This week Ed Balls and George Osborne look at what makes a smart, successful opposition party. Is disagreeing with everything the government of the day says the best way to do it? Or are there some judicious, selective compromises to be made? And who are the best examples of politicians who’ve made some well played, cross party agreements? 

Amid global tumult, they consider the question: is democracy dead? What will happen if President Donald Trump’s policies are a roaring success? And the pair remember being interviewed by Andrew Neil. Was it an opportunity to relish, or one to avoid? 

Plus, former Tory adviser Malcolm Gooderham phones in to ask: can the Office of Budget Responsibility keep to their growth forecast of 2 percent? And what would the fallout be if there were to be a downgrade?

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Production support: Caillin McDaid

Technical Producer: Danny Pape

Producer: Rosie Stopher and Miriam Hall 

Executive Producers: 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.

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

In the wake of the horrific Southport attack, George Osborne and Ed Balls consider the parameters of the upcoming inquiry and the intensifying concern about young men engaging in acts of violence. Should the definition of extremism be changed with the so-called manosphere in mind? And do we need new rules for reporting on major crime for our social media age? 

And the pair mull over Rachel Reeves speech outlining her plans for growth. George thoroughly approves of everything she is announcing, and thinks he couldn’t have said it better himself – except that time he did, 12 years ago! Is Reeves morphing into a conservative chancellor?

Plus, Ed reflects on the funeral of Labour stalwart John Prescott, sharing some of the most moving, powerful moments of the service. 

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Producers: Caillin McDaid, Miriam Hall and Rosie Stopher

Technical Producer: Danny Pape

Executive Producer: 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.

A somewhat sporty one this episode, as in the wake of a Davos meet, George Osborne and Ed Balls consider: Why hasn’t David Beckham been knighted yet? Lady Posh Spice would just sound so good. 

Meanwhile, Former Minister for Sport Tracey Crouch asks if there’s any way to keep politics out of sport under Trump’s presidency. With a World Cup and an Olympics games in the US this year, what will be at stake under the new administration?

And, the pair slip into professor mode to break down a few lessons of the Chancellor. What is the oft-discussed bond market? And while they are at it,what actually is Downing Street’s “The Grid”?

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Production support: Caillin McDaid

Technical Producer: Oliver Geraghty

Producer: Rosie Stopher and Miriam Hall 

Executive Producers: 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.

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

President Trump has had a big week, what with an inauguration and then signing a myriad of actions in his first days in office - never mind the move to US tech supremacy. After a big start, Ed Balls and George Osborne ask whether he can sustain the political honeymoon, or if this will be a very different Trump presidency, marred by the reality of being a populist President in office. 

Meanwhile, like the rest of the global elite, George is in Davos, and he’s reporting back to Ed everything he’s heard about the outsider’s economic view of the UK. Will Rachel Reeves and Jonathan Reynolds’ upcoming announcements make any difference to the ‘glum’ outlook?

And another closely-observed politician at Davos is Friedrich Merz, contender for the next Chancellor of Germany. As the AfD chases his CDU party, are we looking, as he claims, at the last free election in modern Germany?

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Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrency

Producers: Caillin McDaid, Miriam Hall and Rosie Stopher

Technical Producer: Oliver Geraghty

Executive Producer: 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.

With Donald Trump back in the White House as of Monday, leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey has called in to ask: In strengthening the nation's negotiating hand with the new American leadership, is there a case for rejoining the EU customs union? George Osborne and Ed Balls discuss whether he's on to something - and whether there's any way it could happen under a Starmer government.

Meanwhile, the PM wants to supercharge the UK’s Artificial Intelligence capabilities – but should that be top of mind when the nation’s essential workers like teachers and nurses are still working with ailing technology?

Plus, the pair consider the viability – and morality – of a universal basic income. Would it reduce poverty? Or lead to laziness? 

You could have been listening to this episode of EMQs early and ad-free! And not only that… join Political Currency’s KITCHEN CABINET to enjoy early and ad-free listening, access to live EMQs recordings, and exclusive Political Currency merch.

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Production support: Caillin McDaid

Technical Producer: Oliver Geraghty

Producer: Rosie Stopher and Miriam Hall 

Executive Producers: 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.

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

After a tough week, Keir Starmer’s been forced to publicly proclaim Rachel Reeves has his full support – and to hose down suggestions she won’t make the full parliament. Ed Balls and George Osborne weigh in on just how politically fatal it would be to ditch a Chancellor six months into the Labour leadership. 

The second Trump presidency is now a matter of days away, so how will this new American political era play out on the world stage? Why are some Trump opponents approaching the Trump sequel with more acceptance this time around? 

Finally, Ed and George are sharing their predictions for the looming annual World Economic Forum conference in Davos. This year, it’s coinciding with another big event – the US Presidential Inauguration. Has Davos become less relevant in recent years? How will issues like climate and DEI be addressed in response to the incoming President?

Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes and receive early access to EMQs.

Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrency

Producers: Caillin McDaid, Miriam Hall and Rosie Stopher

Technical Producer: Oliver Geraghty

Executive Producer: 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.

George Osborne and Ed Balls are back for their first round of questions of the year, ready to mull the big conundrums of 2025! Craig Oliver, former director of Politics and Communications in David Cameron’s No 10, asks the pair to weigh in on the upcoming Trump Presidency. Do we need to take him seriously – and literally – this time around? 

In the wake of our Inside No 10: David Cameron - The First Six Months series, should Labour have taken a leaf from the Cameron/Osborne era and painted a fuller picture of their economic approach while in opposition? And, Ed and George consider Keir Starmer’s national security adviser – is there anything amiss with the appointment of Jonathan Powell? Or does it make sense? 

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Production support: Caillin McDaid

Technical Producer: Will Gibson Smith

Producer: Rosie Stopher, James Shield and Miriam Hall 

Executive Producers: Dino Sofos

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

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

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

Is Rachel Reeves starting 2025 with a bond market headache? Ed Balls and George Osborne explain how global trends and UK inflation might just mean she’s boxed herself in… again. 

Meanwhile, Elon Musk’s growing interest in British politics – and hatred of Keir Starmer – has erupted into a row over the grooming gangs scandal. What would Ed and George do in Starmer’s position? And what are the long and short term political implications for Labour, the Tories and Nigel Farage’s Reform party.

Plus, over in Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced his resignation after a decade in power, and among the possible candidates mooted to replace him are two old friends of Ed and George’s: Former Bank of England Governor Mark Carney, and former deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland. Who will win out, and what will the future of Canada look like? 

Political Currency has been nominated for the People's Choice award at the Political Podcast Awards. Please VOTE for Political Currency at https://politicalpodcastawards.co.uk/the-peoples-choice-award/

Join Political Currency’s KITCHEN CABINET to enjoy early and ad-free listening, access to live EMQs recordings, and exclusive Political Currency merch.

Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency

Production support: Caillin McDaid

Technical Producers: Will Gibson Smith and Danny Pape

Producers: Miriam Hall, James Shield and Rosie Stopher

Executive Producer: Dino Sofos

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

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

How do you position yourself on the world stage? David Cameron might have been Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, but in this third episode he shares with Ed Balls and George Osborne the true reality of leading a small country in a big world. British soldiers in Afghanistan; Relations with China; The beginnings of a rupture in the UK-EU relationship. And he shares the more personal moments - like losing a parent - that still happen in the life of a human being who happens to be Prime Minister. 

As Keir Starmer marks six months as Prime Minister, Political Currency is stepping back into 2010, when another former leader of the opposition took up the premiership. Across three episodes, Ed Balls and George Osborne are joined by David Cameron - from the moment he arrived at Downing Street, to dealing with a hostage crisis; taking on his first PMQs to the emotional loss of his father. This is Cameron as you’ve never heard him before - in conversation with both a former ally and adversary as they revisit the political moments that shaped a new government and a new leader.

If you’ve listened to the first two episodes of Inside Number 10: David Cameron - The First Six Months and can’t wait for part 3, don’t! 

All episodes are already available, ad-free for Political Currency Gold subscribers, as well as our subscriber exclusive Inquest episode. And, you can now join Political Currency’s KITCHEN CABINET to enjoy early and ad-free listening, access to live EMQs recordings, and exclusive Political Currency merch.

Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency

Producers: Rosie Stopher, James Shield and John Rogers

Technical Producer: Oliver Geraghty and Mikey Nissenbaum

Production Support: Miriam Hall and Caillin McDaid

Executive Producers: Ellie Clifford and Dino Sofos

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

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

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

How do you prepare the country for austerity? David Cameron joins Ed Balls and George Osborne to step back to the 2010 budget. From the true relationship between a Prime Minister and his Chancellor, to the careful decisions on departmental spending, to the very difficult task of selling cuts to a country that doesn’t want them, this is the reality of a Prime Minister before a government-defining fiscal event.

As Keir Starmer marks six months as Prime Minister, Political Currency is stepping back into 2010, when another former leader of the opposition took up the premiership. Across three episodes, Ed Balls and George Osborne are joined by David Cameron - from the moment he arrived at Downing Street, to dealing with a hostage crisis; taking on his first PMQs to the emotional loss of his father. This is Cameron as you’ve never heard him before - in conversation with both a former ally and adversary as they revisit the political moments that shaped a new government and a new leader.

If you’ve listened to the first episode of Inside Number 10: David Cameron - The First Six Months and can’t wait for part 2, don’t! 

All episodes are already available, ad-free for Political Currency Gold subscribers, with bonus content coming later this week. And, you can now join Political Currency’s KITCHEN CABINET to enjoy early and ad-free listening, access to live EMQs recordings, and exclusive Political Currency merch.

Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency

Producers: Rosie Stopher, James Shield and John Rogers

Technical Producer: Oliver Geraghty and Mikey Nissenbaum

Production Support: Miriam Hall and Caillin McDaid

Executive Producers: Ellie Clifford and Dino Sofos

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

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

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