The Guardian’s John Harris gives his top book, music and TV recommendations from 2024.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Politics Weekly UK is taking a break over Christmas. John Harris will be back on Thursday 2 January with his cultural highlights, and in the meantime you can listen back to our previous episodes here.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

John Harris is joined by the Guardian’s Politics Weekly Westminster hosts, political editor Pippa Crerar and correspondent Kiran Stacey, to look back at 2024 and ahead to what 2025 might bring. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss the news that a Chinese businessman has been accused of spying. Just how widespread is state-backed espionage in Westminster, and what does it mean for the UK’s relationship with China? Plus, Angela Rayner reveals the government’s white paper on devolution. Could this be the end of the district council?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

The UK government has announced it is suspending Syrian asylum claims, after the fall of the decades-long Assad regime. So, what will happen to the Syrians who have made the UK their home? The Guardian’s John Harris hears from one woman settled in Yorkshire. And political correspondent Kiran Stacey joins us to talk through what Rachel Reeves’s spending review reveals about Labour’s priorities. This year the Guardian and Observer’s annual charity appeal is asking for your support to help individuals whose lives have been turned upside as a result of conflict. We’re partnering with War Child and MSF to help support individuals affected by the horrors of war, providing assistance from emergency aid to psychological support. Plus, we’ve also teamed up with Parallel Histories who help schools teach children about contested conflicts. If you can, please donate now at theguardian.com/donate24. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss how the UK government will approach the change of regime in Syria after the fall of Bashar al-Assad. And, how deep are tensions between the Labour government and the civil service, and should we be viewing Nigel Farage’s Reform UK as the unofficial opposition? This year the Guardian and Observer’s annual charity appeal is asking for your support to help individuals whose lives have been turned upside as a result of conflict. We’re partnering with War Child and MSF to help support individuals affected by the horrors of war, providing assistance from emergency aid to psychological support. Plus, we’ve also teamed up with Parallel Histories who help schools teach children about contested conflicts. If you can, please donate now at theguardian.com/donate24. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

The Green party made history in the general election, winning four seats for the first time. But how much will it be able to achieve in parliament when facing the gravity of the climate crisis? The Guardian’s John Harris sits down with Carla Denyer, the Greens’ co-leader and MP for Bristol Central, to ask her what comes next for the party. Because of industrial action taking place by members of the National Union of Journalists at the Guardian and Observer this week, we are re-running an episode from earlier in the year. For more information please head to theguardian.com. We’ll be back with new episodes soon.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey look at why the government is laying out their ‘plan for change’ five months in. Also, after being voted through the Commons, what next for the historic assisted dying bill?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

As MPs prepare to vote on a bill that would, for the first time, pass assisted dying into UK law, what are the arguments on either side? The Guardian’s John Harris speaks to two campaigners: Liz Carr, an actor and disability activist who believes the bill would endanger many marginalised groups, and Mark Mardell, a broadcaster who thinks the legislation doesn’t go far enough.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss how Rachel Reeves’s budget has upset businesses, as the annual CBI conference takes place. Plus, what is the government’s plan for the welfare state and getting Britain ‘back to work’?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod