Political Fix

The prime minister found himself at odds with northern leaders this week, as disputes grew over localised coronavirus restrictions. Is Boris Johnson facing a governing crisis with mayors and devolved leaders? Plus, we discuss yet another economic stimulus package from Rishi Sunak to save jobs and whether the Treasury has given up on going for growth this year. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Robert Shrimsley, Chris Giles and special guest Gemma Tetlow. Produced by Anna Dedlar and Liam Nolan. The sound engineer was Breen Turner and the editor, Aimee Keane.Original music by Metaphor Music. Clips: BBC Newsnight, Sky News, Parliament TV Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Boris Johnson's coronavirus strategy was yet again tested to breaking point this week, as Labour opposition leader Keir Starmer and leaders of northern English cities tore into the government's new three-tier alert system. Where does this leave the prime minister's strategy for handling the pandemic? Meanwhile, Brexit talks are set to enter a tense couple of weeks. Following a European Council meeting on Friday, Mr Johnson said he was convinced the EU was not ready to offer the UK a "Canada-style" trade agreement. Will there be a deal by January 1st? Presented by George Parker, with Andy Bounds, Jim Pickard, Peter Foster and special guest Georgina Wright of the Institute for Government. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Josh de la Mare. The sound engineer was Breen Turner and the editor, Liam Nolan. Music by Metaphor Music. Review clips: Parliament TV, Channel 4 News, European Commission Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tension over coronavirus rules pervaded local and national UK politics this week as the north of England faced further restrictions, and pubs and restaurants in central Scotland were closed. Will Westminster now take a more centralised approach to restrictions? Plus, we discuss Prime Minister Boris Johnson's virtual Conservative party conference speech and whether he has any hope of achieving his domestic agenda in the age of coronavirus. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Sarah Neville, Mure Dickie, George Parker and Robert Shrimsley. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Josh de la Mare. The sound engineer was Louise Burton and the editor, Liam Nolan. Music by Metaphor Music.Review clips: Manchester Evening News, Scottish government, Parliament Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Home secretary Priti Patel's initiative to examine plans for an offshore immigration centre on Ascension Island — more than 4,000 miles from the UK — put the government's asylum policy under the spotlight this week and bore striking similarities with policies adopted by Australia's centre-right Liberal party. Why are the Tories so fond of Australia? Plus, a look at why Downing Street has not shied away from warning the public that tougher coronavirus restrictions may lie ahead this winter.Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Robert Shrimsley, Sarah Neville and special guest, John McTernan. Produced by Josh de la Mare. The sound engineer was Breen Turner and the editor, Liam Nolan. Music by Metaphor Music. Review clips: BBC, Parliament TV. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson introduced further restrictions to halt the spread of Covid-19 in the UK but faced a backlash from Conservative MPs. Chancellor Rishi Sunak's winter economic plan, however, received a much warmer reception. How much will it help the UK economy? We also discuss Keir Starmer's first conference speech as Labour leader and whether the party's grassroots are happy with the direction he is going. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Chris Giles, Jim Pickard and special guest Ellie Mae O'Hagan. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Josh de la Mare. The sound engineer was Breen Turner and the editor Liam Nolan. Music by Metaphor Music.Review clips: Parliament TV, Reuters, BBC Politics Live Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Boris Johnson found himself in another parliamentary stand-off over Brexit legislation this week, and eventually found a compromise with rebellious Conservative MPs. Why is the prime minister struggling with his party and is he becoming a diminished figure in Westminster? Plus, with the takeover by US chipmaker Nvidia of British-based chip designer Arm, and Hitachi's decision to withdraw from a major nuclear power project in Wales, does the UK have a coherent industrial policy?Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Robert Shrimsley, Jim Pickard and Peggy Hollinger. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Josh de la Mare. The sound engineer is Breen Turner. The editors were Liam Nolan and Aimee Keane. Music by Metaphor Music.Review clips: US government, UK Parliament, Sky News Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Boris Johnson's government is bringing in a new law — the internal market bill — that threatens to undermine the UK's withdrawal agreement with the EU. Will this push negotiations for a trade deal between the UK and EU even closer to collapse? Plus, coronavirus is spreading rapidly once more in Britain and, in response, new measures to limit gatherings are to be introduced. But will they be enough to stop the UK heading towards a second national lockdown?Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Peter Foster, George Parker, Sarah Neville and Clive Cookson. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Josh de la Mare. The sound engineer is Breen Turner and the editor Liam Nolan. Music by Metaphor Music.Review clips: Parliament, RTÉ News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the latest from our special interview series, the FT's Sebastian Payne talks to Bridget Phillipson, Labour's shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, about the government's economic recovery plan, and how Labour would approach it differently. Plus, how the party plans to regain support across the north of England and why it needs to move beyond the Brexit divide.  Produced by Fiona Symon and Liam Nolan, with research by George Steer. The sound engineer is Breen Turner. Theme music by Metaphor Music. Review clip: BBC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has warned both the public and Conservative MPs that difficult decisions must be taken on tax and spending. How dire is the UK economy and will taxes rise? We also discuss the closure of the Department for International Development, which has been rolled into the all-new Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Will this strengthen the UK's foreign policy, and at what cost to aid projects? Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Chris Giles, Robert Shrimsley and Bronwen Maddox, director of the Institute for Government think-tank. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Josh de la Mare. The sound engineer is Breen Turner and the editor Liam Nolan. Music by Metaphor Music.Review clips: Parliament, ITV News, LabourList, BBC Radio 4 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson made yet another abrupt policy change this week to get pupils in England back to school. Are the wrong people in government making these decisions, and how much is the civil service at fault? Plus, we discuss the election of Ed Davey as the new leader of the Liberal Democrats and whether the party can reclaim the centre ground of British politics. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Laura Hughes, Robert Shrimsley and special guest Lib Dem MP Daisy Cooper. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Josh de la Mare. The sound engineer is Breen Turner and the editor Liam Nolan. Music by Metaphor Music.Review clips: Parliament, Times Radio, BBC Newsnight Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.