Episodes

  • Did Keir Starmer screw up his own anniversary?

    Did Keir Starmer screw up his own anniversary?
    Jul 3 2025
    Happy 1st anniversary, Keir Starmer.

    He wanted to be talking about what he sees as Labour’s achievements after 12 months in goverment and his 10-year plan for the NHS.

    But, after another dramatic policy U-turn and the sight of his own chancellor crying at PMQs, when he kept his support for her slightly vague, Beth Rigby, Harriet Harman and Ruth Davidson discuss if his start in office has been shattered by this week.

    They also wonder if the solution to make relations with his own MPs a bit easier would be to make better use of Angela Rayner.

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    47 mins
  • What will Keir Starmer learn from the Labour welfare chaos?

    What will Keir Starmer learn from the Labour welfare chaos?
    Jun 26 2025
    It sounds like concessions are being offered to the dozens of Labour MPs who had threatened to rebel over the government’s planned welfare cuts.

    On this episode, Beth, Ruth, and Harriet went over the possible options for the Prime Minister. They also talk about what Keir Starmer needs to learn from the chaos of the past few days.

    Plus, is President Trump the "daddy" in his handling of the Israel-Iran conflict, as NATO head Mark Rutte may have suggested?

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    50 mins
  • Why won't Starmer call out Trump?

    Why won't Starmer call out Trump?
    Jun 23 2025
    Days after Keir Starmer told Beth that a US strike on Iran wasn’t imminent, Trump ordered US bunker busters to bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities.

    But the UK’s position on the attacks are unclear. The focus is not on what the Prime Minister is saying – but what he isn’t saying. After a brief interview, it’s clear Keir Starmer isn’t willing to either endorse the strikes, or criticise President Trump.

    For this extra episode Beth, Ruth and Harriet discuss the delicate situation the UK Prime Minister finds himself after a full-blown escalation of the middle east conflict. They ask what will be going through the minds of the Prime Minister and those around him – and if there are any answers the government can and will give in the coming days.

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    26 mins
  • Will Starmer have to agree to war?

    Will Starmer have to agree to war?
    Jun 19 2025
    Is Donald Trump about to join Israel in attacks on Iran, and will he ask Keir Starmer to help him out? If he does - would it even be legal?

    A lot has happened since Beth, Ruth and Harriet last got together, with further significant developments expected before a big NATO summit next week - a gathering we don't even know if the US president will turn up to.

    So how did we get to the point where we're asking whether the UK will allow its ally - the US - to use its airbases? And how does the current situation compare to the invasion of Iraq in 2003?

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    45 mins
  • Should anyone go to prison for an abortion?

    Should anyone go to prison for an abortion?
    Jun 13 2025
    A landmark bill is due to be voted on in the House of Commons next week that could decriminalise abortion for women in England and Wales.

    Currently, any woman who has had an abortion after 24 weeks - without two doctors signing it off - could be jailed under a Victorian law. So why has it taken until 2025 for this vote? And who are the women whose stories have led to a potential change in the law?

    Beth, Ruth and Harriet speak to Tonia Antoniazzi, the Labour MP proposing an amendment on the Crime and Policing Bill.

    Also, are we going to see tax rises in the autumn budget after this week’s spending review? And is the Labour Party in turmoil over welfare cuts?

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    45 mins
  • Rachel Reeves faces the numbers - can she cut it?

    Rachel Reeves faces the numbers - can she cut it?
    Jun 6 2025
    As Rachel Reeves prepares for next week’s spending review, Beth explains why it could be a defining moment for the government and the chancellor is faced with difficult choices.

    Harriet talks about the two-child benefit cap and whether the government can afford to scrap it.

    And as Sir Keir Starmer puts the country on a war footing, Sky's defence correspondent Deborah Haynes joins Beth, Ruth and Harriet to talk about the strategic defence review and why there's no argument across parliament about defence spending.

    Deborah also talks about her own podcast The Wargame, which is out next week and simulates an attack on the UK.

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    47 mins
  • Why Labour needs to focus on the working class, with Andy Burnham

    Why Labour needs to focus on the working class, with Andy Burnham
    Jun 5 2025
    Beth is catching up with Andy Burnham - the Mayor of Greater Manchester – in his office for an extra episode this week, recorded on Tuesday.

    It’s just days to go until the chancellor unveils her Spending Review, and it’s set to be good news for the North – they are about to get billions for big transport projects. But is that a good enough offer to keep working-class Labour voters interested? Burnham explains why he thinks the government could be doing better to connect with the working classes and how to keep their votes from going to Reform and Nigel Farage.

    For him, it’s simple – better technical education and more social housing, something he’s working on with his extra devolved powers. Will he pave the way for national policy?

    Also, does he actually want to be the leader of the Labour Party?

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    30 mins
  • Farage steps in whilst parliament’s out

    Farage steps in whilst parliament’s out
    May 30 2025
    Nigel Farage is using parliamentary recess to grab the microphone – he's been out and about during the half term holiday criticising the government and claiming Reform UK as the party for families. Harriet and Ruth ask whether he’s been smart in copying the tactics we’re used to seeing from leaders of the opposition.

    It’s just a week on from that EU debate he missed in the House of Commons because he was on holiday himself. So what are the rules for MPs going away in term time? Harriet has a tale of her own.

    Plus we have a holiday treat in the form of an interview with legendary satirist Armando Iannucci - recorded at the ED Live show in London.


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    34 mins