The Politics Show

Episodes page 1 of 6

1. Should we scrap the Budget?

   26 Oct 2026 · 27 min

   We are in the middle of the usual annual tradition of pre-Budget speculation. Westminster tries to guess what the Chancellor will announce, while the Treasury attempts to make clever briefings to roll the pitch for its…

2. Martin Lewis is "on speed dial to Number 10"

   24 Oct 2026 · 42 min

   Martin Lewis's direct line to the government, Burnham's parking fine crackdown, and do the British public prefer picky bits or holly bobs? Anoosh Chakelian and Will Dunn round up the stories of the week. READ:…

3. Labour split over Jackdaw

   22 Oct 2026 · 21 min

   The government has approved drilling at the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea. It is a decision that has split the Labour Party. It may only be the beginning - the far more controversial decision on the Rosebank gas…

4. US midterms: Where are the key battlegrounds?

   21 Oct 2026 · 21 min

   On 3 November, Americans will head to the polls for the midterm elections. We will be publishing one episode a week for the next three weeks, every Wednesday, taking in the lead up and results. In this first episode,…

5. Can Reform weather the scandals?

   19 Oct 2026 · 29 min

   Reform UK is in crisis, amid a cascade of scandals The party’s poll rating has fallen from mid-thirties highs to the low twenties, with a recent poll showing them slipping to third place. This has come amid the…

6. Reform slips to third in the polls

   17 Oct 2026 · 43 min

   Reform falls behind Labour and the Tories for the first time since the general election, how animals shape our voting patterns and 100 years of Winnie-the-Pooh. Anoosh Chakelian and Will Dunn round up the stories of…

7. Burnham's Brexit reversal

   15 Oct 2026 · 33 min

   Ten years after the Brexit referendum, a British Prime Minister has said out loud what much of the country has concluded: Brexit did more harm than good. Andy Burnham has told his party that no credible ten-year plan…

8. The Green Party is in crisis

   12 Oct 2026 · 37 min

   It’s been a tumultuous time for the Green Party. Their controversial “Zionism is racism vote” and leader Zack Polanski’s defeat in a by-election in North London has led to turmoil within the party. Meanwhile, is the…

9. Reform clears its own officials over donations sting

   10 Oct 2026 · 33 min

   Reform clearing its own officials of breaking party funding law, Kemi Badenoch’s inheritance tax gambit and was Britain really better off in the 1980s? Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Will Dunn for our weekly round up.…

10. Labour holds Starmer’s seat

    9 Oct 2026 · 18 min

    Labour has held the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, with Sagal Abdi-Wali retaining the seat for the party despite a hard-fought contest from Green Party leader Zack Polanski. The result preserves Labour’s…

11. The Green Party’s Zionism reckoning

    5 Oct 2026 · 26 min

    At the Green Party conference, party members backed a motion to describe Zionism as racism. Zack Polanski, currently campaigning in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, missed the controversial vote, which called…

12. Is Burnham brave or naive?

    1 Oct 2026 · 38 min

    At this week’s Labour conference, Andy Burnham announced bigger and bolder policy ambitions than anyone expected. Was this too big a swing? Or the grand vision the country needs? Elsewhere, next Thursday, there is a…

13. Burnham delivers packed conference speech

    29 Sep 2026 · 21 min

    Labour Conference 2026 draws to a close with Andy Burnham's speech. The PM's announcements included scrapping the triple lock pension, electoral reform, a new help-to-buy scheme, Great British Grid, an end to the…

14. Has Andy Burnham reached his peak?

    28 Sep 2026 · 24 min

    The Chancellor gives his conference speech just four weeks before his first budget and Andy Burnham proposes a national care service in England. Anoosh Chakelian, Ailbhe Rea and Ethan Croft bring you the latest from…

15. Is Ed Davey too nice?

    26 Sep 2026 · 34 min

    The rise of balaclava Britain, Kemi Badenoch’s billionaire baloney and Donald Trump’s AI rebrand. Anoosh Chakelian and Will Dunn discuss the stories of the week. 📚 READ:…

16. Has power changed Andy Burnham?

    24 Sep 2026 · 56 min

    For this week’s New Statesman, our Politics Show stars have been busy interviewing some key players in the past year of Labour turmoil. Ailbhe Rea, our Political Editor, had a fascinating encounter with the MP and…

17. Will AI kill us all?

    19 Sep 2026 · 1 h 09 min

    Are tech companies turning apocalypse into profit? In 2022, we were all having fun with a new chatbot called ChatGPT. Meanwhile, ministers and civil servants of the British government were imagining how it might go…

18. Burnham's political donations headache

    17 Sep 2026 · 32 min

    Reform UK received two £36 million donations from crypto billionaire Ben Delo. This has sent shockwaves through Westminster and thrown the question of political finance reform into sharp relief. Labour is caught in an…

19. Farage’s fan club doesn’t care about scandal

    12 Sep 2026 · 28 min

    The fallout from Reform’s latest scandal, John Healey’s first major speech as Chancellor and Ukraine’s plan to tax porn stars. Anoosh Chakelian and Will Dunn discuss the stories of the week. Read:…

20. Ed Miliband resets relations with Israel

    10 Sep 2026 · 1 h 05 min

    Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has unveiled the biggest reset in UK relations with Israel for decades, and, in typical fashion, is putting his stamp on his new role. Meanwhile, the scandal surrounding Reform and their…

21. Andy Burnham can’t explain the economy

    5 Sep 2026 · 36 min

    Labour’s missing money metaphor, the millionaires still getting benefits and Dyson’s £420 toothbrush. Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Will Dunn to round up the stories of the week. READ:…

22. Burnham vs Badenoch: PMQs, round one

    3 Sep 2026 · 1 h 03 min

    This week was Andy Burnham’s first in the Commons as Prime Minister, facing his inaugural head to head with Kemi Badenoch at PMQs. As for the Tories, they have undergone a major reshuffle. Anoosh Chakelian is joined…

23. How can the UK protect its historic buildings from climate change?

    2 Sep 2026 · 23 min

    As the UK faces hotter summers, wetter winters and more unpredictable weather, its historic buildings will need to adapt. But how can Britain make them more resilient without compromising the heritage that makes them…

24. The investigation into “Farage Fest”

    29 Aug 2026 · 28 min

    The investigation into Nigel’s “Farage Fest” election party, Andy Burnham’s Ukrainian jam session and Pope Leo XIV making it onto Vanity Fair’s best dressed list. Anoosh Chakelian and Will Dunn round up the stories of…

25. Zack Polanski's honeymoon is over

    27 Aug 2026 · 37 min

    It’s nearly a year since Zack Polanski took the reins of the Green party. In many ways the party has never been so successful – with five MPs, leading six local authorities and a leader who cuts through with the…

26. How will Burnham navigate the North Sea?

    24 Aug 2026 · 30 min

    One of the first big decisions of Andy Burnham’s premiership is looming: whether to drill for North Sea oil and gas. Labour made a manifesto promise not to grant new licences for oil and gas exploration, but the…

27. Is the UK really poorer than Mississippi?

    22 Aug 2026 · 29 min

    What constitutes a wealthy society, Richard Tice saying we should “enjoy” climate change and the clamour around Harry and Meghan’s return to the UK. Anoosh Chakelian and Oli Dugmore discuss the stories of the week.…

28. Will Andy Burnham call an early election?

    20 Aug 2026 · 31 min

    On the one hand, Burnham may never be as popular as he is now. On the other, the PM could lose an election if he calls it soon, bringing his long-held dream of being prime minister to a horribly premature end. Anoosh…

29. What should the UK do with its unrecyclable waste?

    19 Aug 2026 · 21 min

    The UK still sends millions of tonnes of waste to landfill, creating environmental risks while losing resources that could be put to better use. Given there will always be some waste that we cannot reuse or recycle,…

30. Reform's big benefits gamble

    17 Aug 2026 · 38 min

    After its victory in Clacton, Reform has announced plans to slash the welfare state. Over the weekend, Robert Jenrick claimed a Reform government would cut £50 billion from the welfare bill, excluding foreign…

31. Burnham bounce: Labour overtakes Reform

    15 Aug 2026 · 39 min

    Labour overtaking Reform in opinion polls for the first time in over a year, travel chaos for government ministers and the controversial grave of Dobby the house-elf. Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Oli Dugmore to…

32. Farage wins again at Clacton circus

    14 Aug 2026 · 18 min

    Sorry about all the bangs, things got a little crazy at Clacton Leisure Centre. After a long and fairly ridiculous night, Nigel Farage has been reinstated as MP for Clacton. What happens now? Could it be another…

33. Is Clacton fed up with Farage?

    12 Aug 2026 · 43 min

    Clacton is heading for a by-election on Thursday, triggered by Nigel Farage, amidst the Reform leader's financial scandals. Anoosh Chakelian spends the day in Clacton, getting the perspective of locals. READ…

34. Are we living under “woke Blue Labour”?

    10 Aug 2026 · 44 min

    Andy Burnham’s vision – to reground the Labour party in a sense of place, tradition and belonging – began over a decade ago, rising from the rubble of the Blair and Brown years. Off the back of the party’s 2010…

35. Andy Burnham's North Sea drilling dilemma | Weekly roundup

    8 Aug 2026 · 37 min

    Is supporting North Sea drilling an extremist position? Does Jeremy Clarkson have the right to ask benefit claimants for a thank you note? And should you grass on naughty neighbours breaking the hosepipe ban? Anoosh…

36. Why did Kemi Badenoch allow an ex neo-Nazi to stand?

    6 Aug 2026 · 30 min

    Why did Kemi Badenoch allow a man with a neo-Nazi past to stand as a council candidate? Is Andy Burnham running into his first bump in the road as Prime Minister over his pausing of the early release of prisoners…

37. Is Zack Polanski too "online"?

    3 Aug 2026 · 31 min

    For some time, Zack Polanski’s tenure as Green Party leader had been largely characterised as a success. But he’s been having a turbulent time in recent weeks. He was accused of inciting violence with an Instagram…

38. Chris Philp goes GONZO in the English Channel | Weekly roundup

    1 Aug 2026 · 34 min

    The best day of Andy Burnham's life, Chris Philp goes gonzo in the Channel, and more climate change denial in a burning country. Anoosh Chakelian and Will Dunn round up some stories you might have missed this week.…

39. The Burnham comms and policy blitz

    30 Jul 2026 · 1 h 12 min

    Andy Burnham’s policy and comms blitz powers on - he is setting out his intentions early, and with a very different style than his predecessor. Meanwhile, on his second week, his government is fully appointed, but the…

40. Can the UK turn its life sciences strengths into global leadership?

    29 Jul 2026 · 18 min

    This New Statesman podcast episode has been fully funded by argenx and features an edited panel discussion recorded at the New Statesman’s Igniting Growth Conference. The UK has world-leading science, research and…

41. Gary Lineker wants to pay more tax. What's stopping him?

    25 Jul 2026 · 32 min

    Anoosh and Will are back for their weekly politics round up, this week includes: the tired spectacle of a new prime minister, Wes Streeting's hot mic moment, Gary Lineker's plea for higher taxes, and the ongoing saga…

42. Burnham's cabinet

    23 Jul 2026 · 44 min

    It’s day 4 of Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s premiership. His cabinet is now appointed - With some notable appointments to the top jobs, plenty of reshuffling, and some loyal Starmer-ites out. The PM has also begun to…

43. Prime Minister Andy Burnham

    20 Jul 2026 · 33 min

    Today, Keir Starmer made his way from No 10 to Buckingham Palace to officially resign as Prime Minister. He was closely followed by his replacement, Andy Burnham, who is currently in his first few hours in the job.…

44. Starmer bows out

    18 Jul 2026 · 51 min

    Keir Starmer has bowed out of his role as Prime Minister. At his final PMQs, an unusually convivial tone was struck. As Starmer's political career draws to a close, Will Dunn and Tom McTague discuss his tenure, his…

45. The transition begins

    16 Jul 2026 · 41 min

    As Keir Starmer's premiership draws to a close, Andy Burnham is putting the finishing touches on his plan for power. Ailbhe Rea joins Tom McTague in the studio to discuss: • Anne Widdecomb's role in British Politics…

46. How can the UK protect its Critical National Infrastructure from cyberattacks?

    14 Jul 2026 · 22 min

    Cyberattacks on the UK’s critical national infrastructure are becoming faster and more sophisticated. What will it take to protect the systems and services that keep the country running? Host Zoë Grünewald is joined…

47. Farage's Clacton distraction

    9 Jul 2026 · 56 min

    Nigel Farage, pollings' current front runner to win the next general election, has resigned as an MP. However, he plans to stand as a candidate in the by-election this move will trigger. Labour, the Lib Dems and the…

48. Nigel Farage has lost his aura

    4 Jul 2026 · 27 min

    Nigel Farage loses his cool as he’s grilled on his £5 million “gift”, the “anti-woke” Davos and the elephant seal that’s terrorising Tasmania. Will and Anoosh round up the stories of the week. READ:…

49. "Startlingly transactional" – Burnham prepares for power

    2 Jul 2026 · 54 min

    Andy Burnham is preparing for power – which means horsetrading, negotiations and planning. Ailbhe Rea has been speaking to MPs and advisors inside the Labour party to find out what's really happening in Team Burnham,…

50. “Westminster is broken”: Andy Burnham sets out his leadership plan

    29 Jun 2026 · 23 min

    This morning Andy Burnham delivered a speech criticising “Whitehall culture” and promising to rebalance resources between national and local governments. On course to enter Downing Street in as little as three weeks,…