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 ShowThe Makerfield candidates’ normal person contest | Will and Anoosh
The Makerfield by-election candidates battle it out to be the most “normal”, the travails of journalists from the US to the NS and more crossover between the…
The Politics ShowWes Streeting: Keir Starmer doesn't take responsibility
After the resignations of Defence Secretary John Healey and Armed Forces Minister Al Carns, Wes Streeting joins the Politics Show to reflect on why Keir…
The Politics ShowThe private companies running Britain
From prisons to speed cameras and welfare to nuclear warning systems, the British government has outsourced a huge number of state operations to private…
The Politics ShowMakerfield locals have their say
Ahead of the by-election in Makerfield on June 18th, polling expert Scarlett Maguire spoke to voters in the constituency for the New Statesman. This episode is…
The Politics ShowWhat would “Burnhamism” actually look like?
Andy Burnham’s tucked-in t-shirt, a bonkers “festival of AI optimism” and which MP would make the best James Bond. Will Dunn is joined by editor Tom McTague to…
The Politics ShowWhat does Makerfield make of Andy Burnham?
The spectre of the Makerfield by-election on June 18th is hanging over British politics. If Andy Burnham wins, he’s in prime position to challenge Keir…
The Politics ShowWhy UK politics has failed for 20 years
While Westminster looks inward, the world is moving fast. Keir Starmer's government needs to focus on the urgent changes affecting all of our lives. Tom…
The Politics ShowTony Blair has kicked the Labour Party into action
This week there’s only one subject to discuss – and that’s Tony Blair – who has written a blistering 5,000 word essay criticising everyone from Keir Starmer to…
The Politics ShowNigel Farage’s £5 million “reward” from crypto billionaire | Will and Anoosh
Nigel Farage’s £5 million “reward” from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne, the NHS “I feel lucky” syndrome and the Reform councillor who wants us to…
The Politics ShowStarmer attempts business as usual
The spotlight of British politics is shining on Andy Burnham - and his “long coup” is underway. Meanwhile, Keir Starmer himself has to find a way to resume…
The Politics ShowWhat is Andy Burnham’s “Manchesterism”?
Andy Burnham is running in a by-election in Makerfield, which is likely to be held on 18 June, to return to Parliament as an MP. If he wins, he will be the…
The Politics ShowKeir Starmer’s never ending chaos | Will and Anoosh’s weekly round up
Keir Starmer’s never ending cycle of political chaos, Reform’s suspended local councillors and Anoosh’s heckle of Boris Johnson. Will Dunn and Anoosh Chakelian…
The Politics ShowStreeting resigns, but can he trigger a leadership contest?
Wes Streeting resigned as Health Secretary on Thursday morning, but Ailbhe Rea says Keir Starmer is determined to fight on. After days of speculation – and a…
The Politics ShowStarmer defiantly clings to power
Over 80 MPs are calling for Keir Starmer’s resignation, reaching the threshold required for a contender to mount a leadership challenge, with ministers -…
The Politics ShowThe weirdest day in Westminster
Keir Starmer has pledged to “prove the doubters wrong” as he tries to head off a leadership challenge after the disastrous local election results last week…
The Politics ShowLocal election results: the end of Starmer?
Results from the local and devolved are coming in. It has been, as many expected, a disappointing result for the Labour Party. Meanwhile, the insurgent…
The Politics ShowThe gutting of the two party system
The UK is gearing up for local and devolved elections on Thursday. As Keir Starmer looks increasingly isolated as Prime Minister, much is being made of a…
The Politics ShowZack Polanski: Corbyn's true heir?
Crowds of young people chant his name but the Green leader is "nervous", says Ailbhe Rea. -- A year ago, Zack Polanksi was relatively unknown. Now, he's…
The Politics ShowCharles, royal court jester | Will and Anoosh’s weekly round up
Parliament boozers, Morgan McSweeney vs Emily Thornberry, and King Charles' stand-up routine. Will and Anoosh discuss another big week. LISTEN AD-FREE…
The Politics ShowAttacks on Jews are an indictment of Keir Starmer's Britain
"It makes me furious," says New Statesman editor Tom McTague. An attack in Golders Green, London, yet again exposes the rise of antisemitism in Britain. Anoosh…
The Politics ShowPolitical F-bombs and Jacob Rees-Mogg “unbuttoned”
The inevitability of the Peter Mandelson scandal, Jacob Rees-Mogg’s live show, and the rising cost of condoms… Will Dunn and Anoosh Chakelian round up the…
The Politics ShowKeir Starmer is all alone
The Mandelson affair has become less about Peter Mandelson’s alleged wrongdoing, and all about Keir Starmer’s ability to run the country. This week Olly…
The Politics ShowDoes Starmer deserve more credit?
Does Keir Starmer deserve more credit for keeping us out of a third Gulf war? Is Farage's relationship with Trump hurting Reform's polling? And who are the…
The Politics ShowEx defence secretary slams Starmer's strategy
Criticism of Labour's response to the global threat, Trump's AI Jesus and parliament's "summer of sex". Will Dunn and Anoosh Chakelian round up this week's…
The Politics ShowWhy do young women hate men?
For years, we have wrung our hands about the manosphere: the misogynist influencers like Andrew Tate exploiting a generation of disillusioned and…
The Politics ShowTrump’s “demented” Easter and fragile ceasefire | Will and Anoosh's weekly round up
Trump’s "demented" Easter announcement, Britain’s squeezed middle and getting “the ick” for Zack Polanski… Anoosh Chakelian and Will Dunn round up the stories…
The Politics ShowAI is embedded in the British state
AI is embedded in the machinery of the British state: drafting legislation, shaping spending decisions, informing interest rate policy and writing speeches…
The Politics ShowYanis Varoufakis: Greece has become Israel's "handmaiden"
Follow The Exchange on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube for more episodes like this. LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓…
The Politics ShowThames Water's careless vandalism
The pollution of Britain’s waterways is well known, but the full extent of the carelessness and vandalism of Britain’s biggest water company, Thames Water, is…
The Politics ShowTrump’s ground options in Iran
As the war in Iran enters its second month, President Trump has delivered a prime time address promising, simultaneously, that the conflict will be over “very…
The Politics ShowHas Keir Starmer found his vision?
Keir Starmer delivered one of his routine updates on the war in Iran in a press conference from Number 10 this morning - but this one was a little meatier than…
The Politics ShowHow green is the Green Party?
Green Party support is surging after its by-election victory in Gorton and Denton last month. But is Zack Polanski’s party leaving its environmental principles…
The Politics ShowInside Labour’s immigration feud
As ministers and backbenchers criticise Shabana Mahmood’s immigration plans, is Labour about to water them down? And what is behind the splits over the policy?…
The Politics Show“Another chapter in the farce that is HS2” | Will and Anoosh’s weekly round up
Morgan McSweeney’s stolen phone, Kemi Badenoch’s council tax claims and the UAE defence attache, Group Captain Sandy Sandilands. Will Dunn and Anoosh Chakelian…
The Politics ShowRory Stewart sees fundamental evil in Trump
Follow The Exchange on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube for more episodes like this. LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓…
The Politics ShowBan Instagram? You must be kidding.
What does the Instagram and YouTube verdict mean for the UK's proposed social media ban? A California jury has found Meta and Google liable in a case that…
The Politics ShowIs Ed Miliband the most powerful person in government?
Ed Miliband, everyone would agree, is a central part of the Labour government. The ex-Labour leader is a hugely popular figure within the party. Is his power…
The Politics ShowDoes Trump regret the war in Iran?
Donald Trump is grappling with the consequences of staging a military intervention in Iran without a clear plan. Modern conflicts are often driven less by…
The Politics ShowHow Covid fear shaped the meningitis response
Earlier this month, a meningitis outbreak in Canterbury, Kent, led to the tragic death of two young people. So far there have been 29 confirmed or suspected…
The Politics Show"Build the tunnel right through stonehenge" | Anoosh & Will's weekly round-up
Anoosh and Will are back with this week's round up of the politics stories you might have missed. This week: Housing Secretary Steve Reed has the perfect…
The Politics ShowIs Angela Rayner making her move?
Angela Rayner has called Shabana Mahmood’s immigration plans un-British. Is this the beginning of the dilution of these reforms and even of a leadership…
The Politics ShowKeir Starmer’s cost of living crisis
Keir Starmer’s cost of living crisis At the beginning of this year, Keir Starmer vowed to bring down the cost of living. But as other PMs learned before him…
The Politics ShowThe new world war
Yesterday, Keir Starmer met Volodymyr Zelensky to sign a new defense partnership. The Ukrainian President said he faced a missile shortage due to the war in…
The Politics ShowWhy you'll never repay your student loan
The Treasury Select Committee has announced an inquiry into Student Loans. It comes after Rachel Reeves announced a freeze on repayment thresholds meaning more…
The Politics ShowCould surging oil prices cause a global depression?
Oil prices have spiked following the outbreak of war in Iran, with crude oil jumping to over £75 a barrel. This is having a huge impact around the world, and…
The Politics ShowFarewell, George!
After a massive 17 years reporting on politics for the New Statesman, George Eaton joins Anoosh Chakelian the podcast for a farewell episode. Anoosh and George…
The Politics Show“Won’t someone think of the hereditary peers?” | Will and Anoosh’s weekly round up
Hereditary peers scrapped, tech overlord villainy, Tory hypocrisy and camel pageant botox cheating. It’s another weekly round up from Anoosh Chakelian and Will…
The Politics ShowMandelson files: Starmer knew
Keir Starmer apologised for appointing Peter Mandelson as US ambassador. Is it enough? After a vote by MPs forced its hand, the government has released the…
The Politics ShowBritain’s imminent decline
Is the UK going through the “fourth great disruption” to its geopolitical position? In this unprecedented moment, we take a look at how history can shed light…
The Politics ShowDavid Lammy on the crisis abroad and within Labour
Were the strikes on Iran illegal? What's next for the controversial courts bill? Are Labour leaders aware of the existential crisis within their party? On this…
The Politics ShowTrump's war is making us all poorer
Trump is bombing Iran. Oil prices are volatile. Is the world heading for recession? Oil prices peaked after the US and Israel started their war on Iran. Around…
The Politics ShowStarmer and Trump's relationship at an all time low
Angry about the lack of support for his war in Iran, Donald Trump stated that he didn’t need any help from the UK, despite using British airbases for strikes…
The Politics Show”Won’t somebody think of the labradoodles?” | Will and Anoosh’s weekly round up
Despite Dubai’s proximity to Iran, is it safer than Sadiq Khan’s London? Do young people have a different perspective on class? And could the corgi be banned?…
The Politics ShowWhat is the future for jury trials?
On Tuesday 10 March, MPs will debate the Courts and Tribunals Bill, in what could be the biggest shakeup of the justice system since the 1970s. To tackle the…
The Politics ShowExclusive: the progressive voters abandoning Labour
Labour is losing the voters it used to count on, a new study reveals. In the aftermath of the Green Party’s triumph in the Gorton and Denton by-election, and…
The Politics ShowWas Rachel Reeves’ spring statement out of date on arrival?
Yesterday, the Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered her spring statement - an economic update - to the commons. With the news completely dominated by conflict in…
The Politics ShowShould the phrase "special relationship" be banned?
Yesterday afternoon in the Commons, Keir Starmer took a stance against Trump's attacks on Iran. The US President has expressed his dissatisfaction with the…
The Politics ShowIran war: Trump is playing into Putin's hands.
While the US bombs Iran, the Kremlin will see immediate advantages for Russia. Vladimir Putin expressed “deep condolences” to the people of Iran over the…
The Politics ShowDoes Trump have an endgame in Iran?
Fiona Hill, former presidential advisor, joins Megan Gibson. LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a question – we…
The Politics ShowRare diseases: from lived experience to lasting treatments | Sponsored
To mark Rare Disease Day, this special Spotlight episode explores why rare diseases - affecting an estimated one in 17 people in the UK – still face years of…