Politics Weekly UK

Episodes

• Burnham’s triple lock gambleAndy Burnham has delivered a powerful and emotional speech to the Labour conference. He announced policies on pensions, social care and electoral reform. He said he was willing to talk about the things politicians usually avoided. But without a big budget, can he deliver his big dreams for the country?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

  514|15M
• ‘They will bow’: energy secretary challenges Reform and ToriesSpeaking to Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey at the Labour party conference in Liverpool, Miatta Fahnbulleh, the energy secretary, said a mark of her success or failure would be whether she could get bills down and said she would do so. She also challenged Reform UK and the Tories on their climate inaction, saying they would eventually ‘bow’ because they were on the ‘wrong side of history’. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

  513|28M
• Andy Burnham shows his emotional sideAndy Burnham will make his first speech at Labour conference as prime minister on Tuesday. Ahead of that, he has been talking to Pippa Crerar about why he is in the job and what changes he wants to make. Pippa and Kiran Stacey discuss his comments and the feeling behind the scenes at this year’s conference. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

  512|26M
• What really happened in the room with Burnham and TrumpPippa Crerar had a front row seat for the PM’s first meeting with Donald Trump. What really happened during that 12-minute press conference? And as the Labour conference kicks off this weekend, she and Kiran Stacey discuss the ethics of journalist-politician karaoke. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

  511|27M
• Can Andy Burnham pull off the ‘Mamdani effect’ on Donald Trump?The UK prime minister will meet the US president for the first time in New York on Tuesday. With Trump at his weakest in the polls, could this be a perfect moment for Burnham to charm the president and avoid a very public political spat? Pippa and Kiran discuss what the two leaders might discuss in policy terms, and some of the potential high-risk issues. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

  510|28M
• Tax the middle earners! Will the PM do it?Former Bank of England economist Andy Haldane said the markets regarded this government as ‘a pretty traditional tax and spend socialist government with better TikTok videos’. Harsh criticism or truth? As pressure mounts on the chancellor, John Healey, to rule out tax rises, what options do they have left? Plus, what can the government do to tackle AI warnings?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

  509|31M
• ‘Party for sale’? Reform’s £72m donation causes backlashThere’s been a huge backlash against Reform UK after the party received £72m from two crypto billionaires over the weekend. Paul Nowak, the TUC leader, said the money showed democracy was ‘in crisis’. Labour is pushing for tighter restrictions on political donations which could be retrospective, but Reform is confident this will not affect its new war chest. How much does this money change the political landscape? And with Labour receiving millions from unions, will its new rules backfire?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

  508|23M
• Labour shifts on Israel, but what difference will it make?It has been a huge week for Labour as Ed Miliband shifted the party’s stance on Israel by announcing sanctions on the illegal settlements in the West Bank and describing what is happening as ethnic cleansing. What is behind this shift, and will it make any difference on the ground?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

  507|28M
• Is the UK about to see the rise of the far right?Alternative für Deutschland has claimed a historic win in Germany, continuing the pattern of populist far-right parties gaining power across Europe. In the UK, balaclava-clad far-right protesters have marched on Dover, and then Portsmouth, trying to intimidate asylum seekers. Meanwhile, Reform UK’s conference ended with a beleaguered Nigel Farage dealing with protesters and allegations following an undercover investigation into party donors. Will far-right sentiment in Europe and the UK be a boost for Farage or a burden?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

  506|30M
• Introducing Black Box: The ChatbotsNew from the Guardian Investigates team: Across the world, hundreds of people have come to believe they have made extraordinary scientific discoveries with AI chatbots such as ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini. Others say their AI has ‘awakened’, or is leading them to a higher spiritual realm. The Guardian journalist Michael Safi begins investigating a phenomenon labelled ‘AI psychosis’, travelling to the US to meet two people who have been on weird journeys with their chatbots. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

  505|39M