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 11, 2026 • 26min
Trump’s “demented” Easter and fragile ceasefire | Will and Anoosh's weekly round up
A rundown of Trump’s bizarre Easter speech and threatening rhetoric toward Iran. A look at Britain’s vanishing middle class and rising tax pressures. Discussion of Greens targeting Labour on housing and political strategy. Reactions to Zack Polanski’s public image and controversial policy headlines. Retail drama from sackings to supermarkets building pubs and other odd store tactics.
Apr 9, 2026 • 55min
AI is embedded in the British state
Will Dunn, investigative journalist at the New Statesman, unpacks how AI quietly runs parts of the British state. He discusses AI drafting laws, shifting authority to opaque foreign models, and the politics behind adopting US-aligned systems. The conversation traces origins in Downing Street, the DeepMind story, and why language models persuade rather than reason.
Apr 6, 2026 • 1h 4min
Yanis Varoufakis: Greece has become Israel's "handmaiden"
Yanis Varoufakis, former Greek finance minister and economist known for the 2015 debt negotiations, discusses Greece’s strategic shift toward Israel, European military complicity, and the risks of rising proto‑fascism. He also covers geopolitical realignments, domestic prosecutions and culture wars, plus debates on violence, resistance and renewables.
Apr 3, 2026 • 31min
Thames Water's careless vandalism
Charlie Maynard, Liberal Democrat MP and leading campaigner against water pollution, speaks about rampant sewage spills in his constituency. He discusses whistleblower revelations, ageing infrastructure and how financial failures and opaque practices let Thames Water evade accountability. He also outlines why tougher enforcement, debt overhaul and new ownership models are being pushed as fixes.
11 snips
Apr 2, 2026 • 32min
Trump’s ground options in Iran
Ruben Stewart, senior fellow for land warfare and former infantry officer, breaks down US military options in Iran. He discusses troop movements, the practicality and risks of seizing Kharg Island, Iran’s layered defenses and how mines and fast-attack craft threaten shipping. He also covers allies’ dilemmas and why diplomacy may be the likeliest path out.
Apr 1, 2026 • 19min
Has Keir Starmer found his vision?
Alva Ray, political editor and Westminster analyst, unpacks Keir Starmer’s Number 10 briefing and wider strategy. She outlines his long-term framing for Britain’s security and fairness. Discussion covers a pivot to closer EU partnership, an incremental rejoin approach, energy-bill targeting, and handling tensions with the US and Trump.
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.
