Some incredible scenes in PMQs this week - in which Chancellor Rachel Reeves was openly crying - has Ed Balls and George Osborne considering just how bad things have got for the Labour government. Mere days after a dramatic climbdown over welfare reform, when the watered-down bill inched over the finish line amid threats of MP rebellion, the bond market slumped over speculation Reeves was facing the sack. Ed thinks it’s been the worst week for Labour governments for a long time, and George thinks that, domestically at least, the government is now adrift.

But the show must go on! French President Emmanuel Macron is due for a state visit next week, the first since President Nicholas Sarkozy’s over a decade ago. Put aside the pressing political questions for more important matters - what is Ed going to wear to the big dinner at Windsor Castle?

And, believe it or not, this week marks a whole year since the Starmer government took office. No doubt the PM is facing a slew of acute policy challenges, but has his personal approach and his leadership style shifted the course of the 12 months?

Producer: Miriam Hall and Jarek Zaba

Video Editor: Danny Pape

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is the G20 still a force for peace and diplomacy, or just a stage for political performance? Ed Balls and George Osborne kick off this week’s EMQs with a question about nuclear non-proliferation and whether South Africa should push it up the agenda this year.

The pair then turns to a question from regular listener Douglas Alexander, Minister of State for Trade Policy and Economic Security. Fresh off publishing the new trade strategy, he asks for George and Ed’s take on what it gets right and whether the Conservatives ever had anything similar.

And is there a way to make people see the value in their taxes? Maybe just a little? Ed and George weigh in on one of life’s certainties, thanks to a question from a gold subscriber who received world class care at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

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Producer: Miriam Hall

Senior Producer: Silvia Maresca

Video Editor: Oliver Geraghty

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Daddy’s back in the (White) House! Ed Balls and George Osborne go over the major event of the week - starting with the NATO meeting in The Hague. Allies have agreed to up defence spending to 5 percent, but that’s not what’s grabbing the headlines. More attention has been on new Secretary General Mark Rutte referring to Donald Trump as “Daddy.” The pair consider what’s really at play here, and what Trump’s return to the world stage could mean for the UK.

Back home, the government is refusing to say whether the US bombing of Iran violated international law. What’s the strategy in dodging the question? And how long can they keep it up?

But it’s not the only issue on their plate. Labour’s big majority is looking a bit shakier as over 120 MPs line up to rebel over welfare reform. Is this Starmer’s first real test? And what does it tell us about who’s really in charge?

Plus, Glastonbury gets dragged into the headlines again - this time over Irish rap group Kneecap. Are we in for another culture war summer?

To get episodes early and ad-free, join Political Currency Gold or the Kitchen Cabinet:

👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency

👉 Apple Podcasts

Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.

Producer: Miriam Hall

Senior Producer: Silvia Maresca

Video Editor: Oliver Geraghty

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.