Politics Weekly
Political analysis from the Guardian and Observer's top journalists and commentators.
‘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…
The budget: Labour returns to tax and spend – Politics Weekly UK
Rachel Reeves has finally laid out Labour’s spending plans in the party’s first budget in almost 15 years. The Guardian’s John Harris is joined by political editor Pippa Crerar and political correspondent Kiran Stacey to discuss the fallout. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Can Rachel Reeves deliver a historic Labour budget? – Politics Weekly Westminster
The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey look ahead to Rachel Reeves’s budget. Can Labour persuade the country it is on the right track or will criticism of broken election promises on taxes dominate? Support the Guardian today: theguardian.com/politicspod. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
On the road in Birmingham: can the budget save this bankrupt city – Politics Weekly UK
Ahead of the budget next week, the Guardian’s John Harris is in Birmingham, where the city council in effect declared itself bankrupt in 2023. He spends time with people struggling with the severe spending cuts and asks what will happen if the chancellor Rachel Reeves does not offer more financial…
Labour wants your views on the NHS – Politics Weekly Westminster
The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey look at Wes Streeting’s plan for a ‘national conversation’ on NHS reform. Plus, with the budget just 9 days away, there is plenty of speculation on what will be in it and how departments are reacting to more cuts Support the Guardian today:…
Assisted dying: the arguments and the MP who wants change – Politics Weekly UK
The Labour MP Kim Leadbeater has introduced a private member’s bill on assisted dying for terminally ill adults. John Harris speaks to her about whether her proposed legislation is the right path, and discusses the benefits and flaws of assisted dying with the columnist Polly Toynbee, who has long argued…
Can Labour woo investors while standing up for workers? – Politics Weekly Westminster
The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey look at the government’s international investment summit, and how talk of slashing ‘red tape’ is going down among Labour MPs. And, after the death of the ex-SNP leader and former first minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond, what will his legacy be? Support the…
Tories choose between Badenoch and Jenrick. Plus, Labour’s reset – Politics Weekly UK
Kemi Badenoch or Robert Jenrick will be the next leader of the Conservatives, after MPs selected the pair to go to a final vote before party members. But who will survive the rough and tumble of Tory hustings? Plus, Morgan McSweeney is now all-powerful in Keir Starmer’s top team –…
How Sue Gray was ousted – Politics Weekly Westminster
The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss what led to the resignation of Keir Starmer’s chief of staff. Plus, the Conservative leadership candidates go from four to two this week as Tory MPs vote before the final decision goes out to the membership. Help support our independent journalism at…
Tory leadership contenders square off at conference – Politics Weekly UK
The Conservative leadership hopefuls took to the stage for the Tory party conference finale on Wednesday. John Harris is joined by the Guardian political correspondent Kiran Stacey to discuss how they performed. Plus, John goes around the hall to see what the mood is really like. Help support our independent…
Kemi Badenoch dominates as Tory conference starts – Politics Weekly Westminster
The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey are in Birmingham this week for the Conservative party conference, where the four leadership candidates will get plenty of time to show off their credentials. Plus, Keir Starmer is dealing with international and domestic crises at once, can he cope?. Help support our…
Starmer’s speech: Banger or word salad? – Politics Weekly UK
Keir Starmer has made his first conference speech as prime minister, hoping he can persuade the country there is light at the end of the tunnel. But did it work? John Harris talks the Guardian’s political editor, Pippa Crerar, and political correspondent Kiran Stacey after the speech. Help support our…
Labour in crisis at conference? – Politics Weekly Westminster
The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey are in Liverpool this week for the Labour party conference. Can the government shake off headlines about donations and internal rows? Plus what is the mood really like in the ranks?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
‘Frockgate’ and Starmer’s love-in with Meloni – Politics Weekly UK
The row over ‘frockgate’ continues to trouble the prime minister this week, while his decision to visit his far-right Italian counterpart, Giorgia Meloni, has upset many in his party. The Guardian’s John Harris talks to the political correspondent Aletha Adu, who was travelling with Keir Starmer. Also, the Guardian’s Europe…