Politics Weekly UK

4.0 (1.1K)
POLITICS
UPDATED TWICE WEEKLY

Guardian columnist John Harris, political editor Pippa Crerar, and policy editor Kiran Stacey analyse the week's politics news

22 HR AGO

The chancellor’s impossible choice: economic necessity or political disaster?

John Harris speaks to the Guardian’s economics editor, Heather Stewart, about the unenviable choice facing Rachel Reeves. What price will she pay if she raises the basic rate of income tax for the first time in half a century? Meanwhile, has language and policy that would once have been confined to the far-right fringe entered mainstream politics? Sunder Katwala, the director of the thinktank British Future, joins John to discuss whether racist rhetoric can be pushed back to the margins Send your thoughts and questions to politicsweeklyuk@theguardian.com. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

36 min
3 DAYS AGO

What does Faragenomics look like?

Nigel Farage promised to set out his fiscal stall in a major speech in the City of London, but what did he actually say? Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss Farage’s retreat from its election promise to cut £90bn of taxes, his failure to commit to the pensions triple lock and his desire to woo the wealthy. Meanwhile, Rachel Reeves continues to labour on the autumn budget. What’s going on behind the scenes? Send your thoughts and questions to politicsweeklyuk@theguardian.com. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

26 min
30 OCT

‘The centre cannot hold’: John Curtice on the collapse of two-party politics

No one likes being unpopular, so you could forgive both of the UK’s main political parties for wanting to look away when another damning poll dropped this week. Support for both parties has never been so low at the same time, the Green party is seeing record support and Reform UK continues to top the popularity contest. Does recent polling really suggest the end of the two-party hegemony? King of the pollsters John Curtice helps Politics Weekly UK read the runes. And, in the run-up to the budget next month, Keir Starmer has given the strongest indication yet that tax rises may be on the way, while immigration dominates headlines and the escaped sex offender whose case sparked protests at the Bell hotel in Epping is sent back to Ethiopia – with £500 in his back pocket. Pippa Crerar is joined by the Guardian columnist Gaby Hinsliff to discuss the government’s game of immigration whack-a-mole and the consequences Labour could face if it breaks its manifesto pledge not to raise key taxes.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

34 min
27 OCT

Immigration system in crisis: sky-high hotel bills and a convict on the loose

Another week, another immigration crisis. A powerful parliamentary committee has accused the Home Office – for this government and the last – of squandering billions of pounds on asylum accommodation and overseeing a ‘failed, chaotic and expensive’ system. The report came days after the barely believable revelation that the convicted sex offender whose case sparked protests at the Bell hotel in Epping was accidentally let out of prison on Friday instead of being deported. He is now back in custody. Pippa Crerar and Eleni Courea discuss the ongoing firefighting at the Home Office and its impact on the public consciousness. Plus, what now for Labour after a crushing defeat in Caerphilly and the election of its new deputy leader, Lucy Powell? Finally, we go back to the China spy row – will this be the week the mystery is cracked open? • Send your thoughts and questions to politicsweeklyuk@theguardian.com. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

26 min
22 OCT

Labour collapse in Caerphilly: the byelection that points to the future of UK politics

Labour’s electoral dominance in Caerphilly, deep in the party’s Welsh heartlands, has collapsed while Reform UK and Plaid Cymru have hoovered up votes. On a visit to the south Rhymney Valley ahead of a historic byelection, John Harris finds a polarised community, reminiscent of the final days of the European referendum contest. Kiran Stacey joins him to discuss the significance of the Caerphilly byelection, how it is being fought on the ground and online, and what it tells us about the future of UK politics. Plus, we look at problems facing the grooming gangs inquiry as a fourth survivor quits and the prime minister brings in the trusted trouble-shooter Louise Casey to try to shore up the process. And finally, Labour’s deputy leadership contest comes to a close … at last • Send your thoughts and questions to politicsweeklyuk@theguardian.com. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

32 min
20 OCT

The budget, the black hole and the Brexit blame game

Rachel Reeves is facing difficult choices before her second budget next month and has been busy preparing the ground. In a significant shift in the government’s narrative, Reeves has – at last – stressed the long-term damage done to the UK economy by Brexit. Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss the options available to the chancellor and whether the pivot to blaming Brexit will convince the public. Plus, what a foul-mouthed meeting tells us about Reform, why the imminent result of Labour’s deputy leader contest matters, and what parliament can do about Prince Andrew. Send your thoughts and questions to politicsweeklyuk@theguardian.com. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

28 min
15 OCT

Trump’s fragile ceasefire plan: what next for Gaza?

As the Gaza ceasefire continues to hold, what road lies ahead in the peace process? John Harris speaks to the Guardian’s diplomatic editor, Patrick Wintour. Plus, what is at the heart of the Chinese spying case row? Why has Rachel Reeves changed her tone when it comes to Brexit? What’s behind the Green party’s surge in membership? And should Labour follow Zack Polanski’s lead in taking the fight to Reform? Kiran Stacey joins Harris to discuss. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

34 min
13 OCT

Gaza ceasefire: what is the UK’s role?

All eyes are on the Middle East where there have been emotional scenes in Israel as hostages were released, while tens of thousands of Palestinians are able to return to the ruins of their homes in Gaza. As global leaders, including Donald Trump and Keir Starmer, meet for a peace summit, Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss the UK’s role in securing the ceasefire and in the next phases of the peace plan. Plus, what has Tony Blair’s contribution been to the ceasefire, and what part could he play in future? -- Send your thoughts and questions to politicsweeklyuk@theguardian.com. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

25 min

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John Harris

Host
Jonathan Freedland

Host
Kiran Stacey

Guest

4

out of 5

1,141 Ratings

Grauniad-smug but highly credible

20 Oct

abitsmith

I am often annoyed by this show, but I do give them credit for knowing their onions. I find John Harris appealing though he gives more time than I would to the ignorant opinions of vote-fodder on the streets. I wish he would give more time to the Greens, because I need to understand why they and Reform are mistaken, if so they are, and I would trust John Harris to tell me.
If you like…

1 May

Fullerton42

…the sound of hearing John Harris repeatedly interviewing a bunch of ignorant, bigoted pensioners who happen to be wandering around a high street during a weekday morning, and never challenging their ill informed opinions, then this show is for you. The studio shows are great, but for the love of god, lose the vox pops before I wear out my fast forward button.
A platform for bigotry?

8 Sept

Tabieth

I should love this podcast, I read the Guardian, I’m a liberal-leftie and I love politics podcasts. But…. I enjoy the studio discussions and find them interesting. But I loathe, loathe, loathe the vox pops. I am really not interested in John Harris vox popping the most bigoted, ignorant people he can find. It’s an unpleasant listen having to hear racist and xenophobic views platformed with not even a gentle challenge or push back. There are far better politics podcasts out there. Lose the vox pops and this pod would get a four or five star review.
Reform conference

7 Sept

Tom Walton Temmy

The last episode where John goes back to anywhere but Westminster mode interviewing brummies was brilliant. Something only John really does in the podcast genre.