The Standard

This week in the run-up to election day, we’re taking a deeper look at three of the biggest issues for voters: taxes & the economy, immigration - and today, it’s the turn of the NHS. Strikes, waiting lists, lack of funding, not enough GP appointments, dentists appointments, or mental health services - they’re all issues that never seem to be out of the news. Experts have been sounding the alarm that the NHS is in crisis for years now, so what will whoever wins the general election and makes up the next government, do to improve the situation for our much-loved health care system? The Standard’s Health Reporter, Daniel Keane, shares his insight.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The countdown to polling day is on, and in a special miniseries of the Standard podcast ahead of 4 July, we’re taking a deeper look at three of the hot topics on the 2024 general election campaign trail - tax and the economy, the NHS and immigration.In this first special episode, we’ll examine the critical of issue the pound in our pocket and which of the parties can be trusted to steward the economy.While both the Conservatives and Labour have unanswered questions about funding specifics for spending commitments.Plus, Sir Keir Starmer’s careful wording over tax plans, City of London's mood for Labour and what is Rishi Sunak’s political legacy?From the newsroom, join Mark Blunden in conversation with Evening Standard business editor Jonathan Prynn. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 3 of A Week’s a Long Time in Westminster: Angry debates on both sides of the Atlantic, exclusive interviews with Rishi Sunak and Sir Ed Davey, a calamitous poll for the Tories, and the battle for Jewish votes in Finchley. Nicholas Cecil, Jitendra Joshi and Rachael Burford discuss the latest drama in the run-up to the general election. In this episode:Did the PM do enough in his final debate with the Labour leader?Just how bad was Joe Biden’s own debate with Donald Trump?Ipsos polling finds 72% of voters dislike the Tories.Sir Keir Starmer admits remarks about Bangladesh were ‘clumsy’ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sir Ed Davey has appealed to voters in London and the commuter belt to “tear down the Blue Wall” on July 4.Evening Standard political editor Nicholas Cecil secured an exclusive interview with the Liberal Democrat leader , which took place on the Waterloo to Wimbledon route that’s seen as a key hunting ground for Lib Dems to snatch Conservative votes in south-west London.Now, Sir Ed’s hoping a boost in visibility with stunts on the campaign trail will translate into crosses on ballot papers.Plus, in part two - it’s the countdown to Glastonbury Festival.This year’s line-up includes Dua Lipa, Coldplay, SZA, Little Simz, Shania Twain, Cyndi Lauper, Avril Lavigne, Janelle Monae and Paul Heaton.We asked the BPI’s Paul Williams about the evolution of Glastonbury’s live music in the streaming world - and the resurgence of retro cassettes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feel like you’re going nowhere? That’s because London remains the most traffic-congested city in Europe and the third worst globally, according to an annual survey.Evening Standard transport editor Ross Lydall reports the Inrix 2023 global traffic score found speeds in central London fell 10 per cent in a year to an average of 10mph.Ross joins Mark Blunden to discuss the capital’s most congested routes, TfL’s gridlock management strategies and how Londoners’ on-demand shopping habits are fuelling the problem.Plus, make sure to stay tuned for part two, where we’ll analyse ‘Brat summer’ - a phenomenon that fuelled by Charli XCX’s new album that’s seen social channels overrun with low-res green squares inspired by the cover artwork.Rachelle Abbott joins features writer Maddy Mussen to discuss her piece on Brat summer as the singer prepares to play a Glastonbury DJ set. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has left London after agreeing a US plea deal that will see him plead guilty to a spying charge and go free.Assange was locked in a lengthy legal battle over his extradition with American authorities, including years living in London’s Ecuadorian Embassy from 2012 before detention in HMP Belmarsh.He was sought by the US since Wikileaks published hundreds of thousands of secret documents relating to the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.Assange left Britain on a charter flight to plead guilty on a single spying charge at court in a US Pacific territory.Evening Standard home affairs editor Martin Bentham examines what’s next in the legal case and Assange’s timeline of being locked up in London.Plus, in part two, we look at the increasing price of a pint of beer in London - which has reached, on average, a frothy £6.75.Evening Standard business editor Jonathan Prynn discusses the soaring costs hitting the capital’s hospitality sector. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Polling day is nearly here - and the prime minister has set out sweeteners he hopes will woo Londoners to vote Conservative on 4 July, rather than backing Labour - or switching to Reform, the Liberal Democrats or Greens.In a wide-ranging interview with the Evening Standard’s political editor, Nicholas Cecil, Sunak teased future interest rate cuts, vowed war on post-Brexit red tape, discussed the future of the City and civil service reform.Plus, Taylor Swift played the finale of three shows at Wembley Stadium on her Eras tour, before returning to London in August.Evening Standard commissioning editor and writer El Hunt, who was at Wembley, joins Mark Blunden in the newsroom to discuss the concerts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 2 of A Week's a Long Time in Westminster: A betting scandal, Starmer struggles to shake off Corbyn’s legacy, Boris returns and Ed Davey’s latest antics. Nicholas Cecil, Jitendra Joshi and Rachael Burford discuss the latest drama in the run-up to the general election. In this episode:Conservatives forced to delete ‘gambling’ post on XSuella Braverman’s embarrassing TikTok postsThe latest Ipsos survey sheds light on London’s intentionsWhy a local Labour leader was found hiding in a hedgeFollow us on X or on Threads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this preview of Brave New World, Evgeny Lebedev speaks with Ryan Holiday about the modern media landscape, echo chambers and the value of Stoic leadership.To hear the episode in full just search Brave New World Evening Standard. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our Political Editor Nicholas Cecil discusses Rishi Sunak’s LBC appearance, the poll that shows a potential Tory wipe-out in London, and more drama over Labour taxes. Plus, food & drink writer Josh Barrie talks us through the best beer gardens in the capital.Follow us on X or on Threads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.