Politics Weekly UK

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Trump edges closer to war: could he drag the UK in? – Politics Weekly UK Jun 18, 2025

Show notes

As Israel and Iran trade escalating blows, and the horrific situation in Gaza continues, Trump has suggested the US could get directly involved. So how is Keir Starmer going to handle all this? And what could it mean for millions of Iranians? John Harris speaks to the Guardian’s diplomatic editor, Patrick Wintour, and an Iranian woman who now lives in the UK. Plus, it’s a rare week in British politics, with the House of Commons voting on two big social issues: abortion and assisted dying. Deputy political editor Jessica Elgot joins John to discuss. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Grooming gang inquiry U-turn; and how will the UK respond to Israel-Iran conflict? - Politics Weekly Westminster Jun 16, 2025

Show notes

Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss the UK’s reaction to the Israel-Iran conflict, and whether Gaza has influenced the government’s response. And as Keir Starmer bows to pressure to launch a national inquiry into grooming gangs, they ask: why now and what could the political fallout be of yet another U-turn?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Reeves relaunches – but will it save Labour from Farage? – Politics Weekly UK Jun 11, 2025

Show notes

The chancellor has announced extra money for housing, energy, the NHS, defence and more, so is this the start of a new phase for the government? And should they have done it sooner to combat the rise of Reform? John Harris is joined in Westminster by our political editor, Pippa Crerar, and political correspondent, Kiran Stacey, to discuss the spending review and what it tells us about Labour’s plans and priorities. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Winter fuel U-turn and spending review standoff – Politics Weekly Westminster Jun 09, 2025

Show notes

Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss Rachel Reeves’s U-turn on winter fuel payments: will it be enough to undo the damage done by the policy? Plus, they look ahead to this week’s spending review as negotiations with ministers go down to the wire. And after its chair dramatically quit the party only to return 48 hours later, what’s going on with Reform UK?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Missing in the Amazon: the disappearance – episode 1 Jun 06, 2025

Show notes

Three years ago, British journalist Dom Phillips and Brazilian indigenous defender Bruno Pereira vanished while on a reporting trip near Brazil’s remote Javari valley. The Guardian’s Latin America correspondent, Tom Phillips, investigates what happened in the first episode of a new six-part investigative podcast series. Find episode 2 – and all future episodes – by searching for ‘Missing in the Amazon’. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Will Labour’s spending squeeze kill its big housing promise? – Politics Weekly UK Jun 05, 2025

Show notes

Labour’s pledge to build 1.5 million homes is reportedly under serious threat. What’s gone wrong? And what happens if the government breaks its promise to tackle the housing crisis? John Harris talks to the political correspondent Kiran Stacey and social affairs correspondent Jessica Murray. Plus, will the chancellor’s charm offensive ease concerns about the huge spending cuts expected next week? And, could Labour learn something from Robert Jenrick’s social media success?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Is the UK ready for war? – Politics Weekly Westminster podcast Jun 02, 2025

Show notes

Keir Starmer promised to make Britain ‘battle-ready’ as he announced the government’s defence spending plans. But what does that actually look like? And how will the government pay for it? Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss the strategic defence review and ask: is the UK really ready for war? Plus, they look ahead to next week’s spending review.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Is Labour being outflanked on the left by Nigel Farage? – Politics Weekly UK May 29, 2025

Show notes

Nigel Farage seems to have upstaged the Labour government, pledging to scrap the controversial two-child benefit cap and reverse the cuts to the winter fuel allowance. So why hasn’t the government – after almost a year in power – done more to end child poverty? Gaby Hinsliff, in for John Harris, speaks to the Labour MP Stella Creasy and columnist Polly Toynbee. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Labour takes action over Gaza: what took them so long? – Politics Weekly UK May 22, 2025

Show notes

The government has suspended trade talks with Israel and denounced its actions in Gaza. But why are we only now seeing this kind of action and moral outrage? John Harris speaks to Melanie Ward, a Labour MP and former chief executive at Medical Aid for Palestinians. Plus, after Keir Starmer’s reset with the EU, how does the public feel about the politics of Brexit? Guardian columnist Rafael Behr and Sophie Stowers from More in Common join John to discuss. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Ghosts of Brexit past haunt new UK-EU deal – Politics Weekly Westminster May 19, 2025

Show notes

The UK and EU have reached a deal, in what Downing Street hopes will be a reset with Brussels after Brexit. But with negotiations coming down to the wire and fishing yet again a sticking point, how much has changed? Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey look at how the talks unfolded and how the politics around the new deal could play out. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

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