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
Coronavirus latest: Boris Johnson in hospital, a route for our lockdown and Keir Starmer’s first week
The health of the prime minister has dominated this week, as the prime minister was admitted to intensive care suffering from Covid-19. Can foreign secretary…
- Political Fix
Coronavirus latest: Struggles with testing, the blame game begins and Labour’s new leader
The coronavirus crisis deepened this week as Boris Johnson’s government battled to increase the levels of testing, or explain why the UK is having such…
- Political Fix
Coronavirus: Britain in lockdown, Johnson tests positive, Sunak's help for self-employed
The prime minister addressed the nation and put Britain in lockdown at the beginning of the week after persuasion alone proved failed to keep people apart. By…
- Political Fix
Coronavirus latest: Johnson’s U-turn, Sunak’s fiscal stimulus and a London lockdown
Prime Minister Boris Johnson significantly upped the UK’s action to tackle coronavirus this week with stringent new social distancing measures, while the…
- Political Fix
Rishi Sunak’s debut Budget as coronavirus ramps up
The new chancellor delivered his first Budget this week and pulled off a complicated, uncertain fiscal event. Has he defined what Johnsonism is? How does the…
- Political Fix
Dealing with coronavirus, the collapse of Flybe and Priti Patel v the civil service
The rapid spread of coronavirus has dominated this week's political agenda, as Boris Johnson tried to grapple with the crisis. Has the government shifted out…
- Political Fix
Q&A on Scotland, Ireland, Boris Johnson, on business and more
The second part of our first live podcast from Bracken House. Our panel answers questions from listeners on whether we’re heading for a united Ireland, what…
- Political Fix
Brexit mandates, civil service wars, the Budget and Labour leadership
The first part of our first live podcast from Bracken House. We discuss the UK and EU’s mandates for the negotiations and whether the talks could collapse…
- Political Fix
Brexit hostilities resume, and a new immigration system unveiled
The UK and the EU presented somewhat different approaches to the Brexit trade talks this week, with Brussels and London disputing what kind of deal can be…
- Political Fix
Sajid Javid quits, Rishi Sunak rises, and the all-new cabinet
Boris Johnson’s first major cabinet reshuffle did not go to plan this week, as Sajid Javid abruptly quit as chancellor over a row about his advisers. We look…
- Political Fix
The next opening salvo of Brexit, a crisis for the SNP
The UK and the EU unveiled their mandates for the trade talks this week, setting out the dividing lines for striking a deal this year. Are the sides…
- Political Fix
Brexit day finally arrives, and will Boris Johnson back HS2?
The UK has left the EU, three and a half years after the referendum result. What has been the mood leading up to departure day, will anything actually change…
- Political Fix
Chancellor Sajid Javid talks up the economy, and what’s next after Brexit Day
UK chancellor Sajid Javid has been in Davos with the world's rich and powerful this week, talking up the UK economy post-Brexit. Is there good news on the…
- Political Fix
What the EU Brexit negotiations might bring, and how the Labour leadership race is hotting up
What line is Brussels likely to take in the next phase of talks now Prime Minister Boris Johnson has his mandate to act tough? Keir Starmer is ahead in the…
- Political Fix
Keir Starmer leads the Labour leadership race, Boris Johnson hits his first Brexit obstacle
The contest to succeed Jeremy Corbyn is well underway, with Keir Starmer and Rebecca Long Bailey in poll position. Can any of the other candidates halt their…
- Political Fix
Interview special: James Blitz
After 28 years at the FT, Whitehall editor James Blitz looks back on his time as political editor and defence editor, and the stories he has covered -…
- Political Fix
Interview special: Lionel Barber
After 14 years of editing the Financial Times, Lionel Barber discusses British politics over the last three decades - including the fall of Margaret Thatcher…
- Political Fix
Another Queen’s Speech, another Brexit vote - plus Labour leadership latest
Parliament returned this week and Boris Johnson delivered on his election pledge of voting on Brexit legislation before Christmas. We discuss what lies ahead…
- Political Fix
Election 2019: Boris Johnson's crushing victory for the Tories
With a majority of 80, Boris Johnson has delivered the Conservative party’s best performance in three decades. With such a significant mandate, the UK is now…
- Political Fix
Midweek update: the final campaign days
Boris Johnson endured some of the most difficult days of the campaign to date, as he struggled to deal with an NHS crisis in Leeds. Will it knock him off…
- Political Fix
Election week four: Boris Johnson dodges the BBC, Labour’s minority government plans, more reports from the stump
The last full week of the UK’s election campaign was dominated by Boris Johnson’s failure to turn up to an interview with Andrew Neil, yet another…
- Political Fix
Midweek update: Conservative nervousness
As the campaign enters the final week, the Conservative party is eager to ensure its lead is not knocked off course. Prime Minister Boris Johnson must hope US…
- Political Fix
Election week three: trouble for Labour, the big poll and tales from the stump
The UK's general election continued as the opposition Labour party struggled with anti-Semitism and its economic platform. A major new poll suggested the…
- Political Fix
Midweek update: Labour enters choppy waters on racism and economics
An unprecedented intervention from the UK’s chief rabbi has knocked Jeremy Corbyn’s campaign off course. A disastrous BBC interview also raised questions about…
- Political Fix
Week two of the election - Labour's radical manifesto and on the road in marginal seats
The second week saw Labour propose sweeping tax and spend changes, the Liberal Democrats struggle to make an impact and the inconclusive first TV leadership…
- Political Fix
Midweek update: First TV debate, Lib Dem and Labour manifestos
Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn survived their first head-to-head encounter but neither candidate to be prime minister scored major points or made much…
- Political Fix
First week of the election, Labour's big broadband pledge
The first week of campaigning is over, but none of the parties have made much progress. Boris Johnson struggled with the floods, Nigel Farage tied himself in…
- Political Fix
Midweek update: the Brexit party's dilemma
Nigel Farage's decision to stand down his candidates in Tory-held seats was intended to help the Conservatives, but should he stand them down in Labour…
- Political Fix
Shaky election start for Tories, and ripping up spending rules
The first week of the election did not go to plan for the Conservatives, as their campaign was beset by gaffes and mistakes. Can Boris Johnson get back on…
- Political Fix
Boris Johnson calls the election, moderate Tories flee
The prime minister finally succeeded in calling a general election this week, so Britain is heading to the polls on December 12. How is the campaign going to…
- Political Fix
Boris Johnson's tumultuous Brexit week, another attempt at an election
The prime minister introduced legislation to parliament this week to deliver Brexit. It may have passed a vote in principle, but the government's rapid…
- Political Fix
Boris Johnson's new Brexit deal: what’s in it, how it was struck and will it pass parliament
After a week of intense diplomacy with the EU, Boris Johnson brokered a new withdrawal agreement - without the troublesome Irish border backstop but with a…
- Political Fix
The Supreme Court's historic decision on prorogation, Labour and Tory conferences
The highest court in Britain ruled that Boris Johnson's decision to shut down parliament was unlawful, with parliament unexpectedly returning this week. What…
- Political Fix
The big Brexit breakthrough? And is Downing Street dysfunctional?
After months of stalemate, a Brexit deal suddenly became increasingly possible after an unlikely breakthrough between Boris Johnson and Leo Varadkar on the…
- Political Fix
Boris’ big Brexit proposal and are the Tories ready for an election?
As the Conservative’s annual conference came to a close in Manchester, Boris Johnson made his bold play on Brexit - proposing the long-awaited ideas to replace…
- Political Fix
Boris Johnson v the Supreme Court and Lib Dems v Labour
Brexit returned to the Supreme Court this week as judges and lawyers debated whether Boris Johnson legally prorogued parliament earlier this month. We discuss…
- Political Fix
Can Boris Johnson pull a Brexit deal out of the hat, and what excitement will the party conferences bring?
The government is accused of not doing enough preparation to rescue a deal but there are rumours of movement on the Northern Ireland backstop. Plus, as the…
- Political Fix
Boris loses control, what happens next and Labour’s plans for government
The prime minister lost control of his Brexit strategy this week, as parliament forced no deal off the table, 21 Tory MPs rebelled and were ejected from the…
- Political Fix
Boris Johnson prorogues parliament, what happens next?
The prime minister announced plans to shut down parliament for five weeks this autumn to thwart efforts to stymie his Brexit strategy. Was it wrong, clever or…
- Political Fix
Boris Johnson meets EU leaders, and the latest no-deal warnings
The prime minister set off on his first visit to world leaders, meeting Angela Merkel in Germany and Emmanuel Macron in France. What was his Brexit message -…
- Political Fix
Prime Minister Jeremy Corbyn's caretaker government?
The Labour leader announced plans this week to form a temporary government to avoid a no-deal Brexit, appealing to other opposition MPs to back his efforts…
- Political Fix
Will Boris Johnson's no-deal Brexit plan work, and is Labour backing the end of the UK?
The prime minister and his aides have made it known they’re ready to force through leaving the EU with or without a deal, even if MPs collapse his government…
- Political Fix
The Boris bounce: the polls look good for PM Johnson, but what about the pound, the threat to the Union and defeat in Brecon?
We look back at a mixed first full week in the job for Boris Johnson, as he toured Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland against a backdrop of a slump in…
- Political Fix
What to expect from Boris Johnson, and how the opposition is reacting to the new prime minister
The key appointments by Britain's new Conservative prime minister and what we're learning about his priorities and strategy, especially - of course - on…
- Political Fix
Out goes May, Johnson and the kipper and Brexit and the new EU top team
Theresa May's last days in No 10 - is she going with a bang or a whimper? And who will be the next prime minister, and what do we know about him? Plus, the new…
- Political Fix
The ousting of Kim Darroch and Corbyn's latest travails on anti-Semitism and Brexit
The resignation of the UK's ambassador to the US this week caused a huge stir in Westminster, thanks to a leak of confidential diplomatic cables. Why did Kim…
- Political Fix
Tory leadership voting starts, and the prospect of an early election
The ballot papers have gone out to Conservative members for the leadership election and voting has begun. Boris Johnson is leading in the polls, Jeremy Hunt is…
- Political Fix
Boris vs Hunt gets personal, plus the fiscal and immigration plans of the next PM
The skirmishes between Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt became more personal, with clashes over character and scrutiny. Is the foreign secretary gaining momentum?…
- Political Fix
It's Boris vs Hunt and Labour gently shifts towards Remain
Four candidates were knocked out of the Conservative party leadership race this week: Michael Gove, Sajid Javid, Rory Stewart and Dominic Raab. Does the…
- Political Fix
Out goes Matt Hancock (and three others), and can parliament stop 'no deal'?
In the first round of voting in the Conservative leadership contest, Boris Johnson confirmed his place as the clear frontrunner. Matt Hancock, Esther McVey…
- Political Fix
Labour triumphs in Peterborough, Tory leadership race officially begins
The Brexit party came close but failed to win its first seat in Westminster. What lessons are there for Labour and the Tories? Plus, we discuss the latest from…
- Political Fix
Boris vs Gove round two, and Trump comes to Britain
Jeremy Hunt lost momentum in the Tory leadership contest this week, suggesting that the final race might end up being Boris Johnson versus Michael Gove - just…
- Political Fix
Theresa May resigns
The prime minister announced her intention to resign on Friday, following a dramatic week in Westminster where a final Brexit speech misfired and brought an…
- Political Fix
Theresa May's succession, and Labour's opportunities
Theresa May has finally agreed to step down, clearing the way for a leadership contest this summer, against the background of the European Parliament…
- Political Fix
How long will Theresa May last, and will Labour back UBI?
Anger is growing in the Conservative party against Theresa May, but MPs have failed to move against her. Will next week be a decisive moment for the prime…
- Political Fix
Gavin Williamson is sacked, and the yellow bird takes flight
Defence secretary Gavin Williamson was summarily sacked by Theresa May, following a leak inquiry on the National Security Council. Can we be sure he was…
- Political Fix
Investigating the Huawei leak, Change UK launches its Euro campaign
An unprecedented leak from the National Security Council this week about the UK's 5G network has prompted much angst and a leak inquiry at the top of…
- Political Fix
Euro election campaign begins, Sajid Javid makes his leadership pitch
Westminster is in recess, but campaigning has begun for the unexpected European Parliament elections on May 23. Will the Brexit party and TIGs surpass the two…
- Political Fix
May delays Brexit again - but how long can she hang on?
The UK did not leave the EU (again) this week. Instead, exit day has been pushed back until the end of October. Where does this leave Brexit? Is the process…
- Political Fix
May’s offer to work with Corbyn and Brexit is delayed again
The prime minister concluded a long cabinet debate this week by deciding to work with the Labour party, thus annoying many Tories. Will they broker a…