Electoral Dysfunction

Former Conservative cabinet ministers Penny Mordaunt and Gillian Keegan join Beth, Ruth and Harriet in the studio to take us behind the scenes of the final days of the last government.    For their final podcasts of 2024, Beth and Ruth ask how the Conservatives fell from power and they get the inside track on Labour’s election campaign from Harriet.    In Part 2, we go inside the Cabinet Room in N...

Former Conservative cabinet ministers Penny Mordaunt and Gillian Keegan join Beth, Ruth and Harriet in the studio to take us behind the scenes of the final days of the last government.  For their final podcasts of 2024, Beth and Ruth ask how the Conservatives fell from power and they get the inside track on Labour's election campaign from Harriet.  In Part 1, Penny and Gillian look back at the low...

Beth, Harriet, and Ruth with their first Christmas episodes - answering your emails and voice notes.     From how to modernise the House of Lords, to what the fall of the Assad regime in Syria means for women.     And, who hosts the best Christmas party in Westminster?     Email us at electoraldysfunction@sky.uk , post on X to @BethRigby, or send a WhatsApp voice note on 07934 200 444.       

As Sir Keir Starmer sets out the six 'milestones' his government wants to hit before the next general election, Beth, Ruth and Harriet discuss if leaving immigration off the list was a wise move for the PM.    Plus, as middle-class women of a certain age, they have some thoughts on the allegations against MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace.     Email us at electoraldysfunction@sky.uk, post on X to...

As well as this week’s usual episode, Beth, Ruth and Harriet decompress after a busy Friday in Westminster.        The Assisted Dying Bill, which allows adults who are terminally ill to be provided with assistance to end their own lives, has passed through parliament. Ruth and Harriet react to the historic vote.       Plus, a cabinet minister has resigned after a "mistake" revealed by Sky News, le...

Does Kemi Badenoch need to work harder to get the public to understand what she’s about and what she stands for? Ruth’s got some advice for the new Conservative leader after her first few weeks in the job.    After a run of wins in local council seats, we ask if Labour and the Conservatives need to be more worried about Nigel Farage and Reform.     And, if you listen to this podcast sped up, thing...

In the week farmers descended on Westminster, Beth, Ruth and Harriet ask just how difficult these protests are for the government. They question whether the chancellor could roll back on her budget commitment to scrap the inheritance tax relief for agricultural property worth over £1m and whether Labour can afford to lose the rural vote.  Also, as Labour's Scottish leader Anas Sarwar distances him...

As well as this week's usual Electoral Dysfunction, Beth, Ruth and Harriet can be found on a another podcast for one week only. They debate what should lead the news on Tortoise's The News Meeting with host Basia Cummings. The agenda includes the need for a public inquiry into Mohamed Al Fayed, why we need to talk about Ukraine, and what Gary Lineker leaving Match of the Day says about impartialit...

MPs are about to get their first chance to debate and vote on an assisted dying bill for almost a decade. It'll be about a proposed law for England and Wales.       Ruth, Beth and Harriet discuss the hugely divisive issue on this episode - including whether Health Secretary Wes Streeting should have said that the law could impact other NHS services. Hariet thinks he's crossed a line. He plans to v...

Beth, Ruth and Harriet work out what Donald Trump’s second presidency will mean for the UK as they debrief the American election.     They heard from one of Theresa May’s advisors who had to deal with Trump when he was last in the White House and Harriet offers advice to Sir Keir Starmer.     She says: “We've got to invite him on a state visit... (it’s) key for our economy and our security.”     T...

Kemi Badenoch is the new leader of the Conservative Party.    How will she rebuild the party? How controversial will she be as leader of the opposition? And what does she mean when she says it's time to "tell the truth"?    Beth, Ruth and Harriet bring you their reaction to the news in a special Saturday episode of Electoral Dysfunction.     Email us at electoraldysfunction@sky.uk , post on X to @...

Is this the budget we were promised by Labour? And where will the fallout be for the government in the days and weeks to come?  On the day after the first Labour budget in nearly 15 years - and the first ever delivered by a woman - Beth, Ruth and Harriet unpick the numbers and explain why the critics are so upset. They also lift the lid on budget week in Westminster - how do cabinet ministers find...

In the week that Donald Trump filed a legal case against the Labour Party for alleged “blatant election interference” - Beth, Ruth and Harriet ask whether we should turn a blind eye to the drama, or whether the former President actually has a point. Just how problematic is this for Keir Starmer?    Later, Beth interviews Starmer’s former director of strategy, Deborah Mattinson. They discuss whethe...

With just under two weeks to go until Labour’s first budget in 15 years, the knives are out with cabinet members complaining to No 10 about cuts to their departments.  Should they just accept collective responsibility and keep their heads down? And could Labour be about to break their manifesto pledge if they increase National Insurance contributions for businesses?  Later, Beth, Ruth and Harriet...

We wanted to tell you about something new. Sky News and NBC News have joined forces for a weekly podcast - The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim .    For the first episode, Yalda is in Jerusalem and Richard is covering events in Lebanon.    They discuss what they are seeing and hearing on both sides of the border as the conflict appears to be "spiralling into an abyss".   And with the US el...

As Sir Keir Starmer's government hits its first 100 days after a big shake up in Downing Street, Beth, Harriet, and Ruth discuss the impact of Sue Gray's exit as his chief of staff.      They also get into the Conservative leadership race now that the Tories have the final two contenders selected. Ruth's man James Cleverly is out – so where is her head at now?      And Beth offers the low down on...

With the Tory leadership race down to the final four, Beth’s been at Conservative Party conference in Birmingham to watch the ‘beauty parade’ for herself, while Ruth and Harriet predict who will make it to the final two.        Back in Westminster, it looks like Sir Keir Starmer may have taken Harriet’s advice when he said he’d pay back £6,000 of gifts he’s received since getting into government,...

With Prime Minister Keir Starmer in New York and the Labour Party conference over, Beth, Ruth and Harriet discuss if it's all been overshadowed by the ongoing freebies row.     Harriet suggests Starmer should watch football on TV to end the row, while Beth explains her interview with the prime minister and how it went for her.     Plus, Beth, Harriet and Ruth talk about the UK response to the conf...

As the row over Keir Starmer's freebies rumbles on, Beth, Ruth and Harriet discuss if the prime minister can put the issue to bed before the Labour Party conference this weekend.      What does the leaking of senior special adviser Sue Gray's salary tell us about tension in the new government? And is Starmer's Rome scheme any different from Sunak's Rwanda plan?    Plus, Ruth and Harriet share thei...

With the winter fuel allowance vote passing in the House of Commons, Beth, Harriet and Ruth discuss the row and government’s approach to dealing with the unpopular policy.      They also look at MPs who have second jobs presenting TV shows (or podcasts) and what sort of extra work or broadcast appearances they should, or shouldn’t, be paid for.       Plus, with both Harriet and Ruth now in the Hou...

Beth, Harriet and Ruth look at the political fallout from this week's Grenfell Inquiry report, and ask if the government can do more to speed up any prosecutions.      Plus, Harriet reveals her surprising connection with one of the Conservative leadership hopefuls.       For more information on dates and tickets for our tour, go to https://www.aegpresents.co.uk/event/electoral-dysfunction-live/   ...

Beth and Ruth have some news! They’ve got a new permanent co-host on Electoral Dysfunction.    Labour legend and former deputy prime minister Harriet Harman is joining the line up every week to take you behind the curtain of the biggest political stories and answer your questions.  This week, they discuss the prime minister’s abrupt end to summer and how he is preparing the country for a busy poli...

Ruth and Beth are once again joined by the former Labour MP and ex-shadow culture secretary, Thangam Debbonaire to answer listener questions. They explain the role of special advisers in politics and discuss whether the devolved nations still need their own secretaries of state in Westminster.   They also give us a history lesson on PMQs and dissect political messaging around the economy.   For mo...

Ruth and Beth are back from their holidays to catch up on the big political stories. This time, they’re joined by former Labour MP and former shadow culture secretary Thangam Debbonaire.  They talk about the riots across England in the last couple of weeks with Thangam saying that Keir Starmer should have called them racist earlier.    And Ruth explains why she’s chosen to back James Cleverly in t...

In an episode recorded before their summer break, Beth and Ruth are delving back into the inbox for another "Answer the Question" special. It's Labour's Harriet Harman who is back to help them.     They explore why Labour has still not had a female leader while the Conservatives have had three, how the new government might handle the press, and why "heretics" could be banned from the House of Lord...