Broadcasting House 2025: a year of u-turns, reunions and moaning
Dec 28, 2025
Mishal Husain, an experienced broadcaster on BBC and Bloomberg, and Victor Adebowale, chair of the NHS Federation, dive into the complex political landscape of 2025. They discuss whether Keir Starmer can regain control of his party ahead of the 2026 elections, the importance of patient interests amidst NHS strikes, and the contrast between vibe-driven politics and coherent messaging. The conversation also touches on the impact of reunions on community and nostalgia, while exploring the challenges and implications of new technology and AI in society.
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U-Turns Reveal Weak Political Direction
- Frequent government U-turns signal weak political direction and sap authority.
- Henry Zeffman says Sir Keir Starmer needs a clear consistent vision to reduce impact of reversals.
Backbench Power Outweighs Majority
- Backbench rebellions can force policy reversals even with a large majority.
- John Sergeant notes 40 MPs complaining can make the government cave.
Lead With A Clear Vision
- Provide a clear, consistent national vision to weather individual policy reversals.
- Henry Zeffman advises that vision will solidify Keir Starmer's position.