Daily Politics from the New Statesman
The New Statesman
Helping you make sense of politics – every weekday.Anoosh Chakelian, Oli Dugmore 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 Daily Politics, 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.--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:⭐️ Treat yourself or someone special to big ideas, bold politics and proper journalism from just £2 this Christmas when you subscribe to the New Statesman. Subscribe today at newstatesman.com/xmaspod25--Hosts:Anoosh ChakelianOli DugmoreRegular 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 MareAssistant producer: Biba KangExecutive producer: Chris Stone Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 27, 2025 • 30min
Unpacking a grim Spring Statement
In this insightful discussion, guest Ben Zaranko, an economist from the Institute for Fiscal Studies, delves into the grim realities following the recent Spring Statement. He highlights the downgrading of the UK's growth forecasts and the implications of welfare cuts that could escalate poverty rates. The conversation unveils the tougher fiscal landscape, where rising defense budgets conflict with social welfare needs. Zaranko emphasizes the political struggles faced by major parties, particularly Labour, in a shifting economic climate.
Mar 26, 2025 • 44min
Are we living through an overdiagnosis epidemic?
In this engaging discussion, neurologist and author Suzanne O’Sullivan tackles the troubling trend of overdiagnosis in both mental and physical health. She explores how mislabeling emotional struggles can lead to unnecessary stigma and healthcare complications. O’Sullivan also addresses the societal pressures influencing diagnoses such as ADHD and autism, emphasizing the need for a more nuanced approach. Additionally, she reveals the challenges faced by patients with chronic illnesses, advocating for a compassionate healthcare system that understands the real effects of labeling.
Mar 24, 2025 • 29min
Why we can't let go of Never Let Me Go
Join critic David Sexton as he delves into Kazuo Ishiguro's modern classic, 'Never Let Me Go.' He reflects on the emotional depth and ethical dilemmas of cloning within the narrative. The discussion highlights Ishiguro's unique style, exploring memory, humanity, and the unsettling impact of technology on our lives. Sexton also examines the book's lasting relevance and its adaptations, shedding light on the role of literature in navigating complex moral landscapes in a tech-driven world.
7 snips
Mar 21, 2025 • 16min
Why can't the left be mobilised?
The Labour party aims to tackle the housing crisis with a target of 1.5 million new homes, but faces significant challenges like planning regulations and local opposition. The government's move to abolish NHS England raises concerns about job security for frontline workers. The struggle of the Green Party to mobilize the left contrasts sharply with the strategic successes of reformist parties. Finally, cutting international aid could have dire consequences for global health initiatives and alter public perception in the post-COVID landscape.
Mar 20, 2025 • 28min
Is Boris Johnson ... back?
Leaders discuss the precarious peace prospects in Ukraine, navigating complex geopolitical dynamics. Meanwhile, welfare policy shifts in the UK face backlash as internal dissent stirs within the Labour Party. The Conservative leadership is under scrutiny, with Kemi Badenoch's performance raising questions about her future. As Boris Johnson’s potential comeback looms, reactions are mixed, revealing ongoing divisions within the party. The atmosphere in Westminster is charged with uncertainty and power struggles, making it a thrilling political landscape.
Mar 19, 2025 • 32min
Nato’s fragile future
Since Nato’s inception in 1949, the US has always formed a central part of the alliance and been the biggest contributor to its defensive strength.However, since his second term began, President Donald Trump has shifted the US’s allegiances towards Vladimir Putin’s Russia and away from Nato. Simultaneously, the US President has repeatedly criticised Europe’s defence spending and the continent’s reliance on the US.This radical shift from the Nato status quo has brought the alliance’s future into question.Katie Stallard is joined by David Reynolds and Max Bergmann.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:📱Download the New Statesman appMORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 17, 2025 • 43min
How The Beatles' love story shaped the 20th Century
A fateful meeting at a village fête "tilted" the 20th Century "on its axis"So argues Ian Leslie in his new book, John and Paul: A Love Story in Songs.In the book, Leslie argues that The Beatles didn't just dominate pop culture - they redefined how we see ourselves.He reframes the relationship between John Lennon and Paul McCartney as a kind of love story, which shaped the second half of the 20th Century and continues to influence us today.Leslie joins Kate Mossman on Culture from the New Statesman to discuss the book, The Beatles and their legacy.John & Paul: A Love Story in Songs is available from March 27 in book shops and online. Pre-order it here*The author Deborah Levy has reviewed the book for New Statesman. Her review is available to read online now, and will appear in the March 20 issue of the New Statesman magazine.Get full access to all the New Statesman's cultural reviews - as well as our leading politics and global affairs reporting - by becoming a subscriber from just £8.99 per month. Visit www.newstatesman.com/offer.Get the best of the New Statesman direct to your inbox every weekend for FREE by signing up to our newsletter, The Saturday Read. Visit saturdayread.substack.com.*Purchasing a book may earn the New Statesman a commission from Bookshop.org, who support independent bookshops.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:📱Download the New Statesman appMORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 14, 2025 • 17min
Panic! at the "Nigel dog-and-pony show"
Given the Rupert Lowe drama, what does the future looks like for Reform and Farage?Hannah Barnes is joined by Andrew Marr and George Eaton to answer listener questions about trouble in Reform land and where to watch in the upcoming local elections.Read: Inside the Reform civil war, Will the Farage-Lowe saga hurt Reform at the polls?, A Reform Labour showdown looms in the Runcorn by-electionSign up to the New Statesman's daily politics newsletter: Morning Call Submit a question for a future episode: You Ask UsSAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:📱Download the New Statesman appMORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 13, 2025 • 29min
It's time to debloat the flabby state
Andrew Marr, a veteran political journalist and political editor for the New Statesman, teams up with Will Dunn, the business editor, to dissect the latest reforms proposed by the UK Prime Minister. They dive into the implications of scrapping NHS England and slashing quangos, discussing the ambitious vision of 'Starmerism' for a more focused state. The duo also highlights the growing challenges in the welfare system, particularly concerning mental health and long-term sickness, while advocating for better support for low-income individuals seeking employment.
Mar 12, 2025 • 28min
The return of America First
In recent weeks President Trump’s foreign policy pronouncements have been loud and abrasive. American allies watched in barely concealed dismay as the US president shouted at Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval office. Since then Trump has halted military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine and embarked on trade wars with Canada, Mexico, China - and perhaps next, the EU.In this episode Katie Stallard reports on America First - the Trumpian turn in US foreign policy and the end of the world as we knew it.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:📱Download the New Statesman appMORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
