It was Dominic Cummings' turn at the Covid inquiry this week and - as George predicted - we heard about the misogynistic language being used in Boris Johnson's Number 10. What does it reveal about the toxic culture operating in Westminster at that time? And why this isn't ancient history for the Tories.

Trouble is still brewing for Keir Starmer over his party's response to the Israel-Gaza conflict. Is his political authority in danger?

And why the American economy is having a much bigger impact on your house price than you think.

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Producers: Paige Reynolds

Researcher: Archie Herrod Robinson 

Production Manager: Flick Heath

Executive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie Clifford

This is a Persephonica Production.

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Keir Starmer has shifted his position on Gaza. But he’s still not calling for a ceasefire. Has this incident been a wake up call for the Labour party? George Osborne reveals that we’ll be hearing about some “shocking and disgusting” messages sent by Boris Johnson and Dominic Cummings at the Covid inquiry next week. And we’re joined by Matt Clifford, Rishi Sunak’s representative for the AI Safety Summit. He’s warning of the need to avoid a “Three Mile Island” moment for AI.

Email: [email protected]

Follow us on social media: @polcurrency

Producers: Paige Reynolds

Researcher: Archie Herrod Robinson 

Production Manager: Flick Heath

Executive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie Clifford

This is a Persephonica Production.

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

Keir Starmer’s potentially got his party into hot water this week over his position on Israel’s right to defend herself - what should he do next? And what risk does it pose to Labour support in any upcoming elections?

Speaking of elections: As we await results of two by-elections, George and Ed give their predictions and share memories of outgoing Mid Bedfordshire MP Nadine Dorries. 

George has been giving evidence in the Covid-19 inquiry, which is back in session. It’s rumbling on quietly at the moment, but with some big names coming up, how will it disrupt the Conservative’s autumn plans?

And the Institute for Fiscal Studies has released its annual Green Budget, but are we really headed for recession? And what else should Jeremy Hunt and Rachel Reeves be worried about?

Email: [email protected]

Follow us on social media: @polcurrency

Producers: Rosie Stopher and Paige Reynolds 

Production Manager: Flick Heath

Executive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

The violence between Israel and Gaza rages on. What are Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer thinking behind the scenes in Westminster? And what does the conflict mean for the global economy?

Elsewhere, it was Labour’s turn to set our their stall at conference. Keir Starmer gave a glittering performance with housing at its core, and the ex-Bank Of England chief gave Rachel Reeves a glowing endorsement. But Ed and George both think there’s more to do to convince voters.

And could higher interest rates mean that young people can actually get on the housing ladder?

Email: [email protected]

Follow us on social media: @polcurrency

Producers: Rosie Stopher

Production Manager: Flick Heath

Executive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

It's conference season and Ed and George aren't short of speeches to dissect. The Prime Minister has launched his new and improved radical Rishi persona this week - is it enough to save the Conservatives at the next election? And can it compete with the real talk of the conference - a certain Mr Farage spotted here there and everywhere?

Meanwhile, Labour are preparing to take to the stage for their own conference in Liverpool, with Rachel Reeves' hotly anticipated speech on Monday. Can the shadow chancellor walk the tightrope of offering optimism without over-promising? These two former shadows offer a few choice thoughts.

And elsewhere, the decision in the US to pause military support for Ukraine has shaken the EU - here's why it might have a long-lasting impact of Britain's approach to foreign policy too.

Email: [email protected]

Follow us on social media: @polcurrency

Producers: Rosie Stopher

Production Manager: Flick Heath

Executive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie Clifford

This is a Persephonica Production.

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

Suella Braverman has caused a row this week after her controversial comments on Britain’s immigration policy. Ed and George argue over whether she took the right approach. 

The Conservative party prepares to head off to its conference. Why is this a critical moment for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak?

Is Manchester mayor Andy Burnham’s support for HS3 a gift to Sunak, and a disaster for HS2?

And why did George and David Cameron have to scoop a turd out of Rupert Murdoch’s pool?

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Follow us on social media: @polcurrency

Producer: Paige Reynolds

Production Manager: Flick Heath

Executive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie Clifford

This is a Persephonica Production.

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

Is Boris Johnson the real target of Rishi Sunak’s rollback of green policies? George reveals there is a split in the Conservative party over rumours that the government will abandon its HS2 expansion. The Bank of England leaves interest rates unchanged - should we be surprised? And why we should be paying attention to the escalating row over the killing of a Sikh separatist on Canadian soil.

Email: [email protected]

Follow us on social media: @polcurrency

Producers: Rosie Stopher

Production Manager: Flick Heath

Executive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie Clifford

This is a Persephonica Production.

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

As Jeremy Hunt scrambles for pre-election tax cuts, the northern leg of HS2 is under threat and pensioners are facing a smaller raise in payments than they were expecting. Is the Chancellor making mistakes that will cost his party an important support base? And pressure is mounting on Rishi Sunak over allegations of a Chinese spy in parliament, but that's far from his only problem - with oil prices soaring, how can the Prime Minister make sure he keeps his inflation pledge?

In this first episode of Political Currency, old rivals Ed Balls and George Osborne join forces to examine what's going on behind the scenes of the big stories, what their own experience can tell us, and what they think the key players should do next.

Email: [email protected]

Follow us on social media: @polcurrency

Producers: Rosie Stopher

Production Manager: Flick Heath

Executive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie Clifford

This is a Persephonica Production

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

Welcome to Political Currency! Before we bring you our first episode this Thursday, 14th September, we thought we'd tell you what our podcast is all about.

Ed Balls and George Osborne will take you behind closed doors into the rooms where decisions are made. Having battled it out across the despatch box, the former Chancellor and shadow chancellor are now meeting in the studio to discuss the decisions that affect the nation’s pockets. Our frenemies have the knowledge and experience to explain how good politics follows the economics - and expose how the powerful become powerless when faced with market forces and political currents they can’t control.

If you have questions for Ed and George, email: [email protected]

Find us on social media @polcurrency

Political Currency is a Persephonica production.

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