Political Fix

Robert Shrimsley, FT chief political commentator known for sharp leadership analysis; Miranda Green, FT deputy opinion editor with electoral insight; and Chris Smyth, FT public policy editor who explains regulation. They debate whether Keir Starmer should stay, the political risks of leadership turmoil, plans to curb crypto and overseas donations, and how reform UK funding could be affected.

A journalist investigates a controversial Catholic organisation's cultural and political reach in America. The show explores its elite recruitment, strict discipline and public image. It probes the group’s presence in power circles from chapels to Washington and examines the tension between a declared non-political stance and real influence.

Ed Luce, FT US national editor who interviewed Donald Trump. Stephen Bush, political columnist on party strategy. Anna Gross, FT political correspondent on Labour and the Greens. George Parker, FT political editor on UK party dynamics. They debate Angela Rayner’s ambitions, her City talks and tax row. They weigh whether Labour could shift left, the Greens’ rise and electoral risks. Ed Luce also recounts his call with Trump.

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.

Sam Fleming, FT economics editor, explains how Middle East shocks hit UK inflation and growth. Miranda Green, FT deputy opinion editor, dissects immigration shifts and political trade-offs. Robert Shrimsley, FT chief political commentator, probes Starmer’s stance on Iran and party strategy. They debate military options, public polling, fiscal fallout and the political balancing act in short, punchy segments.

The Gorton and Denton by-election was supposedly a three-horse race, but on polling day the Green Party stormed to victory by a vast margin. It was a devastating defeat for Labour, which was pushed into third place behind Reform UK. Sir Keir Starmer now faces intense pressure, while his party must battle a threat from the left as well as the right. Does this historic result – the first ever by-election triumph for the Greens – signal the end of the two-party system? And where does it leave Reform?Host Lucy Fisher is joined by FT political correspondent Anna Gross, northern England correspondent Jennifer Williams, and political editor George Parker.Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher and @lucyfisher.ft.com; George @georgewparker; Jennifer @JenWilliams_FT; Anna @AnnaSophieGross Sign up here for Stephen Bush’s morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insights into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free.Political Fix is presented by Lucy Fisher. This episode was produced by Fiona Symon and Mischa Frankl-Duval. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Our email address is politicalfix@ft.comClip from BBCRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Bush, political columnist and newsletter writer offering tactical electoral analysis. Robert Shrimsley, FT chief political commentator with sharp opinionated takes. Anna Gross, FT political correspondent reporting from Reform UK events. They dissect Farage’s shadow cabinet rollout, the party’s theatrical rallies and tactical signalling. They debate electability risks and the Gorton and Denton by-election as a key test.

After another torrid week for the prime minister, the focus has shifted from No 10 to Whitehall as the UK’s top civil servant is shown the door. Cabinet secretary Sir Chris Wormald had been in the job for less than 14 months, and his departure — following the resignations of Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff and communications director — has intensified questions about the PM’s judgment over key appointments.While Starmer’s cabinet appears to have rallied behind him in the short term, the impending release of further documents relating to Lord Peter Mandelson’s time as UK ambassador to the US looms large. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by the FT’s deputy opinion editor Miranda Green, columnist and writer of the Inside Politics newsletter Stephen Bush and public policy editor Chris Smyth.Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher and @lucyfisher.ft.com; Stephen @stephenkb and @stephenkb.bsky.social; Miranda @greenmiranda and @greenmirandahere.bsky.social; & Chris @Smyth_Chris and @chris-smyth.bsky.socialWant more?  Keir Starmer faces backlash over ousting of Britain’s top civil servantPolitical crises lead to ‘perma-purdah’ in WhitehallWestminster fears release of ‘embarrassing’ exchanges in Mandelson data dumpKeir Starmer’s route to recoveryThe Labour Party has become devoid of purposeSign up here for Stephen’s morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free.Political Fix is presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Audio mix by Sean McGarrity. Original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Our email address is politicalfix@ft.comClip from Channel 4 News Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ashley Armstrong, FT chief UK business correspondent, on corporate reaction and economic stakes. Stephen Bush, FT columnist, on Labour dynamics and leadership maths. Jim Pickard, FT investigative reporter, on the Mandelson–Epstein document revelations. They walk through fresh disclosures, resignations, police probes and what it means for Starmer and the party's political stability.

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.