The Politics Show

Ian Leslie and Stewart Wood are joined by the BBC’s political editor Laura Kuenssberg to interrogate the idea of media bias. It’s a phrase that is thrown around a lot in the age of fake news, including by some powerful politicians, but what does it really mean? LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱 Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday ⏰ Get our...

Helen and Stephen reflect on the fallout from last week's Budget, news of a potential second Scottish referendum, and chat bodies with special guest Sara Pascoe 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 newsletter every morning ✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday Hos...

Helen and Stephen sum up today's Spring budget. What happened to the argument for Grammar schools? Where was the preparation for Brexit? And how did the Chancellor's jokes stand up? (Answer: Spreadsheet-Phil did not Excel). 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 newsletter every mornin...

Helen and Stephen are joined by Anoosh Chakelian to chat UKIP's splits: should we finally be writing the party off? Or is its presence a gateway drug for more extreme parties on the right? Helen discusses her recent profile of Harriet Harman MP. And you ask us: should MPs do a deal to get Corbyn to stand down? LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱 Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a...

This week, Helen and Stephen discuss the fall of Milo Yiannopoulos. Pauline Bock joins with an update on the French elections and Macron's performance in London. And Anoosh Chakelian reports on concerns in Copeland. Plus: get your by-election predictions here! LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱 Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday ⏰ Get our d...

Helen and Stephen discuss why it has been a bad week for Theresa May, the unravelling of Trump's stated commitment to NATO and other foreign policy fails. Anoosh Chakelian tells of the apathy she found on the streets of Stoke, ahead of next week's by-election. And you ask us: how is Chris Grayling still a thing? LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱 Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask...

This week, Helen and Stephen ask what Labour got out of the Article 50 vote. Was Clive Lewis right to defy the whip and who might succeed Corbyn as party leader? Jason Cowley, our editor, joins to discuss his interview with Theresa May and what she did (and did not say) about Donald Trump. And you ask us: what is a three-line whip? LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱 Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NE...

This week, Helen and Stephen ask whether or not Labour was right to whip its members for the second reading of Article 50. Anoosh joins to review Ken Clarke's striking performance in the debate. And you ask us about sexism in the House of Commons. 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...

In this podcast special, Helen and Stephen respond to Donald Trump's immigration ban. They unpick the many ways in which the policy is alarming and ask how can Britain best respond. 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 newsletter every morning ✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via ema...

This week, Helen and Stephen list the scary things we have already learnt about Donald Trump's administration. Julia Rampen's back-bencher-of-the-week is David Lammy MP, prompting a discussion of Labour's position on the article 50 vote. And you ask us: will there be a deal on Brexit? LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱 Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a question – we answer them...

This week, Stephen and Anoosh explore what Theresa May has said about Brexit, what that means for a second Scottish referendum and what might be Labour’s best line of response. Julia Rampen's Back-Bencher-Of-The-Week is Michael Gove, for his interview with Donald Trump. And You Ask Us: can you get away with anything if you’re on the right? LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱 Download the New Statesman app MORE FRO...

This week, Helen and Stephen discuss Jeremy Corbyn's relaunch. Will it work and what is the wider outlook for left wing populism? Our Staggers editor, Julia Rampen, joins to explain why Caroline Lucas is her back bencher (and party co-leader) of the week. And you ask us: what is going on in Northern Ireland. LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱 Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a qu...

Welcome to 2017! This week, Helen and Stephen talk about foreign aid, their predictions for the year ahead and Len McCluskey's game-plan at Unite. Amelia Tait joins to discuss the power of false memory. And you ask us: what to make of the latest Star Wars film? LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱 Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday ⏰ Get our...

Helen and Stephen review things which didn't suck in 2016. Papers Please, One Night Stand and Her Story get shout-outs in the section on video games. Helen became a Hamilton fan. Stephen read a lot of books. And Zac Goldsmith lost not once, but twice. Enjoy! LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱 Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday ⏰ Get our dai...

It's a crossover episode! Helen and Stephen are joined by David Runciman and Helen Thompson of the Talking Politics podcast for the second part of a discussion about Trump, Brexit and what motivates voters in the new political landscape. Are economics or identity more important? Will Donald Trump start a trade war with China? And did anything good happen in 2016?To hear the first part of this conv...

This week, Helen and Stephen discuss French politics: who are the viable candidates for president and what would a Marine Le Pen victory mean for Europe? Also up for debate is Keir Starmer's speech, how Labour should best take on the Tories, and our hosts' own experiences of a vicarage Christmas. And finally, you ask us: Why is Theresa May determined to include students in her immigration targets?...

This week, Helen and Stephen discuss Emily Thornberry's performance at PMQs and the Tory response to female authority. George joins with a report from the lobby. And writer Emily Witt, author of Future Sex, explores what female sexual freedom might mean today. (Helen Lewis, Stephen Bush, Emily Witt) LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱 Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a question –...

This week, Helen and Stephen discuss sex education, Jeremy Hunt's moves to stop sexting and how technology is changing childhood. George joins with the latest from the Lobby. Then Stephen and Anoosh pay a visit to James Graham, the writer of the hit West End play 'This House'. And finally, you ask us: who is the most influential person in British politics? (Helen Lewis, Stephen Bush, Anoosh Chakel...

This week, Helen and Stephen are joined by Staggers Editor, Julia Rampen, to discuss the winners and losers in this year's Autumn Statement. How much jam really was there for the just-about-managings? And why is that concept both so inclusive and so un-helpful? Helen and Stephen also discuss Tony Blair - the former Labour leader's credibility problem and why the left must reconcile with its past....

This week, Helen and Stephen are joined by NS contributing editor, Laurie Penny. Together they consider the fallout from last week's US election, and explore what lies behind the urge to normalise the new president-elect. George Eaton joins with an analysis of Jeremy Corbyn's latest PMQs performance. And you ask us: should Nigel Farage be used as the UK's envoy to the US? (Helen Lewis, Stephen Bus...

After a long night, Helen and Stephen reflect on the result of America’s 2016 election: how were the polls so wrong? Would Bernie have done better? And what might be the most concerning consequence of all? (Helen Lewis, Stephen Bush). 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 newsletter e...

In a special election preview, Helen speaks to Jonn Elledge, who is currently touring the USA. Taking in the view from New England to Ohio they discuss which states are the ones to watch on Tuesday night? Is there such a thing as too much polling? And what are the parallels with Brexit? (Helen Lewis, Jonn Elledge) LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱 Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ As...

This week, Helen and Stephen discuss Momentum and what its different factions might want the organisation to become. Anoosh joins with the latest from the lobby: what are Gordon Brown’s plans for regional empowerment and what should we make of the court’s decision on Brexit? Then Stephen and Helen look ahead to next week’s US election. Finally, you ask us: who is your favourite President. (Helen L...

This week, Helen and Stephen discuss the decision to build a third runway at Heathrow: is it right that collective cabinet responsibility has been suspended? And what are Zac Goldsmith’s chances in a by-election? Helen then shares her thoughts on the latest Marvel movie (to which Stephen was not invited). And you ask us: if Labour had the same system that it had in the 1970s, who would have won th...

This week, Helen and Stephen review the list of candidates for the select committee chair announcements, Helen worries that the language around Brexit is turning nasty and Stephen finds Football Manager knows more about Brexit than our politicians. Then our deputy web editor, Anoosh Chakelian, returns from a visit to Batley and Spen to discuss by-elections and what happens next for UKIP. (Helen Le...