Podcasts about New Statesman

The dormant Democrat party must find a way to revive itself if it is to have any hope of challenging the Maga movement, Donald Trump, and his eventual successor. The party is split on whether Trump is simply an aberration to endure, or whether he represents the death of democracy, justifying a dirtier form of opposition politics.Anoosh Chakelian is joined by the New Statesman's US correspondent Freddie Hayward.Download the app Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the UK Parliament takes its summer break, has Reform seized the media spotlight and emerged as a viable third-party contender? What are the risks of uploading ID to age-restricted websites under the Online Safety Act? Will Trump impose his peace deal deadline on Russia if Putin refuses negotiations?Rebecca Moore is joined by The New Statesman's Associate Political Editor, Rachel Cunliffe. Plus the Observer's Poppy Bullard and Patricia Clarke, as they battle it out and pitch the top stories of the day. Links to the team's Must Reads and recommendations here: Gen lay-Z: Why my generation doesn't care about work - HERE One year on, tensions still circle Britain's asylum-seeker hotels - HERENathan For You (Season 4, Episode 8), Finding Frances. Trump's relationship with Putin ‘at breaking point' after Russia unleashes Kyiv blitz - HEREWe want to hear what you think! Email us at: newsmeeting@observer.co.uk Follow us on Social Media: @ObserverUK on X @theobserveruk on Instagram and TikTok@theobserveruk.bsky.social‬ on bluesky Host: Rebecca Moore, Executive Producer Producer: Casey Magloire Executive Producer: Matt Russell To find out more about The Observer:Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free contentHead to our website observer.co.uk Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Britain is in the grip of a housing crisis and politicians from all sides claim to have the solutions. But as prices rise, renters struggle and investors profit - are we seeing housing policy serve the public good?Will Dunn, the New Statesman's business editor, is joined by Susan J. Smith, the new president of the British Academy and honorary professor of social and economic geography at the University of Cambridge.Read: Britain's new-build nightmare Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Donald Trump visits Scotland, world leaders - including Keir Starmer - flock to pay tribute at the emperor's feet.Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2DHAQOeEg-Z-4trARDXHRA?sub_confirmation=1The US President is on a 4-day trip to his golf courses in Scotland. He has met with Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.Wielding the "bully-boy" threat of trade tariffs, the President is enjoying unprecedented influence. But should European leaders learn from the more combative approaches taken by Canada and France?Megan Gibson joins Tom McTague on the New Statesman podcast.

Director, writer and producer Peter Kosminsky, who directed of the BBC's adaptation of Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall, has worked in the television industry for 45 years. The BAFTA and Golden Globe winner is one of the most respected voices in the industry.Kosminsky spoke to the New Statesman's Hannah Barnes in a wide ranging discussion about the state of British television, and why he is calling upon the government to stand up for public service broadcasting against the might of the streaming giants. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

She was the Tory saviour. Now, by November, she could be gone.Where did it all go wrong for Kemi Badenoch?--For this week's New Statesman magazine, Will Lloyd has written a powerful and revealing profile of the Nigerian immigrant who rose to lead the Conservative Party. Will joins Tom McTague to discuss what he discovered in the course of his reporting, including why Conservative grandees first celebrated, then turned against, Kemi Badenoch. They explore whether racism plays a role in the way Badenoch has been treated, and whether the woman who some cast as a new Thatcher was ever as able as the Conservatives wanted to believe.--Read Will Lloyd's profile of Kemi Badenoch in the New Statesman magazine, or online: Kemi Badenoch isn't workingListen next: How to defeat reform - exclusive polling with analyst Steve Akehurst Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Whitehall Sources, Calum Macdonald, Kirsty Buchanan (former adviser to PM Theresa May) and Jo Tanner (political strategist) unpack Kemi Badenoch's dramatic reshuffle of the shadow cabinet — is it about party unity, performance, or a subtle pivot toward the centre?We discuss:James Cleverley's return to the frontbench and Rob Jenrick's surprise survivalKemi's “think tank” leadership style vs. the need for visible political fightTrump's upcoming visit to Scotland: footgolf diplomacy, tariffs, and political theatreSir Keir Starmer's warning about social cohesion and rising far-right disinformationThe inside scoop from Jo's recent appearance on BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg (including a hilarious paparazzi moment)

Could Donald Trump's plea to his support base to “not waste time and energy on Jeffrey Epstein” finally drive a wedge between the US president and his MAGA faithful? And what are Trump and Vice President JD Vance doing in the UK this summer?Katie Stallard is joined by the New Statesman's US correspondent Freddie Hayward to discuss.READA conspiracy theory that Donald Trump can't control - Freddie Hayward Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 The Controversial Truth1. The Crisis of FaithFor 50 years, Mother Teresa secretly struggled with a loss of connection to God, describing feelings of abandonment in private writings ("The Saint of Calcutta").She confessed to experiencing "the presence of the devil" five years before her death—yet publicly upheld an image of unwavering faith.2. Questionable Medical PracticesMultiple reports (including from volunteers like Hemley Gonzalez and journalist Donald Macintyre) reveal:Reused, unsterilized needles and contaminated water (justifying it as "God's will").No trained medical staff in her hospices, despite $30M/year in donations.Filthy conditions: Urine/feces-soaked laundry washed next to eating utensils.Refusal to improve care: Volunteers offering boilers or supplies were told "Jesus doesn't want that."3. Exploitation of Suffering?Critics (like atheist Christopher Hitchens) argue:She romanticized pain as "piety," denying painkillers to the dying.Focused on baptizing the terminally ill (often without consent) over alleviating suffering.Tied patients like animals: Reports describe children tethered to beds, a woman bound to a tree, and volunteers laughing at their distress.4. The "Miracle" ControversyHer first canonization "miracle" (a cancer cure) was debunked as the result of medical treatment.Funding priorities: Despite massive donations, facilities remained squalid—fueling accusations of performative charity.5. Legacy: Compassion or Cult?Pro: She drew global attention to the poor and inspired humanitarian work.Con: Evidence suggests her missions prioritized Catholic dogma over genuine care, with volunteers "intoxicated by the myth" (Macintyre).Key SourcesDocumentary: Hell's Angel: Mother Teresa of Calcutta (Chatterjee, 1994)Investigations: The Washington Post, New StatesmanVolunteer testimonies: Hemley Gonzalez, Donald MacintyreMy Video:  Mother Teresa: Saint or Sinner https://youtu.be/p1j41iIRCsoMy Audio: https://divinesuccess.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/Podcast4/Mother-Teresa-Saint-or-Sinner.mp3For sources on the claims & quotes:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OZtJUEXykEhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEaKXRJ4NB4https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2015/02/25/why-to-many-critics-mother-teresa-is-still-no-saint/https://www.newstatesman.com/long-reads/2005/08/squalid-truth-behind-legacy-mother-teresahttps://edition.cnn.com/2016/08/31/asia/mother-teresa-controversies/index.htmlhttps://www.nytimes.com/1995/02/08/movies/critic-s-notebook-a-skeptical-look-at-mother-teresa.htmlhttps://www.nytimes.com/1996/01/14/books/books-in-brief-nonfiction-068195.htmlhttps://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/mother-teresa-s-canonization-controversy-clouds-nun-s-work-n641181https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/icon-of-the-poor-leaves-legacy-of-controversy-1.105892

Water regulator Ofwat is to be abolished - but Labour should go further.***On Monday the results of an independent review of the water industry were published. The results were damning for the regulator, Ofwat, which will be abolished in response to the report. Megan Kenyon attended the announcement for the New Statesman and joins Anoosh Chakelian and George Eaton on the podcast.They argue that while provision of water in the UK clearly needs drastic reform, the government needs a more radical plan to address the core issues - including the "radicalising" problem of sewage in Britain's lakes and waterways.They also discuss the proposed appointment of Tim Allan as Keir Starmer's permanent secretary for communications. Does the PM really need another member of the New Labour team on his staff?LISTEN NEXT:What does "Blue Labour" really mean? - Morgan Jones interview Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Alan and Lionel are joined by Tom McTague, former Unherd political editor and recently appointed editor-in-chief at the New Statesman.Tom explains his vision, both for the magazine and for the UK. He also spills the beans on his interview with Keir Starmer, and shares what he talked about over a drink with Spectator editor and former Tory cabinet minister Michael Gove.The hosts also discuss the two BBC reports out this week about the corporation's handling of the documentary Gaza: How to survive in a warzone, as well as an independent review into “inappropriate behaviour” by former MasterChef judge Gregg Wallace. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jonathan Sumption, Lord Sumption, served on the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom between 2012 and 2018.He has written a powerful and sobering essay for the New Statesman in which he argues that Israel is committing war crimes in Gaza.In this exclusive interview, Tom McTague meets Jonathan Sumption to discuss why he has come to this conclusion now, and what it means for the international community.Read Jonathan Sumption's essay here: https://www.newstatesman.com/world/middle-east/2025/07/a-question-of-intentListen to more from the New Statesman: Jake Richards MP on why he believes the ECHR needs reform Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

English literature no longer makes the top ten of A-level subject choices. English departments at universities are regularly closing. Studies show dramatic drops in literacy and reading, particularly amongst teenagers. Today we're asking: is English literature dying?The New Statesman's deputy editor Will Lloyd is joined by the New Statesman's new culture editor Tanjil Rashid and columnist and critic James Marriott.READEnglish literature's last stand - James Marriott Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nigel Farage and Reform UK are a real threat to Labour and the Conservatives alike.We've heard a lot about the strengths of the challenger party - who would be likely to form the next government if an election was held tomorrow.But one political polling analyst has been exploring where the Reform brand is most vulnerable to attack - and he reveals his results exclusively in this episode of the New Statesman podcast.Steve Akehurst is founder of the non-partisan research initiative Persuasion UK. He joins Anoosh Chakelian and Rachel Cunliffe to share the arguments Labour, the Conservatives and the Lib Dems can use that are most likely to turn voters away from Nigel Farage and Reform UK.This episode is a must-listen for political strategists, speechwriters and MPs.

In a New Statesman exclusive, two of the Green Party's leadership candidates, Zack Polanski and Adrian Ramsey, present their visions for the party to host Anoosh Chakelian.READCan the Green Party ever work with Jeremy Corbyn? - Megan KenyonSign up to the New Statesman's daily politics newsletter: Morning Call Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our listeners ask: How will Zarah Sultana's new party on the left ever be able to square wildly different views among those involved?Also in the show, listeners ask how well, or badly, have Labour been dealing with the media and whether Reform will now pull their support for voting reform.Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Rachel Cunliffe and Megan Kenyon to answer all.Submit a question for a future episode: You Ask UsSign up to the New Statesman's daily politics newsletter: Morning Call Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With resident doctors set to strike yet again, the courts log jammed and the OBR sounding the alarm over Britain's financial trajectory, what can and should be done to arrest the decline?Anoosh Chakelian is joined by colleagues George Eaton, Rachel Cunliffe and Will Dunn to unpack the latest symptoms of the British State's interminable malaise.READBritain is growing old disgracefully - Will DunnThe five-day doctor's strike is the last thing Labour needs - Rachel CunliffeSign up to the New Statesman's daily politics newsletter: Morning Call Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'Some of his views are pretty extreme... I found it pretty sinister'-Harry Lambert, contributing writer to the New Statesman, talks to Anoosh Chakelian and Will Lloyd about his cover story profiling the Conservative MP and leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick.Can he really become PM, why is he so popular online and how did his politics get so radicalised?READInside Robert Jenrick's New Right revolution - Harry LambertSign up to the New Statesman's daily politics newsletter: Morning Call Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the biggest reunion tour in years kicking off in Cardiff last weekend, the culture show asks if Oasis were just too Irish to be the best Britpop band in the first place?The New Statesman's commissioning editor Finn McRedmond sits down with colleagues George Eaton, Nick Harris and Faye Curran to discuss the Gallagher brothers real allegiances.READOasis are the greatest Irish band of all time - George EatonSo you want to be Irish? - Fay Curran Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After the bruising passage of the government's welfare reform bill, attention on the backbenches is now turning to another lightning rod issue - the potential overhaul of the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system.Anoosh Chakelian discusses the battles looming with colleagues Hannah Barnes, Will Dunn and Pippa Bailey.READStarmerism is disintegrating - Aaron BastaniLISTENOne year of Labour rule: Can things still only get better?Sign up to the New Statesman's daily politics newsletter: Morning Call Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Labour MP Jake Richards sits down with Anoosh Chakelian to discuss the drama over the government's welfare reform bill and why he thinks the European Convention on Human Rights needs a desperate overhaul.Sign up to the New Statesman's daily politics newsletter: Morning CallSubmit a question for a future episode: You Ask Us Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our listeners ask: Can we really argue that Keir Starmer has a plan after yet another disaster over the welfare reform bill?Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Tom McTague and Rachel Cunliffe. This episode was recorded before MP Zarah Sultana announced she is launching a new political party with Jeremy Corbyn.Sign up to the New Statesman's daily politics newsletter: Morning CallSubmit a question for a future episode: You Ask Us Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'We've not been here since the 70s'As the government marks one year in office, Anoosh Chakelian sits down with Andrew Marr, Tom McTague and Rachel Cunliffe to discuss Keir Starmer's highs, lows and the many, many challenges that lie ahead.READWe must prepare for Prime Minister Farage - Andrew MarrLISTENJUST RAISE TAXSign up to the New Statesman's daily politics newsletter: Morning Call Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'You walk around the country and you know something's off'-After a bruising passage of the government's heavily altered welfare reform bill, for the sake of just a few billion pounds, many are left wondering where does the government and the country go now?In this episode, Anoosh Chakelian is joined by colleagues Tom McTague, Will Dunn and Megan Kenyon to discuss the urgent yet seemingly intractable systemic changes now needed to the State and tax system.READJust raise tax - Will DunnLISTENWelfare warfare just the start of Starmer's problemsSign up to the New Statesman's daily politics newsletter: Morning Call Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With some calling for the Director-General of the BBC to resign, Somerset police launching a criminal investigation and the US Deputy Secretary of State revoking visas, the political fireworks at this year's Glastonbury were even more sensational than the pyramid stage's. But what was it like on the ground?In this edition of the New Statesman culture podcast, Kate Mossman is joined by colleagues Finn McRedmond, Will Lloyd and Nick Harris to discuss it all. Also in the show, Will has strong views on journalist Sarah Vine's bestselling memoir How Not To Be a Political Wife.READLet Kneecap and Bob Vylan speak freely - Finn McRedmondWhat's wrong with Sarah Vine? - Will Lloyd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With yet another U-turn from the government, the fate of the welfare bill is left in the hands of the backbenchers. In this episode, Rachel Cunliffe is joined by Editor-in-Chief Tom McTague and business editor Will Dunn to discuss the potential consequences of defeat in Tuesday night's vote, Rachel Reeves‘ precarious position and how we got here in the first place.READA humbling week for Keir Starmer - Andrew MarrYour next Listen:“Sack Rachel Reeves” demand Labour MPs over welfare reformsSign up to the New Statesman's daily politics newsletter: Morning Call Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Was Margaret Thatcher really some 'evil dictator' who's legacy still looms large over Britain? Or was she something else entirely?Broadcaster and author Iain Dale talks to Rachel Cunliffe about his new book, Margaret Thatcher, and why he wanted to dispel some of the myths and mistruths about the Iron Lady.READInside the false economy of Rachel Reeves' welfare cuts - Anoosh ChakelianYOUR NEXT LISTEN“Sack Rachel Reeves” demand Labour MPs over welfare reformsSIGN UP:For a dose of political analysis every morning, sign up for our newsletter morningcall.substack.comJOIN US:Subscribe to the New Statesman to get all our reporting from £8.99 a month www.newstatesman.com/pod25Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our listeners ask: How long will the government continue to support Israel after its actions in Gaza?Also in the show, one listener asks why longstanding issues like council tax reform are perennially ignored, another whether there could ever be a true 'red tory' faction in the Conservative party.Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Tom McTague and Rachel Cunliffe.Sign up to the New Statesman's daily politics newsletter: Morning CallSubmit a question for a future episode: You Ask UsHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Even as Keir Starmer faces the threat of all-out rebellion over his welfare bill, Westminster can feel the summer recess approaching. So six months into the year and with the anniversary of Labour's electoral victory approaching, host Sascha O'Sullivan enrols a host of experts to give their view on the government's progress on the 'milestones' set out by the Prime Minister last year. Harry Quilter-Pinner, director of the IPPR and Charlotte Pickles, director of Re:State think tank (formerly called Reform) talk Sascha through each of the milestones – from the economy to energy security – and gives Keir Starmer and his cabinet a grade for each. The pollster Scarlett Maguire, founder of Merlin strategies, provides key insights into how voters view the government's record to date. Rachel Cunliffe, associate political editor at the New Statesman, and James Heale, deputy political editor of The Spectator, gives Sascha an assessment of the trials and tribulations on the opposition benches – from the Conservatives battles with Reform to the Greens' leadership election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the podcast half-way through its tenth year it is a privilege to welcome back a former contributor to the show - read his piece on Clueless for The New Statesman that coincided with his previous appearance on the show - and long-time champion of The Cinematologists, Ryan Gilbey. Ryan's return is to promote and discuss his new book, the astoundingly good, It Used to be Witches: Under the Spell of Queer Cinema, published this month (June 2025) by Faber. Around the release date, I (Neil) sat down in Cinema 1 at the Barbican in London to discuss the book, the form(s) of Queer Cinema, Ryan's journey with his sexuality and how cinema is entwined and implicated, being a film obsessive, and the comfort of lists. It was a profound privilege to sit with an old friend to talk about his amazing work and this art form that we both love so much.  Around this conversation, Dario and I discuss Queer representation and the cinema as a transgressive space, ownership and authorship of texts, and the way that the cinema space affects not only the viewing of a film but in this case, the experience of talking about film. Finally, we talk about the film End of the Century (Castro, 2019, Argentina) - I mistakenly describe it as a Spanish film in the episode, apologies - the film that accompanied my visit to the Barbican to see Ryan, and also the film that magically ends his transcendent and moving book. This episode of The Cinematologists is dedicated to Barney Gilbey. ——— Visit our Patreon at www.patreon.com/cinematologists ——— You can listen to The Cinematologists for free, wherever you listen to podcasts: click here to follow. We really appreciate any reviews you might write (please send us what you have written and we'll mention it) and sharing on Social Media is the lifeblood of the podcast, so please do that if you enjoy the show. ——— Music Credits: ‘Theme from The Cinematologists' Written and produced by Gwenno Saunders. Mixed by Rhys Edwards. Drums, bass & guitar by Rhys Edwards. All synths by Gwenno Saunders. Published by Downtown Music Publishing.

Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Andrew Marr and George Eaton to discuss the the growing rebellion among Labour MPs over the government's welfare reform bill, and how many government figures may go in the fallout.READ:Keir Starmer faces war on all fronts - Andrew MarrLabour is locked in a vicious blame game - George EatonSIGN UP:For a dose of political analysis every morning, sign up for our newsletter morningcall.substack.comJOIN US:Subscribe to the New Statesman to get all our reporting from £8.99 a month www.newstatesman.com/pod25Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“The proliferation toothpaste does not go back in the tube” - Ankit Panda-YOUR NEXT LISTEN: Trump's Ceasefire: From bunker bombs to F bombs-With events in Iran bringing the question of nuclear weapons back to the forefront of international news, where does the world go next?In this episode senior editor Katie Stallard speaks to Ankit Panda, author of The New Nuclear Age: At the Precipice of Armageddon, about the growing nuclear instability sweeping the globe and what, if anything, can be done to stave off disaster.-READ: How Donald Trump plunged America into a blind warSign up to the New Statesman's daily politics newsletter: Morning CallSubmit a question for a future episode: You Ask UsHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Publicly at least, most American Presidents have "held their tongue" over their disputes with Israel - Trump is a "different kettle of fish."-YOUR NEXT LISTEN: Iran War: "Our economy will be smashed"-The Trump-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Iran has gotten off to a shaky start. Both sides have accused the other of violating the agreement, with Israel incurring the expletive-laden wrath of the US president in the process. So what happens now?In this episode Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Megan Gibson and Freddie Hayward to unpack the latest developments and possible outcomes in the Middle East and at this week's NATO summit.-READ: There won't be a ‘final victory' for Iran or Israel by David BlagdenSign up to the New Statesman's daily politics newsletter: Morning CallSubmit a question for a future episode: You Ask UsHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Diplomacy has been "pushed aside" after Donald Trump bombed Iran - leaving Britain "weak".-YOUR NEXT LISTEN: Trump bombs Iran-Donald Trump has hinted in a social media that he would be in favour of regime change in Iran. His government have said otherwise.Elsewhere, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy has so far refused to say whether the US bombing of Iranian nuclear sites was legal. Does the UK government quietly approve of Trump's actions?In this episode our associate political editor Rachel Cunliffe discusses those questions with US correspondent Freddie Hayward and senior editor George Eaton.Meanwhile in response to the attack, the Iranian government have threatened to block the strait of Hormuz, effectively restricting one fifth of the world's oil supply. Rachel asks our editor Tom McTague and business editor Will Dunn what this would mean for the global economy - and the cost of goods in the UK.-READ: Britain wants no part in Israel's war by Ben WalkerSign up to the New Statesman's daily politics newsletter:Morning CallSubmit a question for a future episode:You Ask Us Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“American citizens will die” - Lee Siegel—YOUR NEXT LISTEN: Will Starmer back Trump on Iran? —Donald Trump announced on Sunday that US forces have bombed three nuclear sites in Iran. The attack comes after weeks of speculation about whether the US will follow Israel into war with Iran, after claims that Iran has enriched enough material to fuel nuclear weapons.In this emergency episode, Freddie Hayward speaks to the New Statesman's columnist Lee Siegel, who explains that “it's hard to see this as a successful one-off mission”. They explore what the move means for the Middle East, the US, and the world.READ: Trump's assault on Iran is a war without honour, by Lee SiegelSign up to the New Statesman's daily politics newsletter: Morning CallSubmit a question for a future episode: You Ask Us Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our listeners ask: Do Labour have a realistic chance of winning the next election, and can Reform become a party for all regions of the UK?Also in the show, another listener asks how much is being done, or ever really has been, over the issue of class in British society and politics?Anoosh Chakelian is joined by George Eaton and Rachel Cunliffe.Sign up to the New Statesman's daily politics newsletter: Morning CallSubmit a question for a future episode: You Ask Us Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With conflict in the Middle East is dominating the headlines, the New Statesman's Rachel Cunliffe joins the podcast team to explore Keir Starmer's attempts to influence Donald Trump and ask whether the UK has a role to play beyond that of a concerned bystander.   There is plenty of domestic politics around too, with the prime minister announcing an inquiry into grooming gangs - having said, only a few months ago, that he wouldn't – and the government trying to face down a rebellion over its welfare budget cuts.   Plus: John Major at the IfG and what comes next for government standards and ethics.   Presented by Hannah White.   With Catherine Haddon.   Produced by Candice McKenzie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Helen Lewis swung by JOETowers to chat if anyone is actually a genius - and what who we label "geniuses" tells us about society. She argues that "genius" is a romanticised idea: the notion that extraordinary talent excuses bad behaviour or moral failings. Think, Elon Musk. She unpacks how celebrated (almost always male) figures like Edison, Einstein, Picasso, Tolstoy (and even Elon Musk) benefit from a halo effect that glosses over serious flaws such as abuse, neglect, misogyny, and selfishness. She traces the historical roots of the term “genius,” linking it to hierarchy-driven ideologies and the eugenics movement, arguing that intelligence testing and the “innate talent” narrative come with harmful baggage. Helen Lewis is a journalist and staff writer at The Atlantic. She is a former deputy editor of the New Statesman, and has also written for The Guardian and The Sunday Times.Her new book "The Genius Myth" is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anoosh Chakelian is joined by George Eaton, Freddie Hayward and Rachel Cunliffe to discuss the fast moving situation in the Middle East, how the UK Government is wrangling with an unpredictable US President and also unpick the news of a new national inquiry into grooming gangs.SIGN UP:For a dose of political analysis every morning, sign up for our newsletter morningcall.substack.comJOIN US:Subscribe to the New Statesman to get all our reporting from £8.99 a month www.newstatesman.com/pod25Submit a question for a future episode: You Ask Us Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

RHLSTP #566 - Get Back! - Richard is back at the Podcast Room for an interview with a real comedy legend, Maurice Gran, co-creator of Birds of a Feather, Shine On Harvey Moon, Love Hurts and of course Goodnight Sweetheart. They chat about how Maurice and co-writer Laurence Marks seemed thrown together by fate, working with three of the Young Ones, but especially Rik Mayall in the New Statesman, how they got caught up in Michael Winner's Bullseye, the unwitting strangers who inspired Birds of a Feather and the paucity of ambition of Gary Sparrow and how you can help the Goodnight Sweetheart adventures to continue by backing the kickstarter (unless Rich gets in there first with Goodnight Goodnight Sweetheart Sweetheart) and how Rich might finally find himself associated with Gary Sparrow after all.Back the Kickstarter here https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/idiotboxbooks/goodnight-sweetheart-many-happy-returnsSee RHLSTP live in London, Sheffield or Edinburgh http://richardherring.com/rhlstpSUPPORT THE SHOW!Watch our TWITCH CHANNELSee extra content at our WEBSITE Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/rhlstp. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is there a route to de-escalation between Israel and Iran?--YOUR NEXT LISTEN: As Gaza faces famine, where does the US stand on Isreal? --On Friday, the 13th of June, Israel launched a surprise attack on multiple targets across Iran. Israel strikes hit missile sites and nuclear facilities, and more recently also targeted Iranian state tv. The two nations have subsequently traded missile attacks over the following days, an escalation to the conflict, which is now the biggest between these two longstanding adversaries.New Statesman editor Tom McTague meets Lawrence Freedman, Professor Emeritus of War Studies at King's College London, to discuss the conflict between Israel and Iran.--READNetanyahu realises his lifelong dream by Megan GibsonFREEGet the best of our journalism straight to your inbox. Sign up for our weekly Saturday Read newsletter.SUBSCRIBEListen ad-free, and access all our reporting and analysis from £8.99 per month - become a New Statesman subscriber now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Wigmore is a sports writer for The Daily Telegraph and has also written for The Economist, The New York Times, ESPN Cricinfo, and The New Statesman, among others. We sat down to discuss his latest book - Test Cricket - A History, which is his most fascinating book yet. There is a unique mix of history, context, aesthetics, race & class which another writer could have easily papered over. Tim excels in his ability to weave stories across centuries with this one and making the history of the game we love not as overwhelming.We discuss the following -1. Legitimacy of Test Matches early on2. Fast Bowling Quartet3. Decline in Spin bowling4. Overperformance of Captains while they are Captains5. Resilience of Test Playing Nations to play after long gaps6. Role of Amateurs and Professionals in Cricket's long history7. Moral Victories8. Lovely references on Aesthetics of batting in the book9. Non-development of the women's game10. 4 Day tests and restructuring of the WTCYou can buy Test Cricket - A History from pretty much every good bookstore across Cricket playing nations along with Amazon as well.Buy the Book - Test Cricket - A HistoryAmazon USAmazon UKAmazon IndiaCrickonomics: The Anatomy of Modern Cricket:Amazon USAmazon UKAmazon IndiaCricket 2.0: Inside the T20 RevolutionAmazon USAmazon UK Amazon IndiaThe Best: How Elite Athletes are MadeAmazon USAmazon UKAmazon IndiaWhite Hot: The Inside Story of England Cricket's Double World ChampionsAmazon USAmazon UK Amazon India Second XI: Cricket In Its OutpostsAmazon US Amazon UK Amazon India In our previous chat with Tim, we had asked him for Book Recommendations. Those are below.Pundits from Pakistan by Rahul BhattacharyaBeyond a Boundary by CLR JamesThe Unquiet Ones by Osman SamiuddinDifferent Class Duncan Stone

On today's podcast, I'm pleased to talk with TLP's newest contributor, Justin Vassallo. As you've seen from his recent columns, Justin's writing focuses mainly on political development, working-class economics, industrial policy, party systems, and related areas. Justin also writes regularly for Compact, an excellent heterodox journal that everyone should read and subscribe to, as well for UnHerd, American Affairs, New Statesman, and other outlets.We examine why Democrats keep failing the working class, how trade policies left rural America behind, and what “Blue Labour” can teach the left about reconnecting with voters.Check it out and please welcome Justin to the TLP family!A transcript of this podcast is available at the post page on our website. Get full access to The Liberal Patriot at www.liberalpatriot.com/subscribe

Andrew Marr, Anoosh Chakelian and Rachel Cunliffe review Rachel Reeves's latest financial statement.LISTEN NEXT: What Keir Starmer can't say - NS editor Tom McTague on his profile of the Prime Minister https://pod.fo/e/2e40f0--Rachel Reeves unveiled her latest spending review this week. Andrew, Anoosh and Rachel unpack the winners and losers, and discuss what the spending review reveals about the government's priorities.READ: Rachel Reeves's economic credibility is on the line https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2025/06/rachel-reeves-high-stakes-spending-reviewSIGN UP:for a dose of political analysis every morning, sign up for our newsletter morningcall.substack.comJOIN US:Subscribe to the New Statesman to get all our reporting from £8.99 a month www.newstatesman.com/pod25 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer had tears in his eyes as he spoke of the death of his brother.The Prime Minister was talking with the New Statesman's new editor, Tom McTague, about how his personal life informs how he runs the country.Tom has spent weeks accompanying and interviewing Keir Starmer for an extensive profile published in the latest issue of the New Statesman.In this extended interview, Tom speaks with deputy editor Will Lloyd to discuss what he learned about the man who leads the government.Read the profile on the New Statesman website: https://www.newstatesman.comFor a daily dose of political analysis, sign up to our newsletter: morningcall.substack.comSubscribe to get access to all our reporting from just £8.99 per month: https://newstatesman.com/pod25 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Canada's relationship with the U.S. may go back a long way, but our relationship with the United Kingdom goes back even further. And, with Canada-U.S. relations being as contentious as they now are, can or should Britain fill the role America used to play and become our number one ally once again? Host Steve Paikin asks: Mel Cappe, Canada's Former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Distinguished Fellow at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy at the University of Toronto. Ann Fitz-Gerald, Director of the Balsillie School of International Affairs and Professor of Political Science at Wilfrid Laurier University; Luke Savage, a journalist whose work has appeared in Jacobin, the New Statesman, and the Toronto Star. He's also the co-author of the late Ed Broadbent's memoir: "Seeking Social Democracy: Seven Decades in the Fight for Equality." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is a $400 wine really ten times better than a $40 one? Does the right glass really improve your wine and is it worth it when the size makes you look ridiculous? Why do wine labels matter and should the label's look be part of every wine review? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Charles Jennings and Paul Keers, co-authors of the hilarious book I Bought It So I'll Drink It. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of their terrific book,, I Bought It So I'll Drink It. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck! You can find the wines we discussed here.   Highlights Why do we feel guilty about window shopping when it comes to wine? What's the worst wine gadget or gimmick Paul and Charles have encountered? How did a 1947 Sauterne create a bond between Paul and a French wine seller? What was their most triumphant wine deal discovery? Are there elements that expensive wine delivers, that bargain wines can't? Why are Charles and Paul suspicious of mixed cases of wine? Has the quality and perception of box wines changed? What's the strangest vessel Paul and Charles have drunk wine from? What was it like drinking wine at 10 Downing Street and Lambeth Palace? What was Queen Victoria's tipple like? Why does Charles love drinking on his own? Which current wine trends will we look back on as ridiculous? Which wines would Charles and Paul now pair with their favourite childhood foods? Who would Paul and Charles love to share a bottle of wine with? Why should wine critics write about wine labels in their reviews?   Key Takeaways Charles and Paul believe there is a greater experience to be gained from drinking better wine, but that the return for your money plateaus quickly. If you go up from a £10 wine to a £30 wine, you will really notice the difference and have a tremendously greater experience. But then if you multiply that by 10 and go from £40 to £400, the difference in quality isn't that great. If I've got people around for dinner and I sit at the end of the table and everybody else has got normal wine glasses, I look like a complete plonker. And I'd love to sit there, “Oh, it's magnificent.” And they're going to think, what an idiot. So unfortunately, it doesn't get much use. It does enhance the taste of the Bordeaux, there's no doubt about it, but I'm so embarrassed sitting there drinking out of this thing the size of a melon that it really doesn't get much use. Charles and Paul mention wine labels because they think that they are ignored by most wine writers, and they're terribly important for two reasons. Firstly, because they're about the only marketing that most bottles of wine have, because we go into shops and that's all we can see, the labels. And second, if you're setting a table for dinner, you've invested in the table, in the dishware, the cutlery, the glasses to set up this beautiful thing. Why would you put a bottle of wine on the table - however it tastes - if it looks terrible? Wine critics should always say what the label looks like and whether it would look good on the table.   About Charles Jennings & Paul Keers Charles Jennings and Paul Keers are award-winning writers based in London, England. Charles and Paul co-authored the wine blog Sediment, described by New Statesman writer and Guardian literary critic Nick Lezard as “the finest wine blog available to humanity.” The blog became the basis for their book, I Bought It So I'll Drink It. Book-Prize-winning novelist Julian Barnes called it “The funniest wine-book I've read in a long time. Not just laugh-aloud funny but snortingly, choke-on-your-cornflakes funny – up there with Kingsley Amis and Jay McInerney.” Their book won the prestigious André Simon Award.         To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/341.

• Philip J. Stern, Empire, Incorporated. The Corporations That Built British Colonialism (Belknap Press of Harvard University Press in 2023), by. • Quinn Slobodian, Crack-Up Capitalism: Market Radicals and the Dream of a World Without Democracy (Penguin, 2023). Adam Smith wrote that, “Political economy belongs to no nation; it is of no country: it is the science of the rules for the production, the accumulation, the distribution, and the consumption of wealth.” However Adam Smith regarded the science of political economy, in practical terms, one is quite hard pressed to find a case where governments—be it an empire, republic, or nation—were completely left out of the picture. At least, that is how it's been historically. Questions about how people and other types of entities organize and generate capital, AND the role that governments play in all of this, fill libraries. The ramifications of the dynamics and rules surrounding money have proved so consequential—and increasingly so, in our increasingly technologized world—that it is no surprise that historians have devoted much energy to the study of political economy. Political economy, in the broadest terms, is the subject of our conversation today. Today on History Ex we put two recent books that bring important perspectives to these questions in conversation with each other. Today's books both deal with entrepreneurial endeavors, usually “abroad”, or beyond the Metropole. While Philip Stern's examination of early modern British corporations explains the myriad ways private initiatives sought government legitimacy and became entangled in the business of governance during the age of empires, Quinn Slobodian trenchantly reveals how some entrepreneurs and ideologues seek to escape governments in the age of nation-states. Our authors find points of convergence as well as divergence in aims, methods, and outcomes of the people at the center of their books. Stern and Slobodian discuss methodologies and chronologies, the ideologies that animated their actors, how memory and history were mobilized in promoting various visions; they probe the historian's perennial challenges of disentangling ideologies from interest, explain how similar actions in different historical contexts can demand different interpretations; and more. Listen in! Philip Stern is an associate professor of History at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. His work focuses on various aspects of the legal, political, intellectual, and business histories that shaped the British Empire. He is also the author of The Company-State: Corporate Sovereignty and the Early Modern Foundations of the British Empire in India (Oxford University Press, 2011) and many other scholarly works. Quinn Slobodian is a professor of the history at Wellesley College in Massachusetts. He is also the author of the award-winning Globalists: The End of Empire and the Birth of Neoliberalism (Harvard University Press, 2018), which has been translated into six languages, and a frequent contributor to the Guardian, New Statesman, The New York, Times, Foreign Policy, Dissent and the Nation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

There's a gap on the left and several figures have stepped forward to fill it!Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Rachel Cunliffe and George Eaton to discuss Andy Burnham's leadership pitch, Jeremy Corbyn's Gaza inquiry, dysfunction in no 10, and what the hell Robert Jenrick is doing on the internet.Sign up to the New Statesman's daily politics newsletter: Morning CallSubmit a question for a future episode: You Ask Us Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fourteenth century England was a time of upheaval, extended war, political turmoil, and overall chaos. Dr Helen Carr joins us to talk about her new book that covers the life of the famous and lesser-known people of a time that changed power structures and the monarchy forever.Show Notes:Carol Ann Lloydwww.carolannlloyd.com@shakeuphistorypatreon.com/carolannlloydThe Tudors by NumbersCourting the Virgin Queen Dr Helen Carrhelencarr.com@helenhcarrHistory Hit, Intelligence Squared, BBC, The New Statesman, etc.The Red Prince: John of Gaunt, Duke of LancasterWhat is History, Now? (co-author and editor)Sceptered Isle: A New History of the Fourteenth CenturyHistory shows us what's possible.