The Politics Show

Sorry about all the bangs, things got a little crazy at Clacton Leisure Centre.

After a long and fairly ridiculous night, Nigel Farage has been reinstated as MP for Clacton. What happens now? Could it be another by-election?

Anoosh Chakelian is joined by senior data journailst and Labour councillor, Ben Walker.

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Clacton is heading for a by-election on Thursday, triggered by Nigel Farage, amidst the Reform leader's financial scandals.

Anoosh Chakelian spends the day in Clacton, getting the perspective of locals.

READ

https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2026/08/hes-made-us-look-like-right-plonkers-clacton-prepares-for-more-farage

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Andy Burnham’s vision – to reground the Labour party in a sense of place, tradition and belonging – began over a decade ago, rising from the rubble of the Blair and Brown years. 

Off the back of the party’s 2010 defeat, figures now key to his government argued that Labour had become too centralised; too detached from working class voters.

Now, Burnham wants to revive “community” as both a value and a means of reforming the UK.

Is this the era of “Woke Blue Labour”?

Anoosh Chakelian is joined by editor-in-chief Tom McTague.

Read: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2026/08/are-we-living-under-woke-blue-labour

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Is supporting North Sea drilling an extremist position? Does Jeremy Clarkson have the right to ask benefit claimants for a thank you note? And should you grass on naughty neighbours breaking the hosepipe ban?

Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Oli Dugmore to discuss some of the biggest questions of the week.

📚 READ

Supporting North Sea drilling is an extremist position

https://www.newstatesman.com/comment/2026/07/north-sea-drilling-is-an-extremist-position

The road to Nowhereville

https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2026/07/the-road-to-nowhereville

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Why did Kemi Badenoch allow a man with a neo-Nazi past to stand as a council candidate? Is Andy Burnham running into his first bump in the road as Prime Minister over his pausing of the early release of prisoners scheme? And could Reform and Restore set aside their differences and form a pact?

Anoosh Chakelian is joined by political correspondent Ethan Croft.

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For some time, Zack Polanski’s tenure as Green Party leader had been largely characterised as a success. 

But he’s been having a turbulent time in recent weeks. He was accused of inciting violence with an Instagram post, failed to steal the Manchester mayoralty from Labour, and the party is becoming increasingly divided on the subject of defence of spending.

Anoosh Chakelian is joined by political correspondent Megan Kenyon to discuss.

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The best day of Andy Burnham's life, Chris Philp goes gonzo in the Channel, and more climate change denial in a burning country.

Anoosh Chakelian and Will Dunn round up some stories you might have missed this week.

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Andy Burnham’s policy and comms blitz powers on - he is setting out his intentions early, and with a very different style than his predecessor.

Meanwhile, on his second week, his government is fully appointed, but the fallout is still rumbling away in the background.

Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Ailbhe Rea and Tom McTague to discuss.

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This New Statesman podcast episode has been fully funded by argenx and features an edited panel discussion recorded at the New Statesman’s Igniting Growth Conference.

The UK has world-leading science, research and regulatory expertise, but too often struggles to turn those strengths into investment, innovation and better patient access.

Can it turn its life sciences strengths into global leadership?

Chaired by New Statesman policy correspondent Samir Jeraj, the panel brings together Dame Chi Onwurah MP, Naomi Weir from the CBI, David Knechtel from argenx UK and Ireland, and Clare Pelham from the Epilepsy Society.

Our panel discusses why the UK’s scientific and regulatory strengths are not consistently translating into growth and patient access, as well as the commercial pressures affecting confidence in the sector.

They talk about the need for more joined-up delivery across government, the NHS and industry, how innovation can reach patients, and what must change for the Life Sciences Sector Plan to deliver.

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Anoosh and Will are back for their weekly politics round up, this week includes: the tired spectacle of a new prime minister, Wes Streeting's hot mic moment, Gary Lineker's plea for higher taxes, and the ongoing saga of Stella Creasy's parakeet misidentification.

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