Politics Weekly
Political analysis from the Guardian and Observer's top journalists and commentators.
Frome’s byelection battle: head or heart?– Politics Weekly UK
This week, Politics Weekly UK is in Frome in the south-west of England before one of three confirmed byelections. Against a backdrop of high inflation, painful mortgage rates and more allegations of Tory sleaze, the Guardian’s John Harris speaks to people about whether they think anyone is able to bring…
Peerages and posh boys – Politics Weekly UK podcast
The Conservative party is not far from all-out war, from Rishi Sunak’s public criticism of Boris Johnson to Nadine Dorries decrying ‘posh boys’ for blocking her peerage. The Guardian’s John Harris is joined by political editor Pippa Crerar and the former Tory cabinet minister David Gauke to try to untangle…
Starmer: hammering the left?– Politics Weekly UK podcast
Labour looks closer to power than it has been for the last decade, but as it nears the next election, some big tensions are starting to become clear. One is its plan for a green economy, another on the candidates being selected. The Guardian’s John Harris is joined by columnists…
The Covid inquiry vs the Cabinet Office – Politics Weekly UK
The legal tug of war between the Covid inquiry and the Cabinet Office continues this week. Gaby Hinsliff sits in for John Harris, and talks to the former Downing Street chief of staff Gavin Barwell and the former chief prosecutor Nazir Afzal about the possible reasons for the government’s position…
Boris, Braverman and borders – Politics Weekly UK
Rishi Sunak is fighting fires this week as Boris Johnson and Suella Braverman steal the headlines. And as new net migration figures are released on Thursday, can the prime minister take back control of the narrative? The Guardian’s John Harris is joined by columnists Rafael Behr and Gaby Hinsliff. Help…
NatCon: The Tories tilt to the right – Politics Weekly UK
Some of the big figures on the political right, including two cabinet ministers, have been speaking this week at the National Conservatism conference in London. How much sway does this vocal group have over government? The Guardian’s John Harris is joined by the former Tory minister David Gauke and the…
Hung up on a hung parliament – Politics Weekly UK
Keir Starmer and Ed Davey have both refused to rule out forming a coalition between their parties at the next general election. Following disastrous results for the Conservatives in the local elections, what will this mean for Labour and the Liberal Democrats? The Guardian’s Gaby Hinsliff, standing in for John…
NHS strikes: the women taking back control – Politics Weekly UK
More than a million NHS workers will get a 5% pay rise after health unions accepted a government offer. But the Royal College of Nursing has rejected the offer. The Guardian’s John Harris speaks to Pat Cullen, the general secretary of the RCN and Frances O’Grady, a Labour peer and…
Sudan: what happens next? – Politics Weekly UK
The UK government has been criticised for its slowness in evacuating UK nationals from Sudan. But what could this mean for the millions of civilians left there in dire and dangerous circumstances? The Guardian’s John Harris asks Africa correspondent Jason Burke. Also, amid a fresh charge of antisemitism and ahead…
‘Let them Eat Maths!’ – Politics Weekly UK
The UK needs to shift its ‘anti-maths mindset’, according to Rishi Sunak. But while the prime minister wants everyone to learn maths until the age of 18, do the sums add up against a recruitment crisis in teaching? The Guardian’s John Harris speaks to Gill Burbridge, headteacher of Leyton Sixth…
The Tories – seven years, five PMs. What’s next? Politics Weekly UK podcast
Boris Johnson won an 80-seat majority in 2019, redrawing the electoral map and threatening Labour with another decade in opposition. Less than four years later, the Conservatives are on their third leader in 12 months and are trailing in the polls. So how did the UK get here? The Guardian’s…
Will Stevenage Woman make Starmer PM? – Politics Weekly UK
Who does Labour need to win over – or win back – to form a government at the next election? The Guardian’s John Harris is joined by columnist Gaby Hinsliff, former Ed Miliband speechwriter Marc Stears and Josh Simons from Labour Together to discuss how the party can target these…
Can Humza Yousaf unite the SNP? – Politics Weekly UK
Humza Yousaf has become new leader of the SNP. But with Scotland’s path to independence looking further away than ever, can Nicola Sturgeon’s replacement reignite the party and the debate? The Guardian’s John Harris is joined by Scotland correspondent Libby Brooks, columnist Gaby Hinsliff and former Downing Street chief of…
The Boris Inquisition – Politics Weekly UK
With the former prime minister having been questioned by MPs on the privileges select committee, the Guardian’s John Harris is joined by political editor Pippa Crerar to discuss Johnson’s fight to save his career, and speaks to those who worked on the frontline of the pandemic. Help support our independent…
Blair, power and public trust: the Iraq war 20 years on – Politics Weekly UK podcast
Next week marks 20 years since the UK joined US and coalition forces in the invasion of Iraq. The Guardian’s John Harris looks back on the war’s troubled legacy and its impact on politics today, with the journalist Audrey Gillan, who reported from Iraq, and the columnist Jonathan Freedland. Help…
The Budget: Hunting for growth? – Politics Weekly UK
Jeremy Hunt has set out his first budget as chancellor. With plans to boost childcare and help people get back to work, can it provide the much-needed growth the economy needs? The Guardian’s John Harris is joined by former Conservative minister David Gauke and Miatta Fahnbulleh from the New Economics…
Small boats and big promises – Politics Weekly UK
Another plan has been announced to crack down on so-called small boats arriving illegally in the UK. The Guardian’s John Harris speaks to immigration specialist Zoe Gardner and former Conservative special advisor Luke Tryl, and discusses the history of immigration rhetoric with Guardian political editor Pippa Crerar. Help support our…
Is this the end of the Tories’ Brexit wars? Politics Weekly UK
After years of tensions, Rishi Sunak and Ursula von der Leyen this week unveiled their new Brexit deal to virtually universal praise. But is there a catch? The Guardian’s John Harris is joined by Brexit correspondent Lisa O’Carroll, columnist Rafael Behr and former No 10 chief of staff and Conservative…
How the war in Ukraine changed the world – Politics Weekly UK
This week marks one year since Russia sent its troops into Ukraine. The Guardian’s John Harris is joined by defence and security editor, Dan Sabbagh, and the Ukrainian MP, Kira Rudik, to look at how the war has changed world politics. And, what the future may look like for Ukraine…
‘I’m a human being’: Nicola Sturgeon resigns – Politics Weekly UK podcast
It’s the end of an era for two politicians: Nicola Sturgeon has announced she will quit as leader of the SNP and Jeremy Corbyn has been blocked from re-entering the Labour party by Keir Starmer. Gaby Hinsliff is in for John Harris and she speaks to Guardian deputy political editor…