The Financial Times takes you into the corridors of power to unwrap, analyse and debate British politics with a regular lineup of FT correspondents and informed commentators. New episodes available every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
What this show covers
UK politicsAndy BurnhamReform UKLabourUK BudgetGreen partyNigel FarageZelenskyyLiberal DemocratsWelfare reformConservativesParty conferenceLabour PartyPolicy agendaLabour conference
What listeners will find here
Andy Burnham’s off-the-cuff politics faces a stress test
Andy Burnham’s unscripted style is the main focus, as Lucy Fisher and colleagues weigh whether his headline-making interventions are a political strength or a growing liability. The episode also checks in on Zelenskyy’s visit to Number 10, Liberal Democrat tensions, and the latest welfare reform debate.
A by-election blow for the Greens meets a Tory reset and Budget jitters
The episode centres on Labour’s hold in Holborn and St Pancras and what the result means for Zack Polanski, the Greens and Andy Burnham. It also surveys Tory conference promises on tax, defence and welfare, before turning to business nerves ahead of the UK Budget.
Burnham’s first conference speech sets out a sweeping Labour agenda
Andy Burnham’s first Labour conference speech as prime minister is the focus, with discussion of his plans on Europe, pensions and electoral reform. Lucy Fisher and George Parker test the ambition of that agenda with business secretary Jonathan Reynolds and a panel of political observers.
Could an early election help Burnham — or backfire badly?
The episode digs into whether Andy Burnham might call a snap election and what Labour thinks it could gain or lose by going early. It also looks ahead to Labour conference, looming UK-EU tensions, and Burnham’s first big test on the world stage at the UN.
A tougher UK budget looms as pensions, donations and union strains collide
The episode focuses on the UK’s tightening fiscal outlook ahead of the October Budget, as higher borrowing costs and inflation squeeze the government’s room to manoeuvre. It also weighs the politics of the pensions triple lock, Reform’s big donations and a fresh independence push across the devolved nations.
