The Standard

Latest YouGov poll shows the Labour candidate is on 49% and his Tory rival Susan Hall is on 24%. Patrick Diamond, Professor of Public Policy at Queen Mary University of London, outlines the three key areas that could impact Sadiq Khan's campaign, and explains why there needs to be a ‘more constructive relationship’ between London's mayor and central government. In this episode:Which key areas could dent Sadiq’s reelection hopes?How a Labour government could boost investment in LondonHow important will ULEZ be in the mayoral election race?What is Susan Hall’s ‘trump card’?Follow us on X or on Threads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sadiq Khan and Susan Hall each release statements calling for unity. Rishi Sunak condemns Lee Anderson’s remarks, but refuses to call them ‘Islamophobic’. Our Political Editor Nicholas Cecil discusses the mayoral candidates’ calls for unity, the ‘tense’ nature of UK politics in 2024, and why social media is making political division worse. In this episode:The Lee Anderson fallout explainedWhy UK politics are ‘very heated’ at the momentWhat next for Lee Anderson?How the Gaza conflict will continue to impact UK politicsFollow us on X or on Threads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anaïs Mitchell, the creator of Hadestown, joins us to chat the musical's return to London, and in a very special first for The Standard Theatre podcast, Mitchell played two songs from the show such as Way Down Hadestown. (To hear both songs listen to the full episode on The Standard Theatre Podcast.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Households in Britain will soon potentially be saving over £200 on those sky-high energy bills.Gas and electricity charges are set to fall by 12.3 per cent in April to their lowest level since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine two years ago.Regulator Ofgem announced the cap for the average annual household dual fuel bill will be £1,690 - that’s a saving of £238 over one year, which applies to the April to June quarter.Plus, how City economists predict cutting the energy tariff cap will help inflation drop to as low as two per cent in April.Evening Standard business editor Jonathan Prynn has the latest in this episode of The Standard podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

House of Commons speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle faced a no confidence motion signed by some 59 MPs in a neutrality row over a Gaza ceasefire vote.He was under pressure over his handling of a tinderbox debate on an SNP motion that resulted in the passing of a Labour amendment - potentially helping Sir Keir Starmer head-off a rebellion among his own MPs.Chaos descended on the chamber as the motion was approved, with Scottish National Party and Conservative MPs walking out in protest.It came as crowds of protesters outside beamed pro-Palestine slogans on to Big Ben.Sir Lindsay said his actions were meant to help protect the safety of a number of MPs being targeted by activists. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Popping up 600ft above London’s skyline, the BT Tower has been a West End landmark since the 1960s.Now, the once high-tech monolith that began its life as the Post Office Tower is being transformed into a hotel in a £275 million sale.BT has agreed to sell the nearly 60-year-old, Grade-II listed tower to American chain MCR Hotels, offering future punters the chance to sleep in the clouds.To find out more about this end of an era - and the beginning of a new one, we’re joined in the studio by the Evening Standard’s business editor Jonathan Prynn. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A headteacher warns school closures are creating “ghost areas” across London and destroying communities as so many families leave the capital.The Evening Standard’s education editor Anna Davis joins us in the studio after interviewing Helen Connor, executive head of Rhyl Community Primary in Camden, who says London risks “dying from its roots” as growing numbers of families cannot afford to stay in the city.It comes after research revealed 8,000 fewer children will need school places in London over the next four years.London Councils - the parent body for the capital’s local authorities - blames a falling birth rate, Brexit, the pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis and lack of affordable housing.Plus, latest on the government’s classroom mobile phones crackdown. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s one of the glitziest weeks in London’s style and entertainment calendar - as this year’s Bafta awards ceremony dovetails with the 40th anniversary of London Fashion Week.On Sunday night, celebrities headed to the annual gala at the Southbank’s Royal Festival Hall.But who were the sharpest dressed stars on the red carpet - and what are the trends to look out for later this year?Plus, as the 40th anniversary of London Fashion Week kicks off, hold on to your loafers and suits for the post-pandemic return of “officecore”.Insight with Evening Standard fashion director Victoria Moss. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This special cut is taken from The Standard Theatre Podcast, our chief theatre critic Nick Curtis meets former Desperate Housewives star Felicity Huffman to discuss her role in Hir at the Park Theatre. To hear the full episode click this link, or search for The Standard Theatre Podcast.For all the latest news head to standard.co.uk, or pick up a paper! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was a double by-election bloodbath for the Conservatives as the party suffered defeats at the ballot box just months before Britain goes to the polls.Rishi Sunak lost both the Kingswood and Wellingborough constituencies in a humiliating night for the Conservatives - with celebrations for Labour as Sir Keir Starmer’s party scooped both seats.To analyse what this means for the parties’ general election strategy as we hurtle towards May, we’re joined by the Evening Standard’s political editor Nicholas Cecil. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.