Ft Politics

A 'painful' Budget awaits this autumn and things will get 'worse before they get better', Sir Keir Starmer warned this week. But is Labour taking a risk projecting such a gloomy outlook? Political Fix host Lucy Fisher is joined by regulars Stephen Bush and Robert Shrimsley, as well as FT economics editor Sam Fleming, to consider how the new government might fund the fiscal black hole it claims the Tories left behind – and find a message of hope. Plus, the group analyses who’s ahead and who’s falling back in the Tory leadership race.Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, Stephen @stephenkb, Robert @robertshrimsley, Sam @Sam1FlemingWant more?  Wealthy households and businesses brace for tax rises after Starmer speechStarmer warned he cannot sidestep Brussels in bid to reset UK-EU relationsEurozone inflation falls to 2.2% in AugustJD Vance urges billionaire Peter Thiel to help bankroll Trump campaignPubs hit out at UK plans to ban smoking in outdoor areasSign up here for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politi