Politics Weekly UK

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The budget, the black hole and the Brexit blame game Oct 20, 2025

Show notes

Rachel Reeves is facing difficult choices before her second budget next month and has been busy preparing the ground. In a significant shift in the government’s narrative, Reeves has – at last – stressed the long-term damage done to the UK economy by Brexit. Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss the options available to the chancellor and whether the pivot to blaming Brexit will convince the public. Plus, what a foul-mouthed meeting tells us about Reform, why the imminent result of Labour’s deputy leader contest matters, and what parliament can do about Prince Andrew. Send your thoughts and questions to politicsweeklyuk@theguardian.com. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Trump’s fragile ceasefire plan: what next for Gaza? Oct 15, 2025

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As the Gaza ceasefire continues to hold, what road lies ahead in the peace process? John Harris speaks to the Guardian’s diplomatic editor, Patrick Wintour. Plus, what is at the heart of the Chinese spying case row? Why has Rachel Reeves changed her tone when it comes to Brexit? What’s behind the Green party’s surge in membership? And should Labour follow Zack Polanski’s lead in taking the fight to Reform? Kiran Stacey joins Harris to discuss. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Gaza ceasefire: what is the UK’s role? Oct 13, 2025

Show notes

All eyes are on the Middle East where there have been emotional scenes in Israel as hostages were released, while tens of thousands of Palestinians are able to return to the ruins of their homes in Gaza. As global leaders, including Donald Trump and Keir Starmer, meet for a peace summit, Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss the UK’s role in securing the ceasefire and in the next phases of the peace plan. Plus, what has Tony Blair’s contribution been to the ceasefire, and what part could he play in future? -- Send your thoughts and questions to politicsweeklyuk@theguardian.com. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Labour’s Bridget Phillipson on Gaza, child poverty and the deputy leadership race Oct 09, 2025

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Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey speak to the education secretary and Labour deputy leadership candidate Bridget Phillipson about the plan for a ceasefire in Gaza, as well as why she is pushing the prime minister and chancellor to get rid of the two-child limit on benefits. Plus, she explains why she believes she is the best candidate to become the next deputy leader of the Labour party. And, we hear her thoughts on Keir Starmer’s leadership and how Labour should take on Nigel Farage and the rise of Reform. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Tax cuts, jokes and pig-wrestling: Badenoch’s attempt to save her job Oct 08, 2025

Show notes

The Conservative leader used her conference speech to announce plans to scrap stamp duty and launch an attack on Labour, but why was there so little mention of the biggest threat facing her party? And will her performance be enough to stave off leadership rival Robert Jenrick? Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey talk through the speech and ask where the Conservatives go from here. Plus, they speak to Luke Tryl from More in Common about whether any moments from conference season have moved the dial in British politics -- Send your thoughts and questions to politicsweeklyuk@theguardian.com. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Make-or-break week for Badenoch Oct 06, 2025

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Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey are at the Conservative party conference in Manchester, where Kemi Badenoch is trying to convince disgruntled Tory MPs to hold their nerve. But how much longer will the party give her to turn things around? Plus, they discuss the government’s plans to give police more powers to stop protests Send your thoughts and questions to politicsweeklyuk@theguardian.com. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Starmer takes the gloves off in fight with Farage Sep 30, 2025

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The UK prime minister has used his conference speech to take aim at Nigel Farage, warning that Reform UK offers only ‘division and decline’ while promising ‘renewal’ and ‘decency’ under Labour. John Harris, Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey talk through the speech and ask if it could help to turn things around for Keir Starmer. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Andy Burnham live in conversation Sep 29, 2025

Show notes

Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey sit down with the mayor of Greater Manchester live at the Labour party conference in Liverpool. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Kent, where the politics of small boats and asylum has exploded Sep 26, 2025

Show notes

The conversation about asylum and immigration is at the centre of British politics, and nowhere more so than in Kent. This week, John Harris is on the road in a special episode looking at both sides of the immigration story: hearing from the newly elected Reform UK council, and asking what life is actually like for people who come here in search of asylum. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

‘We’ve taken our progressive voters for granted’: Labour ex-minister Sep 25, 2025

Show notes

John Harris is joined by the Labour MP Lucy Powell, a former cabinet minister who is a running for deputy leadership of the party, to discuss why the government is failing to stem the surge in support for Reform and whether a change in tactics could help Keir Starmer take on Nigel Farage. Plus, how certain is the prime minister’s future? And how would Powell work with Starmer if she becomes deputy leader. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

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