The Politics Show

Anoosh and Ailbhe discuss the fallout from the  Matt Hancock affair  and the appointment of  Sajid Javid  as the new Health Secretary. Then in You Ask Us, they take your question on the troubled future of Keir Starmer's Labour party leadership. To submit a question to You Ask Us, please email  podcasts@newstatesman.co.uk Subscribing to the New Statesman helps us keep makin...

Anoosh has been reporting in Batley and Spen ahead of the by-election on 1st July. Here she talks to Stephen Bush and Ailbhe Rea about the mood on the ground, and why George Galloway is posing a problem for Labour. Then, in You Ask Us, Ailbhe, Stephen and Anoosh take your question on Keir Starmer's reshuffle of his top team: was it a sign of weakness, or strength? To submit a question for You Ask...

Following the  Liberal Democrat by-election victory  in the "Blue Wall" seat of Chesham and Amersham, Stephen, Anoosh and Ailbhe dissect the Conservative post-vote blame-game and discuss what the upset means for the party. In You Ask Us, they also look ahead to the Batley and Spen by-election and answer your - many - questions about Keir Starmer's future as opposition leader should Labou...

Stephen, Anoosh and Ailbhe discuss the Chesham and Amersham by-election. Ailbhe reported from the constituency shortly before the by-election, and here talks through the impact the result will have on the electoral strategy of the UK political parties. Then, in You Ask Us, they take your questions about Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick: after a report into the unsolved murder of Dani...

On the fourth anniversary of the Grenfell fire tragedy, Stephen Bush, Anoosh Chakelian and Ailbhe Rea explore the  ongoing scandal of flammable cladding  which continues to trap over a million people in dangerous tower blocks. Will it take another tragedy for the government to take notice? In You Ask Us, they take your question on the Northern Ireland protocol. What is Boris Johnson's en...

As Boris Johnson and Joe Biden meet for their first bilateral summit ahead of the G7, Stephen and Ailbhe discuss the impact the US President could have on the UK's attitude to the  Northern Ireland protocol . Then, in You Ask Us, they take your question on the government's  culture war  strategy. If you'd like to submit a question for You Ask Us, please email  podcasts@newstate...

Ahead of the Speaker's decision on holding a vote over the planned cuts to the UK foreign aid budget, Anoosh, Stephen and Ailbhe discuss the coalition of Conservative rebels who could  make life difficult for the Treasury . Then, in You Ask Us, they take your questions on the Prime Minister's religion: does it matter that Boris Johnson is a Catholic? If you'd like to submit a question to You...

Stephen Bush and Anoosh Chakelian discuss the acquittal of two former police officers charged with perverting the course of justice by allegedly altering police statements to an inquiry after the Hillsborough disaster. Now a judge has ruled there was 'no case to answer' since the inquiry was 'an administrative exercise' and the accused were not under oath at the time, Stephen and Anoosh ask: what...

As Westminster reels from Dominic Cummings'  excoriating critique  of the government's pandemic response, unleashed with full force during Wednesday's marathon select committee hearing, Stephen, Anoosh and Ailbhe dissect the former senior adviser's claims. Then, in You Ask Us, they take your questions on whether the civil service –  so maligned by Cummings   – is adeq...

As Westminster braces for Dominic Cummings' appearance at the Health and Science select committee over the Government's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, Anoosh, Stephen and Ailbhe discuss whether his claims - previewed in a rambling, 50-tweet thread - are worrisome... or, indeed, surprising. Then in You Ask Us, they take your questions on why Liz Truss remains popular with the Conservative grass...

Keir Starmer's approval ratings dipped this week into  dangerous territory  - falling below both David Cameron's and Ed Miliband's after the same time in office. On this episode, Stephen and Anoosh discuss why the Labour leader should be concerned about this, and what the party should do about it. Then, in You Ask Us, they take your questions on whether a  progressive alliance &nbsp...

As lockdown restrictions ease in England, Wales and much of Scotland, the country is grappling with a new variant of Covid-19.  On this episode, Anoosh, Stephen and Ailbhe discuss the messaging around unlocking and how the spread of the Indian variant  exposes the government's shortcomings . Then, in You Ask Us, they take your questions on what the new dividing lines in British politics...

Reunited in the studio for the first time in over a year, Anoosh, Stephen and Ailbhe discuss Tony Blair's dramatic Labour Party intervention in which he claims that 'without total change, Labour will die'.  In You Ask Us, the team take your questions on whether the Greens can become the third party in UK politics. If you'd like to submit a question for You Ask Us, please email podcasts@newsta...

In the second of two episodes looking at the results of the May 6 elections, Stephen, Anoosh and Ailbhe are joined by Chris Deerin to dissect the consequences of the results in Scotland.  In You Ask Us, they're joined by polling expert Ben Walker to discuss the wider picture of the local votes around the UK. In the  first part of this double episode , the team talk about the fallout of t...

As the dust settles on Keir Starmer's mystifying reshuffle of the Labour party following the local elections, Stephen, Anoosh and Ailbhe discuss what it all means. In an extended 'You Ask Us' they take on as many listener questions as possible from the deluge the New Statesman received in the wake of the election results. This is part one of a two-part special. In part two , the team talk to Chris...

As the UK heads to the polls on 'Super Thursday', Anoosh, Stephen and Ailbhe discuss the things they are most interested to learn from this wide-ranging vote. Then, in You Ask Us, they take your questions on whether Labour are setting out a positive view of their plans for the UK. If you'd like to submit a question for You Ask Us, please email podcasts@newstatesman.co.uk You can follow Stephen Bus...

Chris Deerin hosts the fourth and final special Scottish Election episode of the New Statesman podcast, featuring an interview with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and analysis from Ben Walker, Dani Garavelli and the Spectator's Alex Massie. Read Chris Deerin's full interview with Nicola Sturgeon on NewStatesman.com Watch the full conversation with Nicola Sturgeon   See the latest polling data...

Anoosh, Stephen and Ailbhe are joined by data journalist Ben Van De Merwe to discuss the  New Statesman's  exclusive research showing how many years of life the UK has lost to Covid-19. Ailbhe is in Hartlepool where she's been following candidates on the campaign trail in a decidedly 'un-electiony' election. And You Ask Us, who will replace Arlene Foster as leader of the Democratic Union...

Chris Deerin's guest this week is Kate Forbes, SNP Cabinet Secretary for Finance and young star of the independence movement. She responds to the Institute of Fiscal Studies report which claims the manifestos for the May 6th Scottish Parliamentary elections are united by a "lack of credibility". Also, New Statesman polling analyst Ben Walker joins the podcast to discuss the latest developments in...

Stephen Bush, Anoosh Chakelian and Ailbhe Rea address the ongoing public war of words between Boris Johnson and former advisor Dominic Cummings. They discuss allegations (which Number 10 have denied) that the Prime Minister said he'd rather let "bodies pile high in their thousands" than go into a third national lockdown - and why questions over who paid for Downing Street's refurbishment could pro...

Can Labour make lasting political capital from Boris Johnson's texts with James Dyson? Stephen Bush and Ailbhe Rea discuss the fallout of leaked texts from the Prime Minister's phone, and whether it is an effective opposition attack line. Then, in You Ask Us, they take your questions on whether we're heading for a poll on a united Ireland. To submit a question for You Ask Us, please email podcasts...

Chris Deerin, the New Statesman's Scotland editor, hosts a special edition of the New Statesman podcast. In this episode Chris is joined by Ricky Ross and Darren McGarvey, both musicians and activists for the case of Scottish independence, to discuss the state of the independence movement and why so many artists seem to be in favour of a second referendum. Also, regular New Statesman podcast host...

The announcement that 12 European football clubs intend to form a 'super league' occupied the top of the news agenda for most of the day on Monday. Why does football - a game designed for entertainment, predominantly followed by men - occupy such a significant place in Britain's public discourse? In this episode of the New Statesman podcast, Stephen Bush and Ailbhe Rea discuss the place of footbal...

The lobbying scandal rumbles on, enveloping senior civil servants as well as MPs - and Labour are determined to make this a story about 'Tory sleaze'. In this episode Stephen Bush, Anoosh Chakelian and Ailbhe Rea discuss whether public outrage over the story is at a tipping point, and what damage it might do to the Conservative establishment. Then, in You Ask Us, they take your questions on the lo...

The Scottish parliamentary elections are likely to be pivotal for the future of the United Kingdom. So, New Statesman Scotland editor, Chris Deerin, is hosting four bonus episodes in the lead up to the vote on May 6th. Chris will be joined by some familiar voices from the New Statesman team, as well as guests from the world of Scottish politics. In this episode Chris dissects the results of the ST...