At the start of the year we predicted that we’d end 2019 by heading to the polls. And that’s exactly what’s going to happen on December 12th. A “culture war, already simmering here in the UK, could explode in this election” says today’s Leader.

We speak to associate editor Julian Glover about what this election will really be about. 

The Londoner editor Ayesha Hazarika talks about today’s Prime Minister’s questions, and why politics has become 'incredibly toxic'

And Deputy Political Editor Nicholas Cecil briefs us on how Trump’s upcoming visit will impact campaigning.

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The report into the Grenfell Tower fire has taken two years to prepare, and will be published in full tomorrow. The report will be dominated by one key finding: The London Fire Brigade’s lack of preparation and poor advice cost lives.

Investigations Editor David Cohen has spent the last two years speaking with survivors and victims’ families, and speaks to The Leader about their reactions to the report’s findings.

City Hall editor Ross Lydall and Courts reporter Tristan Kirk also join the podcast to discuss what London Fire Brigade must learn from the Grenfell disaster, and what will happen next in the process to find the truth.

Read the full Leader column here

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Has Boris Johnson done the right thing by trying to hold a December general election?

In today’s episode assistant editor Julian Glover and Londoner editor Ayesha Hazarika sit down to explain what this means across parliament and the UK, as well as for those who have supported (in huge numbers) the People’s Vote Campaign – and who were only just marching and rallying a week ago. 

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Prince Charles has made a call in the Evening Standard for big businesses to put “trillions” of pounds into environmental projects, and we think he’s right. The Standard’s Jonathan Prynn breaks down what this really means. 

The Ultra-Low Emission Zone – or ULEZ – charge is six months old. And one driver owes 13 thousand pounds – we’ve got more on that and five other things we’ve learned about the scheme.

We’re excited for tomorrow’s match between England and New Zealand, we speak to our rugby correspondent Will Macpherson in Tokyo on whether or not we are likely to win, and we sit down with our feature writer Katie Strick to find out what’s making people so excited.

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The death of 39 Chinese migrants found in the back of a lorry in Essex is a tragedy of massive proportions. And if the international community doesn’t act in response to our changing world, it may happen again. We ask Home Affairs editor Martin Bentham what must be done to avoid the loss of more innocent lives.

The British Red Cross announced today that they will no longer be providing first-air care at public events due to the costs. We think they should change their mind, raise the money and keep it running.

Thamesmead was supposed to be connected to the London tube network, but it never happened. Apparently, there wasn’t a demand. However with 11,500 new homes being planned it’s time to rethink, and build. City Editor Ross Lydell join The Leader to tell us more.

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If life in London is getting you down then you aren’t alone, according to data published today by the Office of National Statistics. The study shows that Londoners are some of the most unhappy people in the country… although we are slowly getting happier. Jonathan Prynn our business editor joins us in the studio to discuss the research in more detail.

Tutankhamun is visiting London for the first time in more than a decade, in an exhibit at the Saatchi Gallery. The Evening Standard thinks it’s an unmissable show, so for a sneak peek we speak to the exhibition curator Tarek El Awady and the Evening Standard’s Nick Curtis. 

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In today's episode:

Boris Johnson has done a lot of manoeuvring to get his hands on the PM crown, he is determined for it to stay that way too. Our associate editor Julian Glover explains how politics has always been about the exercise of power, and why Boris is going nowhere if he can help it.

A new report from the Office for National Statistics shows that UK borrowing is increasing because of Brexit. This is storing up for trouble for the future of our finances. We believe that the UK should stop borrowing – or we’ll all pay the price.

A final trailer has been released for Star Wars IX: The Rise of Skywalker. We sit down with deputy features editor Phoebe Luckhurst and our arts editor Will Moore to find out if the force is strong with JJ Abrams’ finale to the epic saga.

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After ‘Super Saturday’ in which Parliament voted to hold on a Brexit vote until legislation had been passed, and thousands marched on Westminster to demand a People’s Vote, Boris Johnson has been forced to take something of a detour from his planned roadmap. In today’s episode of The Leader, Ayesha Hazarika describes the view from the stage at the People’s Vote protest and discusses how the Letwin Amendment will change things for the Prime Minister and the Brexit process.

After last week’s shocking racism during the England v Bulgaria international, more alleged racist behaviour broke up a match closer to home this weekend. An FA cup qualifier between Haringey and Yeovil Town saw the match abandoned following alleged racist abuse of Haringey players – who left the pitch in protest. Football correspondent Dan Kilpatrick joins the podcast to discuss what this means for English football.

Plus a new bridge may be installed in Hammersmith to help make easier commutes across the River Thames – the Evening Standard thinks it’s worth considering.

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In today’s episode:

While parliament prepares to vote on Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal - sitting on a Saturday for the first time since 1982 – protesters are putting the finishing touches to what they hope will be a massive march in support of a second referendum. Political editor Joe Murphy discusses whether ‘super Saturday’ will unite the nation at last.

US Style “Family therapy” is coming to East London to help tackle gang crime. We’re welcoming it.

Rugby correspondent Will Macphearson joins us from Japan ahead of tomorrow’s England v Australia match.

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Boris Johnson announced his “great” Brexit deal this morning, and Jean-Claude Juncker has said this is it – no extensions.

The DUP say they won’t support it, and the Prime Minister doesn’t appear to have the numbers to get it through parliament, who are sitting on Saturday for the first time since 1982 to vote on what to do next.

On today’s podcast Julian Glover and Ayesha Hazarika discuss whether Mr. Johnson will be able to extricate himself – and the UK - from what seems like a Brexit trap. 

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