Politics Weekly
Political analysis from the Guardian and Observer's top journalists and commentators.
Boris Johnson’s battle to save Christmas: Politics Weekly podcast
As the PM contradicts his own scientists, Jessica Elgot and Gaby Hinsliff discuss the government’s response to the new Covid-19 Omicron variant. Plus: is Keir Starmer’s new shadow cabinet an election-winning Labour team? Starmer’s former director of communications Ben Nunn gives us his take in an exclusive first interview since…
Can the Republican party escape Trump? Politics Weekly Extra
This month, 13 House Republicans crossed party lines and voted in favour of Joe Biden’s infrastructure bill. This prompted anger from colleagues, voters and the former president Donald Trump. And the Republican leadership was slow to jump to their defence. Jonathan Freedland and Tara Setmayer discuss what this says about…
Has Boris Johnson lost his grip? Politics Weekly podcast
Heather Stewart and Polly Toynbee discuss the government’s narrowly approved social care plan and Boris Johnson’s bizarre CBI speech. Plus: can Priti Patel solve the issue of Channel crossings? Rowena Mason is joined by Rajeev Syal and Sunder Katwala. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Is Kamala Harris being shunned by the US president? Politics Weekly Extra
After reports came out suggesting the vice-president was being underused, the White House came to her defence at the weekend. Jonathan Freedland and Lauren Gambino discuss the various rumours shrouding Biden and Harris’ relationship. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
‘A coward not a leader’: Politics Weekly podcast
As row over MPs’ second jobs escalates, the Conservative party’s sleaze scandal is not going away. Jessica Elgot and Rafael Behr assess how damaging this could get for the Tories. Plus: the Guardian’s sketch writer John Crace on writing satire during a year of chaos in Westminster. Help support our…
What happens when Nancy Pelosi retires? Politics Weekly Extra
Known as one of the most powerful women in US politics, the speaker of the House of Representatives is due to retire in the next few years. Jonathan Freedland and Susan Page look back at the career of one of the longest-serving politicians on Capitol Hill, and what her eventual…
When does sleaze become corruption? Politics Weekly podcast
As the Conservative party remains split on how to respond to allegations of sleaze, Rowena Mason and Heather Stewart bring us up to date on what is happening. Plus, Nesrine Malik and Daniel Bruce of Transparency International look at how political systems may become corrupt over time. Help support our…
Is this a presidency-defining week for Biden? Politics Weekly Extra
Voters handed Joe Biden a devastating blow by electing a Republican governor, Glenn Youngkin, in Virginia. Jonathan Freedland talks to David Smith about how the president rallies his party ahead of next year’s midterms.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
A victorious but cautious PM at COP26 : Politics Weekly Podcast
After world leaders left COP26 in Glasgow, Rowena Mason and Peter Walker assess their performances. Will they be anything more than smoke and mirrors?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
The man who sued Trump for incitement: Politics Weekly Extra
In the aftermath of the 6 January attack on the Capitol, Donald Trump was impeached and acquitted for a second time. Jonathan Freedland talks to Congressman Eric Swalwell who talks about what a special select committee is doing to hold those deemed responsible for inciting the mob accountable. Help support…
Sunak cuts taxes and pledges to spend: Politics Weekly podcast
Heather Stewart, Larry Elliott and Aditya Chakrabortty break down what the chancellor Rishi Sunak announced in the Commons on Budget day 2021. Plus, as we gear up for Cop26, Fiona Harvey tells Peter Walker about the man who’s leading the summit - Alok Sharma.. Help support our independent journalism at…
Manchin thwarts Biden’s climate plan: Politics Weekly Extra
As Joe Biden gears up for his trip to Glasgow for the Cop26 summit, Senator Joe Manchin continues to try to water down the reconciliation bill, which as it stands includes transformational provisions to stem the adverse affects of the climate crisis. Joan Greve and Oliver Milman look at the…
Westminster mourns the death of David Amess: Politics Weekly podcast
Following the death of the MP for Southend West, the second killing of an MP in five years, Jessica Elgot and Dan Sabbagh look at the security measures in place for public figures and what more could be done to keep them safe. Plus, Rupa Huq MP tells Aubrey Allegretti…
Why Virginia holds the key to the 2022 US midterms: Politics Weekly Extra podcast
This week Jonathan Freedland speaks to Jessica Taylor, of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter. The pair discuss what the off-year gubernatorial elections coming up in a few weeks might tell us about Democrat and Republican chances in next year’s midterm elections. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Crises continue as Johnson holidays in Spain: Politics Weekly podcast
Heather Stewart and Gaby Hinsliff dissect a cross-party report that found the government’s response to Covid-19 contributed to ‘one of the UK’s worst ever public health failures’. Plus, as the UK and EU enter the latest negotiations over the Northern Ireland protocol, Lisa O’Carroll tells Rowena Mason why the UK…
McConnell hands Democrats surprising win: US Politics Weekly Extra
The US Senate has reached a deal to extend the debt ceiling until early December, which narrowly averted an ‘economic catastrophe’. But is this the end? Or will the crisis just re-emerge a few weeks from now? And can the Democrats finally agree on two separate major spending bills? Jonathan…
Johnson full of poems, puns, but not policy: Politics Weekly podcast
Rowena Mason and Heather Stewart dissect the prime minister’s speech at the Conservative party conference. Plus, Aubrey Allegretti looks at why some Tory MPs are warning the party over its plans to level up the country. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Why is Trump still making headlines? Politics Weekly Extra podcast
This week a rush of new stories and allegations came out about Donald Trump with the publication of two new books. Jonathan Freedland talks to Richard Wolffe about why it’s important to keep talking about the former president. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Starmer faces hecklers during conference speech: Politics Weekly podcast
In a 90-minute speech rounding off the Labour party conference, Keir Starmer promised a ‘strong plan for government’, and attacked his counterpart in Downing Street, calling him a ‘showman’. Jessica Elgot and the lobby team in Brighton bring us the highlights and lowlights of the event. Help support our independent…
Does the world trust Joe Biden? Politics Weekly Extra
This week, Joe Biden spoke to the UN General Assembly for the first time as president. After watching him oversee a disastrous exit from Afghanistan and sign up to a controversial nuclear submarine deal with the UK and Australia, Jonathan Freedland and Dr Leslie Vinjamuri discuss how the world views…