Political Fix

For Prime Minister Rishi Sunak the results were ‘disappointing’, Labour’s Sir Keir Starmer claimed his party was heading for power and Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey wore a ‘Cheshire cat’ grin. What do this week’s local elections in England show about the likely direction of the next general election? Host George Parker discusses with columnist Stephen Bush, Northern England correspondent Jennifer Williams and the FT’s new Whitehall editor Lucy Fisher.Presented by George Parker. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Josh Gabert-Doyon. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. The sound engineer is Breen Turner and the FT’s head of audio is Cheryl BrumleyNews clips: Sky, BBC, GB NewsSign up for 90 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award: https://www.ft.com/newsletter-signup/inside-politics Follow @GeorgeWParker on Twitter Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rishi Sunak has launched a charm offensive to win back the support of business while Labour wines and dines the financial community. Are their efforts to connect with corporate Britain convincing? Host George Parker discusses with the FT’s markets editor Katie Martin and deputy political editor, Jim Pickard. Plus, we look ahead to next week’s local elections. George and political correspondent Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe compare notes on the mood they found on the doorsteps around the country and columnist Robert Shrimsley provides his analysis.Want more?Why the Tories worry about Labour’s charm offensive with businessJeremy Hunt admits UK business taxes too high as government pressed on strategySunak aims to woo Britain’s business leaders in corporate resetSign up for 90 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award: https://www.ft.com/newsletter-signup/inside-politics Presented by George Parker. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Josh Gabert-Doyon. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. The sound engineer is Jan Sigsworth and the FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Follow @GeorgeWParker on Twitter Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we’re bringing you an extended edition of the podcast recorded during a webinar from the FT Live events team. Host Miranda Green is joined by FT columnist Stephen Bush, the FT’s public policy editor Peter Foster and Jane Green, professor of political science at Nuffield College, University of Oxford, to answer subscribers’ questions on factors that will shape the outcome of 2024’s UK general election. How much will Brexit matter, who will be more convincing on law and order and immigration, and how will the generation divide play out? Presented by Stephen Bush. Produced by Anna Dedhar. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. The sound engineer is Breen Turner and the FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.Follow @greenmiranda on Twitter Sign up for 90 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award: https://www.ft.com/newsletter-signup/inside-politics Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com View our accessibility guide Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joe Biden’s visit to Northern Ireland was designed to mark the anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. But it was brief compared with his stay in the Republic of Ireland. Did the US president's presence help or hinder the prime minister’s efforts to restart power-sharing self-government in the Northern Ireland Assembly? Host Miranda Green discusses US-UK relations with Ireland correspondent Jude Webber and the FT’s chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley. Plus, sewage again and everywhere: it's in the UK’s rivers and seas. Is there a risk it could sweep away Conservative councillors and MPs? Columnist Stephen Bush and Gill Plimmer, the FT's expert on the privatised utilities, are on hand to discuss.Presented by Miranda Green. Produced by Anna Dedhar. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. The sound engineer is Breen Turner and the FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.News clip: BBCWant more?Joe Biden’s long Good Friday Joe Biden in Ireland: ‘Your feet will bring you where your heart is’ Biden’s ‘homecoming’ Ireland visit mired in post-Brexit politicsOfwat has fined just one water company over 1994 sewage spill rulesTwo water groups blamed for 40% of England’s sewage spills in 2022Join a panel led by award-winning columnists Miranda Green and Stephen Bush, who writes the daily Inside Politics newsletter, for an FT subscriber webinar on the factors that will shape the outcome of next year's general election hereFollow @greenmiranda on TwitterSign up for 90 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award: https://www.ft.com/newsletter-signup/inside-politicsRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Getting out of the UK - and indeed getting in - is becoming more difficult. Host Miranda Green unpicks home secretary Suella Braverman’s tough talk on British borders with FT columnist Stephen Bush and Rhys Clyne, the Institute for Government’s home affairs expert. Plus: this week marked the death of Nigel Lawson, one of the most consequential and longest-serving British chancellors of the 20th century. Miranda discusses his highs and lows with FT economics editor Chris Giles and Patience Wheatcroft, veteran business journalist.Presented by Miranda Green. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Persis Love. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. The sound engineer is Breen Turner.News clips: Sky, BBCWant more?Dorset residents unite against plan to moor asylum seekers in port UK passport delays hit ‘unacceptable level’ in 2022, says report Nigel Lawson, chancellor and journalist, 1932-2023Brexit gives us a chance to finish the Thatcher revolution - by Nigel Lawson, September 2016 Follow @greenmirandaSign up for a free 90 days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award: https://www.ft.com/newsletter-signup/inside-politics Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK government unveiled a new net zero plan this week after the High Court ruled last year that existing plans were not enough for the UK to reach net zero targets. So is the new plan up to scratch? Host George Parker discusses with the deputy political editor Jim Pickard and climate reporter Camilla Hodgson. Plus, campaigning has kicked off for the May local elections. Labour and the Liberal Democrats have been out on the road but where were the Conservatives? Deputy opinion editor Miranda Green and columnist Stephen Bush look ahead to a vital test of public opinion.Presented by George Parker. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Manuela Saragosa. The sound engineer was Breen TurnerNews clips: BBC-Follow @GeorgeWParker -Sign up for Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter - free for 90 days -Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com -View our accessibility guide Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Boris Johnson testified for his political life this week but was it enough to save his political career? George Parker discusses the former prime minister's future with the FT’s political commentator Stephen Bush and political correspondent Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe. Plus, while the Tory Eurosceptics may have been crushed after Rishi Sunak won a vote on a new post-Brexit deal for Northern Ireland, the Democratic Unionist party is still saying it won’t return to power-sharing in Stormont. The FT’s Ireland correspondent Jude Webber and public policy editor Peter Foster give their analysis.Produced by Anna Dedhar and Manuela Saragosa. The sound engineer was Breen Turner  -Follow @GeorgeWParker -Subscribe to FT UK politics newsletter -Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com -View our accessibility guide  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why was the chancellor buoyed by forecasts that the UK would avoid a technical recession when the economy is still set to shrink? We dissect the economic and political implications of  Jeremy Hunt’s Budget, including his giveaway on pension limits - set to benefit the country’s richest - which Labour seized on as helping the wrong people. Presented by George Parker, with economics editor Chris Giles, political columnist Stephen Bush, consumer editor Claer Barrett and special guest Torsten Bell, chief executive of the Resolution Foundation. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Manuela Saragossa. The sound engineer was Breen Turner Claer Barrett’s new book is What They Don’t Teach You About Money: Habits to get you unstuck and on the road to financial freedom  Order the book here-Follow @GeorgeParker @StephenBush @ClaerB-Subscribe to FT UK politics newsletter -Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com -View our accessibility guide   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Even the Home Secretary Suella Braverman admitted there were questions over the legality of the tough new legislation introduced in the House of Commons this week. Others criticised it for being inhumane. We discuss the language and strategy of the policy and ask, is it workable? Plus, the UK-France summit in Paris shines a spotlight on the warmth between Rishi Sunak and Emmanuel Macron and the two countries’ post-Brexit relationship.Presented by George Parker, with deputy opinion editor Miranda Green, political correspondent Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe, Paris bureau chief Leila Aboud and special guest former UK ambassador to France Lord Peter Ricketts. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Persis Love. The sound engineer was Breen Turner  -Follow @GeorgeParker -Subscribe to FT UK politics newsletter -Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com -View our accessibility guide  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Boris Johnson may have criticised the prime minister’s deal on post-Brexit trading in Northern Ireland but a number of formerly staunch Eurosceptic rebels — including Northern Ireland minister Steve Baker — have enthused about Sunak’s success. How is the PM going to manage dissent within his own ranks, or is Eurosceptic opposition crumbling? Plus, what the deal on the new-look protocol - aka the Windsor framework - means in practice for business.Presented by George Parker, with political correspondent Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe, Ireland correspondent Jude Webber, Brussels correspondent Andy Bounds and special guest former Tory cabinet minister and New Statesman columnist David Gauke.Produced by Anna Dedhar and Manuela Saragosa. The sound engineer was Breen TurnerNews clips: BBC, GB News, Sky-Follow @GeorgeParker -Subscribe to FT UK politics newsletter -Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com -View our accessibility guide Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.