Politics Weekly
Political analysis from the Guardian and Observer's top journalists and commentators.
Can Labour fix the broken NHS? – Politics Weekly UK
With A&E departments at breaking point and the NHS on its knees, what is the government doing to repair the health service? Will it be enough? John Harris hears from an emergency medicine doctor about the dire situation on the ground, and speaks to our political correspondent Kiran Stacey about…
Could AI save the UK economy? – Politics Weekly Westminster podcast
Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey look at just how serious warnings about the UK’s financial position really are, and what this means for the chancellor, Rachel Reeves. Plus, why the government is hoping AI could be the magic bullet that revives our economy. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Grooming gangs: do we need another inquiry? – Politics Weekly UK podcast
This episode talks about grooming, rape and trafficking, which some listeners might find upsetting. The government has resisted calls for another inquiry into grooming gangs. But with questions still unanswered, are survivors getting the justice they deserve? And why has the issue become so politicised? The Guardian’s John Harris is…
Elon Musk v UK Politics – Politics Weekly Westminster
The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey are back in Westminster. This week, they discuss the tech billionaire Elon Musk’s fascination with UK Politics, and how much it matters. Plus, Labour’s new plan for the NHS.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Politics Weekly UK’s 2024 culture list
The Guardian’s John Harris gives his top book, music and TV recommendations from 2024.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Politics Weekly UK is on holiday
Politics Weekly UK is taking a break over Christmas. John Harris will be back on Thursday 2 January with his cultural highlights, and in the meantime you can listen back to our previous episodes here.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Review of the year: how will we remember 2024? – Politics Weekly UK
John Harris is joined by the Guardian’s Politics Weekly Westminster hosts, political editor Pippa Crerar and correspondent Kiran Stacey, to look back at 2024 and ahead to what 2025 might bring. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Chinese spy allegations stun UK establishment – Politics Weekly Westminster
The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss the news that a Chinese businessman has been accused of spying. Just how widespread is state-backed espionage in Westminster, and what does it mean for the UK’s relationship with China? Plus, Angela Rayner reveals the government’s white paper on devolution. Could this…
What next for Britain’s Syrian refugees? – Politics Weekly UK
The UK government has announced it is suspending Syrian asylum claims, after the fall of the decades-long Assad regime. So, what will happen to the Syrians who have made the UK their home? The Guardian’s John Harris hears from one woman settled in Yorkshire. And political correspondent Kiran Stacey joins…
How does the UK respond to the regime change in Syria? – Politics Weekly Westminster
The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss how the UK government will approach the change of regime in Syria after the fall of Bashar al-Assad. And, how deep are tensions between the Labour government and the civil service, and should we be viewing Nigel Farage’s Reform UK as the…
Revisited: Carla Denyer and the Green party: four MPs v the climate crisis
The Green party made history in the general election, winning four seats for the first time. But how much will it be able to achieve in parliament when facing the gravity of the climate crisis? The Guardian’s John Harris sits down with Carla Denyer, the Greens’ co-leader and MP for…
Labour’s missions and what next for the Assisted Dying bill – Politics Weekly Westminster
The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey look at why the government is laying out their ‘plan for change’ five months in. Also, after being voted through the Commons, what next for the historic assisted dying bill?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
MPs’ big assisted dying moment, and the people watching every move – Politics Weekly UK
As MPs prepare to vote on a bill that would, for the first time, pass assisted dying into UK law, what are the arguments on either side? The Guardian’s John Harris speaks to two campaigners: Liz Carr, an actor and disability activist who believes the bill would endanger many marginalised…
‘No alternative’: is Rachel Reeves channelling Thatcher? – Politics Weekly Westminster
The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss how Rachel Reeves’s budget has upset businesses, as the annual CBI conference takes place. Plus, what is the government’s plan for the welfare state and getting Britain ‘back to work’?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Starmer and the farmer’s revolt – Politics Weekly UK
Thousands of farmers descended on Westminster this week, to protest against changes made in last month’s budget over inheritance tax. The government claim that this will affect a small minority of farms. But with slim profits and many farmers saying it will spell the end of their businesses, has the…
China, Ukraine and the assisted dying bill – Politics Weekly Westminster
Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss Keir Starmer’s attempts to reset the UK’s relationship with China at the G20. Plus, rows flare in the Labour party over the assisted dying bill. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Britain, Ukraine and the climate crisis in Donald Trump’s world – Politics Weekly UK
After Donald Trump has announced his new defence secretary to be the former Fox News host Pete Hegseth, John Harris speaks to the Guardian’s defence and security editor, Dan Sabbagh, who is in Ukraine. Plus, at Cop29, Ed Miliband has said the green transition is unstoppable even with Trump as…
Trump, Cop29 and Ukraine – Politics Weekly Westminster
The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey look at the impact of president-elect Donald Trump’s victory in the US on the Labour party, defence, trade and international relations. Plus Kiran heads to the Cop29 climate summit Support the Guardian today: theguardian.com/politicspod. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
President Trump: Maga strikes back – Politics Weekly UK
Donald Trump is going to be president of the United States for a second time. The Guardian’s John Harris is joined by Jonathan Freedland, the columnist and host of Politics Weekly America, from Washington DC to ask how so many polls failed to predict his win. And back home in…
Can Kemi Badenoch save the Tories? Plus, the US election – Politics Weekly Westminster podcast
The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey look at Kemi Badenoch’s plan to get the Conservatives back in power, and consider what she will be like as an opposition leader. Plus, with the US election on Tuesday dominating headlines, how might the UK government be feeling about a possible Trump…