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Electoral Dysfunction

Electoral Dysfunction

By: Sky News
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About this listen

Political powerhouses Beth Rigby, Ruth Davidson and Harriet Harman unite to unravel the spin and explain what’s really going on in Westminster and beyond. Each episode examines who holds influence, what politicians are really saying, and the forces driving decisions behind closed doors. With authoritative insight and candid conversation, they assess who is rising, who is falling, and who is heading for Electoral Dysfunction. For audience questions and comments, message the team on WhatsApp: 07934 200444Copyright Sky News Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Will we ever know everything about Peter Mandelson?
    Apr 24 2026

    Sir Keir Starmer says he has "put to bed" the row over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador – but it looks set to rumble on for the PM.

    Starmer's former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney has now been summoned to give evidence to the Commons, as well as Sir Olly Robbins's predecessor at the Foreign Office, Sir Philip Barton.

    Beth explains why Barton's evidence could end up being "box office", while Ruth and Harriet give their assessment on Starmer's very difficult week.

    And the team discuss if it might be easier to reveal all the information which came up during vetting.

    Peter Mandelson denies criminal wrongdoing and has not been charged.

    Plus – Beth's in Manchester interviewing Green Party leader Zack Polanski. Will he be able to persuade voters in Labour heartlands – and beyond - to jump ship?

    For a list of all candidates standing in your area, check the Electoral Commission website: www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/your-election-information

    Got a question for the burner phone? WhatsApp 07934 200 444 or email electoraldysfunction@sky.uk

    And if you didn't know, you can also watch Ruth, Beth and Harriet on YouTube.

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    47 mins
  • EXTRA: Why didn’t Starmer ask more questions about Mandelson?
    Apr 21 2026

    Keir Starmer says that if he'd known Peter Mandelson had failed his vetting, he would never have appointed him US ambassador.

    The PM told the MPs that civil servants in the Foreign Office had made a "deliberate decision" not to tell him, and that it "beggars belief" that he didn’t know.

    This is a story full of political process, about whether rules were followed. But for many it may just boil down to why the Prime Minister did not ask more questions, especially when it concerned a man who had already resigned twice from government.

    In this special extra episode Beth Rigby, Ruth Davidson and Harriet Harman give a full debrief on Keir Starmer’s Commons performance.

    Got a question for the burner phone? WhatsApp 07934 200 444 or email electoraldysfunction@sky.uk

    And if you didn't know, you can also watch Beth, Ruth and Harriet on YouTube.

    Show More Show Less
    33 mins
  • Is this the election that makes Nigel Farage unstoppable?
    Apr 17 2026

    Are voters about to hand Nigel Farage his biggest win yet? Reform are polling in second place in Scotland, and while Farage’s party might not win in May, could the result change politics in the UK as we know it?

    This podcast was recorded on Thursday morning before the news that Peter Mandelson failed his security vetting.

    Beth, Ruth and Harriet dive into what’s really driving this moment for Reform and whether it’s a protest vote against Scottish independence or something more permanent. And Beth reports back on her trip north of the border with Farage this week, which is part of a series of interviews she is conducting with all the leaders.

    Plus, pollster Luke Tryl from More in Common is back with a focus group of voters to help us understand what could happen across the board in the May elections and what it means for Labour, the Conservatives, and the future of two-party politics.

    For a list of all candidates standing in your area, check the Electoral Commission website: https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/your-election-information

    Got a question for the burner phone? WhatsApp 07934 200 444 or email electoraldysfunction@sky.uk

    Show More Show Less
    50 mins
All stars
Most relevant
I listen to lots of political pods and this is one of my favourites. Female voices on a range of serious topics, down to earth, interesting and humorous. Doesn't take itself too seriously.

upbeat commentary

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This podcast has settled in to be excellent: incisive and down to earth. A refreshing change from the mansplaining of other political podcasts.

no mansplaining

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Love the honesty, humour and insight into politics especially from a female perspective. Great discussions.

Honesty

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Though love the friendly chat and banter the way you break it down in a way that us who are trying to work out what on earth is going on as politics quite often seems like a massive traffic jam with everyone yelling and honking and a few just going round and round the roundabout occasionally signalling turning and then just going round again so thank you so much and hey I managed my descriptions without expletives😁😁

I understood that😁

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Someone has got to create wealth and jobs - you would not having fun podcasting if it was all about anti-business Labour …. So your pro-labour it’s best sucks. End!

Boring

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