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  • Ten years ago, the UK voted in a referendum to leave the EU. Since that Brexit vote, the country has been through six prime ministers, the political landscape has splintered, relations with the EU have cooled, and the economy has spluttered. A decade on, host Lucy Fisher and panellists political editor George Parker, markets columnist Katie Martin, political columnist Stephen Bush and economics correspondent Delphine Strauss consider the impact of Brexit and whether a major shift in the UK’s relationship with the bloc is on the horizon. 


    This is a recording of an FT Live subscribers’ webinar, recorded on Thursday June 25


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    Lessons from Brexit for the world economy

    Rejoining EU is ‘mirage’ but UK must get closer to bloc, says minister

    In charts: How Brexit still divides British voters

    Britain’s hunt for a post-Brexit economic model

    Andy Burnham plans devolution blitz ahead of key City of London speech

    ‘Big spending vibes, small spending commitments’: Andy Burnham’s tricky fiscal dance

    How Brexit ghosts will stop the UK from quickly rejoining the EU


    Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.com; @georgewparker.bsky.social, @GeorgeWParker; Stephen @stephenkb and @stephenkb.bsky.social Katie Martin and Delphine Strauss


    You can also sign up here for Stephen Bush’s morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free.


    Political Fix was presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Persis Love and Clare Williamson. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and sound engineering by Breen Turner. The global head of audio is Flo Phillips.


    Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Can any other Labour MP amass sufficient support to challenge Andy Burnham for the top job, or is his ascent to No 10 now all but assured? Just 24 hours after Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation as prime minister, host Lucy Fisher is joined by FT colleagues Miranda Green, Robert Shrimsley and Chris Smyth to discuss the merits of a leadership contest over a coronation, who will win big roles in a Burnham cabinet and his early policy priorities. Plus the group considers the political ripples that a Burnham government will have on the other parties.


    Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.com; Chris: @Smyth_Chris and @chris-smyth.bsky.social; Miranda:@greenmiranda and @greenmirandahere.bsky.social and Robert: @robertshrimsley and @robertshrimsley.bsky.social


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    Labour MPs consider backing challenger to Andy Burnham

    Waiting for Andy: what will a Burnham premiership mean?

    The 10 headaches Starmer is handing to Burnham

    The revolving door of Downing Street

    Why does Britain keep changing prime ministers?

    Labour’s Burnham sceptics don’t have the numbers to stop him


    Join the Political Fix panel on Thursday June 25 for an FT Live event, ‘Ten years after Brexit: Can the UK deliver change?’ Register to take part at ft.com/anniversary and send us your questions. 

      

    You can also sign up here for Stephen Bush’s morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free.


    Political Fix was presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Persis Love and Clare Williamson. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and sound engineering by Breen Turner. The global head of audio is Flo Phillips.


    Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  • With Andy Burnham sworn in as an MP and on track to become the UK’s seventh prime minister in 10 years after Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation today, host Lucy Fisher is joined by political editor George Parker and deputy political editor Jim Pickard to assess Starmer’s time in office and discuss how Burnham will have to hit the ground running to avoid the fate of his predecessors. 


    Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.com; Jim @PickardJE or [email protected]; and George @GeorgeWParker or [email protected]


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    How Keir Starmer was undone by caution and no clear plan 

    Keir Starmer’s premiership in charts

    Keir Starmer steps down as UK prime minister

    Waiting for Andy: what will a Burnham premiership mean?

    Why does Britain keep changing prime ministers?

    What Andy Burnham’s Westminster past reveals about him


    Join the Political Fix panel on Thursday June 25 for an FT Live event, ‘Ten years after Brexit: Can the UK deliver change?’ Register to take part at ft.com/anniversary and send us your questions.


    Sign up here for Stephen Bush’s morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free.


    Political Fix was presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Persis Love. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and sound engineering by Breen Turner. The global head of audio is Flo Phillips.


    Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Andy Burnham has stormed the Makerfield by-election, clearing the pathway for him to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the top job in Downing Street. Starmer has vowed to defend his position, but will Burnham’s team be able to cajole him into resignation? Host Lucy Fisher is joined by Financial Times commentators, Inside Politics columnist Stephen Bush, political editor George Parker and Northern England correspondent Jennifer Williams to discuss what could play out in Westminster over the coming weeks, who a Burnham premiership would have as chancellor, and what Reform’s defeat in Makerfield means for Farage. 


    Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.com; Jen @JenWilliams_FT or @jenwilliamsft.bskyb.social; Stephen @stephenkb & @stephenkb.bsky.social and George @GeorgeWParker & @georgewparker.bsky.social


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    Andy Burnham storms to by-election victory in challenge to Keir Starmer

    What Andy Burnham now needs to do to become prime minister

    Andy Burnham’s landslide win should worry Nigel Farage

    ‘Abysmal’: Nigel Farage’s Reform UK suffers another by-election blow

    Who is Andy Burnham, Labour’s charismatic chameleon?

    Can anyone stop Andy Burnham from becoming Labour leader?


    Join the Political Fix panel on Thursday June 25 for an FT Live event, ‘Ten years after Brexit: Can the UK deliver change?’ Register to take part at ft.com/anniversary and send us your questions. 


    Sign up here to Stephen Bush’s morning newsletter, Inside Politics, for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free.


    Political Fix was presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Persis Love and Clare Williamson. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and sound engineering by Breen Turner. The FT’s global head of audio is Flo Phillips.


    Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • With a week to go until Makerfield heads to the polls in what may turn out to be the most consequential by-election in British history, host Lucy Fisher, northern England correspondent Jen Williams and deputy political editor Jim Pickard are on the ground hearing from voters in the seat. Polls and bookmakers confidently predict an Andy Burnham victory but they discuss whether that narrative is too neat and what issues are really shaping voters’ choices. The result could determine not just who represents Makerfield, but also the future of the country if Burnham wins and successfully challenges Sir Keir Starmer for the premiership. Plus, they weigh up the shock resignation of defence secretary John Healey who has blasted Starmer’s government for being “unwilling” to commit sufficient resources to protecting the country.


    Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.com; Jen @JenWilliams_FT or @jenwilliamsft.bskyb.social; Jim on @PickardJE or @pickardje.bskyb.social


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    John Healey: the ex-trade unionist who privately battled the Treasury

    Andy Burnham rules out cash for Waspi women after Labour backlash

    ‘Pure racism’: East Belfast reels from riots led by masked young men

    Keir Starmer weakened by John Healey’s scathing resignation  

    The joke that deepened Keir Starmer and Andy Burnham’s toxic rift


    Sign up here for Stephen Bush’s morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free.


    Political Fix was presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Persis Love and Nisha Patel. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and sound engineering by Breen Turner. The FT’s global head of audio is Flo Phillips.


    Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • What began as a local tragedy in Southampton has quickly become a national flashpoint. Questions about policing and trust in UK institutions are dominating the debate, as party leaders compete to shape the public response, but are politicians missing the point that this is about police treatment of suspects? With the Makerfield by-election looming, the case risks sharpening divides. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by the FT’s Stephen Bush, Miranda Green and Chris Smyth to discuss the political fallout, plus the latest in Andy Burnham’s campaign. The panel also consider what Sir Keir Starmer is looking to cross off his bucket list as his allies suggest it increasingly appears a fait accompli that he will be forced out of Downing Street. 


    Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.com; Stephen @stephenkb & @stephenkb.bsky.social; Miranda @greenmiranda & @greenmirandahere.bsky.social and Chris @Smyth_Chris 


    Join us on Thursday the 25th of June for a special video episode of the Political Fix podcast on Ten Years after Brexit: can the UK deliver change? Register at ft.com/anniversary and send us your questions


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    What if Andy Burnham loses? 

    What Henry Nowak’s murder does — and does not — tell us about policing 

    Policing minister says ‘wrong calls’ made amid anger over Henry Nowak murder 

    Starmer pushes ‘bucket list’ policies as fatalistic mood descends on Number 10 

    Disparities between ethnic groups are not always cause for alarm 

    Nigel Farage gambles on playing to the far right

    Electoral reform in the UK? Don’t bet on it


      

    You can also sign up here for Stephen Bush’s morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free.


    Political Fix was presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Persis Love and Nisha Patel. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and sound engineering by Breen Turner. The broadcast engineers are Andrew Georgiades and Petros Gioumpasis. 


    Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Tony Blair’s lengthy – and excoriating – 5,600-word essay on the future of the Labour Party and Britain has set Westminster alight this week. The former prime minister's critique has sparked a lively debate, and triggered robust responses from Labour leadership hopefuls Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting. But is Blair right in some of his criticism? Host Lucy Fisher unpacks the article with FT colleagues Robert Shrimsley, Anna Gross and Stephen Bush. They also examine Rupert Lowe, the personality behind the far-right party Restore Britain, and whether it can harm Reform UK by splitting the rightwing vote.


    Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.com


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    Tony Blair criticises Labour’s Andy Burnham for leftwing ‘delusion’

    Tony Blair ‘does not understand’ role of inequality in politics, Andy Burnham says

    Labour’s retreat from intellectual debate traps it in comfort zone

    Turning Neets into engineers

    Britain’s expanding ‘lost generation’

    UK risks ‘lost generation’ without more jobs for young people 

    Nigel Farage loses viral touch to Musk-backed Rupert Lowe

    Senior Reform UK figures clash over immigration plans 

      

    You can also sign up here for Stephen Bush’s morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free.


    Political Fix was presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Persis Love. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and sound engineering by Breen Turner. The broadcast engineers are Andrew Georgiades and Petros Gioumpasis. 


    Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Andy Burnham running for the Makerfield by-election has become far more than a contest for a safe Labour seat. It is being seen as a proxy battle over Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership, Labour’s direction after its bruising local election results, and even whether Reform UK can break permanently into Labour’s northern heartlands. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by George Parker, political editor, Robert Shrimsley, UK chief political commentator, and Jen Williams, northern England correspondent to discuss the latest developments. The team also examines the economic offerings and political positioning of the prospective Labour leadership contenders Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting.


    Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.com; George Parker @GeorgeWParker ; Robert Shrimsley @robertshrimsley ; Jennifer Williams @JenWilliams 


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    How will Andy Burnham pay for his plans for the UK?

    What version of Manchesterism is Andy Burnham offering?

    Wes Streeting floats ‘wealth tax’ in bid to woo Labour left

    Wes Streeting: the confident performer with a mixed record of reform

    Greens consider helping Labour’s Andy Burnham in Makerfield by-election

    Reeves cuts food tariffs and children’s bus fares in cost of living plan

      

    You can also sign up here for Stephen Bush’s morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free.


    Political Fix was presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Nisha Patel and Persis Love. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and sound engineering by Breen Turner. The broadcast engineers are Andrew Georgiades and Bianca Wakeman. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s global head of audio.


    Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • In a dramatic week at Westminster, Wes Streeting has quit as health secretary and ex-deputy prime minister Angela Rayner has said her wrangling with HMRC is finally over – but neither has launched a leadership challenge. Instead, all eyes are now on Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham as he attempts to chart a path back to the Commons, leaving Sir Keir Starmer’s premiership under severe pressure. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by political correspondent Anna Gross, deputy opinion editor Miranda Green and deputy political editor Jim Pickard to discuss the latest developments. The team also examines Reform UK leader Nigel Farage’s shifting story about his £5mn personal gift from a Thailand-based crypto investor in 2024, and looks ahead to consider what a Reform government would do.  


    Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.com; Anna @annasophiagross; Miranda @greenmiranda & @greenmirandahere.bsky.social and Jim @pickardJE 


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    Burnham’s return to Westminster will not be so easy 

    Labour set to approve Andy Burnham’s by-election run

    Starmer crisis as it happened: premier appoints new health secretary 

    Angela Rayner says she has been cleared over tax affairs

    Wes Streeting: the confident performer with a mixed record of reform 

    To beat the populist right, Labour must be an insurgent government 

    Zack Polanski admits ‘mistake’ over houseboat council tax

    FT Series: Reform UK up close

      

    Sign up here for Stephen Bush’s morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free.


    Political Fix was presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Nisha Patel. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and sound engineering by Breen Turner. The broadcast engineers are Andrew Georgiades and Bianca Wakeman. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s global head of audio.


    Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • You sent in your burning questions, now our panel answers them. Will Sir Keir Starmer’s ‘relaunch’ work? Has Britain become ungovernable? Will the UK’s voting system be reformed, is the student loans system punishing youthful ambition, and what about defence? Host Lucy Fisher is joined by the FT’s George Parker, Miranda Green and Robert Shrimsley to discuss a range of topics spanning politics and policy.


    Follow Lucy on Bluesky or X: @lucyfisher.bsky.social, @LOS_Fisher; Miranda @greenmirandahere.bsky.social, George: @GeorgeWParker & @georgewparker.bsky.social and Robert @robertshrimsley, @robertshrimsley.bsky.social


    Want more? 

    Starmer vows he will not ‘walk away’ as leadership rivals circle 

    There was nothing here to save Starmer

    Keir Starmer to promise ‘urgent’ change as he fights for his political future

    ‘You’ve got to achieve things quickly’: lessons from a decade of leading London

    The new politics may be more like the old politics than we assume 


    Sign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek analysis. Get 30 days free.


    Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Clare Williamson. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The broadcast engineers were Andrew Giorgiades and Petros Gioumpasis. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s global head of Audio.


    Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • It’s been a dreadful night for Labour as council seats across the country have turned from red to turquoise. The Conservatives have not fared much better with Reform UK the big winner so far. With results still coming in, host Lucy Fisher discusses the fracturing of the vote and the future for beleaguered Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer with the FT’s deputy political editor Jim Pickard, Northern England correspondent Jen Williams and political columnist Stephen Bush.


    Have a question for the panel? We’re planning a question and answer episode on Monday May 11. Email your questions to [email protected]


    Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, and Bluesky: @lucyfisher.ft.com; Jim @PickardJE and @pickardje.bsky.social; Stephen @stephenkb & @stephenkb.bsky.social and Jen: @JenWilliamsMEN and @jenwilliamsft.bsky.social


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    UK elections: Labour suffers heavy losses as Reform surges

    Four things we learnt in the UK elections

    Scale of defeat should shake ‘big two’ parties into serious action

    Keir Starmer defies calls to quit after heavy Labour council losses

    UK local and devolved elections: Hour-by-hour guide to key results

    In Labour’s bleak moment, Andy Burnham relishes his own


    Sign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek. Get 30 days free.


    Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Clare Williamson. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The broadcast engineers were Andrew Giorgiades and Petros Gioumpasis. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s global head of Audio.


    Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • With just one week to go before voters across the UK deliver their verdict on Sir Keir Starmer’s government – our panel discusses another agonising week for the PM, Labour’s forecast devastation at the polls, and how No 10 can regroup in the aftermath. 


    Other talking points include the momentum behind Reform UK and the Green party — and the hurdles that threaten to trip them up.


    Host Lucy Fisher is joined by deputy opinion editor Miranda Green, UK chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley and political columnist Stephen Bush. 


    Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.com; Stephen @stephenkb & @stephenkb.bsky.social; Miranda @greenmiranda & @greenmirandahere.bsky.social and Robert @robertshrimsley and @robertshrimsley.bsky.social


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    What to expect in the May local elections

    What Labour’s likely meltdown means for the UK

    The problematic inevitability of Andy Burnham

    Reform UK and Greens hit controversy on election trail 

    Golders Green stabbing suspect was previously referred to Prevent 


    Plus, send in your questions for a special Political Fix Q&A episode right after the local elections, on Monday May 11. Email: [email protected]


    You can also sign up here for Stephen Bush’s morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free.


    Political Fix is presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Mixing and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.

    Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • The economist John Kenneth Galbraith once quipped that “there can be few fields of human endeavour in which history counts for so little as in the world of finance.” This show sets out to prove the opposite. Each week, FT columnist Gillian Tett and FT Alphaville editor Robin Wigglesworth dig into the ideas, personalities and institutions that have shaped global finance. 


    From unregulated banking in 19th-century frontier America to institutionalised debt jubilees in ancient Mesopotamia, and from the birth of credit derivatives to the great market meltdowns of the past, Robin and Gillian uncover the story of money because time and again, the same manias and mistakes resurface. Tune in and you might just understand where the next financial opportunities and disasters could be hiding. 


    Subscribe to The Story of Money wherever you get your podcasts and watch the show on YouTube. 


    Learn more about the show at ft.com/tsom and find out more about Gillian Tett here and Robin Wigglesworth here. 


    Follow FT Alphaville here. 


    Hosts: Gillian Tett and Robin Wigglesworth 


    Producer: Lulu Smyth 


    Senior Producer: Michela Tindera 


    Executive Producers: Flo Phillips and Manuela Saragosa 


    Original music and sound engineering: Breen Turner 


    Podcast Development: Laura Clarke 


    Global Head of Audio: Cheryl Brumley

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • The rolling drama over the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson as US ambassador is eating the government alive, with more committee hearings coming next week and crucial elections for Labour on May 7. This week’s host Miranda Green discusses the cost of the Mandelson saga for Sir Keir Starmer’s premiership with deputy political editor Jim Pickard, political correspondent Anna Gross and public policy editor Chris Smyth. Plus, the panel debates Ed Miliband’s electricity announcement, Reform’s new plan for mass deportations, and a booming but dysfunctional market in business courses. 


    Follow: Miranda:@greenmiranda and @greenmirandahere.bsky.social; Jim: @PickardJE and @pickardje.bsky.social, Anna: @AnnaSophieGross and annasophiegross.bsky.social Chris: @Smyth_Chris and @chris-smyth.bsky.social


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    Cabinet Office head says Olly Robbins refused to give her Mandelson vetting documents

    Starmer’s political woes deepen as Mandelson scandal saps his authority 

    Sadiq Khan: Labour risks being ‘stonked’ in London elections

    Business degrees are booming in the UK. Who is profiting?

    How many people would Reform UK deport?

    Economic pessimism plagues UK youth

    Ed Miliband unveils move to delink UK gas and electricity prices 


    Plus, send in your questions for a special Political Fix Q&A episode right after the local elections on Monday May 11. Email: [email protected]


    Sign up here for Stephen Bush’s morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free.


    Political Fix is presented by Miranda Green and produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producers are Manuela Saragosa and Edwin Lane. Mixing and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.


    Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • It’s not just the Trump administration attacking the UK’s defence capabilities. Now a Labour grandee and former head of Nato, Lord George Robertson, has accused Sir Keir Starmer of ‘corrosive complacency’ over delays to defence spending. 


    With the 10-year plan for defence stuck in deadlock, host Lucy Fisher discusses the choices faced by the PM with chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley, deputy political editor Jim Pickard and political columnist and writer of the Inside Politics newsletter, Stephen Bush. 


    Plus, they look ahead to country-wide elections in less than three weeks and hear about the developing story around the vetting of Lord Mandelson.


    NOTE: This episode was recorded on Thursday April 16.


    Follow Lucy: @LOS_Fisher and @lucyfisher.ft.com; Stephen: @stephenkb and @stephenkb.bsky.social; Jim: @PickardJE and @pickardje.bsky.social and Robert: @robertshrimsley and @robertshrimsley.bsky.social


    Want more?  


    Starmer accused of ‘corrosive complacency’ on UK defence by former Nato chief

    UK defence ministry left to foot £200mn bill for Ukraine mission

    Rebuke by former Nato chief points to wider government inaction

    Keir Starmer plans May relaunch with King’s Speech 

    The great independence charade

    Foreign Office top civil servant forced out over Mandelson vetting fiasco

    No scenario in latest Mandelson drama makes Keir Starmer look good


    Sign up here for Stephen’s morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free.


    Plus, send in your questions for a special Political Fix Q&A episode on May 11th. Email: [email protected]


    Political Fix is presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producers are Manuela Saragosa and Edwin Lane. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.


    Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Sir Keir Starmer had promised 2026 would be the year the UK economy and household finances would finally “turn the corner”. But the Iran war has nixed those hopes. Now the pressure from unions to increase public sector pay is mounting, and resident doctors are continuing their rolling strikes. Student finance remains another open sore despite the announcement of a cap on loan interest rates. To discuss the pressures on the public purse, host Lucy Fisher is joined by political editor George Parker, columnist Stephen Bush and public policy editor Chris Smyth. Plus, with local elections just weeks away, the panel also discusses the prime minister’s trip to the Middle East.  


    Follow: Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher and Bluesky: @lucyfisher.ft.com; George @GeorgeWParker and @georgewparker.bsky.social; Stephen @stephenkb and @stephenkb.bsky.social and Chris @Smyth_Chris and @chris-smyth.bsky.social


    Want more?


    Starmer leans into his Iran response to resonate with voters

    Unions prepare for UK public sector pay push as inflation bites 

    UK health officials discuss banning doctors from going on strike

    What happens when the Green Party governs?

    Capping student loan interest rates is a step in the right direction

    NHS data chief pushes for deeper rollout of Palantir technology despite outcry

    Can the Iran war save Keir Starmer’s premiership?

    UK exposes covert Russian submarine operation

    The political power struggle behind the Bayeux Tapestry


    Have a question for the panel? We’re planning a question-and-answer episode. Email your questions to [email protected]


    Sign up here for Stephen’s morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free.


    Political Fix is presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix by Sean McGarrity. Original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.


    Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Donald Trump has heaped insults on Sir Keir Starmer in recent weeks over his stance on the Iran war. The US president labelled the UK prime minister “no Winston Churchill”, said Britain’s aircraft carriers were mere “toys” and told Britain to “go get your own oil” from the Gulf. So perhaps it’s unsurprising that the PM appears to be pivoting heavily towards the EU. Host Lucy Fisher unpicks the shift with colleagues Jim Pickard, Anna Gross and Robert Shrimsley. They also discuss how the Middle East conflict will play out in the upcoming local elections.

    Have a question for the panel? We’re planning a question and answer episode. Email your questions to [email protected]

    Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, and Bluesky: @lucyfisher.ft.com; Robert: @robertshrimsley and @robertshrimsley.bsky.social; Jim @PickardJE and @pickardje.bsky.social and Anna @AnnaSophieGross & @annasophiegross.bsky.social


    Want more? 


    Keir Starmer signals major UK pivot towards EU after Donald Trump’s taunts

    Lessons from history on how to survive a fuel crisis

    Cracks appear in US-UK security co-operation after Trump-Starmer tensions

    Starmer strikes upbeat note amid dismal polling ahead of May 7 local elections

    Political drama reaches heart of UK’s nuclear deterrent

    Hammering Farage-Trump links could suppress Reform’s poll lead


    Sign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek. Get 30 days free.


    Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Clare Williamson. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music by Breen Turner, mix by Sean McGarrity. The broadcast engineers were Andrew Giorgiades and Petros Gioumpasis. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s global head of Audio.


    Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Sir Keir Starmer’s authority is slipping and Westminster is alive with speculation about potential successors. But chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley joins host Lucy Fisher, alongside deputy opinion editor Miranda Green and public policy editor Chris Smyth, to argue why he believes Labour may be better off sticking with Starmer. The panel also discuss the government’s plans to ban political donations in cryptocurrency and cap overseas donations at £100,000 a year. What does it mean for Reform UK, which has been a major beneficiary of overseas donors and crypto donations? 


    Have a question for the panel? We’re planning a question and answer episode. Email your questions to [email protected]


    Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, and Bluesky: @lucyfisher.ft.com; Robert: @robertshrimsley and @robertshrimsley.bsky.social;

    Miranda @greenmiranda and @greenmirandahere.bsky.social; & Chris @Smyth_Chris and @chris-smyth.bsky.social


    Want more? 


    The case for keeping Keir Starmer a little longer


    Starmer set to make Sadiq Khan a Lord 


    Overseas donations to UK parties to be capped at £100,000 


    Companies face having to declare individuals behind UK political donations 


    Net zero is not a zero-sum game 


    Sign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek. Get 30 days free.


    Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Nisha Patel. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and sound engineering by Breen Turner. The broadcast engineer was Bianca Wakeman and Petros Gioumpasis. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s global head of audio.


    Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Introducing Opus Dei, a new season of Untold from the Financial Times. Host Antonia Cundy uncovers the cultural and political influence of a controversial Catholic organisation in America. Opus Dei exists to help people get closer to God, but some members say they found other agendas – and unexpected harm – entangled in that spiritual mission. The first episode of Untold: Opus Dei launches March 25. 


    Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your podcasts.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Angela Rayner heaped scorn on Sir Keir Starmer’s administration this week, fuelling fresh scrutiny of her ambitions. Does she want to return to cabinet or seize the reins? The former deputy prime minister issued a stark warning that the government is running out of time to change direction under Starmer, while also attempting to court the City. At the same time, the Greens continue to beat Labour in the polls with an unabashedly socialist platform.

    Does all this signal the government will shift left?

    Host Lucy Fisher is joined by the FT’s political editor George Parker, political correspondent Anna Gross, and Inside Politics columnist Stephen Bush to unpack what it all means. Plus FT US national editor Ed Luce shares insights on how he caught up with Donald Trump on his mobile this week.

    Follow: Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, and Bluesky: @lucyfisher.ft.com George: @GeorgeWParker and @georgewparker.bsky.social; Stephen: @stephenkb and @stephenkb.bsky.social and Anna: @AnnaSophieGross and @annasophiegross.bsky.social


    Want more? 


    Is the Green Party too radical for Britain?


    Labour’s leftward shift and the bond vigilante threat


    British right must not allow prejudice to be masked as principle


    Starmer calls on Badenoch to sack shadow minister over Muslim prayer comments 


    Donald Trump warns Nato faces ‘very bad future’ if allies fail to help US in Iran 


    Sign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek. Get 30 days free.


    Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. 


    Our email address is [email protected]


    Clip: BBC


    Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.