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Financial Times

The Financial Times takes you into the corridors of power to unwrap, analyse and debate British politics with a regular lineup of FT correspondents and informed commentators. New episodes available every Friday.
 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Political Fix

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

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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.

Will Burnham call a snap election?

With 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 

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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.

Budget blues

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

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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.

AI: Is Britain prepared?

Reform’s conference in Birmingham was soured by a Channel 4 News broadcast showing the party's leader Nigel Farage and some of his closest allies in conversations with a man purporting to arrange illicit political donations. Farage says the party has ‘broken no law’ but Reform has launched its own investigation and two top advisors have stepped down. Host Lucy Fisher hears from the FT’s acting executive news editor David Sheppard, who was at the Reform conference. Plus, political editor George Parker and economics editor Sam Fleming talk to Lucy about their exclusive interview with John Healey – and what the new Labour chancellor has planned for the country.

Follow Lucy @LOS_Fisher; George @GeorgeWParker and @georgewparker.bsky.social; Sam @Sam1Fleming; David @OilSheppard

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John Healey puts Britain on notice for tough Budget in ‘more dangerous world’

What are the latest claims against Nigel Farage?

Top Reform UK advisors to step down after donor sting

Latest allegations make Reform look ridiculous

Nigel Farage and Reform UK hit by illicit-funding sting

The five financing scandals facing Reform

James Orr and the gospel of the British right

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. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Original music and sound engineering by Breen Turner. Flo Phillips is the FT’s head of audio.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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

Reform in hot water … again

There’s big "new term" energy this week in parliament with MPs returning from summer recess for Andy Burnham’s first Prime Minister's Questions. After Burnham answered a mega 125 questions, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch lambasted the prime minister for being a “people pleaser” and a “spendthrift”. What did Burnham’s first appearance in the Commons tell us about his leadership style? And can Badenoch’s shadow cabinet reshuffle help the Tory party win back popularity? Plus, why is Green Party leader Zack Polanski standing in Keir Starmer’s old seat? Host Lucy Fisher is joined by the FT's chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley and deputy political editor Jim Pickard. 

Follow Lucy @LOS_Fisher ; Robert @robertshrimsley; Jim @PickardJE

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Andy Burnham tries to calm bond markets as public spending fears mount

Burnham seeks to protect UK farming and steel in EU reset talks

Andy Burnham and Emmanuel Macron meet as Bayeux tapestry unveiled

How UK-Israel relations reached their worst point in decades

PMQs cannot change Andy Burnham’s political reality

Andy Burnham’s summer of quietly backing away from radical pledges

James Orr and the gospel of the new British right

Greens leader Zach Polanski to stand in seat vacated by Keir Starmer

Come and join the FT and Political Fix panelists at the FT Weekend Festival on Saturday September 5 at Kenwood House Gardens in London. To save 10 per cent on tickets, visit ft.com/festival and use the discount code FTPODCAST.

You can also 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. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Original music and audio mix by Breen Turner. Our broadcast engineers were Andrew Georgiades and Petros Gioumpasis. Flo Phillips is the FT’s head of audio.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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

Burnham vs Badenoch: Commons showdown

In his first interview with the FT since becoming prime minister, Andy Burnham tells political editor and host George Parker that he is pro-business and understands the pressures that business is under — but wants something in return from corporate Britain. Deputy political editor Jim Pickard and columnist Stephen Bush join George to unpack Burnham’s pitch on business and wealth creation, and what he had to say about tax, nationalisation and the EU.

George @GeorgeWParker and @georgewparker.bsky.social; Stephen @stephenkb; and Jim @PickardJE

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Andy Burnham pledges to ‘take pressure off’ business ahead of October Budget

Andy Burnham seeks to bridge gap with nervous business community

Healey to shelve his own defence spending target of 3% of GDP by 2030

Andy Burnham set for first meeting with Trump in September

Thames Water creditors and government in stand-off over future 

Thames Water saga undermines case for more market solutions

How the Bayeux Tapestry became a tool of soft power

Come and join the FT and Political Fix panelists at the FT Weekend Festival on Saturday, September 5 at Kenwood House Gardens in London. To save 10 per cent on tickets, visit ft.com/festival and use the discount code FTPODCAST.

You can also 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 George Parker and produced by Persis Love and Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Original music by Breen Turner. Audio mix by Sean McGarrity. Our broadcast engineers were Andrew Georgiades and Petros Gioumpasis. Flo Phillips is the FT’s head of audio.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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

What Burnham told the FT

Andy Burnham has been on a regional tour of the UK, delivering a steady stream of policies aimed at tackling social issues. But now comes the hard part: should he push ahead with new drilling in the North Sea? After a summer of drought and wildfires, can the prime minister make the case for more fossil fuel extraction? FT political editor George Parker stands in for Lucy Fisher as host, and is joined by Inside Politics columnist Stephen Bush, and deputy political editor Jim Pickard. Plus, after Sue Gray described working in Starmer’s government as ‘unbearable’, and a top UK civil servant was revealed to have received a £500,000 payout package, the panel reflects on what we have learned about Starmer’s premiership now that it’s over. 

George @GeorgeWParker and @georgewparker.bsky.social; Stephen @stephenkb; and Jim @PickardJE

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Burnham launches pandemic-style drive to cut rough sleeping

Andy Burnham faces climate test over North Sea oil decision

Are ‘dodgy’ vape shops choking Britain’s high streets?

Working in Starmer’s Number 10 was ‘unbearable,’ says Sue Gray

Jamie Dimon warns UK chancellor against higher bank taxes

Top UK civil servant received record £500,000 payout after Starmer sacking

Come and join the FT and Political Fix panelists at the FT Weekend Festival on Saturday, September 5 at Kenwood House Gardens in London. To save 10 per cent on tickets, visit ft.com/festival and use the discount code FTPODCAST.

You can also 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 George Parker and produced by Persis Love. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Original music and audio mix by Breen Turner. Our broadcast engineers were Andrew Georgiades and Petros Gioumpasis. Flo Phillips is the FT’s head of audio.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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

Burnham: To drill or not to drill?

Nigel Farage has comfortably won back his Clacton seat but with the investigation into his finances now back on, what, if anything, has been gained by this by-election gamble? And with the Reform UK leader absenting himself from the count, and his ratings falling, we ask whether the party is losing momentum. Plus, just weeks into being prime minister, Andy Burnham is facing his first challenges. Can he keep on the front foot with his cost of living drive and tour of the nation? Host Lucy Fisher is joined by FT political editor George Parker and political correspondent Anna Gross.

FOLLOW:

Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.com; Anna, @AnnaSophieGross and George @GeorgeWParker and @georgewparker.bsky.social;

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Investigation into Nigel Farage resumes after he wins Clacton by-election

Farage won in Clacton. But there are bigger tests to come

Why Andy Burnham could be tempted by an early election gamble

Starmer allies warn John Healey against blowing ‘strong’ economic inheritance 

Burnham urges retailers to stop selling disposable barbecues amid wildfires

You can also 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 Clare Williamson and Persis Love. Original music and audio mix by Breen Turner. Flo Phillips is the FT’s head of audio.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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

Farage wins… and donation probe resumes

Political Fix hit the Essex seaside this week to hear directly from Clacton voters ahead of the by-election next Thursday, which Nigel Farage has triggered in the wake of scrutiny of his finances. He’s framing it as a “people versus the establishment” contest – but what do local residents think? Why, at a time when his national ratings have plunged, does the Reform leader’s popularity in Clacton appear undiminished? 

Host Lucy Fisher is joined by political correspondent Anna Gross and UK chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley to discuss the contest and Reform’s broader fortunes. Plus, the trio examine Kemi Badenoch's judgement in supporting the council candidacy of a former neo-Nazi, as well as the Tories’ and Labour’s efforts to convince business of their respective growth credentials. 

Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.com; Anna, @AnnaSophieGross and Robert: 

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‘I’ll support him all the way’: Clacton voters rally to Nigel Farage despite heightened scrutiny

The good, the bad and the green of Badenoch

Reform repaid Tice loan on same day £1mn donated by mother of Farage aide Cottrell

Reform UK promises large-scale ‘military operation’ to block small boat crossings

Kemi Badenoch ‘sad’ over former antisemite’s withdrawal as Tory council candidate 

Conservatives rebuild relations with UK business after rocky two years

UK to strip back procurement rules to focus on job creation, says Louise Haigh

You can also 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 and Clare Williamson. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and sound engineering by Breen Turner. The broadcast engineers are Andrew Georgiades and Petros Gioumpasis. 

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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

Will Farage’s gamble pay off?

Successive prime ministers have pledged to tackle some of the biggest crises affecting old and young: the UK’s lack of vocational training and the chaos of social care. Now it’s the turn of the latest PM Andy Burnham. In an impassioned speech he set out his ambition for a cross-party solution on social care but gave scant detail about how to fund it. Will this be the hill that Burnham dies on? Host Miranda Green is joined by deputy political editor Jim Pickard, north of England correspondent Jennifer Williams and the FT’s public policy editor Chris Smyth to discuss. Plus, another ambitious plan to overhaul education, the ‘Burnham bounce’, and what exactly is a PuFin?

FOLLOW:

Miranda: @greenmiranda & @greenmirandahere.bsky.social; Chris: @Smyth_Chris; Jim: @PickardJE and @pickardje.bsky.social and Jen: @jenwilliamsft.bsky.social

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Andy Burnham opens door to tax rises to pay for social care overhaul 

The Burnham bounce shouldn’t come as a surprise

Andy Burnham to give English mayors share of income tax from 2028

What are PuFins and how do Andy Burnham and John Healey plan to use them?

Andy Burnham aims to cut welfare bill by getting young people into work

You can also 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 Miranda Green and produced by Clare Williamson and Josh Gabert-Doyon. Original music by Breen Turner with audio mix by Sean McGarrity. Flo Phillips is the FT’s head of audio.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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

Burnham’s policy bonanza

The prime minister addressed the nation and put Britain in lockdown at the beginning of the week after persuasion alone proved failed to keep people apart. By the end of the week Boris Johnson and Matt Hancock, health secretary, tested positive themselves. Can he run the country from isolation? Plus, we discuss concerns over the shortage of testing kits and PPE for NHS staff. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Clive Cookson and Laura Hughes. Produced by Anna Dedhar. 
 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Coronavirus: Britain in lockdown, Johnson tests positive, Sunak's help for self-employed

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