The Politics Show

At this week’s Labour conference, Andy Burnham announced bigger and bolder policy ambitions than anyone expected. Was this too big a swing? Or the grand vision the country needs?

Elsewhere, next Thursday, there is a by-election happening in Holborn and St Pancras, the seat vacated by Keir Starmer.

Oli Dugmore is joined by business editor Will Dunn and political correspondent Megan Kenyon to discuss.

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Labour Conference 2026 draws to a close with Andy Burnham's speech.

The PM's announcements included scrapping the triple lock pension, electoral reform, a new help-to-buy scheme, Great British Grid, an end to the public ownership ban on water companies and a range of options for our relationship with Europe which he will be looking into.

Anoosh Chakelian is at the Labour Conference and is joined by Ethan Croft and Ailbhe Rea to discuss.

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The Chancellor gives his conference speech just four weeks before his first budget and Andy Burnham proposes a national care service in England.

Anoosh Chakelian, Ailbhe Rea and Ethan Croft bring you the latest from the Labour Conference.

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The rise of balaclava Britain, Kemi Badenoch’s billionaire baloney and Donald Trump’s AI rebrand.

Anoosh Chakelian and Will Dunn discuss the stories of the week.

📚 READ:

https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/2026/09/ed-davey-has-a-superpower-immunity-from-embarrassment

https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/bursting-the-bubble/2026/09/the-rise-of-balaclava-britain

https://www.newstatesman.com/business/economics/2026/09/kemi-badenochs-billionaire-baloney

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For this week’s New Statesman, our Politics Show stars have been busy interviewing some key players in the past year of Labour turmoil.

Ailbhe Rea, our Political Editor, had a fascinating encounter with the MP and former chief secretary to the Prime Minister, the Starmer loyalist Darren Jones.

And speaking of Andy Burnham, Tom McTague, our Editor-in-Chief, has been busy profiling the Prime Minister himself…

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Are tech companies turning apocalypse into profit?

In 2022, we were all having fun with a new chatbot called ChatGPT. Meanwhile, ministers and civil servants of the British government were imagining how it might go horribly wrong. 

Four years ago, AI experts were concerned about what people might do using their technology. Today, they fear what the technology is doing on its own, without being asked.

Tom McTague is joined by Will Dunn to discuss his cover story.

READ: https://www.newstatesman.com/business/2026/09/will-ai-kill-us-all

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Reform UK received two £36 million donations from crypto billionaire Ben Delo. This has sent shockwaves through Westminster and thrown the question of political finance reform into sharp relief.

Labour is caught in an uncomfortable bind - appalled by the scale of Reform's fundraising, but reluctant to cap donations in a way that could threaten trade union funding and destabilise its own finances.

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The fallout from Reform’s latest scandal, John Healey’s first major speech as Chancellor and Ukraine’s plan to tax porn stars.

Anoosh Chakelian and Will Dunn discuss the stories of the week.

Read: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/2026/09/the-gospel-according-to-nigel-paul-farage

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Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has unveiled the biggest reset in UK relations with Israel for decades, and, in typical fashion, is putting his stamp on his new role.

Meanwhile, the scandal surrounding Reform and their finances continues, with the Met Police announcing they are launching a criminal investigation.

Pippa Bailey is joined by Ailbhe Rea, and guest Ben Judah, to discuss.

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Labour’s missing money metaphor, the millionaires still getting benefits and Dyson’s £420 toothbrush. 

Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Will Dunn to round up the stories of the week.

READ: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/bursting-the-bubble/2026/09/andy-burnham-cant-explain-the-economy

https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2026/09/britain-must-stop-paying-benefits-to-millionaires 

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