Political Fix

Rishi Sunak calculates that by portraying himself as “on the side” of motorists and adopting a “pragmatic and proportionate” approach to climate change, he’s aligning himself with the views of middle Britain. Is he right? The FT’s Lucy Fisher weighs up the question with columnists Robert Shrimsley and Stephen Bush. They also consider the Labour party’s chances in a key autumn by-election in its former stronghold of Scotland. Plus, Lucy and political editor George Parker unpick what it will take to reform the House of Lords.Follow Lucy on Twitter @LOS_FisherRead a transcript of this episode on FT.comWant more? Free links here:Rishi Sunak downplays green policies to court middle EnglandLabour faces test of by-election appeal in Scotland after ex-SNP MP oustedIndustry calls on UK to accelerate carbon capture as new projects approvedHouse of Lords speaker calls for better vetting of prospective peersArcane, hereditary, all-male – and at the heart of British democracyFor a free 90-day offer of Stephen Bush's award-winning 'Inside Politics' newsletter, click herePresented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Lulu Smyth and Manuela Saragosa with Andrew Georgiades. Mix by Simon Panayi. Original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rishi Sunak has signalled he plans to soften his eco policies to avoid heaping extra “hassle” and expense on the British public. The FT’s Lucy Fisher is joined by columnist Robert Shrimsley and deputy political editor Jim Pickard to examine the government’s shifting approach to net zero. They also dissect Nigel Farage’s battle with Coutts bank, while public policy editor Peter Foster discusses the graduates suing UK universities for damages over Covid disruption.Follow Lucy on Twitter @LOS_FisherRead a transcript of this episode on FT.comWant more?  NatWest chair says he will stay as he appoints lawyers to probe Farage rowEveryone loses if net zero becomes the new partisan divideThe Conservative war on Big EverythingStudents are suing UK universities over Covid disruption. Do they have a case?Sign up for 90 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award: https://ft.com/insidepoliticsofferPresented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Audrey Tinline. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Clips: BBC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Conservatives faced a rout in both Selby and Somerton, but is their narrow win in Uxbridge enough to lift the party’s mood? Lucy Fisher is joined by the FT’s political editor George Parker and columnists Miranda Green and Stephen Bush to fillet the results of this week’s hat trick of by-elections. Plus, since it’s the end of term, the panel offers its political report cards.Want more? Read for free:UK Conservatives lose two seats after big by-election swings to Labour and Lib DemsTories look for lessons from parliamentary by-election lossesRelying on wedge issues like Ulez won’t save Tories from wipeoutSign up for 90 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award: https://www.ft.com/newsletter-signup/inside-politicsFollow Lucy on Twitter @LOS_FisherPresented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Philippa Goodrich. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Original music and sound engineering by Breen Turner. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Miranda Green is joined by FT columnists Stephen Bush and Robert Shrimsley to ask whether there’s any way out of the economic and political "doom loop" afflicting Rishi Sunak’s government. Plus, the FT’s political editor George Parker discusses UK chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s plans to boost growth. And with three by-elections coming up, the FT’s Anna Gross reports on the mood in Somerset, where the Liberal Democrats hope to win. Follow Miranda on Twitter @greenmirandaRead a transcript of this episode on FT.comWant more?Hunt looks to City of London to bolster UK growthWe are on for a massive defeat: can the Tories prevent the inevitable?The Conservative crisis of capitalismLib Dems look to deepen Tory gloom with west country by-election winClip from: Sky News Beethoven’s "Emperor" symphony: Paul Lewis, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Jiri Belohlavek. Beethoven: Complete Piano Concertos BBC / harmonia mundi.Sign up for 90 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award: https://www.ft.com/newsletter-signup/inside-politics Presented by Miranda Green. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Audrey Tinline. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. View our accessibility guide  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer sketches out his vision for education, the FT’s Whitehall editor Lucy Fisher is joined by columnists Stephen Bush and Robert Shrimsley to discuss how to boost vocational training. Plus, the NHS reaches 75 - but is there much to celebrate? The FT’s global health editor Sarah Neville gives the service a health check. And will Threads overtake Twitter as the premier social network for political chat? Follow Lucy on Twitter @LOS_FisherWant more?  Badly run Britain needs lessons in managementTory MP Chris Pincher should be suspended for eight weeks, report findsNHS doctors’ 35% pay demand ‘not set in stone’, BMA union chief saysClips: BBC Sign up for 90 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award: https://www.ft.com/newsletter-signup/inside-politics Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Audrey Tinline. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Original music by Breen Turner, with audio mix by Simon Panayi. The FT’s Global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pressure is growing on the UK’s water sector, as swelling debt threatens to overwhelm Thames Water and other companies. What is the remedy for the country’s sewage and water woes? Lucy Fisher discusses the options with the FT’s infrastructure correspondent Gill Plimmer. Plus the FT’s Robert Shrimsley and Miranda Green discuss the Court of Appeal ruling against the government’s plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda. And with by-elections approaching, Lucy visits Boris Johnson’s former constituency to hear voters’ views on the ground.Follow Lucy on Twitter @LOS_FisherRead a transcript of this episode on FT.comWant more?  Why Thames Water is under growing strainMinisters seek to overturn ruling against UK migration plan Britain is being primed for a ‘hopeless’ electionSign up for 90 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award: https://ft.com/insidepoliticsofferPresented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Audrey Tinline. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. View our accessibility guide  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Soaring interest rates are alarming mortgage holders and could derail the UK government’s strategy for re-election. This week Lucy Fisher is joined by regular FT panellists Stephen Bush and George Parker to assess the political fallout from the latest rate rise. Plus the FT’s economics editor Chris Giles considers whether the Bank of England deserves criticism, while consumer editor Claer Barrett assesses the damage to Britons’ finances.Follow Lucy on Twitter @LOS_FisherRead a transcript of this episode on FT.comWant more?  Central banks’ battle with inflation enters new phase of ‘pain’Ever tougher for Tories and Bank of England to avoid public blame in meme ageThe Bank of England’s credibility is still on the lineSign up for 90 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award: https://ft.com/insidepoliticsofferListen to Claer Barrett’s Money Clinic podcast, out on June 27:Money Clinic with Claer Barrett | Financial TimesClaer Barrett’s book: What they don’t teach you about moneyPresented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Audrey Tinline. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. View our accessibility guide  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The blistering report into Boris Johnson’s behaviour by the House of Commons privileges committee casts doubt over his political future. The FT’s Whitehall editor Lucy Fisher is joined by FT columnists Stephen Bush and Miranda Green to discuss the committee’s brutal conclusions — and where the former prime minister goes next. Plus, the FT’s Scotland correspondent Lukanyo Mnyanda joins Lucy from Edinburgh for an update on the turmoil engulfing the ruling Scottish National Party.Follow Lucy on Twitter @LOS_FisherRead a transcript of this episode on FT.comWant more?  Has Rishi Sunak seen the back of Boris Johnson?Johnsonism will haunt the Conservative partyHumza Yousaf rejects calls to suspend Nicola Sturgeon from SNPSign up for 90 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award:  https://ft.com/insidepoliticsofferPresented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Audrey Tinline. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. View our accessibility guide Clips: Jacob Rees-Mogg:BBC, Angela Rayner:Sky News Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rishi Sunak and Joe Biden have agreed a new ‘Atlantic declaration’ to improve UK trade ties with the US. What does it tell us about the bilateral relationship now? Lucy Fisher is joined by FT columnist Miranda Green and UK chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley to weigh up the prime minister’s Washington trip. Plus, the FT’s political editor George Parker drops in from DC and Lucy is joined by chief political correspondent, Jim Pickard, to discuss the way Keir Starmer has reshaped the Labour party.Follow Lucy on Twitter @LOS_FisherWant more?  Keir Starmer’s ruthless remaking of the Labour PartyJoe Biden and Rishi Sunak agree ‘Atlantic declaration’The Invention of Essex - developed but not tamedClips from BBC, Guardian NewsSign up for 90 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award: https://www.ft.com/newsletter-signup/inside-politics Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Audrey Tinline. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rishi Sunak’s government is heading to court to challenge the Covid inquiry’s right to demand ministers’ unredacted messages, following a row over Boris Johnson’s WhatsApp messages. The FT’s Whitehall editor Lucy Fisher is joined by columnist Miranda Green and UK chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley to discuss the saga. Plus, the FT’s global health editor Sarah Neville tells Lucy why more staff alone won’t solve the NHS’s problems. And the panel members reveal their musical tastes - with cultural recommendations for your own downtime. Follow Lucy on Twitter @LOS_FisherRead a transcript of this episode on FT.comWant more? UK government takes legal action over Boris Johnson’s Covid messagesNHS productivity lags as recruitment fails to keep pace with demandHow the Thatcherites lost their Brexit dream and their partyThe great ‘Brexit’ and ‘coalition’ taboos are holding the Lib Dems back Clips from Sky News, BBC.”Subterranean Homesick Blues” by Bob Dylan. Written by Bob Dylan.  SME, TuneCore (on behalf of Columbia); UMPG Publishing, CMRRA, LatinAutorPerf, LatinAutor - SonyATV, UNIAO BRASILEIRA DE EDITORAS DE MUSICA - UBEM, SOLAR Music Rights ManagementSign up for 90 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award: https://www.ft.com/newsletter-signup/inside-politics Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Audrey Tinline. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.