Dive into a festive quiz where panelists hilariously tackle quirky political trivia, like who threatened aquatic antics in a Dutch town. Revel in surprising moments from election night, and ponder the unexpected admiration for Michael Gove. Explore political predictions for 2025, including possible comebacks of key figures. The discussion brings playful banter about Christmas movies and political identities, all while revealing memorable moments of the past year. Who will take home the chocolate gold coins? Tune in for the delightful wrap-up!
The Labour Party's shift towards a more positive narrative, exemplified by Rachel Reeves' cheerful speech, reflects a strategic change in engagement.
Panelists shared personal anecdotes from the exhilarating general election night, underscoring the unpredictable and dynamic nature of British politics.
Deep dives
Highlights of 2024 in British Politics
The discussion begins with reflections on notable moments from 2024, particularly the Labour Party conference, where Rachel Reeves' unusually cheerful speech garnered attention. The panel recalls her extensive smiling, which was interpreted as a significant attempt to counteract previous perceptions of gloom regarding the economy. This highlights a shift in the Labour Party’s approach to engagement and communication, emphasizing a more positive narrative. The nostalgic reminiscence sets the tone for the festive edition, blending humor with political critique.
Election Night and Key Events
The excitement surrounding the recent general election is a major highlight, with various political commentators sharing personal anecdotes from the night of the results. The unexpected moments, like the emotional atmosphere at Labour's celebration party and the surprise of Liz Truss losing her seat, convey the stakes involved in the elections. This night is depicted as historic, with journalists recounting their experiences that illustrate the chaotic yet thrilling nature of political reporting. These recollections serve to underscore the dynamic landscape of British politics as it unfolds.
Quirky Political Predictions for 2025
As the conversation shifts to wild predictions for the upcoming year, panelists propose various scenarios, such as Liz Truss attempting a political comeback and greater tensions within the Tory Party. The prospect of a political farmer's party is humorously suggested amidst the ongoing challenges faced by traditional parties. Additionally, the emergence of significant leadership challenges for figures like Kemi Badenoch adds an element of intrigue and speculation for the year ahead. These predictions reflect the unpredictable nature of politics and the panel's keen insight into party dynamics.
Political Quiz Revelations
The festive quiz segment allows for playful banter among the political team, testing their knowledge on current affairs and notable events from the year. Through various rounds, they engage with topics ranging from general election statistics to individual MPs' personal quirks and statements. This interactive and light-hearted format not only entertains but also reinforces the community's deep engagement with political narratives and events. The quiz wraps up with a competitive spirit, showcasing camaraderie and the collective knowledge within the political sphere.
Who threatened to launch an aquatic assault on the Dutch town of Leiden? And which political candidate pledged to force water bosses to take a dip in British rivers? Find out as host Lucy Fisher puts the full Political Fix panel – Robert Shrimsley, Jim Pickard, Stephen Bush, George Parker and Miranda Green – through their paces in a big, fat, end- of- year quiz. The panelists also highlight their most memorable moment of 2024 and unveil their wildest predictions for the year ahead. Plus, discover who scooped all the chocolate gold coins in the studio to win the annual Political Fix stockpicks portfolio prize.
Follow Lucy on X @LOS_Fisher, Robert @Robertshrimsley, Jim @PickardJE, Miranda @greenmiranda, Stephen @stephenkb, George @GeorgeWParker
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Presented by Lucy Fisher. Clare Williamson is the producer and the executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.