The NHS must “reform or die”, says Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Is he channelling his “inner Tony Blair” in a gutsy move on our health service or is this another policy which will end in controversy, much like the winter fuel allowance or early prison releases? 

Across the pond, the US Presidential TV debate gave Kamala Harris an edge as she took on Donald Trump for the first time. But perhaps even more of a win was Taylor Swift’s endorsement, which soon followed. But do celebrity supporters make any real difference in politics? 

And, back in Europe, George gives us the inside track on the effect his former counterpart, France’s new Prime Minister Michel Barnier, will have on future relations with our neighbours across the Channel. 

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Production support: Caillin McDaid

Producers: Rosie Stopher and Miriam Hall

Technical producer: Will Gibson Smith

Executive Producers: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Booking an appointment with your GP can feel harder than getting your hands on Oasis tickets. So should those who miss their slots be made to pay? Would it create a barrier to entry for vulnerable people in society, or could it open the door to millions more people who are sick of getting stuck in the queue?

Ed and George also bring you inside the world of becoming an MP and they top up their summer reading list with some international big-hitters. 

Plus - now back from holiday - Ed reveals whether he caused any diplomatic incidents over a sun lounger…

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Production support: Caillin McDaid

Producer: James Shield and Miriam Hall 

Technical producer: Will Gibson Smith

Executive Producers: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ed and George are reunited to mull over whether Rachel Reeves should make a U-turn on the winter fuel payment furore. Is there an "escape route" she can take?

And they examine the government’s decision to suspend some arms shipments to Israel. Was it really “a legal decision, not a policy decision”, as the PM has claimed?

Finally, we ask whether central bankers deserve the credit for falling inflation – or if they simply got lucky. And Ed and George issue a mea culpa for some slightly inaccurate predictions about the Tory leadership contest, as Priti Patel tumbles out of the race at the first hurdle.

You could have been listening to this episode of EMQs early and ad-free! Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes and receive early access to EMQs. Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrency

Production support: Caillin McDaid

Producer: James Shield

Technical producer: Will Gibson Smith

Executive Producers: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Where are all the great parliamentary speakers like Gordon Brown, Robin Cook, and William Hague? Ed Balls and George Osborne reflect on fond memories within the chambers like Cook’s resignation. Will the Tory leadership contest bring in any new contenders?

Plus, what determines seating order in commons? Can live fact checking during PMQs work? What actually is a three line whip? And how risky is it to defy one? 

Please keep sending us your questions to [email protected]

You could have been listening to this episode of EMQs early and ad-free!

Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes and receive early access to EMQs.

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Please keep sending us your questions to [email protected]

Assistant Producer: Caillin McDaid

Producer: Rosie Stopher

Technical Producer: Will Gibson Smith

Executive Producers: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The summer holidays are over, if Keir Starmer’s speech this week was anything to go by. Is he stepping into Osbornomics strike two? Whilst Ed Balls is still on holiday, George Osborne is joined by Chief Executive of Labour Together, Jonathan Ashworth, to reveal what’s going on behind the scenes as the government returns to Westminster. 

In a quick turnaround, Starmer was next spotted in Germany, resetting relations in Europe. Is there merit to seeking bilateral relations with EU countries? Will this lead to growth and prosperity? And will it appease Leave voters who swung to Labour at the election?

Plus, Ed and George provide their insights from their time inside shadow cabinets, imparting their advice for the next Tory leader on how to return to government as swiftly as possible.

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Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrency

Please keep sending us your questions to [email protected]

Production support: Caillin McDaid

Technical Producer: Will Gibson Smith

Producers: Rosie Stopher and James Shield

Executive Producer: Dino Sofos

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are the civil service the real brains behind the government? What role does a Chief of Staff play? And what on earth do government ministers do all day?

Ed Balls and George Osborne are tackling your questions on the ins-and-outs of the daily grind of running the country - from official residences to avoiding gimmicks. 

You could have been listening to this episode of EMQs early and ad-free!

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And please keep sending us your questions to [email protected]

Production support: Caillin McDaid

Technical producer: Will Gibson Smith

Producer: Rosie Stopher

Executive Producers: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Democratic National Convention is underway in Chicago with jubilant scenes. Fortunately for us - while Ed Balls is on holiday - George Osborne has persuaded former shadow Paymaster General Jonathan Ashworth to be Political Currency’s eyes and ears on the ground as Kamala Harris looks to become the Democratic Party’s formal presidential nominee. But are spirits just a little too high for what is shaping up to be a very closely fought race? And have the Dems been taking notes from the Labour party?

Plus, Ed and George have recorded their ultimate guide to summer political reading. We hope you’ve got a big suitcase - you’ll need it for all of these!

You could have been listening to this episode of EMQs early and ad-free!

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Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrency

Please keep sending us your questions to [email protected]

Technical Producer: Will Gibson Smith

Producer: Rosie Stopher 

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should Labour have defended themselves better against the Tory claim that they’d caused the 2010 UK financial position? Ed Balls and George Osborne go head-to-head on who was to blame, and whether austerity was the answer in this special fiscal policy-themed edition of EMQs. 

It’s not all debate though - Ed and George explain the concept of ‘running out of money’, and how much of a previous government’s economic policy is required to make its way into a new term. 

Please keep sending us your questions to [email protected]

You could have been listening to this episode of EMQs early and ad-free!

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Assistant Producer: Miriam Hall

Producer: Rosie Stopher

Executive Producers: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s results day and while students across the country celebrate their A-levels, BTEC and T-levels, university funding has come back into the limelight. And what’s better than one former education minister? Two! Gillian Keegan is sitting in for George this week, and she and Ed Balls consider the best course of action to make the education sector pay for itself. 

Plus, Gillian makes her case for more business people in Parliament. Would they really drive more growth than career politicians with PPE degrees?

And in the next instalment of our summer conversations, Ed and George give the 2024 intake of MPs their top tips for standing out from the crowd - but does Gillian agree?

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Please keep sending us your questions to [email protected]

Assistant Producer: Miriam Hall

Tehcnical Producer: Will Gibson Smith

Producer: Rosie Stopher and James Shield

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ed Balls and George Osborne answer questions from the EMQs archive - this week, an insider’s guide to a life political. Is a u-turn ever the right thing to do? How does the Prime Minister know whose question to answer at a press conference? And is it fair to say that all politicians are just in it for themselves? 

Plus, Ed makes his predictions for the next shock-exit politician to follow in his and Michael Portillo’s steps as a media personality, and we ponder what our Political Currency constituency looks like. 

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Please keep sending us your questions to [email protected]

Assistant Producer: Miriam Hall

Producer: Rosie Stopher

Executive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Britain braced itself for widespread rioting and anti-immigration demonstrations, with shops boarding up their storefronts and commuters told to take care on their way home. Instead, a pushback from counter protestors and a heavy police presence largely quelled any violence. Ed Balls and Grant Shapps – who is in the seat for George Osborne – consider how Keir Starmer has handled the situation. Grant gives his honest opinion on how all his previous leaders handled their own crises – from the best all the way to Liz Truss. 

And, the battle for both the Tory leadership and the party’s soul now fully underway. Grant talks to Ed about losing his seat. And he weighs in on how far to the right the Conservatives should be going (not far) and whether they should be taking a leaf out of Nigel Farage’s book…

Plus, in our bonus summer material, Ed and George discuss the risks and realities of trying to take a summer holiday as a politician. Does it matter where you go? And when do you need to make the call to cancel? Someone might want to forward this along to Keir Starmer…

You could have been listening to this episode of EMQs early and ad-free!

Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes and receive early access to EMQs.

Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrency

Remember to send us your questions to [email protected]

Assistant Producer: Miriam Hall

Producer: Rosie Stopher

Technical Producer: Will Gibson Smith

Executive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.