Political Fix

Scotland’s first minister announced this week that she was stepping down after eight years in office. What does her resignation mean for the Scottish National party and Scotland’s independence campaign? We discuss the country’s future. Plus, presenter George Parker talks to Douglas Alexander, former Labour cabinet minister, about his Scottish Labour comeback and his party’s prospects. With Scottis...

Liz Truss and Boris Johnson have both been intervening this week. Could they challenge Rishi Sunak? We discuss how much of a threat to him they are. Plus, we delve into the cabinet and Whitehall shake-ups. An industrial strategy was dropped while areas like energy security and technology became priorities. Is this more than a change of labels? Presented by George Parker, with deputy opinion editor...

After a week that’s seen mass strikes and a growing number of bullying allegations against his deputy Dominic Raab, we discuss how Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has fared during his first 100 days in office. Plus, we delve into the government’s approach to net zero and the pressure Sunak is under to ditch the ‘green crap’. Presented by George Parker, with deputy political editor Jim Pickard, deputy o...

Labour’s Sir Keir Starmer attacked Rishi Sunak as ‘weak’ as calls escalated for the Tory party chair Nadhim Zahawi to be sacked over his £5mn settlement with Inland Revenue. How much is the row damaging the PM’s credibility and his vows to clean up parliamentary standards? Plus, as Sunak and his cabinet met for an awayday at Chequers to map out strategy, we discuss the challenge of his rocky ‘narr...

Sir Keir Starmer and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves gave a pre-Davos interview to the FT before setting off to woo the global elite in Switzerland at the World Economic Forum in a remarkable turnround in Labour sentiment. Why were they going, with what message, while Prime Minister Rishi Sunak chose to go to Morecambe instead? And what do the financial titans make of the UK’s prospects? Plus, we...

Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer clash at PMQs as they set out their plans for a year that could shape the outcome of the general election. The prime minister faces industrial unrest, demands to solve the Northern Ireland standoff and the ever-present threat of a resurgent Boris Johnson, and can the Labour leader show he has any answers? Plus, we look at the outlook for business and the economy. Prese...

In our final episode of 2022, we look back on an especially turbulent year in Westminster - from partygate to Chris Pincher, Ukraine to market meltdown ,  Boris Johnson to Rishi Sunak, Kwasi Kwarteng and Jeremy Hunt.  We reflect on the most significant events, what we got right and wrong at the time, and what British politics will bring in 2023.  This marks Sebastian Payne's la...

Rishi Sunak confronted a growing wave of industrial unrest facing the UK with tough new proposals for anti-strike laws, but will they work?  We explore how the prime minister is handling the challenges of the winter ahead and whether we’re any closer to a “Sunakism”.  Plus, we discuss the Edinburgh Reforms of financial services and whether they will boost growth and help the City of Lond...

Britain is seeing a swelling wave of industrial action this winter, from nurses to rail workers. Is the country facing a de facto general strike and is there an economic landing zone for the government and workers? We discuss what the different unions want. Plus, we examine Sir Keir Starmer's strategy for attacking Rishi Sunak - does it amount to class war, or just expose the prime minister's...

Rishi Sunak's authority with Tory MPs is waning and he is now facing policy battles on almost every front.  We analyse which fights the new prime minister can win and which aren’t worth engaging in, and whether the Conservative party is serious about the next election.  Plus, we look at the Tory and Labour wooing of business at this week’s CBI conference and if Sir Keir Starmer is d...

The chancellor unveiled a £55bn plan for fiscal tightening this week, with the biggest drop in living standards for 70 years. We unpack all of the fiscal forecasts, tax rises, spending cuts and how Rishi Sunak can navigate the tricky politics. Plus, we also examine whether Hunt has shot Labour’s fox and what alternatives the party might put forward.  Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Ge...

Rishi Sunak forced Sir Gavin Williamson out from his government this week, the third time the former cabinet minister has been made to quit. Why did Sunak hire the controversial former chief whip in the first place? And what does his departure say about the prime minister's judgment? Plus, we look ahead to next week's Autumn Statement and where the Treasury's tax and spend axe will fall. Presented...

We ask whether the home secretary Suella Braverman can survive in her post with attacks on multiple fronts.  Does she have a plan for dealing with backlogged asylum claims? Can she be trusted with national security? And does she have the confidence of prime minister Rishi Sunak? Plus, the curious and hilarious case of Matt Hancock, the former health secretary who has decided to make good...

After another turbulent week and the potential return of Boris Johnson. Rishi Sunak became Britain's latest prime minister - its first non-white leader and the youngest in modern history. We discuss how he triumphed in the leadership contest, how Johnson failed to gain momentum, the make-up of Sunak's first cabinet and the options for filling the fiscal blackhole left by “Trussonomics”. Presented...

We look back on what can only be described as a total bonkers week in Westminster: how Liz Truss became the shortest and one of the worst prime ministers in British history, the very sticky end, and crucially what happens next - including the question on everyone’s lips: will Boris Johnson return? Our political editor George Parker and associate editor Camilla Cavendish will be unpacking it all wi...

A tumultuous week and a dramatic Friday as Liz Truss was forced to reverse on tax cuts again and sacked Kwasi Kwarteng. Doubts are growing over whether she can survive as prime minister. Presented by Sebastian Payne with political editor George Parker, economics editor Chris Giles and associate editor Camilla Cavendish.  Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Bree...

Liz Truss endured one of the most traumatic Conservative party conferences in living memory, with open revolt from her cabinet and MPs. Can the new prime minister survive and where does her economic reform agenda go next? Plus we discuss whether business is moving its opinions sharply towards Labour with the potential of the party's return to government in sight.  Presented by Sebastian...

Markets showed their dismay and the pound crashed to its lowest levels ever as Prime Minister Liz Truss and chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng struggled to defend their economic strategy. Where does the crisis go next? Political editor George Parker and economics editor Chris Giles make sense of it all. We also look back on the Labour party conference in Liverpool and discuss whether Sir Keir Starmer’...

Kwasi Kwarteng delivered his first Budget in all but name this week, with the biggest overhaul in taxes in half a century. We unpack all the major tax cuts and examine whether the Truss government's huge bet on growth will pay off, and what happens if it doesn't.  Plus, we look at the ABCD plan to see the health service through the winter and whether the UK is losing its focus on science.&nbs...

The UK has experienced an unprecedented week of constitutional upheaval with new national and political leadership.  We discuss the death and mourning of Queen Elizabeth II, the arrival of King Charles III and what it all means for the new prime minister Liz Truss.  Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Peter Foster, George Parker, Robert Shrimsley and special guest Hannah White.  Prod...

Following the sad news of the death of Queen Elizabeth II - who died on September 8 2022 at the age of 96 - we are in tribute republishing this platinum jubilee episode, in which we looked back on Her Majesty's 70 years on the throne. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Chris Giles and Sarah O'Connor. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were...

The Tory leadership race finished this week, with foreign secretary Liz Truss widely expected to triumph. We discuss the final campaign developments, Truss’ pledges on tax, and what Boris Johnson might do next.  Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Robert Shrimsley and Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe.  Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner...

With energy bills set to soar from October, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak faced mounting questions about how they would help struggling families, yet neither of the candidates to be the new prime minister has set out detailed plans. We examine the foreign secretary's tax proposals, whether they will address the economic turbulence ahead and if Whitehall needs a new ethics advi...

Two new opinion polls put Liz Truss 32 points ahead of her rival Rishi Sunak in the race to be the next Tory leader and prime minister. We analyse whether the contest is over, and the latest clashes between the two contenders on the union and economy. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe and special guest Paul Goodman of ConservativeHome. Produced by Anna Dedh...

As much of the country wilts in a heatwave, the focus in the Tory leadership contest this week has been on colder times to come. The two rivals for UK prime minister have disagreed publicly on how to help the most vulnerable cope with rising energy costs in the autumn. Rishi Sunak is promising direct help, while Liz Truss has criticised what she calls “handouts”, favouring tax cuts instead. But in...