Political Currency

Persephonica
  • 4.3 (48)
  • Politics
  • Weekly

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  1. 5h ago

    EMQs: Regrets, leaks and data centres

    Ed Balls and George Osborne hear from former BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg, who asks them to reflect on their biggest regrets in politics. It turns out that both have the same issue that nags at them after all of these years. An expat in Germany wonders why debates around Freedom of Movement in the UK focuses so much on immigration rather than on emigration. Ed and George discuss whether it is viewed as a one way street, its implications for Brexit, and the similarities and differences vis-a-vis the German framing of this issue. They also discuss their experiences of unauthorised leaks, with both having accidentally informed a front page splash, and whether Michael Gove’s reputation as a serial leaker is well earned. And they conclude with a question from Katie Prescott, Technology Business Editor at the Sunday Times, who asks about selling the benefits of data centres to the public. We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency.co.uk and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles: 👉 X 👉 Instagram 👉 TikTok Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today: 👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency 👉 Apple Podcasts Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon. Credits: Production: Sam Burton Producer: Jarek Zaba Video Editor: Louis Norris & Sam Gruet Executive Producer: Henrietta Harrison Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  2. 3d ago

    Could the midterms be bad news for Burnham?

    The midterms were an enormous rejection of Donald Trump’s Republicans – but what are the lessons to be learned, in the US and closer to home? Ed Balls and George Osborne unpack the implications of the ‘blue tsunami’, asking whether analysis that pins it entirely on the cost of living and Iran are too narrow. They also question whether they represent an opportunity or a threat for Andy Burnham. A week on from the budget, the Treasury can breathe a sigh of relief after a lack of major backlash, but when does the prime minister have to start making unpopular decisions? And is he opening a Pandora’s box with Europe? Over in the Caribbean, King Charles has expressed sorrow for the transatlantic slave trade but has stopped short of a full apology. Ed and George discuss the history of formal state apologies, and why Commonwealth nations may be demanding one now. We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency.co.uk and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles: 👉 X 👉 Instagram 👉 TikTok Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today: 👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency 👉 Apple Podcasts Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon. Credits: Production: Sam Burton Producer: Jarek Zaba Video Editor: Louis Norris & Sam Gruet Executive Producer: Henrietta Harrison Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  3. 4d ago · Subscribers Only

    Could the midterms be bad news for Burnham?

    The US midterms were an enormous rejection of Donald Trump’s Republicans – but what are the lessons to be learned? Ed Balls and George Osborne unpack the implications of the ‘blue tsunami’, asking whether analysis that pins it entirely on the cost of living and Iran are too narrow. They also question if the results represent an opportunity or a threat for Andy Burnham. A week on from the budget, the Treasury can breathe a sigh of relief after a lack of major backlash, but when does the prime minister have to start making unpopular decisions? And is he opening a Pandora’s box with Europe? Over in the Caribbean, King Charles has expressed sorrow for the transatlantic slave trade but has stopped short of a full apology. Ed and George discuss the history of formal state apologies, and why Commonwealth nations may be demanding one now. We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency.co.uk and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles: 👉 X 👉 Instagram 👉 TikTok Thanks for being a valued member of our Kitchen Cabinet or a Gold subscriber. Remember Kitchen Cabinet members get exclusive access to live EMQs recordings, briefings from the team, and an exclusive Political Currency mug. Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon. Credits: Production: Sam Burton Producer: Jarek Zaba Video Editor: Louis Norris & Sam Gruet Executive Producer: Henrietta Harrison Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

  4. Nov 2 ·  Video

    EMQs: Will Burnham return to free movement?

    Sunday Times political editor Ben Riley-Smith asks Ed Balls and George Osborne a question on this week’s EMQs, off the back of his Andy Burnham profile interview. Can the prime minister win the argument on free movement, either at a referendum or General Election? The pair are sceptical, conceding it could be done but pose massive risks to the Labour coalition. Then, the hymns chat inspires a flurry of questions. One, from Ed’s former Treasury colleague, on why obscure hymns are chosen. Another leads into a question about charity trustees. The final, on what it takes to be a qualified chancellor. Finally, CEO of Crisis, Matt Downie, asks how Andy Burnham can fulfill his pledge to eradicate rough sleeping. Ed and George explain the complexities of it, compared to the New Labour era, and Ed gets a call from a former PM during the discussion… We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency.co.uk and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles: 👉 X 👉 Instagram 👉 TikTok Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today: 👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency 👉 Apple Podcasts Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon. Credits: Production: Sam Burton Producer: Caillin McDaid Video Editor: Oliver Geraghty, Louis Norris & Sam Gruet Executive Producer: Henrietta Harrison Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    EMQs: Will Burnham return to free movement?

  5. Oct 29

    Will Burnham risk it all on an early election?

    The Budget is over, and John Healey may want you to forget about it already. That’s what Ed Balls and George Osborne debate on this week’s episode, where they interrogate whether this Budget was biding time until an election or a sign that the Burnham government is even more hemmed in than previously thought. Will they go early and risk losing their majority? Or are they going to whittle through with a manifesto and global environment that makes big changes near impossible? While the Budget should have been this week’s big story, Andy Burnham himself stole the spotlight by further indicating he wanted back in the EU. Is he flying kites and testing the ground for the next election? Or, is this vibes based comms strategy authentic Burnham? If so, will it backfire in a crisis? George argues it leaves him open to parody, while Ed believes Burnham cannot only communicate through social media. Finally, they turn to the king of vibes: Donald Trump. The midterms are days away, and it’s set to be a bruising result for the Republicans if polls are to be believed. With Trump spending the last week of campaigning feuding with Obama, are the last two years of his Presidency set to be a deadlock? George argues this could benefit Republicans in 2028, while Ed suggests the next Democrat candidate may emerge next week. We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency.co.uk and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles: 👉 X 👉 Instagram 👉 TikTok Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today: 👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency 👉 Apple Podcasts Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon. Credits: Production: Sam Burton Producer: Caillin McDaid Video Editor: Oliver Geraghty, Louis Norris & Sam Gruet Executive Producer: Henrietta Harrison Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  6. Oct 28

    HOT TAKE: Was Healey’s Budget inconsequential?

    Ed and George went live this afternoon to give their Hot Take on John Healey’s Budget. They concluded the new chancellor was comfortable in his style, but the substance was not there. George declares it an inconsequential Budget, and wonders if Healey’s plan is to do nothing. Ed speculates if this looks like a pre-election Budget. We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles: 👉 X 👉 Instagram 👉 TikTok Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today: 👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency 👉 Apple Podcasts Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon. Credits: Production: Sam Burton Producer: Caillin McDaid Video Editor: Oliver Geraghty Executive Producer: Henrietta Harrison Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    HOT TAKE: Was Healey’s Budget inconsequential?

  7. Oct 26 ·  Video

    EMQs: Are the Tories against welfare cuts?

    After the great response to Ed Balls’ scepticism on Burnham trying to rejoin the EU, former Labour MP Gloria De Piero got in touch. She asks Ed and George Osborne just how they would make the case for rejoining, to their former constituents. With Gloria’s seat now held by Lee Anderson, it’s clear that the case in some leave voting areas will be a hard one to make… Then, Times writer and former Spectator editor Fraser Nelson asks if the political costs of welfare cuts outweigh their benefits. George explains how it was the right, not the left, who prevented him making greater cuts while in office. Ed cautions that for the Milburn reforms to work, a careful line will have to be taken by the government. Roads minister Justin Madders then attempts to correct George on the situation surrounding driving tests and takes a trip down memory lane. He was the Labour candidate against George in 2005 and asks if any candidates the pair beat in elections went on to great or surprising things. Ed recalls he beat one Andy Burnham in the 2010 Labour leadership race… Finally, off the back of their angelic renditions of hymns last week, a listener submits a favourite hymn of their own, and shares a story of a young George Osborne encountering a future Labour cabinet minister… We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency.co.uk and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles: 👉 X 👉 Instagram 👉 TikTok Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today: 👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency 👉 Apple Podcasts Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon. Credits: Production: Sam Burton Producer: Caillin McDaid Video Editor: Louis Norris & Sam Gruet Executive Producer: Henrietta Harrison Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    EMQs: Are the Tories against welfare cuts?

  8. Oct 22 ·  Video

    Will Healey’s budget burst the Burnham bubble?

    The Budget is less than a week away, and the pressure is on for Andy Burnham and John Healey to deliver. Ed Balls and George Osborne debate whether the right moves are being taken for the new chancellor’s first budget, or if the bold rhetoric from the PM will not be matched by what is set to be a small Budget. George is in Paris this week, days after the media was dominated by scenes of rioting across France. What impact will these events have on the forthcoming Presidential election? Does it shore things up for Le Pen on the far right? How is it impacting Europe more broadly? Will it complicate Burnham’s position in the forthcoming EU summit? Finally, the scenes in France last weekend are not unheard of in Britain.The Brixton riots in 1981, fuel protests in 2000, and the London riots in 2011. Ed and George were in government for the latter two, and know what it’s like to be in the room for these moments of high tension on the streets. How should a government react in these moments? Should the PM get directly involved? Can you address the concerns of rioters without being seen to capitulate? We’re going LIVE next Wednesday at 3pm, on YouTube, to give our Hot Take on the Budget, so make sure to stay tuned for more information on that. We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency.co.uk and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles: 👉 X 👉 Instagram 👉 TikTok Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today: 👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency 👉 Apple Podcasts Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon. Credits: Production: Sam Burton Producer: Caillin McDaid Video Editor: Louis Norris & Sam Gruet Executive Producer: Henrietta Harrison Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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4.3
out of 5
48 Ratings

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Persephonica
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    355
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Persephonica
  • Show Website
    Political Currency
  • Provider
    PERSEPHONICA LTD

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