Political Fix

Sir Keir Starmer and panel analyze planning reforms, NHS crisis, Conservative party's future in opposition. Discussion on policies, Cabinet appointments, and Labour's strategy. Emerging figures within Labour party and potential tax rises are also explored.

FT journalists and political experts dissect Keir Starmer's election victory, Tory collapse, Reform Party's rise, and potential policies including tax increases, education reforms, defense spending, and Brexit deals. Discussions on SNP decline, Liberal Democrats' strategies, and the challenges ahead for the new Labour government.

Guest Mel Stride predicts a huge Labour majority, conceding defeat ahead of UK election. Discussion includes campaign strategies, Tory fears of landslide, and potential election outcomes. The podcast analyzes Reform UK's performance, ethical concerns, postal vote crisis impact, Liberal Democrats' success, and campaign strategies employed by UK political parties.

Simon Kuper, author of 'Good Chaps', joins Lucy Fisher, Miranda Green, and Stephen Bush to discuss the disintegration of public service in politics. They explore potential election surprises, tactical voting, and ethical concerns in British politics. The episode also delves into the anticipation of election results in key constituencies and upcoming elections in the UK and France.

FT's John Burn-Murdoch joins Lucy Fisher to discuss the Tory campaign woes. They delve into the 2019 Tory collapse roots, potential election results mismatch, and why 'first past the post' system may lead to the biggest distortion in UK history.

Lucy Fisher, FT's Whitehall editor, joins to discuss the Tory election-betting scandal and potential wipeout. The team delves into Reform party effects on Tory vote and post-election scenarios. Topics include insider trading concerns, polling data analysis, consequences of party reputation, and challenges faced by departing staffers.

Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves joins to discuss Labour's economic plans focusing on growth without major tax increases or spending cuts. The podcast also explores the party's strategies for EU relations, workers' rights, and compares their manifesto with the Conservatives.

Keir Starmer discusses Labour's manifesto and the party's plans for wealth creation and tax measures. The podcast scrutinizes how a future Labour government would handle public finances. Analysis on potential tax increases and their impact, plus a look at Conservative and Liberal Democrat manifestos on national insurance and self-employment taxes.

Rishi Sunak pledges over £17bn in tax cuts for the Tories' campaign. Analysis includes manifesto promises, Brexit impact, Labour competition, and Lib Dem pledges. Also, discussions on political apologies, healthcare challenges, campaign strategies, and controversial candidate comments in British politics.

Morale within the Conservative campaign is low and was damaged further this week after the party chair became the fifth Tory MP to abandon his seat in the north to fight for a safer seat in the south of England. The FT’s Whitehall editor Lucy Fisher gets round the table with colleagues Robert Shrimsley and Jim Pickard to reflect on the damage done and on those tax claims made by Rishi Sunak during the first leaders’ TV debate. Plus, the FT’s Michael Peel joins to discuss how the rest of the world views the UK.Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_FisherWant more? Free links:‘Morale is shot’: Tory campaign mood sapped by candidate rowRishi Sunak apologises for leaving D-Day commemorations earlyKeir Starmer accuses Rishi Sunak of ‘lying’ over Labour £2,000 tax claimBehold the final casualties of Brexit More than half of British universities slip down global rankingsSign up here for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award. Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Audrey Tinline. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and audio mix 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.