Politics Weekly
Political analysis from the Guardian and Observer's top journalists and commentators.
On the road in Birmingham: can the budget save this bankrupt city – Politics Weekly UK
Ahead of the budget next week, the Guardian’s John Harris is in Birmingham, where the city council in effect declared itself bankrupt in 2023. He spends time with people struggling with the severe spending cuts and asks what will happen if the chancellor Rachel Reeves does not offer more financial…
Labour wants your views on the NHS – Politics Weekly Westminster
The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey look at Wes Streeting’s plan for a ‘national conversation’ on NHS reform. Plus, with the budget just 9 days away, there is plenty of speculation on what will be in it and how departments are reacting to more cuts Support the Guardian today:…
Assisted dying: the arguments and the MP who wants change – Politics Weekly UK
The Labour MP Kim Leadbeater has introduced a private member’s bill on assisted dying for terminally ill adults. John Harris speaks to her about whether her proposed legislation is the right path, and discusses the benefits and flaws of assisted dying with the columnist Polly Toynbee, who has long argued…
Can Labour woo investors while standing up for workers? – Politics Weekly Westminster
The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey look at the government’s international investment summit, and how talk of slashing ‘red tape’ is going down among Labour MPs. And, after the death of the ex-SNP leader and former first minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond, what will his legacy be? Support the…
Tories choose between Badenoch and Jenrick. Plus, Labour’s reset – Politics Weekly UK
Kemi Badenoch or Robert Jenrick will be the next leader of the Conservatives, after MPs selected the pair to go to a final vote before party members. But who will survive the rough and tumble of Tory hustings? Plus, Morgan McSweeney is now all-powerful in Keir Starmer’s top team –…
How Sue Gray was ousted – Politics Weekly Westminster
The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss what led to the resignation of Keir Starmer’s chief of staff. Plus, the Conservative leadership candidates go from four to two this week as Tory MPs vote before the final decision goes out to the membership. Help support our independent journalism at…
Tory leadership contenders square off at conference – Politics Weekly UK
The Conservative leadership hopefuls took to the stage for the Tory party conference finale on Wednesday. John Harris is joined by the Guardian political correspondent Kiran Stacey to discuss how they performed. Plus, John goes around the hall to see what the mood is really like. Help support our independent…
Kemi Badenoch dominates as Tory conference starts – Politics Weekly Westminster
The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey are in Birmingham this week for the Conservative party conference, where the four leadership candidates will get plenty of time to show off their credentials. Plus, Keir Starmer is dealing with international and domestic crises at once, can he cope?. Help support our…
Starmer’s speech: Banger or word salad? – Politics Weekly UK
Keir Starmer has made his first conference speech as prime minister, hoping he can persuade the country there is light at the end of the tunnel. But did it work? John Harris talks the Guardian’s political editor, Pippa Crerar, and political correspondent Kiran Stacey after the speech. Help support our…
Labour in crisis at conference? – Politics Weekly Westminster
The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey are in Liverpool this week for the Labour party conference. Can the government shake off headlines about donations and internal rows? Plus what is the mood really like in the ranks?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
‘Frockgate’ and Starmer’s love-in with Meloni – Politics Weekly UK
The row over ‘frockgate’ continues to trouble the prime minister this week, while his decision to visit his far-right Italian counterpart, Giorgia Meloni, has upset many in his party. The Guardian’s John Harris talks to the political correspondent Aletha Adu, who was travelling with Keir Starmer. Also, the Guardian’s Europe…
Politics Weekly Westminster: Starmer meets Meloni
The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey talk about Keir Starmer’s trip to Rome to meet Italy’s far-right PM, Giorgia Meloni, and discuss migrant boat crossings. Plus, Pippa is in Brighton for the Lib Dem conference. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Winter fuel allowance cut: who voted for this? – Politics Weekly UK
The government saw off a rebellion over its plans to cut winter fuel allowance this week. John Harris speaks to Caroline Abrahams from Age UK about what this winter will look like for millions of pensioners losing out. Plus, he talks to columnist Rafael Behr about whether the technocrats (Starmer…
Politics Weekly Westminster: Winter fuel payments test for Labour
The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey talk about Labour’s first big test in parliament over their winter fuel payments policy. Plus, will Keir Starmer’s trip to Washington be awkward after his decision on arms licences to Israel?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
The final Grenfell inquiry report and what it means for families – Politics Weekly UK
The 2017 Grenfell Tower fire in London was the result of ‘decades of failure’ by central government, the public inquiry into the catastrophe has found. The Guardian’s John Harris looks at the findings of the report with the social affairs leader writer Susanna Rustin. And, as Labour continues to warn…
Politics Weekly Westminster: Labour’s doom-and-gloom message
The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey talk about whether Labour can move away from the doom-and-gloom messaging and towards a more hopeful tone? Plus, MPs will get their first chance to vote on leadership contenders this week. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Carla Denyer and the Green party: four MPs v the climate crisis
The Green party made history in the general election, winning four seats for the first time. But how much will it be able to achieve in parliament when facing the gravity of the climate crisis? The Guardian’s John Harris sits down with Carla Denyer, the Greens’ co-leader and MP for…
Politics Weekly UK is on holiday
Politics Weekly UK is taking a break for the summer. John Harris will be back on Thursday 29 August, and in the meantime you can listen to our previous episodes here. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Politics Weekly UK’s summer culture list - podcast
The Guardian’s John Harris gives his review of the best books, music and TV from 2024 so far. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Will the threat of arrests be enough to stop far-right violence? Politics Weekly UK
Far-right mobs have continued to threaten communities this week, with violence expected at asylum centres and law firms on Wednesday night. Keir Starmer has said he wants sentences handed out by the end of the week to those already arrested but does this leave the root causes of the violence…