After the resignation of Liz Truss the UK will soon have its third prime minister this year. Britain has long been considered a politically stable nation. So has something changed? The governing Conservative Party is divided on many issues, including the country’s future direction post-Brexit. The opposition Labour Party has also struggled to accommodate different views on economic and social policy. Meanwhile the two-party system is being challenged by shifting demographics, a rural-urban divide and strengthening support for Scottish nationalists. So what lies at the heart of the turmoil in the British political system and where does it go from here?Ritula Shah is joined by a panel of expert guests.Professor Tim Bale - Professor of Politics at Queen Mary University of London and author of the upcoming book The Conservative Party After Brexit: Turmoil and Transformation.Polly Toynbee - Guardian columnist and co-author of The Lost Decade: 2010–2020, and What Lies Ahead for Britain.Sir John Curtice - Professor of Politics at the University of Strathclyde and a leading expert on public opinion.Also featuring:David Blunkett (Lord Blunkett) - Former UK Home Secretary in Tony Blair's Labour government.Producers: Paul Schuster and Ellen Otzen.

John Curtice, a polling expert, dissects the Labour Party's surprising yet subdued return to power after years in opposition. Luke Tryl sheds light on the tension within culture wars and its impact on political discourse. Michael Crick offers insights into the Labour Party's challenges, focusing on new MPs and the shifting political landscape. The trio navigates the clouds of political pessimism while highlighting the importance of accountability and civil trust in today's society, all against the backdrop of a rainy Liverpool.

Laura Kuenssberg, Chris Mason, Alex Forsyth, Henry Zeffman, and Professor John Curtice discuss the local election results, highlighting Labour gains in various councils and winning the Blackpool South by-election. They analyze the impact on the Conservative party, potential leadership changes, and upcoming mayoral contests. The podcast delves into party performances, voter sentiment shifts, and strategic debates within political parties.