Is Rachel Reeves risking her reset moment?

20 snips

Mar 20, 2025

The podcast dives into the unexpected alliance between Dominic Cummings and Nigel Farage, discussing the implications of their secret meeting amid political turmoil. There’s a spotlight on Labour’s plans for welfare reform, with Rachel Reeves under scrutiny for her upcoming Spring Statement. The hosts analyze leadership challenges faced by new Prime Minister Mark Carney and the risks of early elections, all while reflecting on Britain's political dynamics and the ongoing battle over economic policies. A compelling blend of politics and strategic maneuvers!

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ANECDOTE

Cummings vs. Farage

Dominic Cummings worked to exclude Nigel Farage from leading the 2016 Brexit campaign.
He even called Farage’s associates "useless characters" last year.

INSIGHT

Reform UK's Strategy Shift

The Cummings-Farage alliance suggests a shift in Reform UK's strategy.
This move signals a potential focus on a more populist, "Trumpian" approach, rather than appealing to traditional Tories.

INSIGHT

Cummings' Paradox

Dominic Cummings' campaigns often lean left, focusing on increased state spending.
This contrasts with his stated desire to improve state productivity.

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They may have both been leading Brexiteers but Dominic Cummings and Nigel Farage were once fierce rivals, vying to be the top campaign of the referendum. As recently as last year Cummings accused Farage of ‘surrounding himself with useless characters’ – so why are we now hearing of a secret meeting between the two before Christmas? Ed Balls and George Osborne pick apart the significance of this rendezvous at a time when Reform are contending with a senior bust up, as well as an imminent by-election in Runcorn where polling has them out in front.

In a week where Diane Abbott and Andy Burnham backed Ed’s criticisms of the government’s welfare reform, Liz Kendall has been in the Commons to announce further detail of Labour’s plan. And they reflect on what options Chancellor Rachel Reeves will have in her Spring Statement (or mini-budget) next week. Can she create a reset moment?

Plus, in London this week was the new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. With rumours swirling about an imminent Canadian election, George and Ed debate the merits of calling a vote early into your premiership, reminiscing about the examples of Gordon Brown’s ‘the election that never was’ and Theresa May’s disastrous loss of a majority in 2017.

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