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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Sir Keir Starmer has announced a new national policing unit to tackle violent disorder as he vows to “put a stop” to unrest on British streets led by far-right “thugs”. But will it be enough to prevent a summer of riots? And is the unrest symptomatic of wider concerns? Lucy Fisher discusses these questions with colleagues Miranda Green, Camilla Cavendish and Anna Gross. Plus, after the chancellor Rachel Reeves accused the last Tory government of “lying” about its spending commitments, the group get to the bottom of the matter. They also examine Labour’s willingness to take on pensioners.
Follow Lucy on Twitter @LOS_Fisher, Miranda on @greenmiranda, Anna on @AnnaSophieGross and Camilla on @CamCavendish
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Keir Starmer announces new violent disorder unit as police brace for more riots
Police make arrests after riot in UK town where girls died in mass stabbing
Who is to blame for the UK government’s overspending?
Rachel Reeves says she will raise taxes at the Budget
The volatile far right on UK streets is becoming more difficult to label
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Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Leah Quinn and Josh Gabert-Doyon. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix by Sean McGarrity and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
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The chancellor Rachel Reeves is about to confront the British public with the size of the black hole in the country’s finances. A funding shortfall of about £20bn is likely to lead to tax rises at the Budget later this year.So — how to fix the problem? The FT’s political editor George Parker sits down with colleagues Stephen Bush and Robert Shrimsley to consider the government’s options. Plus, the FT’s infrastructure correspondent Gill Plimmer outlines the scale of the debacle that is the cancellation of the high-speed rail link between Birmingham and Manchester.
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Rachel Reeves to pave way for UK Budget tax rises in ‘spending audit’
Expect a Tory leadership race mired in bitter and personal fights
Thames Water’s credit rating slashed to ‘junk’
Britons may need to be put off taking trains due to HS2 curtailment, watchdog says
Follow George on X @GeorgeWParker, Stephen @stephenkb. Robert @robertshrimsley, Gill @gillplimmer1
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Presented by George Parker. Produced by Audrey Tinline.
The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
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Sir Keir Starmer plans to hand more powers to metro mayors in what has been dubbed a ‘devolution revolution’. Host Lucy Fisher speaks with politics reporter Rafe Uddin, deputy political editor Jim Pickard and north of England correspondent Jen Williams about the merits of the proposal – as well as the potential backlash. Plus, the group discusses an internal dossier by Sue Gray that lists potential ‘bin fires’ in the new government’s in-tray, including the prisons capacity crisis, public sector pay disputes, cash-strapped universities and the possible collapse of Thames Water.
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The Labour government’s ‘inheritance’ retort will not work on everything
‘Eat your greens’ politics brings its own dangers
Conservative party plans to unveil next leader in November
Starmer pledges to ‘fire up’ the training of UK workers to boost growth
Why Labour’s pledge to fix the Tory mess means tax rises
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Follow Lucy on X @LOS_Fisher, Jim @PickardJE, Rafe @rafeuddin_ and Jen @JenWillians_FT
Sign up for 90 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award:
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Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s global 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 took the chance to extend the hand of friendship to Britain’s neighbours when he hosted the European Political Community summit in Blenheim Palace on Thursday. The FT’s Lucy Fisher is joined by political editor George Parker, columnist Stephen Bush and public policy editor Peter Foster to discuss how far Britain wants to deepen relations with the EU again. Plus, the team examine the King’s Speech — analysing what Starmer has prioritised and what he’s shelved for now.
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Click here to find T&Cs for the prize draw.
Follow Lucy on X @LOS_Fisher
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Keir Starmer opens door to processing asylum claims outside UK
Sign up for 90 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award:
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Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Philippa Goodrich with Leah Quinn and Persis Love. The executive producers were Topher Forhecz and Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix by Simon Panayi and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
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Sir Keir Starmer spoke for the first time with Donald Trump in the wake of the assassination attempt on the former US president at the weekend. After years of criticising him, Labour ministers are trying to strengthen relations ahead of Trump’s possible return to the White House. But does the Republican candidate’s appointment of JD Vance as his running mate throw a spanner in the works? Lucy Fisher considers the question with FT colleagues Anna Gross, Jim Pickard and Miranda Green. The panel also examines the new strategic defence review, and discusses the demoted Labour MPs who are licking their wounds – and plotting revenge.
To take part in the audience survey mentioned by Lucy, and to be in with the chance to win a pair of Bose QuietComfort 35 Wireless Headphones, click here. Click here to find T&Cs for the prize draw.
Follow Lucy on X @LOS_Fisher
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China poses ‘deadly’ threat to UK, says former Nato boss
Can the Conservative party survive defeat? | FT Film
Ministers to examine complaints of harassment by UK election candidates
Sign up for 90 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award:
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Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Edwin Lane with Leah Quinn. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music 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.
Keir Starmer’s quest for closer EU ties received a tacit nod from US President Joe Biden as the UK prime minister made his global debut at the Nato summit in Washington. Biden told Starmer that Britain was ‘the knot tying the transatlantic alliance together’. The FT’s George Parker, Robert Shrimsley and Stephen Bush sit down in London to discuss the government’s foreign policy agenda, with Lucy Fisher dialling in from Washington with her take. Plus, the FT’s William Wallis lays out the stark truth behind the UK’s prisons crisis, and what the government might be able to do about it.
To take part in the audience survey mentioned by Lucy, and to be in with the chance to win a pair of Bose QuietComfort 35 Wireless Headphones, click here.
Click here to find T&Cs for the prize draw.
Follow George on X @GeorgeWParker, Lucy on X @LOS_Fisher, Robert on X @robertshrimsley, Stephen on X @stephenkb
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Joe Biden tells Keir Starmer UK is ‘knot tying transatlantic alliance together’
Labour to free prisoners early as Keir Starmer warns ‘simply not enough’ spaces
James Timpson: the key-cutter taking on England’s prisons crisis
UK economy grows at double forecast pace
How will Rachel Reeves run the UK’s finances?
The very resistible rise of Nigel Farage
Sign up for 90 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award:
https://ft.com/insidepoliticsoffer
Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Audrey Tinline with Leah Quinn. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music 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.
As Sir Keir Starmer appoints his cabinet and unveils his first raft of policies, host Lucy Fisher is joined by the FT’s deputy political editor Jim Pickard and columnist Stephen Bush to assess the new prime minister’s in-tray. Top of the list is planning reforms, but crisis looms in public services, from the NHS to prisons. Plus, Lucy and the panel discuss how the Conservative party will fare in opposition.
To take part in the audience survey mentioned by Lucy, and to be in with the chance to win a pair of Bose QuietComfort 35 wireless headphones, click here. Click here to find T&Cs for the prize draw.
Follow Lucy on X @LOS_Fisher, Jim on @PickardJE and Stephen on @stephenkb
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Labour’s new blood: The class of ’24
Labour expected to launch ‘postmortem’ audit of NHS finances
Podcast host, Israel critic: Meet England’s new attorney-general
Conservative party chair Richard Holden quits after election defeat
Keir Starmer begins tour of UK nations to ‘reset’ relations
Sign up for 90 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award:
https://ft.com/insidepoliticsoffer
Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music 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.
As Sir Keir Starmer steps over the threshold of Number 10, FT experts answer audience questions about what to expect from the new Labour government. Will Keir Starmer’s landslide victory lead to lasting change? The FT’s Lucy Fisher is joined by colleagues Stephen Bush, George Parker, Miranda Green and Robert Shrimsley to discuss the Labour landslide and the future of the defeated Tory party
Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, Robert on @robertshrimsley and George on @GeorgeWParker, Stephen on @stephenkb and Miranda on @greenmiranda
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Keir Starmer enters Downing Street as UK prime minister after historic victory
Starmer stands supreme but he cannot ignore the Reform surge
‘Hard to imagine a worse outcome’: Tory collapse sparks blame game
Historic UK election hauls reveal bigger voter trends
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 Audrey Tinline with Leah Quinn. Original music by Breen Turner. Mix by Odinn Ingibergsson.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.
Labour is heading for the biggest “landslide majority” Britain has ever seen. That’s the verdict from Mel Stride, one of prime minister Rishi Sunak’s closest ministerial allies, who has in effect conceded defeat ahead of Thursday’s UK general election. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by columnist Robert Shrimsley, political editor George Parker and political correspondent Anna Gross to discuss the campaign strategies of the various parties, and to look ahead to the results.
Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, Anna on @AnnaSophieGross, Robert on @robertshrimsley and George on @GeorgeWParker
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How 120 knife-edge seats may tip the Tories from defeat to wipeout
Tories warn of Labour landslide in final day of election campaigning
What to watch out for on election night
Join us on July 5 at 13:00 UK (GMT+1) when Political Fix host Lucy Fisher will dissect the election outcome with Inside Politics author Stephen Bush, political editor George Parker and columnists Robert Shrimsley and Miranda Green. Register and put your question to the panel by visiting www.ft.com/ukwebinar
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 Manuela Saragosa with Leah Quinn. Audio mix and original music 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.
With under a week to go until polling day, Lucy Fisher and her panel — theFT’s Miranda Green and Stephen Bush — pulltogether the threads of the campaign to explore the remaining ‘known unknowns’ in this election. They are joined by FT columnist Simon Kuper whose new book ‘Good Chaps’ looks at the disintegration of public service in our national life and examines how to rid our political system of sleaze.
Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher
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Reform UK activist calls for migrants to be shot
A safe space at the eye of the storm: onboard Rishi Sunak’s battle bus
Blue Wall vulnerable to tactical voting as natural Conservatives turn against party
How the Conservatives lost touch with England’s prosperous south
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 Philippa Goodrich and Leah Quinn
Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and audio 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.
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