Electoral Dysfunction

Peter Mandelson is sacked as the UK's ambassador to the US - his former cabinet colleague, Harriet, says it's shameful that he didn't resign. It's all after new revelations over his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.Ruth isn't impressed either and wonders why Keir Starmer was defending him at PMQs.Donald Trump arrives in London for his state visit next week.Given questions about Epstein always raise his hackles – how will the PM tackle his visit now?Remember, you can also watch Beth Rigby, Harriet Harman and Ruth Davidson on YouTube.

A long list of women all want to be Labour’s next deputy leader - Lucy Powell, Emily Thornberry, Bridget Phillipson, Alison McGovern, Bell Ribeiro-Addy and Paula Barker have all thrown their names into the mix. Beth, Ruth and Harriet look at their prospects and reveal what sort of deputy Keir Starmer would prefer – as well as who the left of Labour would prefer is rooting for. Does the next deputy need to be a Northern woman?  Plus, after hot footing it between Birmingham and London, Beth reflects on her interview with Nigel Farage and if the Reform conference was hinging on the American vibes. Remember, you can also watch us on YouTube.

Beth, Harriet and Ruth reassemble after Angela Rayner’s resignation prompts one of the biggest cabinet reshuffles in years.She admitted she didn’t pay enough stamp duty on the purchase of a new home and, after an ethics investigation, quit as deputy prime minister and housing secretary.David Lammy takes the deputy role with a move to justice secretary.Keir Starmer’s had two resets in a week – can he now get on with his dream of delivery?Remember, you can also watch us on YouTube.

Was the deputy prime minister trying to evade and dodge tax? Is she a 'hypocrite'? Or was she simply doing what she thought was the right thing?  Beth takes Ruth and Harriet behind the scenes of her interview with Angela Rayner this week as they ask whether she will survive in government, or if she will have to resign.  It all emerged after Rayner admitted she didn't pay enough tax on her home in Hove - you can catch the exclusive 20-minute interview in the Electoral Dysfunction feed.  After recording, Verrico & Associates confirmed that it had advised Ms Rayner on the purchase of the flat. Joanna Verrico, the managing director, told The Telegraph: "We acted for Ms Rayner when she purchased the flat in Hove. We did not and never have given tax or trust advice. It's something we always refer our clients to an accountant or tax expert for. "The stamp duty for the Hove flat was calculated using HMRC's own online calculator, based on the figures and the information provided by Ms Rayner. That's what we used, and it told us we had to pay £30,000 based on the information provided to us. We believe that we did everything correctly and in good faith. Everything was exactly as it should be."Remember, you can also watch us on YouTube.

In an exclusive interview, the Deputy Prime Minister admits she considered resigning after discovering she didn’t pay enough stamp duty on her second home.    After weeks of speculation in the papers, Angela Rayner reveals what really happened – she tells Beth she got inaccurate expert advice and was unable to speak out before due to confidential clauses in place to protect her son, who she is opening up about publicly for the fist time.  So what now? And what has the Prime Minister said to her about the saga? Remember, you can also watch us on YouTube.

In their final summer Q&A, Beth, Ruth, and Harriet dig into why politics feels permanently stuck in panic mode.   Why does it feel like there's an election imminent when the prime minister isn't required to call one for four years? What's fuelling the chaos? And is the media to blame?   Plus, your questions on whether Reform defections are actually a problem for the Tory party, what happens to ex-MPs, and could Donald Trump actually win the Nobel Peace Prize?  Remember, you can also watch us on YouTube.

Can Britain afford both welfare and warfare? Beth takes us inside the row that could define Sir Keir Starmer's premiership.From that huge Commons rebellion over welfare cuts to the looming pressure on defence spending, how can the government look after Britain at home, whilst holding the line abroad?For this special episode, Beth speaks to the former chancellor Jeremy Hunt and ex-Labour welfare minister Jim Murphy.Also, Ruth and Harriet ask whether anything has actually changed after the Trump-Putin Alaska summit and whether European leaders can make a difference after crowding into the White House this week?Remember, you can also watch us on YouTube.

Nigel Farage's Reform won more than 40% of seats at May's council elections. The Conservatives lost control of 16 English councils and won 20% of seats - one of the lowest proportions in the past two decades.    How do the Tories make sure they keep right-wing voters at future elections?    Beth talks to shadow chancellor, and former work and pensions secretary, Mel Stride on this episode about that challenge.    He also talks about adapting to life on the opposition benches and why he believes Kemi Badenoch is the right leader for his party.   Interview with Mel Stride recorded on July 15th.

Jeremy Corbyn's back - with Zarah Sultana and a new party. But is it a real threat to Labour, or just political theatre?    This week Beth, Ruth and Harriet answer your questions on whether Corbyn's comeback could fracture the left and hand seats to the Tories and Reform.   What does it mean for Starmer? Could the Green Party seize the moment? And is this a political headache - or just a red herring?    Plus - your questions on rebuilding the Tory party, Scottish Labour and the elections north of the border next year, and we shout out the podcasts we can't stop listening to.   Remember, you can also watch us on YouTube.     

Anneliese Dodds sits down with Beth Rigby for her first long-form interview since stepping down from Labour's front bench.Reflecting on the party's first year in power, the former International Development Minister and Women and Equalities Minister reveals what happened the moment she decided to resign from Sir Keir Starmer's government - and the "uncomfortable" days she spent in the run up to telling the prime minister - who was otherwise engaged... sitting in the White House with Donald Trump.Dodds explains how difficult her decision was - partly due to her ingrained support for the government - she was once as close as you could get to the prime minister, his shadow chancellor in Opposition. But in this podcast, she gives her assessment on Labour's economic policy and makes the argument for more taxation.So, how does Dodds rate Labour's first year? And how can the government "change" for the better, going into its second year?Remember, you can also watch us on YouTube.