The Politics Show cover art

The Politics Show

The Politics Show

By: The New Statesman
Listen for free

Summary

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 Chakelian



Regular contributors and co-hosts:

Tom McTague, Editor-in-chief

Ailbhe Rea, Political editor



Production team:

Senior podcast producer: Catharine Hughes

Podcast and video producer: Rob Le Mare

Assistant producer: Biba Kang

Executive producer: Chris Stone

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

153321 Political Science Politics & Government Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Keir Starmer’s never ending chaos | Will and Anoosh’s weekly round up

    Keir Starmer’s never ending chaos | Will and Anoosh’s weekly round up
    May 16 2026

    Keir Starmer’s never ending cycle of political chaos, Reform’s suspended local councillors and Anoosh’s heckle of Boris Johnson.


    Will Dunn and Anoosh Chakelian round up the stories of the week.


    Read: https://www.newstatesman.com/comment/2026/05/will-progressives-ever-forgive-labour


    https://www.newstatesman.com/business/economics/2026/05/the-bond-markets-will-not-save-keir-starmer

    LISTEN AD-FREE:

    📱Download the New Statesman app


    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.
    Show More Show Less
    33 mins
  • Streeting resigns, but can he trigger a leadership contest?

    Streeting resigns, but can he trigger a leadership contest?
    May 14 2026

    Wes Streeting resigned as Health Secretary on Thursday morning, but Ailbhe Rea says Keir Starmer is determined to fight on.


    After days of speculation – and a 16-minute meeting at Number 10 – Wes Streeting has finally resigned from cabinet.


    On the same day, Angela Rayner has announced she has been "cleared" of wrongdoing related to unpaid property tax, which would leave her free to run in a leadership contest if one is triggered.


    However, sources inside Number 10 have told Ailbhe Rea that Wes Streeting does not have the backing of enough MPs to trigger a leadership contest. So what is the former Health Secretary hoping to achieve?


    And if a leadership contest were triggered, who else would be likely to run?


    Ailbhe Rea and Anoosh Chakelian discuss the latest from Westminster in The Politics Show.


    READ: Wes Streeting resigns with an excoriating letter to Starmer

    LISTEN AD-FREE:

    📱Download the New Statesman app


    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.
    Show More Show Less
    29 mins
  • Starmer defiantly clings to power

    Starmer defiantly clings to power
    May 12 2026

    Over 80 MPs are calling for Keir Starmer’s resignation, reaching the threshold required for a contender to mount a leadership challenge, with ministers - including Jess Philips - resigning from government too.


    After a high stakes meeting this morning, several cabinet members voiced their support for the Prime Minister, as he defiantly vowed to “get on with governing”.


    Will the Prime Minister survive the week?


    READ: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/2026/05/tracked-the-labour-mps-calling-for-keir-starmer-to-go

    LISTEN AD-FREE:

    📱Download the New Statesman app


    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.
    Show More Show Less
    26 mins
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_c
No reviews yet