Yesterday Wales’s first minister Mark Drakeford announced his resignation, after exactly five years in office. He drew tributes for his tenure at PMQs from both leaders, with Keir Starmer describing him as “a true titan of Welsh politics”. Who will be the next Welsh leader? How will this affect Labour's general election campaign in Wales? And what will Mark Drakeford's lasting legacy be?
Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Matt Hexter, host of the Welsh politics podcast Hiraeth, political consultant and former adviser to Welsh Labour MPs.
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First minister Mark Drakeford resigns, what's next for Wales?

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After a day of increasing speculation, Rishi Sunak called the next general election which will take place on the 4th of July. Sadly, for him, he was almost drowned by the pouring rain, and drowned out by the pounding of D:Ream's ‘Things Can Only Get Better', the song widely known as Labour's 1997 anthem.
To kick of the New Statesman's general election coverage, the team review yesterday's events, the prime minister's potential motives, and the kickstarting of campaigns.
Hannah Barnes, associate editor, is joined by Freddie Hayward, Rachel Cunliffe, and George Eaton.
Have you got a question about the election? Get in touch here

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Rishi Sunak has already given up

Fuel poverty is on the rise with millions of households in England having to choose whether to “heat or eat”.
Last year, the Government estimated almost 9 million households could be classed as “fuel poor”. This means that, after housing costs, more than 10 per cent of their household income would be spent on heating.
Covid supply disruptions and the war in Ukraine have contributed to the problem alongside the UK’s economic crisis. 
In this episode host Zoë Grünewald is joined by British Gas Energy Trust Chief Executive Jessica Taplin, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice Rhondda Cynon Taff, Ashley Comley and Chief Executive Officer of Bromley by Bow Centre, Ellen De Decker. They explore reasons for the sharp rise in fuel poverty, what’s being done to support those in need and what needs to change to ensure Government funding gets through to those who need it most.
This New Statesman podcast episode is sponsored by The British Gas Energy Trust, an independent charitable trust funded solely by British Gas. The Trust offers financial support for vulnerable households and is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Heat or eat": how to help millions in fuel poverty | sponsored

The sea is no longer safe to swim in, tomatoes are growing on beaches from seeds in undigested human faeces, and rivers are awash with pig’s blood. When did everything start to go wrong, and who bears the brunt of this grotesque responsibility? 
The Great Stink by Will Dunn is this week’s cover story and you can find it here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Great Stink: how England came to swim in sewage

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.
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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.

First minister Mark Drakeford resigns, what's next for Wales?

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