Politics Weekly
Political analysis from the Guardian and Observer's top journalists and commentators.
Can Liz Truss cling on? Politics Weekly UK
Liz Truss has apologised for the ‘mistakes’ she made in her mini-budget. But as her new chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, shreds her economic plan and warns of ‘eye-watering’ decisions ahead, will her party accept the tough choices they face? The Guardian’s Gaby Hinsliff speaks to the former Conservative adviser Salma Shah…
Are Truss’s tax cuts dead? Politics Weekly UK
Under pressure from the markets, the IMF, and her own MPs, will Liz Truss have to reverse the tax cuts she outlined in her mini-budget? The Guardian’s Gaby Hinsliff speaks to the political correspondent Peter Walker and the columnist Rafael Behr on what options the government is left with. And…
In Truss we trust? Politics Weekly UK
Liz Truss used her first conference speech as leader of the Conservative party to try to reassert herself. Did she manage it? The Guardian’s Gaby Hinsliff is joined by political editor Pippa Crerar and Gavin Barwell, former chief of staff to Theresa May, to find out. Help support our independent…
Can the Conservatives get a grip? Politics Weekly UK
It’s been a busy few days for the Conservative party. Rebel MPs pushed the chancellor into announcing a U-turn on abolishing the 45p top rate of income tax. Now it seems like another battle is looming over universal credit. The Guardian’s John Harris is at the party’s conference in Birmingham…
Is Labour ready for government? Politics Weekly UK
Keir Starmer has set out his alternative vision for the country at Labour’s annual conference. Against the backdrop of market turmoil and the government seemingly in freefall, Politics Weekly UK goes to the Labour conference in Liverpool, hearing from people in and outside the hall on how they’re being impacted…
Kwasi Kwarteng’s budget gamble – Politics Weekly UK
The mini-budget has landed and there was nothing mini about it. Big tax announcements such as abolishing the 45% additional rate of income tax as well as plans for growth were included. The Guardian’s John Harris is joined by Resolution Foundation chief executive Torsten Bell to talk through the details…
Liz Truss: making the rich richer? Politics Weekly UK
Scrapping the bankers’ bonus cap, slashing taxes and lifting the moratorium on fracking. Liz Truss says she is prepared to be ‘unpopular’ to boost the UK economy, but who really benefits? The Guardian’s John Harris is joined by David Gauke, a former Conservative chief secretary to the Treasury, and Miatta…
Pomp, protest and a closed down country – Politics Weekly UK podcast
It’s been a week of wall-to-wall coverage of the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Meanwhile anti-monarchy protesters have been arrested, food banks closed and hospital appointments cancelled in her honour. The Guardian’s John Harris is joined by the Observer’s Sonia Sodha and Guardian columnist Rafael Behr to look at what…
The political legacy of Queen Elizabeth II – Politics Weekly UK
As Prince Charles becomes king, the Guardian’s John Harris is joined by the columnist Gaby Hinsliff and Gavin Barwell, an adviser to the former prime minister Theresa May and member of the privy council, to discuss the political legacy of the Queen. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
From Today in Focus: the life and death of Queen Elizabeth II
The Queen has died aged 96 at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. In this episode of Today in Focus, Polly Toynbee joins Nosheen Iqbal to look back on her life. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Truss’s first week - Politics Weekly UK
The wait is over: Liz Truss is our fourth Conservative prime minister in six years. And after appointing what some people have called one of the most right-wing cabinets of the last 100 years, John Harris is joined by the Guardian’s political editor Pippa Crerar and columnist Gaby Hinsliff to…
Inside a Tory hustings... and out in the real world - Politics Weekly UK
Britain will have a new prime minister on Monday. While Rishi Sunak’s chances seem to have faded away, it looks like Liz Truss will have the task of dealing with rising inflation, soaring energy bills, a probable recession and the real possibility of two-thirds of all UK households facing fuel…
Running out of energy? Truss’s cost of living plan – Politics Weekly UK
With Liz Truss likely to be the next prime minister, former government advisers Sam Freedman and Salma Shah join the Guardian’s Gaby Hinsliff to discuss what Truss’ premiership might actually do. And, after two years of disrupted GCSEs, what will Thursday’s results tell us about the impact of the pandemic…
Politics Weekly UK’s summer reading list
While politics might not be taking a summer holiday this year, Politics Weekly UK is snatching a quick break. So this week, the Guardian’s John Harris brings you his summer reading list: five books that shine a light on where the UK has ended up and the absurdity of everyday…
Mick Lynch on strikes and Britain’s crisis – Politics Weekly UK
The Bank of England has predicted the country will hit a recession by the end of the year. To make matters worse, energy bills are soaring and parts of the country could be brought to a standstill over the next few weeks due to strikes. The Guardian’s John Harris is…
Britain’s not got political talent – Politics Weekly UK
The Conservative leadership race has been derailed by U-turns, highlighting the weaknesses of the candidates. But with Keir Starmer also seemingly unable to decide if Labour frontbenchers should or shouldn’t join picket lines, the Guardian’s John Harris is joined by our chief political correspondent, Jessica Elgot, and Gavin Barwell the…
Dover, debates and (rail) disruption – Politics Weekly UK
Another week of blue-on-blue infighting, as Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak take chunks out of each other in a series of television debates. To assess the fallout, Rafael Behr sits in for John Harris and is joined by the Observer’s Sonia Sodha and Will Tanner from the centre-right thinktank Onward…
Conservative Special: The Final Two – Politics Weekly UK
Either Rishi Sunak or Liz Truss will be the next leader of the Conservative party and the country. As the UK recovers from a week of extreme weather, will the candidates prioritise this over tax cuts and the economy? The Guardian’s John Harris is joined by the former Tory minister…
Marina Hyde on the Conservative leadership race – Politics Weekly UK
The Conservative leadership race is in full swing. It’s been a week of awkward campaign videos, dirty tricks and wild promises on taxation. The Guardian’s Marina Hyde joins John Harris and Rafael Behr to talk through the weird and wonderful in the contest so far. Help support our independent journalism…
The last days of Boris Johnson – Politics Weekly podcast
Boris Johnson is clinging on to his leadership by a thread as the number of resignations from his government continues to rise. The Guardian’s John Harris is joined by columnists Gaby Hinsliff and Rafael Behr, to discuss the future for the PM. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod