Politics Unpacked Have Politicians Stopped Lying?
Nov 6, 2025
Daisy McAndrew, a seasoned broadcast journalist, and Matthew Parris, former politician and columnist, delve into the evolving landscape of political honesty. They discuss Nigel Farage and Rachel Reeves' recent candidness about economic challenges, pondering whether this marks a genuine change or mere political strategy. The duo also examines the chaos within the prison system, critiques political performances, and reflects on the balance between victims' rights and justice in inquiries. Plus, they share thoughts on whether nostalgia skews our memories of past eras.
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Episode notes
Answer Scandals With Immediate Brief Truths
- When facing a developing scandal, admit limited facts immediately and promise updates rather than bluster.
- Matthew Parris suggests a simple early statement avoids later, bigger embarrassment.
Prisons: Chronic Neglect and Operational Chaos
- Daisy McAndrew and Matthew Parris describe the prison service as chronically neglected and operationally chaotic.
- They argue the problem predates the current minister but undermines public confidence in government competence.
Politicians Choosing Brutal Economic Honesty
- Rachel Reeves and Nigel Farage have begun publicly owning hard economic truths rather than repeating hopeful promises.
- This shift suggests politicians may be choosing blunt realism to retain credibility over easy campaigning lies.
