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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

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;

Want more? 

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: 

Want more? 

‘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

Andy Burnham’s new cabinet is in place and he’s dropped a raft of policy announcements on the cost of living this week, filling in some of the gaps about the kind of administration he will lead. On the show, host Lucy Fisher and her FT colleagues Anna Gross, Jim Pickard and Stephen Bush step back to examine Burnham’s broader economic vision, beyond bus fares, energy bills and business rates. Plus, the panel assesses ‘Brand Burnham’ and assess whether his unorthodox comms style and blokeish social media persona can survive his elevation to Number 10 – or a new, more serious tone will be required.

Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.com; Stephen @stephenkb and @stephenkb.bsky.social; Anna, @AnnaSophieGross and Jim: @PickardJE and @pickardje.bsky.social

Want more? 

Andy Burnham to cut business rates for pubs and clubs

North Sea oil and gas industry looks for answers from new energy secretary

Can ‘Brand Burnham’ survive the move to Number 10?

Andy Burnham’s high-risk start may help him get ahead of political pain

Thames Water lenders to offer ‘golden share’ to UK government 

Andy Burnham backs away from costly increase to income tax allowance

Betting account in George Cottrell’s name received $9mn in crypto from unidentified sources

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. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and sound engineering by Breen Turner. The broadcast engineers are Andrew Georgiades and Bianca Wakeman. 

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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

Burnham’s economic vision

It’s all change at the top of Andy Burnham’s new Labour government and there have been some surprise appointments. The biggest of them was the elevation of the former defence minister John Healey to chancellor of the exchequer, but we also saw Ed Miliband given the foreign office brief and Wes Streeting move to defence. Meanwhile, many of Starmer’s former allies have been given the boot. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by deputy opinion editor Miranda Green, the FT’s chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley and north of England correspondent Jen Williams to discuss the new cabinet and dissect some of the policy moves announced so far, as well as those that are likely to come.

Follow: Lucy: @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.com; Miranda:@greenmiranda and @greenmirandahere.bsky.social, Jen: @jenwilliamsft.bsky.social and Robert: @robertshrimsley and @robertshrimsley.bsky.social

Want more? 

Andy Burnham latest: Move to remove VAT on electricity bills sparks funding row as Cabinet meets

Andy Burnham becomes UK prime minister promising ‘unity and positivity’

Six things we learnt from Andy Burnham’s choices for his top team

The five fiscal challenges facing John Healey

Continuity and change in Andy Burnham’s new cabinet

Burnham’s industrial revival will join up local needs and strengths

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

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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

Andy Burnham’s cabinet: who’s in, who’s out?

Andy Burnham has been crowned Labour leader and will become PM on Monday. His first speech to the party faithful on Friday offered new clues about his plans for government, as speculation reaches fever pitch over his cabinet picks amid the FT’s scoop that the current home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, is set to become Britain’s next chancellor. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by FT colleagues George Parker and Jim Pickard to parse his words and look ahead to his first days in power. They also assess Sir Keir Starmer's final week, including his valedictory Prime Minister's Questions, where tributes flowed in from across the aisle.

Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.com; 

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Jonathan Reynolds set to oversee beefed-up business department

Andy Burnham wants Britain to build council houses. Is there a catch?

The union power struggle that could reshape Labour’s future funding

The former Britpop stalwart at the heart of Burnham’s machine

Andy Burnham plans blitz of policy announcements on entering Number 10

Shabana Mahmood set to be named UK chancellor by Andy Burnham

Inside the year-long plan to make Burnham Labour leader

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. Original music and sound engineering by Breen Turner. Flo Phillips is the FT head of audio.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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

The Burnham era begins: Mahmood set for chancellor?

Is Nigel Farage regretting his move to trigger a by-election now that his main rival is the novelty candidate Count Binface? What do Reform’s supporters think, and has he blown his chances of broadening support for the party? Host Lucy Fisher is joined by political correspondent Anna Gross, columnist Stephen Bush and political reporter Rachel Rees to discuss the Reform leader’s gamble. Plus Andy Burnham wins overwhelming support to become the next Labour leader, while outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has been talking up his legacy at the Nato summit in Turkey.

Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.com; Stephen @stephenkb and @stephenkb.bsky.social, Rachel @rachel-rees.bsky.social and Anna, @AnnaSophieGross

Want more? 

Labour MPs queue up to back Andy Burnham as next leader

Labour MPs push for permanent ban on crypto political donations

Police launch probe into donations to Robert Jenrick’s Tory leadership campaign

‘Nigel can fix it’ — what Clacton voters think of Farage’s gambit

A timeline of Nigel Farage’s £5mn gift and his return to politics

Nigel Farage ridiculed in parliament as ‘farce’ by-election gets go-ahead

US carries out second day of strikes against Iran

Britain’s power problem

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. Flo Phillips is the FT head of audio.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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

Farage in a fix; Burnham unbeatable

Has Nigel Farage played his trump card by announcing that he will resign as MP for Clacton and fight a by-election there, or will the move backfire? After mounting pressure over donations from wealthy backers, he insisted he has “done nothing wrong” and that he would fight “the establishment” to retake the seat for Reform UK. But it might not be the contest he anticipated. In this breaking news episode, deputy opinion editor Miranda Green is joined by chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley and UK political editor George Parker to examine what the move means for Reform, the scrutiny of Farage’s finances and the future of his political career.

Want more?

As it happened: Nigel Farage quits as MP to force Clacton by-election

Parliamentary watchdog urged to investigate Nigel Farage over benefits from fraudster

Nigel Farage to make statement on his ‘future in public life’

Farage struggles to be ringmaster of his own circus

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.

Presented by Miranda Green. Produced by Persis Love. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s global head of audio is Flo Phillips.

Our email address is politicalfix@ft.com

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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

Nigel Farage tries to ‘take back control’

Andy Burnham’s big idea for government is to shift power out of Westminster. In his first major speech setting out his plans for government, he outlined his vision this week for a No 10 North and to devolve a range of powers to mayors and councils. But how would his blueprint for devolution work – and is it actually popular with voters? Burnham believes it would answer the public’s call for greater control of public services, but sceptics worry about inefficiency, accountability and scrutiny. The likely incoming prime minister must also grapple with tough spending decisions, after Sir Keir Starmer finally set out his defence investment plan, leaving a £5bn black hole for Burnham to fill. Meanwhile, Nigel Farage has been noticeably quieter than usual. Is this a deliberate strategic pause as he works out a shift in political priorities, or simply the calm before another high-profile campaign? 

Host Lucy Fisher is joined by political correspondent Anna Gross, deputy political editor Jim Pickard and chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley.

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

Want more? 

Five things we learnt from Andy Burnham’s speech 

Burnham’s Middle England challenge on devolution 

Britain’s case for meaningful devolution is overwhelming 

Britain’s defence investment predicament 

The strategic dilemmas behind Britain’s defence spending mess 

Nigel Farage’s pay from gold dealer doubles to £22,500 an hour 

Farage attempts to justify large donation from Christopher Harborne

Andy Burnham and the politics of nostalgia 

Morgan McSweeney: ‘I felt guilty about what I’d done to Keir’

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 Nisha Patel. 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.

Power to the North: Burnham’s big idea

Ten years ago, the UK voted in a referendum to leave the EU. Since that Brexit vote, the country has been through six prime ministers, the political landscape has splintered, relations with the EU have cooled, and the economy has spluttered. A decade on, host Lucy Fisher and panellists political editor George Parker, markets columnist Katie Martin, political columnist Stephen Bush and economics correspondent Delphine Strauss consider the impact of Brexit and whether a major shift in the UK’s relationship with the bloc is on the horizon. 

This is a recording of an FT Live subscribers’ webinar, recorded on Thursday June 25

Want more? 

Lessons from Brexit for the world economy

Rejoining EU is ‘mirage’ but UK must get closer to bloc, says minister

In charts: How Brexit still divides British voters

Britain’s hunt for a post-Brexit economic model

Andy Burnham plans devolution blitz ahead of key City of London speech

‘Big spending vibes, small spending commitments’: Andy Burnham’s tricky fiscal dance

How Brexit ghosts will stop the UK from quickly rejoining the EU

Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.com; @georgewparker.bsky.social, @GeorgeWParker; Stephen @stephenkb and @stephenkb.bsky.social Katie Martin and Delphine Strauss

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 global 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 Farage’s gamble pay off?

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