Electoral Dysfunction

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Political powerhouses Beth Rigby, Ruth Davidson and Harriet Harman unite to unravel the spin and explain what’s really going on in Westminster and beyond. Every episode, they will examine politicians, what they stand for, what they say and what they might really mean. They will work out which politicians are coming out on top and who is having an Electoral Dysfunction. WhatsApp - 07934 200444

14 HR AGO

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor: Is anyone truly above the law?

Andrew – formerly known as Prince – was arrested whilst Harriet and Ruth were in the middle of answering your questions from the Burner Phone for a half term special whilst Beth is away during political recess on her holidays. So in this episode, they react to the extraordinary news that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested (and later released under investigation) on suspicion of misconduct in public office and discuss what it means for the rule of law. Later, they tackle questions on the government's latest U-turn over postponed local elections, and whether Reform UK is facing proper scrutiny over the Equality Act. Plus, as Keir Starmer appoints the first woman head of the civil service, they ask why female public figures still face misogyny. And with major Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) reforms expected next week, Harriet and Ruth hear from parents who fear change could make a broken system worse, not better. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has always denied any wrongdoing. Responding to Harriet's comments about Reform, a Reform UK spokesman said: "Unlike Harriet, we don't need a pink bus to attract women to our party. "Reform has high-profile women throughout our cabinet and senior women in our party staff, unlike Starmer." And on the Equality Act, the spokesman added: "Reform UK remains committed to supporting workplace protections against discrimination. No one should be treated unfairly because of their sex, race, if they are pregnant or have a disability. "That's why we will introduce a new 'Workplace Fairness Act' to replace the Equality Act and ensure workplace protections are maintained whilst also re-asserting the rights of individuals rather than groups under the law. "The Equality Act has been damaging to our economy, our society, and the way government works. It has unleashed the burdensome and unfair DEI culture that plagues workspaces and has enforced discrimination and equality of outcome. "This has led to the unacceptable situation of unfair recruitment policies, positive discrimination and anti-white working-class bias, pitting different groups against each other and dividing our country." Got a question for the burner phone? WhatsApp 07934 200 444 or email electoraldysfunction@sky.uk. And if you didn't know, you can also watch Beth, Ruth and Harriet on YouTube.

37 min
13 FEB

Is a ‘boys’ club’ undermining Starmer’s government?

The Prime Minister has just about made it to Friday... but the crises keep coming. So is Downing Street a “boys’ club”? And how did two senior Labour figures with links to convicted paedophiles pass vetting? Beth, Ruth and Harriet lift the lid on the weekend that led to Morgan McSweeney’s sudden resignation, revealing the three options that were on the table. So now he has two women interim chiefs of staff – are claims that there’s a boys’ club in Downing Street valid? The ladies answer a listener question about whether women are being pushed onto a “glass cliff” just when everything’s going wrong. Plus, Harriet explains what “structural misogyny” looks like in practice, why it matters for decision-making, and the proposal she’s putting directly to the PM: creating a First Secretary of State to drive culture change across government. And as the Mandelson fallout continues, there’s fresh questions over another vetting failure - Matthew Doyle’s peerage. A source close to the prime minister rejected suggestions of a "boys' club" in Downing Street, saying there were a number of "highly qualified and capable women that work in Number 10" including cabinet ministers and special advisers "across the whole government who are often forgotten in all of this". Got a question for the burner phone? WhatsApp 07934 200 444 or email electoraldysfunction@sky.uk And if you didn't know, you can also watch Beth, Ruth and Harriet on YouTube.

42 min
9 FEB

EXTRA: Wes Streeting on his friendship with Peter Mandelson

Health Secretary Wes Streeting speaks exclusively to Beth as pressure on the Prime Minister to resign continues to rise. Streeting tells Beth that people should “give Keir a chance” after he claimed it “has not been the best week for the government”, and recognises there is a “febrile” atmosphere. It comes after a weekend of briefing around how Wes Streeting is connected to Peter Mandelson over the weekend – and in this podcast, Wes Streeting exclusively reveals his Whatsapp messages with Beth, over the period that Mandelson was ambassador in Washington. But is he at risk of suffering from ‘revisionism’? Harriet thinks commentators need to be careful when remembering what went on with Peter Mandelson. Plus – how much weight does Scottish Labour Leader Anas Sarwar’s comments have? He's called on Starmer to resign today, saying that “the situation in Downing Street is not good enough”. We’ll be back on Friday with our usual weekly episode.

40 min
6 FEB

Can Starmer survive the Mandelson scandal?

Keir Starmer is fighting for his career amid one of the biggest political scandals of the century. Harriet thinks the prime minister could be brought down after he appointed Peter Mandelson as the US ambassador, despite knowing about his friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. So can Starmer find the strength to turn a corner, reset his whole team and admit he was wrong? Or is it too late? Harriet thinks his tone this week made him look "gullible and naive". And what does the whole fiasco say about politics and the establishment as a whole? Beth, Ruth and Harriet explain how Peter Mandelson created a network of people he relied upon in politics and the media. Peter Mandelson denies any wrongdoing and has apologised to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein. You can WhatsApp the podcast at 07934 200 444 or email electoraldysfunction@sky.uk. And if you didn't know, you can also watch Beth, Ruth and Harriet on YouTube.

52 min
30 JAN

What does Starmer really want from China?

Beth joins the Prime Minister on his historic trip to China, where he has met the country's president Xi Jinping. It’s a trip that has sparked debate back in the UK, amid worries over espionage and security. But has it helped reset relations? And what does Starmer really hope to achieve from his visit? Beth, Harriet and Ruth discuss. Plus, Beth brings us all the behind-the-scenes gossip from the trip - including what it was like on the PM’s plane and what gift Starmer bought for Xi. Meanwhile, back in the UK, listeners have been sending in their questions about the recent Conservative defections to Reform UK. Has Nigel Farage managed to quieten his critics, now his party includes experience of government? And with the Tory right increasingly jumping ship, how has Kemi Badenoch handled the growing number of defections? Harriet and Ruth tackle your questions. You can WhatsApp the podcast at 07934 200 444 or email electoraldysfunction@sky.uk. And if you didn't know, you can also watch Beth, Ruth and Harriet on YouTube.

35 min
26 JAN

EXTRA: Why Andy Burnham was blocked by Keir Starmer

Andy Burnham came across as "entitled", according to Harriet Harman, when he went on social media after Keir Starmer blocked him from standing in the Gorton and Denton by-election. So what actually happened behind the scenes? This mini episode is your quick guide to the political chaos of the past 48 hours. Why did Mr Burnham try to get back into parliament and why did Labour’s leadership move to stop him? What does it mean for Starmer's authority, the looming by-election, and Labour's battle with Reform? Plus, as we go into the studio to record, there's another major Conservative defection - former home secretary Suella Braverman - to Reform. What's going on in the Conservative Party? And do Ruth Davidson and Andy Street have the answer? You can WhatsApp the podcast at 07934 200 444 or email electoraldysfunction@sky.uk. Remember, you can also watch Beth, Harriet and Ruth on YouTube.

23 min
23 JAN

Is this the end of social media for teenagers?

Should social media be banned for under 16s? After a dramatic vote in the House of Lords, Beth, Harriet and Ruth dig into what a ban would really mean and what impact it will have on young people, and they hear from some of them. And on the world stage, Donald Trump’s threats over Greenland and tariffs have rattled allies and forced an uncomfortable reckoning about the strength of the transatlantic relationship. With Davos dominated by power plays and a hard-hitting speech from Canada’s Mark Carney, the trio ask whether the rules-based world order is already breaking, and where that leaves Britain. You can WhatsApp the podcast at 07934 200 444 or email electoraldysfunction@sky.uk. Remember, you can also watch Beth, Harriet and Ruth on YouTube.

39 min
16 JAN

Jenrick joins Reform – is it a boost for Nigel Farage or Kemi Badenoch?

Robert Jenrick joins Reform and becomes the party’s second big name defection from the Tories in days – after former Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi jumped ship earlier in the week. So is this a big blow to Kemi Badenoch? Beth, Ruth and Harriet think she’s come out of it all pretty well after dramatically sacking her former leadership rival before he could jump ship. How much will the Tories miss Jenrick? And how will he get on working with Nigel Farage, his new leader? The ladies look back at some of Farage’s past comments about Jenrick. You can WhatsApp the podcast at 07934 200 444 or email electoraldysfunction@sky.uk. And if you didn't know, you can also watch Beth, Harriet and Ruth on YouTube.

38 min

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TRAILER

Electoral Dysfunction: How do you get politics and people to connect?

With polls suggesting trust in politicians is low, three political powerhouses unite to unravel the spin and explain what’s really going on in Westminster and beyond. Every week, they will examine our political leaders and their policies – how they’re written, and how they’re sold to voters – as we prepare for a general election.  With so much at stake, they will work out which politicians are coming out on top and who is having an Electoral Dysfunction – and what it all actually means for you. Starting on Friday March 1st 2024. Email us: electoraldysfunction@sky.uk

06/02/2024

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2 min

Beth Rigby

Host
Harriet Harman

Host
Ruth Davidson

Host
Wes Streeting

Guest
Nick Clegg

Guest
Michael Gove

Guest

Political powerhouses Beth Rigby, Ruth Davidson and Harriet Harman unite to unravel the spin and explain what’s really going on in Westminster and beyond. Every episode, they will examine politicians, what they stand for, what they say and what they might really mean. They will work out which politicians are coming out on top and who is having an Electoral Dysfunction. WhatsApp - 07934 200444