Political Fix

Episodes

• Can Britain afford to lead European defence?As Russia expands its campaign for hybrid warfare, what can Britain and Europe do to respond? Recorded onboard the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales docked in Oslo, host Lucy Fisher is joined by FT UK chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley and defence correspondent Charles Clover. Together, they assess Europe’s response to Moscow's grey-zone tactics and the strategic role of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) - a grouping of northern European countries led by Britain including the Nordics, Baltics and the Netherlands. Is it a focused response to the threat of Russia in the north, or could it weaken the power of Nato? And we hear from the secretary of state for defence, Wes Streeting, who told the FT this week that the UK and Russia need new back channels to avoid “miscalculation”. Plus, how does Britain balance its ambitious defence spending commitments against tight domestic budgets and political pressure? This week’s episode is supported by Equinor. Everything we discuss is editorially independent. Follow Lucy on X or Bluesky @LOS_Fisher, @lucyfisher.ft.com; Charles Clover on X @charles_clover; Robert Shrimsley on X @robertshrimsley Want more? What’s wrong with my gilet? By Robert Shrimsley Secretary of State on the need for new back channels between the UK and Russia. Watch on video. Read more. Want your very own FT Gilet? Order one here Our email address is politicalfix@ft.com Presented by Lucy Fisher. The executive producers are Manuela Saragosa & Kate Ford. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. Location crew is Sam Osbourne. The FT’s head of audio is Flo Phillips. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• What Trump’s setback means for BritainUS President Donald Trump received a body blow to his presidency as the Republican Party was routed in the US midterms this week. What will be the impact on this side of the Atlantic — and the wider world? Is a weakened Trump good news for a progressive, left-leaning government? Or could the results encourage Trump to lash out via foreign policy, especially regarding Iran and Ukraine? And what does it mean for Nigel Farage and his long-term links with Trump? Host Lucy Fisher discusses the fallout of this monumental week for global politics with deputy political editor Jim Pickard and deputy comment editor Miranda Green. Plus, the panel gets into Labour’s shift in immigration policy and the dispute over reparations for Britian’s historical role in the slave trade which dominated the Commonwealth summit. Follow Lucy on X or Bluesky @LOS_Fisher, @lucyfisher.ft.com; Miranda:@greenmiranda and @greenmirandahere.bsky.social and Jim @PickardJE and @pickardje.bsky.social Want more? A weakened Trump still leaves Britain on edge Democrats look to reshape America after historic midterm victories How corruption became a top voter issue in the US midterms The beginning of the end of the age of Trump Donald Trump’s endgame MPs summon Poundland’s owner to select committee grilling Giving 16-year-olds the vote is only half the job Our email address is politicalfix@ft.com Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The broadcast engineers are Andrew Giordgiades and Bianca Wakeman. The FT’s head of audio is Flo Phillips. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Burnham’s Budget balancing actAndy Burnham’s chancellor John Healey delivered his maiden budget on Wednesday. With ballooning debt, poor growth and rising inflation, the mantra was very much ‘steady as we go’ – with only modest announcements on tax and spending. Households have been helped with energy costs while banks, landlords and savers have been hit. Healey insisted he was doing his best to help, but was it enough to secure long-term economic health and security for the UK? Host Lucy Fisher discusses these questions and lots more from FT subscribers with UK political editor George Parker, markets columnist Katie Martin and economics editor Sam Fleming. This is a recording of an FT Live subscribers’ webinar. Follow Lucy @lucyfisher.ft.com & @LOS_Fisher; George @georgewparker.bsky.social & @GeorgeWParker and Sam @Sam1Fleming Want more? John Healey hits banks and savers to fund modest Budget handout UK Budget 2026: Healey defends Budget as economic warnings grow Budget in brief: what you need to know Healey fiddles while the UK stagnates Property tax rise will push more landlords to sell, Healey warned Britain’s Budget buys time but ducks the hard choices Our email address is politicalfix@ft.com Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The broadcast engineers are Colleen Velle and Petros Gioumpasis. The FT’s head of audio is Flo Phillips. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• 100 days of BurnhamIs Andy Burnham winning over voters with his promise to put ‘hope in every heart and growth in every postcode’? As the prime minister marks almost 100 days in the job, the FT has been polling swing voters in Sheffield to discuss his performance, the state of the country and how he stacks up against the other political parties. Host George Parker discusses the findings with pollster Scarlett Maguire, deputy political editor Jim Pickard and political correspondent David Sheppard. Plus, the panel discusses the government’s controversial decision to develop the Jackdaw gasfield in the North Sea. Follow George @GeorgeWParker and @georgewparker.bsky.social; David @OilSheppard and @oilsheppard.bsky.social and Jim @PickardJE and @pickardje.bsky.social Want more? Has Andy Burnham won over British voters? UK approves development of Jackdaw gasfield in North Sea Andy Burnham’s North Sea ‘pragmatism’ is no big shift from Keir Starmer’s John Healey to quash visa hopes for wealthy in UK Budget The people shaping the Budget Stratford moves closer to international rail upgrade with Budget boost What will the UK Budget mean for Britain? Join Lucy Fisher and political editor George Parker, markets columnist Katie Martin, economics editor Sam Fleming and north of England correspondent Jen Williams for an exclusive FT subscriber webinar on October 29. To register, and send us your questions, go to ft.com/budget2026 (Registration includes access to the video replay.) Our email address is politicalfix@ft.com Presented by George Parker. Produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The broadcast engineers are Andrew Giorgiades and Petros Gioumpasis. The FT’s head of audio is Flo Phillips. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Burnham: straight-talker or loose cannon?Is Andy Burnham's habit of speaking off the cuff getting him into trouble? From Brexit interference and Scottish independence to Manchester City, the prime minister's impromptu interventions are making headlines. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by deputy opinion editor Miranda Green and UK chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley to discuss whether Burnham's style is an asset or liability. Plus, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visits Number 10, the Liberal Democrats are growing restless with their leader, and public policy editor Chris Smyth brings us the latest on the government's welfare reforms. Follow Lucy on X or Bluesky @LOS_Fisher, @lucyfisher.ft.com; Chris: @Smyth_Chris and @chris-smyth.bsky.social; Miranda:@greenmiranda and @greenmirandahere.bsky.social and Robert: @robertshrimsley and @robertshrimsley.bsky.social Want more? Russia ‘interfered’ in 2016 Brexit vote, says Andy Burnham One in 6 UK disability benefit claimants should not receive cash, says think-tank Young people to receive less cash but more job support under Milburn welfare plan How the Greens lost their party to the hard left EU leaders to urge Zelenskyy to rein in criticism of Trump Are the Liberal Democrat birds angry or just disappointed? Andy Burnham’s own goal Why I don’t write about the Liberal Democrats What will the UK Budget mean for Britain? Join Lucy Fisher and colleagues political editor George Parker, markets columnist Katie Martin, economics editor Sam Fleming and North of England correspondent Jen Williams for an exclusive FT subscriber webinar on October 29. To register, and send us your questions, go to ft.com/budget2026 Registration includes access to the video replay. Our email address is politicalfix@ft.com Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The broadcast engineers are Andrew Giorgiades and Bianca Wakeman. The FT’s head of audio is Flo Phillips. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Has Polanski blown it for the Greens?Labour has held on to Sir Keir Starmer’s old seat in Holborn and St Pancras, in a boost to Andy Burnham but a major setback for Green leader and by-election candidate Zack Polanski. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by deputy political editor Jim Pickard and columnist Stephen Bush, who weigh the impact of the Greens’ anti-Zionist position and round up the news from the Tory Party conference. Have pledges to cut taxes, boost the military and reform welfare put them back on the electoral map? Plus, we get the latest from the business community ahead of the Budget with UK chief business correspondent Ashley Armstrong. Follow Lucy on X or Bluesky @LOS_Fisher, @lucyfisher.ft.com ; Stephen @stephenkb and @stephenkb.bsky.social; Jim @PickardJE @pickardje.bsky.social; Ashley @AArmstrong_says Want more? Labour holds off Greens’ Polanski to win London by-election Six things we learnt from the Tory party conference Healey warns banks that UK faces ‘challenging’ fiscal picture but stays tight-lipped on tax Burnham pledges to end use of non-compete clauses Kemi Badenoch’s pitch goes some way to assuaging British business concerns Kemi Badenoch: ‘I refuse to play by Westminster rules’ Tory inheritance tax pledge: do the sums add up? Kemi Badenoch’s European nightmare What will the UK Budget mean for Britain? Join Lucy Fisher and colleagues political editor George Parker, markets columnist Katie Martin, economics editor Sam Fleming and North of England correspondent Jen Williams for an exclusive FT subscriber webinar on 29 October. To register, and send us your questions, go to ft.com/budget2026. Registration includes access to the video replay. Our email address is politicalfix@ft.com Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix by Sean McGarrity and original music by Breen Turner. The broadcast engineer is Petros Giuompasis. The FT’s head of audio is Flo Phillips. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Labour Party conference: Hope again?Recorded in front of an audience at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, host Lucy Fisher and political editor George Parker unpack Andy Burnham’s first conference speech as prime minister. From rethinking Britain’s relationship with the EU to ending the pensions triple lock and scrapping the electoral system, Burnham laid out an ambitious agenda for the country. Lucy and George speak to business secretary Jonathan Reynolds about the prime minister’s plans, before northern correspondent Jennifer Williams and Inside Politics writer and columnist Stephen Bush join them to give their takeaways from the week. Want more? Free links: Andy Burnham sets up battle lines on social care and Europe How would Andy Burnham’s social care shake-up work? Burnham’s brave new world — just one more election away Six takeaways from Andy Burnham’s conference speech A faintly hopeful mood at Labour conference Sign up here for Stephen Bush’s morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free. Political Fix was presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Persis Love. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Video editing, original music and mix by Breen Turner. Flo Phillips is the FT’s global head of audio. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Will Burnham call a snap election?Labour officials in Downing Street and beyond have discussed the parameters in which a snap election could be called. Will Andy Burnham take the gamble? As speculation about the idea grips Westminster, host Lucy Fisher is joined by political editor George Parker and deputy political editor Jim Pickard to weigh up the risks and rewards of going to the public early. They also look ahead to the Labour Party conference in Liverpool starting this weekend, and the troubles that lie ahead for UK-EU relations. Plus George reports back from Burnham’s first major international summit at the UN general assembly in New York, where the prime minister weathered his first encounter with Donald Trump. Follow Lucy on X or Bluesky @LOS_Fisher, @lucyfisher.ft.com ; George on @georgewparker.bsky.social, @GeorgeWParker; Jim @PickardJE Want more? The risks of calling an early election for Andy Burnham Treasury open to smaller fiscal headroom to reduce UK tax rises The FT’s budget dashboard: the data confronting chancellor John Healey Labour conference set to vote on new AI regulator as cabinet concerns grow Donald Trump rejects ‘globalist scheme’ to control AI in blow to Andy Burnham UK to provide military support to Saudi Arabia in its fight with Houthi rebels How could John Healey raise tax in the budget Sign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek. Get 30 days free. Our email address is politicalfix@ft.com Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Persis Love. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. Broadcast engineers are Andrew Georgiades and Richard Topping. The FT’s head of audio is Flo Phillips. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Budget bluesWith borrowing costs and inflation rising, are the UK’s finances worse than Burnham and Healey thought? Host Lucy Fisher is joined by FT colleagues George Parker, political editor, and Stephen Bush, columnist, to discuss the tightening fiscal outlook ahead of the October Budget, and whether scrapping the triple lock on pensions would cost the government more politically than it would save in cash terms. Plus, Reform’s week of mega-donations — and the Labour government’s response, and the leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland begin a new push for independence from the UK. Follow Lucy: @LOS_Fisher; George: @georgewparker.bsky.social, @GeorgeWParker; Stephen @stephenkb Want more? Britain, Burnham and tax: the walls close in Healey prepares UK for ‘really challenging’ budget Nigel Farage refuses to say if Reform UK’s £72mn gifts would comply with new cap UK state pension will surpass income tax threshold next year Bank of England says rates likely to rise as it overhauls gilts sales It’s time to scrap the triple lock Scrapping triple lock on pensions need not wreak political damage A ‘lucky’ chancellor must also be a resolute one Sign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek. Get 30 days free. Our email address is politicalfix@ft.com Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Persis Love. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. Broadcast engineers are Andrew Georgiades and Petros Gioumpasis. The FT’s head of audio is Flo Phillips. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• AI: Is Britain prepared?AI promises major opportunities, but also significant risks – for the economy, employment, security and perhaps even human civilisation. But in Westminster, AI is far from a priority. In addition, fears that the UK’s AI Security Institute could be cut out of testing future frontier models before their release is fuelling alarm in Whitehall. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by the FT’s AI editor Madhumita Murgia to discuss how developments in Silicon Valley are affecting UK politics. Plus UK chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley and deputy opinion editor Miranda Green join the pod to unpack foreign secretary Ed Miliband’s trade ban on goods from illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The panel also examine the new Met police investigation into Reform’s finances, and Burnham’s latest devolution plans for a tourist tax. Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher; Robert: @robertshrimsley, @robertshrimsley.bsky.social; Miranda: @greenmiranda Want more? Anthropic withheld latest AI model from UK testing agency AI hasn’t gone rogue, it’s worse than that Growth in every postcode: good politics, dubious economics Israel’s hapless British defenders Israel retaliates after UK bans trade with Israeli settlements in the West Bank UK set to announce trade ban on Israeli settlements in the West Bank The five financing scandals facing Reform Sign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek. Get 30 days free. Our email address is politicalfix@ft.com Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Persis Love. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. Broadcast engineers are Andrew Georgiades and Richard Topping. The FT’s head of audio is Flo Phillips. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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