Politics Weekly UK

by The Guardian

NewRosebank row: will Labour block the oilfield?October 22, 2026 · 19 min

Episodes: 291
Released: several times a week
Latest episode: Oct 22, 2026

About the podcast

Guardian columnist John Harris, political editor Pippa Crerar, and policy editor Kiran Stacey analyse the week's politics news

Episodes 291

Rosebank row: will Labour block the oilfield?
October 22, 202619 min
The government has given the go-ahead for the Jackdaw gasfield, but that was the easy part. The next big headache is the Rosebank oilfield. The energy secretary, Miatta Fahnbulleh, has indicated she might …
Show notes
The government has given the go-ahead for the Jackdaw gasfield, but that was the easy part. The next big headache is the Rosebank oilfield. The energy secretary, Miatta Fahnbulleh, has indicated she might reject this licence because of the project’s expected environmental impact, but could Andy Burnham overrule her to help the chancellor, John Healey?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Who is Alan Milburn and will he get young people back to work?
October 19, 202620 min
As young people take to the streets across the world to protest over living standards, Andy Burnham is hoping the former health secretary Alan Milburn has the answers to prevent similar unrest in Britain. The …
Show notes
As young people take to the streets across the world to protest over living standards, Andy Burnham is hoping the former health secretary Alan Milburn has the answers to prevent similar unrest in Britain. The long-awaited Milburn review will recommend investing in jobs and apprenticeships for under-25s by taking money from the welfare budget. It sounds very Blairite, so how does it fit with the prime minister’s overall plans – and will Labour MPs like it?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
‘Austerity is inevitably painful’: How Michael Gove justifies his politics | Radical Thinking with Aditya Chakrabortty
October 17, 202658 min
For more than three decades, Michael Gove has been a leading figure in British Conservatism. As a journalist, government minister and now editor of the Tory bible, the Spectator, he has helped shape the right …
Show notes
For more than three decades, Michael Gove has been a leading figure in British Conservatism. As a journalist, government minister and now editor of the Tory bible, the Spectator, he has helped shape the right even as it has moved further rightwards. In the latest episode of Radical Thinking, Gove joins Aditya Chakrabortty to discuss the future of the right, his record on Brexit and austerity, and the Spectator’s position on Islam. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Is Andy Burnham in hot water over Manchester City?
October 15, 202619 min
Andy Burnham is being accused of a serious misjudgment over his comments about meetings with Manchester City’s owners. Kiran Stacey discusses the controversy after returning from a trade trip to India with the …
Show notes
Andy Burnham is being accused of a serious misjudgment over his comments about meetings with Manchester City’s owners. Kiran Stacey discusses the controversy after returning from a trade trip to India with the business secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, and the new Greater Manchester mayor, Bev Craig, during which Stacey discovered that a representative of the football club was also present. The club was recently found guilty of 114 breaches of Premier League rules. What could the fallout mean for Burnham?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Was Burnham right to talk about Russian interference in Brexit?
October 12, 202624 min
Andy Burnham has started an almighty row by claiming that Russia interfered in the 2016 Brexit referendum. He also says he wants the UK to have closer ties to the EU. The row is one of three major headaches for …
Show notes
Andy Burnham has started an almighty row by claiming that Russia interfered in the 2016 Brexit referendum. He also says he wants the UK to have closer ties to the EU. The row is one of three major headaches for the prime minister ahead of his crucial budget at the end of October, with migration and Donald Trump’s erratic response to Ukraine and Russia being the other two. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
‘Gaza is a moral tear in the universe’: Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor | Radical Thinking with Aditya Chakrabortty
October 10, 202650 min
Are we really living through ‘end times fascism’? Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor think so. In a new series from the Guardian, the pair speak to Radical Thinking with Aditya Chakrabortty in an extended interview …
Show notes
Are we really living through ‘end times fascism’? Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor think so. In a new series from the Guardian, the pair speak to Radical Thinking with Aditya Chakrabortty in an extended interview. From Trump 2.0 and the rise of the tech billionaire to Gaza and the climate emergency, Klein and Taylor argue we are not just lurching from crisis to crisis but are in a new and dangerous moment in history. But they haven’t given up hope of a fightback Radical Thinking will be published every Saturday in the Politics Weekly feed. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Did the Zionism row lose it for Zack Polanski?
October 9, 202617 min
Zack Polanski has lost the Holborn and St Pancras byelection to Labour’s Sagal Abdi-Wali. Despite the Greens increasing their vote share from 2024, Polanski had the cloud of the ‘Zionism is racism’ row hanging …
Show notes
Zack Polanski has lost the Holborn and St Pancras byelection to Labour’s Sagal Abdi-Wali. Despite the Greens increasing their vote share from 2024, Polanski had the cloud of the ‘Zionism is racism’ row hanging over his head. Now there are questions over his leadership and whether he can steer the party through the ongoing Zionism row. Will the Greens remain a fringe party?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
M&S Kemi: can the Tory leader win over core vote?
October 7, 202641 min
Kemi Badenoch has promised to ditch inheritance tax on family homes if elected as prime minister, leading to criticism that she is prioritising the rich over the poor. Plus, the pollster and UK director of More …
Show notes
Kemi Badenoch has promised to ditch inheritance tax on family homes if elected as prime minister, leading to criticism that she is prioritising the rich over the poor. Plus, the pollster and UK director of More in Common, Luke Tryl, joins Pippa and Kiran to give an overview of how all the parties are doing. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Why Kemi Badenoch embraces being the leader of the ‘nasty party’
October 5, 202624 min
Kemi Badenoch is kicking off Conservative party conference with a little bounce in her step and her personal poll ratings improved. But critics will say that as she embraces the nasty party accusations she is …
Show notes
Kemi Badenoch is kicking off Conservative party conference with a little bounce in her step and her personal poll ratings improved. But critics will say that as she embraces the nasty party accusations she is at risk of alienating some core Tory voters. Can she bring her party back to being the main opposition to the government?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
'There’s no such thing as democracy': Yanis Varoufakis | Radical Thinking with Aditya Chakrabortty
October 3, 202653 min
Who is really in charge – the people or the markets? In the first episode of Radical Thinking, a new series from the Guardian, senior economics commentator Aditya Chakrabortty speaks to the former Greek finance …
Show notes
Who is really in charge – the people or the markets? In the first episode of Radical Thinking, a new series from the Guardian, senior economics commentator Aditya Chakrabortty speaks to the former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis. What was it like during the eurozone crisis when Varoufakis went head to head with those who wanted to stop his reforms?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Burnham’s triple lock gamble
September 29, 202614 min
Andy Burnham has delivered a powerful and emotional speech to the Labour conference. He announced policies on pensions, social care and electoral reform. He said he was willing to talk about the things …
Show notes
Andy Burnham has delivered a powerful and emotional speech to the Labour conference. He announced policies on pensions, social care and electoral reform. He said he was willing to talk about the things politicians usually avoided. But without a big budget, can he deliver his big dreams for the country?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
‘They will bow’: energy secretary challenges Reform and Tories
September 28, 202628 min
Speaking to Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey at the Labour party conference in Liverpool, Miatta Fahnbulleh, the energy secretary, said a mark of her success or failure would be whether she could get bills down …
Show notes
Speaking to Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey at the Labour party conference in Liverpool, Miatta Fahnbulleh, the energy secretary, said a mark of her success or failure would be whether she could get bills down and said she would do so. She also challenged Reform UK and the Tories on their climate inaction, saying they would eventually ‘bow’ because they were on the ‘wrong side of history’. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Andy Burnham shows his emotional side
September 28, 202627 min
Andy Burnham will make his first speech at Labour conference as prime minister on Tuesday. Ahead of that, he has been talking to Pippa Crerar about why he is in the job and what changes he wants to make. Pippa …
Show notes
Andy Burnham will make his first speech at Labour conference as prime minister on Tuesday. Ahead of that, he has been talking to Pippa Crerar about why he is in the job and what changes he wants to make. Pippa and Kiran Stacey discuss his comments and the feeling behind the scenes at this year’s conference. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
What really happened in the room with Burnham and Trump
September 24, 202627 min
Pippa Crerar had a front row seat for the PM’s first meeting with Donald Trump. What really happened during that 12-minute press conference? And as the Labour conference kicks off this weekend, she and Kiran …
Show notes
Pippa Crerar had a front row seat for the PM’s first meeting with Donald Trump. What really happened during that 12-minute press conference? And as the Labour conference kicks off this weekend, she and Kiran Stacey discuss the ethics of journalist-politician karaoke. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Can Andy Burnham pull off the ‘Mamdani effect’ on Donald Trump?
September 21, 202626 min
The UK prime minister will meet the US president for the first time in New York on Tuesday. With Trump at his weakest in the polls, could this be a perfect moment for Burnham to charm the president and avoid a …
Show notes
The UK prime minister will meet the US president for the first time in New York on Tuesday. With Trump at his weakest in the polls, could this be a perfect moment for Burnham to charm the president and avoid a very public political spat? Pippa and Kiran discuss what the two leaders might discuss in policy terms, and some of the potential high-risk issues. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Tax the middle earners! Will the PM do it?
September 17, 202631 min
Former Bank of England economist Andy Haldane said the markets regarded this government as ‘a pretty traditional tax and spend socialist government with better TikTok videos’. Harsh criticism or truth? As …
Show notes
Former Bank of England economist Andy Haldane said the markets regarded this government as ‘a pretty traditional tax and spend socialist government with better TikTok videos’. Harsh criticism or truth? As pressure mounts on the chancellor, John Healey, to rule out tax rises, what options do they have left? Plus, what can the government do to tackle AI warnings?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
‘Party for sale’? Reform’s £72m donation causes backlash
September 14, 202624 min
There’s been a huge backlash against Reform UK after the party received £72m from two crypto billionaires over the weekend. Paul Nowak, the TUC leader, said the money showed democracy was ‘in crisis’. Labour is …
Show notes
There’s been a huge backlash against Reform UK after the party received £72m from two crypto billionaires over the weekend. Paul Nowak, the TUC leader, said the money showed democracy was ‘in crisis’. Labour is pushing for tighter restrictions on political donations which could be retrospective, but Reform is confident this will not affect its new war chest. How much does this money change the political landscape? And with Labour receiving millions from unions, will its new rules backfire?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Labour shifts on Israel, but what difference will it make?
September 10, 202628 min
It has been a huge week for Labour as Ed Miliband shifted the party’s stance on Israel by announcing sanctions on the illegal settlements in the West Bank and describing what is happening as ethnic cleansing …
Show notes
It has been a huge week for Labour as Ed Miliband shifted the party’s stance on Israel by announcing sanctions on the illegal settlements in the West Bank and describing what is happening as ethnic cleansing. What is behind this shift, and will it make any difference on the ground?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Is the UK about to see the rise of the far right?
September 7, 202628 min
Alternative für Deutschland has claimed a historic win in Germany, continuing the pattern of populist far-right parties gaining power across Europe. In the UK, balaclava-clad far-right protesters have marched …
Show notes
Alternative für Deutschland has claimed a historic win in Germany, continuing the pattern of populist far-right parties gaining power across Europe. In the UK, balaclava-clad far-right protesters have marched on Dover, and then Portsmouth, trying to intimidate asylum seekers. Meanwhile, Reform UK’s conference ended with a beleaguered Nigel Farage dealing with protesters and allegations following an undercover investigation into party donors. Will far-right sentiment in Europe and the UK be a boost for Farage or a burden?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Introducing Black Box: The Chatbots
September 5, 202640 minBonus
New from the Guardian Investigates team: Across the world, hundreds of people have come to believe they have made extraordinary scientific discoveries with AI chatbots such as ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini. Others …
Show notes
New from the Guardian Investigates team: Across the world, hundreds of people have come to believe they have made extraordinary scientific discoveries with AI chatbots such as ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini. Others say their AI has ‘awakened’, or is leading them to a higher spiritual realm. The Guardian journalist Michael Safi begins investigating a phenomenon labelled ‘AI psychosis’, travelling to the US to meet two people who have been on weird journeys with their chatbots. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Can Zack Polanski win Keir Starmer’s old seat?
September 3, 202622 min
The Green party leader, Zack Polanski, has confirmed he will stand in the Holborn and St Pancras byelection, which was triggered when Keir Starmer announced he was quitting as an MP. It’s going to be a tough …
Show notes
The Green party leader, Zack Polanski, has confirmed he will stand in the Holborn and St Pancras byelection, which was triggered when Keir Starmer announced he was quitting as an MP. It’s going to be a tough race to win, so can he do it? Plus, Reform UK’s conference starts today but it’s been a rough couple of months for the party and Nigel Farage – can he hold it all together?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Rejoining the EU, Burnham’s donors and the bedroom tax: Politics Weekly answers your questions
August 31, 202620 min
Will the UK ever rejoin the EU? Who is funding Andy Burnham? And will the bedroom tax be scrapped? In a special episode, Kiran Stacey and Peter Walker answer some of your questions. Help support our independent …
Show notes
Will the UK ever rejoin the EU? Who is funding Andy Burnham? And will the bedroom tax be scrapped? In a special episode, Kiran Stacey and Peter Walker answer some of your questions. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Andy Burnham’s autumn of pain– podcast
August 27, 202627 min
It’s been a month since Andy Burnham became prime minister. And while polls have shown a ‘Burnham bounce’, the coming months will force the new PM into making some tough – and potentially unpopular – decisions …
Show notes
It’s been a month since Andy Burnham became prime minister. And while polls have shown a ‘Burnham bounce’, the coming months will force the new PM into making some tough – and potentially unpopular – decisions that will reveal how serious he is about delivering the changes he believes the country needs. Kiran Stacey and Peter Walker look at the choices facing Burnham. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Revisited – Brexit: an oral history
August 24, 202647 min
Revisited: This year marked 10 years since the UK chose to leave the EU. In a series of interviews with key players from both sides, Kiran Stacey looks back on the Brexit vote that changed the country for ever …
Show notes
Revisited: This year marked 10 years since the UK chose to leave the EU. In a series of interviews with key players from both sides, Kiran Stacey looks back on the Brexit vote that changed the country for ever. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
‘I worry about our daughters’: Bridget Phillipson on online misogyny
August 20, 202633 min
Racism and misogyny are becoming normalised as a result of rightwing politics and the ‘cesspit’ of social media, says Labour’s Bridget Phillipson. In an extended interview, the minister for women and equalities …
Show notes
Racism and misogyny are becoming normalised as a result of rightwing politics and the ‘cesspit’ of social media, says Labour’s Bridget Phillipson. In an extended interview, the minister for women and equalities and new party chair sits down with Kiran Stacey to talk about her fears for British society, the climate crisis, what Burnham is really doing differently from Starmer, and whether her party can beat Reform. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Revisited: The Andy Burnham I know – Today in Focus podcast
August 17, 202637 min
Today in Focus host and former north of England editor Helen Pidd has watched Andy Burnham’s career for years, and here she talks to his friends, colleagues and mentors to find out more about his rise to power …
Show notes
Today in Focus host and former north of England editor Helen Pidd has watched Andy Burnham’s career for years, and here she talks to his friends, colleagues and mentors to find out more about his rise to power. This episode was originally broadcast on 16 July. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Farage wins Clacton byelection, but was it worth it?
August 14, 202624 min
Nigel Farage has won the Clacton byelection he triggered by resigning from the seat because he wanted to allow voters to ‘stick two fingers up at the entire establishment’. The Reform UK leader’s political …
Show notes
Nigel Farage has won the Clacton byelection he triggered by resigning from the seat because he wanted to allow voters to ‘stick two fingers up at the entire establishment’. The Reform UK leader’s political finances were under investigation at the time. That process has now resumed, posing the risk of another byelection if Farage is found to have broken the rules. Has his party emerged stronger or weaker as a result of the byelection? And what next for Reform UK and its leader? Alexandra Topping and Rowena Mason discuss the fallout, and what it means. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Revisited: Andy Burnham apologises for Labour’s stance on Gaza – podcast
August 10, 202623 min
In July, Andy Burnham told the Guardian’s political editor, Pippa Crerar, that Labour ‘didn’t get it right’ on Gaza. He apologised for the party’s slow response in calling for a ceasefire, but stopped short of …
Show notes
In July, Andy Burnham told the Guardian’s political editor, Pippa Crerar, that Labour ‘didn’t get it right’ on Gaza. He apologised for the party’s slow response in calling for a ceasefire, but stopped short of describing what was happening on the ground as genocide. This is an edited version of Pippa’s conversation with colleague Kiran Stacey. The original episode was published on 9 July. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Heatwave Britain: why are politicians so slow to act?
August 6, 202628 min
As another summer of extreme heat rumbles on, warnings about excess deaths, ageing infrastructure and potential food shortages are growing louder. So how well prepared is the UK to cope, both now and in the …
Show notes
As another summer of extreme heat rumbles on, warnings about excess deaths, ageing infrastructure and potential food shortages are growing louder. So how well prepared is the UK to cope, both now and in the years ahead? Jessica Elgot and Alexandra Topping examine why politicians have been so slow to act. Plus, Kemi Badenoch has distanced herself from the former neo-Nazi turned Tory council candidate Joshua Bonehill-Paine, only to offer him him an advisory role instead. What was she thinking?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
What chaos? Farage tries to distract with immigration plans
August 3, 202623 min
Nigel Farage has promised that Reform UK would call in the navy to tackle small boat Channel crossings. Will this familiar-sounding immigration policy distract from the party’s internal problems? Plus – as we …
Show notes
Nigel Farage has promised that Reform UK would call in the navy to tackle small boat Channel crossings. Will this familiar-sounding immigration policy distract from the party’s internal problems? Plus – as we learn more about Andy Burnham’s plans for devolution, is this the biggest rewiring of the UK state since the second world war?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod