Political Fix

The hopes of international travel this summer were dashed as Portugal was taken off the UK's green list for travel amid a rise in cases of the Delta variant of coronavirus. But will the June 21 easing still go ahead? Plus, we discuss the battle between education secretary Gavin Williamson and chancellor Rishi Sunak over funding for post-lockdown schooling and whether the Treasury will eventually put forward more cash. Presented by Sebastian Payne with Sarah Neville, Robert Shrimsley, Chris Giles and Bethan Staton. produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineer was Breen Turner. Review clips: Sky News, BBC News, BBC Today, Channel 4. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Boris Johnson's former chief adviser made an epic seven-hour appearance at a parliamentary hearing this week, claiming the prime minister was unfit for the job and the health secretary a liar. We explore his bombastic claims and the political impact for Johnson. Plus, we examine the impact of the cuts to foreign aid on the ground and whether the budget will rise again. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Robert Shrimsley, Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe and special guest Andrew Mitchell MP. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Josh de la Mare. The sound engineer was Sean McGarrity. Review clips: Parliament TVFurther reading:Cummings exposes dangers of a lightweight leader and a dysfunctional systemHancock admits some patients with Covid were moved into care homesRelations between Johnson and cabinet secretary fray over Cummings tiesCummings’ testimony reveals fatal flaws of the British stateCummings launches stinging attack on Johnson and handling of Covid crisisLessons of Dominic Cummings’ testimony are still to be learntUK aid cuts ‘directly hamper’ fight against HIV, warn politicians and Aids groupsCutting aid undermines the vision of Global BritainAfrica feels the brunt of UK foreign aid cuts-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.

The UK's easing out of lockdown was put under threat by a new strain of coronavirus that originated in India. Can the race between inoculations and infections be won? Will the June 21 easing go ahead? Plus we discuss the biggest shake-up in British rail travel for 25 years and whether passengers will benefit from the new era of Great British Railways. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Sarah Neville, Clive Cookson, Jim Pickard and special guest Christian Wolmar. Produced by Josh de la Mare. The sound engineer was Sean McGarrity. Review clips: Downing Street, Parliament TV, Sky News.Further reading-We will be lost if we panic at every Covid mutation-UK races to tackle coronavirus variant through rapid vaccination-English town of Bolton pins hopes on jabs to avoid another lockdown-UK’s new model railway is likely to serve the public poorly-A rational new model for Britain’s railways-UK rail looks to private sector in biggest shake-up since 1990s Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The opposition Labour party was consumed by infighting this week after Sir Keir Starmer botched a shadow cabinet reshuffle, leading to questions about whether he can survive as leader. Did Starmer overreact and is Labour facing a civil war? Plus, we discuss this year's Queen's Speech and whether the Johnson government's legislative agenda is bold or packed with filler. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Jim Pickard, Robert Shrimsley and Sarah Neville. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Josh de la Mare. The sound engineer was Breen Turner. Review clips: UK news pool, BBC, Parliament TVFurther reading:-Labour’s problem is that Keir Starmer is no Tony Blair-Reeves promotion underlines Labour shift to centre ground under Starmer-Starmer must listen to voters, not Labour factions-Starmer warned of prospect of leadership challenge over summer-Queen’s Speech: The key bills in Johnson’s post-Covid agenda-Putting flesh on the bones of the levelling up agenda-Boris Johnson’s levelling-up agenda takes toll on southern Tories-Read the latest on UK politics-Follow @Seb Payne, @George Parker and @Robert Shrimsley-Susbcribe to FT UK politics newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thursday's local elections resulted in gains for Boris Johnson's Conservatives, including a historic win in the Hartlepool by-election. What does this mean for Labour and Keir Starmer's leadership? Plus, we discuss clashes with the French over Jersey fishing this week and where UK-EU relations will go next. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Jim Pickard, Peter Foster and special guest Georgina Wright of the Institut Montaigne. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Josh de la Mare. The sound engineer was Breen Turner. Review clips: News pool, BBC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Boris Johnson is facing three inquiries into the refurbishment of his Downing Street flat. Why hasn't the prime minister offered a clear explanation of what happened? Will he face sanctions and will it have an impact on the Conservatives in next week's local elections? Plus, we discuss the departure of Arlene Foster as Northern Ireland's first minister and who might replace her as DUP leader. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Robert Shrimsley and Laura Noonan, plus special guest Sam McBride of Belfast News Letter. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Josh de la Mare. The sound engineer was Breen Turner.Review clips: Parliament, Downing Street, DUPRead more:-Team Johnson needs some levelling up-Westminster redecorating could tarnish Johnson’s carefree image-Boris Johnson commits to probe into ‘cash for curtains’ saga-Main players emerge in UK’s ‘cash for curtains’ saga-Poll tracker: how will the SNP fare in Scotland’s May elections?-Labour’s lost heartlands. Can it win them back?-Foster’s departure leaves Northern Ireland braced for more division-Arlene Foster to step down as Northern Ireland first minister-Brussels warns Britain on Northern Ireland as MEPs vote on trade deal-Read the latest on UK politics-Follow @Seb Payne, @George Parker and @Robert Shrimsley Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has accused the prime minister of sleaze after allegations that friends can text him seeking special treatment. Is lobbying worse today? Plus, we discuss the collapse of the plan by big football clubs to form a European Super League, and whether politicians should get more involved in the regulation of the game. Presented by George Parker, with Robert Shrimsley, Helen Thomas, Murad Ahmed and special guest Steve Parish, chair of Crystal Palace Football Club. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Josh de la Mare. The sound engineer was Breen Turner. Review clips: Parliament TV, News pool, Arsenal press officeRead more on FT.com:-Boris Johnson is not the man to clean up British public life-Dyson texts seem low-level sleaze but still raise lobbying questions-Closing the ‘revolving door’ would weaken government further-Dyson moves residency back to UK as text dispute refuses to die down-‘It was utter chaos’: the inside story of football’s Super League own goal-Super League would break football’s essential promise-Super League: European politicians give US sports model a good kicking Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The collapse of Greensill Capital and the involvement of former prime minister David Cameron have raised serious questions about the UK's lobbying regime. We discuss whether any rules were broken and which guidelines need to be reformed. Plus, we remember Prince Philip's contribution to public life and whether the British monarchy is set to undergo major changes. Presented by Sebastian Payne with Jim Pickard, Robert Shrimsley, plus special guests Hannah White and Sir Max Hastings. Produced by Anna Dedhar. The sound engineer was Breen Turner and the editor was Liam Nolan. Review clips: UK Parliament, Reuters, UK news pool. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Britain’s vaccination programme suffered a setback this week over the use of the AstraZeneca jab — the workhorse of the UK immunisation effort — among younger people. How will new guidance for under-30s affect the vaccine rollout and the bounce it has given Prime Minister Boris Johnson in the polls? Plus, what's behind Northern Ireland's most violent disturbances in recent years? Presented by George Parker with Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe, Clive Cookson and Peter Foster together with special guest Jonathan Powell, Tony Blair's chief negotiator ahead of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Josh de la Mare. The sound engineer was Breen Turner and the editor Liam Nolan. Review clips: Department of Health, UK news pool, BBC.Read more:-AstraZeneca vaccine guidance leaves UK facing challenges over supply and hesitancy-Experts back UK age limit for rollout of AstraZeneca vaccine-Pragmatism must triumph over politics in Northern Ireland-London and Dublin call for calm after fresh riots in Northern Ireland-Brexit ignites the debate about a united Ireland-Read the latest on UK politics-Follow @Seb Payne and @George Parker Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Relations between Britain and the rest of Europe thawed this week, after the EU had threatened an export ban on vaccines. Will the UK have enough jabs to complete its second round of doses? And what does it say about broader post-Brexit UK-EU relations? Plus, we discuss the row over Union Jacks and whether more overt signs of patriotism are becoming a new part of British culture. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Sam Fleming, Robert Shrimsley and special guest Salma Shah. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Josh de la Mare. The sound engineer was Breen Turner and the editor Liam Nolan.Review clips: European Union, Parliament TV, BBC BreakfastRead more:-UK and EU move to calm tensions over access to jabs-Vaccine-friendly Britons puzzled by AstraZeneca jab’s EU troubles-Johnson lobbies EU leaders in bid to avert vaccine export blocks-Boris Johnson preys on Labour’s self-doubt in flag row-Labour’s difficult choices to regain its northern heartlands-Read the latest on UK politics-Follow @Seb Payne, @George Parker and @Robert Shrimsley Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.