The News Agents

Latest Episodes:

What is the future of the Tory party? Jul 09, 2024

Show notes

A tale of two thinktanks - you lucky things.

Jon has spent the day at the Tony Blair Institute and Emily has been with the Popular Conservatives (PopCons), Liz Truss' former parish.

After the worst result in their history, how does the Conservative party rebuild?

And what lessons are those on the right of the party taking away from Thursday night's defeat? Lewis talks to former party treasurer and donor, Lord Michael Spencer, about the direction for the party now.

Later, crunch time for Joe Biden - will his own party really seek to remove him before the week is done?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Zeynel Yuce & Natalie Indge

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

France in chaos Jul 08, 2024

Show notes

Last night the final exit polls of the French election were revealed to a collective stunned gasp.

The far-right RN party of Marine Le Pen - and Jordan Bardella - is in third place.

Macron's centrist grouping is in second place - but the dominant bloc emerging is a collective of radical left parties - with the controversial figurehead of Jean-Luc Melenchon at its helm. Macron's PM has stayed on -for now - as caretaker.

But there is a collective political fog over the shape of France’s next parliament. Has Macron's gamble paid off? Macron will argue he kept fascism at bay - but for how long?

Later, what will Labour's planning changes mean for young people trying to buy houses? Can it work?

And how does the Speaker of the house learn 334 brand new MP's names... by next week?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Zeynel Yuce & Natalie Indge

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Who are the new ministers now running our country? Jul 07, 2024

Show notes

Now that PM Sir Keir Starmer has assembled his first cabinet, the first Labour cabinet in 14 years - who are the people now running the country? What will they do?

Just hours after becoming the Official Opposition, the Tories turn to their next task - who will be their next leader? Contenders have already started to hit the airwaves.

And the second round in France as the far-right National Rally edge closer to parliamentary power.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly, Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Weekend Edition - The Sports Agents Jul 07, 2024

Show notes

This week on The Sports Agents,

As the French public head to the polls on Sunday for the final round of voting in their own National Election, Gabby and Mark reflect on the significance of France's Euros campaign after Kylian Mbappe and co. urged young voters to resist the rise of the far-right.

Gabby & Mark caught up with French football writer Tom Williams and our own Jon Sopel to explore a complicated history between the country and it's men's national team.

And ahead of the British Grand Prix, McLaren's Lando Norris joined us in studio for a fascinating interview, just days after his Austria crash with friend and rival Max Verstappen.

In a wide-ranging interview he explains the speed of thought required to make split-second decisions while driving at speeds of over 200mph and what it would trade to win his home race!

Search for The Sports Agents to listen in full - Plus, more on Mark Cavendish' record-breaking Tour de France stage win & Cristiano Ronaldo's heart-rate during a penalty shoot-out.

New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

Keir Starmer, our new Prime Minister. What now? Jul 05, 2024

Show notes

Labour are the new government. Sir Keir Starmer is our new Prime Minister.

He's in Downing Street, and he's about to appoint his cabinet...what next?

Plus, we recap on the likes of Liz Truss losing her seat. Yes, LIZ TRUSS.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly, Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

The worst Tory defeat in history Jul 05, 2024

Show notes

Keir Starmer’s Labour has won a landslide.

Rishi Sunak’s Tories have had their worst defeat in history.

Beneath the bonnet of that is perhaps the weirdest election of the modern era.

Bleary-eyed and caffeine-fuelled after a night of live broadcasting Jon, Emily and Lewis bring you the results of the 2024 general election and analyse what this decision we’ve all made will mean now.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly, Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Special General Election Day Q&A Jul 04, 2024

Show notes

A special polling day Q&A.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly, Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Are we about to see the last day of Tory rule ? Jul 03, 2024

Show notes

Fourteen years is a long time for any one party to be in government. Today we reflect on some of the moments of the last five Conservative governments and how things have shifted - societally, economically and in the media.

We also bring you news of George Galloway's big donor - a man accused of human trafficking - and discuss the missing postal vote saga and the impact it might have.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly, Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Did Rishi's 'rot' start with Boris Johnson? Jul 02, 2024

Show notes

We sit down with Boris Johnson's director of communications, Lee Cain.

In the last 48 hours Rishi has accused Starmer of being a threat to national security and a delight for Putin, a work-shy sloth who clocks off at 6pm, and a leader who's going to rig the electoral system forever more.

Is this the sound of a man who thinks his campaign is going to plan?

Perhaps the problem began long long before Rishi Sunak called the election - or even got into power.

We ask the man who presided over Boris Johnson's 2019 campaign - Director of Comms Lee Cain - if he accepts the rot set in with him. The lies, the Covid parties, the narcissism - and the opportunities missed by the last Conservative PM to hold onto his massive majority.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Zeynel Can Yuce

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly, Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Are the far-right about to govern in France? Jul 01, 2024

Show notes

Live from Paris, Lewis and Jon react to the news that the far-right have stormed the French parliamentary elections in the first round - putting Macron in severe peril and the radical right, formed decades ago from the embers of Nazism, at the top of power in France.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Video Production: : Rory Symon

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents