Guardian Politics Weekly

Politics Weekly

Political analysis from the Guardian and Observer's top journalists and commentators.
English United Kingdom News
499 Episodes
40 – 60

Politics Weekly UK is on holiday – Politics Weekly UK

Politics Weekly UK is taking a break for the summer. John Harris will be back on Thursday 7 September, and in the meantime you can listen to our previous episodes here. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
31 Aug 2023 1 min

Politics Weekly UK is on holiday – episode round-up podcast

Politics Weekly UK is taking a break for the summer. John Harris will be back on Thursday 7 September, and in the meantime you can listen to our previous episodes here.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
16 Aug 2023 1 min

The best of 2023 (so far): Politics Weekly UK

Politics Weekly UK is on holiday for the next couple of weeks. But we’ve chosen some of our favourite interviews from this year for you to listen to. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
10 Aug 2023 34 min

Keir Starmer’s Labour: hope or despair? – Politics Weekly UK

Keir Starmer’s Labour party looks closer to power than at any point over the past 13 years, but where is the sense of optimism and vision for the future? The Guardian’s John Harris is joined by political reporter Aletha Adu and columnist Polly Toynbee. Help support our independent journalism at…
2 Aug 2023 38 min

Zac Goldsmith on the Tory green climbdown – Politics Weekly UK podcast

As images of wildfires, heatwaves and typhoons spread across the world, the UK government has hinted it could backtrack on its own green commitments. The Guardian’s John Harris is joined by the Conservative peer and former international climate minister Zac Goldsmith and the Guardian’s political editor Pippa Crerar to discuss…
27 Jul 2023 38 min

Selby and Ainsty: is this where Rishi Sunak flops? – Politics Weekly UK

The Selby and Ainsty byelection holds the highest stakes for Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives. Can Labour overturn a 20,000-plus majority? The Guardian’s John Harris goes to the constituency to see what people think. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
19 Jul 2023 32 min

There’s no money left (again) – Politics Weekly UK podcast

UK wages have risen at a faster pace than expected but inflation is still worryingly high. The Conservatives seem to be edging back towards austerity and Labour doesn’t want to offer ‘false hope’ on the economy. Is the politics of hope dead? The Guardian’s John Harris is joined by former…
12 Jul 2023 30 min

The NHS at 75: Unhappy Birthday? – Politics Weekly UK

The NHS turns 75 this week. But facing a staffing crisis, an ageing and unhealthy population, and increasingly poorer health outcomes for patients, what will be next for our beleaguered national health service? The Guardian’s John Harris discusses the possible treatment plans with Pat Cullen, the general secretary of the…
6 Jul 2023 36 min

Uxbridge, Johnson and the end of the Tory dream – Politics Weekly UK

Politics Weekly UK is on the byelection trail again, this time in Boris Johnson’s old seat of Uxbridge and South Ruislip. The Guardian’s John Harris is joined by Rafael Behr to speak to residents, businesses and the MPs David Simmonds and Steve Reed about what the battle for the former…
29 Jun 2023 41 min

Frome’s byelection battle: head or heart?– Politics Weekly UK

This week, Politics Weekly UK is in Frome in the south-west of England before one of three confirmed byelections. Against a backdrop of high inflation, painful mortgage rates and more allegations of Tory sleaze, the Guardian’s John Harris speaks to people about whether they think anyone is able to bring…
22 Jun 2023 34 min

Peerages and posh boys – Politics Weekly UK podcast

The Conservative party is not far from all-out war, from Rishi Sunak’s public criticism of Boris Johnson to Nadine Dorries decrying ‘posh boys’ for blocking her peerage. The Guardian’s John Harris is joined by political editor Pippa Crerar and the former Tory cabinet minister David Gauke to try to untangle…
15 Jun 2023 33 min

Starmer: hammering the left?– Politics Weekly UK podcast

Labour looks closer to power than it has been for the last decade, but as it nears the next election, some big tensions are starting to become clear. One is its plan for a green economy, another on the candidates being selected. The Guardian’s John Harris is joined by columnists…
8 Jun 2023 36 min

The Covid inquiry vs the Cabinet Office – Politics Weekly UK

The legal tug of war between the Covid inquiry and the Cabinet Office continues this week. Gaby Hinsliff sits in for John Harris, and talks to the former Downing Street chief of staff Gavin Barwell and the former chief prosecutor Nazir Afzal about the possible reasons for the government’s position…
1 Jun 2023 29 min

Boris, Braverman and borders – Politics Weekly UK

Rishi Sunak is fighting fires this week as Boris Johnson and Suella Braverman steal the headlines. And as new net migration figures are released on Thursday, can the prime minister take back control of the narrative? The Guardian’s John Harris is joined by columnists Rafael Behr and Gaby Hinsliff. Help…
25 May 2023 33 min

NatCon: The Tories tilt to the right – Politics Weekly UK

Some of the big figures on the political right, including two cabinet ministers, have been speaking this week at the National Conservatism conference in London. How much sway does this vocal group have over government? The Guardian’s John Harris is joined by the former Tory minister David Gauke and the…
18 May 2023 36 min

Hung up on a hung parliament – Politics Weekly UK

Keir Starmer and Ed Davey have both refused to rule out forming a coalition between their parties at the next general election. Following disastrous results for the Conservatives in the local elections, what will this mean for Labour and the Liberal Democrats? The Guardian’s Gaby Hinsliff, standing in for John…
11 May 2023 29 min

NHS strikes: the women taking back control – Politics Weekly UK

More than a million NHS workers will get a 5% pay rise after health unions accepted a government offer. But the Royal College of Nursing has rejected the offer. The Guardian’s John Harris speaks to Pat Cullen, the general secretary of the RCN and Frances O’Grady, a Labour peer and…
4 May 2023 38 min

Sudan: what happens next? – Politics Weekly UK

The UK government has been criticised for its slowness in evacuating UK nationals from Sudan. But what could this mean for the millions of civilians left there in dire and dangerous circumstances? The Guardian’s John Harris asks Africa correspondent Jason Burke. Also, amid a fresh charge of antisemitism and ahead…
27 Apr 2023 34 min

‘Let them Eat Maths!’ – Politics Weekly UK

The UK needs to shift its ‘anti-maths mindset’, according to Rishi Sunak. But while the prime minister wants everyone to learn maths until the age of 18, do the sums add up against a recruitment crisis in teaching? The Guardian’s John Harris speaks to Gill Burbridge, headteacher of Leyton Sixth…
20 Apr 2023 33 min
40 – 60