Political Currency

The podcast discusses the UK falling into recession, termed 'Rishession', creating challenges for the Sunak government. Labour faces anti-semitism crisis with concerns over candidate Azhar Ali. The hosts explore economic realities, Labour leader's strategic mistakes, and NATO Summit tensions.

Ed Balls and George Osborne discuss topics like minimum wage impact, next female PM, Keir Starmer's charisma. They share amusing celebrity encounters and talk about UK rejoining EU customs union.

It’s been a week of missteps for Rishi Sunak - an uncomfortable bet struck with Piers Morgan over Rwanda and a jibe gone wrong at PMQs - plus Liz Truss and her PopCon launch can’t have helped. Is this a precursor to the next leadership contest - or just misguided lessons in popularity with one of the least popular PMs of all time?In Labour land, the party’s £28 billion on green spending U-turn is finally coming to fruition, weeks after Ed predicted it would. Is it screeching to a stop enough for people to notice - and what will come in its place? Ed and George debate how effective the rollback is.And as Buckingham Palace announces King Charles’ cancer diagnosis, Ed and George reflect on how a modern monarchy communicates with the public.Follow us on social media: @polcurrencyProducers: Rachel Balmer and Rosie StopherProduction Manager: Flick HeathExecutive 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.

On this week's Ex-minister’s Questions, a listeners asks if Matt Hancock has simply been misunderstood? No guesses for which way Ed and George fall on that one. They’re also tackling social care policy, Sunday opening hours, and the real meaning of 'Chatham House rules'. Speaking of which, we've had correspondence from an anonymous source with a revelation about Rishi Sunak and a disappearing video he filmed for social media's most successful foodie account; TOPJAW.Follow us on social media: @polcurrencyProducers: Rachel Balmer and Rosie StopherProduction Manager: Flick HeathExecutive 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.

Brexit anniversary sparks debate on bankers' bonus cap; Rishi Sunak's vaping ban questioned; French political turmoil examined with Macron's challenges and potential far-right successor

Ed and George tackle more Ex-Ministers’ Questions. What are the best nicknames they’ve heard in politics? Is it time to radically rethink the NHS? How can the Israel-Palestine conflict be talked about in a way that’s respectful to both sides? And George reveals one of the strangest rules in the House of Commons... may contain references to snorting - you have been warned!To send in your questions for next week's episode, email questions@politicalcurrency.co.uk - we love to receive your voice notes! Follow us on social media: @polcurrency Producers: Rachel Balmer and Rosie Stopher Production Manager: Flick Heath Executive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie Clifford Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and part of the Acast Creator Network Hosted on Acast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Has Rishi Sunak survived his first attempted coup? It might look like Simon Clarke’s amounted to nothing but Ed and George think it might be too soon to tell whether he’s failed yet. They have plenty of insights into plots past, and the many ways they can fizzle, burn, or downright engulf a prime minister.Elsewhere in politics, the UK tax burden has been drifting up to a rate not seen since the 1960s. Can any chancellor - current or future - do anything about it?And in Europe, a beleaguered German coalition faces economic problems of their own, plus the looming  rise of the far-right. Is the most stable country in Europe headed towards ‘Dexit’?Follow us on social media: @polcurrencyProducers: Rachel Balmer and Rosie StopherProduction Manager: Flick HeathExecutive 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.

George, leader of the Labour party, joins Ed to discuss crisis management, preparing for PMQs, and changing the monarchy's financing. They also address the accidental kick on live TV and reflect on impactful political ideas that weren't implemented.

Rishi Sunak survived Tory mutiny over the Rwanda policy, but he’s not out of the woods just yet. Ed and George explain why his road to election 2024 still faces huge problems.Meanwhile, George has been in Davos this week. He reveals his celebrity spots - including Sting - as well as the global mood on the economy. But is this more than just a glitzy who’s who? Ed thinks it's a prime opportunity for opposition parties to show they mean business.  And, in America, Donald Trump has claimed victory in the Iowa caucus. It could mean a return to the White House in 2025. Can foreign leaders come back from their scathing attacks and form a new relationship, and should they?Follow us on social media: @polcurrencyProducers: Rachel Balmer and Rosie StopherProduction Manager: Flick HeathExecutive 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.

Welcome to our first edition of EMQs - Ex-Ministers' Questions... see what we did there?. Every Monday, our ex-ministers will take your questions. Ed Balls and George Osborne will also hear from some influential and famous voices.In our first episode: did the Lib Dems agree to ditch their pledge on tuition fees during the coalition talks? What is the Barnett formula and is it fair? And why are Special Advisers such as Dominic Cummings so influential?To send in your questions for next week's episode, email questions@politicalcurrency.co.uk - we love to get your voice notes!Follow us on social media: @polcurrencyProducers: Rachel Balmer and Rosie StopherProduction Manager: Flick HeathExecutive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and part of the Acast Creator Network Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.