The State of It

The Times
The Times
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Real reporting from the coalface of British politics. Join The Times and The Sunday Times’s political heavyweights Steven Swinford, Patrick Maguire and Lara Spirit as they dig deep into the latest tea room tip offs, reveal insider conversations and bring analysis, authority and insight. No party loyalty. No spin. Not hosted by some old politicians. Taking you into the real business of politics, from those who live it daily. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 23h ago

    Will a Reform-Restore alliance unite the right?

    Has Andy Burnham's vibes-based politics collided with the reality of governing as he wrestles with the prison early release crisis? Restore leader and right-wing insurgent Rupert Lowe has publicly reached out to Nigel Farage, urging him to unite the right. Can Farage and Lowe finally put the bad blood behind them, or is the divide simply too deep? And on the left, the Greens have endured a bruising few weeks, with leader Zac Polanski's social media habits creating unwelcome headlines. But has Westminster been too quick to write them off? With Polanski at the helm, anything is possible. Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson Picture: Getty Images This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Will a Reform-Restore alliance unite the right?

  2. Jul 28

    The Burnham Bounce: how long can it last?

    Andy Burnham's first week as prime minister has been decisive, optimistic and proactive. Labour has overtaken Reform UK in the polls for the first time in more than a year. Now Burnham is taking on education and social care reform: knotty political questions with many landmines. We look at the pitfalls that lie ahead. Zack Polanski's Green Party is losing support. And as Reform and the Conservatives fight to be the main party of the right, how does the new Labour government change things for Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch?  Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times Gabriel Pogrund, Insight editor, The Sunday Times Executive producer: Molly Guinness Producer: Euan Dawtrey Picture: Getty Images This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Burnham Bounce: how long can it last?

  3. Jul 24

    Andy Burnham's week of maximum vibes

    Andy Burnham's first week as Prime Minister has been all about creating good vibes. He's pledged to end rough sleeping, cut VAT on energy bills, cap bus fares at £2, and save Britain's pubs. The obvious question is: how is he going to pay for it all? Steve takes us inside Burnham's call with Donald Trump, where everything was surprisingly cordial and the pair ended up talking about their mums. But next week, the easy announcements give way to the hard choices. Burnham is expected to unveil major interventions on social care and unemployment. Can he deliver reform while also tackling the cost of living, boosting defence spending and keeping the public finances under control? Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times Producer: Euan Dawtrey Picture: Getty Images This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Andy Burnham's week of maximum vibes

  4. Jul 21

    No, you're a factionalist: Labour's new battle lines

    The Grafton Pub Purge: inside the pub where Keir Starmer had drinks with allies as they were sacked one by one. It's fair to say that Andy Burnham's new cabinet has caused an astonishing amount of bitterness in the Labour Party. The Chancellor Shock: John Healey's surprise appointment as chancellor means he'll have to find £25bn, or the equivalent of 3p on income tax, to fund defence.Get ready for a Mega Budget: the new government is preparing announcements on bus fares and Thames Water, but it's still unclear how they will pay for spending pledges. Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times Producers: Euan Dawtrey, George Clare Executive producer: Molly Guinness Picture: Russel Herneman This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    No, you're a factionalist: Labour's new battle lines

  5. Jul 16

    Shabana Mahmood: The 'ruthless' incoming Chancellor?

    Who is Shabana Mahmood, the 'ruthless' politician set to enter Downing Street as Andy Burnham’s Chancellor? After a fierce cabinet debate effectively ended Ed Miliband's hopes for the Treasury, all eyes are on her. And what does her potential appointment means for the future of UK politics, from welfare reform to the economy? Meanwhile, Westminser has descended into a surreal waiting game as the incoming Prime Minister prepares to take power. No one knows if their job is safe, and desperate insiders have resorted to asking our very own Steven Swinford if he knows anything they don't. Will Ed Miliband, Wes Streeting or Yvette Cooper feature? And how exactly will Number 10 North work? Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson Executive producer: Molly Guinness Picture: Getty Images This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Shabana Mahmood: The 'ruthless' incoming Chancellor?

  6. Jul 14

    Burnham's cabinet: Ed Miliband fails the smell test

    Who will be in Andy Burnham's cabinet? It looks like Ed Miliband will not be chancellor after all. We have scoops for you about who's in line for the big jobs in the Westminster cabinet reshuffle.Burnham needs to make room for allies like Louise Haigh and Lucy Powell, so who will be sacked on Monday when Burnham takes over as prime minister?Westminster is like a hornet's nest of briefing and counter-briefing as Wes Streeting, Angela Rayner, Dan Jarvis, Yvette Cooper and others wait to hear what next week will bring.David Lammy has organised a whip-round for Keir Starmer's rather odd leaving present.And what will Burnham do once he's in post? We look at his immediate priorities and the possibility of a mega fiscal event in the autumn. Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson Executive producer: Molly Guinness Picture: Getty Images. 01:10 - Blocking Ed Miliband From Chancellor 02:30 - Why the City Doesn't Trust the "London Left" 03:50 - Will Miliband Accept a Demotion? 05:05 - The Brutal Briefing War Behind Closed Doors 06:40 - Defending the "Net Zero Zealot" 07:45 - Cabinet Jenga: Filling the Great Offices of State 09:25 - Angela Rayner & The "Day One" Loyalists 11:05 - The Starmer Purge: Who Is Getting Sacked? 12:45 - The Yvette Cooper Foreign Policy Question 15:05 - Secret Policy Clashes: Josh Simons vs. Miatta Fahnbulleh 17:15 - Angry Loyalists With "Nothing To Lose" 19:40 - Starmer’s Bizarre Leaving Present 21:30 - Flying to the World Cup Final 22:35 - Burnham's Radical Plan for the Cost of Living 25:00 - The Warning Over a "Mega Budget" & Wealth Taxes 26:15 - North vs. South: The Growing Regional Rebellion Picture: Getty Images Email us: thestateofit@thetimes.co.uk This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Burnham's cabinet: Ed Miliband fails the smell test

  7. Jul 7

    Nigel Farage's Clacton by-election gamble

    A furious Nigel Farage has said he will ‘stick two fingers up to the establishment’ by resigning and then winning a by-election in Clacton. Kemi Badenoch has accused him of having a hissy fit and Andy Burnham has said it's a gimmick designed to distract from questions over undeclared gifts. Will the Conservatives and Labour field candidates in the Clacton by-election?Will a Reform UK victory in Clacton boost Nigel Farage's standing in the rest of the country? And can Nigel Farage be suspended after a parliamentary standards investigation even if he wins the by-election? Who is George Cottrell, aka Posh George? Listen to the series here podfollow.com/posh-george Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson Executive producer: Molly Guinness Picture: Getty Images Audio: Reuters Email us: thestateofit@thetimes.co.uk This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Nigel Farage's Clacton by-election gamble

  8. Jul 6

    Nigel Farage and Posh George: why it matters

    Nigel Farage could face an investigation by the parliamentary watchdog after a Sunday Times investigation and podcast series raised questions about gifts and benefits in kind that he has received from George Cottrell, a crypto-gambler and convicted fraudster, who's better known as Posh George. Gabriel and Steve discuss how Reform UK has reacted to the story and what could happen next. Both George Cottrell and Nigel Farage deny any wrongdoing.  Listen to the series here: podfollow.com/posh-george Episode 3 is out on Thursday 9th July Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times Gabriel Pogrund, Insight editor, The Sunday Times Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson Executive producer: Molly Guinness Image: Getty/Alamy This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Nigel Farage and Posh George: why it matters
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4
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About

Real reporting from the coalface of British politics. Join The Times and The Sunday Times’s political heavyweights Steven Swinford, Patrick Maguire and Lara Spirit as they dig deep into the latest tea room tip offs, reveal insider conversations and bring analysis, authority and insight. No party loyalty. No spin. Not hosted by some old politicians. Taking you into the real business of politics, from those who live it daily. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Channel
    The Times
  • Creator
    The Times
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    62
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © News UK
  • Show Website
    The State of It
  • Provider
    News Corp UK & Ireland Limited

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