Avsnitt
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Is Labour capable of reversing the curse facing centre-left governments around the world? Josh Simons, Director of the highly influential think tank Labour Together says the party must be ready to confront the challenge of thinking about how it can govern and win a second term.
Josh joins Ayesha Hazarika and Sam Freedman to speak about how Labour is preparing for government and whether the party really has a plan to win the decade in power it wants and needs.
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On this week's episode of The Power Test, we're looking at all things local elections - including bins! - New Statesman Britain Editor Anoosh Chakelian joins Sam and Ayesha on the pod and discussed how these will have an impact on Labour and whether it can deliver real change in government.
Episode notes:
The Tories are trying to make headway by putting the blame on Labour-run councils themselves, but while voters seem to be seeing through the attacks, the question remains as to whether Labour is really prepared for the true state of its likely inheritance.
“We know councils are under a huge amount of pressure at the moment and this is a source of real pain for people - who are seeing services cut, council tax bills rising and places like Birmingham going bankrupt, with others teetering on the brink” says Ayesha.
“Eight councils have gone bankrupt since 2010, and this should be a story of how the Conservatives have failed local government. But, Tory rhetoric is trying to blame Labour-run councils themselves” added Chakelian.
“A lot of major councils are run by a Labour administration, and so there is a reputational risk which Labour needs a retort to, but it doesn't because it doesn't really seem to have a plan of how it would save local councils from going bankrupt when they get into government.”
If Labour does well in the elections, the party will also face increased scrutiny over what its approach will be like more generally in government - presenting risks for the party.
Chakelian says the party “needs an answer” - and that “there’s all sorts of things that they can do without making big spending commitments, like council tax reform and changes to business rates.” “Sorting out adult social care is also key, but that would require some sending commitments.”
When asked her key tests for Labour, Anoosh said that having a plan on local government financing was key - but also whether the party could hold firm on their commitments over planning.
“I would like to see if their planning commitments will actually come off. Starmer has said he will ignore local opposition to developments. But can he really do that if they win as many MPs as the polls tell us they will. They’re going to have lots of MPs representing places with nice lovely green spaces and are they really going to want the first thing their government to do is sign off a load of building projects?”
Sam added, “Then you’ll have the National Trust kicking off their campaign, and the RSPB and all of them get involved. It’s pretty hard to fight that lobby. So yea, I’m with you - I hope they commit to that. But, it will be a big test for the first couple of years.”
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Saknas det avsnitt?
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Following last week's episode with Ed Balls, former Treasury boss Nick Macpherson joins Sam and Ayesha to interrogate the economic environment facing the next government. We’re hearing a lot from Labour about economic security, fighting off the party’s reputation for ‘spendonomics’, but is the party being too far too cautious and harming its plans for growth?
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Nick Macpherson on this week’s pod suggests maybe it is. The former Treasury boss says the party shouldn’t get “obsessed with fiscal rules”
Don’t get obsessed with fiscal rules, ex-Treasury boss warns Labour
A future Labour Government should borrow to invest and avoid being “too obsessed with fiscal rules”, says the former Treasury boss, Sir Nick McPherson, on this week’s The Power Test podcast with Ayesha Hazarika and Sam Freedman.
In a wide-ranging discussion about a future government transition and Labour’s economic plans, Sir Nick said:
Borrowing:
“My guess is Labour will, and so they should, borrow a bit more in order to invest. Providing that investment program is focused on what really matters and is then seen through I don't see that as a great problem in terms of the public finances. Indeed, some would argue that that Labour may be being too cautious.”
Labour’s fiscal plans:
“The case for being tough now is potentially it gives them room for manoeuvre. It gets them credit with the financial markets which, actually, is even more important today than it was in 1997 simply because the national debt is a whole lot higher and the interest rate bill required to service that debt is very high indeed.
“The other thing is, and this may surprise some people, I'm a relative optimist about the economy so I think the Labour inheritance may just be a little bit better than the OBR and others are suggesting. Real wages are rising, interest rates may come down this year which will help people with mortgages and so on, and we just may see more spending in the economy, the economy growing a bit more fast and rather more revenues coming in than expected. If I'm right, and you know I'm not always right, they may actually have rather more room for manoeuvre and so they may be able to stick with the fiscal plan whilst also spending a bit more.
“My guess is also they will have some tax increases up their sleeve of the sort which is consistent with the wider commitments not to raise the main rate, say, of National insurance and income tax.”
The £28 billion and fiscal rules:
“Did they have to drop the £28 billion commitment? In the end, £28 billion is not actually very much these days. It's about 1% of GDP. I mean, compared to the sorts of money Nigel Lawson gave away in 1988 this is chicken feed. But I can see in an uncertain world why they just want to be a bit cautious."
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As Labour announces its plans to reclaim 'Levelling Up', Sam Freedman and Ayesha Hazarika are joined by Ed Balls to discuss the dual challenges of tackling economic and regional inequality and going for growth
Boris Johnson’s claim to end the North-South divide has been a spectacular disaster in terms of going from a box office slogan to something of any substance at all. Councils across the UK are on the brink of collapse and bankruptcy and economic equality across the country has never been more entrenched.
So what happens now? Can the agenda move into reality and what would an actual Levelling Up plan look like? Are people going to buy it anymore without any tangible progress to show for it, and ultimately what is the role of Westminster vs local authorities and regional mayors.
Tackling regional inequality is not only an end in itself but also a means in going for growth - an absolute imperative for the next government. Both Labour and the Tories have said they want to deliver growth, but what is the path for delivering it? It has to be a key priority for the next Prime Minister, as part of a central growth drive, working with and not against business, championing open markets and consumers as well as a comprehensive backing for combined authorities with devolved powers.
Ed also speaks to Sam and Ayesha about podcasting with George Osborne, Labour’s workers rights package as well as never being invited to give the Mais lecture. He is also the first guest to face our new Power Questions section - where he calls for Keir Starmer to grasp the theme of Global Britain and be confident about the UK’s outward facing role in the world, how Jo Cox’s legacy can help heal divisions in politics and ultimately, how the party should be willing to say when it thinks other parties have done good things that it will continue in government.
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In this first episode of 2024, the duo discuss the news that Ayesha will soon become Baroness Hazarika of Coatbridge in the County of Lanarkshire and the role of the House of Lords in legislating before focusing on the current political landscape and the challenges and opportunities ahead for Labour as the party prepares for its return to government.
Notes:
Sam Freedman and Ayesha Hazarika return to the airwaves as The Power Test - the weekly political podcast with a purpose exploring how Labour should govern to really change Britain for the better - gears up for this election year.in this first episode of 2024, the duo discuss the news that Ayesha will soon become Baroness Hazarika of Coatbridge in the County of Lanarkshire and the role of the House of Lords in legislating before focusing on the current political landscape and the challenges and opportunities ahead for Labour as the party prepares for its return to government.A 'torturous holding pattern' is seeing people more and more assured that Keir Starmer will be the country's next Prime Minister, and the party is quickly being treated as the next government - yet, it is still not clear exactly what inheritance it will be gifted by a Conservative Party burning down the house on its way out of the door.So what does that mean for Labour and what it hopes to achieve in government?Can the party really even get a head start before it is derailed by circumstances far from its control? Does its junking of key landmark policies and its commitment to Tory fiscal rules to strengthen its reputation for security hinder or help its aspirations for governing? Will Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves suddenly change tack once they walk down Downing Street and what can the party do to really deliver economic growth?Sam and Ayesha chew the fat and set out the big issues and themes which they will dive into throughout the next few weeks and months alongside some extra special expert guests as we move forward towards the election and review the party's plans for a "decade of national renewal" in more detail.The podcast continues weekly wherever you get your pods. Send in your reactions, questions and ideas on how Labour can change Britain at thepowertest.co.uk - become a member and get involved in our growing community.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Keir Starmer's former chief of staff Sam White and The Guardian's Political Editor Pippa Crerar are two figures who have arguably played as big a role as any in turning around Labour's electoral chances. Pippa broke the Partygate story that engulfed the Tory party for many months, while Sam was working behind the scenes to make Labour look like a government in waiting. Sam and Pippa join us in the studio to talk about partygate, if there's a path back for the Conservatives, Labour's strategy, and how Keir Starmer hopes to govern.
The Power Test is a political podcast where each week Sam Freedman and Ayesha Hazarika bring the biggest and most difficult political issues into focus and put fresh ideas to the test to see if they are capable of winning popular support and delivering real change in government.
Follow @ThePowerTest on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThePowerTest
Follow @AyeshaHazarika: https://twitter.com/ayeshahazarika
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For more information head to thepowertest.co.uk.
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Labour's former Foreign Secretary Jack Straw joins Sam and Ayesha to talk about the UK's standing in the world and how it could be restored under a Starmer premiership. What influence does the UK still have on the world stage? Is there such a thing as an ethical foreign policy? How might Labour work with populist leaders whilst keeping the party base happy? What would a second Trump term mean for the world? Olivia O'Sullivan of foreign policy think tank Chatham House, and Matthew McGregor, CEO of 38degrees, also provide analysis.
The Power Test is a political podcast where each week Sam Freedman and Ayesha Hazarika bring the biggest and most difficult political issues into focus and put fresh ideas to the test to see if they are capable of winning popular support and delivering real change in government.
Follow @ThePowerTest on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThePowerTest
Follow @AyeshaHazarika: https://twitter.com/ayeshahazarika
Follow @SamFreedman: https://twitter.com/Samfr
Subscribe to The Power Test substack for all the latest developments: https://thepowertest.substack.com/
For more information head to thepowertest.co.uk.
The Power Test is a Tempo & Talker Production: tempotalker.com
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Sam Freedman quizzes Ed Miliband live on stage at London's Inclusive Growth Conference in partnership with the Centre For Progressive Policy. The former Labour leader talks about how Labour's green agenda can deliver growth that benefits all parts of the country. Giles Wilkes, the former aide to Theresa May and Vince Cable, and Charlotte Alldritt, CEO of the CPP, join Sam for analysis.
The Power Test is a political podcast where each week Sam Freedman and Ayesha Hazarika bring the biggest and most difficult political issues into focus and put fresh ideas to the test to see if they are capable of winning popular support and delivering real change in government.
Follow @ThePowerTest on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThePowerTest
Follow @AyeshaHazarika: https://twitter.com/ayeshahazarika
Follow @SamFreedman: https://twitter.com/Samfr
Subscribe to The Power Test substack for all the latest developments: https://thepowertest.substack.com/
For more information head to thepowertest.co.uk.
The Power Test is a Tempo & Talker Production: tempotalker.com
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This week Sam and Ayesha explore how a Labour might operate the machinery of government following a successful election. With expert insight from Dr. Hannah Wright, CEO of the Institute for Government, and former Political Secretary to Tony Blair, Baroness Sally Morgan.
The Power Test is a political podcast where each week Sam Freedman and Ayesha Hazarika bring the biggest and most difficult political issues into focus and put fresh ideas to the test to see if they are capable of winning popular support and delivering real change in government.
Follow @ThePowerTest on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThePowerTest
Follow @AyeshaHazarika: https://twitter.com/ayeshahazarika
Follow @SamFreedman: https://twitter.com/Samfr
Subscribe to The Power Test substack for all the latest developments: https://thepowertest.substack.com/
For more information head to thepowertest.co.uk.
The Power Test is a Tempo & Talker Production: tempotalker.com
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Sam and Ayesha discuss the fall of Suella Braverman, the return of David Cameron, and much more besides whilst looking ahead to next week's Autumn statement. Joined by Jonathan Portes, the chief economist at the Cabinet Office under Gordon Brown, and Gemma Tetlow, the chief economist at the Institute for Government, they assess wether a potential Labour government could, would, and should work to actively shape the economy.
The Power Test is a political podcast where each week Sam Freedman and Ayesha Hazarika bring the biggest and most difficult political issues into focus and put fresh ideas to the test to see if they are capable of winning popular support and delivering real change in government.
Follow @ThePowerTest on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThePowerTest
Follow @AyeshaHazarika: https://twitter.com/ayeshahazarika
Follow @SamFreedman: https://twitter.com/Samfr
Subscribe to The Power Test substack for all the latest developments: https://thepowertest.substack.com/
For more information head to thepowertest.co.uk.
The Power Test is a Tempo & Talker Production: tempotalker.com
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Sam and Ayesha come to you live from the inaugural Festival of Higher Education at London's Senate House, joined by former Labour minister and president of University of the Arts London James Purnell, CEO of Universities UK Vivienne Stern, and founder of Wonkhe Mark Leach. They discuss the problems with funding Universities face, the reliance on income from foreign students, the question of grade inflation, and the claim that the UK has too many students taking low value degrees. What should a future government do?
The Power Test is a political podcast where each week Sam Freedman and Ayesha Hazarika bring the biggest and most difficult political issues into focus and put fresh ideas to the test to see if they are capable of winning popular support and delivering real change in government.
Follow @ThePowerTest on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThePowerTest
Follow @AyeshaHazarika: https://twitter.com/ayeshahazarika
Follow @SamFreedman: https://twitter.com/Samfr
Subscribe to The Power Test substack for all the latest developments: https://thepowertest.substack.com/
For more information head to thepowertest.co.uk.
The Power Test is a Tempo & Talker Production: tempotalker.com
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In the 1990s Tim Allan worked alongside Alistair Campbell on Tony Blair's media strategy. At the same time, Sarah Sands was an editor at the Daily Telegraph. In this episode, Tim and Sarah reflect on that period, and discuss how the relationship between politicians and the media has since changed.
The Power Test is a political podcast where each week Sam Freedman and Ayesha Hazarika bring the biggest and most difficult political issues into focus and put fresh ideas to the test to see if they are capable of winning popular support and delivering real change in government.
Follow @ThePowerTest on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThePowerTest
Follow @AyeshaHazarika: https://twitter.com/ayeshahazarika
Follow @SamFreedman: https://twitter.com/Samfr
Subscribe to The Power Test substack for all the latest developments: https://thepowertest.substack.com/
For more information head to thepowertest.co.uk.
The Power Test is a Tempo & Talker Production: tempotalker.com
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Polling expert and former president of YouGov Peter Kellner breaks down the latest by-election results and Neal Lawson, the chair of pressure group Compass, makes the case for a progressive alliance.
The Power Test is a political podcast where each week Sam Freedman and Ayesha Hazarika bring the biggest and most difficult political issues into focus and put fresh ideas to the test to see if they are capable of winning popular support and delivering real change in government.
Follow @ThePowerTest on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThePowerTest
Follow @AyeshaHazarika: https://twitter.com/ayeshahazarika
Follow @SamFreedman: https://twitter.com/Samfr
Subscribe to The Power Test substack for all the latest developments: https://thepowertest.substack.com/
For more information head to thepowertest.co.uk.
The Power Test is a Tempo & Talker Production: tempotalker.com
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Former environmental aide to US President Bill Clinton, Paul Bledsoe, the Telegraph’s environmental editor Emma Gatten, and the economist and former treasury advisor to Rishi Sunak, Tim Leunig, join Sam and Ayesha to discuss the economics and politics of achieving net zero by 2050.
The Power Test is a political podcast where each week Sam Freedman and Ayesha Hazarika bring the biggest and most difficult political issues into focus and put fresh ideas to the test to see if they are capable of winning popular support and delivering real change in government.
Follow @ThePowerTest on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThePowerTest
Follow @AyeshaHazarika: https://twitter.com/ayeshahazarika
Follow @SamFreedman: https://twitter.com/Samfr
Subscribe to The Power Test substack for all the latest developments: https://thepowertest.substack.com/
For more information head to thepowertest.co.uk.
The Power Test is a Tempo & Talker Production: tempotalker.com
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The Power Test is back for a new series with hosts Ayesha Hazarika and Sam Freedman. In this first episode, they are joined by Anne McElvoy, Marc Stears and John McTernan live from the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool to ask how a future Labour administration will govern and change Britain for the better - and whether it can deliver radical change in tough times.
The Power Test is a political podcast where, with the help of invited guests, each week Sam Freedman and Ayesha Hazarika bring the biggest and most difficult political issues into focus and put fresh ideas to the test to see if they are capable of winning popular support and delivering real change in government.
Follow @ThePowerTest on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThePowerTest
Follow @AyeshaHazarika: https://twitter.com/ayeshahazarika
Follow @SamFreedman: https://twitter.com/Samfr
Subscribe to The Power Test substack for all the latest developments: https://thepowertest.substack.com/
For more information head to thepowertest.co.uk.
The Power Test is a Tempo & Talker Production: tempotalker.com
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Former Labour Home Secretary David Blunkett, host of Rock N Roll Politics Steve Richards, and The Times journalist Rachel Sylvester are live from The Future of Britain conference where Tony Blair and Keir Starmer share a stage for the first time. After hearing his keynote speech, our guests assess wether Keir is ready to win and govern successfully.
The Power Test is a political podcast that asks if it really is all over for the Tories, and what Labour should do to win and change Britain for the better. With the help of invited guests, each week Sam Freedman and Ayesha Hazarika bring the biggest and most difficult political issues into focus and put fresh ideas to the test to see if they are capable of winning popular support and delivering real change in government.
Follow @ThePowerTest on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThePowerTest
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For more information head to thepowertest.co.uk.
The Power Test is a Tempo & Talker Production: tempotalker.com
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Ayesha and Sam are joined by Liverpool regional city mayor Steve Rotherham, ex-Nicola Sturgeon aide Liz Lloyd, and Camden council leader Georgia Gould to discuss future approaches to devolution. After so long in opposition, are Labour really ready to give away power?
The Power Test is a political podcast that asks if it really is all over for the Tories, and what Labour should do to win and change Britain for the better. With the help of invited guests, each week Sam Freedman and Ayesha Hazarika bring the biggest and most difficult political issues into focus and put fresh ideas to the test to see if they are capable of winning popular support and delivering real change in government.
Follow @ThePowerTest on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThePowerTest
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Follow @SamFreedman: https://twitter.com/Samfr
Subscribe to The Power Test substack for all the latest developments: https://thepowertest.substack.com/
For more information head to thepowertest.co.uk.
The Power Test is a Tempo & Talker Production: tempotalker.com
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Do the culture wars present a challenge to Labour's electoral hopes? Ayesha & Sam are joined by The Atlantic's Helen Lewis, the director of British Future Sunder Katwala, and founder of the Women's Equality Party Catherine Mayer to discuss how Labour should navigate and lead on divisive issues like trans rights, race, and patriotism.
The Power Test is a political podcast that asks if it really is all over for the Tories, and what Labour should do to win and change Britain for the better. With the help of invited guests, each week Sam Freedman and Ayesha Hazarika bring the biggest and most difficult political issues into focus and put fresh ideas to the test to see if they are capable of winning popular support and delivering real change in government.
Follow @ThePowerTest on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThePowerTest
Follow @AyeshaHazarika: https://twitter.com/ayeshahazarika
Follow @SamFreedman: https://twitter.com/Samfr
Subscribe to The Power Test substack for all the latest developments: https://thepowertest.substack.com/
For more information head to thepowertest.co.uk.
The Power Test is a Tempo & Talker Production: tempotalker.com
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The former Conservative Justice Secretary David Gauke, Labour's Police & Crime Commissioner for Northumbria Kim McGuinness, and former Metropolitan Police superintendent Dr Leroy Logan join Sam and Ayesha to try to work out how to revive our struggling justice system. The UK has some of the most crowded prisons in Europe, a chronic backlog of criminal cases, and police forces marred by scandal. So what would a new government need to do?
The Power Test is a political podcast that asks if it really is all over for the Tories, and what Labour should do to win and change Britain for the better. With the help of invited guests, each week Sam Freedman and Ayesha Hazarika bring the biggest and most difficult political issues into focus and put fresh ideas to the test to see if they are capable of winning popular support and delivering real change in government.
Follow @ThePowerTest on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThePowerTest
Follow @AyeshaHazarika: https://twitter.com/ayeshahazarika
Follow @SamFreedman: https://twitter.com/Samfr
Subscribe to The Power Test substack for all the latest developments: https://thepowertest.substack.com/
For more information head to thepowertest.co.uk.
The Power Test is a Tempo & Talker Production: tempotalker.com
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The NHS is in crisis. Staff continue to strike while a record 7.4 million of us await treatment. The pressure is only set to increase as our population grows and ages. Ayesha and Sam are joined by shadow health minister Liz Kendall, the co-author of the 2019 Conservative manifesto Rachel Wolf, and NHS commentator Roy Lilley to discuss future reform.
The Power Test is a political podcast that asks if it's really all over for the Tories, and what Labour should do to win and change Britain for the better. With the help of invited guests, each week Sam Freedman and Ayesha Hazarika bring the biggest and most difficult political issues into focus and put fresh ideas to the test to see if they are capable of winning popular support and delivering real change in government.
Follow @ThePowerTest on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThePowerTest
Follow @AyeshaHazarika: https://twitter.com/ayeshahazarika
Follow @SamFreedman: https://twitter.com/Samfr
Subscribe to The Power Test substack for all the latest developments: https://thepowertest.substack.com/
For more information head to thepowertest.co.uk.
The Power Test is a Tempo & Talker Production: tempotalker.com
For more information head to thepowertest.co.uk.
The Power Test is a Tempo & Talker Production: tempotalker.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Visa fler
