Fallout continues from yesterday's summit and the announcement of a deal between the UK and EU – or is it fair to call it 'fallout' as, despite criticism over the deal from Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch, has the public got Brexit fatigue? 

James Heale and Michael Simmons join Patrick Gibbons to talk about the reaction to the deal. Fisheries has taken up most discussion but Michael points out a lesser talked about commitment to energy policy. And, with the government keen to talk about it in tandem with recent deals with India and the US – and Gulf states soon, according to Rachel Reeves this morning – what's the political narrative around the summit?

Produced by Patrick Gibbons.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As EU leaders arrive in London for a summit hosted by Keir Starmer, there has been an announcement that the UK and EU have reached a deal. The UK has extended its agreement on EU fishing boats in British waters, while in return fewer checks on British food exports are expected. There have also been discussions about a defence pact, reduced tuition fees for EU students and access to electronic passport gates for British holiday-makers. 

While we await further details, deputy political editor James Heale and director of the Centre for European Reform Charles Grant join Lucy Dunn to unpack what we know so far. Will the deal be an easy sell, or does it risk being seen as a ‘brexit betrayal’? And, does it lack ambition or is it an important first step in restoring trust between two allies? Charles points out that there are important implications: on a future US trade deal; for Northern Ireland; and, in setting precedent; while James highlights the tight-rope Labour have to walk in constructing a narrative around the deal – particularly around avoiding being seen as selling out the ‘somewheres’ in favour of the ‘anywheres’.

Produced by Patrick Gibbons.  

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Isabel Hardman presents highlights from Sunday morning’s politics shows.

As the government wraps up negotiations with the EU, some believe the deal will betray Brexit voters, while others think Labour won’t go far enough.

Meanwhile, Elton John calls the government ‘absolute losers’ over its plans to allow AI to use copyrighted material, and Centrica boss Chris O’Shea warns its Rough facility might have to shut down.

Produced by Joe Bedell-Brill.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kemi Badenoch has come in for criticism since becoming leader of the opposition – for her energy, her performances at PMQs and her inability to galvanise her shadow cabinet. On this podcast, James Heale hosts the trial of Kemi Badenoch and asks whether someone else might be better placed to take the Tories into the next election and – more importantly – who that prince (or princess) across the water could be. The Spectator’s assistant content editor William Atkinson makes the case for the prosecution, while Michael Gove sets out why the Tories should stick with Kemi. Lara Brown, our new commissioning editor, acts as the jury.

‘If your house is on fire you don’t wait a year to call the fire brigade,’ says William. But Michael argues that political leaders – much like football managers – should be given time and patience in order to implement their direction, philosophy and, ultimately, to become successful. So should she stay or should she go? ... Or should the Tories give it to ‘Big Sam’ until the end of the season?

Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

Have your say, by emailing us at: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Labour MP Kim Leadbeater’s assisted dying bill is back in the Commons for the report stage today – returning to parliament for the first time since major changes were made to the legislation. While Leadbeater has insisted the bill is coming back ‘even stronger’ than before, support among MPs appears to be fading.

The mood in parliament was different to the second reading – which listeners will remember as a self-congratulatory affair, hailed as a ‘historic’ day by Leadbeater – but today’s debate was notably more ill-tempered. The majority of speeches seemed to oppose the bill rather than support it, and a late intervention by Esther Rantzen did not help. The prevailing opinion appears to be that, while there is support for this kind of legislation, there is little backing for a private member’s bill. If this bill does achieve Royal Assent, that will only mark the beginning of a complex challenge for Labour, who will then face major decisions on doctors, training and substances – all issues likely to dominate debate for the remainder of their term. Is Starmer right to hang his legacy on this issue?

Lucy Dunn speaks to James Hale and Rajiv Shah, a former adviser to the Attorney General and in Number 10.

Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Prime Minister is in Albania today to focus on immigration: the government has announced that the UK is in talks to set up 'return hubs' with other countries to send failed asylum seekers abroad.

Unfortunately for the government though, also going abroad are Britain's millionaires. In the cover article for this week's Spectator, our economics editor Michael Simmons writes that London lost 11,300 dollar millionaires last year alone. These figures run in stark contrast to today's news that GDP increased by 0.7% in the first quarter of 2025. This continues a trend of mixed signals for Britain's economy.

Also on the podcast Spectator editor Michael Gove discusses his interview with justice secretary Shabana Mahmood, who announced today that some reoffenders will be recalled to parliament for a reduced, fixed amount of time to relieve the pressure on prisons.

Both Michaels join Lucy Dunn to discuss further, and for the full interview with Shabana Mahmood click through to Spectator TV. 

Produced by Patrick Gibbons.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prime Minister’s Questions today, and there was lots on the agenda. It is often a fool’s game to guess what the leader of the opposition will lead on, but today she had a wide choice of ammunition – from unemployment to welfare to the government’s new stance on migration to the war in Gaza. Kemi Badenoch looked assured when holding Keir Starmer to account on the Chancellor’s ‘jobs tax’ and on funding for children’s hospices. But can we attribute her performance to growing confidence in the role – or is the news just getting worse for Keir Starmer?

There were a couple of notable moments from the Prime Minister, including an attack on Reform and his response to Liz Saville-Roberts, leader of Plaid Cymru, when she ‘called him out’ on his use of the phrase ‘island of strangers’ earlier this week. Keir Starmer appeared tetchy – is he taking a leaf out of Rishi Sunak’s book?

Lucy Dunn speaks to James Heale and Isabel Hardman.

Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer has succeeded in keeping immigration at the top of the news agenda for another day – although he may not be happy with the headlines.

After his set-piece announcement yesterday, the Prime Minister is caught between fire from both sides. On the left, he is accused of ‘pandering' to Nigel Farage and even echoing the rhetoric of Enoch Powell’s ‘Rivers of Blood’ speech – with regard to Starmer's statement about Britain becoming an ‘island of strangers’. Meanwhile, Farage has called the Prime Minister ‘insincere’ and ‘playing catch-up’.

Within Labour, some backbench MPs have broken ranks. But it is the quiet, soft-left faction – already uneasy about winter fuel, foreign aid etc. – that will concern the PM most. Might immigration be the issue that forces them to rebel? And is this really a departure for Keir Starmer, or a return to the language of New Labour?

Oscar Edmondson speaks to Isabel Hardman and Danny Shaw, former adviser to Yvette Cooper.

Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer has kicked off what may be one of his most significant weeks in the job with a white paper on immigration. In it, the government details its plan to ‘take back control’ of migration, promising that numbers will fall ‘significantly’ – although no target number has been given. The plan includes the following: English tests for all visa applicants (and their adult dependants); an increase in the residency requirement for settled status from five to ten years; and new measures making it harder for firms to hire workers from overseas, including abolishing the social care visa and raising the threshold for a skilled worker visa.

Many have interpreted the move as an attempt to stem the rise of Reform by beating them at their own game. The Prime Minister gave a press conference this morning to announce the plans. His language marked a sharp contrast with speeches he made upon becoming leader. Gone are the days of ‘making the case for the benefits of migration’ – now replaced with ‘we are becoming an island of strangers’. Are Labour making promises they can’t keep – and are they merely echoing Reform?

Oscar Edmondson speaks to James Heale and Karl Williams, research director at the Centre for Policy Studies.

Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Isabel Hardman presents highlights from Sunday morning's political shows.

The home secretary announces new measures to curb immigration numbers, and Starmer has a US trade deal. But not everyone believes the deal is much of a win.

Produced by Joe Bedell-Brill.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.