Electoral Dysfunction

With Ruth away, Beth and Harriet are joined by Salma Shah, a former Conservative special adviser from 2014-2018 and now a political commentator.    They unpack Donald Trump's surprise UK trade deal announcement and what it means for Keir Starmer, who's also landed a deal with India and is gearing up for key EU negotiations.     But while the global optics look strong, the domestic mood is tense. Harriet has some advice for the Labour backbenchers who are unhappy over welfare cuts and the winter fuel allowance policy.   Also - does Sir Keir Starmer need a hand with his comms?  Come and join us live on Tuesday 20 May at Cadogan Hall in London, tickets available now: https://www.aegpresents.co.uk/event/electoral-dysfunction-live/   Remember you can also watch us on YouTube!  

Beth Rigby, Harriet Harman, and Ruth Davidson assemble for an elections debrief.  Beth's been following a very happy Nigel Farage after Reform gained an MP in Runcorn, took the Greater Lincolnshire mayoralty and seized control of several councils. But, how does the party promising change in its very name prove itself with greater power and responsibility?  They also discuss how Keir Starmer reacts to the Labour's losses (Harriet says he needs to deliver on what he's promised)  And what Kemi Badenoch has to do after a terrible set of results for the Conservatives (Ruth reckons it'll be worse for the 2026 set of elections)   Come and join us live on Tuesday 20 May at Cadogan Hall in London, tickets available now: https://www.aegpresents.co.uk/event/electoral-dysfunction-live/ Remember you can also watch us on YouTube! 

Beth, Harriet and Ruth discuss the UK Supreme Court's judgment on how a woman should be defined in law. They also hear from Ellie, a trans woman who says she's now afraid for her safety and her future. Harriet literally wrote the law in question, the Equality Act 2010 - she and the team dig into what the judgement means for individuals and institutions across the country. And on May 1st, there are local and mayoral elections in England and the Runcorn and Helsby by-election. The polling group More in Common have helped us hear what's on the minds of voters in Doncaster. Find all the candidates in Doncaster and in your area at the Electoral Commission: https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/your-election-information Come and join us LIVE on Tuesday 20th May at Cadogan Hall in London, tickets available now: https://www.aegpresents.co.uk/event/electoral-dysfunction-live/ Remember you can also watch us on YouTube!

Dive into the intriguing world of the House of Lords as the hosts share what life is like on those iconic red benches. They explore the perception of Lords versus MPs and question if being a Lord means you're a has-been. Reflecting on political nostalgia, they reminisce about Tony Blair's era and its contrasts with today. The conversation lightens up with funny personal stories, including confronting fears like skydiving. Plus, hear about their adventurous Easter plans that blend humor with camaraderie!

Come and join us LIVE on Tuesday 20th May at Cadogan Hall in London, tickets available now: https://www.aegpresents.co.uk/event/electoral-dysfunction-live/ Donald Trump has pressed pause on his higher tariffs... but not before he unleashed absolute chaos on the global economy.It all came down to the bond market - which you might remember from Liz Truss's time as prime minister... Alongside most countries, the UK still has the base level of 10% tariffs on exports and 25% on automobiles, so is the prime minister's "keep cool" strategy still paying off?Or is the UK just in the same boat, waiting along with everybody else for Trump's next move? One thing's for sure - Harriet thinks the UK government is speaking in code. She says Starmer needs to speak up and reassure the British public a bit more. Also, you might have noticed the excitement in the air because we're doing another live show! Come and join us on Tuesday 20th May at Cadogan Hall in London, tickets available now: https://www.aegpresents.co.uk/event/electoral-dysfunction-live/ Remember you can also watch us on YouTube!    Help us understand more about our listeners by taking our survey  This form should only take a few minutes to complete, and Sky anonymises the responses as much as possible.

Beth, Ruth and Harriet have some mid-week news for you...Get your diaries out because they're doing another live show in May!Tickets are on sale from Friday - for more information on dates and tickets, go to https://www.aegpresents.co.uk/event/electoral-dysfunction-live/

Another episode, another cheap hotel room to record the podcast for Beth as she follows Keir Starmer for the Labour local election launch. Ruth and Harriet are a bit closer to home to discuss the real implications of Donald Trump's scoreboard of tariffs. It might have felt a bit Eurovision but how does the PM stay calm about what it means for the UK? Harriet explains how there are three camps in Labour with different views on whether the Chancellor's promise not to raise any more taxes can hold. She also thinks one consequence of a UK-US trade deal could be 'heartbreaking'. And with the makers of Netflix hit Adolescence going to Downing Street this week – we talk about how TV drama can make a difference in real life. Email us at electoraldysfunction@sky.uk, post on X to @BethRigby, or send a WhatsApp voice note on 07934 200 444.        Remember you can also watch us on YouTube!    Help us understand more about our listeners by taking our survey  This form should only take a few minutes to complete, and Sky anonymises the responses as much as possible. 

Beth Rigby, Ruth Davidson and Harriet Harman analyse Rachel Reeves’s spring statement and how Donald Trump may have made things worse for her.   The chancellor has redone her maths to make sure she sticks to her own rules on running the economy - but in doing that she has got tougher on welfare cuts. Can Labour keep the dissenting voices within their own party quiet? Harriet has some insight on how they'll be trying to do that.   And do Trump's tariffs on US car imports (and the prospect of more tariffs looming) just put the chancellor on the backfoot anyway?  Also, after an American journalist was added to a US government Signal group, how much government business is done on apps? And how much loose-lipped gossip is on there?  Meanwhile, as Beth goes into the last few weeks of London marathon training, did we just start the Electoral Dysfunction run club?  Email us at electoraldysfunction@sky.uk, post on X to @BethRigby, or send a WhatsApp voice note on 07934 200 444.        Remember you can also watch us on YouTube!    Help us understand more about our listeners by taking our survey  This form should only take a few minutes to complete, and Sky anonymises the responses as much as possible.   

As Rachel Reeves prepares to unveil the spring statement next week, Beth, Ruth and Harriet discuss what cuts the chancellor will make to close her budget deficit and how difficult it will be for her to justify her actions.They also examine the effects of this week's welfare reforms and look at what a change in the personal independence payment, or PIP, means for those who rely on it.Also, how will Sir Keir Starmer's "coalition of the willing" protect Ukraine from Russia without US support? The three look at how the prime minister is performing on the world stage and what difference he can make.Email us at electoraldysfunction@sky.uk, post on X to @BethRigby, or send a WhatsApp voice note on 07934 200 444.         Remember you can also watch us on YouTube!    Help us understand more about our listeners by taking our survey  This form should only take a few minutes to complete, and Sky anonymises the responses as much as possible.   

Sir Keir Starmer is doubling down on his bid to reduce government waste, but is his plan a fix or just more spending spin? Beth is in Hull after hearing what the Labour leader is promising, including scrapping NHS England to "cut bureaucracy" and bring management of the health service "back into democratic control".   Alongside Harriet and Ruth, they also discuss Starmer potentially facing down a rebellion from his own MPs over plans to shake up benefits reform and welfare payments.   The cracks are widening for Reform UK’s internal spat. Beth speaks to Andrea Jenkyns, who left the Tories to join Reform, on the party's latest bust-up, and Ruth and Harriet look at whether the party’s chaos is helping both Labour and the Conservatives.  Email us at electoraldysfunction@sky.uk, post on X to @BethRigby, or send a WhatsApp voice note on 07934 200 444.           And remember, you can also watch us on YouTube!