The News Agents

Latest Episodes:

Farage stands: is this the Tories' worst nightmare? Jun 03, 2024

Show notes

So Nigel Farage is standing to be the Reform MP in Clacton. He’s stood before - (seven times if anyone is counting) but Clacton clearly feels to him like a pretty safe bet if he wants to be in the House of Commons for the next parliament.

What is his game plan? And does this make Tory wipeout more likely?

Later, does Kemi Badenoch understand the difference between sex and gender? She announced her new policy this morning but ended up sounding more confused than when she began.

And our official pollsters More in Common bring you an exclusive MRP (general election style) poll ... with quite a few surprises.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

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

Why the tide isn’t turning against Labour Jun 02, 2024

Show notes

Keir Starmer has had one of the toughest weeks as Labour leader, and yet the polls still show electoral wipeout for the Tories - as Starmer's personal ratings improve.

Why is the tide not turning against Labour? And can the Tories do anything about it?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Social Media Editor: Rory Symon

Video Production: 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

Q&A general election special May 31, 2024

Show notes

Lewis and Jon answer your questions on the Tory leadership, private schools, and downing pints. Plus much more.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon & Arvind Badewal

Production: Abigail Brierley

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 May 31, 2024

Show notes

This week on The Sports Agents,

UK cyclist Lizzy Banks joined Gabby & Mark in the studio, following her 10-month battle with UK Anti-Doping, for an insight into what actually happens when you fail a drugs test and the reality of trying to live as a 'clean' athlete under the current rules.

The youngest executive in English football history, and current West Ham Director, Jack Sullivan, joined us later in the week to to help us find out how the big calls, like replacing the head coach, or voting on whether or not to scrap VAR, are actually made at Premier League clubs.

Just scroll back through The Sports Agents feed to listen to these interviews in full. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

Donald Trump: guilty on all counts - The News Agents - USA May 30, 2024

Show notes

Trump is found guilty in New York.

Just before 5pm on Thursday New York time the airwaves started cracking with news of an imminent verdict. Twenty minutes later the jury in a Manhattan court returned. And pronounced Donald Trump guilty on each one of the 34 counts.

Donald Trump can still run for president. So in one respect this may change nothing.

But let’s not let this moment of history escape - a former and possible future president who is now a convicted felon. What happens to his freedom, his vote and his temper now? And how should the Democrats play it?

Editor: 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 USA"!

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

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

Why is Starmer purging the Labour left? May 30, 2024

Show notes

Sir Keir Starmer is on a warpath. But not against the Tories but his own side. At least, what is nominally his own side.

Starmer has poured petrol on the fire of the Diane Abbott imbroglio by deselecting several of his own left-wing candidates and MPs. Why is Starmer engaging in bloodletting in the middle of a general election campaign? Jon and Lewis discuss a party addicted to civil war.

And we’re joined by the playwright of the moment, Jez Butterworth to discuss theatre, working with Harvey Weinstein, Baby Reindeer and his latest show, The Hills of California.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Production: Abigail Brierley

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Video Production: Rory Symon & 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

Has Starmer lost control of the Diane Abbott story? May 29, 2024

Show notes

It's day two of the Diane Abbott fiasco and the Labour party look no closer to getting to grips with the situation.

Keir Starmer insists that no decision has been made on Abbott, but she says she's been banned from standing. How damaging could this be for the Labour campaign? And how has Starmer allowed it to dominate the headlines for the past 48 hours?

Later, we discuss Nigel Farage's role in the campaign so far, and ask why he's getting so much airtime and being treated like he's a party leader.

And we speak to The News Agents' official polling partner for the general election, More in Common, on whether the Tory proposed policy of National Service is actually a lot more popular than you first might think.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Video Production: Rory Symon & Arvind Badewal

Production: Abigail Brierley

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

Is the Tory campaign already falling apart? May 28, 2024

Show notes

Rishi Sunak has had a gaffe-filled weekend amidst new policy announcements over the triple lock and compulsory National Service. Lib Dem leader Ed Davey has fallen into a 'sewage-stricken' lake whilst paddleboarding. It's only day 5 of the general election campaign, and it already feels like the campaign teams can't get away from awkward videos and uncomfortable photos. Why are the campaigns off to such a strange start?

The two leaders have agreed to debate each other next week, as per The Telegraph.

And when will Labour decide what to do with Diane Abbott?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Production: Abigail Brierley

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Video Production: Shane Fennelly, Rory Symon & 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

Why does Rishi Sunak want to conscript teenagers? May 26, 2024

Show notes

The News Agents has new episodes every Sunday as we run-up to July 4th's UK General Election.

We react as Lewis speaks to Home Secretary James Cleverly about why the Conservatives now want to introduce national service for every UK teenager, and we discuss whether election coverage provides a disproportionately large platform to minor parties with fringe views.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon & 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 broke Britain? With James O'Brien May 24, 2024

Show notes

James O'Brien joins us in The News Agents bunker to talk all things client journalism, talk radio, and whether he'll be as harsh on Labour as he has been this Conservative government, should Starmer win July's election.

A final hurrah from... Laura FitzPatrick

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: 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