Politics Weekly UK

With Liz Truss likely to be the next prime minister, former government advisers Sam Freedman and Salma Shah join the Guardian’s Gaby Hinsliff to discuss what Truss’ premiership might actually do. And, after two years of disrupted GCSEs, what will Thursday’s results tell us about the impact of the pandemic on students?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

While politics might not be taking a summer holiday this year, Politics Weekly UK is snatching a quick break. So this week, the Guardian’s John Harris brings you his summer reading list: five books that shine a light on where the UK has ended up and the absurdity of everyday politics. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

The Bank of England has predicted the country will hit a recession by the end of the year. To make matters worse, energy bills are soaring and parts of the country could be brought to a standstill over the next few weeks due to strikes. The Guardian’s John Harris is joined by RMT general secretary Mick Lynch and Miatta Fahnbulleh, the chief executive of the New Economics Foundation, to talk about how to tackle this social emergency. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

The Conservative leadership race has been derailed by U-turns, highlighting the weaknesses of the candidates. But with Keir Starmer also seemingly unable to decide if Labour frontbenchers should or shouldn’t join picket lines, the Guardian’s John Harris is joined by our chief political correspondent, Jessica Elgot, and Gavin Barwell the former chief of staff to Theresa May to ask why we don’t have any political leaders of substance any more. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Another week of blue-on-blue infighting, as Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak take chunks out of each other in a series of television debates. To assess the fallout, Rafael Behr sits in for John Harris and is joined by the Observer’s Sonia Sodha and Will Tanner from the centre-right thinktank Onward. And after Wednesday’s rail strikes, we look at how the public feel when it comes to nationalisation. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Either Rishi Sunak or Liz Truss will be the next leader of the Conservative party and the country. As the UK recovers from a week of extreme weather, will the candidates prioritise this over tax cuts and the economy? The Guardian’s John Harris is joined by the former Tory minister David Gauke and the Spectator’s deputy political editor Katy Balls. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

The Conservative leadership race is in full swing. It’s been a week of awkward campaign videos, dirty tricks and wild promises on taxation. The Guardian’s Marina Hyde joins John Harris and Rafael Behr to talk through the weird and wonderful in the contest so far. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Boris Johnson is clinging on to his leadership by a thread as the number of resignations from his government continues to rise. The Guardian’s John Harris is joined by columnists Gaby Hinsliff and Rafael Behr, to discuss the future for the PM. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Glastonbury festival has a rich political history, from its roots in the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament to links to the climate crisis today. The Guardian’s John Harris was at Glastonbury to find out what is keeping political activism moving on the left and how far Labour has to go. He spoke to the shadow secretary for climate change and net zero, Ed Miliband, the mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, and the Labour MP Zarah Sultana. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

There are two important byelections this week: one in Tiverton and Honiton, the other in Wakefield. The Guardian’s John Harris has been to both places, speaking to people about how they will vote and getting a sense of whether the Conservative government is in line for a shocking defeat. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod