Commons People
Commons People is a podcast that makes British politics accessible. Hosted by HuffPost UK's Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson, it breaks down the week's biggest political stories in a straightforward and in-depth manner. The show is aimed at those who find politics confusing, offering clear commentary from Westminster insiders.
Episodes
Is Nigel Farage's Career Really "Dead In The Water"?
Welcome back to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. In this week's episode, we're discussing whether a much-talked-about money scandal has landed Reform UK's leader and Clacton MP Nigel Farage in more trouble than he can come back from. Is his career really "dead in the water" as Piers Morgan said this week?Timecodes00:00 – Introduction.03:16 – How did the scandal begin?09:5
Did Brexit Put A On Curse On No.10?
Welcome back to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. In this week's episode, we discuss Brexit on its tenth anniversary, and talk over the idea that the Brexit referendum *cursed* British politics, given the churn of Prime Ministers we've had since then.Timecodes00:00 – Introduction.03:12 – Brexit defined in 20 seconds.03:43 – What does Brexit have to do with Keir Starmer res
Andy Burnham Is Now An MP, But What Does This Mean For British Politics?
Welcome back to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. In this week's episode, we discuss the Makerfield by-election result, what's next for Andy Burnham MP and whether it's over for Prime Minister Keir Starmer and, indeed, the Reform Party.Timecodes00:00 – Introduction05:46 – Why is Andy Burnham so popular?09:19 – Why are so many Labour MPs behind Andy Burnham?11:27 – What's g
Is Andy Burnham Now On The Verge Of Becoming PM?
Welcome back to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. In this week's episode, we discuss the all-important Makerfield by-election, and whether Andy Burnham is likely to succeed and consequently pose a threat to Keir Starmer as Prime Minister.Timecodes00:00 – Introduction01:58 – Can Keir Starmer survive in number 10?08:55 – The latest on Andy Burnham's Makerfield campaign 14:26 –&nb
Reform Are Riding High In The Polls, So Why Are They Having A Meltdown?
Welcome back to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. In this week's episode, we discuss what’s going on with right-wing political party Reform UK, and whether their ongoing meltdown could see them lose in the all-important Makerfield by-election in Greater Manchester.Timecodes00:00 – Introduction04:29 – Where is Reform UK party leader Nigel Farage?07:44 – Farage's comments on the
Heat Waves Are Glorious, But Are Politicians Taking The Climate Crisis Seriously Enough?
Welcome back to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. In this week's episode, we discuss the climate crisis on our doorstep and whether politicians are doing enough to acknowledge it AND combat it.You can follow us at @commons.people on Instagram and TikTok. This is a HuffPost UK podcast. Music provided by Epidemic Sounds. Producer: Sam Cleal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy
Why The Makerfield By-Election Could Turn The Government Upside Down
Keir Starmer is on the ropes, Wes Streeting has walked out, and Andy Burnham is making his play for the crown. This week on HuffPost UK's Commons People, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson break down the massive stakes of the Makerfield by-election. With Reform UK surging and Labour HQ described as "a morgue on a spaceship hurtling towards destruction," can the King of the North secure his ticket
Is Keir Starmer's Government About To Collapse?
Welcome back to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. In this week's episode, we analyse what's really going on in Downing Street this week as Keir Starmer's Government – and the Labour party at large – deal with the fallout of last week's elections.Timecodes00:00 – Introduction.01:40 – What happened to Labour at the 2026 Local Elections?05:16 – Who wants Starmer to go an
Will The Local Elections Spell The End For Starmer?
Welcome back to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. In this week's episode, we discuss the probable outcome of the 7 May Local Elections, and whether the predicted devastation for Labour across the country will spell the end of Keir Starmer's leadership.Timecodes00:00 – Introduction and the downfall of Labour under Keir Starmer's rule.08:20 – How would Keir Starmer be gotten rid
Is the UK's "special relationship" with the US officially over?
Welcome back to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. In this week's episode, we discuss the origin of the "special relationship" between the United Kingdom and the United States and whether Donald Trump has essentially killed it off.Timecodes00:00 – Introduction.01:29 – Where does the term "special relationship" come from?03:40 – How have Keir Starmer and Trump contributed to chan
Why Is Starmer So Vulnerable After The Mandelson Scandal?
Welcome back to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. In this week's episode, we discuss the latest developments in the headline-making Peter Mandelson scandal, and whether Keir Starmer's recent conduct towards the civil service – and his past mistakes – are enough to see his premiership crumble.Timecodes00:00 – Introduction.01:17 – Who is Peter Mandelson and what's his connection
Why Has The Brexit Debate Returned (Again)?
Welcome back to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. This week, Kevin and Kate discuss why Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves are keen to develop closer ties with the EU, and what that means in the context of Brexit.Timecodes00:00 – Introduction02:29 – Brexit explained (for those who have forgotten!)04:43 – the King's speech, Trump and why Starmer would want to align more closely
Will The Two-Week Ceasefire Between Iran and The US Work?
Welcome back to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. This week, Kevin and Kate are back together to ask whether Donald Trump’s war in Iran is really over after a two-week ceasefire was agreed to on Tuesday.Timecodes00:00 – Introduction04:44 – Did Trump meet any of his military objectives?08:14 – The significance of the Strait of Hormuz12:52 – Iran's 10-point proposal18:02 – Trump'
Are Politicians Taking Misogyny Seriously Enough?
Welcome back to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. In this week's episode, Kate is joined by special guest Millie Cooke – political correspondent for The Independent – to discuss whether Parliament is doing enough to tackle misogyny and the rise of the manosphere.Timecodes00:00 – Introduction05:00 – Sarah Everard and the impact of her death on society06:54 – Is there a patt
Who's Up And Who’s Down Ahead Of May Elections?
Welcome back to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. In this week's episode, we're discussing the May local elections and weighing up the chances of all the main parties including Labour, Green, Conservative, Reform and the Lib Dems, as well as the SNP and Plaid Cymru in Scotland and Wales, respectively.Timecodes00:00 – Introduction01:01 – When are the local elections and why are
Why The Iran War Matters For Everyone – Not Just Trump
Welcome back to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. For our returning episode, and our first in four and half years, we're talking about one of the most important subjects in UK politics right now – the Iran war. Join Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson as they dive deep into how the war is having a knock-on effect on the UK’s cost of living already, how it's impacting the UK-US s
Baroness Angela Smith...On Tory Tax Bombshells And Labour's Future
Boris Johnson has taken the biggest gamble of his premiership with a National Insurance hike to fund the NHS and social care.Labour's leader in the Lords Angela Smith joins Ned Simons, Sophia Sleigh and Paul Waugh to chat through Tory tax rises and where Labour's at ahead of its party conference Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Yvette Cooper On The Art Of Govt And Opposition
As MPs head off to their constituencies, rising Covid cases and Channel crossings of asylum seekers are ensuring Boris Johnson cannot put his feet up.Home Affairs Committee chair Yvette Cooper joins Ned Simons and Paul Waugh to chat through her joust with the Priti Patel this week, as well as the wider problems facing both the government and Labour this summer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priva
Sunak's Overseas Aid Ambush: With Andrew Mitchell
The chancellor's late, late move to outflank Tory rebels on international aid cuts won the day, despite MPs voting against the three line whip. But is the rebellion over and will Rishi Sunak and his party rue the damage caused to their brand?Ned Simons and Paul Waugh are joined by former international development secretary (and former chief whip) Andrew Mitchell.Make sense of politics. Sign up to&
Trading places: Will Liz Truss’s ‘Donut’ Strategy Leave Us With Brexit Indigestion?
Football may or may not be coming home, but Boris Johnson and Liz Truss want British firms to export more abroad. Can the UK’s tricky relations with China help or hinder that post-Brexit ambition?Shadow international trade secretary Emily Thornberry joins Ned Simons and Paul Waugh to chat through trade, as well as the next steps for Keir Starmer’s Labour after its ‘Batley bounce’.Make sense of pol
Return Of The Saj
Sajid Javid made a phoenix-like return to the Cabinet this week, replacing Matt Hancock after the former health secretary was sensationally caught on camera breaking Covid rules by kissing an aide in his office.Senior Tory and Commons education committee chair Rob Halfon joins Arj Singh and Paul Waugh to discuss a rocky week for the government, and the Covid crisis that’s creeping up in English sc
Brexit Birthday Special
It’s the fifth anniversary of the vote to leave the EU and Brexit is still having a profound impact on British politics.Tory former spad Salma Shah and the UK In A Changing Europe’s Anand Menon join Arj Singh and Paul Waugh to unpack the successes and failures of the last five years, and discuss what Brexit means for politics in 2021 and beyond.Make sense of politics. Sign up to the Waugh Zone and
Is The Tory Culture War Backfiring In Its Traditional Heartlands?
Boris Johnson this week delayed so-called “freedom day” from Covid restrictions in a bid to get more vaccines into more arms and protect the NHS.But the prime minister has angered many Tory MPs, who simply do not believe he will stick to the new “terminus” of July 19th.Lib Dem health spokesperson Munira Wilson joins Arj Singh and Paul Waugh to discuss why her party abstained on extending restricti
Joe Biden Jets In Amid An Almighty Brexit ‘Mess’
It’s a huge week for Boris Johnson as Joe Biden and leaders of some of the world’s wealthiest countries arrive in Cornwall for the G7 summit.But the prime minister has embroiled himself in a row with the EU over the terms of his own Brexit deal, which has angeried the US president and is threatening to overshadow the event.Labour’s shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy joins Arj Singh and Ned Simons
Why Cummings Showed The UK Must Ditch ‘Glorious Amateurism’
Dominic Cummings took no prisoners this week when laying out claims of a series of “disastrous” government failures that meant tens of thousands of people died of Covid unnecessarily.Conservative MP Bob Seely joins Arj Singh, Paul Waugh and Rachel Wearmouth to talk about the former No.10 aide's explosive select committee appearance, why the government needs to be better prepared for “black sw
Why Labour Should Be Braver To Win Back The Red Wall
Weeks of optimism and cheer as Covid restrictions were eased gave way to another bout of nationwide nervousness amid localised spikes in infections attributed to the variant of the virus first detected in India, prompting debates about how to contain the variant and whether the June 21 unlocking needs to be delayed.Labour MP and Keir Starmer’s new parliamentary private secretary Sharon Hodgson joi
What Is ‘Levelling Up’ And Can Boris Johnson Deliver?
The government’s legislative agenda for the next year or so was unveiled in this week’s Queen’s Speech. But it was perhaps more notable for what wasn’t in it. Boris Johnson’s plan to reform social care was still absent despite his 2019 claim to voters that he had one prepared. And the prime minister is still struggling to define how he will “level up” left behind communities.Conservative MP Kevin
Local Elections Special: What Went Wrong For Labour
Labour suffered a disastrous series of results in the “super Thursday” local elections, capped by a huge and humiliating defeat to the Tories in a parliamentary by-election in the red wall seat of Hartlepool. There were more losses in red wall and other marginal council areas with the Tories even taking control of Northumberland.It has led to serious questions about Keir Starmer’s leadership, Labo
Will Voters Care About The Boris Johnson Flat Saga?
It’s been a nightmare week for Boris Johnson, who kicked the hornet’s nest when he blamed Dominic Cummings for a series of damaging leaks. The former adviser replied with a stinging public attack, which has left the prime minister fending off multiple bad headlines around his handling of the Covid crisis. On top of that, the Tories are now facing an Electoral Commission investigation into who fund
Labour Think They’ve Found Tories’ Weak Spot, But Is It Enough To Win? With Lord Mandelson
Allegations of cronyism and government by WhatsApp have been intensifying around the Conservatives as Boris Johnson’s texts to manufacturer and Tory donor James Dyson add to the lobbying scandal engulfing former PM David Cameron and members of the Cabinet. Labour think they’ve found a message to take to the doorstep for local elections, but are claims of Tory sleaze enough to take power nationally
Could The EU Vaccine War Give Boris Johnson An Election Boost?
With local elections around the corner, Boris Johnson’s Tories find themselves in a stronger position than they would have imagined just a few short months ago. Will the successful deployment of coronavirus vaccines wipe the memory of the issues Britain endured during repeated lockdowns, giving the prime minister a vaccine bounce?Arj Singh, Paul Waugh and Rachel Wearmouth are joined by Tory peer a
Is Boris Johnson The Right Man To Help Women?
The scale of protests, anger and shared feeling amongst women that they aren’t safe in British society after the killing of Sarah Everard has sparked a change in attitudes towards women’s safety in Westminster. But is a government led by a prime minister who’s been accused of sexism multiple times really capable of the change needed?Joining Arj Singh, Paul Waugh and Rachel Wearmouth to discuss how
Britain’s Equality Flaws
The disappearance of Sarah Everard, Harry and Meghan’s bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview, and the resignations of two government equality advisers have revealed just how much work there still is to do to make Britain a more equal society for all.Joining Arj Singh, Rachel Wearmouth and Paul Waugh, Tory chair of the Commons women and equalities committee, Caroline Nokes discusses the need for Royal
Does Rishi Sunak’s Budget Change The Fight For Labour?
This week Rishi Sunak delivered his heavily-trailed Budget, revealing a spend now, tax later approach to the economic recovery from coronavirus. It included big spending on Covid support measures but a sting in the tail as taxes were hiked to their highest level since the 1960s. There were also accusations of “pork barrel politics” as Tory areas benefited from funding for levelling up.Joining Arj
The Route Out Of Lockdown Is Revealed But The Road To Recovery Looks Less Certain
After Boris Johnson revealed his “road map” for the country to exit lockdown but with the vaccination programme continuing to go well, attention is turning towards the path to economic recovery. What will chancellor Rishi Sunak’s Budget next week do to help those in need now? What might it tell us about the government’s vision for the future? And are vaccine passports inevitable to allow the econo
Is Britain’s Gambling Problem Finally Going To Be Met With Action?
As the lockdown continues in Britain, attitudes are changing across Westminster to problem gambling as restrictions leave people couple up at home, inundated with betting ads and turning to online gambling sites for entertainment. Can an unlikely cross-party coalition of campaigners bring about change?Labour MP and PPS to Keir Starmer, Carolyn Harris, joins Arj Singh, Paul Waugh and Rachel Wearmou
Are ‘Incompetent’ Ministers Trapping People In Unsafe, Unsellable Homes?
The government is facing another big Tory rebellion, this time over the cladding scandal which has seen people trapped in unsafe, unsellable flats after the Grenfell disaster, because their buildings are covered in unsafe material. Boris Johnson’s lockdown caution is also causing consternation on the backbenches, as the vaccine rollout continues to move along at pace.Meanwhile, a week to forget fo
The Candidates Set Out Scottish Labour's Future
Monica Lennon and Anas Sarwar join Rachel Wearmouth and Paul Waugh to discuss what Scottish Labour’s future is in Scotland and what they would do as the next Scottish Labour leader. Will they support an independence referendum? And how do they view the stewardship of the devolved government by the SNP in Holyrood? And what view do they take on Brexit affecting Scotland and its place in a post
Boris Johnson Walks Into Another ‘Elephant Trap’
Yet more sobering coronavirus death statistics this week raised the prospect of restrictions continuing for some while yet. And with lockdown comes renewed attention to the plight of many juggling work and childcare, with many left without the means to provide classes or food for their children. The government looks set to make another U-turn on Universal Credit - but was the political damage avoi
Will The Red Wall Be Left Behind In The Fight Against Climate Change?
This week Britain faced a grisly milestone, with the highest number of daily deaths with coronavirus reported. The government has vowed to get tough on members of the public who are flouting lockdown measures, but is that where blame should lie?As the government tries to explain that we’re all in this together, senior ex-MPs Caroline Flint and Caroline Spelman talk about their cross-party work to
American Carnage, With Rosie Duffield MP And Anand Menon
If you thought 2020 was bad, get a load of 2021. It started with Boris Johnson putting England into a seven-week coronavirus lockdown with cases spiralling out of control. In the race of injections versus infections, has the prime minister overpromised again?Meanwhile, Donald Trump’s desperate bid to cling to power despite losing the US election reached a day of reckoning as a pro-Trump mob storme
As 2020 Comes To A Close, Do We Dare Ask What 2021 Brings?
Enjoy Christmas with your family, but don’t enjoy it too much, or for too long, or with too much of your family. That was the message from Boris Johnson this week as a coronavirus spike sparked a rethink of the government’s festive Covid message. Is the government right to emphasise personal responsibility over the long arm of the state?Not content with one national emergency, the prime minister a
Brexit Special: More Deadlines Than Hot Dinners
Brexit talks were on, then off, then back on again after another crunch week of negotiations passed without Boris Johnson or the EU deciding to compromise and get a deal, or go for no deal. The prime minister’s dinner in Brussels with Ursula von der Leyen failed to break the deadlock and fears of no deal are rising with just weeks left until the end of the transition.Joining Arj Singh and Paul Wau
Should Labour Back A Tory Brexit Deal? With Lucy Powell MP
This week brought the welcome news that the first coronavirus vaccine has been approved for use in the UK. Has the announcement on the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine come at a useful time for Boris Johnson as his backbenchers show their dismay at lockdown tiers being imposed across the country?Another potential pitfall for Johnson is the enduring Brexit negotiations that are going down to the wire - but
Rishi Sunak Delays The Pain Ahead Of Covid Christmas (With Andrew Mitchell MP)isode
Rishi Sunak warned that the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic was only beginning as he unveiled his spending review. While there were giveaways to former red wall seats to assist in ‘levelling up’, the decision to cut the overseas aid budget drew cross-party criticism. Will the government be forced to back down on the plans?Joining Arj Singh, Paul Waugh and Rachel Wearmouth, Tory former
Johnson And Starmer Struggle To Break Free From Their Recent Past (With Ian Lavery MP)
Factional infighting ruled Westminster this week as two of its most divisive figures returned to the front pages. For Boris Johnson, Dominic Cummings leaving the No.10 team offered a chance to reset his government, only for another bout of isolation after coming into contact with an MP infected with coronavirus thwarting him.But in Labour, the reinstatement of former leader Jeremy Corbyn after his
Cummings And Goings At No.10 (With Tom Tugendhat MP)
Downing Street splits burst open this week with the resignation of Dominic Cummings ally and longstanding Boris Johnson aide Lee Cain as director of communications. Cummings didn’t follow through on threats to follow Cain out of the door but what may seem like a Westminster bubble story does really matter.Senior Tory MP Tom Tugendhat joins Arj Singh and Paul Waugh to discuss what’s going on in No.
226: Will Donald Trump Go Gently Into The Political Night?
Lockdown life returns to the UK but for the moment the country is gripped with the fiercely contested US presidential election. Joe Biden looks on course for victory and if he wins, will Donald Trump go quietly? And which outcome works in Britain’s favour?With attention elsewhere, the chancellor has performed another U-turn, this time on the furlough scheme, as England’s second lockdown begins. Ha
225: Westminster Needs To Face The Music Over Diversity, With Jamie Njoku-Goodwin
In a parliamentary recess special, Matt Hancock’s former special adviser Jamie Njoku-Goodwin joins Arj Singh for Commons People to discuss his new role as chief executive of UK Music and their new study which looks at representation in the music industry.While the report shows encouraging news about representation of minorities, it has warned that it is concentrated in younger, more junior levels
224: Has The King Of The North Stolen Boris Johnson’s Crown?
Boris Johnson moved Greater Manchester area into the highest tier of local lockdown, setting in motion a war of words and press conferences with mayor Andy Burnham. Tensions spilled over as an extraordinary series of negotiations over a lack of financial support for businesses and workers spilled over in public, with Burnham was branded the “king of the north” as he attempted to defend Manchester
223: Is A Circuit Breaker Coronavirus Lockdown Inevitable?
Boris Johnson’s tiered local lockdown rules for England were meant to simplify the government’s response to the coronavirus second wave. But the plans immediately ran into trouble after Sage papers revealed scientific advisers had called for a national ‘circuit breaker’ around a month ago. Keir Starmer dramatically took up the call as leaders from the Greater Manchester area hit back at plans to p
222: Lockdown Brass, With John McDonnell MP
Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell joins Arj Singh, Paul Waugh and Rachel Wearmouth to discuss the rebellions brewing in Westminster as efforts to tackle the coronavirus pandemic by the government lurch from crisis to crisis. Is the time of constructive opposition from Keir Starmer’s Labour over? And is it time to impose a national lockdown?While fighting the government’s response, Starmer al
221: Priti Patel’s Wave Machine
Boris Johnson can’t remember his own coronavirus rules, Priti Patel considered deterring asylum seekers with a wave machine, and the EU is taking the UK to court - it’s been another one of those weeks. Joining Arj Singh and Rachel Wearmouth, Tory former special adviser Salma Shah and Labour ex-adviser Matthew McGregor try to pick their way through the headlines and consider why the PM is faring s
220: Is Now The Winter Of Our Discontent? With Steve Reed MP
As curfews and other restrictions are brought in to try and stem the rise in coronavirus infections, Rishi Sunak took to the dispatch box with another rescue plan for the economy. But do his emergency schemes go far enough?Joining Arj Singh, Paul Waugh and Rachel Wearmouth, Labour’s shadow communities secretary Steve Reed reacts to Sunak’s statement, tries to unpack the problems with test and trac
219: Do Voters Still Want To Push Cummings Off A Cliff? With Tory MP Paul Howell
Boris Johnson’s ‘moonshot’ coronavirus ambition began to look divorced from the reality of worrying testing shortages as more areas were put into local lockdowns. The prime minister also had to contend with a Tory Brexit rebellion and more resignations from his government. Is Johnson losing control of the two biggest issues of our times?Tory MP Paul Howell joined Arj Singh, Paul Waugh and Rachel W
218: Is History Repeating With Brexit And Coronavirus?
As Britain saw a worrying resurgence of coronavirus cases, Boris Johnson returned to the country’s living room with a briefing with new restrictions. Also returning is Brexit, with the government admitting that they’re planning on breaking international law. Are we witnessing the prime minister repeat his mistakes with both Brexit and the pandemic?Joining Arj Singh and Paul Waugh, Anand Menon from
217: A Summer To Forget For Boris Johnson, But Will He Be Marked Down For It? With Emma Hardy MP
Parliament returned from summer recess but it has been anything but a calm and relaxing summer holiday as the fallout from the exam results fiasco and many, many more U-turns from the government left Boris Johnson and the Tories sinking in the polls to the dismay of the party’s MPs.HuffPost UK’s Arj Singh and Paul Waugh are joined by shadow education minister Emma Hardy to make sense of what’s gon
216: Black Ballad Takeover: The Health Inequalities For Black British People
This week, Black Ballad is guest-editing HuffPost UK with a series by Black women on parenting, family, and our post-Covid future. In this special episode of Commons People, Arj Singh speaks with HuffPost UK's Nadine White, Black Ballad’s head of editorial, Jendella Benson and co-founder of the Five Times More campaign, Tinuke Awe to talk about the takeover and what Black Ballad's landmark motherh
215: Why Did MI5 And The Government Fail To Act On Russia? With Tom Tugendhat MP
No chance for parliament to wind down to summer recess as the intelligence and security committee published the long-awaited Russia report, which detailed how the government and intelligence agencies took their “eye off the ball” with regards to Russian meddling in British politics. Will Boris Johnson take heed of the warnings?Alongside Russia, the government also has to contend with Chinese relat
214: Grayling Fails As Russia Threat Looms Large, With Lisa Nandy MP
Security and foreign affairs was thrust to the forefront this week as Boris Johnson U-turned on Huawei’s involvement in UK 5G infrastructure. The change in tone to China was quickly followed by a very British coup as Julian Lewis stole the chair of the intelligence and security committee from No.10’s favoured Chris Grayling and prepared to publish the long-awaited report on Russian interference. D
213: Should Labour Back A Wealth Tax? With Stewart Wood
Rishi Sunak this week delivered a £30bn mini-budget designed to save jobs from the deep recession caused by coronavirus. The chancellor again came forward with radical state intervention proposals while keeping backbench Tory MPs eager for low tax, small state economics happy. But were the plans radical enough?Labour peer and Gordon Brown’s former adviser Stewart Wood goes through details with Arj
212: Will Boris Johnson’s Big Reset Work? With George Freeman MP
Boris Johnson tried to reset the agenda on his premiership this week ahead of the lockdown all but lifting, setting out a “new deal” in the mould of Franklin D Roosevelt to get Britain to flourish once more following the coronavirus pandemic. But was he bold enough during the crisis itself?While Johnson was taking to the stage, a local flare up of cases in Leicester, China’s moves on Hong Kong and
211: Why Is Boris Johnson Hanging On To Robert Jenrick? With Jo Stevens MP
After three months, Britain’s lockdown is coming to an end after Boris Johnson announced the openings of pubs, restaurants and other venues from July 4. But is it a risk? And what about those, particularly in the arts, that are still not yet allowed to fully reopen?Recorded before Rebecca Long-Bailey’s sacking, Labour’s shadow culture secretary Jo Stevens joins Arj Singh, Paul Waugh and Rachel Wea
210: Has The Government Taken Its Eye Off The Ball? With Robert Halfon MP
While Boris Johnson was discussing the boarding up of Churchill’s statue, Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford was campaigning for free school meals over the summer. Rashford’s open letter to the government saw a U-turn within 48 hours. With schools reopening also causing consternation, it hints at a government unsure of which way to turn.Conservative MP Robert Halfon joins Arj Singh, Paul Wa
209: A Week Of Lessons Learned? With Layla Moran MP
George Floyd’s death continued to reverberate around the world this week, with protests in Bristol leading to the tearing down of Edward Colston’s statue due to his links to the slave trade. Is Britain finally facing up to the systemic racism present in the country?One person not facing up to his failings is Boris Johnson, as the government continues to ignore calls to say mistakes were made in th
208: America’s Racial Injustice Highlights Britain’s Own, with Bim Afolami
Coronavirus news took a backseat as the protests against racial injustice fanned across the world following George Floyd’s death in custody of Minneapolis police. Britain too had tough questions to answer as a report detailing the disproportionate effects of coronavirus on Black and minority ethnic (BAME) people was published.Conservative MP Bim Afolami joins Arj Singh, Paul Waugh and Rachel Wearm
207: Is Dominic Cummings Worth This Much To Boris Johnson?
The government has announced its new test and trace system as well as easing some lockdown restrictions but the only news people are talking about is Dominic Cummings and his lockdown eye test. Boris Johnson has staked a lot on sticking by his adviser, but is the Vote Leave guru worth the price?Joining Arj Singh and Paul Waugh, former Tory special adviser Salma Shah and former Labour adviser Matth
206: Is Nicola Sturgeon’s Response To The Pandemic As Good As Everyone Says?
Nicola Sturgeon has now laid out Scotland’s lockdown exit strategy, a week after breaking with Boris Johnson and opposing the easing of restrictions that happened in England. Many think the Scottish first minister has handled the pandemic response better than the UK PM, but does it hold up under scrutiny?Labour’s shadow Scottish secretary Ian Murray joins Arj Singh, Paul Waugh and Rachel Wearmouth
205: Is This China’s ‘Skripal Poisoning Moment’? With Bob Seely MP
Britain was told to ease itself back to work as Boris Johnson’s government tries to devise a lockdown exit strategy that keeps the coronavirus at bay without long-term damage to the economy. Confused messaging from the government however has led to difficult questions, particularly those from Keir Starmer at PMQs. Does Boris Johnson have the answers?Questions too are beginning to be asked of China
204: Could Lockdown Rob The UK Of 'The Next Stormzy'? With Tracy Brabin MP
Boris Johnson went toe-to-toe with Sir Keir Starmer for the first time in PMQs this week, with Labour’s leader impressing many. But what is his long-term strategy and how is he managing the one thing he can control - the Labour party? Meanwhile as the prime minister prepares for a minor easing of the coronavirus lockdown, there is no end in sight for the UK’s theatres, music venues and comedy club
203: Boris Johnson’s Back, But Is He A Hawk Or A Dove?
Boris Johnson capped off an eventful April as prime minister with the birth of his son with partner Carrie Symonds, two days after returning from three weeks off with severe coronavirus. Has the last month changed the prime minister’s outlook on the crisis? Top of his to do list is when and how to end the lockdown so the country can begin to get back to some semblance of normality, with Johnson’s
202: Do The Lockdown’s Hidden Victims Need An Exit Plan? With Jess Phillips
The government seems unable to give a straight answer on a range of questions as problems with PPE persist and no sign of an exit strategy being presented to the public. Is no one able to make decisions during Boris Johnson’s absence? As the country continues to strive through the lockdown, worries about the economy are being joined by the affects it is having one the public, particularly for scho
201: Keir Starmer Begins His Rebuild Of Labour
An unsettling week for Westminster as prime minister Boris Johnson was admitted to intensive care with coronavirus. His admission to hospital left Dominic Raab as de facto PM whilst Johnson recovers but who’s now running the government’s handling of the pandemic as it enters the peak for the UK?For Labour, their search for a new leader is finally over as Keir Starmer won the vote to take over from
200: Testing Times For The Government’s Response To The Coronavirus Pandemic
As the second week of Britain’s lockdown comes to an end, the government’s response to coronavirus is beginning to come under attack. As Boris Johnson, Matt Hancock and Chris Whitty self-isolate, a lack of answers over testing and protective equipment is prompting scathing criticism. Where have ministers gone wrong, and can they fix it?Senior Conservative MP and chair of the Commons science commit
199: Is Lockdown Going To 'Send Coronavirus Packing'? With Jon Ashworth MP
Boris Johnson has put Britain on lockdown to slow the spread of coronavirus across the country. Businesses are shut with the public asked to only leave their homes for essential travel or exercise. But has the message been muddled? And did the response come fast enough?Shadow health secretary Jon Ashworth joins Arj Singh, Paul Waugh and Rachel Wearmouth via video call to discuss the government’s r
198: The First Brexit-Free Podcast In Four Years, Featuring Andrew Griffith MP
A truly unprecedented week in Westminster, as prime minister Boris Johnson told the country to stay at home as Britain begins to edge towards the peak of the coronavirus pandemic. The public were urged to stay away from pubs, theatres, schools and work from home to try protect those more in immediate risk from Covid-19.The monumental change to how we live now has shocked markets worldwide, with th
197: Coronavirus Hides The Budget In Plain Sight, With Rosena Allin-Khan MP
The march of the coronavirus across the world dominated headlines this week, with Westminster having its first diagnosed cases and the government moving to delay phase to try limit its spread. Is Boris Johnson’s team listening to the right advice? Labour MP and A&E doctor Rosena Allin-Khan joins Arj Singh, Paul Waugh and Rachel Wearmouth to discuss the government’s response, as well as running
196: Coronavirus Can’t Mask Priti Patel’s ‘Bullying’ Crisis, Feat. David Lammy MP
Britain is ramping up its response to the coronavirus outbreak, with the Vote Leave government suddenly listening to “the experts”. But pandemic fears have failed to distract from the alleged bullying scandal engulfing home secretary Priti Patel. Can she hang on in the cabinet?Labour MP David Lammy joins Arj Singh and Paul Waugh to discuss all of this, and his new book Tribes, an exploration of ho
195: Dominic Cummings Is Going Nowhere
Priti Patel’s former special adviser James Starkie joins the team to give his verdict on the explosive briefing war engulfing the home secretary and her officials. The former Vote Leave ally of Dominic Cummings also explains why Boris Johnson’s controversial aide is going nowhere. And the team dissect the UK and EU’s opening negotiating positions to ask: what is the point of the PM’s hardline push
194: What Sajid Javid's Resignation Reveals About Boris Johnson's Government
Boris Johnson’s cabinet reshuffle has all of Westminster buzzing, with the shock resignation of Chancellor Sajid Javid. What does it reveal about how this government will go about their work?Arj Singh, Paul Waugh and Rachel Wearmouth discuss the cabinet reshuffle with Sajid Javid’s former special advisor Salma Shah.Make sense of politics. Sign up to the Waugh Zone and get the political day in a nu
