# Is the government too close to China?

An episode of [Electoral Dysfunction](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1613562765), 17 Oct 2025, 45 min.

Audio: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/18c5547d-1bc7-401e-833d-a535a619b7e3.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=7131ad54-f81b-4ab8-b44c-e56c8cb808cd&aw_0_1st.episodeid=18c5547d-1bc7-401e-833d-a535a619b7e3

There are new questions about who knew what and when about the collapse of a trial of alleged Chinese spies. Beth, Ruth, and Harriet explain why a row involving names you might not know does have implications for the country – can Beijing be both a friend and a foe? And while there are questions for government and civil servants – they ask if Kemi Badenoch has made a misstep with her response. Plus, Beth was there as Donald Trump announced his plan for peace in the Middle East. She shares the stories from her last-minute trip to join world leaders in Egypt. And come back on Sunday for our bumper back to back interviews with both candidates in the Deputy Labour Leadership contest - Bridget Phillipson and Lucy Powell. Remember, you can also watch Beth Rigby, Harriet Harman and Ruth Davidson on YouTube.

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