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The Politics Show

The New Statesman
The Politics Show
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1414 episodes

  • The Politics Show

    Local election results: the end of Starmer?

    2026/05/08 | 1h 7 mins.
    Results from the local and devolved are coming in. It has been, as many expected, a disappointing result for the Labour Party.

    Meanwhile, the insurgent parties, the Green Party to an extent, but especially Reform, have delivered on their promise of snowballing momentum.

    Anoosh Chakelian is joined by senior data journalist Ben Walker, political editor Ailbhe Rea and editor-in-chief Tom McTague.

    READ: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/may-2026/2026/05/live-results-map-wales-scotland-and-local-elections
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  • The Politics Show

    The gutting of the two party system

    2026/05/06 | 27 mins.
    The UK is gearing up for local and devolved elections on Thursday.

    As Keir Starmer looks increasingly isolated as Prime Minister, much is being made of a potentially disastrous few days for the Labour Party. If results go as badly for Labour as some are predicting, this could be the end for the PM.

    Meanwhile, the insurgent Reform and Green parties are looking to continue their surging momentum.
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    MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:
    ❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday
    ⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning
    ✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday
    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
  • The Politics Show

    Zack Polanski: Corbyn's true heir?

    2026/05/05 | 23 mins.
    Crowds of young people chant his name but the Green leader is "nervous", says Ailbhe Rea.

    --

    A year ago, Zack Polanksi was relatively unknown. Now, he's leading an "eco-populist" movement that has revitalised the Green Party and looks likely to propel a left-wing surge in the May local elections.

    Ailbhe Rea profiled the Green leader for the New Statesman, meeting him shortly after he'd been addressing young activists. She found a "sweet, slightly nervous" man who admits he still has much to learn about running a political party.

    Here Ailbhe speaks to Anoosh Chakelian about Zack Polanski's political position, his unusual background, and the lessons he might learn from Jeremy Corbyn.

    LISTEN NEXT:
    Attacks on Jews are an indictment of Keir Starmer's Britain

    READ:
    Zack Polanski is still learning

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    MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:
    ❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday
    ⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning
    ✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday
    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
  • The Politics Show

    Charles, royal court jester | Will and Anoosh’s weekly round up

    2026/05/02 | 29 mins.
    Parliament boozers, Morgan McSweeney vs Emily Thornberry, and King Charles' stand-up routine.

    Will and Anoosh discuss another big week.
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    MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:
    ❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday
    ⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning
    ✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday
    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
  • The Politics Show

    Attacks on Jews are an indictment of Keir Starmer's Britain

    2026/04/30 | 47 mins.
    "It makes me furious," says New Statesman editor Tom McTague.

     An attack in Golders Green, London, yet again exposes the rise of antisemitism in Britain. Anoosh Chakelian has been reporting from the borough, where local Jews fear for their safety, volunteer security guards patrol the streets and Jewish children have to pass through heavy security cordons to get to school. She tells editor Tom McTague about what she found.

    Meanwhile, the rise of anti-Jewish hate is putting more pressure on a government still mired in the Peter Mandelson scandal. The Prime Minister has become deeply unpopular, the Iran War continues, and local elections loom.

    Westminster has concluded Keir Starmer has two options: fight or flight. The New Statesman's political editor, Ailbhe Rea, says the Prime Minister has made a decision and raised his fists.

    READ:
    Terror in Golders Green, by Anoosh Chakelian
    https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/society/2026/04/terror-in-suburbia

    We are under attack, by Rachel Cunliffe
    https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/society/2026/04/we-are-under-attack

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    MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:
    ❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday
    ⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning
    ✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday
    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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About 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 ChakelianRegular contributors and co-hosts:Tom McTague, Editor-in-chiefAilbhe Rea, Political editorProduction team:Senior podcast producer: Catharine HughesPodcast and video producer: Rob Le MareAssistant producer: Biba KangExecutive producer: Chris Stone Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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