Keir Starmer is preparing to give his big reset speech on Thursday. But the more interesting address is perhaps the one he gave last night at the annual Lord Mayor’s Banquet, where the Prime Minister gave his first major speech on foreign policy. The most interesting passage saw Starmer reject the notion that Britain will need to pick sides between the US and the EU under the looming Trump presidency – particularly in the event of a trade war. How long can No. 10 afford to keep their foreign policy preferences ambiguous? 

Also on the podcast, Sir Chris Wormald has been announced as the successor to Simon Case as Cabinet Secretary, in another example of Labour prizing experience when it comes to senior civil service roles. Is he a smart pick, given the questions about his performance at the Department of Health and Social Care and his frequent appearances at the Covid inquiry?

Oscar Edmondson speaks to James Heale and Jill Rutter, senior research fellow at UK in a Changing Europe and a former civil servant.

Produced by Oscar Edmondson.