The New Statesman: politics and culture
The New Statesman
Helping you make sense of politics, culture and world affairs – every weekday.Anoosh Chakelian, Andrew Marr and the New Statesman team bring you sharp reporting, clear analysis and thoughtful conversations to help you understand what’s really going on in Westminster and beyond.The New Statesman is Britain’s leading source of news and commentary on politics and culture with a progressive perspective. On the podcast, our journalists and expert guests cut through the noise of the headlines to explain the forces shaping our world. From the battles inside the Labour Party to the future of the Conservatives, from the rise of Reform UK to the debates that dominate Parliament, we provide the clarity you need to follow UK politics.But the story doesn’t stop at Westminster. Each week we take you around the globe, covering world news and international current affairs — from the war in Ukraine and the leadership of Volodymyr Zelensky, to Russia under Vladimir Putin, to the conflict in Israel and Gaza, and the impact of Donald Trump on American and international politics. Our interviews bring leading thinkers and cultural figures into the conversation, while our Saturday episodes explore books, literature, film and wider culture.Whether you want to stay on top of UK news, understand the shifts in global politics, or dive into the ideas that drive our culture, the New Statesman podcast is your essential daily listen.--START HERE:▶︎ Kemi Badenoch isn't working | Cover Story with Tom McTague▶︎ Do billionaires really benefit the UK?▶︎ One year of Labour rule: can things still only get better?--LISTEN AD-FREE:📱Download and subscribe in the New Statesman app to enjoy all our episodes without the ads.--MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ Ask a question - we answer them on the podcast every Friday⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter in your inbox every morning✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday--JOIN US:⭐️ Get full access to all our reporting and analysis - and get our magazine delivered to your door every week - with a print + digital subscription--Host:Anoosh ChakelianRegular contributors and co-hosts:Tom McTague, Editor-in-chiefWill Lloyd, Deputy editorAndrew Marr, Political editorGeorge Eaton, Senior editor, politicsHannah Barnes, Associate editorRachel Cunliffe, Associate political editorWill Dunn, Business editorMegan Gibson, Foreign editorKatie Stallard, Global affairs editorTanjil Rashid, Culture editorKate Mossman, Senior writerProduction team:Senior podcast producer: Catharine HughesVideo producer: Rob Le MareExecutive producer: Chris Stone Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 8, 2025 • 27min
Tory conference through the eyes of the NS ... and GB News
Join Ethan Croft, an on-the-ground reporter who provides a vivid account of the Conservative conference, capturing Kemi Badenoch's electrifying speech and the party's ambitious yet questionable policy proposals. Will Dunn, a journalist who watched the conference through GB News, analyzes the channel's Reform-centric approach and its unique framing of political events. Together, they dissect the atmosphere of a seemingly nostalgic Tory gathering and explore the tension between feel-good politics and hard policy realities.
Oct 7, 2025 • 41min
Abolish landlords?
Megan Kenyon, a journalist and New Statesman contributor, and Luke O'Reilly, an experienced political journalist, dive into the Green Party's bold proposal to abolish landlords. They explore the implications of targeting rentier capitalism and discuss how this connects to historical Labour ideas. The conversation also touches on the party's eco-populist policies and electoral strategies. Additionally, they analyze Labour's reforms on house-buying processes and the Tories' controversial funding plans for first-time buyers, all while questioning the impact of these policies on housing affordability.
Oct 6, 2025 • 58min
October 7th changed the West forever
Rachel Cunliffe, a journalist specializing in politics and culture, discusses the profound impact of the October 7th attacks on Jewish life in Britain. She explores the rise of antisemitism and the personal ramifications for Jewish communities, contrasting today's climate with historical ties on the left. Cunliffe sheds light on the dangerous conflation of Jews with Israeli policies and warns against right-wing exploitation of Jewish safety to promote Islamophobia. The conversation emphasizes the need for empathy and a renewed humanist approach that values both Jewish and Palestinian lives.
Oct 4, 2025 • 22min
Are we talking about Reform too much?
This discussion dives into the disproportionate media attention given to Reform, exploring how polling influences this visibility. The hosts dissect how mainstream parties craft their messages in response to Reform's increasing prominence. They also examine Labour's proposed digital ID system, its implications for non-smartphone users, and the potential backlash in Northern Ireland. The podcast highlights public skepticism surrounding ID cards, questioning the balance between efficiency and privacy.
Oct 3, 2025 • 27min
Dispatch from the Manchester synagogue attack
Ethan Croft, a political reporter for the New Statesman, shares his harrowing experience reporting on the horrific synagogue attack in Manchester. He describes the tense atmosphere upon arrival and emphasizes the impact of the incident on the close-knit Jewish community. Discussion reveals the grassroots security measures at synagogues and the rise in anti-Semitic incidents. The conversation also addresses political responses, including Keir Starmer's solidarity, and raises ethical questions about media coverage of the attacker's motives.
Oct 2, 2025 • 32min
Is a Starmer comeback on the cards?
In this discussion, political journalist Andrew Marr shares insights on Keir Starmer’s unpopularity and potential comeback. He evaluates the impact of Starmer's recent conference speech, noting how it defined his stance and contrasted with Nigel Farage’s rhetoric. Marr also explores the challenges posed by social media in shaping public opinion and the evolving communications strategies within the Labour Party. As Starmer faces upcoming political tests, Marr emphasizes the need for robust internal debates to refine policy arguments.
Oct 1, 2025 • 29min
Is anyone taking Trump's peace plans seriously?
Katie Stallard, a Washington-based journalist and US foreign policy analyst, joins to explore Trump's bold 20-point Gaza plan. They discuss Hamas's potential resistance and Netanyahu's strategic calculus in accepting the plan. Shifted public opinion on Israel, especially among younger Americans, is also highlighted. Katie contrasts Trump's theatrical diplomacy with the hard realities of global politics and questions the sincerity of leaders like Putin. Ultimately, she emphasizes the limitations of Trump's approach and the lack of a long-term strategy.
Sep 30, 2025 • 22min
Keir Starmer loves Britain the most
Keir Starmer aims to reshape British patriotism, delivering a stirring speech amidst flags from across the UK. The discussion touches on his political conflict with Nigel Farage and signals of anti-racism during his address. The panel debates the omission of the two-child benefit cap and implications for future budgets. Additionally, they explore tactics around economic stability and the revocation of indefinite leave policies, all while navigating potential backlash in the political landscape.
Sep 29, 2025 • 24min
The spectre of Farage looms over Labour conference
The conversation dives into the Labour conference in Liverpool, highlighting how Rachel Reeves defines the party in opposition to Reform and the Conservatives. Shabana Mahmood tries to reshape patriotism amidst migration debates. Andy Burnham grabs attention with bold ideas on EU re-entry and fiscal policies. There's a palpable tension regarding messaging, especially with Nigel Farage looming large in discussions. The atmosphere feels more upbeat compared to previous years, adding an intriguing layer to the political landscape.
Sep 28, 2025 • 25min
Starmer has a lot to prove at Labour conference
Ethan Croft, a political correspondent for the New Statesman, and George Eaton, the senior editor, dive into the pressing trials ahead for Keir Starmer at the Labour conference. They discuss Starmer's unprecedented unpopularity and the internal fears surrounding his leadership. With Andy Burnham's potential challenge looming, Ethan analyzes his media presence and political threats. The duo also explores Labour's strategy against Reform UK, the controversial two-child benefit cap, and how to navigate conference tensions over sensitive topics.
