case of such elevated commodity prices, as I've already mentioned, we would certainly see high inflation, potentially as high as 6 percent, but also recessionary impulses. So, even in the scenario of elevated oil prices, we think the bank could only deliver around two hikes. And so, this kind of probability-weighted outcome that we have, which differs a little bit from our model case, even that is actually fairly lower than what the market is pricing. So, I think that's maybe one of the main differences that we have versus the market. The market is expecting a repeat of 2022, so elevated inflation with growth just about holding on. We disagree that's possible because there's far less scope for a fiscal response to shield growth from an inflationary external shock. Andrew Sheets: But Bruna, maybe I'll take even a bigger step back here because to borrow a British phrase, it almost seems like some of these debates over oil prices are kind of small beer compared to these two big questions around the UK. Which are, you know, concerns over a lack of productivity growth and concerns that the UK economy is just, kind of, poorly positioned over the long term – especially in the wake of Brexit and concern over the fiscal situation. And this idea that, well, government debt is historically high for the UK, concern that that will continue. And I think it's no exaggeration to say that when you talk to investors about the UK, those are often, kind of, two of the big questions that hang over the debate. So, your brief thoughts on both of those issues. And again, where you think the market might be potentially surprised? Bruna Skarica: So, one of the most interesting things when I talk to clients is when I mention some of these statistics around measured cyclical productivity growth last year, they're often very, very surprised. And we do think it's more important to talk about this because there is evidence, I would say nascent evidence, that UK is benefiting from the AI tailwind. We are seeing more CapEx adoption. We are seeing slower hiring, but more resilient growth, which, as I say, results in cyclical productivity growth that looks very robust, especially in UK's historical context. In the last ten years, of course, UK's productivity growth has been very lackluster. So, over the course of this year, I think that's actually my primary focus to see how much of this uplift in productivity last year is cyclical and perhaps will dissipate over 2026 with the slowdown in growth. And how much of it was actually structural. Now, in terms of the fiscal question, you know, one thing that's interesting to mention is the UK is, per IMF calculations, in the middle of the most severe fiscal consolidation amongst its G7 peers. Medium-term fiscal plans deliver a decline in deficit to below 2 percent of GDP by 2030. Again, this is hard to square with gilt yields where they currently stand. So, it's fair to say that the market is just more focused on the risks of delivery. For example, departmental spending settlements look challenging to deliver. Ministry of Defense is looking for a [£]30 billion top-up to its budgets. Labor backbenchers have recently come out seeking for a bit more capital expenditure. Political volatility is high. We are actually quite confident around our 2026 fiscal forecasts. We're looking for a deficit at 4 percent. But when it comes to 2027, I think it's fair to say that risks here really depend on the political trajectory with risks skewed, I think, towards a slightly higher deficit than around 3.5 percent, which we have in our base case. Andrew Sheets: But Bruna, just to be very direct, is it fair to say that for investors who are very concerned about productivity growth in the UK, you'd argue that that actually could be a bit better than people are expecting as capital deepens? And that for investors afraid of the fiscal trajectory, that actually could be one of the best fiscal trajectories In the G7? Bruna Skarica: Yeah, absolutely. I mean, one of our recent outlook titles was “Everything is Relative,” and that's exactly the point that we always try to make with the UK. It seems like it has a lot of idiosyncratic fiscal problems, but I would say a lot of its fiscal challenges are very similar to other DM countries – demographic aging, slowing in potential GDP growth. And when it comes to productivity growth, I'm not trying to argue that we're likely to see UK's potential GDP growth in excess of 2 percent anytime soon. However, we do think that the picture is actually much better in terms of productivity growth than perhaps what the average market participants think is the case. Andrew Sheets: Finally, Bruna, just a word on politics. I'm mindful that we have a global audience. And for those less steeped in the latest UK news, what's been happening? And what are the developments that investors are watching out for? Bruna Skarica: Yeah, absolutely. So, we had local elections in the UK in early May, and they delivered quite sizable losses for the governing Labour Party. Since then, a number of Labour MPs, Members of Parliament, just under 100 of them, called on Prime Minister Starmer to resign. Now, challenging a Labour leader and a prime minister in this case is not an easy process to trigger.However, Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is now looking to enter the House of Commons. He will be contesting a by-election, most likely on June 18th. I would say that's the key date to watch out for from here. Andy Burnham has previously said UK politicians should be less focused on the bond market, but perhaps it's worth reiterating. More recently, he said he supports the current fiscal rules, which of course require debt-to-GDP ratio to be on the declining trajectory over the next five years. Now, Andrew, for you, what stands out in the pricing of the UK story? Andrew Sheets: Well, Bruna, I really think this is the country where across everything that we look at, there's the biggest gap, I think, between kind of conventional wisdom and what we at Morgan Stanley are forecasting.The market's conventional wisdom is that productivity growth is going to be very weak and very bad. That's not what you see in the numbers and is in our forecast. The market thinks the government finances are very weak. As you mentioned, relative to the G7, they're on a pretty good trajectory and at a pretty good level. And I think this is also a market where you have some interesting risk premium. I mean, again, we talk a lot in this podcast about how little risk premium there is in a lot of different asset classes. That's not the case in the UK. The government bond market, in our view, is offering a lot of risk premium to take on the risk of owning the government debt. And, you know, one example of that is, you know, you look at what interest rate is implied on a UK 10-year government bond 10 years from now. It's implying that yield is 6.6 percent. That's a very high yield, especially if you think that growth is going to be weak in this country. So, I think it's a really interesting macro story. It's one certainly where we at Morgan Stanley differ, and where there's some risk premium on offer. So, I'm so glad you could join us today to dig into it in more detail. Bruna Skarica: Absolutely. Thank you so much for the invite. Andrew Sheets: And thank you as always for your time. If you find Thoughts on the Market useful, let us know by leaving a review wherever you listen. And also tell a friend or colleague about us today.