
Politics Weekly UK
Guardian columnist John Harris, political editor Pippa Crerar, and political correspondent Kiran Stacey analyse the week's politics news
Latest episodes

Apr 7, 2022 • 32min
Will privilege and parties sink the Tories?
In a week when the Metropolitan police fined the former Cabinet Office’s director of ethics for attending a lockdown party, and Tory MP David Warburton faces allegations of sexual harassment and cocaine use, John Harris is joined by the Guardian’s Zoe Williams, and Miatta Fahnbulleh from the New Economics Foundation to talk about the return of a perception of sleaze and excess in the party. Plus, as Rishi Sunak’s popularity plunges after the spring statement, Miatta, who knows him personally, gives insight into where he has gone wrong.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Apr 1, 2022 • 5min
A sample of Politics Weekly America: Why are Republicans flirting with QAnon conspiracies?
To hear the full episode, be sure to search for and subscribe to Politics Weekly America wherever you get your podcasts. During the Senate confirmation hearings for Joe Biden’s nomination for supreme court justice, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson was repeatedly asked about an unfounded claim that originated in the QAnon community. Joan E Greve and Alex Kaplan of Media Matters look at why some in the GOP are turning to a far-right extremist group for attack lines. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Mar 31, 2022 • 34min
Partygate is back…
Boris Johnson is again defending himself against allegations he lied about lockdown parties in Downing Street. Guardian journalist John Harris speaks to columnist Gaby Hinsliff and political correspondent Peter Walker about how damaging this is for Boris Johnson within the Tory party and with the public, and asks why Labour doesn’t seem to be capitalising on the government being mired in scandal again. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Mar 25, 2022 • 5min
Politics Weekly America podcast sample: Can Ron DeSantis out-Trump Trump?
To hear the full episode, be sure to search for and subscribe to Politics Weekly America wherever you get your podcasts. Florida’s governor seems to relish addressing whatever culture war is raging. He might have learned a thing or two from his former backer, Donald Trump. If the polls are right, the two might end up fighting against each other in the Republican primaries for the 2024 presidential election. So who is DeSantis, and what are his chances? Jonathan Freedland speaks to Ana Ceballos of the Miami Herald and Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics to learn more about him.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Mar 24, 2022 • 36min
Did Rishi Sunak deliver? (spoiler: no)
On the day of Rishi Sunak’s spring statement, Robin Burgess from the Hope Centre in Northampton tells Guardian political columnist John Harris just how desperate the cost of living situation is. John is also joined by Miatta Fahnbulleh, the chief executive of the New Economics Foundation, and David Gauke, former chief secretary to the Treasury, to discuss why the Tories seem resistant to helping those most in need. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Mar 18, 2022 • 24min
The fourth episode of Politics Weekly America: why are Democrats fleeing before the midterms?
To continue listening to Jonathan Freedland’s analysis of what’s happening in Washington and beyond, be sure to like and subscribe to Politics Weekly America wherever you get your podcasts. This week, Jonathan Freedland speaks to Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence of Michigan, who has chosen to not to run again this November. She shares her thoughts on the war in Ukraine, why she chose to leave office, and who in the Republican party worries her the most for 2024.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Mar 17, 2022 • 37min
‘Train harder, fight harder’: talking to Ukraine MP Kira Rudyk
The Ukrainian MP Kira Rudyk, in Kyiv, tells Guardian political columnist John Harris how she and her fellow MPs are running the country despite escalating Russian aggression. John is then joined by the Guardian’s defence and security editor, Dan Sabbagh, and Clive Lewis, the Labour MP for Norwich South, to discuss Nato and the Russian nuclear threat. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Mar 11, 2022 • 31min
The third episode of Politics Weekly America: Can Western power beat Putin?
To continue listening to Jonathan Freedland’s analysis of what’s happening in Washington and beyond, be sure to like and subscribe to Politics Weekly America wherever you get your podcasts. This week, Jonathan Freedland speaks to Dr Shadi Hamid about why Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could spark thought for anti-imperialists who question American power.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Mar 10, 2022 • 35min
Why can’t the government get their refugee policy right?
Guardian political columnist John Harris is joined by Guardian columnists Rafael Behr and Zoe Williams to discuss the growing refugee crisis – more than 2 million people have now fled Ukraine – and the government’s ban on Russian oil imports. What could this mean for net zero targets? To listen to Jonathan Freedland’s podcast Politics Weekly America, search ‘Politics Weekly America’ on Apple, Spotify, Acast or wherever you get your podcasts. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Mar 4, 2022 • 23min
The second episode of Politics Weekly America: Interview with Alexander Vindman
To continue listening to Jonathan Freedland’s analysis of what’s happening in Washington and beyond, be sure to like and subscribe to Politics Weekly America wherever you get your podcasts. Retired Lt Col Alexander Vindman testified in front of Congress that he heard Donald Trump ask President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to investigate the Bidens. Trump was later impeached, and Vindman vilified by Republicans. In a week that saw President Biden give his State of the Union address, and Russia continue its invasion of Ukraine, Jonathan Freedland speaks to Vindman about his thoughts on how this war is informing the actions of American lawmakers. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod