Jim Pickard

Tina Brown, veteran magazine editor and founder of The Daily Beast, recalls early reporting on Jeffrey Epstein and the pushback she encountered. Jim Pickard, FT political editor, explains handling massive document drops and verification challenges. Johanna Konta, former British number one tennis player, discusses rising behind-the-scenes cameras and athlete privacy trade-offs.

In a gripping discussion, Jim Pickard, Deputy Political Editor at the Financial Times, Stephen Bush, a sharp political columnist, and Robert Shrimsley, the Chief Political Commentator, delve into the fallout of Robert Jenrick’s defection to Reform UK. They dissect whether Kemi Badenoch's swift dismissal of Jenrick showcased strength or hasty decision-making. The panel also explores the implications for the Conservative Party, the brewing rivalry with Reform, and the challenges facing right-wing voters ahead of upcoming elections.

Robert Shrimsley, FT chief political commentator, gives long‑view analysis. Anna Gross, FT political correspondent, reports on UK‑EU ties and voter mood. Jim Pickard, FT deputy political editor, breaks down policy and election dynamics. They discuss Starmer’s pivot toward the EU after Trump's taunts. Conversations cover defence, energy, security cooperation strains and the impact on local elections.

Sir Keir Starmer is 5,000 miles away in China, meeting President Xi Jinping to drum up investment and deepen relations, but back on the home front the PM’s leadership looks increasingly beset. Manchester mayor Andy Burnham’s ambitions may have been thwarted for now, but the plotting continues in rival contenders’ camps. In a bid to wrestle back control of the agenda, the government is pressing on with fresh policy announcements. Meanwhile, the Tories have seen more MP defections to Reform, as senior centrist figures seek to drag the Conservatives away from the right. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by Political Fix regulars Jim Pickard, Jennifer Williams and Robert Shrimsley – plus George Parker is on the ground in Shanghai.Follow Lucy: @lucyfisher.ft.com or @LOS_Fisher;  George: @georgewparker.bsky.social, or @GeorgeWParker; Robert: @robertshrimsley.bsky.social or @robertshrimsley, Jim: @pickardje.bsky.social or @PickardJE and Jennifer: @jenwilliamsft.bsky.social or @JenWilliamsMENWant more?  Donald Trump warns Keir Starmer against closer business ties with China China rolls out the red carpet for Keir StarmerGovernment plans to tighten scrutiny of Chinese influence in UKThe prisoner of Downing StreetLabour triggers early by-election to limit fallout from Andy Burnham rowReform UK picks Matt Goodwin for Gorton and Denton by-electionUK government caps ground rents paid to freeholdersSign 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 analysis. Get 30 days free.Political Fix is presented by Lucy Fisher. The producer is Clare Williamson and the executive producer is Flo Phillips. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Our email address is politicalfix@ft.comClip from: ReutersRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

George Parker, FT political editor: Westminster insider on government strategy. Stephen Bush, columnist and newsletter writer: commentator on party politics. Jim Pickard, FT deputy political editor: investigative Westminster reporter. They unpack the Mandelson files, who signed off the appointment, Whitehall memos and vetting failures. Then they discuss awkward Iran war U-turns, shifting party lines and UK defence and energy implications.