Politics from the New Statesman

Join critic David Sexton as he delves into Kazuo Ishiguro's modern classic, 'Never Let Me Go.' He reflects on the emotional depth and ethical dilemmas of cloning within the narrative. The discussion highlights Ishiguro's unique style, exploring memory, humanity, and the unsettling impact of technology on our lives. Sexton also examines the book's lasting relevance and its adaptations, shedding light on the role of literature in navigating complex moral landscapes in a tech-driven world.

The Labour party aims to tackle the housing crisis with a target of 1.5 million new homes, but faces significant challenges like planning regulations and local opposition. The government's move to abolish NHS England raises concerns about job security for frontline workers. The struggle of the Green Party to mobilize the left contrasts sharply with the strategic successes of reformist parties. Finally, cutting international aid could have dire consequences for global health initiatives and alter public perception in the post-COVID landscape.

Leaders discuss the precarious peace prospects in Ukraine, navigating complex geopolitical dynamics. Meanwhile, welfare policy shifts in the UK face backlash as internal dissent stirs within the Labour Party. The Conservative leadership is under scrutiny, with Kemi Badenoch's performance raising questions about her future. As Boris Johnson’s potential comeback looms, reactions are mixed, revealing ongoing divisions within the party. The atmosphere in Westminster is charged with uncertainty and power struggles, making it a thrilling political landscape.

Since Nato’s inception in 1949, the US has always formed a central part of the alliance and been the biggest contributor to its defensive strength.However, since his second term began, President Donald Trump has shifted the US’s allegiances towards Vladimir Putin’s Russia and away from Nato. Simultaneously, the US President has repeatedly criticised Europe’s defence spending and the continent’s reliance on the US.This radical shift from the Nato status quo has brought the alliance’s future into question.Katie Stallard is joined by David Reynolds and Max Bergmann.LISTEN 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.

A fateful meeting at a village fête "tilted" the 20th Century "on its axis"So argues Ian Leslie in his new book, John and Paul: A Love Story in Songs.In the book, Leslie argues that The Beatles didn't just dominate pop culture - they redefined how we see ourselves.He reframes the relationship between John Lennon and Paul McCartney as a kind of love story, which shaped the second half of the 20th Century and continues to influence us today.Leslie joins Kate Mossman on Culture from the New Statesman to discuss the book, The Beatles and their legacy.John & Paul: A Love Story in Songs is available from March 27 in book shops and online. Pre-order it here*The author Deborah Levy has reviewed the book for New Statesman. Her review is available to read online now, and will appear in the March 20 issue of the New Statesman magazine.Get full access to all the New Statesman's cultural reviews - as well as our leading politics and global affairs reporting - by becoming a subscriber from just £8.99 per month. Visit www.newstatesman.com/offer.Get the best of the New Statesman direct to your inbox every weekend for FREE by signing up to our newsletter, The Saturday Read. Visit saturdayread.substack.com.*Purchasing a book may earn the New Statesman a commission from Bookshop.org, who support independent bookshops.LISTEN 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.

Given the Rupert Lowe drama, what does the future looks like for Reform and Farage?Hannah Barnes is joined by Andrew Marr and George Eaton to answer listener questions about trouble in Reform land and where to watch in the upcoming local elections.Read: Inside the Reform civil war, Will the Farage-Lowe saga hurt Reform at the polls?, A Reform Labour showdown looms in the Runcorn by-electionSign up to the New Statesman's daily politics newsletter: Morning Call Submit a question for a future episode: You Ask UsLISTEN 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.

Andrew Marr, a veteran political journalist and political editor for the New Statesman, teams up with Will Dunn, the business editor, to dissect the latest reforms proposed by the UK Prime Minister. They dive into the implications of scrapping NHS England and slashing quangos, discussing the ambitious vision of 'Starmerism' for a more focused state. The duo also highlights the growing challenges in the welfare system, particularly concerning mental health and long-term sickness, while advocating for better support for low-income individuals seeking employment.

In recent weeks President Trump’s foreign policy pronouncements have been loud and abrasive. American allies watched in barely concealed dismay as the US president shouted at Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval office. Since then Trump has halted military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine and embarked on trade wars with Canada, Mexico, China - and perhaps next, the EU.In this episode Katie Stallard reports on America First - the Trumpian turn in US foreign policy and the end of the world as we knew it.LISTEN 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.

Kate Mossman, a senior writer at the New Statesman known for her deep dives into music, joins to discuss Lady Gaga's evolution as a pop icon. They explore Gaga's latest album, Mayhem, highlighting its industrial sound and her growth as an artist. The conversation also touches on Gaga's role in reshaping female stardom, the shift from analogue to digital media, and the authenticity versus persona debate in pop culture. Mossman reflects on how Gaga maintains emotional engagement in an enigmatic landscape, marking her as a defining figure in music.

 Could Farage’s lack of criticism of Trump damage Reform’s prospects in future UK elections? The team answer listener questions on Trump and Reform, the prospects of the Tories in the local elections, and the point of state visits.Read: The The strange rise of the pro-Russia right, Tories’ anti-Farage opportunitySign up to the New Statesman's daily politics newsletter: Morning Call Submit a question for a future episode: You Ask UsLISTEN 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.