Politics Weekly
Political analysis from the Guardian and Observer's top journalists and commentators.
The welfare cuts rebellion – Politics Weekly UK
Keir Starmer is vowing to push ahead with plans to cut disability payments. But with more than 100 Labour MPs threatening to rebel, could he be forced into another U-turn? Kiran Stacey asks Labour’s Rebecca Long-Bailey and the Guardian’s Heather Stewart. Plus, in the age of Trump, does the UK…
UK walks diplomatic tightrope over Trump’s attack on Iran – Politics Weekly Westminster
Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss how Keir Starmer’s government is responding to the US president’s decision to launch attacks on Iranian nuclear sites. What might happen next? And what could it mean for the UK and the world?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Trump edges closer to war: could he drag the UK in? – Politics Weekly UK
As Israel and Iran trade escalating blows, and the horrific situation in Gaza continues, Trump has suggested the US could get directly involved. So how is Keir Starmer going to handle all this? And what could it mean for millions of Iranians? John Harris speaks to the Guardian’s diplomatic editor,…
Grooming gang inquiry U-turn; and how will the UK respond to Israel-Iran conflict? - Politics Weekly Westminster
Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss the UK’s reaction to the Israel-Iran conflict, and whether Gaza has influenced the government’s response. And as Keir Starmer bows to pressure to launch a national inquiry into grooming gangs, they ask: why now and what could the political fallout be of yet another…
Reeves relaunches – but will it save Labour from Farage? – Politics Weekly UK
The chancellor has announced extra money for housing, energy, the NHS, defence and more, so is this the start of a new phase for the government? And should they have done it sooner to combat the rise of Reform? John Harris is joined in Westminster by our political editor, Pippa…
Winter fuel U-turn and spending review standoff – Politics Weekly Westminster
Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss Rachel Reeves’s U-turn on winter fuel payments: will it be enough to undo the damage done by the policy? Plus, they look ahead to this week’s spending review as negotiations with ministers go down to the wire. And after its chair dramatically quit the…
Missing in the Amazon: the disappearance – episode 1
Three years ago, British journalist Dom Phillips and Brazilian indigenous defender Bruno Pereira vanished while on a reporting trip near Brazil’s remote Javari valley. The Guardian’s Latin America correspondent, Tom Phillips, investigates what happened in the first episode of a new six-part investigative podcast series. Find episode 2 – and…
Will Labour’s spending squeeze kill its big housing promise? – Politics Weekly UK
Labour’s pledge to build 1.5 million homes is reportedly under serious threat. What’s gone wrong? And what happens if the government breaks its promise to tackle the housing crisis? John Harris talks to the political correspondent Kiran Stacey and social affairs correspondent Jessica Murray. Plus, will the chancellor’s charm offensive…
Is the UK ready for war? – Politics Weekly Westminster podcast
Keir Starmer promised to make Britain ‘battle-ready’ as he announced the government’s defence spending plans. But what does that actually look like? And how will the government pay for it? Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss the strategic defence review and ask: is the UK really ready for war? Plus,…
Is Labour being outflanked on the left by Nigel Farage? – Politics Weekly UK
Nigel Farage seems to have upstaged the Labour government, pledging to scrap the controversial two-child benefit cap and reverse the cuts to the winter fuel allowance. So why hasn’t the government – after almost a year in power – done more to end child poverty? Gaby Hinsliff, in for John…
Labour takes action over Gaza: what took them so long? – Politics Weekly UK
The government has suspended trade talks with Israel and denounced its actions in Gaza. But why are we only now seeing this kind of action and moral outrage? John Harris speaks to Melanie Ward, a Labour MP and former chief executive at Medical Aid for Palestinians. Plus, after Keir Starmer’s…
Ghosts of Brexit past haunt new UK-EU deal – Politics Weekly Westminster
The UK and EU have reached a deal, in what Downing Street hopes will be a reset with Brussels after Brexit. But with negotiations coming down to the wire and fishing yet again a sticking point, how much has changed? Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey look at how the talks…
Starmer’s migrant rhetoric: a squalid chapter? – Politics Weekly UK
Keir Starmer has defended the language he used in a speech on immigration this week. But many Labour MPs have criticised his choice of words, with some even claiming the prime minister’s language echoed that of Enoch Powell. John Harris speaks to the Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy about why she…
How Labour plans to ‘take back control’ on migration – Politics Weekly Westminster
Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss the government’s plans to drastically reduce net migration. Will it work? And how will it land with the public and the Labour party?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Rage against the mainstream: did UK politics just change for good? – Politics Weekly UK
As Reform UK reaches new highs in the polls, it feels more and more likely that Nigel Farage’s triumph at local elections will be remembered as a huge turning point in UK politics. With support for the Tories at historic lows, and Keir Starmer’s government in deep trouble, is there…
Farage here to stay: the local elections that changed everything– Politics Weekly Westminster
After Reform UK stormed to victory at local elections, has its leader reshaped politics for ever? And how will Labour and the Conservatives respond? Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey go through the results and unpick what they mean. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
‘Reform all the way’: on the road in Doncaster – Politics Weekly UK
Before this week’s local elections, John Harris is on the road in Doncaster – which could prove to be a canary in the coalmine for the government. Labour has been in power here for decades but this time Nigel Farage’s Reform UK fancies its chances. So why are people turning…
Could Reform be the big winners at local elections? – Politics Weekly Westminster
Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss whether Nigel Farage can translate Reform UK’s rise in the polls into success at the ballot box as local elections take place this week. And, how will the two major parties fare in the first big electoral test for both Keir Starmer and Kemi…
Will rising child poverty be Labour’s legacy? – Politics Weekly UK
The government began to roll out its free breakfast club scheme this week as part of plans to help struggling families. But with predictions that child poverty could increase by the end of this parliament, how serious is Labour about tackling the problem? John Harris hears from a headteacher, and…
How the Beatles helped my autistic son find his voice – Today in Focus
John Harris speaks to the Today in Focus podcast about how music helped him connect with his autistic son, James. He tells Helen Pidd what he’s learned about the way some autistic people experience music, and how songs opened up the world for James. Plus, they discuss the challenges and…