The Today Podcast BBC Radio 4

Less than a day after calling the general election, Rishi Sunak kicked off his campaign with a set-piece interview with Nick on Today.

Amol and Nick explore what clues it provides for the coming campaign – and Nick talks though his interview strategy.

Also, with inflation now down to 2.3% we bring together two of the leading economic thinkers from the left and the right to talk tax-and-spend: Kate Bell, assistant general secretary of the TUC, and Robert Colvile, director of centre-right think tank the Centre for Policy Studies.
Plus, comedian Angela Barnes shares her moment of the week.

Episodes of The Today Podcast usually land on Thursdays. Subscribe on BBC Sounds to get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories of the week, with insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme. If you would like a question answering, get in touch by sending us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.uk

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the UK’s most influential radio news programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

The senior producer is Tom Smithard, the producers are Hatty Nash and Joe Wilkinson. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Daffyd Evans and digital production from Elliot Ryder.

The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has called an election on July 4th. But why did he choose today to do it and what can we expect in the coming weeks?
Amol and Nick consider the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s calculation on an announcement that took both of them by surprise.
Episodes of The Today Podcast usually land on Thursdays. Subscribe on BBC Sounds to get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories of the week, with insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme. If you would like a question answering, get in touch by sending us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.uk
The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the UK’s most influential radio news programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.
The senior producer is Tom Smithard, the producers are Hatty Nash and Joe Wilkinson. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Daffyd Evans.

In a week in which Keir Starmer outlines his six ‘first steps for change’ (just don’t call it a pledge card), Amol and Nick look into what defines the Labour leader’s mission – and how left wing he really is.
Labour insider and author of Starmer’s latest biography, Tom Baldwin, gives Amol and Nick a behind-the-scenes look into what Keir Starmer is really like and how his working class background has shaped his political beliefs.
Zarah Sultana, a leading light among Labour’s socialist MPs, gives her take on whether the left of the party are convinced by Starmerism.
And Susie Dent leaves Countdown’s dictionary corner to join Amol and Nick in the studio with some words that best define the Labour leader – and shares her moment of the week.
Episodes of The Today Podcast land every Thursday and watch out for bonus episodes. Subscribe on BBC Sounds to get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories of the week, with insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme. If you would like a question answering, get in touch by sending us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.uk
The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the UK’s most influential radio news programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.
The senior producer is Tom Smithard, the producers are Hatty Nash and Joe Wilkinson. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Hannah Montgomery and digital production from Elliot Ryder.

Amol asks what the local elections results really tell us about what might happen in a general election and why so many Britons feel skint.
Pollster James Kanagasooriam is back in The Today Podcast studio to give his verdict on whether the local election results point to a Labour majority at the general election or a hung parliament.
In a week where Britain could come out of a recession Amol asks whether an improving economic picture may pay political dividends in the general election. Torsten Bell, chief executive of the Resolution Foundation - a think tank focusing on people on lower incomes – explains why so many millennials are still feeling the pinch.
And retail guru Mary Portas joins Amol to give her thoughts on how the high street has been affected by Britain’s struggling economy – and shares her moment of the week.
Episodes of The Today Podcast land every Thursday and watch out for bonus episodes. Subscribe on BBC Sounds to get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories of the week, with insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme. If you would like a question answering, get in touch by sending us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.uk
The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the UK’s most influential radio news programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.
The senior producer is Tom Smithard, the producers are Hazel Morgan and Joe Wilkinson. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Mike Regaard and digital production from Elliot Ryder.
Note: this podcast has been re-edited.

Today: Your Election is all about giving Today listeners across the UK the chance to suggest a story for the team to look into in this election year.
Working with our producers, listeners will have the chance to input ideas, bringing new perspectives and voices to the programme.
In this special episode of The Today Podcast Amol and Nick share their advice on how to make your team's idea stand out.
Groups of between two and six people can apply. If your team is chosen you will work with Today programme producers to turn your idea into a piece of reporting or a discussion that will feature as a segment on the programme.
Apply online:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5MlZ9zzXc12dl8vHLmbdzxl/today-your-election
On our website you will also find privacy notices and the terms and conditions. The deadline to apply is the 31st May 2024 at 11:59pm.

As votes the continue to be counted Amol and Nick give their take on where the election results leave both the Tories and Labour.
Pollster James Kanagasooriam, chief research officer with Focal Data who sits on the board of centre-right think tank Onward, is back with some expert analysis.
And find out how you can come along to a special recording of The Today Podcast: Live!
Regular episodes of The Today Podcast land on Thursdays. Subscribe on BBC Sounds to get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories of the week, with insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme.
If you would like a question answering, get in touch by sending us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.uk
The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the UK’s most influential radio news programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.
The senior producer is Tom Smithard, the producers are Hazel Morgan and Joe Wilkinson. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Hannah Montgomery and digital production from Elliot Ryder.