A listener writes in to ask, "Is there any risk of a Conservative - Reform coalition?"
"Why do journalists not ask “how are you going to pay for it” when it comes to defence spending? Why is Keir Starmer's defence spending target covered so differently to planned green spending?" - another listener asks.
Hannah Barnes, associate editor, is joined by Rachel Cunliffe, associate political editor, and Freddie Hayward, political correspondent, to answer listener questions.
Would you like to ask the team a question? You can do so here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What are the chances of a Conservative-Reform UK coalition?

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Thursdays: host Anoosh Chakelian is joined by the New Statesman politics team to help you understand the week in politics, in Westminster and beyond. Featuring Andrew Marr, Rachel Cunliffe, Freddie Hayward and more.
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News & Politics

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Politics

It's a defection listener questions special.
We’ve had lots of questions come in this week about defection, prompted by the surprise and somewhat contentious defection of the once Conservative MP for Dover and Deal, Natalie Elphicke, to Labour last week.
To help guide us through Hannah Barnes, associate editor, is joined in the studio by Rachel Cunliffe, associate political editor at the New Statesman, and down the line by David Gauke, former Conservative MP for South West Hertfordshire and New Statesman columnist.
Read: Do Tory defections to Labour herald a realignment? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are there any Tory MPs Labour wouldn't welcome?

This morning Keir Starmer has laid out six key pledges for a Labour government, should they win power this election year.
So what is the Labour leader promising, and will those promises be kept?
Hannah Barnes, associate editor, is joined on the New Statesman podcast by Freddie Hayward, political correspondent, and George Eaton, senior editor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will Starmer stick to his pledges?

Just over a month ago Dr Hilary Cass published her landmark review of gender identity services for children and young people.
In her last UK media interview before her team wrap up, she spoke to the New Statesman about the four years it took to compile and complete the review, as well as the reflections she’s had since it was published and criticisms that have been leveled against both her findings and her own professionalism.
You can read the accompanying article to this interview here: Hilary Cass: “Do I regret doing it? Absolutely not” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hilary Cass: "Do I regret doing it? Absolutely not"

Are any Tories desperate enough to take over as Prime Minister?
In our listener questions episode, You Ask Us, Rachel Cunliffe, George Eaton and Freddie Hayward answer your questions on whether any Conservative MPs would really want to take over as PM before the next election, and how on earth they will explain Britain's failing economy during the election campaign.
To submit a question, visit www.newstatesman.com/youaskus
Subscribe to the New Statesman at www.newstatesman.com/subscribe
Sign up to receive Freddie's daily politics email, Morning Call: morningcall.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who would want Rishi Sunak's job now?

The longer the Conservatives hang on, the worse it gets. Last week Rishi Sunak lost 474 councillors, the constituency of Blackpool south, and Andy Street’s West Midlands mayoral. And yesterday things went from bad to worse for Sunak with a surprise defection to Labour from Natalie Elphicke MP for Dover and Deal.
The Conservatives can’t seem to escape this endless decline in support and popularity. So when did it all start to go wrong, and can they stop the train before it completely derails?
Freddie Hayward, political correspondent, is joined in the studio by Rachel Cunliffe, associate political editor, and George Eaton, senior editor.
Read: The Tory doomscroll Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What are the chances of a Conservative-Reform UK coalition?

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