This week, Conservative peer Baroness Gabby Bertin asks for advice on how to keep a government report from sinking without a trace. Her review - released on Thursday - calls for a ban on degrading and misogynistic pornography. George Osborne and Ed Balls provide their views on how to make sure the findings reach the right people and make an impact.

Speaking of influence and power, host of Politico’s Westminster Insider podcast Sascha O’Sullivan has a question regarding the relationship between the Prime Minister and Chancellor. How does that personal interplay between the two impact the reach of the Treasury? They consider Keir Starmer’s surprise defence spending announcement, by way of example. 

Lord Evans of Rainow has an apology for Ed that sparks a question about the future of heckling and sledging in parliamentary questions. Is it getting tougher in modern politics? Or easing off?

And they cast their minds back to A-Level politics. What 1980s sixth form learnings did George draw on in his political career? Why did Ed elect to skip the course altogether? And what would they include if they were teaching the course today? 

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Technical Producer: Danny Pape

Producer: Miriam Hall and Rosie Stopher

Executive Producers: Ellie Clifford 

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

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As Keir Starmer meets with Donald Trump for the first time since the latter’s re-election, international order appears to be fragmenting around us. George Osborne and Ed Balls ask, are European leaders having to face up to a painful truth that their security is now at the whim of Trump’s? Could other countries even come close to providing the kinds of military forcepower the Americans can provide?

All the same, Starmer made a big splash this week ahead of his momentous trip to the White House by announcing increased defence spending - and a slashing of the aid budget. The pair consider how this massive strategic shift will recast Britain’s role on the world stage. And what does it say about Starmer’s grip on his Cabinet? 

Plus, pure podcast gold as George and Ed take a look at the latest Elon Musk amplified conspiracy: that the US’s reserves in Fort Knox might be missing. Why is gold of such political and economic importance, and how do the optics of Musk and Trump's pronouncements remind us of Gordon Brown's sale of reserves - or even the ‘Pasty Tax’? 

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Producers: Jarek Zaba, Miriam Hall and Rosie Stopher

Technical Producer: Danny Pape

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

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Ex-ministers Ed Balls and George Osborne reflect on the moments in their political careers when they went against the whip. What are the consequences of going against the party grain, and is it worth it? Simon Hart, former Chief Whip under Rishi Sunak, sends us a voice note to ask… 

And on the subject of political maneuvering and backroom deals – and with rumours swirling No 10 is planning a Spring rejig – what’s it like when there’s a cabinet reshuffle? The pair reflect on the political brutality that comes into play when there’s a shakeup. You’d be surprised who is actually first to know when there’s a change in the air … 

They also turn their attention to foreign aid in this era of nationalism and tight budgets. At the request of Tom Fletcher, of the UN, they consider the case for sending money abroad. 

Plus, Labour MP Whitehaven and Workington Josh MacAlister asks for advice on how to make big, successful decisions on things like building nuclear power stations. 

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

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Donald Trump and his Vice President JD Vance have set the cat amongst the pigeons as they criticise Europe and Ukraine this week. Ed Balls and George Osborne look back on a week that turned the world upside down. How do NATO members respond to perhaps the most unpredictable world leader ever known?

Keir Starmer is just one world leader considering his next steps in Trumpworld. Is his vision for Britain as a bridge between the EU and the US working? And if he’s to follow through on his pledge of British troops in Ukraine, how on earth is he going to pay for it?

And, perhaps the only country seeing a buck in the trend of Trump-style right-wing leanings, Canada is heading towards a federal election - and former Governer of the Bank of England, Mark Carney’s decision to run has shaken things up. Ed and George take stock of their friend’s campaign. 

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Producers: Miriam Hall and Rosie Stopher

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Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford

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

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With Valentine’s Day just gone, podcast soulmates Ed Balls and George Osborne are turning to questions of both hearts and minds this week. As Keir Starmer recently became the first sitting Prime Minister to take a public HIV test, Richard Angell, the Chief Executive of Terrence Higgins Trust asks: Did Ed and George ever take a similar step while in leadership?

They also consider whether UK politics could ever drop the inevitable personal attacks that are rolled out during an election campaign. And speaking of, was Ed Miliband dealt a bad hand in the 2015 election, or was the infamous bacon sandwich incident fair game? 

And, are the “gotcha” moments of politics and journalism a thing of the past? They look back on some memorable deer-in-the-headlights moments while doing the media rounds … 

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Technical Producer: Danny Pape

Producer: Rosie Stopher and Miriam Hall 

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.

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The Starmer government’s landmark Assisted Dying bill could be in danger of collapsing, with sponsor Kim Leadbeater now proposing major changes in the final moments. Will this signal the end once and for all? Ed Balls and George Osborne clash over how Keir Starmer should best proceed. Should he pull the bill entirely? Or is it time to press on? 

Meanwhile, Kemi Badeoch is marking 100 days in what is arguably one of the worst jobs going in politics: Leading the opposition. She's working hard to hose down the idea of a pact with Nigel Farage and Reform that just keeps coming up. Why is she having such a hard time getting out from his shadow?

And JD Vance (George’s mate, remember?) has made his first trip as Vice President across the Atlantic to join a global artificial intelligence summit in Paris. The US refused to sign the international AI declaration, and the UK followed suit - so what on earth has prompted the UK to abandon a cause that they got going in the first place?

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Producers: Miriam Hall and Rosie Stopher

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This week, Ed Balls and George Osborne take on some of the most difficult challenges facing society today. With millions of people of working age not in a job - officially called economically inactive - the pair consider the current costs to society and how to fix them. Columnist for the Times and former MP Matthew Parris asks George directly: Didn’t he see this coming with the introduction of personal independence payments? 

And the Office of Budget Responsibility is meant to be apolitical – but does the government of the day at least have a little sway on its forecast? And considering the size of public spending in the UK, is the Trump Administration’s Department of Government Efficiency, referred to as DOGE, even more relevant in this country?

Plus, how can psychology play a greater role in politics and policy … 

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Production support: Caillin McDaid

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Producer: Rosie Stopher and Miriam Hall 

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Keir Starmer has been in Brussels this week, meeting with European Union leaders with the view to resetting the relationship with the bloc. George Osborne and Ed Balls ask, is it making good on a campaign promise? Is it to shore up UK-EU relations as President Donald Trump runs wild with tariffs? Or, is it a perfect opportunity to lay the perfect trap for the Conservatives … 

Trump’s decision to slap tariffs on major US trading partners sent shock waves across the globe and sent the stockmarket into a tail spin. But he managed to outdo himself with his plans for Gaza, telling the world the US was taking it over. Ed and George look at how the first two weeks of this extraordinary Presidency is going, and how other world leaders are handling this new Trump era. 

And plans for a football regulator has widespread political support - so why does the Premier League remain so hostile to the idea?

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Producers: Caillin McDaid, Miriam Hall and Rosie Stopher

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

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This week Ed Balls and George Osborne look at what makes a smart, successful opposition party. Is disagreeing with everything the government of the day says the best way to do it? Or are there some judicious, selective compromises to be made? And who are the best examples of politicians who’ve made some well played, cross party agreements? 

Amid global tumult, they consider the question: is democracy dead? What will happen if President Donald Trump’s policies are a roaring success? And the pair remember being interviewed by Andrew Neil. Was it an opportunity to relish, or one to avoid? 

Plus, former Tory adviser Malcolm Gooderham phones in to ask: can the Office of Budget Responsibility keep to their growth forecast of 2 percent? And what would the fallout be if there were to be a downgrade?

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Production support: Caillin McDaid

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Producer: Rosie Stopher and Miriam Hall 

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

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In the wake of the horrific Southport attack, George Osborne and Ed Balls consider the parameters of the upcoming inquiry and the intensifying concern about young men engaging in acts of violence. Should the definition of extremism be changed with the so-called manosphere in mind? And do we need new rules for reporting on major crime for our social media age? 

And the pair mull over Rachel Reeves speech outlining her plans for growth. George thoroughly approves of everything she is announcing, and thinks he couldn’t have said it better himself – except that time he did, 12 years ago! Is Reeves morphing into a conservative chancellor?

Plus, Ed reflects on the funeral of Labour stalwart John Prescott, sharing some of the most moving, powerful moments of the service. 

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Producers: Caillin McDaid, Miriam Hall and Rosie Stopher

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

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A somewhat sporty one this episode, as in the wake of a Davos meet, George Osborne and Ed Balls consider: Why hasn’t David Beckham been knighted yet? Lady Posh Spice would just sound so good. 

Meanwhile, Former Minister for Sport Tracey Crouch asks if there’s any way to keep politics out of sport under Trump’s presidency. With a World Cup and an Olympics games in the US this year, what will be at stake under the new administration?

And, the pair slip into professor mode to break down a few lessons of the Chancellor. What is the oft-discussed bond market? And while they are at it,what actually is Downing Street’s “The Grid”?

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Production support: Caillin McDaid

Technical Producer: Oliver Geraghty

Producer: Rosie Stopher and Miriam Hall 

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.

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