Political Fix

Financial Times
Financial Times
  • 4.5 (124)
  • Politics
  • Updated Weekly

The Financial Times takes you into the corridors of power to unwrap, analyse and debate British politics with a regular lineup of FT correspondents and informed commentators. New episodes available every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 3d ago

    Has Polanski blown it for the Greens?

    Labour has held on to Sir Keir Starmer’s old seat in Holborn and St Pancras, in a boost to Andy Burnham but a major setback for Green leader and by-election candidate Zack Polanski. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by deputy political editor Jim Pickard and columnist Stephen Bush, who weigh the impact of the Greens’ anti-Zionist position and round up the news from the Tory Party conference. Have pledges to cut taxes, boost the military and reform welfare put them back on the electoral map? Plus, we get the latest from the business community ahead of the Budget with UK chief business correspondent Ashley Armstrong. Follow Lucy on X or Bluesky @LOS_Fisher, @lucyfisher.ft.com ; Stephen @stephenkb and @stephenkb.bsky.social; Jim @PickardJE @pickardje.bsky.social; Ashley @AArmstrong_says Want more? Labour holds off Greens’ Polanski to win London by-election Six things we learnt from the Tory party conference Healey warns banks that UK faces ‘challenging’ fiscal picture but stays tight-lipped on tax Burnham pledges to end use of non-compete clauses Kemi Badenoch’s pitch goes some way to assuaging British business concerns Kemi Badenoch: ‘I refuse to play by Westminster rules’ Tory inheritance tax pledge: do the sums add up? Kemi Badenoch’s European nightmare What will the UK Budget mean for Britain? Join Lucy Fisher and colleagues political editor George Parker, markets columnist Katie Martin, economics editor Sam Fleming and North of England correspondent Jen Williams for an exclusive FT subscriber webinar on 29 October. To register, and send us your questions, go to ft.com/budget2026. Registration includes access to the video replay. Our email address is politicalfix@ft.com Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix by Sean McGarrity and original music by Breen Turner. The broadcast engineer is Petros Giuompasis. The FT’s head of audio is Flo Phillips. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  2. Sep 30

    Labour Party conference: Hope again?

    Recorded in front of an audience at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, host Lucy Fisher and political editor George Parker unpack Andy Burnham’s first conference speech as prime minister. From rethinking Britain’s relationship with the EU to ending the pensions triple lock and scrapping the electoral system, Burnham laid out an ambitious agenda for the country. Lucy and George speak to business secretary Jonathan Reynolds about the prime minister’s plans, before northern correspondent Jennifer Williams and Inside Politics writer and columnist Stephen Bush join them to give their takeaways from the week. Want more? Free links: Andy Burnham sets up battle lines on social care and Europe How would Andy Burnham’s social care shake-up work? Burnham’s brave new world — just one more election away Six takeaways from Andy Burnham’s conference speech A faintly hopeful mood at Labour conference Sign up here for Stephen Bush’s morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free. Political Fix was presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Persis Love. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Video editing, original music and mix by Breen Turner. Flo Phillips is the FT’s global head of audio. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  3. Sep 25

    Will Burnham call a snap election?

    Labour officials in Downing Street and beyond have discussed the parameters in which a snap election could be called. Will Andy Burnham take the gamble? As speculation about the idea grips Westminster, host Lucy Fisher is joined by political editor George Parker and deputy political editor Jim Pickard to weigh up the risks and rewards of going to the public early. They also look ahead to the Labour Party conference in Liverpool starting this weekend, and the troubles that lie ahead for UK-EU relations. Plus George reports back from Burnham’s first major international summit at the UN general assembly in New York, where the prime minister weathered his first encounter with Donald Trump. Follow Lucy on X or Bluesky @LOS_Fisher, @lucyfisher.ft.com ; George on @georgewparker.bsky.social, @GeorgeWParker; Jim @PickardJE Want more? The risks of calling an early election for Andy Burnham Treasury open to smaller fiscal headroom to reduce UK tax rises The FT’s budget dashboard: the data confronting chancellor John Healey Labour conference set to vote on new AI regulator as cabinet concerns grow Donald Trump rejects ‘globalist scheme’ to control AI in blow to Andy Burnham UK to provide military support to Saudi Arabia in its fight with Houthi rebels How could John Healey raise tax in the budget Sign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek. Get 30 days free. Our email address is politicalfix@ft.com Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Persis Love. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. Broadcast engineers are Andrew Georgiades and Richard Topping. The FT’s head of audio is Flo Phillips. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  4. Sep 18

    Budget blues

    With borrowing costs and inflation rising, are the UK’s finances worse than Burnham and Healey thought? Host Lucy Fisher is joined by FT colleagues George Parker, political editor, and Stephen Bush, columnist, to discuss the tightening fiscal outlook ahead of the October Budget, and whether scrapping the triple lock on pensions would cost the government more politically than it would save in cash terms. Plus, Reform’s week of mega-donations — and the Labour government’s response, and the leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland begin a new push for independence from the UK. Follow Lucy: @LOS_Fisher; George: @georgewparker.bsky.social, @GeorgeWParker; Stephen @stephenkb  Want more?   Britain, Burnham and tax: the walls close in Healey prepares UK for ‘really challenging’ budget Nigel Farage refuses to say if Reform UK’s £72mn gifts would comply with new cap UK state pension will surpass income tax threshold next year Bank of England says rates likely to rise as it overhauls gilts sales It’s time to scrap the triple lock Scrapping triple lock on pensions need not wreak political damage A ‘lucky’ chancellor must also be a resolute one Sign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek. Get 30 days free. Our email address is politicalfix@ft.com Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Persis Love. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. Broadcast engineers are Andrew Georgiades and Petros Gioumpasis. The FT’s head of audio is Flo Phillips. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  5. Sep 11

    AI: Is Britain prepared?

    AI promises major opportunities, but also significant risks – for the economy, employment, security and perhaps even human civilisation. But in Westminster, AI is far from a priority. In addition, fears that the UK’s AI Security Institute could be cut out of testing future frontier models before their release is fuelling alarm in Whitehall. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by the FT’s AI editor Madhumita Murgia to discuss how developments in Silicon Valley are affecting UK politics. Plus UK chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley and deputy opinion editor Miranda Green join the pod to unpack foreign secretary Ed Miliband’s trade ban on goods from illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The panel also examine the new Met police investigation into Reform’s finances, and Burnham’s latest devolution plans for a tourist tax.  Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher; Robert: @robertshrimsley, @robertshrimsley.bsky.social; Miranda: @greenmiranda Want more?   Anthropic withheld latest AI model from UK testing agency AI hasn’t gone rogue, it’s worse than that Growth in every postcode: good politics, dubious economics Israel’s hapless British defenders Israel retaliates after UK bans trade with Israeli settlements in the West Bank UK set to announce trade ban on Israeli settlements in the West Bank The five financing scandals facing Reform Sign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek. Get 30 days free. Our email address is politicalfix@ft.com Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Persis Love. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. Broadcast engineers are Andrew Georgiades and Richard Topping. The FT’s head of audio is Flo Phillips.  Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  6. Sep 4

    Reform in hot water … again

    Reform’s conference in Birmingham was soured by a Channel 4 News broadcast showing the party's leader Nigel Farage and some of his closest allies in conversations with a man purporting to arrange illicit political donations. Farage says the party has ‘broken no law’ but Reform has launched its own investigation and two top advisors have stepped down. Host Lucy Fisher hears from the FT’s acting executive news editor David Sheppard, who was at the Reform conference. Plus, political editor George Parker and economics editor Sam Fleming talk to Lucy about their exclusive interview with John Healey – and what the new Labour chancellor has planned for the country. Follow Lucy @LOS_Fisher; George @GeorgeWParker and @georgewparker.bsky.social; Sam @Sam1Fleming; David @OilSheppard Want more? John Healey puts Britain on notice for tough Budget in ‘more dangerous world’ What are the latest claims against Nigel Farage? Top Reform UK advisors to step down after donor sting Latest allegations make Reform look ridiculous Nigel Farage and Reform UK hit by illicit-funding sting The five financing scandals facing Reform James Orr and the gospel of the British right Sign up here for Stephen Bush’s morning newsletter ‘Inside Politics’ for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free. Political Fix was presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Persis Love. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Original music and sound engineering by Breen Turner. Flo Phillips is the FT’s head of audio. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  7. Sep 4

    Burnham vs Badenoch: Commons showdown

    There’s big "new term" energy this week in parliament with MPs returning from summer recess for Andy Burnham’s first Prime Minister's Questions. After Burnham answered a mega 125 questions, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch lambasted the prime minister for being a “people pleaser” and a “spendthrift”. What did Burnham’s first appearance in the Commons tell us about his leadership style? And can Badenoch’s shadow cabinet reshuffle help the Tory party win back popularity? Plus, why is Green Party leader Zack Polanski standing in Keir Starmer’s old seat? Host Lucy Fisher is joined by the FT's chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley and deputy political editor Jim Pickard.  Follow Lucy @LOS_Fisher ; Robert @robertshrimsley; Jim @PickardJE Want more? Andy Burnham tries to calm bond markets as public spending fears mount Burnham seeks to protect UK farming and steel in EU reset talks Andy Burnham and Emmanuel Macron meet as Bayeux tapestry unveiled How UK-Israel relations reached their worst point in decades PMQs cannot change Andy Burnham’s political reality Andy Burnham’s summer of quietly backing away from radical pledges James Orr and the gospel of the new British right Greens leader Zach Polanski to stand in seat vacated by Keir Starmer Come and join the FT and Political Fix panelists at the FT Weekend Festival on Saturday September 5 at Kenwood House Gardens in London. To save 10 per cent on tickets, visit ft.com/festival and use the discount code FTPODCAST. You can also sign up here for Stephen Bush’s morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free. Political Fix was presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Persis Love. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Original music and audio mix by Breen Turner. Our broadcast engineers were Andrew Georgiades and Petros Gioumpasis. Flo Phillips is the FT’s head of audio. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  8. Aug 28

    What Burnham told the FT

    In his first interview with the FT since becoming prime minister, Andy Burnham tells political editor and host George Parker that he is pro-business and understands the pressures that business is under — but wants something in return from corporate Britain. Deputy political editor Jim Pickard and columnist Stephen Bush join George to unpack Burnham’s pitch on business and wealth creation, and what he had to say about tax, nationalisation and the EU. George @GeorgeWParker and @georgewparker.bsky.social; Stephen @stephenkb; and Jim @PickardJE Want more? Andy Burnham pledges to ‘take pressure off’ business ahead of October Budget Andy Burnham seeks to bridge gap with nervous business community Healey to shelve his own defence spending target of 3% of GDP by 2030 Andy Burnham set for first meeting with Trump in September Thames Water creditors and government in stand-off over future  Thames Water saga undermines case for more market solutions How the Bayeux Tapestry became a tool of soft power Come and join the FT and Political Fix panelists at the FT Weekend Festival on Saturday, September 5 at Kenwood House Gardens in London. To save 10 per cent on tickets, visit ft.com/festival and use the discount code FTPODCAST. You can also sign up here for Stephen Bush’s morning newsletter ‘Inside Politics’ for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free. Political Fix was presented by George Parker and produced by Persis Love and Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Original music by Breen Turner. Audio mix by Sean McGarrity. Our broadcast engineers were Andrew Georgiades and Petros Gioumpasis. Flo Phillips is the FT’s head of audio. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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The Financial Times takes you into the corridors of power to unwrap, analyse and debate British politics with a regular lineup of FT correspondents and informed commentators. New episodes available every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  • Channel
    Financial Times
  • Creator
    Financial Times
  • Years Active
    2015 - 2026
  • Episodes
    617
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Financial Times
  • Show Website
    Political Fix

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