Political Frenemies

Britain is being told to “Be Ready” for emergencies — but are we really prepared for the worst? Former Tory defence adviser Chris Newton, Lib Dem commentator Mathew Hulbert, and Tory commentator Matthew Goodwin-Freeman examine the government’s new guidance urging households to prepare for everything from extreme weather to cyberattacks, and ask what it reveals about Britain’s national resilience....

Is Reform UK heading for a major crisis? An explosive ITV undercover expose has revealed offensive comments by Reform candidates and councillors, putting Nigel Farage and his party under intense pressure. Lib Dem commentator Mathew Hulbert and former Tory adviser Chris Newton ask just how much damage the scandal could do to Reform’s electoral ambitions. Plus, Andy Burnham reignites the Brexit deba...

Is Kemi Badenoch finally turning the Conservatives around, or is the party still heading for trouble? On the latest Political Frenemies, former Tory adviser Chris Newton and Lib Dem commentator Mathew Hulbert are joined by Tory councillor and commentator Zak Wagman to dissect Conservative Party conference, Badenoch’s rejection of any coalition with Reform UK, and whether the Tories are genuinely o...

Labour conference has delivered a major political shake-up — and on Political Frenemies, Lib Dem commentator Mathew Hulbert and former Tory adviser Chris Newton are joined by trade unionist Sean Purcell to dissect Andy Burnham’s big speech and his plans for pensions, social care and electoral reform. Why does Burnham want to change the pensions triple lock, and what does his promise of a new votin...

The Lib Dems have had their conference — but what does it mean for Ed Davey? Former Tory adviser Chris Newton and Lib Dem commentator Mathew Hulbert are joined once again by Lib Dem YouTuber Andy Chandler to unpack the Lib Dem conference, assess Davey’s leadership and ask where the party goes next. They also dive into the latest MRP polls showing Labour as the largest party, examine Andy Burnham’s...

Reform UK has had another tough week — but can it bounce back? Lib Dem commentator Mathew Hulbert and former Tory adviser Chris Newton are joined by Reform UK commentator and self-styled ‘local government diva’ Jess Caine to debate Reform’s recent troubles and whether the party can recover. They also examine the new independence pact between the SNP, Plaid Cymru and Sinn Féin, preview the Lib Dem...

On this week’s Political Frenemies, former Tory adviser Chris Newton and Lib Dem commentator Mathew Hulbert are joined once again by Tory commentator Matthew Goodwin-Freeman for a lively look at some of the biggest political and security stories of the week. They debate Labour’s decision to sanction Israeli settlers, Andy Burnham’s explosive PMQs claim that national security should not come at the...

Political Frenemies is back for a brand new season! Lib Dem commentator Mathew Hulbert and former Tory adviser Chris Newton are joined once again by Talk presenter and former Tory Special Adviser Peter Cardwell for a wide-ranging conversation about the latest twists and turns in Westminster. Peter discusses the paperback release of his book Political Animals, while the trio dissect Reform UK’s con...

In this episode, former Tory adviser Chris Newton and Lib Dem commentator Mathew Hulbert are joined by ConservativeHome Assistant Editor Oliver Dean. They dissect the “Burnham bounce” in the polls and ask whether the Prime Minister’s announcements on social care and education can sustain his early momentum. The panel also tackles the controversy surrounding Zack Polanski’s Instagram post share abo...

Andy Burnham has barely had time to unpack the boxes in Number 10, but the political landscape is already shifting. Joining Lib Dem commentator Mathew Hulbert and former Tory adviser Chris Newton, academic George Aylett dissects the Prime Minister's dramatic first week in office, from his eye-catching Cabinet appointments to his opening policy announcements and the challenges already looming o...

Political Frenemies returns with a blockbuster special as former Tory adviser Chris Newton and Lib Dem commentator Mathew Hulbert are joined by Tory commentator Matthew Goodwin-Freeman and former Labour adviser Matt Lloyd to analyse the political earthquake that has transformed Westminster. The panel reflects on Keir Starmer's time in office, examines Andy Burnham's first Cabinet picks as...

Former Tory adviser Chris Newton and Liberal Democrat commentator Mathew Hulbert are joined once again by LBC presenter, publisher and political commentator Iain Dale for a wide-ranging conversation about his candid new autobiography, reflecting on the highs, lows and lessons from a life spent at the heart of British politics, broadcasting and publishing. Along the way, the trio also react to Andy...

In this episode of Political Frenemies, former Tory adviser Chris Newton and Lib Dem activist Mathew Hulbert are joined by Tax Justice UK Policy and Advocacy Manager Joe Wright for a wide-ranging discussion on a dramatic week in British politics. They react to the death of Ann Widdecombe and the shocking launch of a police murder investigation, debate whether Nigel Farage's decision to trigger...

Political chaos is back on the menu in this bonus episode of Political Frenemies! Former Tory adviser Chris Newton and Lib Dem activist Mathew Hulbert are joined once again by Lib Dem YouTuber Andy Chandler to dissect Nigel Farage's bombshell announcement that he will resign as an MP and force a by-election. Is this a masterstroke of political strategy, a high-stakes gamble, or the biggest mis...

n this episode, Lib Dem commentator Mathew Hulbert and former Tory adviser Chris Newton are joined by the Reverend Richard Hanford for a lively discussion of the week's biggest political stories. The trio unpick Andy Burnham's headline-grabbing speech, debate the government's new Defence Investment Plan, and ask whether Nigel Farage is finally finding himself on the back foot. They als...

In this week's Political Frenemies, former Tory adviser Chris Newton and Lib Dem commentator Mathew Hulbert are joined once again by Green activist Daniel Laycock for a lively debate on the biggest stories shaking British politics. The trio dissect the political earthquake triggered by Keir Starmer's resignation announcement and assess the implications of Andy Burnham's reported plans...

In a special episode of Political Frenemies, Lib Dem commentator Mathew Hulbert and former Tory adviser Chris Newton unpack the shock resignation of Keir Starmer and the dramatic arrival of Andy Burnham at Westminster. Can Burnham unite Labour and the country, or will rivals emerge to challenge his path to power? Expect sharp disagreements, insider insights, and plenty of friendly fire as the fren...

In a special by-election edition of Political Frenemies, former Tory adviser Chris Newton and Lib Dem activist Mathew Hulbert are joined by Lib Dem YouTuber Andy Chandler and former Labour adviser Matt Lloyd to dissect the dramatic Makerfield by-election. Why did Andy Burnham emerge victorious, what does the result mean for Keir Starmer’s leadership, and could Burnham really be on a path to Number...

Lib Dem commentator Mathew Hulbert and former Tory defence adviser Chris Newton are joined once again by Conservative commentator and councillor Matthew Goodwin-Freeman. This week, they unpack the extraordinary resignations of Defence Secretary John Healey and Armed Forces Minister Al Carns, whose dramatic departures over military spending have plunged Keir Starmer into the gravest crisis of his p...

On this episode of Political Frenemies, former Tory adviser Chris Newton and Lib Dem commentator Mathew Hulbert clash and converge over the biggest stories shaping British politics. Fresh from the recent Compass conference, Mathew reports from the front lines of progressive thinking as the pair debate whether the fractured left can ever truly unite behind a common agenda. They also dissect the pol...

On this week’s episode of Political Frenemies, Lib Dem commentator Mathew Hulbert and former Tory adviser Chris Newton are joined once again by Yellow Rebel host Andy Chandler to dissect Tony Blair’s headline-grabbing intervention and Alan Milburn’s stark report on youth unemployment, asking whether the Blairites still wield influence inside the Labour Party — or whether New Labour has finally bec...

On this week’s Political Frenemies, former Tory adviser Chris Newton and Lib Dem commentator Mathew Hulbert are joined once again by Tory councillor and commentator Matthew Goodwin-Freeman for a no-holds-barred tour through another chaotic week in Westminster. With Labour gripped by mounting questions over its leadership and Andy Burnham signalling his return to frontline parliamentary politics, t...

Former Tory adviser Chris Newton and Lib Dem commentator Mathew Hulbert react to the resignation of Wes Streeting.

In this bonus episode of Political Frenemies, Lib Dem commentator Mathew Hulbert and former Tory adviser Chris Newton react to mounting calls from Labour MPs — and pressure from within government — for Keir Starmer to resign, and Starmer’s defiant refusal to go. As Westminster speculation intensifies, they discuss what the crisis means for Starmer’s future, the manoeuvring among potential Labour s...

In this BONUS episode of Political Frenemies, Lib Dem commentator Mathew Hulbert and former Tory adviser Chris Newton react to Catherine West's ultimatum that if the Cabinet doesn't challenge Keir Starmer by Monday, she will start a Labour leadership contest. They also discuss Keir Starmer’s appointments of Gordon Brown and Harriet Harman to advisory roles, and what the moves could mean for Labour...