Would a "no deal" Brexit really be so bad? Helen and Stephen analyse the likelihood of the UK crashing out of the EU without a plan, and then take a look at the domestic policy problems brewing with Universal Credit. Then, they answer a listener question: would any of the 2016 Tory leadership candidates have done better than Theresa May?

Also, listen out for the introduction of our new Boris Johnson swear jar - let us know what charity we should donate the contents to at the end of the year. Contact us on Twitter via @ns_podcasts, @helenlewis or @stephenkb.

Further reading:

Chris Cook on Brexit and "Project After"

@shockproofbeats' Twitter thread about the Irish border post-Brexit

Jess Phillips' Huffington Post piece about her brother's Universal Credit application

SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:

⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2

LISTEN AD-FREE:

📱Download the New Statesman app

MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:

❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday

⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning

✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ladies of London with Caroline Stanbury, Caroline Fleming, and Adela King