Episodes

  • Is Donald Trump's policy agenda winning?

    Is Donald Trump's policy agenda winning?
    Jul 18 2025
    The US President has shifted on Ukraine - criticising Putin and facilitating more weapons for Kyiv. Has the Russian leader miscalculated? On Iran, the US has managed to isolate the regime. Domestically, Trump’s opponents are still in disarray. Six months in to his second term, is Donald Trump proving his critics wrong? Or is America heading in a sinister direction?

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show more Show less
    38 mins
  • Is UK politics moving left?

    Is UK politics moving left?
    Jul 16 2025
    With a new Corbynite party mooted and Reform adopting policies traditionally seen as being on the other side of the divide, we ask whether the real shift of recent years has been towards a big state. And where does this shape-shifting populist threat leave Starmer and Reeves in their hunt for growth to pay for it all?

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show more Show less
    51 mins
  • How much trouble is this government really in?

    How much trouble is this government really in?
    Jul 9 2025
    After a bruising succession of setbacks and confrontations, and a dramatic disavowal from the PM, our team debate Starmer's chances of recovering. With lessons from 20th century history. Plus: a new Corbynite party and memories of Norman Tebbitt.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show more Show less
    58 mins
  • How are Britain’s opposition parties doing?

    How are Britain’s opposition parties doing?
    Jul 4 2025
    A year since Sir Keir Starmer and Labour won a landslide election victory, the team assess the performance and prospects of the other parties. In our weekend edition we ask whether Kemi Badenoch is struggling or turning a corner. More broadly, have the Tories failed to have a proper reckoning with their failures in office? Is Reform getting ready for power? What of the Lib Dems and Greens? And we explore the situation in Scotland and Wales ahead of next year’s devolved elections.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show more Show less
    51 mins
  • A year after Labour’s landslide - what have we learnt?

    A year after Labour’s landslide - what have we learnt?
    Jul 1 2025
    Do we know more about Keir Starmer now he has been prime minister for twelve months or even less? Why has a landslide government struggled to make headway on many key issues? Is a reset the answer and if so what form will it take? So many questions a year on from the election… and our team disagree (calmly) on all of them.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show more Show less
    50 mins
  • Is Starmer squandering his landslide?

    Is Starmer squandering his landslide?
    Jun 27 2025
    In our weekend edition, the team discuss the advantages and perils of a large Commons majority. The context is the parliamentary crisis facing the Prime Minister. The conflict with a large number of Labour MPs over the welfare bill raises questions. We ponder why a huge majority can prove so hard to manage. With lessons from tight votes that challenged the authority of previous beleaguered leaders.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show more Show less
    44 mins
  • Is Trump right on Iran?

    Is Trump right on Iran?
    Jun 25 2025
    Trump’s ceasefire between didn’t last very long. He responded with an astonishing public verbal onslaught against Nethanyahu. Who is weakened by the latest developments and what might happen next? We discuss the many layers of this complex story, disagreeing and occasionally agreeing about Trump, Nethanyahu, the situation in Iran and whether Starmer’s ambiguity is sustainable for much longer.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show more Show less
    46 mins
  • Is Reform UK on course for a breakthrough in all the nations?

    Is Reform UK on course for a breakthrough in all the nations?
    Jun 21 2025
    For the weekend edition, we share tips for surviving or avoiding SW1's summer party circuit. Then soberly turn to whether Reform's rise might help the SNP hang on to power in Scotland for even longer. And if Labour ever could be vulnerable in Wales, might new changes to voting next year deliver an upheaval?

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show more Show less
    43 mins