The News Agents

Latest Episodes:

Who does Suella really speak for? Nov 10, 2023

Show notes

Suella Braverman is (still) the Home Secretary.

That's despite ongoing calls from within her own party for the Prime Minister to sack her for comments she made about the police and so-called 'hate-marches' in an article in The Times, which wasn't signed off by No.10.

We speak to senior backbench Tory Tim Loughton, author of The New Snobbery David Skelton, as well as More In Common's Luke Tryl - and we ask who Suella's extreme politics and language really speaks for.

Later, we look at the far-right Vox party in Spain after its co-founder Alejo Vidal-Quadras was shot in the face yesterday in an attempted assassination attempt.

Editor: Gabriel Radus

Senior Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Producers: Jack McKay & Arvind Badewal

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

Is Suella trying to get the sack? Nov 09, 2023

Show notes

Suella Braverman is in trouble- again. It's almost like she invites it.

This time she's written a piece for The Times which is being slammed as inflammatory.

She's compared the Gaza protests with The Troubles and suggested the police treat right-wing and left-wing protests by different standards, and strongly suggests this Saturday's should be banned.

She has called into question a very old principle, that of police independence from the government. To make it worse, it appears No.10 asked for changes to The Times piece, only for them to be ignored by Braverman's team.

On today's show, is Sunak finally about to sack his Home Secretary, and if not, why not?

Editor: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Producers: Jack McKay & Arvind Badewal

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

How Putin is betting everything on Trump Nov 08, 2023

Show notes

Fiona Hill is one of the most powerful British people of the 21st century but the chances are you haven’t even heard of her.

She’s advised three presidents of the United States on foreign policy, especially on Putin’s Russia.

She gave evidence at Trump’s first impeachment. at this time of international chaos, of an America which feels inside and out, on the edge, there could be no better time to talk to this woman with a unique perch on American power, British decline, and how in the end, all roads lead back to the Kremlin.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Planning Producer: Alex Barnett

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Producers: Jack McKay & Arvind Badewal

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

The King’s Speech and Suella’s disappearing tents Nov 07, 2023

Show notes

Today we examine what was in the King's Speech - and what was left out. Suella's controversial "lifestyle choice" tents for the homeless were dropped.

What does this tell us about the relationship between Sunak and his Home Secretary?

Also as Nikki Haley pushes into 2nd place in the Republican race to run for president, we are in her home town in South Carolina.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Producers: Rory Symon, Jack McKay & Arvind Badewal

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

Why is Trump beating Biden in the polls? Nov 06, 2023

Show notes

There are tremors amongst Democrats today - and the makings of a victory lap for Trump fans - after polling one year out from a Presidential election shows the challenge Biden is facing in key swing states.

America should know their next president a year today, and in the key state of Georgia we are talking to voters and their politicians about why they’re ready to see Trump back in office.

Later, is homelessness a lifestyle choice ? Suella thinks so. Will taking away people’s tents actually make them leave the streets, or will they just get colder?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Producers: Rory Symon, Jack McKay & Arvind Badewal

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

Is there hope for peace in the Middle East? Nov 03, 2023

Show notes

In an extended interview, Jon speaks to Layla Moran, the only MP with Palestinian heritage and the Lib Dem MP for West Oxford and Abingdon.

She talks about her family in Gaza, peace talks and how hope gets her through everyday.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Producers: Jack McKay & Arvind Badewal

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

Covid inquiry: Was Matt Hancock "playing God”? Nov 02, 2023

Show notes

Did former Health Secretary Matt Hancock think the best person to decide who should live and die during the pandemic was... Matt Hancock?

That was the accusation levelled by former NHS England Chief Executive Simon Stevens in the Covid inquiry. Luckily, the hypothetical situation never materialised but how happy do we feel about politicians playing god?

And… as the deputy cabinet secretary describes a Downing Street in which not a day went by without rules being breached, we ask whether it’s time for an amnesty on all those citizens still facing fines and trials?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Producers: Rory Symon & Arvind Badewal

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

Are the police getting the protests right? Nov 01, 2023

Show notes

How should the police be responding to the government’s call to arrest more people on "hate marches" (sic Suella).

Do laws need to change? Do specific chants cross the legal line? And what is the terror threat like over all in the UK right now?

We have an extended interview with Met commissioner Sir Mark Rowley on protest, policing and public trust.

In response to Sir Mark's comments about the Attorney General's Office, an AGO spokesperson said: "There has been no delay in the charging process for the two women who were arrested on suspicion of displaying images in support of Hamas.

"CPS received a complete version of the police report in the early hours of this morning – this was passed on to AGO at midday today for permission to consent to prosecute and this is being dealt with this evening as a matter of urgency."

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Planning Producer: Alex Barnett

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Producers: Rory Symon & Arvind Badewal

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

https://www.globalplayer.com/videos/2JsSa9qnmyY/

The Covid Inquiry: F***pigs, morons and c***s Oct 31, 2023

Show notes

So, three guesses whose WhatsApps gave us our episode title today.

That’s right, Dominic Cummings was up in front of the Covid inquiry where we were given a glimpse of his affection for cabinet colleagues...

We also heard from No10 Comms director Lee Cain - his pal - together they paint a picture of the dysfunction that dominated decision making in the early months of Covid.

What do the WhatsApp messages really tell us? And is any of this helping those who want resolution and an explanation for their loved one’s deaths?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Producers: Rory Symon & Arvind Badewal

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

This week on The News Agents USA: America’s most conservative senator: The Exclusive Oct 31, 2023

Show notes

Emily and Jon host a weekly US politics podcast; giving you everything you need to know about the world of US politics and how it affects you.

Episodes are available every Tuesday, on Global Player.

Find the latest episode of News Agents USA here on Global Player.