Political Currency

Is the role of a PPS more than just a ‘bag carrier’ and when has it gone wrong? If Ed and George could have a cardboard cut out of any politician who would it be? And BBC Radio 4’s Amol Rajan asks Ed about Joe Biden’s stammer. Should the American President talk more openly about his speech impediment? Plus, is the rise of the smartphone to blame for us all being less productive? And should 16 and 17 year olds have been allowed to vote in the Brexit referendum? Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes, receive early access to EMQs and Inside The Room, and to live show tickets. Try for free: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrencyRemember to send us your questions to questions@politicalcurrency.co.ukProducer: Rosie Stopher and Miriam Hall Technical Producer: Will Gibson Smith and Oliver Geraghty Executive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It should have finally been a bumper week for Rishi Sunak - with inflation down, a win for his smoking ban and with success on his Rwanda legislation within sight.But instead, would-be Tory leaders have been hogging the limelight. Liz Truss is back with a vengeance. Could her ‘Trump-style’ return to form see her reinstated as head of the party? Or is it Kemi Badenoch’s time to shine? Why has her stance on the smoking ban been rubbing her colleagues up the wrong way? And as we head towards the local elections, party leaflets are coming in thick and fast. That is, if you can tell which party it’s come from - because George has noticed some parties are a bit more keen to dwell on their Westminster representatives than others…Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes, receive early access to EMQs and Inside The Room, and to live show tickets. Try for free: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrencyRemember to send us your questions to questions@politicalcurrency.co.ukProducer: Rosie StopherTechnical Producer: Will Gibson Smith and Oliver Geraghty Executive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ed Balls and George Osborne were Inside the Room with Michael Gove last week to deep dive into the Brexit plots - and now they’re facing your questions on the moment that changed British politics forever. What happened to all the voters the EU referendum coaxed out of the woodwork? Are women ignored in the retelling of those tumultuous days of 2016? And what can historical parallels tell us about the inevitability of rejoining?Plus, GB News’ Chris Hope asks why George and David Cameron didn’t give themselves more time for their EU negotiations, Tim Shipman asks what would have happened if Boris Johnson became PM straight away and it’s time to ‘uncork the Gauke’ with a question on whether Michael Gove was right to advise future Prime Ministers to ‘never ever have a referendum on anything’?You could have listened to this episode early and ad-free! Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes, receive early access to EMQs and Inside The Room, and to live show tickets. Try for free: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrencyProducer: Rosie StopherTechnical Producer: Oliver Geraghty Production Support: Miriam HallExecutive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Another week, another scandal surrounding the Conservatives. But this time of the honey trapping variety. Ed and George discuss the dating app scam that has ensnared at least one MP. Meanwhile, Labour is having a difficult time stamping out persistent claims the party’s Deputy Leader Angela Rayner dodged tax on a house sale. George says if she stumbles, all the Conservatives want to see her fall. He predicts there will be more to come. And David Cameron is back on the world stage, meeting with US presidential candidate Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago in Florida this week. George thinks it shows Cameron can secure the meetings no “normal” foreign secretary could land. Ed wonders, though, what Joe Biden would think of the former PM giving airtime and legitimacy to Trump … Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes, receive early access to EMQs and Inside The Room, and to live show tickets. Try for free: patreon.com/PoliticalCurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrencyProducer: Rosie StopherTechnical Producer: Will Gibson SmithProduction Support: Miriam HallExecutive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The result is in, and in the words of David Dimbleby, ‘we’re out’. But whilst the Brexit referendum draws a line under the campaign period, it sets the stage for chaos in the lives of our insiders. In this final episode of 'Inside the Room: The Brexit Plots', Ed Balls and George Osborne grill Michael Gove on the Conservative leadership contest that followed David Cameron’s resignation, and what (or who) persuaded him to commit one of the great political betrayals of recent years.Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes, receive early access to EMQs and Inside The Room, and to live show tickets. Try for free: patreon.com/PoliticalCurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrencyProducer: Rosie StopherTechnical Producer: Will Gibson SmithProduction Support: Miriam HallExecutive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie CliffordArchive: BBC News, EuroNews and Sky NewsPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Gove, Ed Balls, and George Osborne share insights into the chaotic Brexit campaign HQs. They discuss the escalating tension, emotional turmoil post Jo Cox's murder, strategic shifts, immigration concessions, referendum night emotions, and ongoing intrigues.

Brexit was the issue that splintered British politics: Friendships were broken, political parties split, and a nation polarised by the EU referendum. We all know what the outcome was, but in this special miniseries, Ed Balls and George Osborne are joined by Michael Gove - the ultimate Leave campaign insider - to discover what really went on behind the scenes of the biggest political shakeup of the 21st century.In this first part of three, Ed, George and Michael take us back to the beginning of the Brexit campaigns and ‘inside the room’ as a formerly watertight cabinet began to split in favour of Leave or Remain.Parts 2 and 3 of 'Inside The Room: The Brexit Plots' are available to listen to NOW for subscribers to Political Currency Gold.POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅Become a member of Political Currency Gold to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes, receive early access to EMQs and Inside The Room, and to live show tickets.Try for free: patreon.com/PoliticalCurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrencyProducer: Rosie StopherTechnical Producer: Will Gibson SmithProduction Support: Miriam HallExecutive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie CliffordArchive: BBC News, EuroNews and Sky NewsPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator NetworkHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Parliament may be heading into recess, but there’s little time for holidaying as the political parties are heading straight into local election campaigning after Easter. Ed Balls and George Osborne take stock of how those campaigns are shaping up, who and what to watch out for, and how the results might change the Westminster mood.Is the BBC in danger again? And this time it’s from inside. After Tim Davie’s remarks this week, Ed and George take a deep dive on their own history with Auntie. And as we approach the end of the financial year, what about the newest kid on the block, Jeremy Hunt’s great British ISA? George and Ed look back on the “Buy British” campaigns of old and why they simply don’t work.  Producer: Rosie Stopher Technical Producer: Will Gibson SmithProduction support: Miriam Hall Executive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The latest polling predicts Conservative armageddon in the next election. But do these polls matter? George reveals why the Tories are still banking on winning over those ‘don’t know’ voters. They’ll have a mountain to climb, with growing fears of coordinated tactical voting. Will it work as a strategy, and have Ed and George ever dared to vote for another party? And when Taylor Swift comes roaring into town, does she bring a massive economic boost with her? Our not-so-secret Swifties aren’t convinced… Plus, they tackle the consequences of spending commitments for subsequent governments, and ask if tradition has any real importance in politics. Got a question for Ed and George? Send a voice note to questions@politicalcurrency.co.ukProducer: Rosie Stopher Technical Producer: Will Gibson SmithProduction support: Miriam Hall Executive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rishi Sunak is on a mission to prove his political fortunes are turning round… despite a long list of headaches. How can he get out of the political spiral he’s in? George and Ed pick over some lessons from Prime Ministers past… He’d do well to heed their words. On the Labour side, Rachel Reeves had made another big play for the role of chancellor, giving the Mais lecture. Is ‘securonomics’ the future of Britain? And does it mean she’s disowning some of Ed’s New Labour decisions?And forget the Eton rifles, could Britain’s young people actually be going to war?Follow us on social media: @polcurrencyProducers: Rosie StopherTechnical Producer: Will Gibson SmithProduction support: Miriam HallExecutive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.