Political Fix

Miranda Green, FT political commentator on British policy; George Parker, FT chief political correspondent on strategy; Robert Shrimsley, FT political analyst on party dynamics. They tackle Starmer’s relaunch and whether it can shift momentum. They debate Britain’s governability and possible voting reform. They discuss student loans, state capacity and rising defence costs.

It’s been a dreadful night for Labour as council seats across the country have turned from red to turquoise. The Conservatives have not fared much better with Reform UK the big winner so far. With results still coming in, host Lucy Fisher discusses the fracturing of the vote and the future for beleaguered Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer with the FT’s deputy political editor Jim Pickard, Northern England correspondent Jen Williams and political columnist Stephen Bush.Have a question for the panel? We’re planning a question and answer episode on Monday May 11. Email your questions to politicalfix@ft.comFollow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, and Bluesky: @lucyfisher.ft.com; Jim @PickardJE and @pickardje.bsky.social; Stephen @stephenkb & @stephenkb.bsky.social and Jen: @JenWilliamsMEN and @jenwilliamsft.bsky.socialWant more? UK elections: Labour suffers heavy losses as Reform surgesFour things we learnt in the UK electionsScale of defeat should shake ‘big two’ parties into serious actionKeir Starmer defies calls to quit after heavy Labour council lossesUK local and devolved elections: Hour-by-hour guide to key resultsIn Labour’s bleak moment, Andy Burnham relishes his ownSign 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. Get 30 days free.Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Clare Williamson. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The broadcast engineers were Andrew Giorgiades and Petros Gioumpasis. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s global head of Audio.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Bush, political columnist known for Labour analysis; Robert Shrimsley, FT chief political commentator on parliamentary strategy; Miranda Green, FT deputy opinion editor on party dynamics. They probe Labour’s looming local losses and leadership risks. They discuss whether reshuffles can restore authority. They assess Reform UK and the Greens, their momentum and vulnerabilities, and what local shocks could mean for wider party politics.

A lively tour of the big ideas and surprising histories behind money and finance. Short digs into unregulated frontier banking, ancient debt rituals, and the origins of modern credit instruments. Conversations highlight recurring manias, market meltdowns, and the personalities and institutions that shaped global finance.

Jim Pickard, FT deputy political editor, breaks down the Mandelson appointment drama. Anna Gross, FT political correspondent, maps parliamentary reaction and electoral risks. Chris Smyth, FT public policy editor, assesses civil service trust and policy fallout. They unpack vetting failures, party tactics, looming local elections, and debates over energy pricing, deportation plans and booming business degrees.

Stephen Bush, political columnist and Inside Politics writer, offers sharp takes on Starmer’s strategy. Jim Pickard, FT deputy political editor, examines government policy and the Mandelson vetting story. Robert Shrimsley, FT chief political commentator, analyses defence funding and political stakes. They discuss Lord Robertson’s critique of defence complacency, procurement battles, funding choices and looming local elections.

George Parker, FT political editor, offers insight on government strategy. Chris Smyth, FT public policy editor, covers public services and policy pressures. Stephen Bush, political columnist, explains party politics and union dynamics. They discuss rising public sector pay demands, junior doctors’ strikes, student loan interest cap, local election politics and Starmer’s Middle East trip in multiple lively conversations.

Robert Shrimsley, FT chief political commentator, gives long‑view analysis. Anna Gross, FT political correspondent, reports on UK‑EU ties and voter mood. Jim Pickard, FT deputy political editor, breaks down policy and election dynamics. They discuss Starmer’s pivot toward the EU after Trump's taunts. Conversations cover defence, energy, security cooperation strains and the impact on local elections.

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.