Shows / The Politics Show
The Politics Show
Helping you make sense of politics – every week.
Anoosh Chakelian and the New Statesman team bring you sharp reporting, clear analysis and thoughtful conversations to help you understand what’s really going on in Westminster and beyond.
The New Statesman is Britain’s leading source of news and commentary on politics and culture with a progressive perspective. On The Politics Show, our journalists and expert guests cut through the noise of the headlines to explain the forces shaping our world…
Episodes
The Politics ShowBudget 2026: Cautious or radical?
John Healey has delivered his first Budget as Chancellor, promising "breathing space" for households and businesses as the war in the Middle East drives up…
The Politics ShowUS midterms: Is this a referendum on Trump?
On 3 November, Americans will head to the polls for the midterms. We will be publishing an episode for the next two Wednesdays, analysing the results. In this…
The Politics ShowShould we scrap the Budget?
We are in the middle of the usual annual tradition of pre-Budget speculation. Westminster tries to guess what the Chancellor will announce, while the Treasury…
The Politics ShowMartin Lewis is "on speed dial to Number 10"
Martin Lewis's direct line to the government, Burnham's parking fine crackdown, and do the British public prefer picky bits or holly bobs? Anoosh Chakelian and…
The Politics ShowLabour split over Jackdaw
The government has approved drilling at the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea. It is a decision that has split the Labour Party. It may only be the beginning…
The Politics ShowUS midterms: Where are the key battlegrounds?
On 3 November, Americans will head to the polls for the midterm elections. We will be publishing one episode a week for the next three weeks, every Wednesday…
The Politics ShowCan Reform weather the scandals?
Reform UK is in crisis, amid a cascade of scandals The party’s poll rating has fallen from mid-thirties highs to the low twenties, with a recent poll showing…
The Politics ShowReform slips to third in the polls
Reform falls behind Labour and the Tories for the first time since the general election, how animals shape our voting patterns and 100 years of…
The Politics ShowBurnham's Brexit reversal
Ten years after the Brexit referendum, a British Prime Minister has said out loud what much of the country has concluded: Brexit did more harm than good. Andy…
The Politics ShowThe Green Party is in crisis
It’s been a tumultuous time for the Green Party. Their controversial “Zionism is racism vote” and leader Zack Polanski’s defeat in a by-election in North…
The Politics ShowReform clears its own officials over donations sting
Reform clearing its own officials of breaking party funding law, Kemi Badenoch’s inheritance tax gambit and was Britain really better off in the 1980s? Anoosh…
The Politics ShowLabour holds Starmer’s seat
Labour has held the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, with Sagal Abdi-Wali retaining the seat for the party despite a hard-fought contest from Green Party…
The Politics ShowThe Green Party’s Zionism reckoning
At the Green Party conference, party members backed a motion to describe Zionism as racism. Zack Polanski, currently campaigning in the Holborn and St Pancras…
The Politics ShowIs Burnham brave or naive?
At this week’s Labour conference, Andy Burnham announced bigger and bolder policy ambitions than anyone expected. Was this too big a swing? Or the grand vision…
The Politics ShowBurnham delivers packed conference speech
Labour Conference 2026 draws to a close with Andy Burnham's speech. The PM's announcements included scrapping the triple lock pension, electoral reform, a new…
The Politics ShowHas Andy Burnham reached his peak?
The Chancellor gives his conference speech just four weeks before his first budget and Andy Burnham proposes a national care service in England. Anoosh…
The Politics ShowIs Ed Davey too nice?
The rise of balaclava Britain, Kemi Badenoch’s billionaire baloney and Donald Trump’s AI rebrand. Anoosh Chakelian and Will Dunn discuss the stories of the…
The Politics ShowHas power changed Andy Burnham?
For this week’s New Statesman, our Politics Show stars have been busy interviewing some key players in the past year of Labour turmoil. Ailbhe Rea, our…
The Politics ShowWill AI kill us all?
Are tech companies turning apocalypse into profit? In 2022, we were all having fun with a new chatbot called ChatGPT. Meanwhile, ministers and civil servants…
The Politics ShowBurnham's political donations headache
Reform UK received two £36 million donations from crypto billionaire Ben Delo. This has sent shockwaves through Westminster and thrown the question of…
The Politics ShowFarage’s fan club doesn’t care about scandal
The fallout from Reform’s latest scandal, John Healey’s first major speech as Chancellor and Ukraine’s plan to tax porn stars. Anoosh Chakelian and Will Dunn…
The Politics ShowEd Miliband resets relations with Israel
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has unveiled the biggest reset in UK relations with Israel for decades, and, in typical fashion, is putting his stamp on his new…
The Politics ShowAndy Burnham can’t explain the economy
Labour’s missing money metaphor, the millionaires still getting benefits and Dyson’s £420 toothbrush. Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Will Dunn to round up the…
The Politics ShowBurnham vs Badenoch: PMQs, round one
This week was Andy Burnham’s first in the Commons as Prime Minister, facing his inaugural head to head with Kemi Badenoch at PMQs. As for the Tories, they have…
The Politics ShowHow can the UK protect its historic buildings from climate change?
As the UK faces hotter summers, wetter winters and more unpredictable weather, its historic buildings will need to adapt. But how can Britain make them more…
The Politics ShowThe investigation into “Farage Fest”
The investigation into Nigel’s “Farage Fest” election party, Andy Burnham’s Ukrainian jam session and Pope Leo XIV making it onto Vanity Fair’s best dressed…
The Politics ShowZack Polanski's honeymoon is over
It’s nearly a year since Zack Polanski took the reins of the Green party. In many ways the party has never been so successful – with five MPs, leading six…
The Politics ShowHow will Burnham navigate the North Sea?
One of the first big decisions of Andy Burnham’s premiership is looming: whether to drill for North Sea oil and gas. Labour made a manifesto promise not to…
The Politics ShowIs the UK really poorer than Mississippi?
What constitutes a wealthy society, Richard Tice saying we should “enjoy” climate change and the clamour around Harry and Meghan’s return to the UK. Anoosh…
The Politics ShowWill Andy Burnham call an early election?
On the one hand, Burnham may never be as popular as he is now. On the other, the PM could lose an election if he calls it soon, bringing his long-held dream of…
The Politics ShowWhat should the UK do with its unrecyclable waste?
The UK still sends millions of tonnes of waste to landfill, creating environmental risks while losing resources that could be put to better use. Given there…
The Politics ShowReform's big benefits gamble
After its victory in Clacton, Reform has announced plans to slash the welfare state. Over the weekend, Robert Jenrick claimed a Reform government would cut £50…
The Politics ShowBurnham bounce: Labour overtakes Reform
Labour overtaking Reform in opinion polls for the first time in over a year, travel chaos for government ministers and the controversial grave of Dobby the…
The Politics ShowFarage wins again at Clacton circus
Sorry about all the bangs, things got a little crazy at Clacton Leisure Centre. After a long and fairly ridiculous night, Nigel Farage has been reinstated as…
The Politics ShowIs Clacton fed up with Farage?
Clacton is heading for a by-election on Thursday, triggered by Nigel Farage, amidst the Reform leader's financial scandals. Anoosh Chakelian spends the day in…
The Politics ShowAre we living under “woke Blue Labour”?
Andy Burnham’s vision – to reground the Labour party in a sense of place, tradition and belonging – began over a decade ago, rising from the rubble of the…
The Politics ShowAndy Burnham's North Sea drilling dilemma | Weekly roundup
Is supporting North Sea drilling an extremist position? Does Jeremy Clarkson have the right to ask benefit claimants for a thank you note? And should you grass…
The Politics ShowWhy did Kemi Badenoch allow an ex neo-Nazi to stand?
Why did Kemi Badenoch allow a man with a neo-Nazi past to stand as a council candidate? Is Andy Burnham running into his first bump in the road as Prime…
The Politics ShowIs Zack Polanski too "online"?
For some time, Zack Polanski’s tenure as Green Party leader had been largely characterised as a success. But he’s been having a turbulent time in recent weeks…
The Politics ShowChris Philp goes GONZO in the English Channel | Weekly roundup
The best day of Andy Burnham's life, Chris Philp goes gonzo in the Channel, and more climate change denial in a burning country. Anoosh Chakelian and Will Dunn…
The Politics ShowThe Burnham comms and policy blitz
Andy Burnham’s policy and comms blitz powers on - he is setting out his intentions early, and with a very different style than his predecessor. Meanwhile, on…
The Politics ShowCan the UK turn its life sciences strengths into global leadership?
This New Statesman podcast episode has been fully funded by argenx and features an edited panel discussion recorded at the New Statesman’s Igniting Growth…
The Politics ShowGary Lineker wants to pay more tax. What's stopping him?
Anoosh and Will are back for their weekly politics round up, this week includes: the tired spectacle of a new prime minister, Wes Streeting's hot mic moment…
The Politics ShowBurnham's cabinet
It’s day 4 of Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s premiership. His cabinet is now appointed - With some notable appointments to the top jobs, plenty of reshuffling…
The Politics ShowPrime Minister Andy Burnham
Today, Keir Starmer made his way from No 10 to Buckingham Palace to officially resign as Prime Minister. He was closely followed by his replacement, Andy…
The Politics ShowStarmer bows out
Keir Starmer has bowed out of his role as Prime Minister. At his final PMQs, an unusually convivial tone was struck. As Starmer's political career draws to a…
The Politics ShowThe transition begins
As Keir Starmer's premiership draws to a close, Andy Burnham is putting the finishing touches on his plan for power. Ailbhe Rea joins Tom McTague in the studio…
The Politics ShowHow can the UK protect its Critical National Infrastructure from cyberattacks?
Cyberattacks on the UK’s critical national infrastructure are becoming faster and more sophisticated. What will it take to protect the systems and services…
The Politics ShowFarage's Clacton distraction
Nigel Farage, pollings' current front runner to win the next general election, has resigned as an MP. However, he plans to stand as a candidate in the…
The Politics ShowNigel Farage has lost his aura
Nigel Farage loses his cool as he’s grilled on his £5 million “gift”, the “anti-woke” Davos and the elephant seal that’s terrorising Tasmania. Will and Anoosh…
The Politics Show"Startlingly transactional" – Burnham prepares for power
Andy Burnham is preparing for power – which means horsetrading, negotiations and planning. Ailbhe Rea has been speaking to MPs and advisors inside the Labour…
The Politics Show“Westminster is broken”: Andy Burnham sets out his leadership plan
This morning Andy Burnham delivered a speech criticising “Whitehall culture” and promising to rebalance resources between national and local governments. On…
The Politics ShowDoes Britain want another general election? | Will and Anoosh
Keir Starmer’s turn at the resignation lectern, Peter Murrell’s £400,000 shopping spree and Will Dunn’s attempt at a “Man v Horse” race. Will and Anoosh…
The Politics ShowA critical three weeks for Burnham
From a by-election victory in Wigan, to the resignation of Keir Starmer, to an Avanti West Coast train bound for London, tracked by news helicopters - Andy…
The Politics ShowKeir Starmer resigns: “He’s been chewed up and spat out”
This morning, Keir Starmer stood outside No 10 Downing Street and announced his resignation as Prime Minister - the sixth to leave office since the EU…
The Politics Show“Brand Burnham”: Why Andy is a marketing success story
The importance of branding in British politics, banning social media for under 16s and the Reform councillor who made “the biggest mistake” of his life. Anoosh…
The Politics ShowBurnham wins Makerfield, what now?
Andy Burnham has won the historic Makerfield by-election, he's soon expected to speak to Starmer or trigger a leadership election. Anoosh Chakelian is joined…
The Politics ShowWhere Keir Starmer went wrong | Wes Streeting interview
The former Health Secretary reveals why he believes Keir Starmer is failing. When Wes Streeting resigned from cabinet in May, it put an end to months of…
The Politics ShowIf Andy Burnham wins, what next?
Tomorrow - the fate of the Labour government, and Keir Starmer’s premiership, is in the balance as voters head to the polls in Makerfield for the most…
The Politics ShowMakerfield: What are the polls saying?
On Thursday, Makerfield goes to the polls in the most consequential by-election in a generation. Can Andy Burnham finally gain the parliamentary seat he needs…