Political Fix

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POLITIQUE
CHAQUE SEMAINE

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.

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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
6 FÉVR.

Mandelson, money - and the risk to the prime minister

Fresh revelations about Peter Mandelson’s relationship with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have sparked a political explosion in Westminster, reopening questions about Keir Starmer’s decision to return him to the heart of public life. Mandelson, the former UK ambassador to Washington, has resigned from the House of Lords and from the Labour Party, while a criminal investigation has been launched into allegations that he shared sensitive information with Epstein during his time as business secretary under Gordon Brown. Starmer has apologised for appointing Mandelson and pledged to publish the files relating to his vetting for the ambassadorship, but with pressure growing on his leadership, how can the prime minister and the Labour Party hope to move on? Host Lucy Fisher is joined by Jim Pickard, Stephen Bush and Ashley Armstrong to discuss the fallout. Follow the panel on Bluesky - Lucy @lucyfisher.ft.com; Jim @pickardje.bsky.social; and Stephen @stephenkb.bsky.social Want more? Free links: Keir Starmer apologises to victims of Jeffrey Epstein Pressure grows on Keir Starmer’s chief of staff over Peter Mandelson ambassador appointment Every doomed prime minister has a moment – this is Starmer’s Mandelson and the money that never sleeps Peter Mandelson leaked sensitive UK government tax plans to Jeffrey Epstein George Parker’s interview from 2025 – Peter Mandelson’s back: The Prince of Darkness returns 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, and produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. What did you think of this episode? Let us know at politicalfix@ft.com Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

34 min
30 JANV.

Chinese whispers — at home and abroad

Sir Keir Starmer is 5,000 miles away in China, meeting President Xi Jinping to drum up investment and deepen relations, but back on the home front the PM’s leadership looks increasingly beset. Manchester mayor Andy Burnham’s ambitions may have been thwarted for now, but the plotting continues in rival contenders’ camps. In a bid to wrestle back control of the agenda, the government is pressing on with fresh policy announcements. Meanwhile, the Tories have seen more MP defections to Reform, as senior centrist figures seek to drag the Conservatives away from the right. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by Political Fix regulars Jim Pickard, Jennifer Williams and Robert Shrimsley – plus George Parker is on the ground in Shanghai. Follow Lucy: @lucyfisher.ft.com or @LOS_Fisher; George: @georgewparker.bsky.social, or @GeorgeWParker; Robert: @robertshrimsley.bsky.social or @robertshrimsley, Jim: @pickardje.bsky.social or @PickardJE and Jennifer: @jenwilliamsft.bsky.social or @JenWilliamsMEN Want more? Donald Trump warns Keir Starmer against closer business ties with China China rolls out the red carpet for Keir Starmer Government plans to tighten scrutiny of Chinese influence in UK The prisoner of Downing Street Labour triggers early by-election to limit fallout from Andy Burnham row Reform UK picks Matt Goodwin for Gorton and Denton by-election UK government caps ground rents paid to freeholders 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. Political Fix is presented by Lucy Fisher. The producer is Clare Williamson and 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 from: Reuters Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

37 min
23 JANV.

When the ‘special relationship’ isn’t so special

From ‘brilliant ally’ to ‘weak and stupid’ within the same paragraph, it’s hard to know how to handle the impulsive outbursts from America’s 47th President. And yet, this is the position in which the British prime minister found himself this week as he stood firm in the face of Donald Trump’s threats to Greenland. Some back channel diplomacy in Davos helped put US European relations back on an even keel but it’s clear the so-called ‘special relationship’ is under strain. So where does Keir Starmer turn now? Does he stick with the decades-old transatlantic alliance, does he push for more European integration, or does he look further afield to China? To discuss this and more, political editor George Parker is joined by Whitehall editor Lucy Fisher, columnist and writer of the ‘Inside Politics’ newsletter Stephen Bush, and the FT’s foreign editor Alec Russell. Follow: George on X @GeorgeWParker or Bluesky: @georgewparker.bsky.social, Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.com; Stephen: @stephenkb @stephenkb.bsky.social & Alec Russel on X:https://x.com/alecurussell Want more? UK ‘will not yield’ on Greenland, Keir Starmer warns Donald Trump Trump’s Davos rant should alarm Starmer ‘Thank you Tony’: Blair’s ‘Board of Peace’ role prompts Trump praise and Westminster anger Westminster ‘riding it out’ is not a strategy for UK-US relations Flatter or confront? How world leaders are dealing with Trump And 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 analysis. Get 30 days free Political Fix was presented by George Parker and produced by Clare Williamson. Flo Phillips is the executive producer. Sound engineering by Breen Turner. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s global head of audio. Clip from Channel 4 What did you think of this episode? Let us know at: politicalfix@ft.com Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

35 min
16 JANV.

Disloyalty and defection: the Tory-Reform psychodrama

First he was pushed and then he jumped: high drama at Westminster after Kemi Badenoch sacked her rival for the Tory leadership Robert Jenrick - his crime was plotting a defection to Reform UK. Hours later, Jenrick appeared at Nigel Farage's side, branding his former party "rotten". Did Badenoch’s decisive action help the Tory recovery plan? Which party is left weaker and which stronger in the fight for the right - could this, the most significant defection so far, further fuel Farage’s claim that the Conservative Party’s days are numbered? Deputy opinion editor Miranda Green hosts a discussion about the ‘psychodrama’ that has rocked Westminster this week with the FT’s deputy political editor Jim Pickard, columnist and writer of the ‘Inside Politics’ newsletter Stephen Bush, and FT’s chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley. Follow Miranda, Jim, Stephen & Robert Want more? Betrayal, plots and a mole who derailed Jenrick’s defection to Reform Robert Jenrick joins Reform UK after being sacked from Tory shadow cabinet Jenrick’s sacking is both threat and opportunity for Badenoch Lunch with the FT Robert Jenrick: ‘I’m unashamedly provincial in my attitudes’ Latest U-turn raises renewed questions over Keir Starmer’s judgment And sign up for Stephen'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 Political Fix was presented by Miranda Green, and produced by Julia Webster. Flo Phillips is the executive producer. Sound engineering by Breen Turner. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s global head of audio. Clips from BBC, X What did you think of this episode? Let us know at: politicalfix@ft.com Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

35 min
9 JANV.

Trump trouble: Starmer's tricky start to 2026

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had wanted to kick off the new year with a strong domestic start, tackling the cost of living crisis head on, in the hopes of improving his dire poll ratings. Instead, he has found himself firefighting on the international front, trying to navigate Donald Trump’s foreign policy frenzy. How will Starmer manage his ‘special relationship’ with the US president in light of recent events? Where do Trump’s latest actions leave Nato, especially with regard to Ukraine? And what does all this global uncertainty mean for the Labour leader’s agenda at home? Host George Parker discusses the balancing act facing the government with the FT’s deputy opinion editor Miranda Green, chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley and acting Whitehall correspondent David Sheppard. Follow George, Miranda, Robert & David Want more? Strategic supplication is Europe’s only Trump policy France and UK commit to deploying troops under proposed Ukraine peace deal UK armed forces warn of £28bn defence funding shortfall Greenland’s future must be decided by island and Denmark, Starmer warns Trump ‘Not in my name’: Labour’s new towns battle And 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. Political Fix was presented by George Parker, and produced by Lulu Smyth and Julia Webster. Flo Phillips is the executive producer. Sound engineering by Simon Panayi. Manuela Saragosa is the FT’s acting co-head of audio. What did you think of this episode? Let us know at politicalfix@ft.com Clip from UK Parliament Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

34 min
2 JANV.

Swamp Notes: Is the US economy really K-shaped?

Imagine a graph with one line going up over time. Below it, another line does just the opposite. It kind of looks like the letter K. On the FT's Swamp Notes podcast, Claire Jones and Rob Armstrong break down why people are saying that letter represents the state of the economy and what it means for the White House. Mentioned in this podcast: Does the K-shaped economy theory even make sense? Email Marc with your questions (Marc.Filippino@FT.com) Sign up for the FT’s Swamp Notes newsletter here This is a repeat of an episode published on Swamp Notes, a sister podcast of Political Fix, on Nov. 28, 2025. Follow the Swamp Notes podcast to hear more. Swamp Notes is hosted by Marc Filippino, and produced by Henry Larson. This week’s show was mixed by Sam Giovinco. The FT’s acting co- head of audio is Topher Forhecz. Special thanks to Pierre Nicholson. The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts. CREDIT: Bloomberg, PBS, CNN Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

19 min
19/12/2025

Quizmas special: Political Fix’s 2025 nerd-out!

Can you name all the Labour frontbenchers who resigned or were sacked during the past year? Why was Peter Mandelson delayed from returning to the UK after being sacked as US ambassador? And who will be crowned Political Fix’s Wonk-in-Chief? Find out as host George Parker puts the entire podcast panel - Miranda Green, Stephen Bush, Robert Shrimsley, Jim Pickard and Anna Gross - through their paces in this big, fat, fiendishly difficult end-of-year quiz. The panellists also highlight their most memorable moment of 2025 and unveil their wildest predictions for the year ahead. Plus, discover who scooped all the chocolate coins in the studio to win the annual Political Fix stockpicks portfolio prize. Political Fix has been nominated for a People’s Choice Award at the Political Podcast Awards. Vote for us here. Follow the panel on Bluesky - George @georgewparker.bsky.social; Miranda @greenmirandahere.bsky.social; Jim @pickardje.bsky.social; Robert @robertshrimsley.bsky.social and Stephen @stephenkb.bsky.social Political Fix is presented by George Parker, and produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Manuela Saragosa. Our video engineers are Bianca Wakeman and Andrew Georgiades. What did you think of this episode and Political Fix this year? Let us know at politicalfix@ft.com Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

50 min

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Lucy Fisher

Animation
Sebastian Payne

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Jim Pickard

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Stephen Bush

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Robert Shrimsley

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Sam Fleming

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Katie Martin

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Claer Barrett

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Stuart Kirk

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Tej Parikh

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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.