Alva (Ailbhe) Ray

Tom McTague, editor at the New Statesman, and Alva Ray, political editor, dive into the tumultuous political landscape surrounding Rachel Reeves, the least popular chancellor. They discuss Reeves's struggle with low economic growth and the restrictive nature of her manifesto pledges. The guests explore the impact of past budgets on business confidence and the uniqueness of the scrutiny female politicians face. They also consider whether a change in leadership could shift Labour's fortunes and analyze potential upcoming budget proposals.

Ailbhe Ray, a political editor adept in Labour Party dynamics, and Luke O'Reilly, a news editor with deep Westminster insights, join to dissect strategies for Labour rebels aiming to challenge Keir Starmer. They debate whether rebels should wait until May elections to build alliances and consider personalities like Ed Miliband as contenders. The discussion covers the role of the party chair, contrasting Labour and Tory mechanics, and cautions against political chaos, emphasizing the need for stable governance amid ongoing speculation.