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Times Radio Politics

The Times brings together some of the most experienced strategists in British politics to discuss what's really going on behind the big stories, and elections taking place here and around the world.

Daniel Finkelstein, Sally Morgan and Polly Mackenzie join Hugo Rifkind for an intelligent, adversarial and witty conversation every week.

Follow the podcast now to never miss an episode.

Send questions, comments and voicenotes to: howtowin@thetimes.co.uk

Executive Producer: Andrew Alexander

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How To Win An Election

Does big money win elections?

As Reform UK receives record sums from billionaire donors, we look at what it will take to translate the cash into votes.

The team recalls the fall-out from the Bernie Ecclestone affair and the cash-for-honours scandal during the Blair years, and both Danny and Sally say they've been approached by people asking for a peerage.

Plus: After the 'Gail's' strategy, what do the Liberal Democrats need to do to get out of the electoral doldrums?

Send your questions, comments and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk

Video editor: Kim McCarthy

Executive Producer: Andrew Alexander

Picture: Getty Images

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How To Spend £72m

Donald Trump faces accusations of bribery after promising every adult $5,000 if they vote Republican - but Danny says he advised Rishi Sunak to present tax cuts to the British public in the same way.

The political masterminds also consider whether Andy Burnham made a mistake in saying national security can't come at the expense of social security, whether the British government's sanctions on Israeli settlements are born from principle or political calculation, and at what point the voters notice sleaze.

The book Danny refers to is The Rise of Reform by Nick Tyrone. It's available to order at the Times Bookshop where Times Plus members can get a 20% discount.

Send your comments, questions and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk

Executive Producer: Andrew Alexander

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How To Bribe An Election

There's a by-election on the way, thanks to Keir Starmer's decision to stand down as MP for Holborn and St Pancras.

Green Party leader Zack Polanski wants to stand - just how big a risk is he taking, and could he fall flat on his face? The team have been looking into the likely scenarios.

We also talk about Andy Burnham's ongoing efforts to do politics differently, and we try to give Reform advice on how to get back on track after a tricky summer. But does Nigel Farage really want to campaign all the way to the next election?

Send your questions, comments and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk

 

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Polanski's Gamble Is Make Or Break

Nigel Farage has seen off along list of novelty candidates to increase his majority in the Clacton by-election. The Reform UK leader says it's a resounding victory, but over whom? And if it was, why wasn't he been out trumpeting the result?

The political masterminds (well, most of them) return from their summer break to explain what the outcome means for the general election, and whether the 'Burnham Bounce' has actually been a bit flat.

Send your questions, comments and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk. The podcast will be back on September 3.

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Clacton Wasn't The Victory Farage Needed

Andy Burnham’s first week in Downing Street has been full of promises - but can he keep everyone happy and still balance the books?

Hugo, Sally, Polly and Danny look at the prime minister’s first week in power, from his plans for public services and tax cuts, to the questions over how he will pay for them. 

They also discuss John Healey’s appointment as Chancellor, the fallout from the purge of Starmer allies, and whether Burnham’s approach risks trying to please everyone.

 

Send your questions, comments and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk 

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How To Promise Everything And Pay For It Later

Andy Burnham will soon be making his first speech from Downing Street as prime minister - how will he introduce himself to the nation?

The team discuss striking the right balance between optimism and acknowledging the scale of the challenge, and look back at their role in preparing speeches for Tony Blair, David Cameron and Nick Clegg. And, does the choice of lectern actually matter?

We also answer a question from a listener who asks whether Nigel Farage could lose the Clacton by-election.

Send your questions, comments and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How To Launch Your Premiership In Downing Street

This week the political masterminds are answering more of your questions.

Does Andy Burnham risk becoming all things to all people, and will that inevitably result in disappointment? What jobs would Sally, Polly and Danny have in No 10 North? 

Have former military figures seized the agenda over defence spending, and is Labour worrying enough about a possible Tory revival?

Send your voicenotes, questions and comments to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk

And you can watch the podcast on YouTube here

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Burnham Risks Being All Things To All People

Nigel Farage has announced his resignation as an MP, saying he will fight a 'people versus the establishment' by-election in Clacton.

Is it a high risk stunt by the Reform UK leader? When have by-elections backfired in the past, and will it make questions about his finances, and his future, go away?

Hugo, Sally, Polly and Danny analyse Farage's gamble.

Send your questions, comments and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Farage Triggered A By-Election

What have we learned so far about Andy Burnham's plan for government? Danny has been reading his book, Head North, and thinks he's proposing a clear left turn when it comes to the economy and public services.

Does Burnham's vision of a more devolved United Kingdom add up to an electoral strategy, or is that actually coming from Morgan McSweeney's playbook?

Plus: We're joined by comedian and host of the How To Win The World Cup podcast Matt Forde to discuss whether success on the football pitch can give a boost at the ballot box.

Send your questions, comments and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How To Read Burnham's Blueprint For Government

The team bring their years of experience inside Downing Street to the question of how Andy Burnham will construct his cabinet, and who he could pick as chancellor.

After the return of James Purnell as chief of staff, is there a risk of having too many veterans of the Blair and Brown years back in power?

And - Polly sets out her vision for replacing Chequers with a Mar-a-Lago-style resort in Blackpool.

Send your questions, voicenotes and views on Polly's policy to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How To Pick Your Chancellor And Cabinet

What are the chances that the elections in May 2026 in Scotland, Wales and England will lead to a leadership challenge against Keir Starmer?

That's one of the questions answered by the political masterminds in our Christmas episode. We also find out about their favourite political memorabilia, why the parties import advisers from America and Australia, and whether we've been stuck in a political timewarp since 2019.

Send questions, comments and voicenotes to: howtowin@thetimes.co.uk

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How To Predict Whether Starmer Will Survive 2026

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