Elon Musk’s hostility towards the UK government, and Sir Keir Starmer in particular, continues to escalate – prompting concerns he’s been radicalised by his own algorithm. What’s driving the technology billionaire’s fixation with the UK? And are his interventions reframing political discourse – not just in Britain but in other European nations too? Political Fix delves into the X owner’s motivations and examines the impact his actions are having offline as well as online. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by regular panellists Miranda Green and Jim Pickard, plus Westminster correspondent Anna Gross and Washington correspondent Joe Miller who have broken scoops this week on Musk’s intent to meddle in British democracy and his social media influences.

Follow Lucy on Bluesky or X, @lucyfisher.bsky.social, @LOS_Fisher, Jim @pickardje.bsky.social @PickardJE, Miranda @greenmirandahere.bsky.social, @greenmiranda, Anna @annasophiegross, @annasophiegross.bsky.social, Joe @JoeMillerJr, @joemillerjr.bskyb.social

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Musk examines how to oust Starmer as UK Prime Minister before next election

Why has Elon Musk reignited debate over the UK rape gangs scandal?

Musk’s grooming onslaught shows how politics needs a new playbook

Musk’s war on American allies

The Musk threat to European democracy

Sign up here for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award.

Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Original music by Breen Turner and mixed by Simon Panayi. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.

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

After a rocky start in office for Labour, the next 12 months will prove pivotal for the UK government. Sir Keir Starmer must grapple with dismal popularity ratings, tough public finances, anaemic growth forecasts and a string of challenging policy decisions. Opposition parties also face key tests. Can Tory leader Kemi Badenoch silence critics’ warnings about her low visibility and output, and can Reform UK’s Nigel Farage prove his party’s momentum is real and not mere mirage? Host Lucy Fisher is joined by FT colleagues Robert Shrimsley, Stephen Bush and Jim Pickard to gaze into their crystal balls and consider the year ahead. They discuss the coming local elections, the spectre of Westminster by-elections, the impact of Donald Trump’s return to the Oval Office and more.

Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, Jim @PickardJE, Stephen @stephenkb and Robert @robertshrimsley

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NHS, education, housebuilding… Labour’s progress so far and its plans for 2025

Farage and why Kemi Badenoch does not have time to ‘watch this space’

UK heading for tax rises despite return to growth, economists say

Keir Starmer promises year of ‘rebuilding’ for UK in 2025

Trump wants 5% Nato defence spending target, Europe told

Sign up here for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award.

Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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

Who threatened to launch an aquatic assault on the Dutch town of Leiden? And which political candidate pledged to force water bosses to take a dip in British rivers? Find out as host Lucy Fisher puts the full Political Fix panel – Robert Shrimsley, Jim Pickard, Stephen Bush, George Parker and Miranda Green – through their paces in a big, fat, end- of- year quiz. The panelists also highlight their most memorable moment of 2024 and unveil their wildest predictions for the year ahead. Plus, discover who scooped all the chocolate gold coins in the studio to win the annual Political Fix stockpicks portfolio prize.

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Political donations: can Elon Musk become a major backer of Farage’s Reform UK?

Time for Keir Starmer to remember he is first lord of the Treasury

Follow Lucy on X @LOS_Fisher, Robert @Robertshrimsley, Jim @PickardJE, Miranda @greenmiranda, Stephen @stephenkb, George @GeorgeWParker

Sign up for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award:

https://ft.com/insidepoliticsoffer

Presented by Lucy Fisher. Clare Williamson is the producer and the executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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