Political Currency

Persephonica
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Political Currency

Ed Balls and George Osborne take us behind closed doors into the rooms where decisions are made. Having battled it out across the despatch box, the former Chancellor and shadow chancellor now meet in the studio to discuss the decisions that affect the nation’s pockets. Our frenemies have the knowledge and experience to explain how good politics follows the economics - and expose how the powerful become powerless when faced with market forces and political currents they can’t control. Join us every Thursday. Send your messages or voice notes to questions@politicalcurrency.co.uk Find us on social media @polcurrency Political Currency is a Persephonica production. Subscribe now on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Inside The Room: The Scottish Independence Referendum (Part 1: The vote is granted)

    6 HR AGO

    Inside The Room: The Scottish Independence Referendum (Part 1: The vote is granted)

    A decade ago, the Scottish people went to the polls for a referendum vote to make a choice: should the country break free of the United Kingdom? Ultimately, they voted to stay by a resounding margin – crushing the hopes of the Scottish National Party and soothing the fears of the British government of the day. But the issue of Independence continues to divide, and in this special miniseries, George Osborne and Ed Balls are joined by the former First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon to take a fresh, forensic look at the forces, decisions and party politics that drove the independence movement.  In this first of three episodes, Nicola, Ed and George walk through the key moments leading up to David Cameron’s decision to grant Holyrood the referendum vote. What was the focus of the conversations in Downing Street? George explains why he wanted to call the nationalists’ bluff and catch them off guard. And what advice did Gordon Brown provide – that Nicola says was ignored – to keep the United Kingdom intact? Parts 2 and 3 of 'Inside The Room: The Scottish Independence Referendum' are available to listen to NOW for subscribers to Political Currency Gold. POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 Become a member of Political Currency Gold to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes, receive early access to EMQs and Inside The Room, and more.  Subscribe now: patreon.com/PoliticalCurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrency Producers: Rosie Stopher and John Rogers Technical Producer: Oliver Geraghty Production Support: Miriam Hall Executive Producers: Ellie Clifford and Dino Sofos Archive: BBC News, EuroNews and Sky News. Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Subscribe now on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    33 min

  2. 3 DAYS AGO

    John Prescott: The punchy political powerhouse we knew

    Former deputy prime minister John Prescott died yesterday at the age of 86. Often described as a ‘political bruiser’, Ed Balls and George Osborne remember Prescott differently: as a policy powerhouse and as a skilled negotiator between Blair and Brown. Does a comparable player exist in today’s Labour government? And, Ed recalls the moment he was involved in a car chase with ‘Two Jags’ himself. With the assisted dying bill facing a second reading next week, the pair consider whether it will pass or be voted down. Is the issue set to be off the agenda for a generation, or could Starmer rescue the bill? Plus: the Budget may not have fallen apart, but with Scottish Labour sending different messages, farmers (and Jeremy Clarkson) on the march and mortgage rates rising, we take a look at its political impact. Are any u-turns on the horizon? Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes and receive early access to EMQs. Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrency Production support: Caillin McDaid Technical Producer: Oliver Geraghty Producers: Miriam Hall, Rosie Stopher and James Shield Executive Producers: Ellie Clifford Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Subscribe now on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    50 min
  3. EMQs: Will the government support British farmers?

    18 NOV

    EMQs: Will the government support British farmers?

    With incensed British farmers set to descend on London in protest to the government’s new rules on inheritance tax for agricultural property, Ed Balls and George Osborne consider the likelihood of the Treasury reversing course. What made George change his mind on the so-called “pasty tax” in 2012 - and will Rachel Reeves consider a similar u-turn?  This past week marked a special anniversary – the day George thought the UK would go to the polls. Should Rishi Sunak have let his run go a little longer? Author and journalist Tim Shipman, who has examined the issue of Sunak’s timing in his latest book Out: How Brexit Got Done and the Tories Were Undone asks George and Ed their view on when the Tories should’ve called the election. They also consider: does Donald Trump’s election, and his love of protectionist policies, make the idea of the UK joining the European Union Customs Union more justifiable?  And… exactly what is Gerrymandering? Professors Balls and Osborne are here to explain.  You could have been listening to this episode of EMQs early and ad-free! Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes and receive early access to EMQs. Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrency Production support: Caillin McDaid Producer: Rosie Stopher, James Shield and Miriam Hall  Executive Producers: Ellie Clifford Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Subscribe now on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    36 min

  4. 14 NOV

    Who should be the UK’s ambassador to Trumpworld?

    The second era of Trump is a little over a week old, and the president-elect is making waves with his cabinet appointments. An attorney general who has been investigated by the House ethics committee for sexual misconduct allegations (which he vehemently denies)? Welcome, Matt Gaetz. Trump’s pick for defence secretary? Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host who’s a proponent of American-made ammo. George Osborne and Ed Balls consider what the spillover will be for the UK. Will the recently cooked-up Chagos Islands deal get messy? And will Britain find itself more exposed to America than the US itself when it comes to the economic fallout? And while Nigel Farage still appears to be jostling to become UK ambassador to the US, Peter Mandelson is strongly tipped for the job. Do unusual times call for an ambassador with a little ‘British allure’? Back home, and the Labour government has increased tuition fees for the first time since 2017. With that, and the cut in the winter fuel payment, George says he’s really starting to get on board with the Starmer government… Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes and receive early access to EMQs. Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrency Production support: Caillin McDaid Technical Producer: Oliver Geraghty Producers: Miriam Hall, Rosie Stopher and James Shield Executive Producers: Ellie Clifford Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Subscribe now on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    55 min
  5. EMQs: Is there a silver lining in Trump?

    11 NOV

    EMQs: Is there a silver lining in Trump?

    Donald Trump’s return has provoked days of soul searching among Democratic voters. But the pollster with one of the most accurate predictions of the outcome, James Johnson of JL Partners, has asked George Osborne and Ed Balls to shake off the gloom and consider any positives. Is there a silver lining in a second Trump presidency? George has some ideas, while Ed is struggling…  Votebeat editorial director Jessica Huseman asks: does the world see the US as an international example of democracy any more? Did it ever?  And Susanna Reid from Good Morning Britain has rung in to ask what Trump’s re-election tells us about what voters truly want. Plus: with Kemi Badenoch now leading the Tories, George and Ed answer the question: what does the shadow cabinet …actually do?  You could have been listening to this episode of EMQs early and ad-free! Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes and receive early access to EMQs. Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrency Production support: Caillin McDaid Producer: Miriam Hall and James Shield Executive Producers: Ellie Clifford Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Subscribe now on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    38 min

  6. 7 NOV

    Trump 2.0: The economic fallout

    It’s beginning to sink in: Donald Trump 2.0 is now upon us. George Osborne and Ed Balls think seismic shifts in the global economy could be ahead. Could his aggressive trade policies chip away at the UK’s growth plans? Trump has also claimed he could end the Ukraine war in a day. Does that mean a peace deal – or appeasement? Meanwhile Nigel Farage is offering up his services as a British ambassador to Trumpworld. Would despatching Farage to Mar-a-Lago be a relief for Keir Starmer? And the new Tory leader, Kemi Badenoch, faced her first PMQs this week. Ed and George review her debut performance at the despatch box. Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes and receive early access to EMQs. Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrency Production support: Caillin McDaid Technical Producer: Mikey Nissenbaum Producers: Miriam Hall and James Shield Executive Producers: Ellie Clifford Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.  Subscribe now on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    59 min
  7. HOT TAKE: Donald Trump is President

    6 NOV

    HOT TAKE: Donald Trump is President

    Donald Trump is set to make his return to the White House after a stunning overnight victory against Kamala Harris in the US election, just as George Osborne and Ed Balls predicted. But was this just a simple case of ‘It’s the economy, stupid!’ Ed thinks the Harris loss could be a warning to UK’s Labour party members –  if they don’t get UK living standards up, could they go the way of the Biden Democrats too? George, meanwhile, thinks Trump’s win exposes a fundamental challenge for the Left that it is now too focused on identity politics and not on people's living standards. They also question: will Donald Trump seek vengeance for Labour’s ill-advised involvement in the election? Nigel Farage was the only British politician with a major presence in the US overnight. Does his time at the Trump victory party mean Reform will be getting some help from Trump in years to come?  Thanks for listening. Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes and receive early access to EMQs. Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrency Production support: Caillin McDaid Technical Producer:  Mikey Nissenbaum Producers: Miriam Hall  Executive Producers: Ellie Clifford Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.  Subscribe now on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    31 min
  8. EMQs: Can you revamp a political image?

    4 NOV

    EMQs: Can you revamp a political image?

    Rishi Sunak spoke at his last PMQs. But George Osborne reveals why it may not be the last time we see him in No 10... He and Ed Balls discuss whether perceptions of politicians can ever change. Former cabinet member Caroline Spelman asks if a spoiled ballot is a waste of time. And Laura Trevelyan, co-host of the podcast Heirs of Enslavement asks whether countries should apologise for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. Plus - Love the pod? We thought so. Ed and George clarify whether a declaration of love at the top of your question is a prerequisite for getting a spot on the show... Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes and receive early access to EMQs. Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrency Production support: Caillin McDaid Technical Producer: Oliver Geraghty Producers: Miriam Hall and Danny Garlick Executive Producers: Ellie Clifford and Dino Sofos Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.  Subscribe now on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    39 min
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About

Ed Balls and George Osborne take us behind closed doors into the rooms where decisions are made. Having battled it out across the despatch box, the former Chancellor and shadow chancellor now meet in the studio to discuss the decisions that affect the nation’s pockets. Our frenemies have the knowledge and experience to explain how good politics follows the economics - and expose how the powerful become powerless when faced with market forces and political currents they can’t control. Join us every Thursday. Send your messages or voice notes to questions@politicalcurrency.co.uk Find us on social media @polcurrency Political Currency is a Persephonica production. Subscribe now on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Persephonica
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2024
  • Episodes
    129
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Persephonica
  • Show Website
    Political Currency

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