Political Fix

Chancellor Rachel Reeves received a rare bit of good news from lower inflation statistics this week, which could reduce government borrowing ahead of the November Budget. But the uphill struggle to improve Labour’s standing in the polls continues after a drubbing in Caerphilly, the embarrassing failure of the one-in-one-out migrant policy and the chaotic start to the grooming gang inquiry. Host George Parker is on hand to dissect the week along with deputy political editor Jim Pickard, UK chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley and the FT’s northern England correspondent Jennifer Williams. Plus, is the King getting poor advice from the PM over Prince Andrew in the wake of further damaging revelations about the prince’s links to Jeffrey Epstein?

Follow George on Bluesky or X: @georgewparker.bsky.social, @GeorgeWParker; Robert: @robertshrimsley or @robertshrimsley.bsky.social; Jen on X @JenWilliamsMEN and Jim on X @PickardJE

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Labour suffers seismic by-election defeat to Plaid Cymru in Caerphilly

UK borrowing costs fall in boost for Rachel Reeves

Reeves vows to clear way for BoE rate cuts with cost of living pledge

Grooming gang victims call for minister to resign

A defining crisis for Britain’s royals

Britain’s flawed support for Jaguar Land Rover

Clips from: Sky & Parliament Live TV

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Presented by George Parker. Produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s acting head of audio is Manuela Saragosa. 

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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

The countdown is on: Chancellor Rachel Reeves has just six weeks to finalise her Autumn Budget before the November 26 deadline. This week, she was in Washington DC for the annual meeting of the IMF, where she hinted at tax rises for the rich, while pinning some blame for Britain’s economic problems on her predecessors. The British public are not likely to love the chancellor’s efforts to fill the projected £22bn hole, but who will they hold responsible? 

Host George Parker is joined by deputy opinion editor Miranda Green, associate editor and columnist Stephen Bush, and the FT’s economics commentator Chris Giles for a deep dive into the UK’s public finances, and to explain why the China spy case roiling Westminster is all about economics.

Follow George on: @georgewparker.bsky.social or @GeorgeWParker; Chris on @chrisgiles.ft.com or @ChrisGiles_; Stephen on @stephenkb and Miranda on @greenmirandahere.bsky.social or @greenmiranda

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Clear visions for tax reform exist — Reeves just needs to back one

How Brexit drained the Tories’ talent pool

No need for a moral panic about the welfare system

Letter: Only a strong economy can address Britain’s worklessness crisis

Rachel Reeves suggests spending cuts and tax rises on way

Join Chris Giles and FT colleagues Katie Martin and Claire Jones in conversation with former Fed vice-chair Lael Brainard and Fidelity’s Salman Ahmed on October 23 1200 GMT for an exclusive subscriber webinar Markets on edge: central banks, bonds and the risks ahead. Register now and put your questions directly to the panel at ft.com/edge

And click here to sign up for Chris Giles’ newsletter on Central Banks.

Plus sign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek analysis. Get 30 days free.

Our email address is [email protected]

Political Fix was presented by George Parker and produced by Ethan Plotkin. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Manuela Saragosa.

Clip from Sky News

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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

Introducing Toxic Legacy, a new season of Untold from the Financial Times. Host Laura Hughes uncovers a lead poisoning epidemic across the UK. You might be living with lead and not know it: the toxin is often invisible to the human eye, but wreaks havoc on our bodies once we’re exposed. The first episode of Untold: Toxic Legacy launches October 22. 

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your podcasts.

For information on how to live safely with lead, please visit the LEAPP Alliance website.

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

Conference season is over for another year and after a rousing speech from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch to the party faithful, the Political Fix panel is asking: has she done enough to silence her critics and reverse the party’s slide into oblivion? And while recovering from a month on the road, your trusty Political Fixers mull over the performance of the other parties and what lies ahead as parliament reconvenes on Monday. Plus, more questions than answers about a Chinese spying case that collapsed before reaching court. Host George Parker, the FT’s political editor, is joined by UK chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley, Whitehall editor David Sheppard and deputy opinion editor Miranda Green. 

Follow George on X @GeorgeWParker or Bluesky: @georgewparker.bsky.social; David @oilsheppard.bsky.social; Robert @robertshrimsley.bsky.social; Miranda on X @greenmiranda

What did you think of this episode? Let us know at [email protected]  

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The Conservatives’ long road back to credibility

Kemi Badenoch pledges to scrap stamp duty on property 

Robert Jenrick says UK ministers should have power to pick judges

The battle to dismantle Blair’s Britain

Spying case collapsed after UK refused to label China a ‘threat’, prosecutors say

Sign up to Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek. Get 30 days free at https://www.ft.com/InsidePoliticsOffer

Presented by George Parker and produced by Clare Williamson with Lulu Smyth and Flo Phillips. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix Jean-Marc Eck. Original music by Breen Turner. 

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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

US President Donald Trump has pledged to “plant the stars and stripes on the planet Mars”, China could send its first crewed mission to Mars within a decade, and Elon Musk wants people to actually settle on Mars, transforming the human race into an interplanetary species. 

In a new series of Tech Tonic, the FT’s Peggy Hollinger asks if we’re really about to land, and even live, on the red planet. 

Free to read:

Musk’s mission to Mars

Three days with America’s rocket chasers

Tech Tonic is produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval. The senior producer is Edwin Lane. Flo Phillips is the executive producer. Sound design by Breen Turner and Samantha Giovinco. Original music by Metaphor Music. Manuela Saragosa is the FT’s acting co-head of audio.

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

This week, the Political Fix team comes to you from Liverpool — with all the news from the annual Labour Party Conference. Sir Keir Starmer struck a patriotic tone to the Labour faithful, promising to fight Nigel Farage’s “politics of grievance” and build a renewed, healthy Britain “with the flag waving in our hands” — flags he was keen to reclaim from his opponents on the nationalist right.

And that confident tone had also been struck by his chancellor, the day before. Rachel Reeves reaffirmed the need for economic responsibility and a willingness to take tough decisions, whilst taking pot-shots at the mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, in the wake of his thinly veiled bid for the Labour leadership last week.

The prime minister arrived in Liverpool with widespread discontent over his leadership, speculation that he could face a challenge and a calamitous -54 poll approval rating. So did Starmer do enough to salvage his floundering premiership? 

Host George Parker is joined by Jim Pickard, Anna Gross and Stephen Bush to unpack what the annual conference might mean for the future of the Labour party — and the nation. 

Follow George on Bluesky @georgewparker.bsky.social; Stephen @stephenkb.bsky.social; Jim @pickardje.bsky.social and Anna on X @AnnaSophieGross

What did you think of this episode? Let us know at [email protected]  

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Starmer urges Labour to launch ‘patriotic’ fight against Reform

Rachel Reeves signals Budget tax rises, saying ‘world has changed’ 

Reeves will struggle to sell growth case to UK fiscal watchdog, economists warn

Labour’s unpopularity problem 

‘Lost the plot’: Tony Blair’s role prompts incredulity —– and some hope

Sign up to Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek. Get 30 days free at https://www.ft.com/InsidePoliticsOffer

Presented by George Parker, and produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Manuela Saragosa. 

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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

As the prime minister prepares for his annual party conference, the mayor for Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, seems to be mounting a thinly veiled bid for the Labour leadership. In numerous interviews given to the media this past week, Burnham said he had been privately urged by MPs to challenge Sir Keir Starmer. And the provocation came with what looked like a personal manifesto: tax increases on the wealthy, mass nationalisations and a promise not to be “in hock to the bond market”. So do Burnham’s economic policies stand up? Does the metro mayor pose a serious risk to the PM? Or does his pitch for the leadership actually help Starmer shore up support from within?

Host George Parker is joined by Miranda Green, Stephen Bush, and the FT’s northern correspondent Jennifer Williams, to discuss the multiple challenges Starmer is facing both inside and outside the Labour tent, as well as what else to look out for at the conference next week. 

Follow George on Bluesky @georgewparker.bsky.social; Stephen @stephenkb.bsky.social; Miranda @greenmirandahere.bsky.social; Jen @jenwilliamsft.bsky.social

What did you think of this episode? Let us know at [email protected]  

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Andy Burnham launches thinly veiled bid to replace Keir Starmer  

Andy Burnham’s borrowing plans would spook gilt market, investors warn  

Starmer can’t afford to wait for reckless Reform to implode 

Andy Burnham’s two-horse act faces a big jump 

Plans for high-speed rail line in northern England suffer fresh delay 

Sign up to Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek. Get 30 days free at https://www.ft.com/InsidePoliticsOffer

If you want to know more about what's happening in UK politics you can read the FT’s live Q&A - where Stephen, Miranda and the FT’s UK chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley answered readers’ questions. Visit www.ft.com/ask-an-expert

Presented by George Parker, and produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Manuela Saragosa. 

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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

President Donald Trump landed in Windsor this week for his historic second state visit to the UK. What ensued was a celebration of pomp and pageantry fit for a king: a Red Arrows flyby, a lavish banquet in a castle, and a press conference at Chequers – during which the president continually heaped praise on the ‘special relationship’. Was this display of UK soft power just symbolic sycophancy, or has it resulted in some real substance? Host George Parker – fresh from the prime minister’s country residence – is joined by Jim Pickard, David Sheppard, and Robert Shrimsley to discuss the dynamics of the ‘special relationship’, the £150bn tech prosperity deal, and whether the prime minister managed to move the dial on the president’s peace keeping efforts. Plus: the panel looks forward to the Liberal Democrat party conference this weekend. 

Follow George on X @GeorgeWParker or Bluesky: @georgewparker.bsky.social; Jim @pickardje.bsky.social; David @oilsheppard.bsky.social; Robert @robertshrimsley.bsky.social 

What did you think of this episode? Let us know at [email protected]  

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Donald Trump soaks up glory of his second state visit 

What investments did the UK secure during Trump’s state visit? 

Trump tells Starmer to use military to stop illegal migration to Britain 

Donald Trump’s adventures in Windsorland

Double standards and the problem with bending to Trump 

Sign up to Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek. Get 30 days free at https://www.ft.com/InsidePoliticsOffer

Presented by George Parker, and produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Manuela Saragosa.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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

After the toe-curling revelations about Lord Peter Mandelson’s connections with the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, the ambassador’s departure seemed inevitable to all - with the exception of some in Downing Street. Questions about the speed of his sacking, what Sir Keir Starmer knew and why the New Labour grandee was hired in the first place will plague the prime minister as he prepares for US President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit. Host George Parker is joined by FT columnist Stephen Bush, deputy opinion editor Miranda Green, and deputy political editor Jim Pickard to discuss the political fallout for the PM and look ahead at the two-horse race to replace deputy Labour party leader Angela Rayner.

Want more?:

Labour MPs are increasingly doubting Keir Starmer’s leadership

Why the Mandelson affair raises questions about Starmer’s judgment

Exit Mandelson — but not Number 10’s problems

Peter Mandelson’s back: the Prince of Darkness returns

Bridget Phillipson faces Lucy Powell in final stage of Labour deputy leader race

Follow George on Bluesky @georgewparker.bsky.social and on X at @GeorgeWParker; Jim @PickardJE, Stephen @stephenkb and Miranda on @greenmiranda

Sign up to Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek. Get 30 days free at https://www.ft.com/InsidePoliticsOffer

Political Fix is presented by George Parker and produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s acting head of audio is Manuela Saragosa. 

CLIPS: Parliament TV

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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

US President Donald Trump is coming to the UK next week. What can we expect from his visit? And where do things stand between the US and the UK? In this special bonus episode, our two FT political chat shows, Political Fix and Swamp Notes, team up to unpack relations between the two longtime allies. Marc Filippino, host of the Swamp Notes podcast, and US managing editor Brooke Masters are joined by Political Fix’s George Parker and Lucy Fisher to discuss. This episode was recorded on September 6 in front of a live audience at the FT Weekend Festival in London. 

Listen to the Swamp Notes podcast on Acast, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your podcasts.

Listen to the Political Fix podcast on Acast, Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts or Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

Swamp Notes is produced by Henry Larson. The executive producer for Political Fix is Flo Phillips. This episode was mixed by Breen Turner. The FT’s acting co-heads of audio are Topher Forhecz and Manuela Saragosa. Special thanks to Pierre Nicholson. 

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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