Political Fix

In the third of our summer specials, Sebastian Payne speaks to Steve Baker, the Tory MP for Wycombe and one of the Conservative party's most formidable campaigners. Whether it's through the European Research Group, his work as a Brexit minister or simply his campaigning, Baker is one of the people Downing Street fears the most, because when he's taken on policy positions, it's very difficult to combat him.Produced by Howie Shannon. The sound engineer was Breen Turner. -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.

In the second of our summer specials, Sebastian Payne speaks to Professor Neil Ferguson of Imperial College London. Nicknamed Professor Lockdown by some newspapers, the leading epidemiologist and government scientific adviser has emerged as one of the most prominent voices during the pandemic. Produced by Howie Shannon. The sound engineer was Breen Turner. Review clips: BBC-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.

In our first summer special, Sebastian Payne speaks to the leader of the Scottish Labour party Anas Sarwar about countering Nicola Sturgeon, how he intends to revive his party’s prospects and leadership in lockdown. They also discuss whether Labour is truly a unionist party and if Sarwar will budge his stance against another independence referendum to win back lost voters. Produced by Howie Shannon. The sound engineer was Breen Turner. -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.

In what should have been a big final week of term at Westminster, Boris Johnson had to abandon plans for a big announcement on social care reform. Instead, ministers tried to come up with a series of exemptions to the Covid isolation rules. Plus, how a new front has opened in the ongoing war of attrition with the EU over the Northern Ireland protocol.Presented by George Parker, with Sarah Neville, Peter Foster, Jim Pickard and Lord Gavin Barwell. Produced by Howie Shannon. The sound engineer was Breen Turner. - Archive: BBC-Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @Seb Payne, @George Parker, @Sarah Neville, @Jim Pickard and @Peter Foster-Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK is pressing ahead with the easing of all lockdown measures on July 19, despite coronavirus infections hitting 50,000 a day. How has Downing Street got itself into a mess over masks? Plus we discuss Boris Johnson’s major speech on ‘levelling up’ and ask whether anyone is wiser about what it’s all about. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Sarah Neville, Robert Shrimsley, Peter Foster and Jim Pickard. Produced by Howie Shannon. The sound engineer was Breen Turner. -Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @Seb Payne, @Robert Shrimsley, @Sarah Neville and @Peter Foster and @Jim Pickard-Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Boris Johnson has announced that all remaining lockdown restrictions will end on July 19 in England, but is he acting too hastily with Covid-19 cases rising so quickly? Plus, we debate whether a new form of English patriotism is emerging through the Euro 2020 matches and what this means for Conservative culture warriors.Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Sarah Neville, Clive Cookson, Robert Shrimsley and Gideon Rachman. Produced by Howie Shannon. The sound engineer was Breen Turner.-Read the latest on ft.com/world/uk-Follow @Seb Payne, @Robert Shrimsley, @Gideon Rachman, @Sarah Neville and @Clive Cookson-Subscribe to ft.com/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sir Keir Starmer was given a reprieve after Labour clung on at the Batley and Spen by-election this week. What does it mean for his leadership? And was Matt Hancock's breaking of lockdown rules to blame for the Conservative party's failure to win? Plus, we discuss what kind of health secretary Sajid Javid might be and how his return to the cabinet will affect the coronavirus and social care debate. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Jim Pickard, Robert Shrimsley and Sarah Neville. Produced by Howie Shannon. The sound engineer was Sean McGarrity.Review clips: BBC-Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @Seb Payne,  @Robert Shrimsley, @Jim Pickard, @Sarah Neville and  @George Parker-Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK eased travel to several holiday destinations this week, but will they welcome British tourists? And when are vaccination passports being introduced? Plus we reflect on five years since the Brexit referendum and how it has reshaped the country, its economy and the political parties. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe, Robert Shrimsley and special guest Anand Menon. Produced by Howie Shannon. The sound engineer was Sean McGarrity. Review clips: News pool, BBC, Sky News -Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @Seb Payne,  @Robert Shrimsley, @Jasmine Cameron Chileshe, @Anand Menon and  @George Parker-Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Boris Johnson reluctantly delayed the easing of England’s lockdown for another month due to the spread of the Delta strain of coronavirus. Will the July 19 easing go ahead? Plus, we discuss the Liberal Democrats’ surprise victory in the Chesham and Amersham by-election and what it means for the government’s planning reforms. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Jim Pickard, Sarah Neville, Robert Shrimsley and Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe. Produced by Howie Shannon. The sound engineer was Breen Turner.Review clips: News poolRead the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/ukFollow @Seb Payne, @Robert Shrimsley, @Jasmine Cameron Chileshe, @Jim Pickard and @Sarah NevilleSubscribe to https://www.ft.com/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The leaders of the west descended on Carbis Bay, along with podcasters, for this year's G7 summit. Boris Johnson and Joe Biden appeared to develop a bromance - despite their split on Northern Ireland. We discuss the key themes of the summit and whether Brexit overshadowed the prime minister's efforts to forward his Global Britain agenda. Plus we look at why the June 21 easing of lockdown restrictions is unlikely to go ahead. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe and Peter Foster. Produced by Josh de la Mare. The sound engineer was Breen Turner. Review clips: News pool, BBC, European Union.Further reading:EU leaders to pressure Boris Johnson over Northern Ireland at G7Johnson and Biden seek to smooth over Northern Ireland differencesG7 to pledge 1bn Covid vaccine doses for poorer countriesUK’s lockdown easing should be slowedWhy ‘sausage wars’ illustrate how both sides are now on a collision course over Northern IrelandHow serious is Delta Covid variant for UK and do vaccines stop it?Fragile US-led G7 tax compromise threatened by search for exemptionsRealism from all sides is needed over Northern Ireland-Read the latest on UK politics-Follow @Seb Payne, @George Parker and @Robert Shrimsley-Subscribe to FT UK politics newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.