
Economist Podcasts Keir in the headlights: interviewing Britain’s PM
Dec 5, 2025
Duncan Robinson, Political journalist and The Economist's Britain political editor, dissects Keir Starmer's bold stance against Nigel Farage's Reform party, questioning the effectiveness of his policies. Rebecca Jackson, Southern correspondent, reveals the troubling surge in US executions, spotlighting Florida's influence and the Supreme Court's role in this trend. From political strategies to the ethical implications of capital punishment, this episode dives into pressing issues shaping global politics today.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Ambitious Diagnosis, Modest Plans
- Keir Starmer recognises Britain faces a pivotal moment like 1945 or 1979 but lacks a clear, bold plan to match that diagnosis.
- Duncan Robinson says Labour's policies are often small or shallow relative to the scale of problems like growth and building constraints.
Cordon Sanitaire Strategy Against Reform
- Starmer is aggressively framing the next general election as Labour versus Reform to marginalise Nigel Farage's party.
- Duncan Robinson describes this as building a cordon sanitaire that paradoxically requires being conciliatory to Conservatives.
Use Majorities To Do Hard Reforms
- Use the government's majority and five-year term to push through necessary but painful reforms like tax, welfare and planning.
- Robinson warns Labour has mostly disappointed by avoiding deep structural changes when it could have acted.











