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
Nov 11, 2025 • 37min
Will world leaders ever fix climate change?
Rachel Kyte, the UK's Special Climate Envoy, and Christiana Figueres, former UNFCCC Executive Secretary, dive into the pressing climate crisis. They discuss the grim reality that limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees is now seen as 'virtually impossible.' Kyte highlights the consequences of U.S. absence in climate talks and the importance of renewables. Figueres emphasizes the need for real-world evidence to drive action, warning of devastating outcomes for vulnerable islands and the historical significance of COP30 in shaping future climate strategies.
6 snips
Nov 10, 2025 • 29min
Crisis at the BBC
Hannah Barnes, a former BBC journalist with 15 years of experience, sheds light on the recent leadership resignations at the BBC, sparked by controversies surrounding a misleadingly edited Panorama documentary about Donald Trump. She discusses the BBC's public-service mission, the critical role of its World Service, and the implications of the Prescott memo on bias and journalistic integrity. Barnes explains how centralization efforts contributed to editorial failures and analyzes whether the new leadership can restore public trust.
Nov 8, 2025 • 26min
Has Labour let down millennials?
Did Labour fail millennials? The hosts dive into how Labour's policies might have misread public needs and the challenges of taxation. They explore potential tax hikes, including income tax versus national insurance. With alternative revenue ideas on the table, they discuss what Labour's actual offerings are for younger voters, like renters' rights. The conversation takes a dramatic turn when they ponder what would happen to the Commonwealth if Britain cut ties with the monarchy, including possible options for a new head of state.
Nov 7, 2025 • 30min
Steve Reed's £7bn affordable housing fund | Exclusive interview
In an exclusive interview, Steve Reed, the British Housing Secretary, discusses a groundbreaking £7bn allocation aimed at creating social and affordable homes across six mayoral combined authorities. He highlights the severe challenges younger people face in homeownership and the need for council housing reform. Reed also addresses plans to abolish Section 21 evictions and urges for more social housing to alleviate pressure on private rents. He emphasizes the importance of tenant empowerment and local governance in improving housing conditions.
Nov 6, 2025 • 25min
What Labour must learn from Zohran Mamdani
In this engaging discussion, George Eaton, a seasoned political commentator, and Megan Kenyon, a dedicated journalist, analyze Zohran Mamdani’s recent election as New York's socialist Mayor. They explore the millennial appeal of Mamdani's campaign and how Labour figures have reacted to his win. The conversation delves into lessons for British politics regarding social media authenticity and the importance of speaking in one's voice. They also compare Mamdani with Zack Polanski of the Greens, highlighting the challenges facing progressive politicians today.
Nov 5, 2025 • 34min
Britain’s next maternity scandal
Investigations editor Hannah Barnes, a leading voice on maternity care, dives into a troubling probe at Oxford University Hospitals. She discusses the alarming failures, including the locking down of non-medical cesarean requests and the dubious OxGRIP scan policy. Personal stories like Alice Topping’s stillbirth highlight systemic issues in UK maternity services. With data revealing avoidable deaths and cultural attitudes complicating care, Barnes calls for accountability and reform in a healthcare system that has prioritized reputation over patient safety.
Nov 4, 2025 • 40min
Huntingdon train attack: knife crime in suburbia
Anoush Chakelian, a political journalist focused on crime trends, joins Rachel Cunliffe, a commentator on local politics, to tackle the alarming rise of knife crime in suburban England. They explore how these violent incidents are reshaping public perceptions and police priorities. Rachel reveals that despite increased visibility, overall knife crime rates may be falling, while social media amplifies public fear. The duo also connects cuts to mental health services with rising violence, shedding light on the broader societal issues at play.
Nov 3, 2025 • 44min
What's Farage's plan for the economy?
Ethan Croft, a journalist for the New Statesman, reports on Nigel Farage's economic vision for the UK. He discusses Farage's shift towards fiscal orthodoxy, abandoning major tax cuts, and focusing on appealing to rural voters by targeting inheritance tax. The conversation explores how Farage addresses criticisms of Brexit, his views on immigration's economic impact, and the party's preparations for governance. Ethan sheds light on Farage courting wealthy donors and potential non-MP cabinet members, positioning Reform as a serious contender in British politics.
Nov 1, 2025 • 20min
Do we have too many leftist parties?
Luke O'Reilly, a journalist and colleague at New Statesman, dives into the complexities of UK politics. He tackles pressing listener questions including the viability of the 'Build Baby Build' initiative and the potential fallout over safety concerns. The conversation shifts to Labour's hesitant critique of Katie Lamb, along with speculation on her leadership ambitions. A lively discussion ensues on whether the UK can sustain five large leftist parties, exploring vote-splitting and the role of trade unions in shaping party dynamics.
Oct 31, 2025 • 23min
David Lammy's plan to stop Farage | Exclusive interview
David Lammy, the Deputy Prime Minister and a prominent Labour politician, discusses his plan to counter the populist threat from Nigel Farage and Reform. He emphasizes tackling the cost of living crisis, fostering unity between the centre and left, and putting security at the forefront of Labour's strategy. Lammy also shares insights on international progressive wins, the importance of restoring public services, and engaging disaffected voters. He stresses the need for a broad coalition to ensure Labour resonates across different political spectrums.
