Ft Politics

If you have questions about this year's US presidential election, we have answers.Swamp Notes is a new podcast from the FT News Briefing. Listen every Saturday morning as our journalists analyse and discuss the latest happenings in US politics. We’ll go beyond the horse race for the White House and offer a global perspective on the election.  You can subscribe to Swamp Notes here or wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Conservatives are languishing in the polls, while Labour is riding high – but beneath the headline figures, how does the voter appeal of the main parties break down by sex, age and other factors? The FT’s Lucy Fisher is joined by Political Fix regulars Stephen Bush and Miranda Green to hear from chief data reporter John Burn-Murdoch. John also delves into the glaring ideological gap that has opened up between men and women under 30 and the team considers what his findings mean for the general election.Free links:A new global gender divide is emergingTories remain restless for excitement as the nation loses trust in their deliveryRishi Sunak’s ‘Italian Job’ moment How to heal the great education divide in UK politics The housing crisis is still being underplayed MPs pass legislation aimed at reviving Northern Ireland executive Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, Miranda Green @greenmiranda, Stephen Bush @stephenkb, John Burn-Murdoch @jburnmurdochSign up here for 30 free days of Ste

The FT’s Whitehall Editor Lucy Fisher is joined by the FT’s George Parker and Robert Shrimsley to lift the veil on the Tory party plots against the prime minister. As rightwingers prepare to launch the new Popular Conservatives (PopCons) group and the demand for a new direction for the party grows, the trio delve into the choices the government faces. Plus, the FT’s William Wallis joins to paint a picture of the crisis in local authority funding.Free links:Rishi Sunak braced for further rightwing rebellion after resignation callTories must oust Rishi Sunak to avoid ‘extinction’, says ex-ministerCash-strapped English councils to get extra £600mnNext UK government faces historic challenge to curb debt, report findsFollow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, Robert @robertshrimsley, George @GeorgeWParker, William Wallis @WWFTUKSign up here for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's award winning Inside Politics newsletter.Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Audrey Tinline. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Original music

Introducing Untold, a new podcast from the special investigations team at the Financial Times. In its first series, The Retreat, host Madison Marriage examines the world of the Goenka network, which promotes a type of intensive meditation known as Vipassana. Thousands of people go on Goenka retreats every year. People rave about them. But some people go to these meditation retreats, and they suffer. They might feel a deep sense of terror, or a break with reality. And on the other side, they’re not themselves anymore. Untold: The Retreat launches Jan. 24.Subscribe and listen on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The government’s plan to send undocumented migrants to Rwanda has overcome a series of hurdles in the House of Commons, but how will it fare in the Lords? FT columnists Miranda Green and Stephen Bush are with Lucy Fisher to debate what could happen next. And the FT’s public policy editor Peter Foster joins them round the table to tell us more about the FT’s scoop on the dire state of finances in UK universities. Free links:Rwanda bill rebellion takes heavy toll on Rishi SunakRishi Sunak secures Commons approval for Rwanda bill as rebel MPs back downUK universities risk falling into deficit as foreign student numbers fallThe UK’s political class needs to learn to love the economy it actually hasBiden, Attal, Pitt the Younger - what is the right age for a politician?Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, Miranda: @greenmiranda, Stephen: @stephenkb and Peter: @pmdfosterPresented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Philippa Goodrich. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Original music and audio mix by Breen Turner. T

Who should foot the bill – both financial and political – for the Post Office scandal? Hundreds of sub-postmasters who were wrongly convicted of theft and false accounting on the basis of faulty data now face pay-outs and exoneration. Lucy Fisher is joined by the FT’s Rafe Uddin, who has been reporting from the Post Office inquiry, to ask who should pay the compensation bill, and who should shoulder the blame for the biggest miscarriage of justice in modern British history. Plus, Political Fix regulars Robert Shrimsley and George Parker dissect Keir Starmer’s new plan for supervised toothbrushing in schools and a crackdown on junk food, to consider whether Labour will run a ‘nanny state’.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. Free links: Fujitsu could face ‘financial sanctions’ over Post Office scandalFujitsu won contracts on Sunak’s watch despite Post Office scandalThe bitter technolo

The next 12 months will be an epic year for democracy. Half the world’s population will have the chance to vote. Lucy Fisher is joined by the FT’s editor Roula Khalaf and chief foreign affairs commentator Gideon Rachman to give a global perspective, while Political Fix regular Robert Shrimsley offers sharp analysis on how Britain’s political parties are shaping their offerings to the public at the start of an election year in the UK.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. Free links: Can democracy survive 2024?Rishi Sunak seeks to harvest political advantage with autumn poll strategyUK economy will enter ‘grey gloom’ until polling day, economists say The optimistic case for the British economyNarendra Modi responds to assassination claimsFollow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, Roula on @khalafroula, Gideon on @gideonrachman and Robert on @robertshrimsley.Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced b

While Lucy Fisher and the Political Fix team take a break over the Christmas period, we’re sharing an episode of Working It, the FT’s workplace podcast hosted by Isabel Berwick. Here’s what it’s about: It's the work Christmas party season: you're out of the office, and the alcohol is flowing. How can you make sure you don't embarrass yourself (or derail your career)? And how can you bounce back if you do go wrong? Isabel Berwick speaks to FT columnist and veteran party-goer Stephen Bush, author and comedian Viv Groskop and party-shy FT columnist Emma Jacobs to find out. Warning: contains drunken secret Santas, dancefloor embarrassment and toe-curling apologies.You can raise money for the FT's charity, the Financial Literacy and Inclusion Campaign, by bidding to have lunch with Political Fix regulars Miranda Green, Stephen Bush, George Parker or one of their colleagues at top restaurants that are donating meals for an excellent cause.Want more? Free links:Workers and bosses opt for Christmas pay

As the year draws to a close, Lucy Fisher is joined by Political Fix regulars George Parker and Stephen Bush to consider where British politics goes next. What challenges await Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer in January, and what ammunition are the Tories and Labour stockpiling to fire at each other in the election campaign? Plus, the FT’s chief economics commentator Martin Wolf sits down for an end of year chat with Lucy to dissect the big economic problems facing the government - and what fixes are available.You can raise money for the FT's charity, the Financial Literacy and Inclusion Campaign, by bidding to have lunch with Martin Wolf or with Political Fix regulars Miranda Green, Stephen Bush, George Parker or one of their colleagues at top restaurants that are donating meals for an excellent cause. Go to ft.com/appeal to see what's on offer.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. Free

As politicians and political hacks limp towards the end of a long year in Westminster, Lucy Fisher is joined by the FT’s Robert Shrimsley and Miranda Green to assess the turmoil engulfing Sunak’s Tory party. The PM has won an important battle, but faces more strife in the new year. Also, the FT’s climate reporter Kenza Bryan has been in Dubai and sums up what, if anything, the COP28 mega-gathering really achieved and appraises the UK’s performance at the summit. You can raise money for the FT's charity, the Financial Literacy and Inclusion Campaign, by bidding to have lunch with Political Fix regulars Miranda Green, Stephen Bush, George Parker or one of their colleagues, at top restaurants that are donating meals for an excellent cause. Go to ft.com/appeal to see what's on offer.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. Free links: Sunak’s Rwanda fight is really a battle for control

Infighting has erupted once again within the Tory ranks over Rishi Sunak’s last-minute treaty with Kigali and emergency legislation to save his Rwanda removals plan. The FT’s Lucy Fisher is joined by colleagues Miranda Green and Jim Pickard to explain what’s happened and discuss the latest drama, including the shock resignation of the PM’s one-time ally, immigration minister Robert Jenrick. Plus, the FT’s Laura Hughes assesses Boris Johnson’s performance at the Covid inquiry.Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, Miranda on: @greenmiranda, Jim on: @PickardJEFree links:UK court battles still lie ahead over revamped Rwanda removal schemeTory leadership contest would be ‘insanity’, warns party chair Boris Johnson denies considering ‘let it rip’ Covid strategyPublic inquiries are one of Britain’s only growth industriesSign 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 Aud

Was it a huge fit of pique or a genuine desire to protect the Elgin Marbles that prompted Rishi Sunak to cancel his date with the Greek prime minister? Lucy Fisher unpicks the row with the help of the FT’s Robert Shrimsley and Stephen Bush. They also consider, in the wake of record legal net migration figures, whether immigration is tearing the Tories apart. The FT’s Delphine Strauss weighs in to explain the particular plight faced by some migrant workers in the care sector. Plus, the group reflects on the legacy of Alistair Darling. Follow Lucy on X, formerly Twitter : @LOS_FisherFree links:Long hours and large debts: care workers stranded by UK’s migration policySketchy politics: Sunak sets out his stall for the electionSign 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. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.comPresented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Philippa Goodrich. The executive producer is M

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt put a £20bn tax giveaway at the heart of his Autumn Statement. But will it be enough to win back disenchanted Tory voters? Whitehall editor Lucy Fisher is joined by the FT’s consumer editor Claer Barrett and economics commentator Chris Giles to analyse the package on offer. Plus, Political Fix regular George Parker gives his take on whether voters will be wooed by personal tax cuts.Free links:Jeremy Hunt cuts national insurance but taxes head to postwar highWould Aussie rules boost UK pensions?Jeremy Hunt makes early move on tax as Tory poll slump continuesFollow Lucy on X on @LOS_Fisher, George @GeorgeWParker, Claer @ClaerB and Chris @ChrisGilesSign 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 Audrey Tinline. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl

What a turbulent week in politics: home secretary Suella Braverman sacked, the government’s flagship Rwanda policy deemed unlawful by the Supreme Court and a major Labour rebellion. Not to mention the return of David Cameron. Lucy Fisher is joined by the FT’s George Parker and Stephen Bush to chew over events. And the FT’s William Wallis goes through the government’s options for revitalising its plan to remove asylum seekers to Rwanda. Free links:Why the UK Supreme Court ruled against Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda policy Sunak reshuffle shows a government running on emptyStarmer suffers major rebellion over Israel-Hamas war How David Cameron tried to make his fortune with cash from ChinaFollow Lucy, Stephen and George on X @LOS_Fisher, @stephenkb and @GeorgeWParkerSign 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 Audrey Tinline. The executive producer i

Suella Braverman’s tirade against the Metropolitan Police’s handling of pro-Palestinan marches has divided opinion among her Tory colleagues. Lucy Fisher is joined by FT columnists Miranda Green and Robert Shrimsley to discuss the fallout from the home secretary’s article in The Times. Plus, did the King’s Speech reveal a government running out of steam? And the FT’s Camilla Cavendish tells Lucy about the desperation some parents and children feel in England’s unreformed family courts.  Free links:Suella Braverman pushes to restrict tents for rough sleepers The strategic confusion at the heart of Rishi Sunak’s final push Sketchy Politics: mapping the next election Law and disorder in the family courts Follow Lucy, Miranda and Robert on X @LOS_Fisher @greenmiranda @robertshrimsleySign 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 Phil

Rishi Sunak played the part of chat show host with tech leader Elon Musk this week, after hosting an AI summit at Bletchley Park. The FT’s Lucy Fisher is joined by Stephen Bush and Anna Gross, who was reporting from the conference, to ask what it achieved. Plus, the FT’s Camilla Cavendish examines what the Covid-19 inquiry has revealed to date about the shortcomings of the British state.Clip: X @RishiSunakFollow Lucy on Twitter @LOS_FisherWant more?  Elon Musk tells Rishi Sunak AI will render all jobs obsoleteMatt Hancock wanted to decide “who should live” if the NHS overwhelmed, Covid inquiry toldLabour dissent on Israel-Gaza grows as latest shadow minister calls for ceasefireSign 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 Audrey Tinline. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio

As Rishi Sunak celebrates his first year in office, the FT’s Lucy Fisher asks whether he has succeeded in steadying the Tory ship, while the FT’s Miranda Green and George Parker mark his scorecard. The Political Fix team also examines the tough choices facing Keir Starmer as he braces himself for potential frontbench resignations over his approach to the Israel-Hamas war. Plus, economics columnist Soumaya Keynes joins to outline how she spotted apparent plagiarism in Labour shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves’s newly published book, The Women Who Made Modern Economics.You can find Lucy, Miranda and George on X, formerly Twitter, @LOS_Fisher and @greenmiranda and @GeorgeWParkerRead a transcript of this episode on FT.comWant more?  Rishi Sunak faces intractable problems on first anniversary as prime ministerMuslim Labour MPs urge Keir Starmer to back Gaza ceasefireThe Women Who Made Modern Economics by Rachel Reeves - credit where it’s due?How Claudia Goldin transformed our understanding of women and work

The UK's Labour party has pulled off two stunning by-election victories. The FT’s Lucy Fisher is joined by colleagues Miranda Green, Jim Pickard and Stephen Bush to discuss whether Keir Starmer’s party is now on track for a 1997-style landslide, and what the Tories’ dismal results mean for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Plus, the group examines the PM’s tour of the Middle East as fears grow that the Israel-Hamas war could escalate. What are the repercussions for UK politics as the conflict deepens?Clips: BBCWant more? Free links:Labour seizes Tamworth and Mid Beds from Conservatives in UK by-electionsHistoric by-elections and the curious case of TamworthLabour’s twin victories suggest it may be too late to save Tory baconKeir Starmer faces growing mutiny from within Labour over Israel-Hamas stance Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_FisherSign 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 Fish

Keir Starmer eschewed flashy policy vows at Labour’s annual conference, but did his promise of stability and certainty cut through? The FT’s Whitehall editor Lucy Fisher is joined by columnist Stephen Bush and deputy political editor Jim Pickard to reflect on the opposition party’s gathering in Liverpool, where events were overshadowed by the Hamas attack on Israel. The FT’s chief foreign affairs columnist, Gideon Rachman, joins with his analysis of how the Israel-Hamas conflict could unfold and its repercussions for the UK and the wider world.Want more? Free links:‘Change is coming’: Labour bullish about return to powerA bitter blame game will follow Israel’s wartime unityLabour cuts back £28bn green investment pledge againForget the glitter - Starmer offers hope as a mechanic, not a magicianFollow Lucy on X: @LOS_FisherSign 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. Pro

Rishi Sunak is pitching himself as the change candidate at the next election with a raft of policy shake-ups - but does the substance match the rhetoric? The FT’s Whitehall editor Lucy Fisher is joined by columnist Robert Shrimsley and political editor George Parker to discuss what we learned from the Conservatives’ conference about the election campaign the party will run. The trio also look ahead to Labour’s gathering in Liverpool. Plus, the FT’s Jen Williams reviews whether voters in the north and Midlands feel the Tories have lived up to their 2019 pledge to “level up” the country.Want more?  Can Rishi Sunak win the next election as the ‘change’ candidate?The HS2 rail line: what has been cut and what will replace it?Sunak’s strategy makes Starmer the real election issueSign 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 Audrey Tinline. The executive produ