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A Mucky Business with Tim Farron

A Mucky Business with Tim Farron

Premier 207 episodes Nov 11, 2026

Each week Christian MP Tim Farron unpacks the murky world of politics and encourages believers around the UK to engage prayerfully. Tim shares life in Parliament, key Christian issues, and ways listeners can make a difference. The podcast releases every Tuesday.

Episodes

Did faith help Democrats win the midterm elections?
Did faith help Democrats win the midterm elections? Nov 11, 2026 29:04 Democrats have taken back both the House and the Senate in the US midterms, and a number of the winners were open about their Christian faith. This week, Tim asks what the results say about America, and about faith in politics. Tim is joined by Michael Wear, chief executive of the Centre for Christianity and Public Life and a former faith adviser to President Obama, who returns to the show. Mic
Burnhamism: A quiet Budget: calm, or just kicking the can down the road?
Burnhamism: A quiet Budget: calm, or just kicking the can down the road? Nov 3, 2026 30:55 In the final episode of our series on Burnhamism, Tim asks what Andy Burnham's first Budget really tells us, and whether Burnhamism is a genuine political idea or just good communication. Tim is joined by Adrian Pabst, honorary professor of politics at the University of Kent and deputy director for public policy at the National Institute of Economic and Social Research. Adrian talks about how h
Burnhamism: Do the PM's first 100 days give hope, or just breathing space?
Burnhamism: Do the PM's first 100 days give hope, or just breathing space? Oct 27, 2026 27:44 It's 100 days since Andy Burnham became Prime Minister, and this week Tim asks how much of it has been substance and how much has been noise. Tim is joined by Paul O'Kane, the new director of Christians on the Left and former Member of the Scottish Parliament, who was in Downing Street the day Burnham arrived. They take stock of the first 100 days and look ahead to tomorrow's Budget. Plus, T
Burnhamism: Can Andy Burnham fix social care without cutting pensions?
Burnhamism: Can Andy Burnham fix social care without cutting pensions? Oct 20, 2026 28:16 This week, Tim continues his mini-series on Burnhamism by looking at one of the biggest promises in Andy Burnham’s conference speech: replacing the pensions triple lock with a “double lock” to help pay for a National Care Service. To make sense of it, Tim is joined by Sir Steve Webb, the former Lib Dem pensions minister who introduced the triple lock in government and now advises on pensions at
Burnhamism: Brexit is back on the table. Can Christians keep the peace?
Burnhamism: Brexit is back on the table. Can Christians keep the peace? Oct 14, 2026 29:00 This week, Tim kicks off a brand-new mini-series on Burnhamism: the ideas and policies behind Andy Burnham's speech at the Labour Conference. Over the coming weeks, Tim will be unpacking some of those announcements, looking at what they could mean in practice and how achievable they really are. To get things started, Tim is joined by journalist and author Rob Hutton, who spent years covering
What does the future hold for the Conservative Party?
What does the future hold for the Conservative Party? Oct 7, 2026 30:51 The end of party conference season is here, and that means it's time for our final episode looking at the big stories coming out of it! This week, Tim is joined by Conservative MP Rebecca Smith, who returns to the show for the second time since becoming an MP in 2024. They look back at her first two years in Parliament, what she's learned along the way, and what she thinks the future holds for
What does Andy Burnham’s big speech mean for Britain?
What does Andy Burnham’s big speech mean for Britain? Sep 30, 2026 31:07 It’s Labour’s turn for party conference, and one speech is dominating the conversation: Andy Burnham’s. Tim is joined by former Loughborough MP Andy Reed, who worked alongside Burnham during his early days in Parliament, to unpack the speech, the policies Burnham announced, and what they might mean for Labour. Andy also reflects on life after politics - and what comes next when Westminster is no
Can the Lib Dems be the answer to Reform UK's rise?
Can the Lib Dems be the answer to Reform UK's rise? Sep 22, 2026 27:53 We're continuing our conference season, and this time it's the Lib Dems' turn. Tim is joined by Munira Wilson, the party's education spokesperson and MP for Twickenham. They discuss the
From 'pirate ship' to party of government - has Reform UK really grown up?
From 'pirate ship' to party of government - has Reform UK really grown up? Sep 17, 2026 29:09 This week, Tim's kicking off the conference series - over the next four episodes, he's sitting down with a member of each party having their conference this season. First up: Reform UK, whose three-day party conference has already been and gone. Tim catches up with Derbyshire Councillor Stephen Reed to talk about his faith journey, the donations row that overshadowed the event, and why he rec
Why I opposed Assisted Dying with Labour MP Julie Minns
Why I opposed Assisted Dying with Labour MP Julie Minns Sep 15, 2026 21:38 Following the defeat of the Assisted Dying Bill in Parliament, Tim chats with Labour MP for Carlisle, Julie Minns. Julie delivered one of the most emotional and powerful speeches during the debate, and she joins Tim to talk more about her decision to oppose the bill and why she believes assisted dying is the wrong path for our society. Do you have a question for Tim? Send it to farron@prem
Can you govern by giving power away? - Sarah Smith MP on Andy Burnham's first months
Can you govern by giving power away? - Sarah Smith MP on Andy Burnham's first months Sep 9, 2026 29:09 A new season, a new PM and a lot to unpack! This week Tim is joined by Sarah Smith MP, the Labour representative for Hyndburn and Haslingden in Lancashire. They discuss Andy Burnham's first months in No.10, his Catholic faith, and Sarah's push for SEND reform at the Department for Education. Plus Tim tackles this week's Mucky Question - can you govern by giving power away? He digs into
Krish Kandiah, founder of Sanctuary Foundation.
Krish Kandiah, founder of Sanctuary Foundation. Jun 23, 2026 30:00 This week Tim is joined by Krish Kandiah, founder of Sanctuary Foundation. His charity helps coordinate housing, integration and community support for refugees and asylum seekers arriving in the UK, particularly those fleeing conflicts such as those in Ukraine and Afghanistan. With questions around asylum, migration and national identity dominating political headlines, they will discuss t

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