Political Fix

4.6 (18)
POLITICS
UPDATED WEEKLY

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 for more information.

3D AGO

The case for keeping Starmer

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 politicalfix@ft.com 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.

38 min
MAR 23

Introducing Untold: Opus Dei

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.

1 min
MAR 20

Angela’s ambitions

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 politicalfix@ft.com Clip: BBC Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

40 min
MAR 13

Mandelson mess and Middle East U-turns

It has been a week of red faces for party leaders. On Thursday, Keir Starmer apologised and took personal responsibility for the appointment of Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to the US – after a first round of document disclosures suggested the prime minister was largely absent from the decision-making process. Meanwhile, Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch were both busy executing awkward U-turns on their earlier vocal support for a US war on Iran that is proving distinctly unpopular with UK voters. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by the FT’s deputy political editor Jim Pickard, columnist and writer of the ‘Inside Politics’ newsletter Stephen Bush, and political editor George Parker to debate the twists and turns of the week in Westminster. Clip from: The Mirror Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, and Bluesky: @lucyfisher.ft.com; Jim: @PickardJE and @pickardje.bsky.social; Stephen: @stephenkb and @stephenkb.bsky.social; and George: @GeorgeWParker and @georgewparker.bsky.social Want more? Mandelson papers: what do they show? Pressure grows on Starmer over Mandelson due diligence Embarrassing Iran U-turn for the right, but Keir Starmer’s problems are worse The irrepressible Nigel Farage Sign up to 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 at https://www.ft.com/InsidePoliticsOffer Political FIx is presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Laurence Knight. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Audio mix by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Our email address is politicalfix@ft.com Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

36 min
MAR 6

Iran shock for Starmer

A week into the Iran war and Sir Keir Starmer is scrambling to defend the UK’s position on the conflict. Criticised by Donald Trump over blocking the US from using British military bases to launch initial strikes on Iran, and under pressure from allies such as Cyprus to do more to protect the region, the PM is also facing demands to participate in strikes from the British right. But polling suggests the UK public is broadly in line with his policy on the conflict. This week host Lucy Fisher is joined by the FT’s chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley, deputy opinion editor Miranda Green and our economics editor, Sam Fleming, to discuss London’s response to the war. Plus, the panel examines chancellor Rachel Reeves’ spring forecast and the home secretary Shabana Mahmood’s new immigration policy. Want more? Keir Starmer calls for de-escalation and defends his leadership over Iran attacks In defence of hand-wringers and pearl-clutchers Trump threatens to cut trade with ‘terrible’ Spain and calls Starmer ‘no Churchill’ Rachel Reeves faces hazardous fiscal picture even without Iran war UK to further curtail rights of asylum seekers Wealthy Dubai residents race back to UAE to avoid tax bills Clips from: BBC With Kevin Warsh nominated as the next Federal Reserve chair, join FT journalists on Thursday March 19 at 1pm (GMT) for an exclusive subscriber webinar exploring the future direction of the greenback, monetary policy and the global financial system. Register now for The Dollar under Trump at ft.com/trump-dollar and send us your questions. Sign up here for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award. Our email address is politicalfix@ft.com Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher and Bluesky; @lucyfisher.ft.com ;Robert: @robertshrimsley and @robertshrimsley.bsky.social; Sam @Sam1Fleming and Miranda: @greenmiranda and @greenmirandahere.bsky.social Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Clare Williamson and Laurence Knight. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix by Sean McGarrity. 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.

35 min
FEB 27

Green grief for Starmer: by-election special

The Gorton and Denton by-election was supposedly a three-horse race, but on polling day the Green Party stormed to victory by a vast margin. It was a devastating defeat for Labour, which was pushed into third place behind Reform UK. Sir Keir Starmer now faces intense pressure, while his party must battle a threat from the left as well as the right. Does this historic result – the first ever by-election triumph for the Greens – signal the end of the two-party system? And where does it leave Reform? Host Lucy Fisher is joined by FT political correspondent Anna Gross, northern England correspondent Jennifer Williams, and political editor George Parker. Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher and @lucyfisher.ft.com; George @georgewparker; Jennifer @JenWilliams_FT; Anna @AnnaSophieGross Sign up here for Stephen Bush’s morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insights into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free. Political Fix is presented by Lucy Fisher. This episode was produced by Fiona Symon and Mischa Frankl-Duval. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Our email address is politicalfix@ft.com Clip from BBC Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

32 min
FEB 20

Farage against the machine

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage unveiled his ‘shadow cabinet’ at a glitzy event in London this week, with a newly bespectacled Robert Jenrick announced as ‘shadow chancellor’. The event was a hit with Reform’s supporters in the room – but can the party appeal to a broader base? One clue as to Reform’s prospects: the by-election next week in Gorton and Denton. The Manchester seat – where Reform, Labour and the Greens are all vying for victory – is a crucial bellwether. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by FT political correspondent Anna Gross, UK chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley, and columnist and writer of the Inside Politics newsletter Stephen Bush. Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher and @lucyfisher.ft.com; Robert @robertshrimsley.bsky.social Stephen @stephenkb and @stephenkb.bsky.social; Anna @AnnaSophieGross and anna.gross@ft.com Want more? Perhaps we should all be banned from social media Concerns were raised with Cabinet Office before Antonia Romeo appointment Pupils’ special needs support to be reassessed at secondary school level The Conservatives’ foundational sin 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 Mischa Frankl-Duval. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Audio mix by Sean McGarrity. Original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Our email address is politicalfix@ft.com Clips from Reform UK and the Independent Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

37 min
FEB 13

Mandarin mayhem

After another torrid week for the prime minister, the focus has shifted from No 10 to Whitehall as the UK’s top civil servant is shown the door. Cabinet secretary Sir Chris Wormald had been in the job for less than 14 months, and his departure — following the resignations of Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff and communications director — has intensified questions about the PM’s judgment over key appointments. While Starmer’s cabinet appears to have rallied behind him in the short term, the impending release of further documents relating to Lord Peter Mandelson’s time as UK ambassador to the US looms large. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by the FT’s deputy opinion editor Miranda Green, columnist and writer of the Inside Politics newsletter Stephen Bush and public policy editor Chris Smyth. Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher and @lucyfisher.ft.com; Stephen @stephenkb and @stephenkb.bsky.social; Miranda @greenmiranda and @greenmirandahere.bsky.social; & Chris @Smyth_Chris and @chris-smyth.bsky.social Want more? Keir Starmer faces backlash over ousting of Britain’s top civil servant Political crises lead to ‘perma-purdah’ in Whitehall Westminster fears release of ‘embarrassing’ exchanges in Mandelson data dump Keir Starmer’s route to recovery The Labour Party has become devoid of purpose 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 Flo Phillips. Audio mix by Sean McGarrity. Original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Our email address is politicalfix@ft.com Clip from Channel 4 News Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

31 min

See All (582)

Lucy Fisher

Host
Sebastian Payne

Host
Robert Shrimsley

Guest
Miranda Green

Guest
Chris Smyth

Guest
Jim Pickard

Guest
Stephen Bush

Guest
George Parker

Guest
Sam Fleming

Guest
Jennifer Williams

Guest

4.6

out of 5

18 Ratings

Great podcast

2018-01-10

Cjrusk

Great level of analysis from a deep bench of commentators. Sebastian Payne is also a talented host and conversational facilitator.
Typical of weak, failing, irresponsible British journalism

2022-09-24

JennyJenkins10

I have listened to this podcast for over a year - a type of morbid fascination with how weak and risk-averse British journalism is. The country is in crisis. People will freeze and starve. Austerity has killed tens of thousands already. Journalism has a duty to the public and this podcast I’ll use the latest episode to describe what I mean by weak, failing and irresponsible. Kwasi Karteng hasn’t taken a “gamble” - this is the same blatant theft of public wealth and culling of the helpless and disabled that has gone on for a dozen years now, exacerbated by the worst Covid response in the world. There is nothing to analyze - except why this theft isn’t being punished. Perhaps this podcast provides the reason: journalistic commentary is so poor, lacking, weak, and cautious. There aren’t two sides to this rampant criminality - understand: more people will die. Families are in crisis. I will say the host is an engaging speaker. But this podcast is (subtle) journalistic malpractice. Not better or worse than the pablum you get out of any mainstream media in this country. Show some guts. Describe what is actually happening.
Good but...

2018-10-23

Wawanosh1

The sound is much quieter than on other podcasts I listen to and often I don’t hear everything when outside. Check out CBC podcasts which are much louder.

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 for more information.