The Guardian Uk: Politics Weekly

Rachel Reeves is facing difficult choices before her second budget next month and has been busy preparing the ground. In a significant shift in the government’s narrative, Reeves has – at last – stressed the long-term damage done to the UK economy by Brexit. Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss the options available to the chancellor and whether the pivot to blaming Brexit will convince the public. Plus, what a foul-mouthed meeting tells us about Reform, why the imminent result of Labour’s deputy leader contest matters, and what parliament can do about Prince Andrew. Send your thoughts and questions to politicsweeklyuk@theguardian.com. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

As the Gaza ceasefire continues to hold, what road lies ahead in the peace process? John Harris speaks to the Guardian’s diplomatic editor, Patrick Wintour. Plus, what is at the heart of the Chinese spying case row? Why has Rachel Reeves changed her tone when it comes to Brexit? What’s behind the Green party’s surge in membership? And should Labour follow Zack Polanski’s lead in taking the fight to Reform? Kiran Stacey joins Harris to discuss. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

All eyes are on the Middle East where there have been emotional scenes in Israel as hostages were released, while tens of thousands of Palestinians are able to return to the ruins of their homes in Gaza. As global leaders, including Donald Trump and Keir Starmer, meet for a peace summit, Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss the UK’s role in securing the ceasefire and in the next phases of the peace plan. Plus, what has Tony Blair’s contribution been to the ceasefire, and what part could he play in future? -- Send your thoughts and questions to politicsweeklyuk@theguardian.com. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey speak to the education secretary and Labour deputy leadership candidate Bridget Phillipson about the plan for a ceasefire in Gaza, as well as why she is pushing the prime minister and chancellor to get rid of the two-child limit on benefits. Plus, she explains why she believes she is the best candidate to become the next deputy leader of the Labour party. And, we hear her thoughts on Keir Starmer’s leadership and how Labour should take on Nigel Farage and the rise of Reform. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

The Conservative leader used her conference speech to announce plans to scrap stamp duty and launch an attack on Labour, but why was there so little mention of the biggest threat facing her party? And will her performance be enough to stave off leadership rival Robert Jenrick? Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey talk through the speech and ask where the Conservatives go from here. Plus, they speak to Luke Tryl from More in Common about whether any moments from conference season have moved the dial in British politics -- Send your thoughts and questions to politicsweeklyuk@theguardian.com. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey are at the Conservative party conference in Manchester, where Kemi Badenoch is trying to convince disgruntled Tory MPs to hold their nerve. But how much longer will the party give her to turn things around? Plus, they discuss the government’s plans to give police more powers to stop protests --- Send your thoughts and questions to politicsweeklyuk@theguardian.com. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

The UK prime minister has used his conference speech to take aim at Nigel Farage, warning that Reform UK offers only ‘division and decline’ while promising ‘renewal’ and ‘decency’ under Labour. John Harris, Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey talk through the speech and ask if it could help to turn things around for Keir Starmer. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey sit down with the mayor of Greater Manchester live at the Labour party conference in Liverpool. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

The conversation about asylum and immigration is at the centre of British politics, and nowhere more so than in Kent. This week, John Harris is on the road in a special episode looking at both sides of the immigration story: hearing from the newly elected Reform UK council, and asking what life is actually like for people who come here in search of asylum. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

John Harris is joined by the Labour MP Lucy Powell, a former cabinet minister who is a running for deputy leadership of the party, to discuss why the government is failing to stem the surge in support for Reform and whether a change in tactics could help Keir Starmer take on Nigel Farage. Plus, how certain is the prime minister’s future? And how would Powell work with Starmer if she becomes deputy leader. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss the UK’s recognition of Palestine as a state. With the US and Israel criticising the move, what will it mean for the war in Gaza, and for diplomacy? Plus, what do we know about the split at the top of Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana’s new leftwing party? And Pippa has the latest from the Liberal Democrat conference in Bournemouth ---- Send your thoughts and questions to politicsweeklyuk@theguardian.com. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Donald Trump is back on UK soil for his ‘unprecedented’ second state visit. Will the US president’s trip help to distract from Keir Starmer’s challenges at home? Or could it leave the prime minister even more exposed? Kiran Stacey asks the columnist and Politics Weekly America host, Jonathan Freedland Send your thoughts and questions to politicsweeklyuk@theguardian.com. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss the fallout from Keir Starmer’s handling of the sacking of the US ambassador, Peter Mandelson. And with growing questions about whether the prime minister can survive, they ask whether Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK might actually be a welcome distraction for the government -- Send your thoughts and questions to politicsweeklyuk@theguardian.com. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey speak to the minister for EU relations, Nick Thomas-Symonds, about the fallout from Brexit and our relationship with the European Union. Plus, we hear his thoughts on Keir Starmer’s leadership and how Labour should take on Nigel Farage and the rise of Reform –– Send your thoughts and questions to politicsweeklyuk@theguardian.com. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

As the race to replace Angela Rayner as Labour’s deputy leader exposes tensions within the party, John Harris speaks to the former transport secretary Louise Haigh about what she thinks Keir Starmer should do to get back on track, and whether he will survive until the next election. Plus, Pippa Crerar joins John to discuss the mounting pressure on the prime minister over Peter Mandelson’s links to Jeffrey Epstein, and why Boris Johnson is in hot water after a Guardian investigation raised serious questions about whether he broke ethics and lobbying rules.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss the fallout from Angela Rayner’s resignation and Keir Starmer’s subsequent cabinet reshuffle. Why has Rayner’s departure raised concerns among union leaders? Who could become the next deputy Labour leader? And, what does the reshuffle tell us about the direction of travel for the government? Plus, Pippa and Kiran reflect on Reform UK’s conference and the challenges ahead for Nigel Farage. -- Send your questions and thoughts to politicsweeklyuk@theguardian.com. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

John Harris is at the Reform UK conference, asking how this once insurgent party came to dominate the political mainstream. And he speaks to people in Birmingham to find out what the rise of Nigel Farage’s party tells us about the state of the country Send your questions and thoughts to politicsweeklyuk@theguardian.com. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

It’s the first week back after summer recess and Labour is already in trouble, with the deputy prime minister, Angela Rayner, referring herself to the standards watchdog over underpaying tax on her flat. Meanwhile, Keir Starmer and his ministers have been proclaiming their love of British flags as they struggle to compete with Reform UK. John Harris speaks to the Guardian columnist Gaby Hinsliff and policy editor Kiran Stacey Send your questions and thoughts to politicsweeklyuk@theguardian.com. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey are back, talking through all of the challenges the government faces as MPs return to Westminster. Plus, they discuss the prime minister’s shake-up of his Downing Street team. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

In a major speech this week, Reform UK set out how it would lower immigration. With controversial plans to deport hundreds of thousands of migrants and scrap key human rights protections, Nigel Farage described immigration as a ‘scourge’ and an ‘invasion’. Was this a watershed moment in the way politicians talk about small boat crossings? And what is Labour’s response? The Guardian’s policy editor Kiran Stacey asks the deputy political editor Jessica Elgot. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod