Electoral Dysfunction

Sky News

Sky News' political editor Beth Rigby with a podcast that analyses the week's politics stories and interviews big political names. But also makes time for people from all walks of life - from decision makers to those with interesting stories to tell.

  • 40 minutes 41 seconds
    Was this the week the election campaign really started?
    After the Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer set out what Labour would do if it wins the election, Beth Rigby, Jess Phillips and Ruth Davidson discuss the six key policies that have been unveiled.  
    They also talk about the major speech made by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at the beginning of the week and debate whether the election campaign has really started.  
      
    Plus, it's been a politically good week for Jess Phillips after her amendment to a bill on banning arrested MPs from Parliament was passed by one vote.  
      
    And there is a listener email about Swiss food.  
     
    Email Beth, Jess, and Ruth at [email protected], post on X to @BethRigby, or send a WhatsApp voice note on 07934 200 444.   
    17 May 2024, 4:00 am
  • 33 minutes 48 seconds
    'A punch in the gut': The defection of Natalie Elphicke
    Following the defection of the Dover and Deal MP Natalie Elphicke to Labour, Beth, Ruth and Jess discuss the surprise move and whether it could have been handled differently by Sir Keir Starmer. 


    They also talk about Beth's interview with the former immigration minister Robert Jenrick and his warnings about Reform UK. 


    Plus, how significant was the defeat of former Conservative mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street? Beth and Jess were both there to tell the story. 


    And they answer a question on Labour and the Muslim vote, and what the party can do to restore confidence and trust. 

      
    Email Beth, Jess, and Ruth at [email protected], post on X to @BethRigby, or send a WhatsApp voice note on 07934 200 444.   
    10 May 2024, 4:50 am
  • 44 minutes 51 seconds
    Elections debrief: Sunak survives? Starmer solid?
    It’s the morning after the day before for Beth, Ruth and Jess as they pull apart the local election results they have so far.   

    They discuss what big council losses for the Conservatives could mean for the Rishi Sunak narrative. How does the re-election of Ben Houchen as Tees Valley mayor help him?   

    Also – are there some niggles for Labour within the results, especially with Muslim communities? Jess explains what she thinks the impact of the Middle East conflict could be in Birmingham.   

    Plus, all three discuss John Swinney as a contender for Scotland’s first minister.   

    Email Beth, Jess, and Ruth at [email protected], post on X to @BethRigby, or send a WhatsApp voice note on 07934 200 444.      

    Warning: some explicit language.
    3 May 2024, 4:57 pm
  • 49 minutes
    A reset week for Rishi but what will the local elections bring?
    Following the prime minister's trip to Europe this week, Beth Rigby, Jess Phillips and Ruth Davidson examine whether Rishi Sunak is convincing on the world stage and ask if his announcement on defence spending will help the Conservatives' chances in next week's local elections.   
      
    And after the Rwanda bill was passed this week - is this another win for the prime minister or a policy that he should have dumped months ago?   
      
    Plus, what's the future for Scottish First Minister Hamza Yusuf following the breakdown of the coalition between the SNP and the Greens. Ruth Davidson who was the leader of the Scottish Conservatives gives her verdict.   
      
    And how do MPs get deselected if they behave badly and can you become an MP if you have a past?  The team answer more of your questions. 

    Email Beth, Jess, and Ruth at [email protected], post on X to @BethRigby, or send a WhatsApp voice note on 07934 200 444.    
    26 April 2024, 4:00 am
  • 39 minutes 6 seconds
    The Mark Menzies claims. And what makes a good foreign secretary?
    Following allegations Tory MP Mark Menzies misused campaign funds, Beth Rigby, Jess Phillips, and Ruth Davidson examine the fallout for the government and for the politician who has been suspended from the parliamentary party. He denies all the claims. 

    And after the Commons votes to ban anyone born after 1 January 2009 from buying cigarettes, the trio ask whether the policy is "unconservative" as suggested by some MPs.     

    As David Cameron meets G7 foreign ministers in Italy, what makes a good foreign secretary?     

    Plus, Beth, Jess, and Ruth talk about Liz Truss's new book, Ten Years To Save The West, and wonder if she's going to make a bigger comeback.    

    In response to the suspension of Mark Menzies, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said: "There's a process in place. He has had the whip withdrawn.  

    "There's further information that the chief whip I understand became familiar with yesterday and actions being swiftly taken on the basis of that further information.  

     I think it is important to stress that the MP in question here denies the allegations and so on basis of sort of fairness and proper justice, I think it's important to mention that."

    Email Beth, Jess, and Ruth at [email protected], post on X to @BethRigby, or send a WhatsApp voice note on 07934 200 444.       
    19 April 2024, 4:00 am
  • 42 minutes 17 seconds
    The Grindr honeytrap fallout - and do Labour poll leads do them more harm than good?
    As the fall-out from the Westminster honeytrap scandal continues to unravel, Beth Rigby, Jess Phillips and Ruth Davidson explain why contacts are so valuable in Parliament and ask what William Wragg’s resignation tells us about Rishi Sunak’s leadership.  
     
    And, with Labour riding hight after two major polls predicted landslide victories at the upcoming election, should Keir Starmer be worried about voter complacency? 
     
    Plus, Beth, Ruth and Jess talk about the impact of Dr Hilary Cass’ review into gender identity services for under-18s in England.  
     
    Email Beth, Jess, and Ruth at [email protected], post on X to @BethRigby, or send a WhatsApp voice note on 07934 200 444.       
        
    Warning: some strong language.       

    We recorded this episode before Greater Manchester Police said it'd invesitgate claims that Angela Rayner may have broken electoral law over she information she gave a decade ago.
    12 April 2024, 4:00 am
  • 27 minutes 52 seconds
    "Answer The Question!" - PMQs, Parliament tea, and the online election
    Why do politicians never answer the question?’ It’s something Beth Rigby, Jess Philips and Ruth Davidson get asked all the time; so, this week they’ve dedicate the whole episode to answering your questions.   
      
    From why back-benchers ask seemingly pointless questions at PMQs, to the importance of Instagram for the next general election, and where to get the best cup of tea in Westminster, Ruth, Jess and Beth have got it covered.   
      
    Email Beth, Jess, and Ruth at [email protected], post on X to @BethRigby, or send a WhatsApp voice note on 07934 200 444.       
        
    Warning: some strong language.       
    5 April 2024, 5:00 am
  • 39 minutes 8 seconds
    Where do royalty and politics meet?
    While the Royal family have faced a challenging few weeks, Beth Rigby, Jess Phillips, and Ruth Davidson explore the points where royalty and politics meet, and what the family will say publicly about the state of cancer care following the King and the Princess of Wales' diagnoses.  
      
    Plus, is deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden someone likely to be feeling on top this week after calling out China-backed cyber-attacks and announcing sanctions against two individuals and a company? Beth, Jess, and Ruth discuss the extent of the Chinese threat.  
      
    And they go through more of your messages and questions. 
     
    Email Beth, Jess, and Ruth at [email protected], post on X to @BethRigby, or send a WhatsApp voice note on 07934 200 444.       
        
    Warning: some explicit language.   
    28 March 2024, 6:00 am
  • 47 minutes 36 seconds
    Rishi Sunak: embattled or beleaguered?
    As the prime minister tries to shake off rumours of a Tory coup and faces more delays to his Rwanda legislation - Beth Rigby, Ruth Davidson and Jess Phillips discuss where his leadership is at. 
     
    What could happen if the local elections on May 2nd end badly for Rishi Sunak? 
     
    Although he's standing down, they think Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar is having a better week – was this a good time for him to go?  
      
    And two politicians answer a listener question about why politicians never answer the question.  

    Email Beth, Ruth, and Jess at [email protected], post on X to @BethRigby, or send a WhatsApp voice note on 07934 200 444.      
       
    Warning: some explicit language.      
    22 March 2024, 6:00 am
  • 53 minutes 2 seconds
    Diane Abbott row and Lee Anderson defects - what's it all telling us about the state of politics?
    Sky News political editor Beth Rigby, Labour's Birmingham Yardley MP Jess Phillips and former leader of the Scottish Conservatives, Ruth Davidson, look at some of the big politics stories of the week. 

    They say it's Tory donor Frank Hester who's had an "electoral dysfunction" this week after he apologised for comments he made about MP Diane Abbott. Almost a day after the revelations, the prime minister said they were "racist and wrong" - but hasn't suggested returning the £10m to the businessman. Mr Hester insists he is not a racist. 

    The Reform Party will be the ones feeling "on top" after Lee Anderson left the Tories to join them – but Jess, Beth and Ruth discuss how much momentum that will really give the party in an election.   

    Plus, Electoral Dysfunction listeners get advice on how to engage young people in politics, and where would you even get started if you fancied a political job?   

    Email Beth, Ruth, and Jess at [email protected], post on X to @BethRigby, or send a WhatsApp voice note on 07934 200 444.    

    Warning: some explicit language.    
    15 March 2024, 6:00 am
  • 38 minutes
    The 'meh' budget and Trump on top
    The fall-out from the Budget, Donald Trump at Super Tuesday and whether Westminster is paying enough attention to your local council’s financial woes; all are up for discussion in this week's episode of Electoral Dysfunction.

    Sky News political editor Beth Rigby, Labour's Birmingham Yardley MP Jess Phillips and former leader of the Scottish Conservatives, Ruth Davidson, look at the political figures who've got on top this week – and where there's a total dysfunction.

    Email Beth, Ruth, and Jess at [email protected], post on X to @BethRigby, or send a WhatsApp voice note on 07934 200 444.

    Warning: some explicit language.
    8 March 2024, 6:00 am
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