Political Fix

Andrew Mitchell went through many of the UK's most established institutions, from public school to the army to the City of London and parliament, the Whips Office and the cabinet. His new book, “Beyond A Fringe”, refers not only to his distinctive hairstyle but also his insider’s view of Britain. We explore his journey into politics, life in government and where he sees Tory politics going next. Presented by Sebastian Payne. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Sean McGarrity, Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/ukFollow @Seb Payne Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We analyse the remarkable by-election outcome. On top of the two biggest parliamentary defeats of his career as prime minister, we’ll look at just how much trouble Boris Johnson is in and whether he’s about to face a leadership challenge. Political editor George Parker and chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley discuss.And we look at the coronavirus situation following a huge rise in case numbers and whether the NHS is at risk of being overwhelmed this winter. Will plan B work or will plan C be required? What would that look like? And with the Bank of England raising rates for the first time in years, how will the economy cope? Health editor Sarah Neville and economics editor Chris Giles discuss.Audio: Sky News + BBC Presented by Sebastian Payne. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Sean McGarrity, -Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @Seb Payne @georgewparker -Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we analyse the new measures abruptly imposed in England in response to the alarming rise in Omicron coronavirus cases. What spooked the government?  Science reporter Oliver Barnes and special guest science commentator Anjana Ahuja explain.Plus, the prime minister faces a Tory rebellion not only over the new Covid rules, but whether parties were held at No 10 last Christmas that broke lockdown rules, and who paid for the refurbishment of his Downing Street flat. Political editor George Parker and political correspondent Laura Hughes look at the scale of the trouble Johnson is in. Audio: Sky News Presented by Sebastian Payne. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Sean McGarrity, -Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @Seb Payne @georgewparker -Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we dissect how much we know about the rising new variant and ask how worried we should be. Will we see much tighter restrictions imposed as Christmas approaches? Health editor Sarah Neville analyses the situation with science editor Clive Cookson.Plus, the Conservatives held the seat in the Old Bexley and Sidcup by-election but with a reduced majority as Labour and the Liberal Democrats collaborated in opposition - and there's another by-election due in two weeks. Political editor George Parker and political correspondent Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe discuss the threat to the Tories. Presented by Sebastian Payne. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Sean McGarrity, -Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @Seb Payne @georgewparker -Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Twenty-seven asylum seekers drowned trying to reach Britain, highlighting the growing crisis of small boats. How can the issue be resolved and what does it say about Anglo-French relations? Plus, we discuss another chaotic week for Boris Johnson and whether a new operation at No 10 would improve the prime minister’s standing.  Presented by Sebastian Payne, with the FT’s Laura Hughes, Anna Gross, Robert Shrimsley and special guest Paul Goodman of Conservative Home. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Sean McGarrity, -Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @Seb Payne -Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we delve into the plan for reshaping the UK’s railways. Is £100bn of investment the biggest change in a generation, or will it prove to be a massive disappointment? Chief political correspondent Jim Pickard discusses this with a special guest: George Osborne, the former chancellor and chair of the Northern Powerhouse Project.Plus, it’s been a torrid week for Boris Johnson but does any of it matter? The Tories may be behind in the opinion polls but is the party hanging with him and for how long? Political editor George Parker analyses the situation with FT contributing editor Camilla Cavendish.Audio source: BBC / Sky / ITVProduced by Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Sean McGarrity.-Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @Seb Payne, @George Parker, @Jim Pickard-Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we examine the row about outside interests for British MPs. Is it acceptable to be earning hundreds of thousands of pounds a year on top of their parliamentary work? And do voters care? Chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley will analyse the situation with political correspondent Laura Hughes.Plus, we look at the very odd case of the 92 hereditary peers in the House of Lords - the last vestiges of aristocracy in our politics. How do they still exist and will their time ever come to an end? Political editor George Parker will take us into this slightly mad world - along with special guest Catherine Haddon from the Institute for Government think tank.Audio source: BBCProduced by Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Sean McGarrity.-Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @Seb Payne, @George Parker, @Robert Shrimsley-Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we discuss the chaotic events surrounding the botched reform of the parliamentary standards committee. We look at why No 10 was so eager to save disgraced MP Owen Paterson and where the row goes next. Political editor George Parker, political commentator Robert Shrimsley and political correspondent Laura Hughes will explain all.And we look back at the first week of the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, where more than 120 world leaders gathered to make headway on climate change. Breakthroughs were made on cash and deforestation, but there was scant progress on coal. Our environment correspondent Leslie Hook and chief political correspondent Jim Pickard take us behind the scenes.Audio source: Sky NewsProduced by Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Sean McGarrity.-Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @Seb Payne, @George Parker, @Robert Shrimsley-Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we examine the philosophy behind this year’s Budget and whether this is a marked change in how the Conservatives look at the economy. Political editor George Parker and chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley discuss.And we look ahead to the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, where world leaders will, or won’t, step up on tackling climate change. Will Boris Johnson’s bold ambitions be met? Or will it turn out to be another missed opportunity? Climate reporter Camilla Hodgson and columnist Pilitia Clarke will explain.Audio source: BBCProduced by Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Sean McGarrity.-Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @Seb Payne, @George Parker, @Robert Shrimsley-Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rishi Sunak delivered his 2021 Budget that pledged to increase spending, cut taxes and burrow away money for saving too. Is it all things to all people and will it help with the cost of living crisis? Political editor George Parker and economics editor Chris Giles will dissect. Presented by Sebastian Payne. Produced by Breen Turner.-Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @SebastianEPayne, @GeorgeWParker & @ChrisGiles_ on Twitter-Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.