Episodes

  • Do religion and politics mix?

    Do religion and politics mix?
    Apr 25 2025
    The death of Pope Francis prompts a host of questions for our team about what separates faith leaders from political leaders. Should politicians "do God" and where does morality come in to the equation? In our weekend magazine edition, the team wrestle with the relationship between religion and temporal affairs.

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    40 mins
  • What is the biggest challenge facing Starmer's government?

    What is the biggest challenge facing Starmer's government?
    Apr 23 2025
    With MPs back at Westminster this week, we ask which bit of the government in tray looks more scary: the domestic fiscal squeeze and search for growth or the epoch making shifts in geopolitics? And our team ask whether voters will make any allowances for the international backdrop if things don't get better on the home front. Plus, a regular listener has sent us a cake and a note which sparks an important, serious discussion.

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    54 mins
  • How is the political year going so far?

    How is the political year going so far?
    Apr 19 2025

    In an Easter special, our team assess the fortunes of the government and opposition parties since the start of 2025. How is Keir Starmer adapting to power and dealing with Donald Trump? Can Reform build on its strong showing in the polls? What are the pitfalls for Nigel Farage? How bad is the situation for the Tories? And what of Ed Davey and the Lib Dems and the SNP in Scotland?


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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Is the UK government right to take control of British Steel?

    Is the UK government right to take control of British Steel?
    Apr 16 2025
    All the main parties backed some form of state intervention to save the Scunthorpe steel plant. Does this rare consensus mark a new era of the active state? Plus, the wider implications of the refuse strike in Birmingham. And which of us refers most to Mrs Thatcher in the podcast? A listener has monitored every podcast to provide the answer.

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    48 mins
  • What’s at stake in the May local elections?

    What’s at stake in the May local elections?
    Apr 11 2025
    Opinion polls often determine the political mood but now party leaders face the first set of elections since the general election, and a by-election. If the polls are right, Reform is set to make a significant breakthrough in local government and the Conservatives face another electoral hammering. How significant is this campaign at a local and national level?

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    47 mins
  • How will Trump tariffs and market chaos change the US and the world?

    How will Trump tariffs and market chaos change the US and the world?
    Apr 7 2025
    The market impact of President Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariff war has been dramatic and disastrous already. The team asks whether Trump's political and corporate backers, and American voters, will stick with him or peel off as the ride becomes scary. Will he back down? Plus, how can and should the UK respond to Trump "unleashed"?

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    53 mins
  • Does any party care for the poor?

    Does any party care for the poor?
    Apr 4 2025
    With Labour targeting “working people” and implementing benefit cuts, and their opponents seeking to woo the better off who vote reliably, are the poor being left behind? Plus, a related issue, as supermarkets close their cafes and fracturing social media flourishes where are the institutions that bind communities together?

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    57 mins
  • Has Starmer mishandled Trump?

    Has Starmer mishandled Trump?
    Apr 2 2025
    With Trump on the verge of announcing tarrifs and negotiating sympathetically with Putin where does this leaves Starmer’s polite diplomacy? Are other leaders more effective in taking an aggressive stance? Plus our take on Ed Davey riding a toy horse to launch his party’s local election campaign and Le Pen’s route to the presidency being blocked dramatically.

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    48 mins
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