

How To Survive A Scandal
7 snips Sep 4, 2025
Angela Rayner faces backlash over tax issues regarding her second home, stirring up a political storm. Keir Starmer is determined to shield her, but his efforts may jeopardize his own standing. The hosts engage in a humorous debate about which historical Prime Minister they would swim with, juxtaposing light-hearted banter with serious critiques of government strategies. The complexities of political scandals, the importance of accountability, and the implications of rising populism on party dynamics are also explored.
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Relaunches Often Backfire
- Relaunches rarely work because they signal an attempt to draw a line under failure.
- Daniel Finkelstein says Phase Two lacked clear substance and left no lasting impression.
Missions Were Underpowered, Not Abandoned
- Mission-driven government aimed to orchestrate state and non-state actors rather than command them.
- Polly MacKenzie says the Mission Delivery Unit was underpowered and its future role is unclear.
Decide First, Then Reshuffle
- Decide what you want before reshuffling staff.
- Daniel Finkelstein advises leaders must choose a clear political identity to make reshuffles effective.