Political Fix

Sam Fleming, the Financial Times’ economics editor, Katie Martin, a markets columnist, and George Parker, its UK political editor, examine a cautious budget amid weak growth, inflation and mounting debt. They discuss bond-market nerves, looming spending pressures, landlord taxes, welfare reform and the defence funding gap. The panel also explores closer EU ties, AI’s promise and risks, and whether Labour could call an early election.

Scarlett Maguire, founder of Merlin Strategy, joins Financial Times correspondents David Sheppard and Jim Pickard to examine Andy Burnham’s first 100 days. Sheffield voters reveal their anxieties over taxes, fuel costs and political cynicism. The panel weighs Burnham against Starmer and Farage, then turns to Labour’s controversial Jackdaw gasfield approval, net-zero credibility, North Sea jobs and the looming Budget.

Miranda Green, deputy opinion editor at the Financial Times, and Robert Shrimsley, its chief political commentator, examine Andy Burnham’s unfiltered style, from Brexit interference claims to Manchester City and Ukraine. Chris Smyth, the paper’s public policy editor, explains the latest welfare reform proposals. The panel also explores Liberal Democrat unrest, Green politics, AI oversight and Britain’s difficult budget choices.

Ashley Armstrong, the Financial Times’ UK chief business correspondent, joins political commentators Stephen Bush and Jim Pickard to examine Labour’s by-election win over Green leader Zack Polanski. They explore the Greens’ anti-Zionism dispute, Polanski’s leadership prospects and Tory efforts to regain momentum. Business sentiment ahead of the Budget, EU policy, tax risks and political stock picks round out the discussion.

Stephen Bush, the Financial Times’ Inside Politics columnist, and Jennifer Williams, its Northern correspondent, join Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and political editor George Parker. Recorded live in Liverpool, they examine Andy Burnham’s bold conference agenda: growth, Brexit, pensions, proportional representation and devolution. The panel also weighs Labour’s renewed optimism against fiscal pressures, global risks and the realities of governing.

Jim Pickard, the Financial Times’ deputy political editor, and George Parker, its political editor, examine whether Andy Burnham should risk a snap election. They weigh polling, Labour’s majority, Reform and Conservative weakness, tax rises and market nerves. The discussion also previews Labour conference, Burnham’s UN meetings with Donald Trump, and Labour’s unresolved ambitions for closer EU ties.

Stephen Bush, Financial Times columnist and author of Inside Politics, joins George Parker, the FT’s political editor, to examine Britain’s tightening finances ahead of the October Budget. They discuss shrinking fiscal headroom, pension triple-lock politics, spending cuts and tax rises, Reform’s mega-donations, and a coordinated push for independence across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Madhumita Murgia, the Financial Times’ AI editor, joins political commentators Robert Shrimsley and Miranda Green to explore Britain’s struggle with frontier AI, from security testing and job disruption to regulation and human control. They also examine the UK’s trade ban on Israeli settlement goods, Reform’s financial scandals, tourist taxes, and the Conservatives’ defence strategy.

David Sheppard, Financial Times acting executive news editor, reports from Reform’s scandal-hit conference. Political editor George Parker examines the fallout from the alleged illicit-donation sting and interviews Defence Secretary John Healey. Economics editor Sam Fleming explores Labour’s looming tough Budget, shrinking fiscal headroom, possible tax rises, defence spending and the delicate push for growth.

Jim Pickard, the Financial Times’ deputy political editor, and Robert Shrimsley, its chief political commentator, unpack Andy Burnham’s first PMQs and Kemi Badenoch’s sharper Conservative strategy. They examine bond-market pressure, public ownership promises, devolution and Burnham’s retreat from earlier pledges. Plus, Zack Polanski’s Green challenge in Keir Starmer’s former seat and the political stakes of Gaza and Brexit-era ties with France.