Daily Politics from the New Statesman
The New Statesman
Helping you make sense of politics – every weekday.Anoosh Chakelian, Oli Dugmore and the New Statesman team bring you sharp reporting, clear analysis and thoughtful conversations to help you understand what’s really going on in Westminster and beyond.The New Statesman is Britain’s leading source of news and commentary on politics and culture with a progressive perspective. On Daily Politics, our journalists and expert guests cut through the noise of the headlines to explain the forces shaping our world. From the battles inside the Labour Party to the future of the Conservatives, from the rise of Reform UK to the debates that dominate Parliament, we provide the clarity you need to follow UK politics.--START HERE:▶︎ Kemi Badenoch isn't working | Cover Story with Tom McTague▶︎ Do billionaires really benefit the UK?▶︎ One year of Labour rule: can things still only get better?--LISTEN AD-FREE:📱Download and subscribe in the New Statesman app to enjoy all our episodes without the ads.--MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ Ask a question - we answer them on the podcast every Friday⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter in your inbox every morning✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday--Hosts:Anoosh ChakelianOli DugmoreRegular contributors and co-hosts:Tom McTague, Editor-in-chiefWill Lloyd, Deputy editorAndrew Marr, Political editorGeorge Eaton, Senior editor, politicsHannah Barnes, Associate editorRachel Cunliffe, Associate political editorWill Dunn, Business editorMegan Gibson, Foreign editorKatie Stallard, Global affairs editorTanjil Rashid, Culture editorKate Mossman, Senior writerProduction team:Senior podcast producer: Catharine HughesVideo producer: Rob Le MareAssistant producer: Biba KangExecutive producer: Chris Stone Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Apr 1, 2026 • 18min
Has Keir Starmer found his vision?
Keir Starmer delivered one of his routine updates on the war in Iran in a press conference from Number 10 this morning - but this one was a little meatier than usual.Will Lloyd is joined by Ailbhe Rea to discussLISTEN AD-FREE:📱Download the New Statesman appMORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 31, 2026 • 31min
How green is the Green Party?
Megan Kenyon, political correspondent known for analysis of the Green Party and UK politics, joins to discuss the party's shifting identity. They cover polling surprises on oil and fracking, how energy shocks reshape voter instincts, Zac Polanski's broader economic agenda, tensions between member-led policy and leader-driven strategy, and the impact of recent local wins on Green credibility.
Mar 30, 2026 • 32min
Inside Labour’s immigration feud
Alva Ray, political editor and analyst who covers Labour Party politics, breaks down the row over Shabana Mahmood’s immigration plan. She outlines the earned-settlement proposal, the concerns in a 100-MP letter, and how integration, children’s welfare and party splits shape the debate. Tension over tone, consultation blowback and parliamentary risks are highlighted.
Mar 28, 2026 • 38min
“Another chapter in the farce that is HS2” | Will and Anoosh’s weekly round up
A stolen phone and disappearing WhatsApps that complicate accountability in Westminster. A clash over council tax claims and debates about local government funding. Ridiculous HS2 cost-cutting ideas like slowing trains get roasted. Political fundraising and culture-war arguments mingle with talk of high-profile arrests and oddly apt names in the news.
Mar 27, 2026 • 1h 9min
Rory Stewart sees fundamental evil in Trump
Rory Stewart, former diplomat, cabinet minister and charity founder who walked across Afghanistan, discusses geopolitics, the Middle East and English identity. He reflects on boarding-school resilience, AI and creativity, the failures of Afghanistan interventions, Iran's strategic culture, nuclear proliferation risks, and the tensions between rewilding and rural livelihoods.
Mar 26, 2026 • 23min
Ban Instagram? You must be kidding.
Hannah Barnes, political journalist and associate editor who covers public policy and social issues, discusses the US verdict holding Meta and Google liable and what it means for UK plans to restrict children’s social media. She explains alleged addictive design features, reviews internal memos, and outlines UK trial approaches and the political and practical hurdles around any ban.
Mar 25, 2026 • 36min
Is Ed Miliband the most powerful person in government?
Will Lloyd, deputy editor and political reporter who wrote a profile of Ed Miliband, joins to map Miliband’s outsized role in government. Short takes on his energy legacy, policy influence across Whitehall, personal style and ambition. Conversations cover net zero goals, security worries over supply chains, cultural backlash and whether his ideas now shape Labour’s agenda.
Mar 24, 2026 • 26min
Does Trump regret the war in Iran?
Philips O'Brien, professor of strategic studies and American historian at St Andrews, offers concise expertise on military strategy and leadership. He discusses the dangers of using force without a plan. He compares decision-making styles of powerful leaders. He highlights risks for Taiwan, naval vulnerabilities, drone warfare, and the hard choices between escalation and negotiation.
Mar 23, 2026 • 24min
How Covid fear shaped the meningitis response
Hannah Barnes, investigations editor known for health policy reporting and on-the-ground coverage of the Kent meningitis outbreak. She walks through the outbreak timeline and response. She compares public reaction to pandemic-era fear. She examines vaccine policy decisions and calls for renewed campus meningitis education.
Mar 21, 2026 • 47min
"Build the tunnel right through stonehenge" | Anoosh & Will's weekly round-up
They debate the cancelled Stonehenge tunnel and local fights over planning decisions. They cover the end of Infowars and the collapse of Meta’s metaverse bet. Conversation turns to oil and plastic supply risks from Middle East disruption. They critique hawkish US rhetoric about warfare and flag up big political gambles on housing, taxes and regional economic policy.
