Podcast appearances and mentions of rachel cunliffe

Reform UK gets a lot of coverage but not enough scrutiny. Say Nigel Farage did become Prime Minister (God forbid), what would a Reform UK-led UK look like? Is their manifesto (… sorry, ‘contract') full to the brim of wishful thinking? Plus, with changes inbound on the two-child benefit cap and winter fuel payments is Labour sorting its act out? Or does this make Starmer look weak? Paul Nowak is the General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress and joins the podcast to give his thoughts. And in the Extra Bit for subscribers following the death of BBC arts titan Alan Yentob, we ask: Is the dream of culture for the masses still alive?  • Read Sam Freedman's Substack here: https://samf.substack.com/p/what-would-a-reform-government-be • Listen to The Bunker including Duncan Weldon on the economics of war. • Don't miss the latest edition of Crime Scene on the Liverpool parade car collision and what it means for policing. ESCAPE ROUTES • Paul recommends Bruce Springsteen live and Race Across The World on BBC iPlayer.  • Matt saw Mary Poppins at the Bradford Alhambra. • Rachel recommends listening to Magic At The Musicals on RadioPlayer.  • Dorian recommends Gang Of Three (keep an eye out in case in gets a transfer) and Electric Dreams at Tate Modern. www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Rachel Cunliffe and Matt Green. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio Production by: Robin Leeburn. Music by Cornershop. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joining Iain Dale on Cross Question this evening are SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, shadow health minister and Conservative MP Dr Luke Evans, Rachel Cunliffe from the New Statesman and political commentator Charlie Downes.

Will Israel listen to David Lammy's condemnation?Joining Iain Dale on Cross Question this evening are SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, shadow health minister and Conservative MP Dr Luke Evans, Rachel Cunliffe from the New Statesman and political commentator Charlie Downes.

“Having moved on from Blue Labour, which other policies will Turquoise Labour adopt from the far right?"; “Given that they are a break on everything, should the Treasury department be abolished?”; “What would happen if Labour and the Conservatives got completely wiped out at the general election and the Lib Dems and Greens also had bad polling results and the Reform party suddenly lost its mojo? Could a government function or would King Charles have to step in?”Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Andrew Marr and Rachel Cunliffe to answer listener questions.Sign up to the New Statesman's daily politics newsletter: Morning Call Submit a question for a future episode: You Ask Us Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week saw potentially the boldest moment of Keir Starmer's leadership, as the Government announced its white paper - Restoring Control over the Immigration System. According to the Prime Minister, it marks a a significant overhaul of UK immigration policy.The headlines, however, have been less kind - focussing on the wording of his speech announcing the plans, specifically on the phrase ‘island of strangers'... Some were quick to compare this to Enoch Powell's infamous ‘Rivers of Blood' speech in which Powell talks of white British people becoming ‘strangers in their own country'.Hannah Barnes is joined by Andrew Marr and Rachel Cunliffe.Sign up to the New Statesman's daily politics newsletter: Morning Call Submit a question for a future episode: You Ask Us Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer's statement on immigration may well have repelled many Labour voters towards the Lib Dems and the Greens. How wrong has the Prime Minister got this strategy to defeat Reform? And are his party's plans even workable? Plus, the UK has signed trade deals with the US and India – what's in them, how important are they, and are we getting too close to Trump? Trade expert Dmitry Grozoubinski spoke to Andrew Harrison for The Bunker and we've included a brief excerpt in this section. • Want more? Find the full Bunker episode with Dmitry here. • Come to Oh God, What Now? Live at 21Soho, London on Weds 11 June. Tickets on sale here. www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Ros Taylor with Seth Thévoz, Rachel Cunliffe and Ahir Shah. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio. Production by Robin Leeburn. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The team answer questions on the Green party's charisma issue, how Reform's power in local council could hurt their overall polling, and whether too many Lib Dems are vegan.Rachel Cunliffe is joined by Ben Walker, Megan Kenyon, and George Eaton.Listen to our episode on constitutional issuesSubmit a question for a future episode: You Ask Us Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We all know the Conservatives got just about everything they could wrong when they were in government. But can we pinpoint where it all started to go wrong? And has the party learned its lessons? Tim Bale is a professor of politics at Queen Mary University London and his newly updated book: The Conservatives After Brexit: Turmoil and Transformation is best placed to answer those questions. Plus, is pronatalism having a moment under Donald Trump 2.0?  And in the Extra Bit for subscribers, following the death of Pope Francis, how much does religion play a part in politics?  We're on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow   Buy the updated version of Prof. Tim Bale's Book – The Conservatives After Brexit: Turmoil and Transformation, HERE.   www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Rachel Cunliffe and Hannah Fearn. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio Production by: Robin Leeburn. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The politics team answers listener questions on council tax, the voters ignored by Labour and the Tories, and the true value of billionaires.Hannah Barnes is joined by Andrew Marr and Rachel Cunliffe.Sign up to the New Statesman's daily politics newsletter: Morning Call Submit a question for a future episode: You Ask Us Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After the purported 'Easter truce' fighting has resumed in Ukraine and Russia, meanwhile peace talks in the West have broken down with the US speaking to Russia separately.Hannah Barnes is joined by Andrew Marr to discuss this week in UK politics, and later in the episode by Rachel Cunliffe and George Eaton to look at Reform UK's surging popularity ahead of the local elections.Read: Can Reform grow up?, Steve Reed: “Reform is a symptom of broken trust” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former senior civil servant Jill Rutter joins the podcast to answer listener questions on the inner workings of government.This episode is hosted by the New Statesman's associate political editor, Rachel Cunliffe.Sign up to the New Statesman's daily politics newsletter: Morning Call Submit a question for a future episode: You Ask Us Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How did a joke gone awry in 1967 forever changed the nation's relationship with the truth?Rachel Cunliffe is joined by Phil Tinline, a regular writer for the New Statesman and author of the new book Ghosts of Iron Mountain: The Hoax that Duped America and its Sinister Legacy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The first of May is set to be a big day for local government with council elections, mayoral races, and even a by-election taking place.Rachel Cunliffe is joined by senior data journalist Ben Walker to discuss what's being contested and where the polls stand at the moment.Read more from Ben hereSign up to the New Statesman's daily politics newsletter: Morning Call Submit a question for a future episode: You Ask Us Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thanks to Donald Trump and his dodgy formula, last week tariffs were applied to countries all over the world. Consequently, the stock markets had their worst downturn since the pandemic. And economists warned of a weakened dollar, trade wars, and global recession.The White House denied for days that the US would back down on the tariffs. Until yesterday, when Trump pressed pause on higher tariff rates, with a few notable exceptions.To unpack what on earth is going on in Washington and around the world Rachel Cunliffe is joined by business editor and Will Dunn and US correspondent Freddie Hayward.Sign up to the New Statesman's daily politics newsletter: Morning Call Submit a question for a future episode: You Ask Us Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump's tariffs are tanking stock markets and bankrupting penguins. How is Britain coping with Trump's assault on free trade… and is there anything we can do to protect ourselves from protectionism? Plus, the most crucial voters are aged between 35 and 59 – and they're also the most economically worried. Professor Jane Green is the Director of the Nuffield Politics Research Centre and co-author of a new report detailing why this group of people is so politically important. She joins the podcast to uncover what she found. We're on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow   www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Andrew Harrison with Zoë Grünewald, and Rachel Cunliffe. Producer: Chris Jones Audio. Production by Tom Taylor. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How would it work? Can a state really find out how rich someone is? If Britain were to introduce serious wealth taxes, would the super rich simply leave?Rachel Cunliffe is joined by the political editor Andrew Marr and business editor Will Dunn to discuss the prospect of a wealth text, and the implications of the Houthi PC small group on Westminster's Whatsapp addiction.Read: Would a wealth tax work?, Westminster's WhatsApp addiction must endSign up to the New Statesman's daily politics newsletter: Morning Call Submit a question for a future episode: You Ask Us Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Growth has halved, welfare has been cut, and defence is hoovering up more and more. Things are looking, and sounding, pretty grim for the Chancellor - and in yesterday's Spring Statement we learned what the fallout from this harsh economic reality will be.Rachel Cunliffe is joined by the New Statesman's political editor Andrew Marr and economist Ben Zaranko from the Institute for Fiscal Studies.Sign up to the New Statesman's daily politics newsletter: Morning Call Submit a question for a future episode: You Ask Us Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kemi Badenoch was supposed to reboot and re-energise the Tories. Now she's tanking in the polls and flailing in the Commons. If she can't beat Farage, will her leadership make it to the end of the summer? Plus, America's slide from functioning democracy to autocracy summons up dark memories of when the same thing happened to the Ancient Roman republic. Classics lovers Rachel Cunliffe and Jonn Elledge join Zöe Grünewald and Andrew Harrison to ask whether the Fall of Roman democracy is a warning or a manual.  • Read Rachel's New Statesman piece What Went Wrong of Kemi Badenoch? • Andrew interviews John Higgs, author of Exterminate! Regenerate! – The Story of Doctor Who at the Rock'n'Roll Book Club, Walthamstow on Tue 22 April. Escape Routes: • Zöe's choice Broken Country. • Andrew's choice Exterminate! Regenerate! • Jonn's History of the World in 47 Borders in paperback. • Jonn's choice I Want To Go Home But I'm Already There. • Jonn's OTHER choice Ghosts of Iron Mountain. • Back us on Patreon for ad-free listening, bonus materials and more.  Written and presented by Andrew Harrison with Rachel Cunliffe, Jonn Elledge and Zöe Grünewald. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Theme music by Cornershop. Produced by Chris Jones. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are Labour on track for their target of 1.5million homes? What is NHS England? Why can't the Green's electrify the left in the same way that Reform has done for the right? What will the consequences be of cutting international aid?Hannah Barnes answers listener questions with the New Statesman's political editor, Andrew Marr, and associate political editor, Rachel Cunliffe.Read: Labour's housing slumpSign up to the New Statesman's daily politics newsletter: Morning Call Submit a question for a future episode: You Ask Us Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The prospect of peace in Ukraine, Liz Kendall's welfare cut announcements, and while Kemi Badenoch flails as Conservative leader ... who's waiting around the corner for her job?Hannah Barnes is joined by Andrew Marr and Rachel Cunliffe to discuss this week in Westminster and beyond.Read: A Labour welfare revolt is still brewing, Diane Abbott rails against Keir Starmer, What went wrong for Kemi Badenoch?, Who could succeed Kemi Badenoch?Sign up to the New Statesman's daily politics newsletter: Morning Call Submit a question for a future episode: You Ask Us Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer's decision to raise defence spending and cut foreign aid has raised a whole load of questions (but not any asked by Kemi Badenoch because she's, like, really bad at that). Is cutting aid the right choice? Are we ready for war? And is this the start of Starmer being tougher towards Trump? Plus: is centrism dead? Award-winning pollster and former President of YouGov Peter Kellner joins us to discuss why it just might be. And in the Extra Bit for Patreon backers, Boris Johnson keeps referring to Jaws – a film that was out when he was 11 years old. Which movies from when the panel were 11 left an impression on them…? We're on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow   www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Ros Taylor, with Rachel Cunliffe, and Marie Le Conte. Producer: Chris Jones Audio production by: Robin Leeburn. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Keir Starmer returns victorious from his meeting with Donald Trump. But was it the success it seems?Andrew Marr, Hannah Barnes and Rachel Cunliffe answer listener questions on the New Statesman podcast.Also in this episode: Has Zelensky "put one over" on Trump with the rare earth minerals deal?Trump's "mob boss" geopoliticsHow the UK could make a radical pivot towards Europe - and have Putin to thank.Sign up to the New Statesman's daily politics newsletter: Morning Call Submit a question for a future episode: You Ask Us Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trump's decision to rip up 80 years of transatlantic security co-operation leaves Europe in a panic. What happens when America lines up with a despot like Putin? Can Europe afford to defend itself? Dr Julie Norman of UCL joins us to look at the alarming new security environment. Plus, with Badenoch's Tories in an apparent doom spiral, we look at why politics needs a functioning opposition. And in the Extra Bit for Patreons: White Lotus is back and the Murdoch family hate each other. Why do we love watching the rich suffer?  • Back us on Patreon for ad-free listening, bonus materials and more.  Written and presented by Dorian Lynskey with Rachel Cunliffe and Rafael Behr. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Theme music by Cornershop. Produced by Chris Jones. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Donald Trump has reached out to Vladimir Putin, over the heads of Ukraine and Europe. The Western alliance is fracturing, so what comes next? Can European nations find the defence budget? And whose terms will this war end on?Hannah Barnes is joined by Lawrence Freedman, emeritus professor of War Studies at Kings College London, and later in the programme by the New Statesman's associate political editor Rachel Cunliffe, and the former justice secretary David Gauke to discuss the future of our prisons.Read: The threat of peace, Penal populism has broken Britain's prisonsSign up to the New Statesman's daily politics newsletter: Morning Call Submit a question for a future episode: You Ask Us Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are local council changes "an attack on democracy"? Rachel Cunliffe and Megan Kenyon join Hannah Barnes to discuss changes to the rules governing local elections, which Ed Davey and Nigel Farage have attacked as anti-democratic. They answer a listener question about why their local council can "delay my right to vote". Also in this episode, Megan Kenyon meets Kim Leadbeater for an update on the assisted dying bill, and we answer your questions about the checks and balances that would apply if the bill were to pass.Submit a question for us to answer on a future podcast: www.newstatesman.com/youaskusGet our free daily politics newsletter, Morning Call: morningcall.substack.comSubscribe to the New Statesman. Get your first five weeks for just £5 at www.newstatesman.com/feb25 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Researchers are hoping to get a glimpse into the secret lives of Aotearoa's children in the school census. More than 200 schools have already registered to take part in the project that is a collaboration between Stats NZ, Auckland University and the Ministry of Education. The country's largest school survey happens every two years and has been going almost a quarter of a century. Rachel Cunliffe from Census at School spoke to Lisa Owen.

Keir Starmer may have been enduring stormy weather since winning power – but is the sky really falling in, as parts of the media think? And why are so many UK commentators and pundits addicted to the idea that we're living in times of ultimate crisis? Plus, it's 100 days since Kemi Badenoch took on the Tory leadership. Has she turned the party's fortunes around and made her party a laughing stock no longer? No, no she hasn't. Why not? And what type of leader has she shown herself to be?  • We're on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow   Our panel's Escape Routes: • Hannah's choice is 4,000 Weeks by Oliver Burkemann. • Rachel chooses Good Material by Dolly Alderton. • Andrew's choices of We Stand On Guard and Ever Crashing by SRSQ.  • Alison chooses Persuasion by Jane Austen.  www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Andrew Harrison with Hannah Fearn, Rachel Cunliffe and Alison Phillips. Producer: Chris Jones Audio production by: Robin Leeburn. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

US investment already owns much of the British high street. Are "ignorant" politicians "selling the UK down the river"?As Donald Trump announces new tariffs on trading partners around the world, Hannah Barnes and Rachel Cunliffe are joined by Angus Hanton, author of Vassal State, to explore how the UK economy is, in many ways, "in thrall" to the US.They also discuss Trump's shock declaration of intent to "take over" the Gaza Strip. Later in the show they're joined by George Eaton to analyse Keir Starmer's great EU reset - and discuss whether the Prime Minister can please both Europe and the United States (spoiler: he can't).Ask a question for us to answer in a future episode: www.newstatesman.com/youaskusGet more politics coverage every day direct to your email inbox by signing up for our daily politics newsletter: morningcall.substack.comSave money on a New Statesman subscription to get full access to all our reporting and analysis from just £5 for your first 5 weeks: www.newstatesman.com/feb25 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rachel Reeves' latest growth speech has failed to convince one curious listener.George Eaton and Rachel Cunliffe join Hannah Barnes for a special listener questions episode. They tackle your questions on Labour's latest intervention on growth, which George describes as an "attempt" at a vibe shift. They also discuss whether Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves have a charisma problem, as well as one listener who asks if the media should be giving the Liberal Democrats more attention.Ask a question for us to answer in a future episode: www.newstatesman.com/youaskusGet more politics coverage every day direct to your email inbox by signing up for our daily politics newsletter: morningcall.substack.comSave money on a New Statesman subscription to get full access to all our reporting and analysis from just £5 for your first 5 weeks: www.newstatesman.com/jan25 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trump starts as viciously as he means to go on, with a confected state of emergency on immigration, attacks on gay and trans people, withdrawals from the Paris Climate agreement and the World Health Organisation, and pardons for the anti-democracy rioters of Jan 6. Reed Galen, co-founder of the anti-MAGA Republican group The Lincoln Project and host of The Home Front podcast, joins us to assess Trump's first moves and the state of the resistance against him. And in the Extra Bit for Patreon backers: Could you boycott visiting the United States while Trump is President?   • “Very bad things are going to happen. The question is, how are we going to react to them?” – Reed Galen • Support us on Patreon for an ad-free listening experience – and to help keep independent podcasting alive!  Written and presented by Dorian Lynskey with Rachel Cunliffe and Rafael Behr. Audio production by Robin Leeburn and Simon Williams. Theme music by Cornershop. Produced by Chris Jones. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. www.podmasters.co.uk   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Freddie Hayward joins from Washington DC to answer listener questions on the new Trump administration.Following his inauguration on Monday January 20, Donald Trump signed a flurry of executive orders to implement new policy or reverse work done by the Biden administration. Listeners have asked what the US president's actions will mean for Britain.Freddie joins Rachel Cunliffe and Hannah Barnes to answer your questions.--

Keir Starmer is stuck between the UN and Donald Trump.Under pressure from the International Court, Labour are due to relinquish British ownership of the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean. But the islands house a strategic US airbase, and the Prime Minister needs to maintain good relations with the incoming Trump administration.Andrew Marr, Hannah Barnes and Rachel Cunliffe answer a listener's question about whether the government will rethink the Chagos Islands deal.They also discuss whether the New Statesman should regret backing Labour at the general election, and how the UK will be affected by new moderation rules on Meta platforms Facebook and Instagram.Ask a question for a future episode at www.newstatesman.com/youaskusGet the New Stateman's political analysis in your inbox every weekday by signing up to our newsletter, Morning Call: morningcall.substack.comSubscribe to the New Statesman for full access to all our reporting and analysis: www.newstatesman.com/jan24 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Britain's economic growth slows and gilt returns go up (no, we can't remember what it means either) the Tory press are eager to construct a narrative of “Labour's mess”. How real is it – and is Chancellor Rachel Reeves really at risk? Plus: Trump wants to annex Canada, Greenland and possibly your house. Are we back to 19th century foreign policy where the world is basically a game of Risk? Seth Thévoz, The New Statesman's Rachel Cunliffe, comedian Matt Green and Andrew Harrison try to make sense of it all.  Support us on Patreon for an ad-free listening experience – and to independent podcasting alive!  Written and presented by group editor Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Theme music by Cornershop. Produced by Chris Jones. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. www.podmasters.co.uk   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Would it be politically safe to go back on their promise not to raise income tax if the increase only affected high earners?, a listener writes in to ask. Hannah Barnes is joined by political editor Andrew Marr and associate political editor Rachel Cunliffe, and in the first half of the programme we hear from senior data journalist Ben Walker about whether there has been a swell in youth support for Reform UK.The team also cast their predictions for the year ahead in UK politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can Elon Musk reshape British democracy?The X-owning billionaire has waded into one of the darkest scandals in recent British history: the horrific rape and abuse of thousands of girls across the UK by so-called “grooming gangs”. Musk's inflammatory posts on his social media platform, X, have prompted statements from Keir Starmer, questions from Kemi Badenoch in PMQs, and extensive coverage across the mainstream media. How should the UK government respond to a foreign billionaire with a platform that amplifies misinformation to hundreds of millions around the world?Andrew Marr joins Hannah Barnes and Rachel Cunliffe on Politics from the New Statesman.

It's the last listener questions episode of 2024! Hannah Barnes is joined by Rachel Cunliffe and George Eaton to discuss Elon Musk's support and intentions for Reform UK. The team also consider how Children Not In School register could help increase children's safety and wellbeing, especially considering up to 300,000 children may have been missing from education entirely in 2023.-The podcast will be taking a break over Christmas but we'll be back on Monday to review the year in UK politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As bad Brexit news piles up, a new poll says that even Leave voters would welcome freedom of movement if it meant access to the Single Market. But is the question of Britain rejoining the EU ever going to make it into mainstream politics conversation? We look at the hurdles. Plus, the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has put the American people's hatred of their health system in the spotlight. How deep does this resentment run and how did it get so bad that someone would kill over it? AND we have a special returning former panelist to the show this week: Ahir Shah is back after a year-long hiatus! We're on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow   www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Andrew Harrison with Hannah Fearn, Rachel Cunliffe and Ahir Shah. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production by: Robin Leeburn. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

• Get 20% off a year's Patreon support in our Cyber Monday sale. Why not ask for it for Christmas? • Last chance for tickets to our Christmas Live Show on Tue 10 Dec at the Comedy Store London. All we want for Christmas is… a feisty front-foot reset from Labour? Can Keir Starmer turn round the Government supertanker and get the Civil Service to be a little more co-operative towards the Labour agenda? Plus, after Biden's decision to give his son Hunter an absolute pardon, is there any point mithering about “norms” any more? Plus, in the Extra Bit for Patreon people, the panel solve your “what books to get the family for Christmas” misery.  Support us on Patreon to get early access to all our live tickets plus mugs, t-shirts and more.  Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Rachel Cunliffe, Jon Elledge and Ros Taylor. Audio production by Robin Leeburn and Tom Taylor. Theme music by Cornershop. Produced by Chris Jones. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. www.podmasters.co.uk   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former Labour strategist and architect of the Labour missions, Peter Hyman, joins the New Statesman podcast to discuss Keir Starmer's “plan for change” speech on Thursday. Hyman discusses the difficulties Labour will face in implementing their missions and is scathing about Whitehall, saying resistance from staffers is stifling innovation: “Three permanent secretaries I've heard in the last month have been resisting having outsiders come in to help,” he says. “I don't blame civil servants, particularly individual civil servants… What I do blame is the system. At the moment, there is a culture that is not geared towards innovation. It is geared to business as usual… a lot of civil servants are incredibly paranoid about taking any risks because they fear they'll be called in front of a select committee.”Read: Starmer's pledges leave his government exposed, by Rachel Cunliffe; Keir Starmer must remember his mission, by Peter Hyman Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

They're terrified of the whips - and of their tiny majorities.From a “fresher's fair” with free sweets to the struggles of finding a place to live, joining parliament is a lot like starting at University - but with the fate of the country in your hands.Andrew Marr and Rachel Cunliffe have been speaking to the new intake of MPs and join Hannah Barnes to answer a listener question on what life is like for new Members of Parliament.Andrew, Hannah and Rachel also answer your questions on how long Labour will be able to “do the unpopular things”.

MPs are about to vote on arguably the biggest social change since abortion.***If you enjoyed this, listen to our previous episode, "Is the UK ready for Assisted Dying?"***Listen here: https://pod.fo/e/274d9c--Kim Leadbeater's private members bill proposing to legalise assisted dying faces a free vote on Friday November 29. In a free vote, MPs are not whipped by their party to vote in a particular way.This means the debate between MPs has taken an unusual course, with seemingly unlikely alliances being formed across party lines.Andrew Marr, Hannah Barnes and Rachel Cunliffe discuss the politics of this extraordinary vote, and the impact it could have on both the UK and Keir Starmer's Labour government.They also discuss the shock immigration statistics released Thursday, and a petition calling for another general election which has attracted two million signatures.--READBen Walker's must-read analysis of the general election petitionhttps://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2024/11/general-election-petition-should-worry-conservatives-not-labourFREEGet politics news and analysis in your inbox every day with our Morning Call newslettermorningcall.substack.comSAVEPodcast listeners can save 25% on a New Statesman subscription for yourself or a loved onewww.newstatesman.com/pod24 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

• Get 20% off a year's Patreon support in our Black Friday sale. Why not ask for it for Christmas? • Get your tickets for our Christmas Live Show on Tue 10 Dec at the Comedy Store London. Barbour-ism begins at home… Could the farm protests become the centre of a new right-wing opposition to Labour? Can Starmer's team fix their messaging on the inheritance tax issue? And maybe there is two-tier policing, but it benefits you if you've got a tractor. Former Met Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe is our special guest.  Support us on Patreon to get early access to all our live tickets plus mugs, t-shirts and more.  Presented by Andrew Harrison with Rachel Cunliffe and Hannah Fearn. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Theme music by Cornershop. Produced by Chris Jones. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. www.podmasters.co.uk   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

And when should we expect to start seeing actual results from Labour's reforms and policies?Hannah Barnes is joined by political editor Andrew Marr, and associate political editor Rachel Cunliffe to answer listener questions.Read Andrew's column: The UK's broken system makes losers of us all Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

• Get your tickets for our Christmas Live Show on Tue 10 Dec at the Comedy Store London. The X-odus continues – but if we all quit the platform everyone still calls Twitter, are we handing a powerful social media engine to the worst of the far-right? Donald Trump continues to make cabinet appointments “so appalling they seem like performance art”. We get updates on the nightmarish backgrounds of Matt Gaetz, Tulsi Gabbard and RFK. And do elections now simply mean punishment beatings for incumbents? Former Daily Mirror editor Alison Phillips is our special guest.  Support us on Patreon to get early access to all our live tickets plus mugs, t-shirts and more.  Presented by Andrew Harrison with Rachel Cunliffe and Matt Green. Audio production by Simon Williams. Theme music by Cornershop. Produced by Chris Jones. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kemi “start a fight in an empty room” Badenoch wins the Tory leadership, beating Robert Jenrick in a surprisingly low turnout. Will an electorate that's just turfed out the Conservative Party be in the mood for more of the same only more combative and obnoxious? Will Badenoch's promise to “tell the truth” just mean more woke-bashing? And would Labour HQ be wise to keep the champagne on ice? The New Statesman's Rachel Cunliffe and Andrew Harrison interrupt their Saturdays for some Torygazing.  Support us on Patreon to get early access to all our live tickets plus mugs, t-shirts and more.  Presenter and Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Produced by Simon Williams. Theme music by Cornershop. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

David Gauke reveals his pick for the Tory leadership “not without reservations”. As Labour deliver “hard decisions” in their first budget in 14 years, a listener asks if Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves are reliving Nick Clegg's 2011.David Gauke, who served with Nick Clegg in government, gives his take.He joins Rachel Cunliffe and Hannah Barnes on our weekly listener questions episode, in which they also discuss the Conservative leadership election and David Gauke reveals who he, reluctantly, voted for.

• Go here to get tickets for Oh God, What Now? live at the Comedy Store on Tue 10 Dec. Labour's first budget since regaining power is an opportunity to get back on the front foot and silence its critics on the right. What could Rachel Reeves introduce in this budget, how key is a focus on the NHS going to be, and, importantly, WHO THE HELL does the bins at Buckingham Palace?! Plus, the vote for the Assisted Dying Bill is about 5 weeks away. Some MPs feel there hasn't been enough time to debate it properly. Wes Streeting won't back it, nor will Justice Sec Shabana Mahmood. Will Parliament fumble one of the most important decisions it could have to make? Guardian Columnist Polly Toynbee joins the panel to get stuck into all of that. We're on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow   www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow • Don't miss Series 2 of our science and psychology podcast, Why? with Emma  Kennedy – listen here. Presented by Ros Taylor with Zoë Grünewald and Rachel Cunliffe. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production by: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Andrew Marr, Hannah Barnes and Rachel Cunliffe hear from a focus group of voters in a marginal Kent constituency, to get their views on Labour's first three months in government. They reveal why they're struggling to trust "posh" Keir Starmer, whether they regret their vote, and which public figure they would love to see in parliament.

With "normal" James Cleverly out of the Tory leadership race, a listener asks if a Badenoch or Jenrick leadership would split the Conservative party in two.Andrew Marr, Hannah Barnes and Rachel Cunliffe answer listener questions in our weekly episode, You Ask Us - published every Friday.Also in this episode: do journalists talk about Westminster gossip too much? Our own gossipy journalists give their answer!

The Tory leadership race is down to two: Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick – did this really take the Tories by surprise? Plus, we're 100 days into the new Government. How long does Starmer have before he has to start producing results? And Andrew Harrison talks to ITV's Deputy Political Editor Anushka Asthana about her new book: Taken as Red How the Election Was Won and Lost – find the full interview on The Bunker later this week.  Buy Taken as Red How the Election Was Won and Lost through our affiliate bookshop and you'll help fund Oh God, What Now? by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org's fees help support independent bookshops too. https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13277/9780008697907  We're on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow   www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Andrew Harrison with Rachel Cunliffe and Marie Le Conte. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production by: Robin Leeburn. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices