• 21 minutes 19 seconds
    New Mandelson files: how embarrassing are they?
    More than 1,000 pages of emails and WhatsApp messages have been released relating to Peter Mandelson’s appointment as the UK’s ambassador to the US. The documents show Mandelson’s criticism of Keir Starmer, and his desperation to become the Oxford University chancellor – but the controversial vetting file from when he was appointed ambassador is missing. Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey explain what these files show us. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
    1 June 2026, 9:54 pm
  • 31 minutes 32 seconds
    Tony Blair and the battle for Labour’s soul
    Peter Walker is joined by pollster Luke Tryl of More in Common to discuss Sir Tony Blair’s intervention in the Labour leadership saga and the party’s prospects in the Makerfield byelection Please send your questions and messages for Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey to [email protected]. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
    28 May 2026, 3:12 pm
  • 23 minutes 55 seconds
    The byelection, Wes Streeting and Europe: your questions answered
    Can Andy Burnham do a better job than Keir Starmer? Is Makerfield more important for Reform than Labour? Can the UK rejoin the EU? Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey answer your messages and emails. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
    25 May 2026, 4:00 am
  • 42 minutes 35 seconds
    Stateside with Kai and Carter – Why the fight over abortion in US isn’t finished
    The US supreme court has preserved nationwide access to mail-order abortion pills – for now. As Carter Sherman explains, the fight to protect this medication is far from over, as a nationwide, near-total abortion ban could be on the horizon. Carter speaks with Dr Angel Foster, co-founder of the Massachusetts Medication Abortion Access Project, who reveals how the legal battle over abortion pills has affected patients across the US – and what could happen next. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
    24 May 2026, 4:00 am
  • 39 minutes 4 seconds
    Wes Streeting: ‘Andy Burnham doesn’t live rent free in my head’ – podcast
    Pippa Crerar sits down with Wes Streeting a week after his resignation from Keir Starmer’s cabinet. We find out what the former health secretary really thinks about Andy Burnham, where Labour has got it wrong and his vision for the leadership. Watch the full episode in video on YouTube here. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
    22 May 2026, 4:01 pm
  • 24 minutes 18 seconds
    Andy Burnham’s first election hurdle: Brexit
    Andy Burnham may already be facing a tricky obstacle in his push to return to Westminster. Past comments about rejoining the EU have come back to haunt him, particularly given that the Makerfield constituency voted overwhelmingly to leave in the Brexit referendum. Plus, Wes Streeting has confirmed he will stand in any leadership contest, raising fresh questions about where all this leaves Keir Starmer. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
    18 May 2026, 5:04 pm
  • 35 minutes 53 seconds
    NEW: Stacey Abrams on why gutting of the US Voting Rights Act is ‘evil’ – Stateside with Kai and Carter
    The US supreme court demolished the 1965 Voting Rights Act when they ruled in Louisiana v Callais in April that states can’t consider race in redistricting. Southern states from Tennessee to Alabama have rushed to erase majority Black districts, sparking chaos for the midterm elections. Kai Wright talks with Stacey Abrams, voting rights activist and former Georgia house minority leader, about the fallout from the decision, and why, even now, she thinks the way forward is still through engaging more voters to participate in democracy: “They have fractured communities and said we’re going to scatter these seeds. Our job is to grow.”. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
    17 May 2026, 4:00 am
  • 26 minutes 51 seconds
    Is Andy Burnham about to return to Westminster?
    Andy Burnham has announced he will attempt to return to Westminster after the Labour MP Josh Simons said he will vacate his Makerfield seat in order for Burnham to run in a byelection. It follows a day of breaking news in which the health secretary, Wes Streeting, resigned, saying he has lost confidence in the prime minister, and Angela Rayner announced she had been cleared by the HMRC. Where does this leave Keir Starmer, the leadership of the Labour party, and the country?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
    14 May 2026, 8:16 pm
  • 11 minutes 31 seconds
    Labour plotters v stubborn Starmer: will he resign? – Today in Focus: The Latest
    Tensions are running high in Westminster as Keir Starmer has told his cabinet he’s not going anywhere. But with several ministers quitting the government, and more than 80 MPs calling for him to go, how much longer has he got? Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s political editor, Pippa Crerar. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
    12 May 2026, 6:30 pm
  • 36 minutes 40 seconds
    A messy day for Starmer: is Labour ungovernable?
    Keir Starmer kicked off the day with a speech aimed at persuading MPs against launching any kind of leadership challenge. By lunchtime, Angela Rayner was speaking at the CWU conference calling for Andy Burnham to return. In the afternoon the list of MPs calling on him to resign was slowly creeping up but no challenge has materialised. Why is the Labour party in such a muddle over Starmer?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
    11 May 2026, 7:54 pm
  • 33 minutes 29 seconds
    Reform UK gains at Labour’s expense in local elections
    It has been a crushing set of local and devolved elections for Labour, with Reform UK making huge gains across the country and the Greens winning in London. Keir Starmer is under pressure to announce a timeline for his departure – yet he insists he will not walk away. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
    8 May 2026, 4:53 pm
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