Political Fix

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.

Stephen Bush, FT political columnist known for sharp analysis, and Jim Pickard, FT deputy political editor with campaign reporting chops, unpack Andy Burnham’s FT interview. They discuss his pitch to corporate Britain, his view on wealth creators and 'good growth', the Thames Water public control debate, EU ties as a growth lever, and his planned UNGA meeting with Trump.

Stephen Bush, FT columnist on Labour and net zero, and Jim Pickard, FT deputy political editor, dissect Andy Burnham’s regional tour and the tough choice over new North Sea drilling. They debate legal hurdles, political trade-offs on approving fields, shifting public appetite for net zero, and the wider fallout from recent Number 10 turmoil. Short, sharp and politically charged conversation.

Anna Gross, FT political correspondent with on-the-ground reporting, and George Parker, FT political editor and senior analyst, discuss Nigel Farage’s Clacton win and the resumed £5m donation probe. They debate the optics of Farage’s absence and whether Reform UK can broaden beyond immigration. They also cover Andy Burnham’s early tests as prime minister, from cost-of-living moves to migration messaging.