Stay ConnectedThe 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.
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Our first Q&A special episode is finally here! You sent in questions, now our panel answers them. Is the UK-US trade deal worth the paper it’s signed on? Could the UK benefit from a brain drain from the US? Is there any chance of Keir Starmer being booted out by his party before the next election? Host Lucy Fisher is joined by the FT’s Stephen Bush, Miranda Green and Robert Shrimsley to discuss a range of topics spanning politics, policy and foreign affairs. Plus, the team peels back the curtain on how we calculate our weekly stock picks.
Follow Lucy on Bluesky or X: @lucyfisher.bsky.social, @LOS_Fisher; Miranda @greenmirandahere.bsky.social, Stephen @stephenkb, @stephenkb.bsky.social, Robert @robertshrimsley, @robertshrimsley.bsky.social
What did you think of this episode? Email us at politicalfix@ft.com.
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Britain’s trade deal with Trump may not be good news for the world
Win for UK cars will not cushion the probable blow to taxpayers
Yvette Cooper’s shadow looms UK trade ambitions
In tough times, good policy becomes even more important
Sign up here for 30 days free of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award.
Presented by Lucy Fisher, and produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Manuela Saragosa.
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, we’ve seen Reform UK trounce Labour and the Conservatives across England in local elections.
Nigel Farage’s party has secured a fifth MP, clinched two mayorships and seized control of at least seven councils.
In response, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is vowing to go harder and faster with his reforms, while Kemi Badenoch’s leadership of the Conservative party is coming under scrutiny.
Host Lucy Fisher is joined by podcast regulars George Parker, Robert Shrimsley and Stephen Bush to dissect what the results mean for the government, the opposition and traditional two-party politics in the UK.
Have a question for our panel? Drop us a line at politicalfix@ft.com. Record a voice note with your name and question, and email it to us.
Follow Lucy on Bluesky or X: @lucyfisher.bsky.social, @LOS_Fisher; Robert @robertshrimsley.bsky.social, @robertshrimsley,
Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social, @stephenkb and George Parker @GeorgeWParker @georgewparker.bskyb.social
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Reform UK sweeps English councils in local election rout
Nigel Farage shakes British politics with election surge
Multi-party politics heightens danger for muddled Labour
Reform wins first UK council in local election surge
Plus: The final State of Britain newsletter from Political Fix regular Pete Foster reflecting on his five or more years as the FT’s public policy editor, covering Brexit and its impact on UK government and business.
Post-Brexit UK: stuck between an unreliable US and a mercantilist EU
Sign up here for 30 days free of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award.
Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ahead of England’s local elections next week, the Political Fix team pick the races to watch and what’s at stake for the main parties, as voters head to the polls to elect 1,600-odd councillors, six mayors and one new MP. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by podcast regulars Miranda Green and Anna Gross, plus the FT’s Northern correspondent Jennifer Williams, to ask whether Reform UK will live up to high expectations, and just how far both Labour and the Tories could fall. They also examine Sir Keir Starmer’s pivot to patriotism and projection of a nostalgic vision of England, as he attempts to see off the threat from Nigel Farage.
Have a question for our panel? Drop us a line at politicalfix@ft.com. Record a voice note with your name and question, and email it to us.
Follow Lucy on Bluesky or X: @lucyfisher.bsky.social, @LOS_Fisher; Anna annasophiegross.bsky.social @AnnaSophieGross, Miranda @greenmirandahere.bsky.social, and Jennifer @JenWilliams_FT @jenwilliamsft.bsky.social
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What to watch in the 2025 local elections
Starmer plays up patriotic credentials as local elections loom
Reform UK heads offshore to raise funds from world’s wealthy
Unite divided: British trade union grapples with twin scandals
Sign up here for 30 days free of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award.
Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Lulu Smyth, with help from Georgina Quach. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The UK Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling this week about the legal definition of a woman in equality legislation. Judges ruled that a woman is someone who is born biologically female. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by the FT’s Anna Gross and Robert Shrimsley to discuss the political significance of this decision and the reaction of rival parties, as well as what it’s likely to mean in practice. Plus, FT industry correspondent Sylvia Pfeifer joins the panel to discuss the government’s seizing control of British Steel from its Chinese owner, and what that means for London-Beijing relations.
Have a question for our panel? Drop us a line at politicalfix@ft.com. Record a voice note with your name and question, and email it to us.
Follow Lucy on Bluesky or X: @lucyfisher.bsky.social, @LOS_Fisher; Anna annasophiegross.bsky.social, @AnnaSophieGross, Robert @robertshrimsley.bsky.social, @robertshrimsley, Sylvia @sylviapfiefer @sylviapfiefer.bsky.social
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Legal definition of a woman refers to ‘biological sex’, UK Supreme Court rules
British Steel: how its Chinese owner’s plans unravelled
British Steel’s Chinese owner says UK government must ‘respect’ its rights
Reform UK targets Labour voters ahead of local elections
Sign up here for 30 days free of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award.
Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Lulu Smyth, with help from Mischa Frankl-Duval. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Original music and mix by Breen Turner, with help this week from Fiona Symon. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The markets have gone haywire since Donald Trump’s announcement — and then pause— of a host of new US tariffs. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by Political Fix regulars George Parker and Miranda Green, plus FT markets columnist Katie Martin, to discuss the impact of this week’s turbulence and what it means for Prime Minister SirKeir Starmer and the UK going forward. As parliament takes a break for Easter recess, the panel also discusses the political year so far.
Have a question for our panel? Drop us a line at politicalfix@ft.com. Record a voice note with your name and question, and email it to us.
Follow Lucy on Bluesky or X: @lucyfisher.bsky.social, @LOS_Fisher; Miranda @greenmirandahere.bsky.social; George @GeorgeWParker @georgewparker.bskyb.social and Katie @katie0martin.ft.com
Want more? Free links:
The hopeless search for Trump’s cunning plan
Theresa May: ‘Keep calm and keep talking to Trump’
Scott Bessent, the Treasury secretary shaping Trump’s trade war
Government offers to buy British Steel as negotiations continue
What do young Britons really think?
Listen to Katie’s on the Unhedged podcast here, or by searching ‘Unhedged’ where you listen. Sign up here for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award.
Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Lulu Smyth, with help from Fiona Symon. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Original music and mix by Breen Turner, with help this week from Fiona Symon. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Donald Trump has shaken up the global economy with his seismic new tariffs this week. UK exports to the US will now face a 10 per cent levy – less than many other countries, but still a major headache for Britain’s fragile economy. Host Lucy Fisher and FT colleagues Robert Shrimsley, Jim Pickard and Peter Foster examine the pain this could inflict at home, and what Sir Keir Starmer can – and should – do in response. Plus, ministers have unleashed a raft of policies aimed at longer-term growth, including the expansion of Luton airport. Are these headline-grabbing gimmicks or sensible tactics?
Follow Lucy on Bluesky or X: @lucyfisher.bsky.social, @LOS_Fisher, Jim @pickardje.bsky.social, Robert: @robertshrimsley.bsky.social, @robertshrimsley, Peter: @pmdfoster @pmdfoster.bsky.social
Have a question for our panel? Drop us a line at politicalfix@ft.com. Record a voice note with your name and question, and email it to us.
Want more? Free links:
Britain avoids worst of Trump’s tariffs, but risks remain for Stamer
UK will refocus quangos to clear ‘way for progress’, says minister
UK treasury confident Sizewell C nuclear power investors will soon be ‘teed up’
Can Cambridge be a model for kick-starting the British economy?
Sign up here for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award.
Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Lulu Smyth, with help from Fiona Symon. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Rachel Reeves was forced to slash spending to balance the books in her Spring Statement this week. Welfare spending will be cut more deeply than initially trailed, prompting warnings that 250,000 people — a fifth of them children — could be plunged into poverty. Economists also fear the chancellor will face further tough choices — more cuts or a fresh tax raid — in the autumn. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by the FT’s George Parker and Stephen Bush, as well as economics commentator Chris Giles to discuss the winners and losers, and the main economic takeaways. The panel also examines the impact of Donald Trump’s escalating tariff war on Britain and the global economy.
Follow Lucy on Bluesky or X: @lucyfisher.bsky.social, @LOS_Fisher, Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social, @stephenkb George Parker @GeorgeWParker @georgewparker.bskyb.social, Chris Giles @chrisgiles.ft.com
Have a question for our panel? Drop us a line at politicalfix@ft.com. Record a voice note with your name and question, and email it to us.
Want more? Free links:
From miserable to mediocre: the Reeves challenge continues
Spring Statement did not stem the fiscal doom loop
Reeves’ repair job avoids tax increases – for now
Ministers play down likely rise in poverty from UK welfare cuts, says charity
Sign up here for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award.
Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
It’s crunch time for chancellor Rachel Reeves next Wednesday, when she will present her Spring Statement to parliament. Downgraded growth forecasts and deep spending cuts to unprotected departments loom. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by regulars Miranda Green, Jim Pickard, and the FT’s economics editor Sam Fleming to debate whether Labour is ushering in a new era of austerity. Plus, FT Brussels bureau chief Henry Foy joins the panel to discuss Europe’s mounting security crisis and how it’s affecting the UK’s reset with the EU.
Follow Lucy on Bluesky or X: @lucyfisher.bsky.social, @LOS_Fisher, Jim Pickard @pickardje.bsky.social @PickardJE, Miranda Green @greenmirandahere.bsky.social, Henry Foy @HenryJFoy, @henryjfoy.ft.com, Sam Fleming @Sam1Fleming
Have a question for our panel? Drop us a line at politicalfix@ft.com. Record a voice note with your name and question, and email it to us.
Want more? Free links:
What will be in Rachel Reeves’ Spring Statement?
Starmer is zigging where Blair zagged
EU to exclude US, UK and Turkey from €150bn rearmament fund
Europe is only half awake from its long sleep
Sign up here for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award.
Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
“The world’s largest quango is scrapped” – that’s how the government framed the abolition of the NHS management body this week. It was the latest target in Sir Keir Starmer’s so-called ‘Project Chainsaw’, his plan to streamline the state. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by FT colleagues Stephen Bush, Robert Shrimsley and Anna Gross to discuss the prime minister’s reforms and whether they will drive any improvement in public services. The team also discusses the Labour rebellion brewing over welfare cuts, plus the latest dramatic developments engulfing the Reform party.
Follow Lucy on Bluesky or X: @lucyfisher.bsky.social, @LOS_Fisher, Stephen @stephenkb.bsky.social, @stephenkb, Robert @robertshrimsley.bsky.social, @robertshrimsley, Anna annasophiegross.bsky.social @AnnaSophieGross
Want more? Free links:
Starmer to abolish NHS England
Starmer to target ‘cottage industry of blockers’ in overhaul of regulators
Sir Keir Starmer suffers cabinet uprising over UK spending cuts
Musk expresses support for rival to Reform UK as feud in Farage’s party intensifies
Sign up here for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award.
Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Original music and mixed by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sir Keir Starmer has won plaudits from across the political spectrum for his handling of the rapidly growing rift between the US, Europe and Ukraine – but can the UK prime minister sustain this diplomatic balancing act? George Parker hosts a discussion that brings together US defence and foreign affairs correspondent, Felicia Schwartz, and Political Fix regulars Robert Shrimsley and Miranda Green.
Follow George on Bluesky or X: @GeorgeWParker @georgewparker.bskyb.social, Miranda @greenmirandahere.bsky.social, Robert @robertshrimsley.bskyb.social @robertshrimsley, Felicia Schwartz @felschwartz
Want more? Free links:
British politics has yet to catch up with Trump’s new order
Farage may have a Trump problem
JD Vance criticised after comments on UK-France peacekeeping plan
Sign up here for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award.
Presented by George Parker and produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Original music by Breen Turner. Sound engineering by Joe Salcedo and Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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