Stig Abel

And what is the Albania deal?

And what is the Albania deal?

So this isn't the kind of money you or I would be spending on clothes. It is quite a lot of money. According to Starmer's register of interest, he's received £18,625 worth of work clothes and multiple pairs of glasses. Here's Starmer addressing the controversy in this clip from The Telegraph. See if you can catch his message.

So this isn't the kind of money you or I would be spending on clothes. It is quite a lot of money. According to Starmer's register of interest, he's received £18,625 worth of work clothes and multiple pairs of glasses. Here's Starmer addressing the controversy in this clip from The Telegraph. See if you can catch his message.

Yeah, I know you're saying it's different, but I mean, it doesn't seem that different. I mean, like the general public was against the Rwanda plan. I mean, surely something like this they would be against as well. It's not different enough.

Yeah, I know you're saying it's different, but I mean, it doesn't seem that different. I mean, like the general public was against the Rwanda plan. I mean, surely something like this they would be against as well. It's not different enough.

So Zoe, you put a lot of effort into trying to rebalance all the myths and disinformation really about migrants. And I noticed that you're on TikTok. I follow you on there. You are truly doing the Lord's work. Thanks, I hate it. Pretty negatively. you received some pretty negative reactions. Why do you do this work on social media?

So Zoe, you put a lot of effort into trying to rebalance all the myths and disinformation really about migrants. And I noticed that you're on TikTok. I follow you on there. You are truly doing the Lord's work. Thanks, I hate it. Pretty negatively. you received some pretty negative reactions. Why do you do this work on social media?

Why is it better to be out there than trying to be on mainstream media? I know you do do a lot of that, but I just find it interesting in terms of like directly reaching the public.

Why is it better to be out there than trying to be on mainstream media? I know you do do a lot of that, but I just find it interesting in terms of like directly reaching the public.

Yeah, so the thing that is off about this is that despite this being within the confines of the rules, the rules are a little bit, well, fucked, aren't they?

Yeah, so the thing that is off about this is that despite this being within the confines of the rules, the rules are a little bit, well, fucked, aren't they?

It is incredible to me how little people know about other countries. I know it sounds weird. I was having a conversation, one of those like uncomfortable conversations you have to have because it's a holiday and someone's brought their in-laws and whatever, and you sort of begrudgingly have this conversation.

It is incredible to me how little people know about other countries. I know it sounds weird. I was having a conversation, one of those like uncomfortable conversations you have to have because it's a holiday and someone's brought their in-laws and whatever, and you sort of begrudgingly have this conversation.

And I remember talking to someone and they said this line being like, I just don't understand why they come here. Why can't they stay in their own countries? And I'm like, well, because their own country's in war, for example. Well, then they should get that sorted then. They should stay there and sort it out.

And I remember talking to someone and they said this line being like, I just don't understand why they come here. Why can't they stay in their own countries? And I'm like, well, because their own country's in war, for example. Well, then they should get that sorted then. They should stay there and sort it out.

You know at this moment we're being like, wow, you really know very little about how it is in other countries. And how do you expect them to sort it out?

You know at this moment we're being like, wow, you really know very little about how it is in other countries. And how do you expect them to sort it out?

And you have this moment being like, well, what do you think will happen? You know, some of these places are not functioning. Democracy is like, you know, dealing with militias with guns.

And you have this moment being like, well, what do you think will happen? You know, some of these places are not functioning. Democracy is like, you know, dealing with militias with guns.

Good migrants, bad migrants, human or not?

Good migrants, bad migrants, human or not?

Well, it's the old escape goat in the book, right? And, you know, in times of economic downturn and, you know, let's be honest, government mismanagement, government ideologically pursuing an agenda of neoliberalism and giving favours to millionaires and billionaires and so on, who better to blame than the migrants?

Well, it's the old escape goat in the book, right? And, you know, in times of economic downturn and, you know, let's be honest, government mismanagement, government ideologically pursuing an agenda of neoliberalism and giving favours to millionaires and billionaires and so on, who better to blame than the migrants?

Do you think we can actually ever have a good conversation about migration without talking about rebalancing the economic gap in Britain?

Do you think we can actually ever have a good conversation about migration without talking about rebalancing the economic gap in Britain?

Even if it is within the rules, you know, when Johnson was in power, the opposition were spending a lot of time talking about how it was within the rules for them to fundraise for their decorating their flats or whatever. But it wasn't the spirit of the rules.

Even if it is within the rules, you know, when Johnson was in power, the opposition were spending a lot of time talking about how it was within the rules for them to fundraise for their decorating their flats or whatever. But it wasn't the spirit of the rules.

Well, Zoe Gardner, thank you for joining us on Pod Save the UK. And seriously, do check out her work on social media. It is very, very good. We will put a link in our show notes or you can just search the name. Thank you so much.

Well, Zoe Gardner, thank you for joining us on Pod Save the UK. And seriously, do check out her work on social media. It is very, very good. We will put a link in our show notes or you can just search the name. Thank you so much.

The spirit of the rules is to try and ensure that people, that politicians don't live excessive lives that are far away from the people and that they are also not being unduly influenced, so to speak. So there's a sense that the spirit of the rules isn't being followed here.

The spirit of the rules is to try and ensure that people, that politicians don't live excessive lives that are far away from the people and that they are also not being unduly influenced, so to speak. So there's a sense that the spirit of the rules isn't being followed here.

Now, last week, we invited you all to send in your ideas for unpopular policies that might make the UK a better place for all of us. And you've responded in your droves. We're very grateful for it.

Now, last week, we invited you all to send in your ideas for unpopular policies that might make the UK a better place for all of us. And you've responded in your droves. We're very grateful for it.

I'm loving this, like, diversion into history podcast that we're doing.

I'm loving this, like, diversion into history podcast that we're doing.

Anyway, on to some of your unpopular ideas. We've had loads in and again, a really big thank you to everyone that took the time. One of the other topics that many of you were excited about was home ownership. Jez wrote in to say we should implement Wales's second home council TAC rules and take those nationwide, make it an escalator for third homes, fourth homes nationwide. etc.

Anyway, on to some of your unpopular ideas. We've had loads in and again, a really big thank you to everyone that took the time. One of the other topics that many of you were excited about was home ownership. Jez wrote in to say we should implement Wales's second home council TAC rules and take those nationwide, make it an escalator for third homes, fourth homes nationwide. etc.

It's a very interesting suggestion, so let's explain it. In Wales, from April 2017, councils were able to charge up to an extra 100% of the standard rate of council tax on long-term empty dwellings. England and Scotland have since followed suit, but from 2023, the premium in Wales increased to up to 300%. The Welsh Government says the policies are designed to bring long-term empty properties to

It's a very interesting suggestion, so let's explain it. In Wales, from April 2017, councils were able to charge up to an extra 100% of the standard rate of council tax on long-term empty dwellings. England and Scotland have since followed suit, but from 2023, the premium in Wales increased to up to 300%. The Welsh Government says the policies are designed to bring long-term empty properties to

Thank you so much for joining us. Well, kind of. There's been an increase in the number of homes on the market, but actual sales do remain low. Local real estate agents claim that the properties coming onto the market are too expensive for first-time buyers and that many homes are being listed, but they're exploiting the loophole of the extra tax not being payable if the house is listed for sale.

Thank you so much for joining us. Well, kind of. There's been an increase in the number of homes on the market, but actual sales do remain low. Local real estate agents claim that the properties coming onto the market are too expensive for first-time buyers and that many homes are being listed, but they're exploiting the loophole of the extra tax not being payable if the house is listed for sale.

Yeah, there's been a few, isn't it? Glasses gate. I've actually come up with my own version, if you want to hear. Threads dread. What? Because it's about clothes, isn't it?

Yeah, there's been a few, isn't it? Glasses gate. I've actually come up with my own version, if you want to hear. Threads dread. What? Because it's about clothes, isn't it?

Despite that, though, it doesn't seem to be something that the Labour Party are interested in. So in the run up to the election, Labour said it's not looking to change up council tax banding. And since being in government, Housing Minister and Deputy PM Angela Rayner has refused to rule out scrapping the 25% council tax discount for single occupiers.

Despite that, though, it doesn't seem to be something that the Labour Party are interested in. So in the run up to the election, Labour said it's not looking to change up council tax banding. And since being in government, Housing Minister and Deputy PM Angela Rayner has refused to rule out scrapping the 25% council tax discount for single occupiers.

That might be another of the government's forewarned tough decisions and is sure to be unpopular.

That might be another of the government's forewarned tough decisions and is sure to be unpopular.

I don't know them. So I don't know who they are. As Zoe very succinctly pointed out, some of the least integrated in the UK are the ultra wealthy. I don't know one. I do not have one. I don't have their number on my phone. There's no one they can... Zoe? Doesn't bother me.

I don't know them. So I don't know who they are. As Zoe very succinctly pointed out, some of the least integrated in the UK are the ultra wealthy. I don't know one. I do not have one. I don't have their number on my phone. There's no one they can... Zoe? Doesn't bother me.

Well, they always say the same thing, isn't it? Because they always say, oh, if we do that, then the 1% will leave. We're just all really sad about that, I guess. I don't know where they're going to go. Monaco, lame. I don't want to go there anyway.

Well, they always say the same thing, isn't it? Because they always say, oh, if we do that, then the 1% will leave. We're just all really sad about that, I guess. I don't know where they're going to go. Monaco, lame. I don't want to go there anyway.

I don't think it was at night. I don't think that happened at night.

I don't think it was at night. I don't think that happened at night.

No, I know, I know.

No, I know, I know.

No, but I was just thinking, well, that would be extra weird, wouldn't it?

No, but I was just thinking, well, that would be extra weird, wouldn't it?

So we've had, yeah, we've had some wonderful suggestions.

So we've had, yeah, we've had some wonderful suggestions.

Oh, wow. Wow. Should we go for a romantic kettling? Wow.

Oh, wow. Wow. Should we go for a romantic kettling? Wow.

For criminal charges as well. Gosh, I kind of hope that they got together because that would be such a wonderful wedding speech.

For criminal charges as well. Gosh, I kind of hope that they got together because that would be such a wonderful wedding speech.

Wow. I once had a date to go and see Alien.

Wow. I once had a date to go and see Alien.

Is that fine?

Is that fine?

Well, I mean, Downfall's horrific in its own way as well.

Well, I mean, Downfall's horrific in its own way as well.

Yeah, no, it is a happy ending. It is a happy ending. No, no, it is. And finally, we had one in from Yayin. My most painfully left-wing date was seeing Nish's show in Glasgow this week. 100% would do it again. Aw, Nish, you really are... Doing your bit for Podshag the UK. You're keeping it going. You're providing entertainment for left-wing dates.

Yeah, no, it is a happy ending. It is a happy ending. No, no, it is. And finally, we had one in from Yayin. My most painfully left-wing date was seeing Nish's show in Glasgow this week. 100% would do it again. Aw, Nish, you really are... Doing your bit for Podshag the UK. You're keeping it going. You're providing entertainment for left-wing dates.

Podshag the UK never dies.

Podshag the UK never dies.

You should get that on the poster, my friend.

You should get that on the poster, my friend.

And that's it. Thank you for listening to Pod Save the UK. And we want to hear your thoughts. We want to know what you think about Starmer's donations and how money infects British politics. Email us at psuk at reducelistening.co.uk.

And that's it. Thank you for listening to Pod Save the UK. And we want to hear your thoughts. We want to know what you think about Starmer's donations and how money infects British politics. Email us at psuk at reducelistening.co.uk.

Pod Save the UK is a reduced listening production for Crooked Media.

Pod Save the UK is a reduced listening production for Crooked Media.

Our theme music is by Vasilis Fotopoulos.

Our theme music is by Vasilis Fotopoulos.

The executive producers are Anishka Sharma, Dan Jackson and Madeleine Herringer with additional support from Ari Schwartz.

The executive producers are Anishka Sharma, Dan Jackson and Madeleine Herringer with additional support from Ari Schwartz.

Well, the Prime Minister has had his say on that. And next time you interview him, you could ask him yourself. I don't have an opinion on what the Prime Minister does in these instances. Wow.

Well, the Prime Minister has had his say on that. And next time you interview him, you could ask him yourself. I don't have an opinion on what the Prime Minister does in these instances. Wow.

So it's threads.

So it's threads.

In a way, Dame Andrea Eagle's answer, because other politicians have been saying things like, well, you know, there's no prime ministerial budget for clothes and other countries have it. I think those comments are really... out of touch with the people. Do you know what I mean? Because that's sort of saying, well, why are you getting angry about it? This is just what we do. Us in politics.

In a way, Dame Andrea Eagle's answer, because other politicians have been saying things like, well, you know, there's no prime ministerial budget for clothes and other countries have it. I think those comments are really... out of touch with the people. Do you know what I mean? Because that's sort of saying, well, why are you getting angry about it? This is just what we do. Us in politics.

Okay, that's not working. I can see that's not working. Okay, what about this?

Okay, that's not working. I can see that's not working. Okay, what about this?

And I'm Coco Karn. Nish, I can't believe it's happened so soon. We have a new scandal. A new gate.

And I'm Coco Karn. Nish, I can't believe it's happened so soon. We have a new scandal. A new gate.

Well, you know, definitely the way it's being presented in the press, there is... They are trying to present this moral equivalence between stuff that the Conservatives did and this scandal. I'm not saying that it's... not a problem what's going on, but nonetheless, it's not the same. And you know, you really, people want a proper break from the Conservatives.

Well, you know, definitely the way it's being presented in the press, there is... They are trying to present this moral equivalence between stuff that the Conservatives did and this scandal. I'm not saying that it's... not a problem what's going on, but nonetheless, it's not the same. And you know, you really, people want a proper break from the Conservatives.

And this is just not a good look for Labour.

And this is just not a good look for Labour.

I just thought like a new way that we could talk about it. Like, oh, have you heard about the threads dread?

I just thought like a new way that we could talk about it. Like, oh, have you heard about the threads dread?

Now, what the government really wanted to be talking about, and this is a very much overdue change, is the environment. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband spoke to the Energy UK annual conference to set out the government's mission for clean power. Now, there's not much new here, but the tone is a market shift. Much more optimistic, much more enthusiastic.

Now, what the government really wanted to be talking about, and this is a very much overdue change, is the environment. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband spoke to the Energy UK annual conference to set out the government's mission for clean power. Now, there's not much new here, but the tone is a market shift. Much more optimistic, much more enthusiastic.

Miliband's core points were that the cost of living crisis exposed the failures in our energy security and that renewable energy is the way forward. But check out the tone shift in this video from Miliband's Twitter.

Miliband's core points were that the cost of living crisis exposed the failures in our energy security and that renewable energy is the way forward. But check out the tone shift in this video from Miliband's Twitter.

Okay, what about this? Garms. That's what the kids on the street call clothes.

Okay, what about this? Garms. That's what the kids on the street call clothes.

Starmer's garm drama. Yeah.

Starmer's garm drama. Yeah.

Don't you think it's got more, you know, theatre than Frockgate or Glassesgate or Freebiegate? Starmer's Garm Drama.

Don't you think it's got more, you know, theatre than Frockgate or Glassesgate or Freebiegate? Starmer's Garm Drama.

No, absolutely. And look, you know, a lot of this stuff does remain to be seen. There is still that problem of the Treasury and... These projects need money. Will they get that money? But it's just nice to hear some optimism and some enthusiasm. And I know much is made of Ed Miliband's infectious puppy dog energy, but he is also very, very competent. And I'm surprised they don't make more of him.

No, absolutely. And look, you know, a lot of this stuff does remain to be seen. There is still that problem of the Treasury and... These projects need money. Will they get that money? But it's just nice to hear some optimism and some enthusiasm. And I know much is made of Ed Miliband's infectious puppy dog energy, but he is also very, very competent. And I'm surprised they don't make more of him.

That's my thought. If you're listening, Ed, please come on our show. I'd love to just have a chat. We can talk about Batman and the environment. We could do that, couldn't we, Nish?

That's my thought. If you're listening, Ed, please come on our show. I'd love to just have a chat. We can talk about Batman and the environment. We could do that, couldn't we, Nish?

Anyway, let's discuss someone that has been on our show. Some interesting murmurs about a potential new progressive party broke out over the weekend. The Guardian reports that a number of influential British lefties, including Jeremy Corbyn, filmmaker Ken Loach, Unite director Len McCluskey, held a private meeting to discuss a new party called Collective.

Anyway, let's discuss someone that has been on our show. Some interesting murmurs about a potential new progressive party broke out over the weekend. The Guardian reports that a number of influential British lefties, including Jeremy Corbyn, filmmaker Ken Loach, Unite director Len McCluskey, held a private meeting to discuss a new party called Collective.

I mean, yeah, it's really interesting. I mean, I do wonder, though, you know, if there's an issue about splitting the left.

I mean, yeah, it's really interesting. I mean, I do wonder, though, you know, if there's an issue about splitting the left.

Yeah. Also, I feel sorry for the Greens a little bit. Imagine them reading this being like, excuse me, a new party? You haven't even given us a real go.

Yeah. Also, I feel sorry for the Greens a little bit. Imagine them reading this being like, excuse me, a new party? You haven't even given us a real go.

Yeah, in this parliament, sure. But when we go to a general election, if you have all these multiple parties, what will that mean then?

Yeah, in this parliament, sure. But when we go to a general election, if you have all these multiple parties, what will that mean then?

Well, we'll definitely be keeping an eye on it, that is for sure. Now, after the break, we're joined by a very special guest to find out what Keir Starmer's been up to in Italy this week.

Well, we'll definitely be keeping an eye on it, that is for sure. Now, after the break, we're joined by a very special guest to find out what Keir Starmer's been up to in Italy this week.

So Keir Starmer, all dressed up in a green tie and one of his fancy pairs of glasses, has been on a state visit to Italy this week to meet Giorgio Maloney, the Italian Prime Minister. The main reason for the visit was to learn from Italy's immigration plans, which has cut small boat crossings in the Mediterranean by almost two thirds in the past year, from 118,000 to 44,500.

So Keir Starmer, all dressed up in a green tie and one of his fancy pairs of glasses, has been on a state visit to Italy this week to meet Giorgio Maloney, the Italian Prime Minister. The main reason for the visit was to learn from Italy's immigration plans, which has cut small boat crossings in the Mediterranean by almost two thirds in the past year, from 118,000 to 44,500.

So can you break down what exactly Italy has been doing to deter irregular immigration that means Starmer seeks the advice of Georgia Maloney?

So can you break down what exactly Italy has been doing to deter irregular immigration that means Starmer seeks the advice of Georgia Maloney?