The New Statesman: politics and culture
Helping you make sense of politics, culture and world affairs – every weekday. Anoosh Chakelian, Oli Dugmore and the New Statesman team bring you sharp reporting, clear analysis and thoughtful conversations to help you understand what’s really going on in Westminster and beyond. The New Statesman is Britain’s leading source of news and commentary on politics and culture with a progressive perspective. On the podcast, our journalists and expert guests cut through the noise of the headlines to explain the forces shaping our world. From the battles inside the Labour Party to the future of the Conservatives, from the rise of Reform UK to the debates that dominate Parliament, we provide the clarity you need to follow UK politics. But the story doesn’t stop at Westminster. Each week we take you around the globe, covering world news and international current affairs — from the war in Ukraine and the leadership of Volodymyr Zelensky, to Russia under Vladimir Putin, to the conflict in Israel and Gaza, and the impact of Donald Trump on American and international politics. Our interviews bring leading thinkers and cultural figures into the conversation, while our Saturday episodes explore books, literature, film and wider culture. Whether you want to stay on top of UK news, understand the shifts in global politics, or dive into the ideas that drive our culture, the New Statesman podcast is your essential daily listen. -- START HERE: ▶︎ Kemi Badenoch isn't working | Cover Story with Tom McTague ▶︎ Do billionaires really benefit the UK? ▶︎ One year of Labour rule: can things still only get better? -- LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱Download and subscribe in the New Statesman app to enjoy all our episodes without the ads. -- MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a question - we answer them on the podcast every Friday ⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter in your inbox every morning ✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday -- JOIN US: ⭐️ Treat yourself or someone special to big ideas, bold politics and proper journalism from just £2 this Christmas when you subscribe to the New Statesman. Subscribe today at newstatesman.com/xmaspod25 -- Host: Anoosh Chakelian Regular contributors and co-hosts: Tom McTague, Editor-in-chief Will Lloyd, Deputy editor Andrew Marr, Political editor George Eaton, Senior editor, politics Hannah Barnes, Associate editor Rachel Cunliffe, Associate political editor Will Dunn, Business editor Megan Gibson, Foreign editor Katie Stallard, Global affairs editor Tanjil Rashid, Culture editor Kate Mossman, Senior writer Production team: Senior podcast producer: Catharine Hughes Video producer: Rob Le Mare Executive producer: Chris Stone Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Meet the money men with Britain's future in their hands.
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Next week Rachel Reeves will deliver her budget and, for all the talk of fiscal rules, headroom and tax rises, there is a higher power she must contend with.
When the Chancellor goes for meetings in the City, she is rarely introduced to the people whose job it is to press the button on buying or selling several hundred million pounds’ worth of gilts.
It is to ...
Home secretary Shabana Mahmood has set out her plans for the biggest shake up of asylum laws in 40 years. It divided the Labour party, impressed some Conservatives and even earned the home sec an invite to join Reform.
But what will it mean in the long term for Britain, and for the families affected?
Oli Dugmore is joined by Anoosh Chakelian and Rachel Cunliffe.
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Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary, has unveiled a series of changes to the migration and asylum system.
The plans, which have been trailed over the weekend, have been met with scorn from within the Labour party.
“This approach isn’t just morally wrong” the MP Richard Burgeon tweeted earlier today, “it’s politically disastrous.”
Oli Dugmore is joined by Ethan Croft.
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"If he feels talking about his favourite novel is politically disadvantageous, that's a sad state of affairs" - David Szalay on Keir Starmer's reading habits.
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David Szalay is the winner of the 2025 Booker Prize for Fiction.
He disputes claims that his novel, Flesh, is a tale of modern masculinity as reviewers have claimed. Though it certainly explores the male expression of emotion. In Flesh, Szalay's protagonist, Istvá...
We share our strategy advice for the Labour rebels allegedly trying to oust Keir Starmer.
Ailbhe Rea and Luke O'Reilly join Rachel Cunliffe to answer listener questions.
In this episode:
- What's the best strategy for Labour rebels hoping to dethrone Starmer?
- How much power does a party chair wield?
- Can any politicians affect positive change?
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After weeks of preparing to break their manifesto pledge, Starmer and Reeves have ditched their plans to raise income tax.
They’re scared it would have angered their MPs and voters, amid a dire performance in the polls.
How will Reeves plug the £30 billion gap in public finances if she doesn’t raise income tax?
Oli Dugmore is joined by Ailbhe Rea and Will Dunn to discuss.
READ: https://www.newstatesman.com/politic...
The BBC is still reeling from the dramatic resignation announcement of its director general Tim Davie on Sunday.
Rachel Cunliffe gets Lewis Goodall’s insider perspective, drawing on his time working on BBC’s Newsnight programme.
Lewis also shares his thoughts on the leadership threats surrounding Keir Starmer.
READ: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/media/2025/11/trumps-attack-can-rescue-the-bbc
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Labour hit its lowest-ever poll rating last week, coming fourth at just 17 per cent. Westminster is full of chatter about a leadership coup at the hands of Wes Streeting. And Labour MPs and government aides alike are dismayed by Keir Starmer’s leadership and the state of No 10. Has the Prime Minister reached the point of no return?
Anoosh Chakelian is joined by our new political editor Ailbhe Rea to discuss her cover story.
It's now "impossible" to limit climate change to 1.5 degrees. Can COP30 achieve anything material at all?
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Keir Starmer has been in Brazil ahead of COP30 - the world’s largest annual climate meeting - where world leaders were told it’s now “virtually impossible” to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. That’s according to the UN’s chief meteorologist.
Brazil wants money to protect the rainforests, but Starmer doesn’t...
Yesterday evening, BBC director general Tim Davie resigned, as first reported in the New Statesman by our new political editor Ailbhe Rea, along with his head of news, Deborah Turness.
In the end, it came down to a Panorama documentary accused of featuring a misleadingly edited speech by Donald Trump.
But, having weathered years of BBC scandals, could Davie’s departure be described as death by a thousand cuts?
Oli Dugmore ...
Has Labour let down Millennials? Are tax hikes on the horizon? And what would happen to the commonwealth if Britain dumped our King?
Rachel Cunliffe joins Anoosh Chakelian to answer listener questions.
Treat yourself or someone special to big ideas, bold politics and proper journalism from just £2 this Christmas when you subscribe to the New Statesman. Subscribe today at newstatesman.com/xmaspod25
“The dream of home ownership is closed off to younger people today” - Steve Reed, Housing Secretary
Steve Reed exclusively tells the New Statesman about the seven billion pounds Labour are giving to the six mayoral combined authorities for social and affordable housing.
In an interview with Oli Dugmore, Labour’s housing secretary outlines the plan, and discusses young people’s housing woes, abolishing landlords and his histor...
Voters in New York City have elected a socialist, Muslim, 34-year old Mayor. Here's what Labour need to learn from Zohran Mamdani's campaign.
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Zohran Mamdani calls himself "Donald Trump's worst nightmare". In the UK, senior Labour figures including Wes Streeting have praised the young Democrat Mayor-Elect's campaign. But should Labour be celebrating a win in America's Democrat stronghold, when they can't win their own seat ...
A four-month investigation with Channel 4 News reveals harrowing failings at one of Britain’s most prestigious hospitals.
Oli Dugmore speaks to the New Statesman's Investigations Editor, Hannah Barnes.
Read: Britain’s next maternity scandal
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Is Britain becoming a country of mass violence?
On Saturday evening, a Doncaster to London train was forced to stop in Huntingdon after eleven people were injured in a stabbing spree.
Anthony Williams, a 32 year-old British national, was charged on Monday with multiple counts of attempted murder.
Oli Dugmore is joined by Anoosh Chakelian and Rachel Cunliffe.
Read: Knife crime is creeping into Middle England
LI...
Today, Nigel Farage set out his updated vision for the UK economy.
At a speech and press conference in London, The Reform UK leader talked tax, immigration, welfare, Brexit and his days working in the City.
The New Statesman’s Ethan Croft was at the event.
Ethan joins Oli Dugmore to discuss.
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Is Build Baby Build doomed? Is Katie Lam running for leader? Where is Priti Patel? Can the UK really support 5 large leftist parties?
Luke O’Reilly joins Anoosh Chakelian to answer listener questions.
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The Deputy PM believes that Labour can beat the threat of the populist right, Nigel Farage and Reform. Lammy says that Labour can achieve this by tackling the cost of living crisis, uniting the centre and left of British politics and putting security first.
Oli Dugmore sat down with David Lammy to discuss his plan.
Read: Nigel Farage can be stopped
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MORE FROM THE NEW STATE...
Which are the most deprived neighbourhoods in England and how might this map onto voter intent?
Anoosh Chakelian is joined by senior data journalist Ben Walker, to discuss what we can learn from the English Indices of Deprivation.
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Another bad week for Prince Andrew. You could say the man hasn’t had a good week since 2011. Although, actually, he does live in a 30-bedroom mansion in Windsor and enjoyed a million quid a year from his mum.
In this week's cover story Will Lloyd makes the case for abolishing the monarchy, and that the Windsors have always been more involved with British politics than we know. He speaks to Oli Dugmore in this episode.
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