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

  • 51 minutes 32 seconds
    Review of 2025: another fine mess?
    John Harris, Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey look back at the biggest political moments of 2025, and discuss what 2026 might bring. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
    18 December 2025, 5:00 am
  • 41 minutes 42 seconds
    John Crace on his book, The Bonfire of the Insanities
    Pippa and Kiran speak to the Guardian’s sketch writer, John Crace, about his latest book, The Bonfire of the Insanities: How Does This Government Thing Work Again?, which is a compilation of his daily work starting from Rishi Sunak’s government to Keir Starmer’s. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
    15 December 2025, 4:52 pm
  • 36 minutes 59 seconds
    The Birth Keepers: I choose this – episode one
    The Free Birth Society was selling pregnant women a simple message. They could exit the medical system and take back their power. By free birthing. But Nicole Garrison believes FBS ideology nearly cost her her life. This is episode one of a year-long investigation by Guardian journalists Sirin Kale and Lucy Osborne Listen to the full series from The Guardian Investigates podcast. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
    13 December 2025, 5:00 am
  • 34 minutes 25 seconds
    Farage under attack: will it damage Reform UK?
    John Harris speaks to Yinka Bankole about his treatment as a nine-year-old at Dulwich college when Nigel Farage was a prefect. Plus, Kiran Stacey and John discuss whether Reform UK supporters will start to feel uneasy about the allegations of racism against Farage. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
    11 December 2025, 5:00 am
  • 24 minutes 24 seconds
    Starmer meets Zelenskyy: is a new peace plan possible?
    As Keir Starmer hosts Volodymyr Zelenskyy in London, Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss what the ‘coalition of the willing’ can achieve. Also in the spotlight is Labour’s shifting position on the EU. Plus, with pressure mounting on Nigel Farage, can the Reform UK leader handle so much scrutiny?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
    8 December 2025, 2:30 pm
  • 34 minutes 40 seconds
    Could Reform UK and the Tories merge?
    Nigel Farage was handed a £9m donation this week, amid reports he said elsewhere that a deal with the Conservatives before the general election was ‘inevitable’. John Harris speaks to Kiran Stacey about what this means for Reform UK. They also discuss David Lammy’s plan to scrap some jury trials, and answer questions from Politics Weekly UK listeners. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
    4 December 2025, 2:00 pm
  • 29 minutes 13 seconds
    Can Keir Starmer save Rachel Reeves?
    Pippa and Kiran discuss the prime minister’s speech on Monday and ask whether it will take attention away from allegations that the chancellor misled the public with her budget statements. Plus: chaos at Your Party’s first conference. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
    1 December 2025, 3:54 pm
  • 28 minutes 7 seconds
    The budget: Labour’s big tax and spend gamble
    John Harris, Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey give their reactions to the chancellor’s autumn budget. Has Rachel Reeves done enough to silence her critics?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
    26 November 2025, 5:35 pm
  • 27 minutes
    A make-or-break week for the UK government
    It is finally budget week, so Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss the context of Rachel Reeves’s big moment and how high the stakes are. Plus, Kiran talks about what happened behind the scenes of his trip to Johannesburg with Keir Starmer, including how talks over the Ukraine peace plan unfolded. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
    24 November 2025, 1:38 pm
  • 31 minutes 26 seconds
    How dangerous are Labour’s asylum plans?
    There was outrage from Labour MPs on Monday evening as Shabana Mahmood outlined her plans to shake up the asylum system. Will these policies be watered down? John Harris finds out what is happening behind the scenes with Kiran Stacey. Plus, now that Labour has adopted Reform UK rhetoric on immigration, where does the party go from here? John talks to Guardian columnists Gaby Hinsliff and Rafael Behr. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
    19 November 2025, 4:20 pm
  • 28 minutes 34 seconds
    Labour’s risky asylum pitch – podcast
    Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey look at radical plans from the home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, to tackle the ‘out of control’ asylum system. Plus, has the briefing row only made Keir Starmer’s rivals more coordinated?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
    17 November 2025, 1:35 pm
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