Political Fix

By Financial Times

News & Politics

What's Political Fix about?

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.

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Sunak and Starmer flip-flop...

09.29.2023

As the Tories waver over major elements of HS2 and Labour is forced to clarify its policy on private schools, Lucy Fisher is joined by the FT’s Stephen Bush and Miranda Green to assess the political damage. And with the ...

Political Fix episodes:

09.29.2023 Sunak and Starmer flip-flop on policies As the Tories waver over major elements of HS2 and Labour is forced to clarify its policy on private schools, Lucy Fisher is joined by the FT’s Stephen Bush and Miranda Green to assess the political damage. And with the ...
09.22.2023 Is Rishi Sunak’s net zero U-turn a vote-winner? Rishi Sunak sparked a fierce backlash from eco-minded Tories, as well as fury from industry, over his rowback on net zero policies. But will his gamble pay off with voters? Lucy Fisher is joined by the FT’s Robert Shrimsley and ...
09.15.2023 Keir Starmer's small boats gamble The Labour leader Keir Starmer is attempting to seize the initiative on dealing with clandestine immigration. Lucy Fisher is joined by the FT’s Stephen Bush and Miranda Green to examine his plan to strike a returns deal with the EU. ...
09.07.2023 The weight of the UK’s concrete crisis As hundreds of schoolchildren are forced out of their classrooms by unsafe buildings, the FT’s Whitehall editor Lucy Fisher is joined by chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley and columnist Stephen Bush to discuss the government’s handling of the crumbling concrete ...
09.05.2023 Political Fix special: Live at the FT Weekend Festival FT Whitehall editor Lucy Fisher hosts a panel of Michael Gove, secretary of state for levelling up, FT deputy opinion editor Miranda Green and Stephen Bush, FT columnist and writer of the Inside Politics newsletter. They discuss government policy on ...
09.01.2023 PM rewards loyalists in mini-shuffle Rishi Sunak has prepared for the new political term with a mini-shuffle, promoting his closest political ally Claire Coutinho to energy secretary and Grant Shapps to defence secretary. What do the limited changes say about the PM’s grip on his ...
08.25.2023 Could a reshuffle revitalise Sunak’s government? It’s almost time to wave goodbye to the summer, but is Rishi Sunak also poised to bid farewell to some of his ministers? The FT’s Whitehall editor Lucy Fisher is joined by columnist Stephen Bush and political editor George Parker ...
08.18.2023 Britain’s intergenerational unfairness: reality or myth? It’s been a week of results: economic data that lays the path for a steep rise in the state pension, followed by A-Level results that saw tens of thousands of pupils miss out on top grades. Is it a good ...
08.11.2023 The Tories’ battle over asylum seekers After months of delay and safety concerns, the first asylum seekers were marched up the gangplank of the Bibby Stockholm barge this week. If they don’t like the vessel, they can ‘f*** off back to France’, was the eyebrow-raising verdict ...
08.03.2023 Rishi Sunak’s dash for oil and gas Rishi Sunak calculates that by portraying himself as “on the side” of motorists and adopting a “pragmatic and proportionate” approach to climate change, he’s aligning himself with the views of middle Britain. Is he right? The FT’s Lucy Fisher weighs ...
07.28.2023 The end of the green consensus? Rishi Sunak has signalled he plans to soften his eco policies to avoid heaping extra “hassle” and expense on the British public. The FT’s Lucy Fisher is joined by columnist Robert Shrimsley and deputy political editor Jim Pickard to examine ...
07.21.2023 By-elections special: Tories face double blow, but avoid 3-0 drubbing The Conservatives faced a rout in both Selby and Somerton, but is their narrow win in Uxbridge enough to lift the party’s mood? Lucy Fisher is joined by the FT’s political editor George Parker and columnists Miranda Green and Stephen ...
07.14.2023 Are the Tories stuck in a 'doom loop'? Miranda Green is joined by FT columnists Stephen Bush and Robert Shrimsley to ask whether there’s any way out of the economic and political "doom loop" afflicting Rishi Sunak’s government. Plus, the FT’s political editor George Parker discusses UK chancellor ...
07.07.2023 Keir Starmer’s bid to smash the class ceiling As Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer sketches out his vision for education, the FT’s Whitehall editor Lucy Fisher is joined by columnists Stephen Bush and Robert Shrimsley to discuss how to boost vocational training. Plus, the NHS reaches 75 - ...
06.30.2023 The crisis facing the UK water industry Pressure is growing on the UK’s water sector, as swelling debt threatens to overwhelm Thames Water and other companies. What is the remedy for the country’s sewage and water woes? Lucy Fisher discusses the options with the FT’s infrastructure correspondent ...
06.23.2023 Inflation pain: who will UK voters blame? Soaring interest rates are alarming mortgage holders and could derail the UK government’s strategy for re-election. This week Lucy Fisher is joined by regular FT panellists Stephen Bush and George Parker to assess the political fallout from the latest rate ...
06.16.2023 The damning verdict on Boris Johnson The blistering report into Boris Johnson’s behaviour by the House of Commons privileges committee casts doubt over his political future. The FT’s Whitehall editor Lucy Fisher is joined by FT columnists Stephen Bush and Miranda Green to discuss the committee’s ...
06.09.2023 Rishi Sunak and the 'real good' special relationship Rishi Sunak and Joe Biden have agreed a new ‘Atlantic declaration’ to improve UK trade ties with the US. What does it tell us about the bilateral relationship now? Lucy Fisher is joined by FT columnist Miranda Green and UK ...
06.02.2023 The Boris Johnson WhatsApp psychodrama Rishi Sunak’s government is heading to court to challenge the Covid inquiry’s right to demand ministers’ unredacted messages, following a row over Boris Johnson’s WhatsApp messages. The FT’s Whitehall editor Lucy Fisher is joined by columnist Miranda Green and UK ...
05.26.2023 Rishi Sunak’s immigration conundrum Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said net migration is too high following data showing that it hit a record last year, but he insists it’s not out of control. The FT’s Whitehall editor Lucy Fisher digs into the political debate ...
05.19.2023 Does Rishi Sunak have an industrial strategy? Critics claim the Tories lack an industrial strategy and three former business secretaries have said that this fails to prepare Britain for the future. George Parker, the FT’s political editor, hears from Greg Clark, one of those former ministers, and ...
05.14.2023 Inflation and migration: Sunak’s problematic pledges Cutting inflation and stopping small-boat migration are two of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s five core priorities, but there's no let-up in inflation or unhappiness with the government's policy on asylum seekers. George Parker, the FT’s political editor, discusses with economics ...
05.05.2023 Local elections: How bad was it for the Conservatives? For Prime Minister Rishi Sunak the results were ‘disappointing’, Labour’s Sir Keir Starmer claimed his party was heading for power and Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey wore a ‘Cheshire cat’ grin. What do this week’s local elections in England ...
04.28.2023 Wooing business: will it work? Rishi Sunak has launched a charm offensive to win back the support of business while Labour wines and dines the financial community. Are their efforts to connect with corporate Britain convincing? Host George Parker discusses with the FT’s markets editor ...
04.21.2023 Is a Labour win over the Conservatives inevitable in 2024? This week we’re bringing you an extended edition of the podcast recorded during a webinar from the FT Live events team. Host Miranda Green is joined by FT columnist Stephen Bush, the FT’s public policy editor Peter Foster and Jane ...
04.14.2023 Biden in Belfast: did the US president snub Sunak? Joe Biden’s visit to Northern Ireland was designed to mark the anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. But it was brief compared with his stay in the Republic of Ireland. Did the US president's presence help or hinder the prime ...
04.06.2023 Is ‘Fortress UK' a vote-winner? Getting out of the UK - and indeed getting in - is becoming more difficult. Host Miranda Green unpicks home secretary Suella Braverman’s tough talk on British borders with FT columnist Stephen Bush and Rhys Clyne, the Institute for Government’s ...
04.03.2023 Have the UK’s green plans hit a red light? The UK government unveiled a new net zero plan this week after the High Court ruled last year that existing plans were not enough for the UK to reach net zero targets. So is the new plan up to scratch? ...
03.24.2023 Rishi Sunak and the rout of Tory Eurosceptics Boris Johnson testified for his political life this week but was it enough to save his political career? George Parker discusses the former prime minister's future with the FT’s political commentator Stephen Bush and political correspondent Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe. Plus, while ...
03.17.2023 Are Jeremy Hunt’s plans really a ‘Budget for growth’? Why was the chancellor buoyed by forecasts that the UK would avoid a technical recession when the economy is still set to shrink? We dissect the economic and political implications of Jeremy Hunt’s Budget, including his giveaway on pension limits ...
03.11.2023 Rishi Sunak tackles the small-boat crossings Even the Home Secretary Suella Braverman admitted there were questions over the legality of the tough new legislation introduced in the House of Commons this week. Others criticised it for being inhumane. We discuss the language and strategy of the ...
03.03.2023 Has Rishi Sunak’s NI deal silenced Tory Eurosceptics? Boris Johnson may have criticised the prime minister’s deal on post-Brexit trading in Northern Ireland but a number of formerly staunch Eurosceptic rebels — including Northern Ireland minister Steve Baker — have enthused about Sunak’s success. How is the PM ...
02.24.2023 Northern Ireland: Rishi Sunak’s big test A deal to resolve the bitter dispute over post-Brexit trade in Northern Ireland was due this week but the UK prime minister appears to have a fight on his hands to stop it unravelling as he faces opposition from Tory ...
02.17.2023 What Nicola Sturgeon’s exit means for UK politics Scotland’s first minister announced this week that she was stepping down after eight years in office. What does her resignation mean for the Scottish National party and Scotland’s independence campaign? We discuss the country’s future. Plus, presenter George Parker talks ...
02.11.2023 Sunak and the backseat former PMs Liz Truss and Boris Johnson have both been intervening this week. Could they challenge Rishi Sunak? We discuss how much of a threat to him they are. Plus, we delve into the cabinet and Whitehall shake-ups. An industrial strategy was ...
02.04.2023 Rishi Sunak’s first 100 days After a week that’s seen mass strikes and a growing number of bullying allegations against his deputy Dominic Raab, we discuss how Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has fared during his first 100 days in office. Plus, we delve into the ...
01.28.2023 Zahawi £5mn tax scandal tests Sunak Labour’s Sir Keir Starmer attacked Rishi Sunak as ‘weak’ as calls escalated for the Tory party chair Nadhim Zahawi to be sacked over his £5mn settlement with Inland Revenue. How much is the row damaging the PM’s credibility and his ...
01.21.2023 What Keir Starmer did at Davos Sir Keir Starmer and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves gave a pre-Davos interview to the FT before setting off to woo the global elite in Switzerland at the World Economic Forum in a remarkable turnround in Labour sentiment. Why were they ...
01.14.2023 A rumbustious start to 2023 Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer clash at PMQs as they set out their plans for a year that could shape the outcome of the general election. The prime minister faces industrial unrest, demands to solve the Northern Ireland standoff and ...
12.17.2022 2022 year in review In our final episode of 2022, we look back on an especially turbulent year in Westminster - from partygate to Chris Pincher, Ukraine to market meltdown, Boris Johnson to Rishi Sunak, Kwasi Kwarteng and Jeremy Hunt. We reflect on the ...
12.10.2022 Sunak versus the strikes Rishi Sunak confronted a growing wave of industrial unrest facing the UK with tough new proposals for anti-strike laws, but will they work? We explore how the prime minister is handling the challenges of the winter ahead and whether we’re ...
12.03.2022 Winter of discontent Britain is seeing a swelling wave of industrial action this winter, from nurses to rail workers. Is the country facing a de facto general strike and is there an economic landing zone for the government and workers? We discuss what ...
11.26.2022 Sunak’s short honeymoon Rishi Sunak's authority with Tory MPs is waning and he is now facing policy battles on almost every front. We analyse which fights the new prime minister can win and which aren’t worth engaging in, and whether the Conservative party ...
11.19.2022 Jeremy Hunt’s sombre Autumn Statement The chancellor unveiled a £55bn plan for fiscal tightening this week, with the biggest drop in living standards for 70 years. We unpack all of the fiscal forecasts, tax rises, spending cuts and how Rishi Sunak can navigate the tricky ...
11.12.2022 Farewell Sir Gavin, for the third time Rishi Sunak forced Sir Gavin Williamson out from his government this week, the third time the former cabinet minister has been made to quit. Why did Sunak hire the controversial former chief whip in the first place? And what does ...
11.05.2022 Pressure grows on the home secretary? We ask whether the home secretary Suella Braverman can survive in her post with attacks on multiple fronts. Does she have a plan for dealing with backlogged asylum claims? Can she be trusted with national security? And does she have ...
10.29.2022 Prime Minister Rishi Sunak After another turbulent week and the potential return of Boris Johnson. Rishi Sunak became Britain's latest prime minister - its first non-white leader and the youngest in modern history. We discuss how he triumphed in the leadership contest, how Johnson ...
10.21.2022 How the stopwatch began on Truss’ time in Downing Street We look back on what can only be described as a total bonkers week in Westminster: how Liz Truss became the shortest and one of the worst prime ministers in British history, the very sticky end, and crucially what happens ...
10.14.2022 A new chancellor and another U-turn for Truss A tumultuous week and a dramatic Friday as Liz Truss was forced to reverse on tax cuts again and sacked Kwasi Kwarteng. Doubts are growing over whether she can survive as prime minister. Presented by Sebastian Payne with political editor ...
10.08.2022 Truss vs the ‘anti-growth’ coalition Liz Truss endured one of the most traumatic Conservative party conferences in living memory, with open revolt from her cabinet and MPs. Can the new prime minister survive and where does her economic reform agenda go next? Plus we discuss ...

Older episodes

Political Fix

What's Political Fix about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Political Fix episodes:

Sunak and Starmer flip-flop on policies

Is Rishi Sunak’s net zero U-turn a vote-winner?

Keir Starmer's small boats gamble

The weight of the UK’s concrete crisis

Political Fix special: Live at the FT Weekend Festival

PM rewards loyalists in mini-shuffle

Could a reshuffle revitalise Sunak’s government?

Britain’s intergenerational unfairness: reality or myth?

The Tories’ battle over asylum seekers

Rishi Sunak’s dash for oil and gas

The end of the green consensus?

By-elections special: Tories face double blow, but avoid 3-0 drubbing

Are the Tories stuck in a 'doom loop'?

Keir Starmer’s bid to smash the class ceiling

The crisis facing the UK water industry

Inflation pain: who will UK voters blame?

The damning verdict on Boris Johnson

Rishi Sunak and the 'real good' special relationship

The Boris Johnson WhatsApp psychodrama

Rishi Sunak’s immigration conundrum

Does Rishi Sunak have an industrial strategy?

Inflation and migration: Sunak’s problematic pledges

Local elections: How bad was it for the Conservatives?

Wooing business: will it work?

Is a Labour win over the Conservatives inevitable in 2024?

Biden in Belfast: did the US president snub Sunak?

Is ‘Fortress UK' a vote-winner?

Have the UK’s green plans hit a red light?

Rishi Sunak and the rout of Tory Eurosceptics

Are Jeremy Hunt’s plans really a ‘Budget for growth’?

Rishi Sunak tackles the small-boat crossings

Has Rishi Sunak’s NI deal silenced Tory Eurosceptics?

Northern Ireland: Rishi Sunak’s big test

What Nicola Sturgeon’s exit means for UK politics

Sunak and the backseat former PMs

Rishi Sunak’s first 100 days

Zahawi £5mn tax scandal tests Sunak

What Keir Starmer did at Davos

A rumbustious start to 2023

2022 year in review

Sunak versus the strikes

Winter of discontent

Sunak’s short honeymoon

Jeremy Hunt’s sombre Autumn Statement

Farewell Sir Gavin, for the third time

Pressure grows on the home secretary?

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak

How the stopwatch began on Truss’ time in Downing Street

A new chancellor and another U-turn for Truss

Truss vs the ‘anti-growth’ coalition