A Mucky Business with Tim Farron

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. Michae...

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 his...

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, Tim ref...

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 LC...

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 Briti...

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 the...

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 l...

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 rise of Reform, the donations row that overshadowed Reform's own conference, and whether the Lib Dems still have a place in British politics. She also shares whether her faith makes her everyday job easier or harde...

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 reckons...

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@premier.org....

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 Andy Burnha...

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 those issu...

Now, it's time for a special edition of A Mucky Business, as Tim gets interviewed by producer Anna Rees Green. We'll hear about what he's learnt through hosting 200 episodes of the podcast, including his thoughts on 'local star' MPs like Andy Burnham... as well as why he thinks Christians shouldn't start their own political party! Want your question answered next week? Drop a quick email to farron...

This week Tim is joined by Darren Paffey, Labour MP for Southampton Itchen. His constituency has found itself at the centre of national tragedy this week - with the sentencing of Henry Nowak's murderer, and subsequent protests on its streets. Darren tells Tim about how being adopted helped shape his faith, and Tim answers your question about lying in manifestos! Want your question answered next we...

Tim is joined this week by Mims Schluter Atkinson, director of development at the Jubilee Centre. We'll hear about her advocacy work, and why the Sabbath is so vital for Gen Z. And Tim answers your question on Mandelson and accountability. Want your question answered next week? Drop a quick email to farron@premier.org.uk You can listen to all episodes of A Mucky Business on the Premier Plus app!

In today's episode, rector Jago Wynne tells Tim why Wilberforce-like integrity is the missing ingredient in a world seeking good leadership. And Tim answers your question on religious expression in the public square. Want your question answered next week? Drop a quick email to farron@premier.org.uk. If you’d like to support the team making this podcast, you can do so at stewardship.org.uk/partners...

Tim is joined this week by Labour MP for Shipley, Anna Dixon. It’s her second appearance on the show, as she returns to reflect on two years since entering Parliament as part of Labour’s historic majority. Together, they discuss the recent local election results and what they could mean for the future of the Prime Minister. Want your question answered next week? Drop a quick email to farron@premie...

Tim is joined this week by Andy Corley, CEO of Prison Fellowship International. We'll hear about how their mission does what many politicians try - and fail - to do; reduce crime, and restore social justice. And with local elections looming, Tim answers your question about how to choose the 'right' party! Want your question answered next week? Drop a quick email to farron@premier.org.uk You can li...

Tim is joined this week by the Bishop of Gloucester, Rt Revd Rachel Treweek. Bishop Rachel was the first female diocesan bishop, and first woman to be a Lord spiritual. She'll tell us what's surprised her about life in the Upper Chamber, and discuss our government's role in the occupation of the West Bank. And Tim answers your question, on whether Parliament has a problem with alcohol... Want your...

Tim is joined this week by Sarah Smith, Labour MP for Hyndburn & Haslington in Lancashire. On the day that Sir Keir Starmer's facing questions over his appointment of Peter Mandelson, we'll hear how Sarah has found the last two years as a new MP, elected in the Labour landslide of 2024. And Tim answers your question, on whether Prime Ministers who do something wrong should be called to resign... W...

Tim is joined this week by political consultant and pastor Paul Bickley. He has been working in the intersection between faith and politics for over 20 years. We'll find out more about how that intersection works in modern Britain. And Tim weighs in on the Iran war and the constant use of Christian symbolism by the US administration. Want your question answered next week? Drop a quick email to far...

Tim is joined this week by married couple Poppy and Tommy Sharpe, co-founders of Better Story. We'll find out how being part of a counter-protest to nationalism led them to start a grassroots Christian campaign. And after a week of controversy over a public Iftar, Tim weighs up whether the West should be fearful of Islam... Want your question answered next week? Drop a quick email to farron@premie...

Tim is joined this week by author, speaker and theologian Amy Orr-Ewing. They discuss what Jesus' call to radical forgiveness looks like in a fractured political landscape. And you ask Tim: 'Should smartphones be banned?' Want your question answered next week? Drop a quick email to farron@premier.org.uk If you’d like to support the team making this podcast, just visit: stewardship.org.uk/partners/...

Tim is joined this week by Attieh Fard, an Iranian-born lawyer and Conservative campaigner in Surrey. We’ll hear about how she encountered Jesus after being raised in a Muslim household. And Tim shares his reflections on a recent visit to the Holy Land. Want your question answered next week? Drop a quick email to farron@premier.org.uk If you’d like to support the team making this podcast, just vis...

Tim is joined this week by Gavin Ashenden, former chaplain to Queen Elizabeth and now a Catholic layman. We’ll hear about his incredible encounter of meeting Jesus, and why smuggling Bibles has shaped his politics. And Tim answers your question, about the Greens' recent by-election win. Want your question answered next week? Drop a quick email to farron@premier.org.uk If you’d like to support the...