The News Agents The News Agents

Is it sexist to call Kamala by her first name? What happens to the election if Trump loses? Who’s the best president America never had? 
After a full on crazy week in America we answer your questions.
Editor: Tom Hughes
Producers: Natalie Indge & Zeynel Can Yuce
Digital Editor: Michaela Walters
Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell
Video Production: Shane Fennelly
You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"
The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/
https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

It was an act of supreme selflessness. And one of utmost urgency. Joe Biden acknowledged both things in his speech to the nation last night confirming he wouldn’t seek re-election. His rhetoric was rousing. But his speech faltering. He confirmed for many why he had to go, and left questions as to what happens in this final stretch of his presidency.
Later, why are some Labour candidates accusing the Independent “pro Gaza“ MPs of running “toxic” electoral campaigns?
In response to our interview with Heather Iqbal, The Workers Party said:
"The Workers Party was closely associated with a number of Independent candidates who stood on a platform opposed to the genocide unfolding in Gaza. Our candidates and those with whom we were most closely associated polled a quarter of a million votes.
In Manchester our supporters were the victim of a hit and run attack in May, during the general election in Littleborough a female campaigner of ours was assaulted outside the polling station and in Birmingham masked men attacked our canvassers with machetes and bats in Sutton Coldfield. No other party receieved this sort of violent harassment. All cases are reported in local and national media if you Google them, and all were caught on CCTV."
Editor: Tom Hughes
Producers: Natalie Indge & Zeynel Can Yuce
Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell
Digital Editor: Michaela Walters
Video Production: Shane Fennelly
You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"
The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/
https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Keir Starmer has faced down his first rebellion by removing the whip from 7 Labour rebels who voted with the SNP to end the cap on child benefits for families of more than two children.
Did Starmer overreact? Or does it look decisive? And is this really the policy he wants to hold out on? A decade old policy of Osborne austerity.
We speak directly to one of the rebels who lost the whip and ask what happens now.
Editor: Tom Hughes
Producers: Natalie Indge & Zeynel Can Yuce
Digital Editor: Michaela Walters
Video Production: Shane Fennelly
You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"
The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/
https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Kamala Harris raised a hundred million dollars in the day and a half since Joe Biden announced he wouldn't be standing for re-election.
She has now passed the delegate threshold to stand as the candidate - and as we record no one else has thrown their name into the ring.
Republicans are meanwhile having to accommodate the new reality of having the oldest candidate in the race.
Later, we look at the UK broadcasting landscape with Ofcom regulator Melanie Dawes. Does Ofcom have teeth? And will it use them?
Editor: Tom Hughes
Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus
Producer: Natalie Indge
Video Production: Shane Fennelly
You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"
The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/
https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

There is a dizziness to American politics right now - Vice President Kamal Harris raised 49 million dollars in the first twelve hours following Joe Biden's announcement that he would exit the race.
She spent ten hours hitting the phones to garner Democratic support and is insisting she must 'earn' the votes of the delegates. But is the race already sewn up? Or might other candidates throw their names in the mix? And how well do we really know the figure who could be America's first female president?
We talk to Ambassador Tony Gardner - a man right at the centre of the Democrats presidential campaigns, and to our leading historian Simon Schama - about the legacy Biden will leave and what this moment means for America.
Editor: Tom Hughes
Producer: Natalie Indge
Video Production: Shane Fennelly
You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"
The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/
https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Chaos reigns in the Democratic party. In a virtually unprecedented move President Joe Biden has stepped aside from the presidential race weeks before he was due to become the Democrats’ candidate at their national convention in Chicago.
Biden has endorsed his VP Kamala Harris. But is she assured of the crown?
In a hastily assembled emergency podcast Jon, Emily and Lewis discuss the implications for the Dems, the election and the rest of the world.
Editor: Tom Hughes
Video Production: Shane Fennelly
You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"
The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/
https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents