Political Frenemies

In this lively episode of  Political Frenemies , former Tory adviser Chris Newton and Lib Dem activist Mathew Hulbert are joined by new occasional contributor and LabourListcolumnist Chris Carter for a spirited roundtable on Labour’s week and turbulent first year in government. From the emotional fallout of Rachel Reeves’ tears at PMQs to the Welfare Bill vote, the trio unpack the drama rocking We...

In this punchy episode of Political Frenemies, Lib Dem activist Mathew Hulbert and former Tory adviser Chris Newton go head-to-head over Keir Starmer’s welfare U-turn—was this the right thing to do, and is this a reflection of a totally dysfunctional Labour operation? They weigh the fallout for Starmer’s leadership and ask: are his days as PM numbered? The frenemies also tackle Reform UK's eye...

In this special episode of Political Frenemies, former Tory adviser Chris Newton and Lib Dem activist Mathew Hulbert sit down with Talk presenter and ex-Tory Special Adviser Peter Cardwell for a no-holds-barred chat. They dive into the fallout from Cardwell’s headline-grabbing interview with Keir Starmer, pull back the curtain on his time behind the scenes in government, and tackle the political s...

In this episode, Lib Dem activist Mathew Hulbert and formerTory adviser Chris Newton lock horns over the Labour government's first major spending review—do their ambitious plans really add up? The frenemies dig into the political and economic case for boosting health and defence budgets, debate whether Kemi Badenoch is finally finding her feet at PMQs, and tackle the week’s biggest political twist...

In this special episode, former Tory adviser Chris Newton and Lib Dem activist Mathew Hulbert are joined by LBC presenter and author Iain Dale for a wide-ranging chat that doesn’t pull its punches. From his fiery spat with Tommy Robinson to the inspiration behind his new book on Margaret Thatcher, Iain brings his trademark candour. The conversation turns to Kemi Badenoch’s leadership and his views...

Lib Dem campaigner Mathew Hulbert and ex-Tory adviser Chris Newton go head-to-head over Nigel Farage’s headline-grabbing pledge to scrap the two-child benefit cap—has Farage outflanked Labour on the left? The duo debate whether Keir Starmer is losing his cool as Reform UK surges, and they dissect Robert Jenrick’s viral vigilante moment on the tube. Is it bold leadership or just political theatre?...

In this lively episode, former Tory defence adviser Chris Newton and Lib Dem activist Mathew Hulbert clash and converge over Keir Starmer’s headline-grabbing deals with the EU and Mauritius. Has the Labour leader handed away too much, too soon — or is this pragmatic statecraft in action? From sovereignty and strategy to electoral stakes, our guests unpack what these moves mean for Britain’s standi...

This week on the podcast, Lib Dem activist Mathew Hulbert and former Tory adviser Chris Newton debate whether Keir Starmer’s new stance on immigration is a genuine policy shift or a calculated response to Nigel Farage’s rising poll numbers and Reform UK’s growing pressure. As Labour pivots rightward on border control, is Starmer successfully neutralising the Farage factor — or risking alienation o...

In this episode, former Tory adviser Chris Newton squares off with Lib Dem activist Mathew Hulbert in a lively discussion about the aftermath of the local elections, unpacking Reform UK's first week running councils and mayoralties. They also tackle the Labour government’s trade deals with Indiaand the US, as well as the state of the Tories, Lib Dems, and Greens. Expect sharp insights and the kind...

In this special election episode, Lib Dem activist Mathew Hulbert and former Tory adviser Chris Newton dive into the seismic shifts of the 2025 English local elections and Runcorn by-election, unpacking Reform UK’s disruptive surge and what it spells for the crumbling Conservative vote. With sharp insights and spirited debate, they also assess what the results mean for Labour, the Lib Dems, and th...

Former Conservative Party adviser Chris Newton and Lib Dem activist Mathew Hulbert dive into Keir Starmer’s controversial St. George’s Day remarks, unpack what patriotism means in modern Britain, and ask: Is national pride a force for good, or a political minefield? Expect sharp insights, spirited debate, and no easy answers.

Former Tory defence policy adviser Chris Newton and Lib Dem activist Mathew Hulbert discuss the government’s emergency legislation on British Steel, the responses of the opposition parties, and whether the government should nationalise steel and other sectors.

Former Tory defence adviser Chris Newton and Lib Dem activist Mathew Hulbert discuss President Trump’s tariff announcement, its impact on the US and the UK, and the responses of the British political leaders.

Lib Dem activist Mathew Hulbert and former Tory adviser Chris Newton react to the government’s Spring Statement, discuss the political fallout, and debate whether the rich should pay more tax!  

In this Christmas special episode, former Tory adviser Chris Newton and Lib Dem activist Mathew Hulbert discuss the current state of Labour, the Conservatives, Reform UK, and the Lib Dems.

Lib Dem activist Mathew Hulbert and former Tory defence adviser Chris Newton discuss the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, Labour’s plans on housing, and new statistics showing that the UK economy had shrunk in October. They also discuss, following from comments made by Kemi Badenoch: is lunch for wimps?

In this episode, former Conservative defence adviser Chris Newton and Lib Dem activist Mathew Hulbert discuss Keir Starmer’s relaunch speech, Reform UK overtaking Labour in an opinion poll, and whether footballers should wear or be allowed to object to wearing rainbow armbands. Chris Newton also provides an update on the conflict in Syria.

In this episode, Lib Dem activist Mathew Hulbert and former Conservative defence adviser Chris Newton discuss the Assisted Dying Bill debate and vote, the resignation of Louise Haigh, the latest UK immigration statistics, and the Irish General Election.

Two friends, different politics. Former Conservative defence adviser Chris Newton and Lib Dem activist Mathew Hulbert discuss the farmers’ protest over Labour’s inheritance tax plans, developments in Ukraine and Putin's latest threats, the Assisted Dying Bill, and the career of John Prescott.

Lib Dem activist Mathew Hulbert and former Conservative defence adviser Chris Newton discuss the resignation of Justin Welby as Archbishop of Canterbury and the future of the Church of England, whether NHS league tables will cure the NHS, and whether the police should be investigating ‘Non-Crime Hate Incidents’.

Chris Newton and Mathew Hulbert discuss the implications of Trump's election victory, Kemi Badenoch's first PMQs, political developments in Ireland and Germany, and Remembrance weekend. #trump #election2024 #kemibadenoch #germanpolitics #irishpolitics #remembranceday #remembrancesunday

Chris Newton and Mathew Hulbert discuss the week's biggest British political stories in this short teaser mini-episode, including the Budget and Kemi Badenoch becoming Conservative Party leader. The podcast will officially begin next weekend with full-length episodes.