Political Fix

Listen to Untold: Power for Sale as Valentina Pop and FT correspondents delve into the Qatargate scandal, exposing corruption charges against EU lawmakers and their ties to Qatar. Unveil the murky world of illegal funds, property raids, and cash seizures in Brussels, casting doubt on Parliament's credibility.

Labour's messy campaign week is dissected as the podcast looks at the rift within Labour over Diane Abbott, the Green Party's threat to Labour in Bristol Central, and the potential shift in political allegiances towards the Greens. The episode also delves into fiscal policies, party strategies, and the rising support for the Green Party.

Lucy Fisher assembles the Political Fix team to discuss the surprise snap general election in the UK. They dive into party campaigns, Rishi Sunak's decision, potential TV debates, Labour's readiness, Nigel Farage's non-candidacy impact, and election strategies.

Sir Keir Starmer has unveiled his party’s six core pledges ahead of the general election – in the same week that Rishi Sunak claimed the country would be less safe under a Labour government. As both parties kick off their election campaigns, the FT’s Whitehall editor Lucy Fisher is joined by Jim Pickard and Miranda Green to examine the battle lines being drawn up. Plus, the FT’s public policy editor Peter Foster outlines the dangers facing the UK’s university sector if the government decides to axe the graduate visa route that allows foreign students to stay on after graduation.Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, Miranda @greenmiranda, Jim @PickardJE, Peter @pmdfosterWant more? Free links:Keir Starmer unveils 6 election ‘first steps’ for a Labour governmentSunak claims UK will be less safe under Labour in pre-election speech The think-tank laying the groundwork for a Labour governmentUnion leader urges backing for Keir Starmer over diluted worker rightsSketchy Politics: Sunak’s sinking feelingEngland’s universities face ‘closure’ risk after student numbers diveThe State of BritainSign up here for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award. Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Audrey Tinline with Leah Quinn. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As politicians and commentators digest the disastrous Tory local election results, FT experts answer subscribers’ questions about what this might mean for the forthcoming general election – and beyond. The FT’s Lucy Fisher is joined by colleagues Stephen Bush, George Parker and Camilla Cavendish for their take on the upcoming general election and the government that will take shape after it. The team tackle your toughest questions during a special FT Political Fix Inside Politics subscriber webinar.Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_FisherWant more? Free links:Are Labour and the Conservatives adopting ‘Heevesian’ economics?Labour defends decision to admit ex-Tory MP Natalie ElphickeWhat we learn from Andy Street’s narrow loss in the West MidlandsRishi Sunak told to show some vision as local polls leave Tories in a hole We’ve made this subscribers-only FT webinar free to everyone and you can watch it here: https://youtu.be/zp0UXwc7DTs?si=E3w2xBAEYfug00U6Sign up here for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award. Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Audrey Tinline. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Andrew Georgiadis and Rod Fitzgerald were the studio engineers. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Tories suffered sobering losses in local elections across England in the last big electoral test before a general election.Labour also trounced the Tories in the parliamentary by-election in Blackpool South - with Reform running a close third in that seat. The FT’s Whitehall editor Lucy Fisher is joined by Political Fix regulars Robert Shrimsley and Miranda Green to comb through the results.Plus, the team is joined by James Kanagasooriam, chief research officer at polling firm Focaldata to dive into the details.Join Lucy and colleagues for an FT subscriber webinar on May 8 to discuss what the local election results tell us about who will win the UK general election. Get your pass now at ft.com/ukwebinarFollow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, Robert @robertshrimsley, Miranda @greenmiranda, James @JamesKanagWant more? Free links:Rishi Sunak on rack as Tory election losses mountThe big messages from the local elections Is Rishi Sunak in trouble after the local elections?Political gravity catches up with the SNPSign up here for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award. Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Audrey Tinline with Leah Quinn. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer.Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Political tensions rise as UK increases defence spending amid global threats from Russia and China. Allegations of Chinese espionage in the UK spark concerns. Labour plans to renationalise railways, promising better services. Podcast delves into security precautions when dealing with China and upcoming political dynamics in Europe.

Rishi Sunak has had an eye on his legacy this week with his flagship smoking ban clearing another hurdle in the Commons – though not without a Tory backlash. Lucy Fisher is joined by Political Fix regulars Miranda Green and Stephen Bush to discuss what Sunak will leave behind if he loses the election. The group also turns its attention to two very different former PMs, as the FT publishes major interviews with both Liz Truss and Gordon Brown this week. Political editor George Parker reveals what he learned during a Norfolk pub lunch with Truss, while the FT’s chief features writer Henry Mance talks about his impressions of Brown during a day in Fife.Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, Miranda @greenmiranda, George @GeorgeWParker, Stephen @stephenkb, Henry @henrymanceRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The raw sewage being pumped into rivers and seas in England has become a seismic election issue. The musician turned environmentalist Feargal Sharkey joins the FT’s Lucy Fisher, George Parker and Robert Shrimsley to assess how we got here, while the FT’s infrastructure correspondent Gill Plimmer analyses Thames Water’s woes. Plus, the team looks at scandals in Westminster and considers how much William Wragg’s honeytrap debacle and allegations that Angela Rayner failed to pay the right tax on a former house sale – which she denies – might damage their parties’ chances in this election year.Since recording, Greater Manchester Police have launched an investigation into allegations that Angela Rayner potentially broke electoral law by failing to properly disclose her main residence in official documents.Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, Robert @robertshrimsley, George @GeorgeWParker, Gill @gillplimmer1, Feargal @Feargal_Sharkey,Want more? Free links:The great stink of Thames WaterRaw sewage discharges in England and Wales hit record levels UK seeks to quell public anger on sewage with £11mn restoration fund Senior MP quits Tory parliamentary party amid sexting scandalLabour’s Angela Rayner refuses to publish tax records as police probe house saleSign up here for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award. Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Audrey Tinline with Leah Qiunn. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Many ‘red wall’ constituencies across northern England, the Midlands and north Wales switched from Labour to the Conservatives in the 2019 general election partly thanks to then prime minister Boris Johnson’s energetic pledge to revitalise struggling communities outside the south-east. It was a seismic shock to Britain’s political landscape but can the Tories hold on to these seats in May’s local and mayoral elections and in an upcoming general election? Host Lucy Fisher, the FT’s Whitehall editor, discusses with colleagues Jim Pickard and Stephen Bush, and is joined by Luke Tryl, the UK director of More in Common, a strategy and communications consultancy focused on explaining public opinion to policymakers.Want more? Free links:Will the ‘red wall’ reshape British politics again?UK’s electoral landscape swings into volatilityOnly 10% of UK levelling up funds spent, say MPsSketchy Politics: can anything save Sunak?Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_FisherSign up here for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award. Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Audrey Tinline with Leah Qiunn. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.