The State of It Mahmood vs the liberal luminaries
Nov 18, 2025
Shabana Mahmood's shift to Blue Labour sparks debate on asylum policies. The hosts analyze the fallout from Westminster's briefing wars and how Starmer navigates internal opposition. They delve into the chaotic dynamics surrounding West Streeting and Morgan McSweeney. Zack Polanski emerges as a formidable figure, blending populism with environmentalism, potentially reshaping political allegiances. The discussion wraps around Labour's recent budget reversal, highlighting the challenges of maintaining a united front amidst rising tensions.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Mahmood Redefines Labour's Migration Stance
- Shabana Mahmood has repositioned Labour with a tough-on-migration, Blue Labour message that reshapes the party's public identity.
- Gabriel Pogrund argues this marks a line-in-the-sand moment defining what this Labour government stands for.
Commons Moment: Mahmood's Personal Rebuke
- Shabana Mahmood used raw personal language in the Commons, saying she's been called a "fucking paki" to make her point about immigration tensions.
- Stephen Swinford says that provoked a rare, explosive Commons moment and a Deputy Speaker rebuke.
Centre-Left Shift Creates Internal Tension
- The government mixes centre-left reform with scepticism toward liberal institutions, influenced by figures like Morgan McSweeney and Blue Labour thinkers.
- That ideological tug creates internal tensions Number 10 must manage as backbench unease grows.
