Claims from politicians both at home and abroad paint an increasingly decrepit picture of the nation's capital. But just how much crime and chaos is there really in London?
Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Will Dunn to discuss her reporting on the issue, as well as a rundown of the big and brazen ongoings in political Britain this week. SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS: ⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2
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Should breaking manifesto pledges be illegal?
2026/1/16 | 28 mins.
A frustrated listener calls for consequences over broken Labour promises.
Anoosh Chakelian and Rachel Cunliffe answer listener questions about UK politics.
In the mailbag this week:
Should parliament impose legislation to force governments to honour manifesto pledges?
Is it time to reform council tax?
The Scottish independence referendum settled the question for "a generation". But what counts as a generation?
How would politics be different if the House of Commons was a different physical shape?
Send in your questions at newstatesman.com/youaskus
Listen next: Why Starmer u-turned on Digital ID SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS: ⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2
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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.
Jenrick defects to Reform
2026/1/15 | 29 mins.
Robert Jenrick has become the latest Tory to defect to Reform.
This morning he was fired by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, after she discovered his plan.
The announcement followed former Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi defecting to Reform earlier this week.
Tories broke Britain, say Tories.
What does it mean? How did it happen?
Oli Dugmore is joined by Rachel Cunliffe and Ethan Croft.
SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS: ⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2
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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.
Why Keir Starmer U-turned on digital ID
2026/1/14 | 28 mins.
How many U-turns before you admit you don’t know where you’re going?
As little as four months ago, Keir Starmer said: "You will not be able to work in the UK if you don't have a digital ID, it's as simple as that."
Now, he’s done yet another 180.
Oli Dugmore is joined by Anoosh Chakelian and Ailbhe Rea. SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS: ⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2
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Keir Starmer: Grok imagery “disgraceful”
2026/1/13 | 33 mins.
Keir Starmer is challenging Elon Musk and x.com over AI generated non-consensual intimate images.
A proliferation of these images, generated by x.com’s AI chatbot Grok, has flooded the platform. Users have been instructing Grok to create these images of high profile figures and even of children.
The British government have announced they will introduce legislation to prevent these images. This debate has raised issues of free speech, big tech, power and transatlantic relations.
Oli Dugmore unpacks it all with Tom McTague and Ailbhe Rea.
📚 READ: Why Keir Starmer has gone to war with Elon Musk - George Eaton https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/2026/01/why-keir-starmer-has-gone-to-war-with-elon-musk SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS: ⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2
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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.
Helping you make sense of politics – every weekday.Anoosh Chakelian, Oli Dugmore 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 Daily Politics, 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--JOIN US:⭐️ Treat yourself or someone special to big ideas, bold politics and proper journalism from just £2 this Christmas when you subscribe to the New Statesman. Subscribe today at newstatesman.com/xmaspod25--Hosts:Anoosh ChakelianOli DugmoreRegular contributors and co-hosts:Tom McTague, Editor-in-chiefWill Lloyd, Deputy editorAndrew Marr, Political editorGeorge Eaton, Senior editor, politicsHannah Barnes, Associate editorRachel Cunliffe, Associate political editorWill Dunn, Business editorMegan Gibson, Foreign editorKatie Stallard, Global affairs editorTanjil Rashid, Culture editorKate Mossman, Senior writerProduction team:Senior podcast producer: Catharine HughesVideo producer: Rob Le MareAssistant producer: Biba KangExecutive producer: Chris Stone Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.