Newscast

Today, the government has laid out their plans for new legislation in the King’s speech, amid speculation that Wes Streeting is going to launch a leadership challenge against Keir Starmer as soon as Thursday. It’s rumoured that Streeting wanted to wait in order to not distract from the speech, but the rising speculation has dominated headlines and the commons. What was actually in the King’s speec...

Today, Keir Starrmer has said he will “get on with governing” despite another day of increasing pressure on him to resign from the Labour party. Four ministers resigned on Tuesday, and more MPs have called for the Prime Minister to stand down. But so far no formal leadership contest has been triggered. Meanwhile more than 100 MPs are understood to have signed a statement backing the PM, saying "th...

Today, more Labour MPs have called for Keir Starmer to step down, but is an actual leadership challenge imminent? In a speech on Monday morning Keir Starmer vowed to prove his “doubters” wrong, but the number of Labour MPs calling him to go continues to rise. Dozens of MPs have urged Starmer either to step down immediately or set out a timetable for his departure. Adam, Chris and Alex discuss. You...

Today, we look at a surpirsise move from Labour MP Catherine West. She’s called for cabinet ministers to challenge Keir Starmer's leadership - threatening to do so herself if they don't. Laura and Paddy are joined by Henry to discuss she is, why she’s doing it, and how dangerous it could be for the prime minister. They also look ahead to next week as the prime minister prepares to make a speech to...

Today, we look at what Labour’s pasting in the May elections means for Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He’s been out in London talking to Chris and insisting he’s not going anywhere but with more and more of his own party calling on him to resign, can he really stay? Chris joins Laura and Paddy to talk about their conversation and to give his assessment on the results now they’re in They also look at...

Today, Labour suffered a historic loss in the Welsh Senedd elections coming in third behind Plaid Cymru and Reform UK. In Scotland, the SNP held onto it’s majority with second place too close to call between Labour and Reform as Newscast began recording. And in England, a bruising run of results continued for Labour, who lost more than a thousand council seats. Reform won more than 1400 councillor...

Today, the first results from the English local elections have been declared, with Reform UK surging and losses for Labour - with many more results still to come. Adam, Chris and Alex were joined by Luke Tryl, UK Director of More in Common, live on BBC Sounds to analyse the political picture that has emerged overnight. Counts in both Scotland and Wales are taking place on Friday. You can now liste...

Today, we are live as we count down to the Senedd, Holyrood and English local elections happening on Thursday. With less than 24 hours to go until the polls open, the parties are making their final efforts to win over voters across the UK. Adam, Chris, Laura, Felicity and James put their heads together to give a rundown of what’s dominated the campaign trails and how that might shape the next few...

Today, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth says the US-Iran ceasefire "is not over", despite attacks in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday. Donald Trump's "Project Freedom" aims to use the US military to guide stranded cargo ships out of the Strait of Hormuz. But, Iran insists that it controls the strait - and yesterday fired missiles and drones at military and commercial ships, according to the US. Ada...

In today’s episode, first recorded live at Castfest, Adam and Chris turn back the clock to 2016 and the lead up to the Brexit referendum. They discuss how the referendum came about, and their memories from the campaign trail. Plus Dr Katya Adler sends a special dispatch from a cake stand in Brussels! You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds...

Today, we look at the biggest set of elections in the UK since the 2024 General Election. Laura and Paddy run through what the polls tell us, how insiders are feeling, and the challenges each of the parties face in different parts of Britain. Political correspondent Joe Pike joins to help, as well as reveal the insights you can gather from looking inside a communal bin. You can now listen to Newsc...

Today we look at how safe Jewish people feel and the political response to a string of violent incidents in which they’ve been targeted. It’s prompted a national conversation about antisemitism in the country among politicians and the public. Two Jewish men were stabbed in Golders Green, north London, on Wednesday and there have been multiple cases of arson on Jewish properties in recent weeks. Sp...

Today, we look at the local authority elections in England. Adam, Chris and Alex explore the geography of the elections and who might do well where, the race for London’s councils and the challenges facing each of the parties as the campaigns enter their final week. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on mos...

Today, after a week of warning’s from the government over the financial impact of the war in Iran - is the reality starting to hit home? Adam, Chris and Faisal are joined by Ailbhe Rea Political Editor of the New Statesman to discuss how the financial effects could be felt all over the country? It comes after the Bank of England warns interest rates could rise this year following a “significant en...

Today, the King and Queen head to New York for the second part of their state visit to the US. We look at King Charles’ address to congress, what he said… and didn’t say, and if any of it is likely to have a lasting impact on US-UK relations. Adam is joined in the studio our diplomatic correspondent James Landale, and by Daniela Relph, senior royal correspondent who’s in New York with the King and...

Today, MPs have voted that Keir Starmer should not face an inquiry into whether he misled Parliament over the appointment of Lord Mandelson. MPs vote 335 to 223 against a Tory-led motion. During the debate, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said it's "very obvious" Starmer told the Commons things that were "not correct". No 10 accused the conservatives of a "desperate political stunt. Adam, Joe and Alex r...

Today, the King has arrived to meet President Trump for the US state visit. His arrival comes as security concerns are heightened after a shooting during the White House correspondents dinner on Saturday. The visit is also happening at a time when the Prime Minister is having trouble at home. Sir Keir Starmer is set to face a vote by MPs on whether there should be an inquiry over his claims about...

Recorded live at the BBC’s Maida Vale studios, Adam, Chris and Henry get grilled by the audience at Castfest. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscord Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk o...

Today, Laura and Paddy talk about another incident where a gunman tried to enter an event attended by US President Donald Trump. A secret service agent’s bulletproof vest saved him from more serious injury, after he was shot. The president was quickly escorted to safety by the Secret Service, but questions have been raised about how he got so close, and about what it means for the King’s US visit...

Today, we look at a report that suggests the US could review its position on Britain's claim to the Falkland Islands. An internal Pentagon email reported by Reuters suggested the US was considering options to punish Nato allies it believed had failed to support its war on Iran. The options discussed also included seeking Spain's suspension from Nato over its opposition to the war. BBC News has not...

Today, Adam, Alex, James and Felicity look at the latest stories from the UK elections campaign trail. Why are public services at the top of the campaign agenda? What will it mean for Westminster if nationalist parties sweep the board? And why is Eluned Morgan explaining how to vote for her though the medium of canned cocktails? You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to lis...

Today, Adam and Chris look back and assess how much danger Keir Starmer is in after another week of the Peter Mandelson saga? They are joined by Lara Spirit, deputy political editor of The Sunday Times and former civil servant Helen MacNamara who served as the deputy cabinet secretary. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newsca...

Today, Keir Starmer has sent a "real chill throughout the civil service." That’s according to a senior union official following his decision to sack the lead civil servant in the Foreign Office, Olly Robbins. James and Chris are joined by Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government, Catherine Haddon, to discuss the recent turbulence in the relationship between the government and the Civil Servic...

Today, Olly Robbins the sacked former Foreign Office chief, says number 10 had a “dismissive” attitude to the vetting of Lord Mandelson. Robbins told MPs when he took over the role there was "already a very very strong expectation" from No 10 that Mandelson "needed to be in post and in America as quickly as possible". Downing Street has denied showing a "dismissive" approach to the vetting, and sa...

Today, the Prime Minister has faced questions from MPs over the appointment of Lord Mandelson as US ambassador, despite failing security vetting. Sir Keir Starmer accused officials in the Foreign Office of deliberately and repeatedly withholding the fact Lord Mandelson initially failed security vetting for the role. Giving a statement to MPs, the prime minister said if he had known, he would not h...