

Political Fix
Financial Times
The Financial Times takes you into the corridors of power to unwrap, analyse and debate British politics with a regular lineup of FT correspondents and informed commentators. New episodes available every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 17, 2022 • 1h 10min
2022 year in review
In our final episode of 2022, we look back on an especially turbulent year in Westminster - from partygate to Chris Pincher, Ukraine to market meltdown, Boris Johnson to Rishi Sunak, Kwasi Kwarteng and Jeremy Hunt. We reflect on the most significant events, what we got right and wrong at the time, and what British politics will bring in 2023. This marks Sebastian Payne's last episode presenting the podcast, but we will be back in the new year with a new host. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with political editor George Parker, chief political correspondent Jim Pickard, chief UK political columnists Robert Shrimsley and deputy opinion editor Miranda Green. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth.-Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @SebastianEPayne -Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newslettersAudio: BBC / Sky / ITVRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 10, 2022 • 36min
Sunak versus the strikes
Rishi Sunak confronted a growing wave of industrial unrest facing the UK with tough new proposals for anti-strike laws, but will they work? We explore how the prime minister is handling the challenges of the winter ahead and whether we’re any closer to a “Sunakism”. Plus, we discuss the Edinburgh Reforms of financial services and whether they will boost growth and help the City of London flourish after Brexit. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with chief UK political columnist Robert Shrimsley, deputy opinion editor Miranda Green, political editor George Parker and business editor Dan Thomas. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth.-Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @SebastianEPayne -Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newslettersAudio: BBC / SkyRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 3, 2022 • 33min
Winter of discontent
Britain is seeing a swelling wave of industrial action this winter, from nurses to rail workers. Is the country facing a de facto general strike and is there an economic landing zone for the government and workers? We discuss what the different unions want. Plus, we examine Sir Keir Starmer's strategy for attacking Rishi Sunak - does it amount to class war, or just expose the prime minister's weaknesses? Presented by Sebastian Payne, with chief political correspondent Jim Pickard, economic correspondent Delphine Strauss, associate editor and columnist Stephen Bush and special guest political strategist John McTernan. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Howie Shannon and Jan Sigsworth.-Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @SebastianEPayne -Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newslettersAudio: BBC / SkyRead a transcript of this episode on FT.comRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 26, 2022 • 35min
Sunak’s short honeymoon
Rishi Sunak's authority with Tory MPs is waning and he is now facing policy battles on almost every front. We analyse which fights the new prime minister can win and which aren’t worth engaging in, and whether the Conservative party is serious about the next election. Plus, we look at the Tory and Labour wooing of business at this week’s CBI conference and if Sir Keir Starmer is doing enough on immigration to win enterprise over. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with columnist and associate editor Stephen Bush, deputy opinion editor Miranda Green, chief political correspondent Jim Pickard and chief business correspondent Dan Thomas. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers are Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth.-Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @SebastianEPayne -Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newslettersAudio: BBC / SkyRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 19, 2022 • 39min
Jeremy Hunt’s sombre Autumn Statement
The chancellor unveiled a £55bn plan for fiscal tightening this week, with the biggest drop in living standards for 70 years. We unpack all of the fiscal forecasts, tax rises, spending cuts and how Rishi Sunak can navigate the tricky politics. Plus, we also examine whether Hunt has shot Labour’s fox and what alternatives the party might put forward. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Chris Giles, Jim Pickard and special guest Carys Roberts of the IPPR think-tank. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth.Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/ukFollow @SebastianEPayne Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newslettersAudio: BBCRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 12, 2022 • 33min
Farewell Sir Gavin, for the third time
Rishi Sunak forced Sir Gavin Williamson out from his government this week, the third time the former cabinet minister has been made to quit. Why did Sunak hire the controversial former chief whip in the first place? And what does his departure say about the prime minister's judgment?Plus, we look ahead to next week's Autumn Statement and where the Treasury's tax and spend axe will fall.Presented by Sebastian Payne, with chief UK political commentator Robert Shrimsley, deputy opinion editor Miranda Green, chief political correspondent Jim Pickard and special guest Torsten Bell, chief executive of the Resolution Foundation.Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Persis Love and Jan Sigswoth.-Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @SebastianEPayne-Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newslettersAudio: Sky News / BBC / The BunkerRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 5, 2022 • 35min
Pressure grows on the home secretary?
We ask whether the home secretary Suella Braverman can survive in her post with attacks on multiple fronts. Does she have a plan for dealing with backlogged asylum claims? Can she be trusted with national security? And does she have the confidence of prime minister Rishi Sunak?Plus, the curious and hilarious case of Matt Hancock, the former health secretary who has decided to make good use of his constituents' time by going on the reality show 'I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!'Is it ever a good idea for politicians to diddle off from Westminster when parliament is sitting?Presented by Sebastian Payne with chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley, political correspondent Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe, chief political correspondent Jim Pickard and deputy opinion editor Miranda Green.Produced by Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Persis Love, Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth.-Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @SebastianEPayne-Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newslettersAudio: Sky News / BBC / ITVRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 29, 2022 • 40min
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak
After another turbulent week and the potential return of Boris Johnson. Rishi Sunak became Britain's latest prime minister - its first non-white leader and the youngest in modern history. We discuss how he triumphed in the leadership contest, how Johnson failed to gain momentum, the make-up of Sunak's first cabinet and the options for filling the fiscal blackhole left by “Trussonomics”.Presented by Sebastian Payne, with political editor George Parker, chief political correspondent Robert Shrimsley, economics editor Chris Giles and special guest former Treasury official Jill Rutter.Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth.-Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @SebastianEPayne-Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newslettersAudio: Sky News / BBCRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 21, 2022 • 38min
How the stopwatch began on Truss’ time in Downing Street
We look back on what can only be described as a total bonkers week in Westminster: how Liz Truss became the shortest and one of the worst prime ministers in British history, the very sticky end, and crucially what happens next - including the question on everyone’s lips: will Boris Johnson return? Our political editor George Parker and associate editor Camilla Cavendish will be unpacking it all with special guest Paul Goodman, editor of the Conservative Home website.Produced by Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth.Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/ukFollow @Seb PayneSubscribe to https://www.ft.com/newslettersAudio: Sky News / BBCRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 14, 2022 • 33min
A new chancellor and another U-turn for Truss
A tumultuous week and a dramatic Friday as Liz Truss was forced to reverse on tax cuts again and sacked Kwasi Kwarteng. Doubts are growing over whether she can survive as prime minister.Presented by Sebastian Payne with political editor George Parker, economics editor Chris Giles and associate editor Camilla Cavendish. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth.-Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @Seb Payne -Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newslettersAudio: Sky News / BBCRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.