Commons People

HuffPost UK
  • 4.3 (8)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Welcome to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, our resident politics writers and Westminster regulars – Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson – unpack the week's biggest story in a way that even the most politically dense can understand. Join us for straightforward, up-to-date and in-depth commentary on British politics from people in the know! From HuffPost UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 23H AGO

    Why Is Starmer So Vulnerable After The Mandelson Scandal?

    Welcome back to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. In this week's episode, we discuss the latest developments in the headline-making Peter Mandelson scandal, and whether Keir Starmer's recent conduct towards the civil service – and his past mistakes – are enough to see his premiership crumble. Timecodes 00:00 – Introduction. 01:17 – Who is Peter Mandelson and what's his connection with Jeffrey Epstein? 08:24 – Why did Mandelson get a job if he had failed security vetting? 13:08 – How did Keir Starmer respond? 16:27 – How did senior civil servant Olly Robbins answer to being blamed for getting Mandelson in post? 19:40 – Does former ambassador Karen Pierce not continuing in her role suggest Starmer is running a boys' club? 21:45 – How the Mandelson saga has undermined Keir Starmer's rule-abiding reputation. 23:12 – Why did Starmer take such a gamble on appointing Mandelson? 26:20 – What's next for Keir Starmer as Prime Minister and who would replace him? 36:35 – Morgan McSweeney to give testimony to the Foreign Affairs Committee. 39:00 – Taxpayers will probably fund a large payout for Olly Robbins. 40:00 – How will the Government and the civil service continue working together? 41:30 – Bluffer's Guide and end. You can follow us at @commons.people on Instagram and TikTok. This is a HuffPost UK podcast. Music provided by Epidemic Sounds. Producer: Sam Cleal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    43 min

  2. APR 16

    Why Has The Brexit Debate Returned (Again)?

    Welcome back to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. This week, Kevin and Kate discuss why Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves are keen to develop closer ties with the EU, and what that means in the context of Brexit. Timecodes 00:00 – Introduction 02:29 – Brexit explained (for those who have forgotten!) 04:43 – the King's speech, Trump and why Starmer would want to align more closely with the EU. 09:20 – how do British people feel about the EU? 13:50 – what are the main political parties thinking? 17:14 – British holidaymakers stranded at passport control. 18:17 – MPs are angry at not getting a vote. 21:19 – Steve Reed (Community Secretary) on an EU re-alignment. 23:27 – What will happen next? 28:16 – Bluffer's Guide and end. You can follow us at @commons.people on Instagram and TikTok. This is a HuffPost UK podcast. Music provided by Epidemic Sounds. Producer: Sam Cleal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    30 min

  3. APR 9

    Will The Two-Week Ceasefire Between Iran and The US Work?

    Welcome back to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. This week, Kevin and Kate are back together to ask whether Donald Trump’s war in Iran is really over after a two-week ceasefire was agreed to on Tuesday. Timecodes 00:00 – Introduction 04:44 – Did Trump meet any of his military objectives? 08:14 – The significance of the Strait of Hormuz 12:52 – Iran's 10-point proposal 18:02 – Trump's strained international relations (including with NATO) 21:56 – Keir Starmer and King Charles's relationship with Trump and Trump's comments on UK armed forces 25:13 – Can Iran build a nuclear bomb? 29:05 – Keir Starmer's visit to the Middle East 32:53 – The economic consequences of the war 37:33 – Bluffer's guide and end You can follow us at @commons.people on Instagram and TikTok. This is a HuffPost UK podcast. Music provided by Epidemic Sounds. Producer: Sam Cleal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    39 min

  4. APR 2

    Are Politicians Taking Misogyny Seriously Enough?

    Welcome back to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. In this week's episode, Kate is joined by special guest Millie Cooke – political correspondent for The Independent – to discuss whether Parliament is doing enough to tackle misogyny and the rise of the manosphere. Timecodes 00:00 – Introduction 05:00 – Sarah Everard and the impact of her death on society 06:54 – Is there a pattern of sexist briefings against female cabinet ministers going on? 09:42 – Is Keir Starmer's Government a "boy's club"? 14:37 – What is it like being a female journalist in politics today. 19:40 – What do "Adolescence" and "Inside The Manosphere" have to do with things? 23:05 – Reform's Matt Goodwin and Danny Kruger's anti-women policies 25:47 – What does the future hold – a female first secretary of state 28:26 – What does the future hold – the male MP response 30:25 – How do we make sure women are heard more? 33:04 – Are female political correspondents outliers in Westminster? 35:06 – Should there be a Minister for Men? 36:59 – Bluffer's Guide and end You can follow us at @commons.people on Instagram and TikTok. This is a HuffPost UK podcast. Music provided by Epidemic Sounds. Producer: Sam Cleal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    39 min

  5. MAR 26

    Who's Up And Who’s Down Ahead Of May Elections?

    Welcome back to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. In this week's episode, we're discussing the May local elections and weighing up the chances of all the main parties including Labour, Green, Conservative, Reform and the Lib Dems, as well as the SNP and Plaid Cymru in Scotland and Wales, respectively. Timecodes 00:00 – Introduction 01:01 – When are the local elections and why are they important? 03:31 – What are Labour's chances in the local elections? 04:48 – How will the Tories fare? 06:09 – Will Reform’s success at the polls be reflected in the elections? 09:17 – Will the Greens continue with their success? 11:22 – How will the Lib Dems affect things? 13:44 – Will wins for the SNP and Plaid Cymru signify the end of United Kingdom? 16:43 – Are we looking at the end of the two-party system in the UK? 19:28 – Will there be a Labour leadership contest after 7 May? 25:33 – What does all the mean for the cost of living crisis? 26:37 – Bluffer’s guide You can watch full episodes on YouTube @HuffPost-UK and follow us at @commons.people on Instagram and TikTok. This is a HuffPost UK podcast. Music provided by Epidemic Sounds. Producer: Sam Cleal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    28 min

  6. MAR 20

    Why The Iran War Matters For Everyone – Not Just Trump

    Welcome back to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. For our returning episode, and our first in four and half years, we're talking about one of the most important subjects in UK politics right now – the Iran war. Join Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson as they dive deep into how the war is having a knock-on effect on the UK’s cost of living already, how it's impacting the UK-US special relationship and whether it's also reshaping other international alliances and existing wars, like Ukraine. Timecodes 00:00 – Introduction 04:11 – How did we get here? 10:08 – What does the Strait of Hormuz have to do with things? 13:37 – Trump and NATO 17:36 – Will the Gulf countries become more pro-Ukraine? 21:32 – Will the King's state visit go ahead? 23:30 – The knock-on effect on the UK cost of living 26:47 – How long is the war going to last? 30:57 – Will any countries join the war? 35:02 – Bluffer's guide 36:30 – Outro You can watch full episodes on YouTube @HuffPost-UK. This is a HuffPost UK podcast. Music provided by Epidemic Sounds. Producer: Sam Cleal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    37 min

  7. 09/10/2021

    Baroness Angela Smith...On Tory Tax Bombshells And Labour's Future

    Boris Johnson has taken the biggest gamble of his premiership with a National Insurance hike to fund the NHS and social care. Labour's leader in the Lords Angela Smith joins Ned Simons, Sophia Sleigh and Paul Waugh to chat through Tory tax rises and where Labour's at ahead of its party conference Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    34 min
  8. Yvette Cooper On The Art Of Govt And Opposition

    07/23/2021

    Yvette Cooper On The Art Of Govt And Opposition

    As MPs head off to their constituencies, rising Covid cases and Channel crossings of asylum seekers are ensuring Boris Johnson cannot put his feet up. Home Affairs Committee chair Yvette Cooper joins Ned Simons and Paul Waugh to chat through her joust with the Priti Patel this week, as well as the wider problems facing both the government and Labour this summer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    35 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.3
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Welcome to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, our resident politics writers and Westminster regulars – Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson – unpack the week's biggest story in a way that even the most politically dense can understand. Join us for straightforward, up-to-date and in-depth commentary on British politics from people in the know! From HuffPost UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    HuffPost UK
  • Years Active
    2015 - 2026
  • Episodes
    266
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © HuffPost UK
  • Show Website
    Commons People

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