Politics Weekly UK

The Guardian

Guardian political columnist John Harris hosts a cast of voices from up and down the country as well as across the political spectrum to analyse the week’s political news. For US Politics with Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland, make sure to search 'Politics Weekly America' wherever you get your podcasts

  • 20 minutes 8 seconds
    Burnham blocked: Has Starmer messed up?
    The Labour party has once again been plunged into turmoil after the NEC blocked Andy Burnham from standing in the Gorton and Denton byelection. Will the row quickly fade, or does it risk piling further pressure on the prime minister? Meanwhile, Pippa Crerar will be joining Keir Starmer on his trip to China – but can he focus on diplomacy abroad, or will the Westminster psychodrama continue to overshadow the visit?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
    26 January 2026, 1:06 pm
  • 32 minutes 52 seconds
    Taco Thursday: Trump climbs down on Greenland tariffs
    John Harris is joined by Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey to discuss Donald Trump’s climbdown on tariffs over his move to buy Greenland. Plus, Labour MP Andrew Gwynne is to stand down, which could open the way for Andy Burnham to take his seat. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
    22 January 2026, 2:41 pm
  • 33 minutes 56 seconds
    Ditch Nato and dump Trump: Zack Polanski’s foreign policy
    Leader of the Green party, Zack Polanski, tells Pippa and Kiran that Nato is over and the UK should consider expelling the US from British military bases. Plus he explains why he isn’t worried about billionaires leaving the country. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
    20 January 2026, 5:00 am
  • 24 minutes 50 seconds
    Starmer: ‘We don’t want a trade war’
    Keir Starmer has held an emergency press conference in response to Donald Trump’s tariff threats over Greenland. Pippa and Kiran discuss what the UK prime minister said and how it may be received. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
    19 January 2026, 1:19 pm
  • 22 minutes 30 seconds
    Badenoch sacks Jenrick: who will win the fight for the right?
    Sacked, suspended and the whip removed – Kemi Badenoch announced in spectacular fashion that Robert Jenrick was booted out of the Tory party for plotting to defect. John Harris and Kiran talk about how this will play out. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
    15 January 2026, 1:48 pm
  • 18 minutes 41 seconds
    X rated: Ofcom investigates Grok
    Ofcom has launched an investigation into X over its AI tool Grok – but what does it mean when the platform is widely used by the government? Plus, Pippa and Kiran discuss Nadhim Zahawi’s defection to Reform UK, and why it could both help and hinder the party. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
    12 January 2026, 12:52 pm
  • 32 minutes 59 seconds
    Kidnapping and chaos: welcome to Trump’s world
    In just one week Venezuela’s president was kidnapped by the US, Donald Trump talked of needing Greenland, the UK and France agreed to deploy troops in Ukraine if a peace deal was reached, and two oil tankers were seized with help from the UK. Is this the new world order – or lack thereof? John Harris and Kiran Stacey are joined by the Guardian’s defence and security editor, Dan Sabbagh, to find out. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
    8 January 2026, 3:55 pm
  • 27 minutes 22 seconds
    Is Starmer’s silence on Venezuela worth it?
    Pippa and Kiran discuss the mounting pressure on Keir Starmer to condemn the US capture of Nicolás Maduro. The prime minister is keen to walk the diplomatic tightrope but at what cost to his reputation globally and within his own party?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
    5 January 2026, 1:22 pm
  • 29 minutes 54 seconds
    Revisited: How the Beatles helped my autistic son find his voice
    In this podcast from 4 April, John Harris speaks to Today in Focus about how music helped him connect with his son, James. Harris tells Helen Pidd what he has learned about the way some autistic people experience music, and how songs opened up the world for James. Plus, they discuss the challenges and stereotypes autistic people still face. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
    1 January 2026, 5:00 am
  • 47 minutes 19 seconds
    Starmer v Starmer: why is the former human rights lawyer so cautious about defending human rights? – from The Audio Long Read
    Many of his supporters hoped the prime minister would restore the UK’s commitment to international law. Yet Labour’s record over the past year has been curiously mixed By Daniel Trilling. Read by Simon Darwen. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
    29 December 2025, 5:00 am
  • 14 minutes 52 seconds
    Best of: Angela Rayner, Nicola Sturgeon, Catherine Ashton and Andy Burnham – podcast
    Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey look back at some of their best interviews of 2025. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
    22 December 2025, 5:00 am
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