How To Win An Election

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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INSIGHT

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.
INSIGHT

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.
ADVICE

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.
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