Ft Politics

In our final episode of 2022, we look back on an especially turbulent year in Westminster - from partygate to Chris Pincher, Ukraine to market meltdown, Boris Johnson to Rishi Sunak, Kwasi Kwarteng and Jeremy Hunt. We reflect on the most significant events, what we got right and wrong at the time, and what British politics will bring in 2023. This marks Sebastian Payne's last episode presenting the podcast, but we will be back in the new year with a new host. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with political editor George Parker, chief political correspondent Jim Pickard, chief UK political columnists Robert Shrimsley and deputy opinion editor Miranda Green. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth.-Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @SebastianEPayne -Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newslettersAudio: BBC / Sky / ITVRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy fo

Rishi Sunak confronted a growing wave of industrial unrest facing the UK with tough new proposals for anti-strike laws, but will they work? We explore how the prime minister is handling the challenges of the winter ahead and whether we’re any closer to a “Sunakism”. Plus, we discuss the Edinburgh Reforms of financial services and whether they will boost growth and help the City of London flourish after Brexit. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with chief UK political columnist Robert Shrimsley, deputy opinion editor Miranda Green, political editor George Parker and business editor Dan Thomas. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth.-Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @SebastianEPayne -Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newslettersAudio: BBC / SkyRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Britain is seeing a swelling wave of industrial action this winter, from nurses to rail workers. Is the country facing a de facto general strike and is there an economic landing zone for the government and workers? We discuss what the different unions want. Plus, we examine Sir Keir Starmer's strategy for attacking Rishi Sunak - does it amount to class war, or just expose the prime minister's weaknesses? Presented by Sebastian Payne, with chief political correspondent Jim Pickard, economic correspondent Delphine Strauss, associate editor and columnist Stephen Bush and special guest political strategist John McTernan. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Howie Shannon and Jan Sigsworth.-Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @SebastianEPayne -Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newslettersAudio: BBC / SkyRead a transcript of this episode on FT.comRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informa

Rishi Sunak's authority with Tory MPs is waning and he is now facing policy battles on almost every front. We analyse which fights the new prime minister can win and which aren’t worth engaging in, and whether the Conservative party is serious about the next election. Plus, we look at the Tory and Labour wooing of business at this week’s CBI conference and if Sir Keir Starmer is doing enough on immigration to win enterprise over. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with columnist and associate editor Stephen Bush, deputy opinion editor Miranda Green, chief political correspondent Jim Pickard and chief business correspondent Dan Thomas. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers are Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth.-Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @SebastianEPayne -Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newslettersAudio: BBC / SkyRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The chancellor unveiled a £55bn plan for fiscal tightening this week, with the biggest drop in living standards for 70 years. We unpack all of the fiscal forecasts, tax rises, spending cuts and how Rishi Sunak can navigate the tricky politics. Plus, we also examine whether Hunt has shot Labour’s fox and what alternatives the party might put forward. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Chris Giles, Jim Pickard and special guest Carys Roberts of the IPPR think-tank. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth.Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/ukFollow @SebastianEPayne Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newslettersAudio: BBCRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rishi Sunak forced Sir Gavin Williamson out from his government this week, the third time the former cabinet minister has been made to quit. Why did Sunak hire the controversial former chief whip in the first place? And what does his departure say about the prime minister's judgment?Plus, we look ahead to next week's Autumn Statement and where the Treasury's tax and spend axe will fall.Presented by Sebastian Payne, with chief UK political commentator Robert Shrimsley, deputy opinion editor Miranda Green, chief political correspondent Jim Pickard and special guest Torsten Bell, chief executive of the Resolution Foundation.Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Persis Love and Jan Sigswoth.-Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @SebastianEPayne-Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newslettersAudio: Sky News / BBC / The BunkerRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We ask whether the home secretary Suella Braverman can survive in her post with attacks on multiple fronts. Does she have a plan for dealing with backlogged asylum claims? Can she be trusted with national security? And does she have the confidence of prime minister Rishi Sunak?Plus, the curious and hilarious case of Matt Hancock, the former health secretary who has decided to make good use of his constituents' time by going on the reality show 'I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!'Is it ever a good idea for politicians to diddle off from Westminster when parliament is sitting?Presented by Sebastian Payne with chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley, political correspondent Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe, chief political correspondent Jim Pickard and deputy opinion editor Miranda Green.Produced by Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Persis Love, Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth.-Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @SebastianEPayne-Subscribe to https://www

After another turbulent week and the potential return of Boris Johnson. Rishi Sunak became Britain's latest prime minister - its first non-white leader and the youngest in modern history. We discuss how he triumphed in the leadership contest, how Johnson failed to gain momentum, the make-up of Sunak's first cabinet and the options for filling the fiscal blackhole left by “Trussonomics”.Presented by Sebastian Payne, with political editor George Parker, chief political correspondent Robert Shrimsley, economics editor Chris Giles and special guest former Treasury official Jill Rutter.Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth.-Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @SebastianEPayne-Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newslettersAudio: Sky News / BBCRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We look back on what can only be described as a total bonkers week in Westminster: how Liz Truss became the shortest and one of the worst prime ministers in British history, the very sticky end, and crucially what happens next - including the question on everyone’s lips: will Boris Johnson return?Our political editor George Parker and associate editor Camilla Cavendish will be unpacking it all with special guest Paul Goodman, editor of the Conservative Home website.Produced by Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth.-Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @Seb Payne -Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newslettersAudio: Sky News / BBC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A tumultuous week and a dramatic Friday as Liz Truss was forced to reverse on tax cuts again and sacked Kwasi Kwarteng. Doubts are growing over whether she can survive as prime minister.Presented by Sebastian Payne with political editor George Parker, economics editor Chris Giles and associate editor Camilla Cavendish. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth.-Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @Seb Payne -Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newslettersAudio: Sky News / BBCRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Liz Truss endured one of the most traumatic Conservative party conferences in living memory, with open revolt from her cabinet and MPs. Can the new prime minister survive and where does her economic reform agenda go next? Plus we discuss whether business is moving its opinions sharply towards Labour with the potential of the party's return to government in sight. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with political editor George Parker, associate editor Stephen Bush, chief political correspondent Jim Pickard and business columnist Cat Rutter Pooley. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Persis Love and Jan Sigsworth.Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/ukFollow @Seb PayneSubscribe to https://www.ft.com/newslettersAudio: Sky NewsRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Markets showed their dismay and the pound crashed to its lowest levels ever as Prime Minister Liz Truss and chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng struggled to defend their economic strategy. Where does the crisis go next? Political editor George Parker and economics editor Chris Giles make sense of it all. We also look back on the Labour party conference in Liverpool and discuss whether Sir Keir Starmer’s party is preparing to return to power. Chief political correspondent Jim Pickard and northern correspondent Jennifer Williams take us into the corridors of the convention centre.Presented by Sebastian Payne. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon-Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @Seb Payne -Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newslettersAudio: BBCRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kwasi Kwarteng delivered is first Budget in all but name this week, with the biggest overhaul in taxes in half a century. We unpack all the major tax cuts and examine whether the Truss government's huge bet on growth will pay off, and what happens if it doesn't. Plus, we look at the ABCD plan to see the health service through the winter and whether the UK is losing its focus on science. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Chris Giles, Sarah Neville and Clive Cookson. Produced by Howie Shannon. -Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @Seb Payne -Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newslettersAudio: House of Commons / BBC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK has experienced an unprecedented week of constitutional upheaval with new national and political leadership. We discuss the death and mourning of Queen Elizabeth II, the arrival of King Charles III and what it all means for the new prime minister Liz Truss. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Peter Foster, George Parker, Robert Shrimsley and special guest Hannah White. Produced by Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth.-Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @Seb Payne -Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newslettersAudio: House of Commons / BBC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following the sad news of the death of Queen Elizabeth II - who died on September 8 2022 at the age of 96 - we are in tribute republishing this platinum jubilee episode, in which we looked back on Her Majesty's 70 years on the throne.Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Chris Giles and Sarah O'Connor. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth.-Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @Seb Payne -Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Tory leadership race finished this week, with foreign secretary Liz Truss widely expected to triumph. We discuss the final campaign developments, Truss’ pledges on tax, and what Boris Johnson might do next. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Robert Shrimsley and Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth. -Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @Seb Payne -Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newslettersAudio: LBC / BBC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With energy bills set to soar from October, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak faced mounting questions about how they would help struggling families, yet neither of the candidates to be the new prime minister has set out detailed plans. We examine the foreign secretary's tax proposals, whether they will address the economic turbulence ahead and if Whitehall needs a new ethics adviser.Presented by Sebastian Payne, with chief political correspondent Jim Pickard, political correspondent Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe and special guest economist Gerard Lyons.Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Carlos San Juan. -Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @Seb Payne -Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newsletters Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two new opinion polls put Liz Truss 32 points ahead of her rival Rishi Sunak in the race to be the next Tory leader and prime minister. We analyse whether the contest is over, and the latest clashes between the two contenders on the union and economy. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe and special guest Paul Goodman of ConservativeHome.Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth-Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @Seb Payne -Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newslettersAudio: BBC + Sky Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

As much of the country wilts in a heatwave, the focus in the Tory leadership contest this week has been on colder times to come. The two rivals for UK prime minister have disagreed publicly on how to help the most vulnerable cope with rising energy costs in the autumn. Rishi Sunak is promising direct help, while Liz Truss has criticised what she calls “handouts”, favouring tax cuts instead. But in the face of dire warnings that energy bills could reach more than £4,000 a year, is Truss softening her stance?The FT’s political editor George Parker is joined by economics editor Chris Giles and political correspondent Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe. The producer was Philippa Goodrich and the sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth.Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/ukFollow @SebastianEPayne Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

The voting process in the contest for a new Tory leader and prime minister was delayed over security concerns, but the campaign continued with Liz Truss looking all but certain to win. We discuss her lines of attack and her proliferation of new ideas, and delve into why Rishi Sunak is struggling to present himself as the grown-up. Will the delay to voting help him gain ground?Presented by political editor George Parker, with Robert Shrimsley, chief political commentator, and political correspondent Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Howie Shannon. The sound engineers were Breen Turner and Jan Sigsworth-Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @Seb Payne -Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newslettersAudio: BBC / Sky See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.