Podcasts about pmqs

Megan McElroy unpacks a rowdy PMQs with Tim Shipman and Isabel Hardman. Kemi Badenoch made Keir Starmer uncomfortable over student loans but – at a time when trust in the Conservative brand is low – could some of her rhetoric backfire? Plus, what did they make of the revelation that it was the Speaker of the House Lindsay Hoyle that reported Peter Mandelson to police as a flight risk?Produced by Megan McElroy and Patrick Gibbons. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts.Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a rowdy session of PMQs before the Gorton and Denton by-election, Keir Starmer attacks both the Greens and Reform - but Kemi Badenoch accuses Labour of being the "paedo-defenders party". Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's PMQs was dominated by the extraordinary arrest of Peter Mandelson, who was detained after police were allegedly warned he was preparing to flee the country by no other than the Speaker of the Commons, Lindsay Hoyle.Camilla and Tim react to the explosive exchanges at PMQs, including Kemi Badenoch's attack branding Labour the “paedo defender party”, the Tories' choice to go hard on student debt, and some very obviously planted questions on the Gorton and Denton by-election.And Tim headed to Gorton and Denton ahead of a knife-edge by-election to try (and mostly fail) to track down Zack Polanski, the Greens' leader.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/fromtheeditorProducers: Georgia Coan and Lilian FawcettSenior Producer: John CadiganExecutive Producer: Charlotte SeligmanVideo Producer: Will WaltersStudio Operator: Meghan SearleSocial Producer: Nada AggourEditor: Camilla Tominey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ava, Laura, and Seán sit down after PMQs to make sense of Keir Starmer's claims that the country is on the up and up, even though nobody feels it.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a dramatic statement to MPs this morning, Commons speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle revealed that he had felt "duty-bound" to report to the police what he had heard on a recent trip to the British Virgin Islands - that Peter Mandelson was due to head to the island. It was that tip off which led to Mandelson being arrested and questioned by the Met on Monday, and an allegation that has been called "baseless" by our former ambassador to the Washington.Why did Mandelson point the finger at a different parliamentarian for his arrest? Why did ugly scenes at PMQs follow? And is it undermining Labour's campaign in the Gorton and Denton by-election?Later, we speak to justice minister Sarah Sackman about the "courts blitz" announced by the government, that by-election, and Peter Mandelson.The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

Shownotes are AI slop as usual. It's a week late cause nobody bothered to tell me it was recorded. Apologies for lack of freshness. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Jack the Insider and Hong Kong Jack are back for Episode 144, recorded on 12 February. It's Liberal Party leadership spill eve and the boys break down whether Angus Taylor has the numbers to end Susan Ley's tenure — and what sort of baggage he'll carry into the job. From there: a landmark High Court ruling on the Catholic Church's duty of care for survivors of clergy abuse; the protests surrounding Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit to Australia; the widening Epstein-Mandelson catastrophe engulfing Keir Starmer; the slow collapse of the Washington Post; Japan's election result and its implications for China; and a packed sports segment covering the T20 World Cup, AFL State of Origin, the Rugby World Cup opener, and the Winter Olympics.Show Notes & Timestamps

Sometimes this show is political therapy as much as commentary, so I try to analyse a week where the PM was on the brink, then he wasn't, then he went on to give one of the most bizarre PMQs in living memory. Also, Nigel wanted some attention this week, so I discuss his plan to ban all working from home. CATCH ME ON MY TOUR ‘Basic Bloke 2: There's No Bloke Without Fire'. Book tickets here: https://www.livenation.co.uk/geoff-norcott-tickets-adp1252793JOIN the Podcast Patreon and receive each episode early, AD-FREE & with bonus content https://www.patreon.com/geoffnorcott?fan_landing=true Join my MAILING LIST for priority Tour booking & special offers https://signup.ymlp.com/xgyueuwbgmgb

Today, Keir Starmer was given a grilling at Prime Minister's Questions about his decision to award a peerage to Lord Doyle.Chris unpacks PMQs and the latest revelations with Alex and James, as well as an intervention from former Prime Minister Gordon Brown calling for police to interview Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Plus the BBC's chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet joins the podcast from Iran as the country marks the 47th anniversary of the Islamic revolution.You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Miranda Slade, Sophie van Brugen and Chloe Scannapieco. The social producer was Joe Wilkinson. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

PMQs today and – as predicted – Keir Starmer came out worst in a pretty unpleasant session. Kemi Badenoch pinned the Prime Minister on the continued Mandelson fallout and now the scandal over Matthew Doyle, the former No. 10 comms chief who – just four weeks after his ennoblement – Labour have already been forced to kick out of their party in the House of Lords, after it emerged he had campaigned for a friend charged with possessing indecent images of children. Once again, one of those mysterious appointments for which the Prime Minister is never responsible came back to haunt him in public – sound familiar?The response from the Prime Minister was to get increasingly shirty, including with Sir Ed Davey, who accused the PM of a ‘catastrophic lack of judgment' in his most punchy PMQs yet. Are we finally getting to understand the ‘real' Keir Starmer?James Heale speaks to Tim Shipman and Isabel Hardman.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.

The PM faces questions over giving peerages to Peter Mandelson and Matthew Doyle, with Kemi Badenoch accusing him of 'stuffing government with hypocrites and paedophile apologists'.Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges from the Commons with Patrick Maguire and Ayesha Hazarika. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prime Minister's Question Time, also referred to as PMQs, takes place every Wednesday the House of Commons sits. It gives MPs the chance to put questions to the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer MP, or a nominated minister.

Sir Keir Starmer is facing yet another crisis over his poor judgment after it emerged that he nominated his former spin doctor, linked to the convicted paedophile Sean Morton, to the House of Lords.Kemi Badenoch skewered the Prime Minister in the Commons over Lord Doyle's appointment, accusing him of “stuffing Government with hypocrites and paedophile apologists”.Tim and Camilla review a disastrous PMQs for Sir Keir and question his latest distraction tactic of playing up his “working class” background.Meanwhile, Sarah Pochin, the Reform UK MP, was banned from speaking at Bangor University, whose debating society accused her of racism, transphobia, and homophobia.She tells Camilla the decision goes against free speech, and also weighs in on Nigel Farage's latest attack on working from home.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/fromtheeditorProducers: Georgia Coan and Lilian FawcettSenior Producer: John CadiganExecutive Producer: Charlotte SeligmanVideo Producer: Will WaltersStudio Operator: Meghan SearleSocial Producer: Nada AggourEditor: Camilla Tominey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Everybody's in for PMQs, including a nervy Keir Starmer with quite the challenge ahead of him: keeping his job. Ava, Seán, and Laura break down an important PMQs where the Prime Minister continues to defend his judgement amid scandals new and ongoing.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

James Heale, Tim Shipman and Oscar Edmondson discuss the continuing fallout over the Mandelson scandal. The mood amongst Labour MPs is pretty dire – following a bruising PMQs and a government climbdown over the release of Mandelson's vetting files – but is it bad enough for Labour MPs to challenge Starmer? And could his chief of staff – and close Mandelson ally – Morgan McSweeney be in the firing line? How long ago the decision to block Andy Burnham seems now...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 this episode I reflect on a PMQS which might go down in history. From the stoney silence behind him to the fact he insisted on calling him simply 'Mandelson'. Then it's onto what happens next, an inquiry is one thing but all the public now know his team hired a guy who'd stayed friends with a n*nce. Can the caped crusader survive this one?CATCH ME ON MY TOUR ‘Basic Bloke 2: There's No Bloke Without Fire'. Book tickets here: https://www.livenation.co.uk/geoff-norcott-tickets-adp1252793JOIN the Podcast Patreon and receive each episode early, AD-FREE & with bonus content https://www.patreon.com/geoffnorcott?fan_landing=true Join my MAILING LIST for priority Tour booking & special offers https://signup.ymlp.com/xgyueuwbgmgb

Another impressive PMQs from Kemi Badenoch – but she had plenty of ammunition to deploy after the Peter Mandelson scandal took a bleaker turn this week.The Prime Minister clearly wanted to make a strong statement in his first answer to Kemi Badenoch, saying that ‘Mandelson betrayed our country, our parliament and my party'. He added: ‘He lied repeatedly to my team when asked about his relationship with Epstein before and during his tenure as ambassador. I regret appointing him.' He then listed the actions he had taken to strip Mandelson of his title, remove him from the Privy Council, and refer material to the Metropolitan Police.The whole thing exposed Starmer's biggest weaknesses: his over-reliance on process and his inability to consider how the public see him. There is a lot of support for a full public inquiry, which seems more fitting to the magnitude of this scandal. As the evidence piles in and the scandal rumbles on, is this the beginning of the end for the prime minister – or are we even further along than that?James Heale speaks to Tim Shipman and Isabel Hardman.Produced by Oscar Edmondson and Megan McElroy.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.

Keir Starmer described Peter Mandelson as a "liar" who "betrayed our country" at PMQs today.But he also admitted that he had been aware of Mandelson's ongoing relationship with Jeffrey Epstein when he appointed him as US ambassador.Can the Prime Minister survive this growing scandal?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges in the House of Commons with The Times' Chief Political Commentator Patrick Maguire and the comedian Marcus Brigstocke. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prime Minister's Question Time, also referred to as PMQs, takes place every Wednesday the House of Commons sits. It gives MPs the chance to put questions to the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer MP, or a nominated minister.

Friend of the show Andy Twelves returns to break down an explosive PMQs, as Keir Starmer attempts to defend his appointment of Peter Mandelson—further implicated in the past week by the DOJ's release of more Epstein files—as US ambassador. Ava analyses Starmer's responses, trying to get to the bottom of who really knew what when.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ava sits down with Labour MP Steve Witherden, the politician who made headlines after standing up to Donald Trump at PMQs last week. He challenged the government's stance on US foreign policy, human rights, and global accountability. Steve, MP for Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr, has quickly become one of the most outspoken voices in Westminster since his election in 2024.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It is our solemn duty to inform listeners that David Lammy won deputy PMQs at a canter today. To be frank, it was a low-rent affair. Andrew Griffith was the Tory sent out to question David Lammy while Keir Starmer is in China, and the shadow business secretary didn't do a particularly good job. Perhaps he had assumed that Lammy would have another disastrous session, like he did when a prisoner was accidentally released last autumn. There were a few decent jokes in there – mainly about football – but the overwhelming winners were Kemi and Keir, who by comparison look like Gladstone and Disraeli.James Heale speaks to Tim Shipman and Isabel Hardman.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.

With the PM in China, David Lammy stands in for Keir Starmer at deputy PMQs. But can Andrew Griffith land a blow for the Tories?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges in the House of Commons with Patrick Maguire, Stefan Boscia and Chris Ward, parliamentary secretary in the Cabinet Office. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prime Minister's Question Time, also referred to as PMQs, takes place every Wednesday the House of Commons sits. It gives MPs the chance to put questions to the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer MP, or a nominated minister. In most cases, the session starts with a routine 'open question' from an MP about the Prime Minister's engagements. MPs can then ask supplementary questions on any subject, often one of current political significance. The Leader of the Opposition, Kemi Badenoch MP, asks six questions and the leader of the second largest opposition party asks two. If another minister takes the place of the Prime Minister, opposition parties will usually nominate a shadow minister to ask the questions.

It's deputy day again at PMQs as Keir Starmer jets off to China in hopes of trade talks and that fabled growth. In the meantime, Ava and Seán react to David Lammy's return to the despatch box, but are not impressed.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All the attention on Donald's shenanigans has pulled focus from important economic news at home. Have things got worse or better? (not a difficult one to answer). I ask whether Starmer actually benefits from Donald's dramatics, while acknowledging he might not have had the worst PMQs.CATCH ME ON MY TOUR ‘Basic Bloke 2: There's No Bloke Without Fire'. Book tickets here: https://www.livenation.co.uk/geoff-norcott-tickets-adp1252793JOIN the Podcast Patreon and receive each episode early, AD-FREE & with bonus content https://www.patreon.com/geoffnorcott?fan_landing=true Join my MAILING LIST for priority Tour booking & special offers https://signup.ymlp.com/xgyueuwbgmgb

Keir Starmer scored a rare win at PMQs, talking tough on Trump in light of the President's escalating rhetoric on Greenland and the Chagos Islands. Kemi Badenoch pressed the Prime Minister on foreign affairs and Britain's relationship with the US president, and Starmer departed from his usual caution to strike a notably firmer tone.What does this moment tell us about Labour's emerging approach to Trump – and is the UK political class finally losing patience with the volatility of the White House? Was this the closest we'll get to a Keir Starmer Love Actually Prime Minister moment?James Heale speaks to Tim Shipman and Isabel Hardman.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.

Sir Keir Starmer says he will not yield to Donald Trump over the future of Greenland, calling recent criticism of the Chagos deal an attempt to force the issue -- did this rebuke to Trump spark his best performance yet?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges from the Commons with Patrick Magurie, Stefan Boscia and Andy Parsons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prime Minister's Question Time, also referred to as PMQs, takes place every Wednesday the House of Commons sits. It gives MPs the chance to put questions to the Prime Minister or a nominated minister. In most cases, the session starts with a routine 'open question' from an MP about the Prime Minister's engagements. MPs can then ask supplementary questions on any subject, often one of current political significance.

Donald Trump finally made it to Davos, three hours late.After a flashing-light emergency on Air Force One, Mr Trump used the World Economic Forum platform to unload on Europe, the UK and pretty much anyone else in range. Marking a year since his inauguration, the US president mocked green energy, accused Britain of crippling itself by refusing to drill the North Sea, and claimed Europe has “destroyed itself”. Back home, Sir Keir Starmer showed unexpected steel at PMQs, saying he will not yield to Mr Trump's pressure on Greenland.Camilla and Tim unpack Mr Trump's freewheeling Davos speech, from his fresh push to “acquire” Greenland (while confusing it with Iceland), to digs at Emmanuel Macron's sunglasses, Canada's “freebies”, and a promise to build a “golden dome” to protect North America. We ask what all of this tells us about the new world order.We want to hear from you! Email us at thedailyt@telegraph.co.uk or find @dailytpodcast on TikTok, Instagram and X► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditorProducer: Georgia CoanSenior Producer: John CadiganExecutive Producer: Charlotte SeligmanVideo Producer: Will WaltersStudio Director: Meghan SearleSocial Producer: Nada AggourEditor: Camilla Tominey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laura and Seán react to a fiery PMQs session, in which Keir Starmer stands strong in his defence of UK-Greenland solidarity. Also, an MP gets booted out!Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a busy news cycle I look at Labour's u-turn on digital ID and what possessed Starmer to make a sex-joke at PMQs. I also look at more January political transfer window activity as Bobby J joins with Nigel F. Then I talk about London murder rates and the right's increasing inability to recognise good news. CATCH ME ON MY TOUR ‘Basic Bloke 2: There's No Bloke Without Fire'. Book tickets here: https://www.livenation.co.uk/geoff-norcott-tickets-adp1252793JOIN the Podcast Patreon and receive each episode early, AD-FREE & with bonus content https://www.patreon.com/geoffnorcott?fan_landing=true Join my MAILING LIST for priority Tour booking & special offers https://signup.ymlp.com/xgyueuwbgmgb

Kemi Badenoch mocks Keir Starmer over his latest U-turn, while he claims the Tories have had 'more positions than the 'Kama Sutra'.Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges from the Commons with Gabriel Pogrund, Stefan Boscia and Susie McCabe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prime Minister's Question Time, also referred to as PMQs, takes place every Wednesday the House of Commons sits. It gives MPs the chance to put questions to the Prime Minister or a nominated minister. In most cases, the session starts with a routine 'open question' from an MP about the Prime Minister's engagements. MPs can then ask supplementary questions on any subject, often one of current political significance.

You could be forgiven for losing count of how many screeching about-turns the Government has now made on policy.Camilla and Tim discuss the newest addition to that long list: digital ID cards, which Kemi Badenoch skewered Keir Starmer on at PMQs. Meanwhile, West Midlands Police is in crisis after the Home Secretary announced its chief Craig Guildford no longer has her confidence, over revelations that the force used AI-generate content to justify its Maccabi Tel Aviv football fan ban.Tory MP Nick Timothy tells Tim and Camilla that Shabana Mahmood "failed as Home Secretary" over the issue.We want to hear from you! Email us at thedailyt@telegraph.co.uk or find @dailytpodcast on TikTok, Instagram and X► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditorProducer: Lilian Fawcett and Georgia CoanSenior Producer: John CadiganExecutive Producer: Charlotte Seligman Video Producer: Will WaltersSocial Producer: Nada AggourEditor: Camilla Tominey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Another week, another PMQs session where Keir Starmer bats away criticism from the Tory benches, takes aim at the Reform benches, and welcomes planted questions from his backbenchers. Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can Keir Starmer learn from Donald Trump and get some swagger? Hugo, Polly and Danny are joined by former Labour strategist Peter Hyman to discuss whether the government can stop looking anxious, and whether the prime minister is right to keep talking about the next election as a straight fight with Reform UK.We also look at whether Nigel Farage is right to say he'd return PMQs to twice-weekly, and has Polly always been known as Policy Mackenzie?Send your questions, voicenotes and comments to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It is the first Prime Minister's Questions of the new year – and Keir Starmer returns to the Commons already under pressure. With major international crises unfolding, Kemi Badenoch used PMQs to question whether the Prime Minister is present, engaged or in control. In response, Starmer just seemed narky.As the exchange descended into rows over Ukraine, Venezuela and the role of government lawyers, the issue of the armed forces – how they are supported and resourced – came up once again. With global events dominating the news agenda, are British forces prepared to be deployed – and does the Labour party really grasp the political danger of that debate?Oscar Edmondson speaks to Tim Shipman and Isabel Hardman.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.

It's the first PMQs of the year, and Hugo and Patrick Maguire are joined in the studio by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. As they unpack the exchanges from the Commons, they discuss voting for sending troops to Ukraine, Donald Trump's raid on Venezuela, and how Farage will change PMQs if he makes it into Downing Street. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prime Minister's Question Time, also referred to as PMQs, takes place every Wednesday the House of Commons sits. It gives MPs the chance to put questions to the Prime Minister or a nominated minister. In most cases, the session starts with a routine 'open question' from an MP about the Prime Minister's engagements. MPs can then ask supplementary questions on any subject, often one of current political significance.

Today we're back to the grindstone reacting to another Wednesday in the House of Commons, where today Keir Starmer batted down questions of foreign policy from the leader of the opposition.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Regular listeners will remember back in May we recorded a podcast debating whether Kemi Badenoch was the right fit for Tory leader. At that point in time the Conservatives were falling in the polls and she was facing allegations of laziness and a lack of a political vision. Spool forward to the end of the year and she is in her strongest position ever. She looks more assured in PMQs, her conference speech was a hit and her media game is much improved. But is she actually getting better, or is Starmer getting worse? And will this modest bump in fortunes translate to success at the local elections?James Heale speaks to Paul Goodman, Lara Brown and William Atkinson.Produced by Oscar Edmondson and Patrick Gibbons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Regular listeners will remember back in May we recorded a podcast debating whether Kemi Badenoch was the right fit for Tory leader. At that point in time the Conservatives were falling in the polls and she was facing allegations of laziness and a lack of a political vision. Spool forward to the end of the year and she is in her strongest position ever. She looks more assured in PMQs, her conference speech was a hit and her media game is much improved. But is she actually getting better, or is Starmer getting worse? And will this modest bump in fortunes translate to success at the local elections?James Heale speaks to Paul Goodman, Lara Brown and William Atkinson.Produced by Oscar Edmondson and Patrick Gibbons.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts.Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today was the final PMQs of the year – and it was certainly not a classic. It is customary for the Prime Minister and the leader of the opposition to make some attempt at Christmas cheer by telling jokes at the despatch box, but this year's zingers were awful. Despite a promising start from Keir Starmer, it soon degenerated into quips about whether the Prime Minister has ‘the baubles' and whether Kemi Badenoch will be ‘Home Alone'. None of the jokes were delivered with any aplomb. Is this parliament at its worst?Also today, Wes Streeting is under pressure as the junior doctors' strike begins – how is he dealing with the walkout?James Heale speaks to Isabel Hardman and Tim Shipman.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.

In the final PMQs of the year, Kemi Badenoch challenges Keir Starmer on growth, taxes and claims he doesn't have the “baubles” to stop the doctors' strike. Starmer hits back, arguing that Badenoch's Christmas wish list would freeze the minimum wage...Hugo Rifkind unpacks the Commons exchanges with Josh Glancy, Stefan Boscia and Ahir Shah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prime Minister's Question Time, also referred to as PMQs, takes place every Wednesday the House of Commons sits. It gives MPs the chance to put questions to the Prime Minister or a nominated minister. In most cases, the session starts with a routine 'open question' from an MP about the Prime Minister's engagements. MPs can then ask supplementary questions on any subject, often one of current political significance.

Kemi Badenoch's good form continues at Prime Minister's Questions. The Tory leader was once more visibly enjoying herself today as she feasted on Labour misfortune, and she did a good job in covering the breadth of problems in the government. She used her six questions to ask about different departments and how they were faring: an approach that can often risk diluting the overall attack. But today, Badenoch had an overarching theme to those questions, which was that the Prime Minister and his colleagues are failing to meet their own promises. To discuss, James Heale is joined by Tim Shipman 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.

STARMER get a grip — UK is about to explode #KeirStarmer #Starmer #UKPolitics #PMQs #JonGaunt #LawAndOrder #BritainInCrisis #Coventry #GhostTown #PublicAnger #LiveShow #TalkShow #StateOfTheNation Keir Starmer knows it, Westminster knows it, and the country knows it: Britain is reaching a breaking point. If those in power don't get a grip soon, the damage will be lasting. This week's brutal rape of a 15-year-old girl in Leamington is not just another crime story. The reported fact that the attack was filmed, with no intervention, speaks volumes about the collapse of authority, responsibility, and social restraint in modern Britain. And at Prime Minister's Questions? Silence. Not a word. No acknowledgement of public anger or fear. With Christmas approaching, the country feels dangerously fractured. People are angry — visibly, audibly, everywhere. This is no longer background noise; it is a national mood politics is refusing to face. I spent today in my home city of Coventry — the city that once inspired *Ghost Town* as a warning. What once felt like a bleak metaphor now feels like lived reality. Coventry is not alone. Is this one case? One city? Or a country coming apart while those in charge look the other way? Join me live at 6pm to confront the real state we are in. #KeirStarmer #Starmer #UKPolitics #PMQs #JonGaunt #LawAndOrder #BritainInCrisis #Coventry #GhostTown #PublicAnger #LiveShow #TalkShow #StateOfTheNation Keir Starmer, Starmer, UK politics, UK news, PMQs, Leamington, law and order, Britain in crisis, Coventry, Ghost Town, migration debate, public anger, live show, talk show, political commentary, state of the nation, Jon Gaunt, 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.

Panto season hits PMQs, with Badenoch calling Starmer a “caretaker PM,” Starmer accusing her of job-saving panic, and Lindsay Hoyle asking MPs to stop the pantomime auditions.Hugo Rifkind is joined by Patrick Maguire and Andrew Hunter Murray to unpack the exchanges in the House Of Commons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prime Minister's Question Time, also referred to as PMQs, takes place every Wednesday the House of Commons sits. It gives MPs the chance to put questions to the Prime Minister or a nominated minister. In most cases, the session starts with a routine 'open question' from an MP about the Prime Minister's engagements. MPs can then ask supplementary questions on any subject, often one of current political significance.

It was PMQs today and it is clear to see that Kemi Badenoch is starting to enjoy herself. She opened with the departure of the head of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), as it allowed her to suggest that Starmer was dodging taking responsibility himself. She asked: ‘Does the Prime Minister believe that when an organisation descends into total shambles, the person at the top should resign?' To be fair, she has lots of ammunition between the leaks, botched Budgets and Cabinet discontent – however, the leader of the opposition does seem to be hitting her stride just at the moment when the Tories are enjoying a modest bump in the polls. Can she keep it up?Also on the podcast, the rumour mill is buzzing with renewed talk of a Tory/Reform pact after comments made by Nigel Farage to a group of donors. Reportedly he told the room that an agreement on cooperation between the two parties could help Reform's path to No. 10. Is a pact becoming more likely?Lucy Dunn speaks to Tim Shipman and Isabel Hardman.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.