Shows / Political Fix
Political Fix
The Financial Times takes you into the corridors of power to unwrap, analyse and debate British politics with a regular lineup of FT correspondents and informed commentators. New episodes available every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
- Political Fix
PM rewards loyalists in mini-shuffle
Rishi Sunak has prepared for the new political term with a mini-shuffle, promoting his closest political ally Claire Coutinho to energy secretary and Grant…
- Political Fix
Could a reshuffle revitalise Sunak’s government?
It’s almost time to wave goodbye to the summer, but is Rishi Sunak also poised to bid farewell to some of his ministers? The FT’s Whitehall editor Lucy Fisher…
- Political Fix
Britain’s intergenerational unfairness: reality or myth?
It’s been a week of results: economic data that lays the path for a steep rise in the state pension, followed by A-Level results that saw tens of thousands of…
- Political Fix
The Tories’ battle over asylum seekers
After months of delay and safety concerns, the first asylum seekers were marched up the gangplank of the Bibby Stockholm barge this week. If they don’t like…
- Political Fix
Rishi Sunak’s dash for oil and gas
Rishi Sunak calculates that by portraying himself as “on the side” of motorists and adopting a “pragmatic and proportionate” approach to climate change, he’s…
- Political Fix
The end of the green consensus?
Rishi Sunak has signalled he plans to soften his eco policies to avoid heaping extra “hassle” and expense on the British public. The FT’s Lucy Fisher is joined…
- Political Fix
By-elections special: Tories face double blow, but avoid 3-0 drubbing
The Conservatives faced a rout in both Selby and Somerton, but is their narrow win in Uxbridge enough to lift the party’s mood? Lucy Fisher is joined by the…
- Political Fix
Are the Tories stuck in a 'doom loop'?
Miranda Green is joined by FT columnists Stephen Bush and Robert Shrimsley to ask whether there’s any way out of the economic and political "doom loop"…
- Political Fix
Keir Starmer’s bid to smash the class ceiling
As Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer sketches out his vision for education, the FT’s Whitehall editor Lucy Fisher is joined by columnists Stephen Bush and Robert…
Political FixThe crisis facing the UK water industry
Pressure is growing on the UK’s water sector, as swelling debt threatens to overwhelm Thames Water and other companies. What is the remedy for the country’s…
- Political Fix
Inflation pain: who will UK voters blame?
Soaring interest rates are alarming mortgage holders and could derail the UK government’s strategy for re-election. This week Lucy Fisher is joined by regular…
- Political Fix
The damning verdict on Boris Johnson
The blistering report into Boris Johnson’s behaviour by the House of Commons privileges committee casts doubt over his political future. The FT’s Whitehall…
- Political Fix
Rishi Sunak and the 'real good' special relationship
Rishi Sunak and Joe Biden have agreed a new ‘Atlantic declaration’ to improve UK trade ties with the US. What does it tell us about the bilateral relationship…
- Political Fix
The Boris Johnson WhatsApp psychodrama
Rishi Sunak’s government is heading to court to challenge the Covid inquiry’s right to demand ministers’ unredacted messages, following a row over Boris…
- Political Fix
Rishi Sunak’s immigration conundrum
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said net migration is too high following data showing that it hit a record last year, but he insists it’s not out of control…
- Political Fix
Does Rishi Sunak have an industrial strategy?
Critics claim the Tories lack an industrial strategy and three former business secretaries have said that this fails to prepare Britain for the future. George…
- Political Fix
Inflation and migration: Sunak’s problematic pledges
Cutting inflation and stopping small-boat migration are two of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s five core priorities, but there's no let-up in inflation or…
- Political Fix
Local elections: How bad was it for the Conservatives?
For Prime Minister Rishi Sunak the results were ‘disappointing’, Labour’s Sir Keir Starmer claimed his party was heading for power and Lib Dem leader Sir Ed…
- Political Fix
Wooing business: will it work?
Rishi Sunak has launched a charm offensive to win back the support of business while Labour wines and dines the financial community. Are their efforts to…
- Political Fix
Is a Labour win over the Conservatives inevitable in 2024?
This week we’re bringing you an extended edition of the podcast recorded during a webinar from the FT Live events team. Host Miranda Green is joined by FT…
- Political Fix
Biden in Belfast: did the US president snub Sunak?
Joe Biden’s visit to Northern Ireland was designed to mark the anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. But it was brief compared with his stay in the…
- Political Fix
Is ‘Fortress UK' a vote-winner?
Getting out of the UK - and indeed getting in - is becoming more difficult. Host Miranda Green unpicks home secretary Suella Braverman’s tough talk on British…
- Political Fix
Have the UK’s green plans hit a red light?
The UK government unveiled a new net zero plan this week after the High Court ruled last year that existing plans were not enough for the UK to reach net zero…
- Political Fix
Rishi Sunak and the rout of Tory Eurosceptics
Boris Johnson testified for his political life this week but was it enough to save his political career? George Parker discusses the former prime minister's…
Political FixAre Jeremy Hunt’s plans really a ‘Budget for growth’?
Why was the chancellor buoyed by forecasts that the UK would avoid a technical recession when the economy is still set to shrink? We dissect the economic and…
- Political Fix
Rishi Sunak tackles the small-boat crossings
Even the Home Secretary Suella Braverman admitted there were questions over the legality of the tough new legislation introduced in the House of Commons this…
- Political Fix
Has Rishi Sunak’s NI deal silenced Tory Eurosceptics?
Boris Johnson may have criticised the prime minister’s deal on post-Brexit trading in Northern Ireland but a number of formerly staunch Eurosceptic rebels —…
- Political Fix
Northern Ireland: Rishi Sunak’s big test
A deal to resolve the bitter dispute over post-Brexit trade in Northern Ireland was due this week but the UK prime minister appears to have a fight on his…
- Political Fix
What Nicola Sturgeon’s exit means for UK politics
Scotland’s first minister announced this week that she was stepping down after eight years in office. What does her resignation mean for the Scottish National…
- Political Fix
Sunak and the backseat former PMs
Liz Truss and Boris Johnson have both been intervening this week. Could they challenge Rishi Sunak? We discuss how much of a threat to him they are. Plus, we…
- Political Fix
Rishi Sunak’s first 100 days
After a week that’s seen mass strikes and a growing number of bullying allegations against his deputy Dominic Raab, we discuss how Prime Minister Rishi Sunak…
- Political Fix
Zahawi £5mn tax scandal tests Sunak
Labour’s Sir Keir Starmer attacked Rishi Sunak as ‘weak’ as calls escalated for the Tory party chair Nadhim Zahawi to be sacked over his £5mn settlement with…
- Political Fix
What Keir Starmer did at Davos
Sir Keir Starmer and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves gave a pre-Davos interview to the FT before setting off to woo the global elite in Switzerland at the…
- Political Fix
A rumbustious start to 2023
Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer clash at PMQs as they set out their plans for a year that could shape the outcome of the general election. The prime minister…
- Political Fix
2022 year in review
In our final episode of 2022, we look back on an especially turbulent year in Westminster - from partygate to Chris Pincher, Ukraine to market meltdown, Boris…
- Political Fix
Sunak versus the strikes
Rishi Sunak confronted a growing wave of industrial unrest facing the UK with tough new proposals for anti-strike laws, but will they work? We explore how the…
- Political Fix
Winter of discontent
Britain is seeing a swelling wave of industrial action this winter, from nurses to rail workers. Is the country facing a de facto general strike and is there…
- Political Fix
Sunak’s short honeymoon
Rishi Sunak's authority with Tory MPs is waning and he is now facing policy battles on almost every front. We analyse which fights the new prime minister can…
- Political Fix
Jeremy Hunt’s sombre Autumn Statement
The chancellor unveiled a £55bn plan for fiscal tightening this week, with the biggest drop in living standards for 70 years. We unpack all of the fiscal…
- Political Fix
Farewell Sir Gavin, for the third time
Rishi Sunak forced Sir Gavin Williamson out from his government this week, the third time the former cabinet minister has been made to quit. Why did Sunak hire…
- Political Fix
Pressure grows on the home secretary?
We ask whether the home secretary Suella Braverman can survive in her post with attacks on multiple fronts. Does she have a plan for dealing with backlogged…
- Political Fix
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak
After another turbulent week and the potential return of Boris Johnson. Rishi Sunak became Britain's latest prime minister - its first non-white leader and the…
- Political Fix
How the stopwatch began on Truss’ time in Downing Street
We look back on what can only be described as a total bonkers week in Westminster: how Liz Truss became the shortest and one of the worst prime ministers in…
- Political Fix
A new chancellor and another U-turn for Truss
A tumultuous week and a dramatic Friday as Liz Truss was forced to reverse on tax cuts again and sacked Kwasi Kwarteng. Doubts are growing over whether she can…
- Political Fix
Truss vs the ‘anti-growth’ coalition
Liz Truss endured one of the most traumatic Conservative party conferences in living memory, with open revolt from her cabinet and MPs. Can the new prime…
- Political Fix
Kwasi Kwarteng’s market meltdown
Markets showed their dismay and the pound crashed to its lowest levels ever as Prime Minister Liz Truss and chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng struggled to defend their…
- Political Fix
The gamble for growth
Kwasi Kwarteng delivered his first Budget in all but name this week, with the biggest overhaul in taxes in half a century. We unpack all the major tax cuts and…
- Political Fix
King Charles III begins his reign
The UK has experienced an unprecedented week of constitutional upheaval with new national and political leadership. We discuss the death and mourning of Queen…
- Political Fix
In memory of Queen Elizabeth II
Following the sad news of the death of Queen Elizabeth II - who died on September 8 2022 at the age of 96 - we are in tribute republishing this platinum…
- Political Fix
Truss’s glide path to Number 10
The Tory leadership race finished this week, with foreign secretary Liz Truss widely expected to triumph. We discuss the final campaign developments, Truss’…
- Political Fix
Struggling with the energy crisis
With energy bills set to soar from October, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak faced mounting questions about how they would help struggling families, yet neither of…
- Political Fix
Liz Truss pulls even further ahead
Two new opinion polls put Liz Truss 32 points ahead of her rival Rishi Sunak in the race to be the next Tory leader and prime minister. We analyse whether the…
- Political Fix
Tory leadership race: And the heat goes on
As much of the country wilts in a heatwave, the focus in the Tory leadership contest this week has been on colder times to come. The two rivals for UK prime…
- Political Fix
Liz Truss targets the Treasury
The voting process in the contest for a new Tory leader and prime minister was delayed over security concerns, but the campaign continued with Liz Truss…
- Political Fix
Truss pulls ahead
The race to be the next UK prime minister rolled on this week, as foreign secretary Liz Truss firmed up her campaign lead and former chancellor Rishi Sunak…
- Political Fix
Head-to-head - Sunak and Truss fight it out to be Tory leader and PM
In this week’s episode, we delve into the positions and policies of the two final candidates in the contest to succeed Boris Johnson as Conservative leader and…
- Political Fix
The race for next Tory leader and PM
In this week’s episode, we’ll delve into the two classes of contenders to be the next UK prime minister: the frontrunners and the outsiders. Political editor…
- Political Fix
The fall of Boris Johnson
In this week’s bumper episode, we’ll be taking you behind the scenes on a week that brought Boris Johnson’s time as prime minister to a rather bitter close…
- Political Fix
Boris Johnson lands back to earth
We discuss whether Boris Johnson's Global Britain ambitions were achieved during his recent overseas trip and the fallout from the resignation of deputy chief…
- Political Fix
Introducing: Hot Money
The FT just launched a new podcast on porn, power and profit. When FT reporter Patricia Nilsson started digging into the porn industry, she made a shocking…