Guardian Politics Weekly

The big stink: will new watchdog clean up our waterways?

Loading player...
Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss the government’s plans to overhaul the water industry. Will they be able to clean up the waterways of England and Wales and what could it mean for bills? Plus, what is Keir Starmer’s latest move to help restore public trust in politics? And, as MPs break for summer, Pippa and Kiran hand out their end-of-year awards …. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
21 Jul 2025 English United Kingdom News

Other recent episodes

Is Keir Starmer ‘complacent’ on defence?

Keir Starmer has hit back at Labour peer George Robertson’s criticisms about defence funding. Why has the government been slow to prioritise defence and what trade-offs is Keir Starmer willing to make in order to increase spending?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
16 Apr 30 min

Hormuz, Hungary and the UK shifting closer to the EU

After 16 years in power in Hungary, Viktor Orbán has been defeated, marking a huge shift in the European Union. Meanwhile, Keir Starmer has defended potential legislation that will align the UK with European rules – without a vote in parliament. Plus the government confirms the UK will not support…
13 Apr 20 min

Trump and the Middle East: can Starmer do anything?

Keir Starmer and the UK government are scrabbling to keep up with Trump’s fast-changing position on Iran and the Middle East. While a two-week ceasefire is in place, how long will it hold for? Peter Walker and Alexandra Topping look at what happens now. And, with the local election campaign…
9 Apr 28 min

The Greens, Reform and the end of two-party politics?

In part two of our interview, Kiran Stacey speaks to the political scientist Prof Rob Ford about the voters Labour and the Conservatives are losing to the Greens and Reform, and how May’s elections could play out. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
6 Apr 24 min

Labour’s mistakes: is it too late to turn things around?

In part one of a special two-part interview, Kiran Stacey talks to the political scientist Prof Robert Ford about Labour’s so-called ‘landslide win’, the long-lasting impact of Brexit on our politics, and the lessons that should have been learned from the 2024 election. Is it now too late for Starmer…
2 Apr 30 min
All episodes