Political Currency

The Labour government's recent trade deals with India and the US spark intriguing discussions about Starmer's approach to the Trump administration. Ed and George dissect how these agreements may influence Labour's stance on immigration and economic priorities. The rise of Nigel Farage's Reform Party adds pressure on traditional parties, prompting a reassessment of strategies. Meanwhile, the Bank of England's interest rate decisions raise questions about the UK's economic future amidst contrasting policies from the US Federal Reserve.

The candidacy of a British figure for California's governorship sparks intriguing discussions about multicultural governance. Exploring podcast habits among politicians reveals fascinating insights into media influence on election strategies. The conversation dives into the complexities of fundraising and local Republican dynamics in California's unique political landscape. Also highlighted is the essential interplay of economics and political decision-making, encouraging young listeners to engage more in political discourse.

Local elections in England are a critical test for key political figures, while Donald Trump’s first 100 days have pushed stock markets into turmoil. The podcast delves into the potential collapse of traditional two-party politics amidst the rise of new movements. It highlights the challenges faced by Labour and the Conservatives and the implications of Mark Carney's recent victory in Canada. Additionally, the discussion touches on negotiating trade deals post-Brexit and the evolving dynamics of U.S.-Canada relations.

In this installment, Andrew Marr, a seasoned political journalist, and Deborah Mattinson, a veteran political pollster, dive into the chaos of October 2007 when Gordon Brown hesitated to call a snap general election. They discuss the intense strategy sessions leading up to the decision, revealing the swirling doubts and pressures within Brown's team. Marr shares the inside scoop on his historic interview with Brown right after the cancellation, shedding light on the dynamics of political decision-making and media influence during this tumultuous period.

Election Speculation... Labour had a substantial lead in the polls in 2007, fuelling talk of a snap general election to cement Gordon Brown’s place in Number 10. And things only got better as the party arrived in Bournemouth for their party conference. By the end of it, election fever was well and truly in the air.To listen to episode 3 straight away, sign up to Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. Head to Apple Podcasts or www.patreon.com/PoliticalCurrency to find out more. Subscribers will also get exclusive access to 'The Inquiry' - our bonus episode where Ed and George give their reflections on the series.EPISODE 2: Labour’s rivals had to follow the show, and shadow chancellor George Osborne had an ace up his sleeve to unveil at their own conference in Blackpool: a hugely popular cut on inheritance tax. David Cameron followed it up with his own surprise move, a ‘no-notes’ speech that was well received. Suddenly, the polls swung back, erasing the Labour lead in less than a week. Deborah Mattinson - a key pollster for Gordon Brown - continues in the studio with George and Ed to relive these tumultuous couple of weeks.Producers: John Rogers and Miriam HallTechnical Producer: Danny PapeExecutive Producers: Ellie Clifford and Dino SofosPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network Subscribe now on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Deborah Mattinson, former chief pollster for Gordon Brown, shares her insights on the pivotal moments that shaped British politics in 2007. She and the hosts reminisce about the chaotic early days of Brown's premiership, his attempts to manage crises, and the profound impact of budget decisions on voter sentiment. The transition from Tony Blair to Brown is unpacked, revealing contrasting leadership styles and the challenges that arose. The conversation is a fascinating reflection on an election that never happened and the dynamics that influenced a nation.

In this Easter special, two prominent figures discuss the rare phenomenon of wanting to pay more taxes. They ponder what might happen if a Prime Minister loses their seat and examine historical cases of political leadership. Topics also include the potential scrapping of tax-free lump sums for pensions and the idea of mandatory business contributions to local economies. The conversation humorously critiques political budgeting while exploring the complexities of devolving power to cities and regional governments.

The podcast dives into the ramifications of the U.S. potentially defaulting on its debts to China, with stark warnings of economic fallout. It introduces 'patrimonalism,' linking it to Trump's style of governance, and examines how personal loyalties shape political power. By reflecting on the lives and legacies of former British Prime Ministers, the hosts explore who managed to adapt post-office and who didn’t. Humorous anecdotes and real listener stories add a lively touch to the discussion on infrastructure lobbying and political influence.

The podcast dives deep into Donald Trump's dramatic tariff U-turn, exploring the chaos it unleashed in the bond market and potential economic crisis. Discussions highlight the signs of Republican dissent and the geopolitical impact of U.S. trade policies. The conversation shifts to the UK, examining Prime Minister Keir Starmer's strategies to invigorate the economy post-Brexit. Also on the table are insights from 'Bidenomics' and the tumultuous relationship between trade dynamics and fiscal policies. Expect a blend of humor, market analysis, and political intrigue.

This week, Ed Balls and George Osborne mull museums and memes via bank holidays and pennies. With listeners telling us their locations of choice, funeral director Ross ranks highly with his admission that Ed and George are sometimes listened to in a hearse on the drive home. The pair consider: what are the merits of regulating the funeral industry?Should our cultural institutions be charging more for access?George calls upon his expertise as Chair of the British Museum to weigh it up. Meanwhile, Ed shares his own research into the economics of a bank holiday… do we really stand to lose billions if the government was to introduce another?Toxic masculinity and online safety are in the spotlight in the wake of Netflix’s hit show Adolescence, with research indicating that young people in the UK are particularly worried about these issues. Ed and George look at the role of government in addressing their concerns, before assessing whether the humble penny should remain a staple of British life. And a touch of nostalgia …  a listener reminds the economic duo of the ‘Budget Rap Battle’, put together by Sky News when the pair were on opposite sides of the dispatch box. Ed expresses scepticism that such memes can make a political difference, although both agree that Nick Clegg’s I’m Sorry remix was a damaging – albeit amusing – moment in the Lib Dem leader’s career…. Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes and receive early access to EMQs. Or, join Political Currency’s KITCHEN CABINET to enjoy early and ad-free listening, access to live EMQs recordings, and exclusive Political Currency merch.Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrency. Please note Kitchen Cabinet subscriptions are only available through Patreon.Technical Producer: Danny Pape Producers: Miriam Hall and Jarek ŻabaExecutive Producer: Dino SofosPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Subscribe now on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.