Electoral Dysfunction
Political powerhouses Beth Rigby, Ruth Davidson and Harriet Harman unite to unravel the spin and explain what’s really going on in Westminster and beyond. Every episode, they will examine politicians, what they stand for, what they say and what they might really mean. They will work out which politicians are coming out on top and who is having an Electoral Dysfunction. WhatsApp - 07934 200444
Episodes
October 10, 2025 • 43 mins
Fresh from the conference in Manchester, Beth gives Ruth and Harriet the inside track on her 'tetchy' interview with Badenoch - why couldn't she answer a question about Nigel Farage in the same way Keir Starmer did? And just how bad was her conference gaffe compared to ones in the past?
Later, with a peace plan brokered by Donald Trump in the Middle East, what effect will it have on protests here?
And has the government got it right ...
Later, with a peace plan brokered by Donald Trump in the Middle East, what effect will it have on protests here?
And has the government got it right ...
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October 6, 2025 • 34 mins
Beth’s at the Conservative party conference – talking to the shadow environment secretary Victoria Atkins.
She says that Kemi Badenoch has shown resilience and character in her first year as party leader- but it’s taken time to find confidence and her 11 months of ‘listening’ and ‘absorbing’ has come with ‘political knocks’.
She acknowledges that she is sorry about the Tory proposal to leave the ECHR - but says politicians have t...
She says that Kemi Badenoch has shown resilience and character in her first year as party leader- but it’s taken time to find confidence and her 11 months of ‘listening’ and ‘absorbing’ has come with ‘political knocks’.
She acknowledges that she is sorry about the Tory proposal to leave the ECHR - but says politicians have t...
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October 3, 2025 • 49 mins
When the Prime Minister said Reform’s migration policy was ‘racist’ - was that a mistake? It dominated the Labour Party conference in Liverpool this week, where Beth asked Keir Starmer about his comments... and pulled him up on Donald Trump’s remarks about Sadiq Khan.
So with the May elections starting to loom in the minds of politicians, how worried are Labour that they are going to lose out to Reform? And did Andy Burnham have t...
So with the May elections starting to loom in the minds of politicians, how worried are Labour that they are going to lose out to Reform? And did Andy Burnham have t...
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September 29, 2025 • 35 mins
Health Secretary Wes Streeting didn't want to get moved to the Home Office in the recent reshuffle - and he planned how to get out of it if the job was offered.
Beth asks also asks him about future strike action by doctors.
He's clear in his warning to members of the BMA: "The NHS is hanging by a thread, don’t pull it."
The interview was recorded at Labour Party conference.
Remember, you can also watch Beth Rigby, Harriet Harman a...
Beth asks also asks him about future strike action by doctors.
He's clear in his warning to members of the BMA: "The NHS is hanging by a thread, don’t pull it."
The interview was recorded at Labour Party conference.
Remember, you can also watch Beth Rigby, Harriet Harman a...
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September 26, 2025 • 47 mins
Donald Trump gave his two cents on what women should be doing whilst pregnant this week... and Nigel Farage followed suit with his view back here.
So how damaging are their comments? And why do men think they know best about women’s bodies?
Later - is Andy Burnham plotting a move on Downing Street? He claims Labour MPs are asking him to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the leadership of the party.
Days before the Liverpool party ...
So how damaging are their comments? And why do men think they know best about women’s bodies?
Later - is Andy Burnham plotting a move on Downing Street? He claims Labour MPs are asking him to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the leadership of the party.
Days before the Liverpool party ...
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September 19, 2025 • 30 mins
Starmer and Trump meet at Chequers and the world's eyes are on them. So why did Trump say he doesn't know Peter Mandelson? The UK's former ambassador to Washington who was sacked last week?
And what did Trump mean when he said that Putin had "let him down"?
To match the occasion - a special episode of Electoral Dysfunction and Trump100, a Sky News podcast mashup. Beth Rigby, Harriet Harman and Ruth Davidson are joined by Mark Stone,...
And what did Trump mean when he said that Putin had "let him down"?
To match the occasion - a special episode of Electoral Dysfunction and Trump100, a Sky News podcast mashup. Beth Rigby, Harriet Harman and Ruth Davidson are joined by Mark Stone,...
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September 11, 2025 • 46 mins
Peter Mandelson is sacked as the UK's ambassador to the US - his former cabinet colleague, Harriet, says it's shameful that he didn't resign. It's all after new revelations over his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.
Ruth isn't impressed either and wonders why Keir Starmer was defending him at PMQs.
Donald Trump arrives in London for his state visit next week.
Given questions about Epstein always raise his hackles – how will the PM tack...
Ruth isn't impressed either and wonders why Keir Starmer was defending him at PMQs.
Donald Trump arrives in London for his state visit next week.
Given questions about Epstein always raise his hackles – how will the PM tack...
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September 9, 2025 • 37 mins
A long list of women all want to be Labour’s next deputy leader - Lucy Powell, Emily Thornberry, Bridget Phillipson, Alison McGovern, Bell Ribeiro-Addy and Paula Barker have all thrown their names into the mix.
Beth, Ruth and Harriet look at their prospects and reveal what sort of deputy Keir Starmer would prefer – as well as who the left of Labour would prefer is rooting for. Does the next deputy need to be a Northern woman?
Plus...
Beth, Ruth and Harriet look at their prospects and reveal what sort of deputy Keir Starmer would prefer – as well as who the left of Labour would prefer is rooting for. Does the next deputy need to be a Northern woman?
Plus...
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September 5, 2025 • 33 mins
Beth, Harriet and Ruth reassemble after Angela Rayner’s resignation prompts one of the biggest cabinet reshuffles in years.
She admitted she didn’t pay enough stamp duty on the purchase of a new home and, after an ethics investigation, quit as deputy prime minister and housing secretary.
David Lammy takes the deputy role with a move to justice secretary.
Keir Starmer’s had two resets in a week – can he now get on with his dream of del...
She admitted she didn’t pay enough stamp duty on the purchase of a new home and, after an ethics investigation, quit as deputy prime minister and housing secretary.
David Lammy takes the deputy role with a move to justice secretary.
Keir Starmer’s had two resets in a week – can he now get on with his dream of del...
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September 4, 2025 • 38 mins
Was the deputy prime minister trying to evade and dodge tax? Is she a 'hypocrite'? Or was she simply doing what she thought was the right thing?
Beth takes Ruth and Harriet behind the scenes of her interview with Angela Rayner this week as they ask whether she will survive in government, or if she will have to resign.
It all emerged after Rayner admitted she didn't pay enough tax on her home in Hove - you can catch the exclusive ...
Beth takes Ruth and Harriet behind the scenes of her interview with Angela Rayner this week as they ask whether she will survive in government, or if she will have to resign.
It all emerged after Rayner admitted she didn't pay enough tax on her home in Hove - you can catch the exclusive ...
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September 3, 2025 • 19 mins
In an exclusive interview, the Deputy Prime Minister admits she considered resigning after discovering she didn’t pay enough stamp duty on her second home.
After weeks of speculation in the papers, Angela Rayner reveals what really happened – she tells Beth she got inaccurate expert advice and was unable to speak out before due to confidential clauses in place to protect her son, who she is opening up about publicly for the fist...
After weeks of speculation in the papers, Angela Rayner reveals what really happened – she tells Beth she got inaccurate expert advice and was unable to speak out before due to confidential clauses in place to protect her son, who she is opening up about publicly for the fist...
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August 29, 2025 • 30 mins
In their final summer Q&A, Beth, Ruth, and Harriet dig into why politics feels permanently stuck in panic mode.
Why does it feel like there's an election imminent when the prime minister isn't required to call one for four years? What's fuelling the chaos? And is the media to blame?
Plus, your questions on whether Reform defections are actually a problem for the Tory party, what happens to ex-MPs, and could Donald Trump act...
Why does it feel like there's an election imminent when the prime minister isn't required to call one for four years? What's fuelling the chaos? And is the media to blame?
Plus, your questions on whether Reform defections are actually a problem for the Tory party, what happens to ex-MPs, and could Donald Trump act...
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August 22, 2025 • 25 mins
Can Britain afford both welfare and warfare? Beth takes us inside the row that could define Sir Keir Starmer's premiership.
From that huge Commons rebellion over welfare cuts to the looming pressure on defence spending, how can the government look after Britain at home, whilst holding the line abroad?
For this special episode, Beth speaks to the former chancellor Jeremy Hunt and ex-Labour welfare minister Jim Murphy.
Also, Ruth and Ha...
From that huge Commons rebellion over welfare cuts to the looming pressure on defence spending, how can the government look after Britain at home, whilst holding the line abroad?
For this special episode, Beth speaks to the former chancellor Jeremy Hunt and ex-Labour welfare minister Jim Murphy.
Also, Ruth and Ha...
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August 15, 2025 • 35 mins
Nigel Farage's Reform won more than 40% of seats at May's council elections. The Conservatives lost control of 16 English councils and won 20% of seats - one of the lowest proportions in the past two decades.
How do the Tories make sure they keep right-wing voters at future elections?
Beth talks to shadow chancellor, and former work and pensions secretary, Mel Stride on this episode about that challenge.
He also talks abou...
How do the Tories make sure they keep right-wing voters at future elections?
Beth talks to shadow chancellor, and former work and pensions secretary, Mel Stride on this episode about that challenge.
He also talks abou...
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August 8, 2025 • 28 mins
Jeremy Corbyn's back - with Zarah Sultana and a new party. But is it a real threat to Labour, or just political theatre?
This week Beth, Ruth and Harriet answer your questions on whether Corbyn's comeback could fracture the left and hand seats to the Tories and Reform.
What does it mean for Starmer? Could the Green Party seize the moment? And is this a political headache - or just a red herring?
Plus - your questions on reb...
This week Beth, Ruth and Harriet answer your questions on whether Corbyn's comeback could fracture the left and hand seats to the Tories and Reform.
What does it mean for Starmer? Could the Green Party seize the moment? And is this a political headache - or just a red herring?
Plus - your questions on reb...
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July 31, 2025 • 38 mins
Anneliese Dodds sits down with Beth Rigby for her first long-form interview since stepping down from Labour's front bench.Reflecting on the party's first year in power, the former International Development Minister and Women and Equalities Minister reveals what happened the moment she decided to resign from Sir Keir Starmer's government - and the "uncomfortable" days she spent in the run up to telling the prime minister - who was o...
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July 25, 2025 • 40 mins
Summer is here and the government is worrying about riots on the streets. In their final episode of this political term, Beth, Ruth and Harriet unpack No 10's briefing this week that Angela Rayner has warned about the risk of civil unrest, almost a year on from the murders in Southport that sparked a summer of violent protests.
So what is the government's strategy? And what's really going on in towns like Epping, where asylum hotel...
So what is the government's strategy? And what's really going on in towns like Epping, where asylum hotel...
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July 18, 2025 • 47 mins
Who knew what about the Afghan data leak? And could anyone in parliament have done more to help scrutinise the government at the time of the superinjunction? Harriet thinks so.
So in this episode, Beth, Ruth, and Harriet talk about the massive breach, the secret court hearings, and the constitutional chaos it’s unleashed.
Plus - the fallout from the latest Labour rebellion. Four MPs have lost the whip - officially for repeat...
So in this episode, Beth, Ruth, and Harriet talk about the massive breach, the secret court hearings, and the constitutional chaos it’s unleashed.
Plus - the fallout from the latest Labour rebellion. Four MPs have lost the whip - officially for repeat...
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July 10, 2025 • 48 mins
There's a new plan for deterring migrants from crossing the channel and coming to the UK - but will it actually work?
This week, Beth, Ruth and Harriet have a deep dive into one of the most divisive and defining political issues of our time: migration.
In the week France's President Emmanuel Macron has been hobnobbing with the great and the good on his state visit to the UK, he's also agreed a new 'one in, one out' returns deal wit...
This week, Beth, Ruth and Harriet have a deep dive into one of the most divisive and defining political issues of our time: migration.
In the week France's President Emmanuel Macron has been hobnobbing with the great and the good on his state visit to the UK, he's also agreed a new 'one in, one out' returns deal wit...
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July 8, 2025 • 39 mins
Could Reform UK get their first taste of government next year? They're the biggest party for Welsh voters, according to exclusive polling from More in Common ahead of the Senedd elections next year.
But what does this mean for Labour? The party was founded in Wales and since devolution in 1999, they've run the government there. Are they now scared of Reform?
So in this extra episode of Electoral Dysfunction, Beth meets Wales's fi...
But what does this mean for Labour? The party was founded in Wales and since devolution in 1999, they've run the government there. Are they now scared of Reform?
So in this extra episode of Electoral Dysfunction, Beth meets Wales's fi...
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