The Standard

If you’re a big supporter of Labour winning the Christmas election then buckle up as it really isn’t looking too good for them. According to a survey based on YouGov polling they are headed towards a huge defeat. Things might change if there is a late surge in voter registration but so far so it looks as though they are set to lose both Kensington in London, Dagenham and Rainham which have been a big supporter of Labour for decades.It’s not that the public are enthusiastic about Boris Johnson and The Conservatives or that they aren’t looking for change. It is simply that they do not like or trust Jeremy Corbyn.The Leader podcast have spoken to The Evening Standard’s Londoner editor Ayesha Hazarika.It’s been 19 years since 10 year old Damilola Taylor was stabbed to death on his way home from a library in Peckham. Despite years of campaigning to tackle youth crime, his father Richard Herring told the Evening Standard that society has now become “normalised” to it. The Evening Standard’s Crime Correspondent Anthony France spoke to Richard about what they are doing as a family to continue Damilola’s legacy, supporting the Violence Reduction Unit in London and plans to support trainee doctors.Huge Victorian gas holders were once gleaming iron towers dotted around the city. Now they look to shape London’s skyline long after anyone can remember why they were built in the first place. One on the Old Kent Road is to be kept as the centre of a new housing development and The Leader podcast spoke to The Evening Standard’s Jonathan Prynn about what’s so special about this gas holder.***TRANSCRIPTPRESENTER:Thanks for listening to the leader you can subscribe and rate from your favorite podcast provider. Now from the Evening Standard in London, this is the leader forPRESENTER:Hi I'm David Marsland Labour is in trouble and Jeremy Corbyn is the reason whyAYESHA HAZARIKA:I've spoken to three Labour MPs this morning from all across the country. And they're dismayed but not surprised by that poll.PRESENTER:The standard’s Ayesha Hazarika explains the parties new election strategy as a major poll shows the Tories winning with a big majorityalso,ANTHONY FRANCE:every time he hears about a youngster being stabbed to death in London, you know, he feels it as if it's his own son.PRESENTER:Our crime correspondent Anthony France has spoken to the father of Damilola Taylor, about the family's plans to support training doctors in his son's nameJONATHAN PRYNN:and it's unusual and very large when it was created. In 1891, it was the largest gas holderanywhere in the world.PRESENTER:Jonathan Prynn speaks to us about London's love of Victorian gas houses with an iconic one at Old Kent road set to be... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It has been up and down journey for Jo Swinson and the Lib Dems who are pushing hard for the party to win its first election. In the Evening Standard Michael Heseltine is giving his backing to two Lib-Dem candidates in the upcoming election and he doesn’t care if he gets thrown out of the Tories because of it. Last weekend Alistair Campbell was campaigning for the Lib-Dems too, as part his own “tactical voting strategy”. Despite the hype around the Liberal Democrats they still don’t look to be gaining actual votes. The Evening Standard's Associate Editor Julian Glover joins The Leader podcast to explain why he believes there’s a way for the party to save its election. Benedict Cumberbatch and Cate Blanchett gave readings last night to 500 Londoners who attended the eighth annual Fayre of St James’s charity concert. The special carol singing event raised £230,000 for food waste charity The Felix Project. The event even had performances from Craig David and Beverly Knight. The Evening Standard’s Magda Ibrahim tells the Leader podcast all the gossip from backstage.***TRANSCRIPTPRESENTER: Thanks for listening to the Leader – you can subscribe and rate through your podcast provider, and get the best news, analysis, interviews and commentary every day at 4pm.Now, From the Evening Standard in London, this is The Leader. PRESENTER: Hi, I’m David Marsland – The Liberal Democrats strode into this election with a bold claim that Jo Swinson was going to move into Number 10 next month.JO SWINSON: When I look at Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn, I am certain I could do a better job than either of them.PRESENTER: Now they’re slipping in the polls, Deputy Leader Sir Ed Davey’s admitting the removal vans aren’t being hired… so is it all over for them? Not necessarily:JULIAN GLOVER: They're the sort of forgotten one in the corner and suddenly everyone swung around and said hello, we love you Lib Dems. We're back. We're back rescue us, and the poor old Lib Dems are sagging a bit under the weight of expectations.PRESENTER: Our Associate Editor Julian Glover argues there’s a way for the party to save its election.And..MAGDA IBRAHIM: He didn't kind of give us too much for clue about what the book is called or when it's going to be out. He just said to us yep you're the first people to actually hear it, which was quite exciting.PRESENTER:The Standard’s Magda Ibrahim takes us backstage at the Fayre of St James’s where Benedict Cumberbatch revealed a mysterious new book he’s writing. PRESENTER: Taken from the Evening Standard’s Editorial Column, this is the Leader. For the whole... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK’s Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis has said that Jeremy Corbyn is unfit for high office over his handling of anti-Semitism in the Labour party. Rabbi Mirvis said that "The way in which the leadership has dealt with anti-Jewish racism is incompatible with the British values of which we are so proud - of dignity and respect for all people. It has left many decent Labour members both Jewish and non-Jewish, ashamed of what has transpired."The Evening Standard’s Joe Murphy joins The Leader Podcast from Westminster to discuss what this means for the Labour party’s election campaign.Up to 25,000 train services — thousands more than first forecast — face cancellation in the 27-day walkout by South Western Railway (SWR) train staff which starts next Monday. Industrial action will affect all services to and from mainline Waterloo, the London’s busiest station and is predicted to cost businesses up to £400m. Strikes will disrupt commuters travelling into the city and affect Christmas party goers with some services stopping as early as 10pm. Our editorial column thinks the strike should be stopped.AFC Wimbledon has been owned by its supporters since it was set up in 2002 when the former Wimbledon FC was uprooted from south London to eventually become MK Dons. AFC Wimbledon have most recently been playing in Kingston-upon-Thames but from day one the dream has been to go back to where the fans call home – Plough Lane. If all goes to plan this is likely to happen - if they can source the money. The Evening Standard’s Simon Collings is out of the newsroom chasing the story and joins The Leader podcast.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s podcast:This morning Transport for London stripped Uber of its licence to operate in London. The news will shock the 45,000 drivers, and the many users who rely on the service. However, TFL insists that Uber is not a fit and proper company to hold an operating licence.The Leader podcast spoke to The Evening Standard’s City Hall editor Ross Lydall on why Uber should keep its license.The manifestos are out. So are the candidates, pounding the streets, knocking doors, hitting phones – all to persuade people to vote for them. The Evening Standard’s Londoner editor Ayesha Hazarika and Julian Glover, our Associate Editor, join The Leader podcast to discuss how the parties are fighting for your vote, and why it is so vital that everyone registers to vote before it’s too late.The brightest stars of the London stage gathered to celebrate the 65th Evening Standard Awards on Sunday night, with big winners including Best Actress Dame Maggie Smith and Best Actor Andrew Scott. The Evening Standard's Digital Arts editor Jessie Thompson was there for all of it and gives us her insider scoop.****TRANSCRIPT: PRESENTER: Thank you for listening to The Leader, we bring you commentary and analysis every weekday at 4pm. Subscribe to make sure you get it on time and you can rate us too. From the Evening Standard in London, this is The Leader PRESENTER: Hi, I'm David Marsland. Transport for London has stripped Uber of its license to operate in the city. Uber has become a way of life for millions of Londoners.ROSS LYDELL:This is how people get about town, how they get the children about town. And I don't think this decision quite tallies thatPRESENTER: Our City Hall editor Ross Lydell on what that means and what happens next. The Standard calls for the service to stay on the road. Also...AYESHA HAZARIKA:Theresa May appears to be the Tory secret weapon. She's been there twice. She's now a celebrity who knew thatPRESENTER: Julian Glover and Ayesha Hazarika on how the parties are fighting for your vote as the deadline to register looms and..SIR IAN MCKELLEN:to the rest of you luxuriating In this magnificent Frank Maxim auditorium thanks for listening to an old boy.PRESENTER: Sir Ian McKellen scooped one of the Evening Standard Theatre awards top prizes last night who else won and what was the backstage gossip.PRESENTER: Taken  from the Evening Standard editorial column. This is the leader of the whole thing. Pick up the newspaper or head to standard.co.uk/comment in a moment we think Uber should keep its license to drive in London.PRESENTER: As the Christmas party season approaches, it's easy to forget the was once not so long ago a world without Uber when thousands with jam the phone lines for the mini Cab closing time for can see the hefty chunk of their bank account to flag down... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UN estimates 1.6 million refugees and displaced people in Syria will endure the cold in makeshift tents, without proper clothing. The UK government has agreed to bring a number of orphans to the United Kingdom. It’s a decision taken after months of consideration – The Standard says it’s the right one. The Leader Podcast spoke to the Evening Standard’s Home Affairs Editor Martin Bentham.27 days of strikes on the South Western Rail network are going ahead over Christmas and New Year. The Evening Standard editorial says it’s unjustifiable. On Sunday it’s the Evening Standard Theatre awards – one of the biggest events in London’s showbiz calendar. This year, it’s at the Coliseum and will be hosted by the Good Fight actress Cush Jumbo.The Evening Standard’s digital arts editor Jessie Thompson joins The Leader Podcast to reveal what’s in store. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s ES Magazine features an exclusive interview with Jeremy Corbyn, by journalist Lynn Barber. The Leader podcast spoke with Lynn for her account of the interview and why she believes Jeremy Corbyn is not expecting to be Prime Minister on December 13th.It’s emerged that Prince Charles advised the Queen to effectively sack Prince Andrew in the wake of his disastrous Newsnight interview about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. The Evening Standard’s Royal Editor Robert Jobson joins The Leader podcast from New Zealand where he is following the Prince of Wales’ tour of the islands, to explain why the heir to the throne made his intervention. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today the Evening Standard has launched its most ambitious campaign ever: a two-year commitment to tackle the homelessness epidemic in our city. In total some 170,000 people are now believed to be homeless in London. For the last six months we have worked with 23 of the capital’s frontline homeless charities to develop a strategy for how we can help address the homeless crisis in London.The campaign will start by working with some of the most vulnerable people — women who tonight have no place of their own to call home.The charities know that no one organisation can tackle this alone. That is why they have joined together to form a united body, the London Homeless Collective, to co-ordinate activities and fundraising efforts. This is a crisis that will be addressed by all of us joining together — the Evening Standard, London's charities and you, the people who live and work in this city. Together we can help address this issue.The Leader podcast spoke to the man behind our most ambitious campaign ever, Oliver Poole.Londoners will pay an extra £70 million for travel next year despite The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan’s efforts to freeze prices.  Rail fairs are expected to be confirmed on Friday.Spurs have hired Jose Mourinho – the manager who “wins at all costs” – replacing Mauricio Pochettino. The Evening Standard’s Chief Football Correspondent James Olley joins The Leader podcast to discuss the Tottenham Hotspur gamble… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this election all major parties are talking about cutting down carbon. The Greens aim for net-zero by 2030, the Labour conference voted for the same, although its manifesto may have a later date. The Tories already have it in law for 2050, and the Lib-Dems think it can be done five years earlier.Associated editor Julian Glover explains why this is “the first climate change election” and why making real change will mean making harder choices that aren’t really being talked about.Rose Hudson-Wilkin is the Church of England’s first black woman bishop. We’re celebrating the sign of a changing church, and ask where it goes next?The Tate Modern launches an exhibition on photographer Dora Maar, its curator Emma Lewis on how an extraordinary female artist’s talent was overlooked because of her male lover – Picasso Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The public reaction to Prince Andrew’s interview for the BBC’s Newsnight has been described as “catastrophic”. There’s been nothing from the Prince or the Palace since it was released on Saturday. But others are talking – the Standard columnist Rohan Silva, a former government adviser, has written about a meeting with The Queen’s second son, in which he claims the N-word was used. That has been denied by Buckingham Palace. The Evening Standard’s Jonathan Prynn joins The Leader podcast to talk about our front page exclusive.The Wallace Collection has agreed to lend its Titian, Perseus and Andromeda to The National Gallery, for the first time in 400 years. For 300 years, six canvases by Titian have been kept apart. When last attempted to be brought together, they were blocked by an obscure 19th century clause. Robert Dex our Arts correspondent joins the podcast to tell us why these pieces are so special and why they were kept apart for so long.Subscribe to The Leader podcast on Apple Podcasts, Acast, Spotify or wherever you listen. New episodes every weekday at 4pm GMT Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Labour have pledged to make broadband free for all by renationalising BT Openreach if they win the General Election. The idea has been labelled a “fantasy plan” by The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Nicky Morgan.We spoke to the Evening Standard’s Consumer Business Editor Jonathan Prynn who explains why this plan would harm us all.London is home to eight wonderful Royal parks which create 5,000 acres of green space in one of the busiest cities in the world. Now Royal Parks bosses are set to ban “rat running” traffic in some areas in a bid to improve air quality. The Leader podcast left the newsroom to take a walk with our City Hall editor Ross Lydell to discuss why the Evening Standard believes this is a great idea. England's emphatic 7-0 victory over Montenegro last night brought qualification for next summer’s Euro 2020 tournament. The Leader podcast spoke to Evening Standard Deputy Digital Sports editor Tom Dutton on why we have good reason to look forward to the competition. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.