The Politics Show

Helen and Stephen look back at everything they missed in politics over the Christmas break and make some predictions for the year ahead. Contact us with your predictions or questions on Twitter @ns_podcasts , @helenlewis or @stephenkb .  LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱 Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday ⏰ Get our daily politics news...

Helen and Stephen are joined by Dorian Lynskey of the Remainiacs podcast to look back at Britain's Brexit travails in 2017. They pick the best and worst Brexiteers, wonder if they ended the year feeling worse about politics than they did at the start, and look ahead to what political joys 2018 might bring. Contact us on Twitter @ns_podcasts , @helenlewis or @stephenkb .  LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱 Do...

Stephen is joined by guest host Anoosh Chakelian (get well soon, Helen!) to discuss whether there is anything an MP can do these days to get the sack. They talk about the cases of Anne Marie Morris, Jared O'Mara and Damian Green, among others. Then, they address a listener question: what is a "meaningful" vote? You can subscribe to the podcast through iTunes  here  or with this RSS feed:...

Helen and Stephen spend the whole episode unpicking the tangled threads of the Brexit negotiations. Why did the DUP wreck Theresa May's plans for the Irish border? Can the Lib Dems make a comeback as a party? Can the Tories reconcile their political objectives with their desire to leave the EU behind? This bumper special has (some of) the answers. Oh, and Stephen won an award. Further reading: Ste...

Helen and Stephen discuss the Brexit negotiations and the lack of progress on the Irish border question. Then, they wonder what Labour is up to at the moment. Finally, they answer a listener question: how sinister is the Legatum Institute? Contact us on Twitter @ns_podcasts , @helenlewis or @stephenkb .  Further reading: Fred Studemann on German politics. Stephen in 2016 on Michael Gove and t...

Helen and Stephen are joined by Sir Howard Davies, chairman of RBS and former deputy governor of the Bank of England, to dissect this year's budget. Did Philip Hammond avoid mentioning Brexit? Will the stamp duty change really help first time buyers? How worried should you be about the downgraded growth forecasts? All these questions, and many others, answered.  Contact us on Twitter @ns_podc...

Helen and Stephen discuss Theresa May's latest baffling Brexit blunder and the fate of the EU Withdrawal Bill. Then John Crace, parliamentary sketch writer at the Guardian , joins them to talk about parliamentary satire. Finally, they answer a listener question: are the culture wars worse now than ever before? Contact us on Twitter  @ns_podcasts ,  @helenlewis  or @stephenkb . Relev...

Helen and Anoosh discuss the extraordinary pile up of scandals in Westminster, from Priti Patel and Boris Johnson's foreign affairs gaffes to the continuing fallout from the sexual harassment allegations in Parliament. Then they find some glimmers of hope in the latest expert views on Brexit, and finally, they answer a listener question: why does nobody care about the Paradise Papers? Contact us o...

Helen and Stephen discuss the resignation of Michael Fallon as defence secretary, and look more broadly at allegations of sexual harassment and abuse in Westminster. Then, they are joined by the author Nick Harkaway to talk about his new book Gnomon and the issues of surveillance and privacy that it raises. Finally, they answer a listener question: why hasn't the NS published the list of alleged "...

How badly does an MP have to behave before they get suspended? Helen and Stephen discuss the case of Sheffield Hallam MP Jared O'Mara and analyse the media kremlinology behind it. Then they look at the continuing problems with Universal Credit and explore its failures as a benefits system. Finally, they answer a question sent in by many listeners: could Nick Clegg return to Parliament? Contact us...

Why is the government delaying the EU Withdrawal Bill? Helen and Stephen discuss where it all went wrong. Then they look at the trend for setting up new "centrist" parties and wonder if the Lib Dems are screwed for good. Finally, they answer a listener question: how do you tell if a politician is a rising star, or just a load of hot air? Contact us on Twitter @ns_podcasts , @helenlewis or @stephen...

Would a "no deal" Brexit really be so bad? Helen and Stephen analyse the likelihood of the UK crashing out of the EU without a plan, and then take a look at the domestic policy problems brewing with Universal Credit. Then, they answer a listener question: would any of the 2016 Tory leadership candidates have done better than Theresa May? Also, listen out for the introduction of our new Boris Johns...

Helen and Stephen discuss the fallout from the Conservative Party conference, and in particular Theresa May's disastrous speech. Then they answer a listener question: is the Labour Party ready to govern? Send us your questions and thoughts for future episodes on Twitter via  @ns_podcasts ,  @helenlewis  or  @stephenkb . Further reading/listening: Stephen on the Conservatives' m...

Helen and Stephen are back from the Labour Party conference in Brighton, and they reflect on the party's mood. Then they analyse how successful Jeremy Corbyn's speech was. Finally, they answer a listener question: was Labour right to wargame a run on the pound? Send us your questions and thoughts for future episodes on Twitter via  @ns_podcasts ,  @helenlewis  or  @stephenkb ....

Helen and Stephen are joined by satirist and Private Eye writer Craig Brown to discuss the royal family and his new book about Princess Margaret. Then they analyse the way that Boris Johnson's Brexit intervention was amplified by the right-wing media. Finally, they answer a vital question: will Corbynism dominate the Labour party forever? Send us your questions and thoughts for future episodes on...

Helen and Stephen discuss Theresa May's dislike of parliamentary scrutiny and Labour's use of opposition day debates. Then we hear what Stephen learned about Brexit on his recent trip to Poland. Finally, they answer a rather topical question: should former politicians like Tony Blair and Hillary Clinton just go away? Send us your questions and thoughts for future episodes on Twitter via  @ns_...

Helen and Stephen discuss the progress of the legislation formerly known as the Great Repeal Bill, and then assess whether Jacob Rees-Mogg might actually become Tory leader. Then, for the You Asked Us segment, they answer the most vital of all questions: which past UK election should you rewatch? Send us your questions and thoughts for future episodes on Twitter via @ns_podcasts , @helenlewis or @...

Helen and Stephen discuss Kezia Dugdale's resignation as Scottish Labour leader and assess what her legacy will be. Then, they (reluctantly) dig into the details of the troubled Brexit negotiations. Finally, they answer an extremely fraught question: can you be friends with a Tory? Send us your questions and thoughts for future episodes on Twitter via @ns_podcasts , @helenlewis or @stephenkb . Fur...

Stephen is back from holiday, and he joins Helen to assess Labour's performance over the summer break. Then, they try to understand the row over Big Ben being silenced for refurbishment. Finally, they go head to head on a very controversial topic: is Game of Thrones still any good? Send us your questions and thoughts for future episodes on Twitter via @ns_podcasts , @helenlewis or @stephenkb . Fur...

Helen is joined by Anoosh to consider whether a new political party would have any chance of success in the UK. Then they discuss the TV shows everyone really likes to watch but doesn't admit to and analyse why the quality of Don't Tell The Bride has declined. Finally, a bumper You Asked Us section including listener questions on social care, punching Nazis, the Tory economic agenda and more. Foll...

Helen and Stephen contemplate the escalation of hostilities between the United States and North Korea from the podcast bunker, and analyse why Venezuela causes such problems for British left. Then, in a new segment, they go head to head to determine which is the best Nineties sitcom: Frasier or The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air ? Follow Helen on Twitter @helenlewis and Stephen @stephenkb . Further readi...

Helen is joined by Anoosh Chakelian to ponder the fruits of this year's silly season. There's scandal and Scaramucci in Trump's White House. And debate over who should get passes to the UK lobby. They also share their thoughts on upcoming political plays and a new profile of Sadiq Khan. Plus, You Ask Us: Where is Jeremy Corbyn? LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱 Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW ST...

Helen and Stephen discuss the row over student fees and what it means for Corbyn's electoral prospects. They also recommend their top TV shows to catch up on this summer. Plus, a selection of our magazine writers pick their favourite political fiction. LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱 Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday ⏰ Get our daily pol...

Helen is back and, together with Stephen, explores the politics of pay scandal at the BBC. From John Humphrys to Match of the Day, who do they think is worth what? And which non-fiction books do they recommend for the summer break? Plus, you ask us about the Conservatives' attempt to free themselves of the European Court of Justice - is it so they can bring back the death penalty? LISTEN AD-FREE:...

In this week's episode, Stephen and Anoosh touch on what makes a good political leader - from Emily Thornberry's impressive performance at this week's PMQs, to how Vince Cable is faring in his own leadership bid. They are then joined by the comedian and presenter, Nish Kumar, to discuss the racist outburst of Anna Marie Morris and the ethical choices behind satire. Plus, You Ask Us: which future C...