The Politics Show
Helping you make sense of politics – every week. Anoosh Chakelian 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 Politics Show, 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. -- 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 -- Hosts: Anoosh Chakelian Regular contributors and co-hosts: Tom McTague, Editor-in-chief Ailbhe Rea, Political editor Production team: Senior podcast producer: Catharine Hughes Podcast and video producer: Rob Le Mare Assistant producer: Biba Kang Executive producer: Chris Stone Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
For some time, Zack Polanski’s tenure as Green Party leader had been largely characterised as a success.
But he’s been having a turbulent time in recent weeks. He was accused of inciting violence with an Instagram post, failed to steal the Manchester mayoralty from Labour, and the party is becoming increasingly divided on the subject of defence of spending.
Anoosh Chakelian is joined by political corresponde...
The best day of Andy Burnham's life, Chris Philp goes gonzo in the Channel, and more climate change denial in a burning country.
Anoosh Chakelian and Will Dunn round up some stories you might have missed this week.
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Andy Burnham’s policy and comms blitz powers on - he is setting out his intentions early, and with a very different style than his predecessor.
Meanwhile, on his second week, his government is fully appointed, but the fallout is still rumbling away in the background.
Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Ailbhe Rea and Tom McTague to discuss.
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This New Statesman podcast episode has been fully funded by argenx and features an edited panel discussion recorded at the New Statesman’s Igniting Growth Conference.
The UK has world-leading science, research and regulatory expertise, but too often struggles to turn those strengths into investment, innovation and better patient access.
Can it turn its life sciences strengths into global leadership?
Chaired by New St...
Anoosh and Will are back for their weekly politics round up, this week includes: the tired spectacle of a new prime minister, Wes Streeting's hot mic moment, Gary Lineker's plea for higher taxes, and the ongoing saga of Stella Creasy's parakeet misidentification.
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It’s day 4 of Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s premiership.
His cabinet is now appointed - With some notable appointments to the top jobs, plenty of reshuffling, and some loyal Starmer-ites out.
The PM has also begun to announce his measures to tackle the cost of living, from bus fares to energy bills, and a big clear target from the off: end rough sleeping.
Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Ailbhe Rea and Tom McTague...
Today, Keir Starmer made his way from No 10 to Buckingham Palace to officially resign as Prime Minister.
He was closely followed by his replacement, Andy Burnham, who is currently in his first few hours in the job.
Anoosh Chakelian is in Westminster with Ailbhe Rea to discuss.
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Keir Starmer has bowed out of his role as Prime Minister. At his final PMQs, an unusually convivial tone was struck.
As Starmer's political career draws to a close, Will Dunn and Tom McTague discuss his tenure, his final week, and ponder his unpopularity.
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As Keir Starmer's premiership draws to a close, Andy Burnham is putting the finishing touches on his plan for power.
Ailbhe Rea joins Tom McTague in the studio to discuss:
- Anne Widdecomb's role in British Politics
- Keir Starmer's final days as Prime Minister
- The people likely to be appointed in an Andy Burnham cabinet
- Why appointing Shabana Mahmood as Chancellor would go against Andy Burnham's own principles
- Why the briefing agai...
Cyberattacks on the UK’s critical national infrastructure are becoming faster and more sophisticated.
What will it take to protect the systems and services that keep the country running?
Host Zoë Grünewald is joined by Matt Western MP, Chair of the Joint Committee on National Security Strategy, and Chris Parker, Director of Government Strategy at Fortinet UK.
Our panel discusses how ransomware, hostile state actors and AI-enable...
Nigel Farage, pollings' current front runner to win the next general election, has resigned as an MP.
However, he plans to stand as a candidate in the by-election this move will trigger. Labour, the Lib Dems and the Tories have labelled this a “stunt” and won’t stand in the contest.
Meanwhile, Andy Burnham is continuing to prepare for power…
Tom McTague is joined by Ailbhe Rea and Ethan Croft to di...
Nigel Farage loses his cool as he’s grilled on his £5 million “gift”, the “anti-woke” Davos and the elephant seal that’s terrorising Tasmania.
Will and Anoosh round up the stories of the week.
READ: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2026/07/is-nigel-farage-losing-momentum
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Andy Burnham is preparing for power – which means horsetrading, negotiations and planning.
Ailbhe Rea has been speaking to MPs and advisors inside the Labour party to find out what's really happening in Team Burnham, who's in line for the top jobs, and why some Labour MPs are giving Burnham "the ick".
Plus: Reform say Nigel Farage is having a great time. Other sources say he’s struggling. What’s going on ins...
This morning Andy Burnham delivered a speech criticising “Whitehall culture” and promising to rebalance resources between national and local governments.
On course to enter Downing Street in as little as three weeks, the former Greater Manchester Mayor laid out his vision for a “Number 10 North”, promising “growth in every postcode”.
But how will that work in practice? And how differe...
Keir Starmer’s turn at the resignation lectern, Peter Murrell’s £400,000 shopping spree and Will Dunn’s attempt at a “Man v Horse” race.
Will and Anoosh discuss the stories of the week.
READ: https://www.newstatesman.com/this-england/2026/06/one-small-step-for-man-much-further-for-a-horse
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From a by-election victory in Wigan, to the resignation of Keir Starmer, to an Avanti West Coast train bound for London, tracked by news helicopters - Andy Burnham’s return to Westminster has been a remarkable spectacle.
Whilst Burnham’s coup has overcome multiple challenges to get to this point, in many ways, the hard part is about to begin.
Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Ailbhe Rea and Tom McTague to discuss.
LIST...
This morning, Keir Starmer stood outside No 10 Downing Street and announced his resignation as Prime Minister - the sixth to leave office since the EU referendum, which was ten years ago this week. He will remain in office until Labour selects a new leader.
The Prime Minister’s likely successor Andy Burnham is sworn in as an MP today after his decisive victory in the Makerfield by-election last week. Burnham has alre...
The importance of branding in British politics, banning social media for under 16s and the Reform councillor who made “the biggest mistake” of his life.
Anoosh Chakelian and Will Dunn discuss the stories of the week.
READ: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/2026/06/the-brand-is-back-in-british-politics
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Andy Burnham has won the historic Makerfield by-election, he's soon expected to speak to Starmer or trigger a leadership election.
Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Ethan Croft in Wigan.
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The former Health Secretary reveals why he believes Keir Starmer is failing.
When Wes Streeting resigned from cabinet in May, it put an end to months of speculation. The former Health Secretary does want Keir Starmer’s job.
Since then, the Defence Secretary, John Healey, and the Armed Forces minister, Al Carns, have both resigned over the Defence Spending plan.
Keir Starmer’s leadership is looking more and mo...
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