

Political Fix
Financial Times
The Financial Times takes you into the corridors of power to unwrap, analyse and debate British politics with a regular lineup of FT correspondents and informed commentators. New episodes available every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 28, 2024 • 34min
Britain’s China conundrum
The podcast discusses the UK's dilemma in dealing with Chinese cyber attacks, balancing security and trade interests. They also cover the resignations of government ministers and strategic political decisions. Additionally, they delve into the economy, social cohesion, free speech, campaign tactics in elections, and job placements for ex-ministers.

Mar 22, 2024 • 35min
Will the economy save Sunak?
In this podcast, the team discusses the political climate surrounding Rishi Sunak and the potential impact of a recovering economy on the Tory party's fortunes. They also touch on Labour's promises for the NHS and the speculation of internal plots against Sunak. Dive into the details of leadership changes, economic optimism influencing voting decisions, healthcare policies, and predictions on the success of government figures like Rachel Reeves and Priti Patel.

Mar 15, 2024 • 37min
Who’s an extremist in the UK?
The podcast explores the UK's new extremism definition and its impact on free speech. They discuss the controversy around racist comments by a top Tory donor affecting Rishi Sunak's leadership. Also, Labour's plans post-Brexit and proposals to improve government efficiency are highlighted. The episode delves into party funding dynamics and the challenges of addressing racism in politics.

Mar 8, 2024 • 27min
Jeremy Hunt: tax-cutting wizard or fiscal drag queen?
Experts discuss Jeremy Hunt's budget and Labour's response, delving into tax policies and fiscal impacts. Economic outlook, AI influence, and speculations on the general election timing are explored. Analysis of recent events, tax reforms, and international engagements add depth to the discussion.

Mar 1, 2024 • 29min
Labour’s worst nightmare?
Veteran agitator George Galloway is returning to parliament after storming a divisive by-election in Rochdale. He claims his victory puts “scores” of other Labour seats at risk. Lucy Fisher is joined by FT colleagues George Parker, Robert Shrimsley and Jim Pickard to analyse the by-election result and examine the division and sectarianism stalking British politics. Plus the team looks ahead to what the government has in line for next week’s Budget. Free Links:George Galloway wins divisive Rochdale by-electionGalloway victory points to frustration with UK political establishmentThe price of not policing the Tories’ paranoid frontierJeremy Hunt urged not to put ‘politics ahead of economics’ as he eyes Labour policiesConservative party suspends Lee Anderson over Sadiq Khan commentsClips: Real America’s VoiceBBCFollow Lucy @LOS_Fisher, George @GeorgeWParker, Robert @robertshrimsley, Jim @PickardJESign up here for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's award-winning Inside Politics newsletter.Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Audrey Tinline. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Original music and audio mix 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.

Feb 23, 2024 • 39min
Why would anyone want to become an MP?
The podcast delves into the chaos in parliament surrounding a vote on a Gaza ceasefire motion and the threats facing MPs, including the debate on security measures. The discussion also covers the fate of the Commons Speaker and the selection of new candidates for the upcoming general election. Additionally, insights are shared on the role and neutrality of the Speaker, candidate selection processes, and political stock picks in the current electoral cycle.

Feb 17, 2024 • 34min
Tories reel from by-election blows
The Conservatives suffer a double blow, losing two safe seats to Labour, amid growing signs that Rishi Sunak’s party is losing votes to the populist Reform UK party. The FT’s Lucy Fisher is joined by political editor George Parker and the FT’s Rafe Uddin to discuss the by-election results in detail, along with elections guru Professor Sir John Curtice. Plus, Lucy sits down with the FT’s foreign editor Alec Russell in a week when foreign secretary David Cameron faced sharp criticism from right-wing US politicians for intervening in the row in Congress over aid for Ukraine. Free links:Tories reel as Labour wins two by-elections and Reform UK gains more than 10% of the voteReform UK voter support highlights threat to Rishi Sunak’s right flankKeir Starmer and big business, a love storyUK’s ‘technical’ recession is politically toxic for Rishi SunakKeir Starmer under growing pressure to overhaul vetting of potential Labour MPsWhy Nato members are sounding the alarm on Russia’s aggressive postureSketchy Politics: the rules of the electoral raceFollow Lucy @LOS_Fisher, George @GeorgeWParker, Rafe @rafeuddinClip: Sky NewsSign up here for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's award-winning Inside Politics newsletter.Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Audrey Tinline. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Original music and audio mix 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.

Feb 9, 2024 • 31min
Will Labour’s green U-turn weaken Starmer?
Keir Starmer dismantles Labour’s flagship pledge, shredding the party’s £28bn green investment plan. The FT’s Jim Pickard joins Miranda Green and chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley to assess the damage to Labour after weeks of confusion over the policy. And in the week when Liz Truss launched the latest Tory ginger group, the team dissects the Tory party’s threats on the right - including from Reform UK. Plus, FT Ireland correspondent Jude Webber discusses whether a Northern Ireland executive led by a Sinn Féin first minister now moves Ireland closer to reunification. Free links:Labour’s green U-turn: how Starmer dropped £28bn ‘albatross’Mandates are overrated - Keir Starmer just needs the winSunak urges Northern Irish executive to focus on ‘day-to-day matters’ Northern Ireland revisits the success of ‘constructive ambiguity’Liz Truss takes aim at Tories for failing to tackle ‘leftwing extremists’Follow, Miranda on @greenmiranda, Jim @PickardJE, Robert @robertshrimsley, Jude @jude_webberSign up here for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's award-winning Inside Politics newsletter.Presented by Miranda Green. Produced by Audrey Tinline. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Original music and audio mix 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.

Feb 5, 2024 • 1min
Introducing: Swamp Notes from The FT News Briefing
If you have questions about this year's US presidential election, we have answers.Swamp Notes is a new podcast from the FT News Briefing. Listen every Saturday morning as our journalists analyse and discuss the latest happenings in US politics. We’ll go beyond the horse race for the White House and offer a global perspective on the election. You can subscribe to Swamp Notes here or wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 2, 2024 • 37min
Who still votes Conservative?
The Conservatives are languishing in the polls, while Labour is riding high – but beneath the headline figures, how does the voter appeal of the main parties break down by sex, age and other factors? The FT’s Lucy Fisher is joined by Political Fix regulars Stephen Bush and Miranda Green to hear from chief data reporter John Burn-Murdoch. John also delves into the glaring ideological gap that has opened up between men and women under 30 and the team considers what his findings mean for the general election.Free links:A new global gender divide is emergingTories remain restless for excitement as the nation loses trust in their deliveryRishi Sunak’s ‘Italian Job’ moment How to heal the great education divide in UK politics The housing crisis is still being underplayed MPs pass legislation aimed at reviving Northern Ireland executive Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, Miranda Green @greenmiranda, Stephen Bush @stephenkb, John Burn-Murdoch @jburnmurdochSign up here for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's award winning Inside Politics newsletter.Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Audrey Tinline. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Original music and audio mix 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.


