The Politics Show
The Politics Show from the New Statesman helps you make sense of UK politics every week. Host Anoosh Chakelian and the New Statesman team provide sharp reporting, clear analysis, and thoughtful conversations on what's really happening in Westminster and beyond. The podcast covers topics from internal Labour Party battles to the future of the Conservatives and the rise of Reform UK.
Episodes
The private companies running Britain
From prisons to speed cameras and welfare to nuclear warning systems, the British government has outsourced a huge number of state operations to private companies – including the housing of asylum seekers.This week, riots erupted on the streets of Belfast following the stabbing of Stephen Ogilvy. The suspect is an ex asylum seeker. It’s the third summer in a row that the asylum accommodation syste
Makerfield locals have their say
Ahead of the by-election in Makerfield on June 18th, polling expert Scarlett Maguire spoke to voters in the constituency for the New Statesman. This episode is made up of clips from these Makerfield locals.Scarlett spoke to two groups, some who said they would be voting Reform, some who said they would be voting Labour.They shared their concerns about the current state of the UK and its politics,
What would “Burnhamism” actually look like?
Andy Burnham’s tucked-in t-shirt, a bonkers “festival of AI optimism” and which MP would make the best James Bond.Will Dunn is joined by editor Tom McTague to discuss the stories of the week.LISTEN AD-FREE:📱Download the New Statesman appMORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via ema
What does Makerfield make of Andy Burnham?
The spectre of the Makerfield by-election on June 18th is hanging over British politics.If Andy Burnham wins, he’s in prime position to challenge Keir Starmer’s leadership. However, a Burnham victory in Makerfield is far from certain. Reform and their candidate Robert Kenyon are mounting a serious challenge.Tom McTague is joined by polling expert Scarlett Maguire and our political editor Ailbhe Re
Why UK politics has failed for 20 years
While Westminster looks inward, the world is moving fast. Keir Starmer's government needs to focus on the urgent changes affecting all of our lives.Tom McTague joins Anoosh Chakelian to discuss his latest essay for the New Statesman, and answer listeners questions. This week, listeners ask: "Why have British politicians been so useless for the past 20 years?" and "is it finally time for voting ref
Tony Blair has kicked the Labour Party into action
This week there’s only one subject to discuss – and that’s Tony Blair – who has written a blistering 5,000 word essay criticising everyone from Keir Starmer to Andy Burnham, Ed Miliband and Wes Streeting.Tom McTague is joined by political editor Ailbhe Rea to discuss this “right wing” intervention. LISTEN AD-FREE:📱Download the New Statesman appMORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ Ask a question – we answ
Nigel Farage’s £5 million “reward” from crypto billionaire | Will and Anoosh
Nigel Farage’s £5 million “reward” from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne, the NHS “I feel lucky” syndrome and the Reform councillor who wants us to crack down on extra terrestrial activity. Will Dunn and Anoosh Chakelian round up the stories of the week.LISTEN AD-FREE:📱Download the New Statesman appMORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday⏰ Get our dail
Starmer attempts business as usual
The spotlight of British politics is shining on Andy Burnham - and his “long coup” is underway.Meanwhile, Keir Starmer himself has to find a way to resume some semblance of government as usual.Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Ailbhe Rea and Tom McTague to discuss.LISTEN AD-FREE:📱Download the New Statesman appMORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday⏰ Get our daily pol
What is Andy Burnham’s “Manchesterism”?
Andy Burnham is running in a by-election in Makerfield, which is likely to be held on 18 June, to return to Parliament as an MP. If he wins, he will be the frontrunner in a contest to replace Keir Starmer as Prime Minister.Burnham’s personal brand of politics is often referred to as “Manchesterism”. So, what is it?Anoosh Chakelian is joined by The New Statesman’s editor-in-chief Tom McTague, who p
Keir Starmer’s never ending chaos | Will and Anoosh’s weekly round up
Keir Starmer’s never ending cycle of political chaos, Reform’s suspended local councillors and Anoosh’s heckle of Boris Johnson.Will Dunn and Anoosh Chakelian round up the stories of the week.Read: https://www.newstatesman.com/comment/2026/05/will-progressives-ever-forgive-labour https://www.newstatesman.com/business/economics/2026/05/the-bond-markets-will-not-save-keir-starmerLISTEN AD-FREE:📱Down
Streeting resigns, but can he trigger a leadership contest?
Wes Streeting resigned as Health Secretary on Thursday morning, but Ailbhe Rea says Keir Starmer is determined to fight on.After days of speculation – and a 16-minute meeting at Number 10 – Wes Streeting has finally resigned from cabinet.On the same day, Angela Rayner has announced she has been "cleared" of wrongdoing related to unpaid property tax, which would leave her free to run in a leadershi
Starmer defiantly clings to power
Over 80 MPs are calling for Keir Starmer’s resignation, reaching the threshold required for a contender to mount a leadership challenge, with ministers - including Jess Philips - resigning from government too.After a high stakes meeting this morning, several cabinet members voiced their support for the Prime Minister, as he defiantly vowed to “get on with governing”.Will the Prime Minister survive
The weirdest day in Westminster
Keir Starmer has pledged to “prove the doubters wrong” as he tries to head off a leadership challenge after the disastrous local election results last week.Fighting for his political life, the PM announced plans for stronger ties with the EU, powers to nationalise British steel and a scheme to help young people find work. But will it be enough?Many of his own party don’t seem to think so, with his
Local election results: the end of Starmer?
Results from the local and devolved are coming in. It has been, as many expected, a disappointing result for the Labour Party.Meanwhile, the insurgent parties, the Green Party to an extent, but especially Reform, have delivered on their promise of snowballing momentum. Anoosh Chakelian is joined by senior data journalist Ben Walker, political editor Ailbhe Rea and editor-in-chief Tom McTague. READ
The gutting of the two party system
The UK is gearing up for local and devolved elections on Thursday.As Keir Starmer looks increasingly isolated as Prime Minister, much is being made of a potentially disastrous few days for the Labour Party. If results go as badly for Labour as some are predicting, this could be the end for the PM.Meanwhile, the insurgent Reform and Green parties are looking to continue their surging momentum.LISTE
Zack Polanski: Corbyn's true heir?
Crowds of young people chant his name but the Green leader is "nervous", says Ailbhe Rea.--A year ago, Zack Polanksi was relatively unknown. Now, he's leading an "eco-populist" movement that has revitalised the Green Party and looks likely to propel a left-wing surge in the May local elections.Ailbhe Rea profiled the Green leader for the New Statesman, meeting him shortly after he'd been addressin
Charles, royal court jester | Will and Anoosh’s weekly round up
Parliament boozers, Morgan McSweeney vs Emily Thornberry, and King Charles' stand-up routine. Will and Anoosh discuss another big week.LISTEN AD-FREE:📱Download the New Statesman appMORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy
Attacks on Jews are an indictment of Keir Starmer's Britain
"It makes me furious," says New Statesman editor Tom McTague. An attack in Golders Green, London, yet again exposes the rise of antisemitism in Britain. Anoosh Chakelian has been reporting from the borough, where local Jews fear for their safety, volunteer security guards patrol the streets and Jewish children have to pass through heavy security cordons to get to school. She tells editor Tom McTag
Political F-bombs and Jacob Rees-Mogg “unbuttoned”
The inevitability of the Peter Mandelson scandal, Jacob Rees-Mogg’s live show, and the rising cost of condoms…Will Dunn and Anoosh Chakelian round up the stories of the week.READ: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/2026/04/whos-afraid-of-olly-robbins https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/the-sketch/2026/04/jacob-rees-mogg-relishes-the-limelightLISTEN AD-FREE:📱Download the New States
Keir Starmer is all alone
The Mandelson affair has become less about Peter Mandelson’s alleged wrongdoing, and all about Keir Starmer’s ability to run the country.This week Olly Robbins, former chief civil servant at the Foreign Office, insisted the Prime Minister pressured him into clearing Peter Mandelson for the US ambassador post.Yesterday, Starmer was forced to admit his former spin doctor Matthew Doyle, who was suspe
Does Starmer deserve more credit?
Does Keir Starmer deserve more credit for keeping us out of a third Gulf war? Is Farage's relationship with Trump hurting Reform's polling? And who are the bright young things in British politics?Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Tom McTague and Ailbhe Rea to answer your questions.LISTEN AD-FREE:📱Download the New Statesman appMORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday⏰
Ex defence secretary slams Starmer's strategy
Criticism of Labour's response to the global threat, Trump's AI Jesus and parliament's "summer of sex".Will Dunn and Anoosh Chakelian round up this week's stories.Any suggestions for next week's categories, please comment below.📚 READ: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/the-sketch/2026/04/at-a-defence-conference-tech-execs-haggle-over-reducing-the-cost-to-killLISTEN AD-FREE:📱Download the New St
Why do young women hate men?
For years, we have wrung our hands about the manosphere: the misogynist influencers like Andrew Tate exploiting a generation of disillusioned and impressionable lost boys.But what about radicalised young women?New, exclusive polling for the New Statesman has uncovered a huge difference in the political, economic and social outlook of women and men under 30 in Britain, created largely by women turn
Trump’s “demented” Easter and fragile ceasefire | Will and Anoosh's weekly round up
Trump’s "demented" Easter announcement, Britain’s squeezed middle and getting “the ick” for Zack Polanski…Anoosh Chakelian and Will Dunn round up the stories of the week.READ: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/the-sketch/2026/04/the-trumps-wish-the-world-a-very-demented-easter https://www.newstatesman.com/international-politics/economy-international-politics/2026/04/britains-vanishing-middle-c
AI is embedded in the British state
AI is embedded in the machinery of the British state: drafting legislation, shaping spending decisions, informing interest rate policy and writing speeches delivered in parliament.Has Britain handed over political power without ever really deciding to, and without fully understanding to whom?Tom McTague is joined by Will Dunn to discuss.READ Will's piece: https://www.newstatesman.com/technology/20
Yanis Varoufakis: Greece has become Israel's "handmaiden"
Follow The Exchange on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube for more episodes like this.LISTEN AD-FREE:📱Download the New Statesman appMORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Thames Water's careless vandalism
The pollution of Britain’s waterways is well known, but the full extent of the carelessness and vandalism of Britain’s biggest water company, Thames Water, is a catalogue of wrongdoing on an industrial scale.Will Dunn speaks to the MP with the dubious honour of representing the constituency that is worst affected by sewage spills - Liberal Democrat MP, Charlie Maynard.LISTEN AD-FREE:📱Download the
Trump’s ground options in Iran
As the war in Iran enters its second month, President Trump has delivered a prime time address promising, simultaneously, that the conflict will be over “very shortly” and that the United States is preparing to hit Iran “extremely hard”.Thousands more US troops have arrived in the region in recent days, including a marine expeditionary unit as the president is reportedly weighing options for a pot
Has Keir Starmer found his vision?
Keir Starmer delivered one of his routine updates on the war in Iran in a press conference from Number 10 this morning - but this one was a little meatier than usual.Will Lloyd is joined by Ailbhe Rea to discussLISTEN AD-FREE:📱Download the New Statesman appMORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning✍️ Enjoy the best of
How green is the Green Party?
Green Party support is surging after its by-election victory in Gorton and Denton last month.But is Zack Polanski’s party leaving its environmental principles behind? Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Megan Kenyon to discuss.LISTEN AD-FREE:📱Download the New Statesman appMORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning✍️ En
Inside Labour’s immigration feud
As ministers and backbenchers criticise Shabana Mahmood’s immigration plans, is Labour about to water them down? And what is behind the splits over the policy?Anoosh Chakelian and Ailbhe Rea go behind the scenes of Labour’s battle over immigration reform.LISTEN AD-FREE:📱Download the New Statesman appMORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday⏰ Get our daily politics
“Another chapter in the farce that is HS2” | Will and Anoosh’s weekly round up
Morgan McSweeney’s stolen phone, Kemi Badenoch’s council tax claims and the UAE defence attache, Group Captain Sandy Sandilands. Will Dunn and Anoosh Chakelian round up their stories of the week.LISTEN AD-FREE:📱Download the New Statesman appMORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning✍️ Enjoy the best of our writin
Rory Stewart sees fundamental evil in Trump
Follow The Exchange on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube for more episodes like this.LISTEN AD-FREE:📱Download the New Statesman appMORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ban Instagram? You must be kidding.
What does the Instagram and YouTube verdict mean for the UK's proposed social media ban?A California jury has found Meta and Google liable in a case that accused them of building intentionally addictive platforms.Here in the UK, the government is consulting on whether to ban children from using social media. Australia and Spain have already implemented similar bans, and France has backed a ban for
Is Ed Miliband the most powerful person in government?
Ed Miliband, everyone would agree, is a central part of the Labour government. The ex-Labour leader is a hugely popular figure within the party.Is his power and influence greater than we realise?Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Will Lloyd to discuss.READ: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/2026/03/a-certain-idea-of-ed-milibandLISTEN AD-FREE:📱Download the New Statesman appMORE FROM
Does Trump regret the war in Iran?
Donald Trump is grappling with the consequences of staging a military intervention in Iran without a clear plan.Modern conflicts are often driven less by coherent national interest than by the instincts and ambitions of powerful leaders.From the Strait of Hormuz, to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, to the tension between China and Taiwan - miscalculation, overconfidence, and the enduring unpredictabi
How Covid fear shaped the meningitis response
Earlier this month, a meningitis outbreak in Canterbury, Kent, led to the tragic death of two young people. So far there have been 29 confirmed or suspected cases in total. It’s thought that a “super-spreader” event at a nightclub is the source of the outbreak.Since then, there has been a mass rollout of vaccines for Meningitis B and preventative antibiotics. Thousands of students and contacts hav
"Build the tunnel right through stonehenge" | Anoosh & Will's weekly round-up
Anoosh and Will are back with this week's round up of the politics stories you might have missed.This week:Housing Secretary Steve Reed has the perfect opportunity to "build, baby, build"Misinformation powerhouse InfoWars is officially over - just like the MetaversePete Hegseth seems to encourage the US army to commit war crimesRachel Reeves takes a gamble on building "an army of Burnhams"READ: An
Is Angela Rayner making her move?
Angela Rayner has called Shabana Mahmood’s immigration plans un-British. Is this the beginning of the dilution of these reforms and even of a leadership campaign?Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Ailbhe Rea to discuss.LISTEN AD-FREE:📱Download the New Statesman appMORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning✍️ Enjoy the best
Keir Starmer’s cost of living crisis
Keir Starmer’s cost of living crisisAt the beginning of this year, Keir Starmer vowed to bring down the cost of living. But as other PMs learned before him, this is often out of the government’s control.The Iran war is threatening to ruin his strategy and Starmer now finds himself in a bind.Anoosh Chakelian is joined by political editor, Ailbhe Rea.READ: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/
The new world war
Yesterday, Keir Starmer met Volodymyr Zelensky to sign a new defense partnership.The Ukrainian President said he faced a missile shortage due to the war in Iran and Keir Starmer resolved to remain focused on the fight against Russia. But is the war in Eastern Europe only the first act of a much wider conflict?Oli Dugmore is joined by Will Lloyd, who visited Ukraine last month. Read: http
Why you'll never repay your student loan
The Treasury Select Committee has announced an inquiry into Student Loans.It comes after Rachel Reeves announced a freeze on repayment thresholds meaning more graduates will start repaying once they earn just over the living wage.It's an issue that doesn't just affect today's students and graduates but is increasingly becoming a political issue the government cannot ignore.Tom McTague is joined by
Could surging oil prices cause a global depression?
Oil prices have spiked following the outbreak of war in Iran, with crude oil jumping to over £75 a barrel.This is having a huge impact around the world, and is set to get worse.Megan Gibson is joined by Rory Johnston, oil market researcher and author of the Commodity Context newsletter, who argues that this scenario could lead to a global depression.LISTEN AD-FREE:📱Download the New Statesman appMO
Farewell, George!
After a massive 17 years reporting on politics for the New Statesman, George Eaton joins Anoosh Chakelian the podcast for a farewell episode.Anoosh and George discuss his highlights from covering the past 17 years in British politics, from the post-crash austerity years, through Labour civil war and ultimately Keir Starmer's Labour election victory in 2024. They reflect on the lessons learned, wh
“Won’t someone think of the hereditary peers?” | Will and Anoosh’s weekly round up
Hereditary peers scrapped, tech overlord villainy, Tory hypocrisy and camel pageant botox cheating.It’s another weekly round up from Anoosh Chakelian and Will Dunn.LISTEN AD-FREE:📱Download the New Statesman appMORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday Hosted on
Mandelson files: Starmer knew
Keir Starmer apologised for appointing Peter Mandelson as US ambassador. Is it enough?After a vote by MPs forced its hand, the government has released the first batch of files relating to Mandelson’s appointment. They revealed that the Prime Minister was told the Labour peer posed a “reputational risk” because of his relationship with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and that his nation
Britain’s imminent decline
Is the UK going through the “fourth great disruption” to its geopolitical position?In this unprecedented moment, we take a look at how history can shed light on the current conflict, and which politician is best placed to handle the crisis. Editor-in-chief Tom McTague is joined by John Bew, professor of history at King’s College London and former foreign policy adviser to four different
David Lammy on the crisis abroad and within Labour
Were the strikes on Iran illegal? What's next for the controversial courts bill? Are Labour leaders aware of the existential crisis within their party?On this week's episode of The Exchange, we speak with Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Justice, David Lammy.To listen more episodes of The Exchange find us on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube.LISTEN AD-FREE:📱Download the New Statesman app
Trump's war is making us all poorer
Trump is bombing Iran. Oil prices are volatile. Is the world heading for recession?Oil prices peaked after the US and Israel started their war on Iran. Around a fifth of the world's oil supply relies on one tiny shipping lane in the Middle East called the Strait of Hormuz, and shipping firms are refusing to use it for fear of attack.Meanwhile, Britain remains in the grip of inflated prices and sho
Starmer and Trump's relationship at an all time low
Angry about the lack of support for his war in Iran, Donald Trump stated that he didn’t need any help from the UK, despite using British airbases for strikes. In an angry social media rant, he also called Keir Starmer a “loser” and “no Winston Churchill”.Just a day later, the two leaders had a call to discuss military cooperation. Can relations be repaired? And is Westminster telling us the whole
”Won’t somebody think of the labradoodles?” | Will and Anoosh’s weekly round up
Despite Dubai’s proximity to Iran, is it safer than Sadiq Khan’s London? Do young people have a different perspective on class? And could the corgi be banned?Will and Anoosh round up their picks of news stories from the week.LISTEN AD-FREE:📱Download the New Statesman appMORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning✍️ Enj
What is the future for jury trials?
On Tuesday 10 March, MPs will debate the Courts and Tribunals Bill, in what could be the biggest shakeup of the justice system since the 1970s.To tackle the Crown Court backlog of over 80,000 cases, the government has put forward proposals to radically reform which cases are heard where, including restricting the right to a trial by jury in all but the most serious cases.Sarah Sackman, Minister of
Exclusive: the progressive voters abandoning Labour
Labour is losing the voters it used to count on, a new study reveals.In the aftermath of the Green Party’s triumph in the Gorton and Denton by-election, and with local elections in London councils and other major cities coming up, Labour is losing the left progressive voters it could once rely on having “nowhere else to go”.Now, the biggest study ever of these voters – shared exclusively with the
Was Rachel Reeves’ spring statement out of date on arrival?
Yesterday, the Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered her spring statement - an economic update - to the commons.With the news completely dominated by conflict in the Middle East, you would be forgiven for not noticing. In fact, many have deduced that this was exactly what the government were hoping for.Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Will Dunn to discuss.LISTEN AD-FREE:📱Download the New Statesman appMO
Should the phrase "special relationship" be banned?
Yesterday afternoon in the Commons, Keir Starmer took a stance against Trump's attacks on Iran. The US President has expressed his dissatisfaction with the Prime Minister.Is a rift developing? Should the UK be pivoting away from the US and towards Europe? And should talk of the "special relationship" be banned from the government's parlance?Oli Dugmore is joined by journalist, author, and ex-Forei
Iran war: Trump is playing into Putin's hands.
While the US bombs Iran, the Kremlin will see immediate advantages for Russia.Vladimir Putin expressed “deep condolences” to the people of Iran over the killing of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei by US and Israeli forces.The Russian president – currently leading his own brutal and illegal war in Ukraine – condemned what he called Khamenei’s “assassination” as a “cynical violation of all
Does Trump have an endgame in Iran?
Fiona Hill, former presidential advisor, joins Megan Gibson.LISTEN AD-FREE:📱Download the New Statesman appMORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Rare diseases: from lived experience to lasting treatments | Sponsored
To mark Rare Disease Day, this special Spotlight episode explores why rare diseases - affecting an estimated one in 17 people in the UK – still face years of diagnostic delays and limited treatment options.Host Sarah Dawood speaks to CEO of LifeArc Dr Sam Barrell and Terry Pirovalakis, whose son Michael has been diagnosed with the rare neurological disorder SPG50. Their discussion
"I'll handle a sea bass however I like" | Anoosh & Will's weekly round-up
Martin Lewis ambushed Kemi Badenoch, Your Party think bureaucracy will stop nuclear war, and the Sea Bass handling committee have released exciting new guidance.Anoosh Chakelian and Will Dunn round up the week's political news you might have missed.READ:Abandon all hope at the Your Party hustingsLISTEN AD-FREE:📱Download the New Statesman appMORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ Ask a question – we answer
The end of the Starmer project?
Does the Greens' decisive victory in Gorton & Denton spell the end of Keir Starmer's Labour?After the worst possible outcome for Labour in the Gorton & Denton by-election, Ailbhe Rea joins Tom McTague on Daily Politics from the New Statesman.They discuss what this means for Keir Starmer, for the Labour party - and for the future of politics in Britain.READ: Inside the Greens' seismic Gorto
Historic win for the Greens
Hannah Spencer, a plumber and Green Party councillor, is now the MP for Gorton and Denton.The party takes the seat from right under Labour, following weeks of what was seen to be a three way race with Reform.Megan Kenyon is joined by Ben Walker.LISTEN AD-FREE:📱Download the New Statesman appMORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter
Puberty blockers, blocked
Should some children be given drugs to stop them going through puberty?That’s the question the NHS, the government and an independent research and ethics committee have been trying to answer.The “Pathways” trial, backed by the NHS and led by a team from King’s College London, aims to test the effectiveness and safety of puberty blockers for children experiencing gender dysphoria.At the end of 2025
Andrew, Epstein and the crumbling crown
Last Thursday, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He has since been released under investigation. The police have searched Andrew’s former home, Royal Lodge.The former Prince’s relationship to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein is triggering a reckoning for not just Andrew, but the monarchy itself.Oli Dugmore is joined by Will Lloyd to discuss.&
A three horse race in Gorton and Denton
On Thursday, a by-election in a Southern Manchester constituency, Gorton and Denton, is shaping up to be a seismic litmus test for British politics.After the previous MP, Labour’s Andrew Gwynne, stepped down in January, an opening for a new MP has set in motion a battle between Labour and their insurgent challengers, Reform and the Green Party.Oli Dugmore is joined by our senior data journalist Be
What if Russia wins?
It has been four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The war has settled into a grinding and uncertain stalemate.Despite proving remarkably resilient, Ukraine, and the rest of the world, must face the question: What if Russia wins?Katie Stallard explores this urgent question with German political scientist, Professor Carlo Masala.LISTEN AD-FREE:📱Download the New Statesman appMORE
Labour Together’s attack on press freedom
Why has Keir Starmer ordered an investigation into Labour Together? What the hell is going on with our local elections? And what are we meant to make of Reform UK’s new “shadow cabinet”?You asked, we’ll answer. Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Rachel Cunliffe for the listener questions episode of Daily Politics from the New Statesman.📚 READ: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/2026
Rutger Bregman “This Trump phenomenon really is fascism”
This week we launched another, that’s right ANOTHER, podcast. The Exchange is the New Statesman’s long-form interviews show, featuring some big names you know, and some big names you’ll be glad to learn of.Listen on: Spotify and AppleLISTEN AD-FREE:📱Download the New Statesman appMORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every
Andrew arrested
The King’s brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, has been arrested.The alleged offence: misconduct in public office. The arrest came after claims Andrew allegedly shared official documents during his time as UK Trade Envoy, with two emails in particular showing up in the latest Epstein files – although police haven’t yet released the specifics of their investigation.Police have searched Andrew
Is Bridget Phillipson really the most dangerous woman in Britain?
From “Nazi” to “Marxist” Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary, has faced intense criticism from all sides.But how exactly is she trying to reform the British education system? For the cover of this week’s New Statesman magazine, our executive editor Pippa Bailey has written an extended profile of Phillipson - exploring what motivates the education secretary, and how consequential the next f
Has Starmer killed Welsh Labour?
Eluned Morgan, the first minister of Wales speaks to Megan Kenyon about her relationship with Keir Starmer, Welsh Labour’s prospects in the upcoming Senedd election and the threat of Plaid Cymru and Reform.LISTEN AD-FREE:📱Download the New Statesman appMORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning✍️ Enjoy the best of our
Should we ban social media for under-16s?
Will Keir Starmer ban kids from social media?Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2DHAQOeEg-Z-4trARDXHRA?sub_confirmation=1The PM has promised a crackdown on social media and said he’s “open-minded” to a full on, Australia-style ban for under 16s. Oli Dugmore is joined by senior editor George Eaton.LISTEN AD-FREE:📱Download the New Statesman appMORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ Ask a
The Labour Party's "unpopularity contest"
Labour’s unpopularity contest, the joys of figure skating and bonkers advice from RFK Jr's nutrition chatbot.Anoosh Chakelian and Will Dunn explore the most ludicrous and laughable stories of the week.Including calls for Britain to set up a “Ministry of Sex”...LISTEN AD-FREE:📱Download the New Statesman appMORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday⏰ Get our daily pol
£100k salary, feeling poor – is tax killing ambition?
A listener paying 67% in tax asks if Labour are destroying UK productivity. From the new and improved New Statesman podcast studio, Anoosh and Rachel answer listener questions on tax, student loans and Nigel Farage MP's second (and third, and fourth) jobs.In the mailbag this week:A listener earning over £100,000 writes in to ask why the government is failing to address the "tax trap" that means hi
Exclusive investigation: England's maternity scandal
55 babies died at the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust between 2019 and 2023 that may have survived with better care. The New Statesman's investigations editor Hannah Barnes joins Anoosh Chakelian to explore the findings of her investigation.LISTEN AD-FREE:📱Download the New Statesman appMORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday⏰ Get our daily p
Is the Labour party having an ideological crisis?
Morgan McSweeney – Keir Starmer’s closest aide and confidante – has left the Number 10 operation.Our editor-in-chief Tom McTague asks, is it the beginning of the end for the Prime Minister – or the end of the beginning?He speaks to deputy editor Will Lloyd.LISTEN AD-FREE:📱Download the New Statesman appMORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday⏰ Get our daily politic
Keir Starmer is safe - but for how long?
For days and weeks Westminster has been quivering with anticipation at the prospect of yet another prime ministerial resignation and leadership election.But following the resignation of Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney in the wake of the Mandelson scandal, MPs appear to have closed ranks, rallying around Keir Starmer.So, no leadership election, at least for now. But are his supportive MPs shor
Starmer's top two aides quit
Less than 24 hours after Starmer's chief of staff Morgan McSweeney resigned, Tim Allan, director of communications, has quit. Is this a rutheless clearout by the PM, or signs of an entire system collapse? Ailbhe Rea joins Anoosh Chakelian.LISTEN AD-FREE:📱Download the New Statesman appMORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday⏰ Get our daily politics newsle
Elon Musk asked to attend Epstein's "wildest party"
Elon Musk’s Epstein lies, Draco Malfoy as a Chinese mascot and two Reform MPs “accidentally” voting to scrap the two child benefit cap.Anoosh Chakelian and Will Dunn explore their stories of the week.Including the woman who just can’t stop stealing chocolate…LISTEN AD-FREE:📱Download the New Statesman appMORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday⏰ Get our daily polit
What did Starmer already know about Mandelson and Epstein?
The Labour government is fighting for its life as the Peter Mandelson scandal continues to unfold. Yesterday, Keir Starmer apologised for believing Mandelson's "lies" and appointing him as US ambassador when his friendship with the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein was public knowledge.Now, senior government figures are preparing to hand over private messages between Mandelson and Starmer’s top team
Labour MPs are turning on Starmer over Mandelson
Keir Starmer has been grilled in the Commons on his decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, despite knowing his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein continued after the financier’s conviction in 2008.Starmer pledged to release the vetting documents relating to Mandelson’s appointment, but argued that some details would need to be redacted on national security grounds.This angered backbenc
