Political Currency

EMQs: What do the public think of Ed and George?

27 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Off the back of last week’s EMQs, Tamara Finkelstein sends in a correction to the idea that UK schools don’t prepare for attacks like those in the...

Is the clock ticking for Keir Starmer?

23 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Another dramatic revelation in the Mandelson scandal has reignited the tensions around Keir Starmer’s leadership and the future of his government. E...

EMQs: Should PMs be youthful or experienced?

20 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Fresh off the back of our latest episodes Ed Balls and George Osborne get an answer to their queries around the curate eggs and a follow up to the Lib...

Is it risky for the Chancellor to attack Trump?

16 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Middle East conflict raged on during our Easter break and George Osborne comes back to us with news from Washington and word from friends in high ...

What If: George was PM during Covid?

13 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In another special ‘What If’ edition of EMQs George Osborne and Ed Balls consider the would be worlds and outcomes, if just one historical event w...

Inside The Room - The Libya Conflict: The Aftermath (Part Three)

09 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

How can it be ensured countries will face a better future after a large-scale military intervention? It’s a question which applies to both politicia...

Inside The Room - The Libya Conflict: The Campaign (Part Two)

06 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Planes are in the air and the military intervention in Libya has now begun. But how does the operation progress from here? And what actually happens i...

Inside The Room - The Libya Conflict: The Build Up (Part One)

02 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

As renewed violence erupts across the Middle East, governments have been forced into crisis mode... but when is the right time to intervene, how invol...

EMQs: Is Wes Streeting a good health secretary?

30 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Fellow ex-MP and former health minister Steve Brine sends in a question asking Ed Balls and George Osborne how we judge the performance of a health se...

What on earth happened to Morgan McSweeney’s phone?

26 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Nearly a month into the war in Iran, and the White House’s objectives are no clearer. Donald Trump is sending conflicting signals - peace overtures ...

EMQs: Are robotaxis coming for London?

23 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Fresh off regaling us with his tales in a Silicon Valley robotaxi, George Osborne is asked if they’re bound for  London and what risks they may...

Has the race to succeed Starmer kicked off?

19 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The war in the middle east has entered its third week. Tensions rose overnight when Israel hit a natural gas field in Iran, and Iran retaliated by bom...

EMQs: From Beatlemania to... K-pop?

16 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The saga of Gordon the chicken continues this week with Beatrice Gove, Michael’s daughter, sending in a question to tell us more about the incident....

Is there an inflation crisis coming?

12 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

After weeks of speculation we finally saw the first release of the files concerning Peter Mandelson’s appointment and sacking as US Ambassador. Ed B...

EMQs: Are betting markets more reliable than polling?

09 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Fresh off the absolute victory for the Greens in Gorton and Denton, Ed Balls and George Osborne debate whether the betting markets - which accurately ...

Trump’s Iran Strike and Britain’s Dilemma

05 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

After weeks of warnings from George Osborne and Ed Balls, Donald Trump has rolled the dice and launched Operation Epic Fury and Operation Rising Lion ...

EMQs: Will the AI bubble burst?

02 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

On the heels of the AI Impact Summit, former advisor to Nick Clegg and author Verity Harding asks how Ed Balls and George Osborne’s experiences of t...

The existential threats facing Keir Starmer

26 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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EMQs: Is it time for another referendum?

23 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Should a government hold a referendum on tax? A civil servant messages in to pose this idea to Ed Balls and George Osborne on this week’s EMQs. The ...

How bad could the by-election be for Labour?

19 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We’re one week from the Gorton and Denton by-election, which could prove another brutal blow to Keir Starmer’s already unstable premiership. Could...

EMQs: Are we influencers now?

16 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Is it in the best interest of opposition leaders to see weak Prime Ministers resign? In this week’s EMQs Ed and George debate whether it benefits th...

Starmer’s worst week yet (after last week)

12 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer’s standing has gone from bad to worse this week, with the Peter Mandelson scandal giving way to a series of resignations in No. 10 and ...

EMQs: What if a PM is incapacitated?

09 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What would happen if Keir Starmer were incapacitated? Who would be acting prime minister - David Lammy, Lucy Powell, or someone else entirely? And how...

Could the Mandelson Scandal bring Starmer down?

05 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we discuss details from the Epstein files, with references to sexual exploitation and some strong language.We begin this week with the...

EMQs: Do defections make the Tories electable?

02 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Are Robert Jenrick and Suella Braverman’s defections a blessing in disguise for Kemi Badenoch? In this week’s EMQs, Ed Balls and George Osborne ex...

Has Keir Starmer missed an opportunity on his visit to China?

29 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

It’s official: we are the champions. Fresh from two wins at last night’s Political Podcast Awards, a victorious Ed Balls and George Osborne look a...

EMQs: Nick Clegg as Chancellor?

26 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Why didn’t Nick Clegg become Chancellor of the Exchequer in the 2010 coalition government? Ed Balls and George Osborne take you inside the negotiati...

Inside Trump’s Davos Moment

22 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Fresh off a week of anxiety and uncertainty, George Osborne reports to Ed Balls from Davos to give the inside track on what it was like to see Trump’...

EMQs: Who can solve the business rates debacle?

19 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Fellow ex-minister Edward Timpson sends in a question this week, asking Ed Balls and George Osborne how they stayed mentally and physically healthy du...

Is Robert Jenrick’s defection a threat to Nigel Farage’s leadership?

15 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The dramatic news of Robert Jenrick’s sacking and rumoured plot to defect to Reform broke mid-record this week, meaning Ed Balls and George Osborne ...

EMQs: What’s your snakiest political move?

12 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In the first EMQs of 2026 Ed Balls and George Osborne answer the most important question for any politician: what was your snakiest move? The pair sha...

Will pubs be the next big Labour U-turn?

08 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

2026 has begun dramatically, with Donald Trump ordering an attack on Venezuela, plus has had aggressive rhetoric against Greenland and other parts of ...

What if: Obama versus Trump 2028?

05 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What if the Brexit vote was flipped? Would George Osborne actually be our… former Prime Minister? And what would have happened during the Covid-19 o...

Bridget Phillipson on the two-child cap, Reform, and the deputy leadership

31 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Education secretary Bridget Phillipson joins George Osborne on the podcast this week for a special conversation, giving him another sit down with a ri...

Christmas EMQs: Who is the ultimate political traitor?

29 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Pop the champagne, Ed and George are feeling Christmassy in the Political Currency studio, answering some very special questions. Claudia Winklem...

Sir Ed Davey on his plan to take the fight to the far right

24 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Can Sir Ed Davey really take the fight to the right when it comes to the next election? In this special episode of Political Currency, Ed Balls speaks...

EMQs: What's your most embarrassing moment as a politician?

22 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What’s the most embarrassing moment you’ve ever had caught on camera? Good Morning Britain’s Susanna Reid asks George and Ed to walk down an exc...

Which party will dominate 2026?

18 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How has 2025 changed the outlook for Britain’s political parties? George Osborne and Ed Balls reflect on the events that have defined public opinion...

EMQs: What’s the hardest question you’ve had to answer?

15 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

George Osborne and Ed Balls reminisce on their most challenging interviewers…school children. George recalls being asked what seven times eight was,...

Is the US turning its back on Europe?

11 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What does the White House really think about Europe? George Osborne and Ed Balls take a look at President Trump’s new national strategy. George play...

EMQs: Is it time to abolish the state pension triple lock?

08 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Will any government be brave enough to abolish the triple lock on pensions? The cost-saving case has been made by many, but Ed Balls and George Osborn...

When will Labour’s communication catastrophe end?

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The drama rages on, one week after Chancellor Rachel Reeves stood at the dispatch box to deliver her second Budget. Richard Hughes has resigned as OBR...

EMQs: How much power do chancellors have?

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How many times did Gordon Brown save Tony Blair from a calamitous decision? Ed Balls and George Osborne recount the times chancellors stepped in to sa...

Has Chancellor Rachel Reeves abandoned growth?

27 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Does Rachel Reeves have a credible plan for growth? One day on from her Budget Statement, George Osborne and Ed Balls debate her headline measures and...

Budget Hot Take: Has Chancellor Rachel Reeves saved herself? | LIVE reaction

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After months of speculation, briefings and leaks, Rachel Reeves has finally delivered her fated second budget. Has she done enough to save herself, Ke...

EMQs: Is it time for a Tory/Labour truce?

24 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

With politics fraying and radical parties growing in strength, could the Tories and Labour come together and merge into a grand coalition of the centr...

Is Shabana Mahmood the heir to Blair?

20 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A dramatic U-turn from Labour has stopped them from breaking their manifesto, but it has also left the Budget looking messy and wide open to risk. The...

EMQs: Is PMQs just 'political theatre'?

17 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What is the real purpose of Prime Minister's Questions? As an ‘infuriated’ listener asks why the Speaker can't force politicians to answer, George...

Starmer v Streeting: Is it curtains for Keir?

13 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A bizarre briefing war has exploded in Westminster, with Wes Streeting accused of plotting a coup against Keir Starmer. Ed Balls and George Osborne an...

EMQs: What does 'fairness' actually mean in politics?

10 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What political rival would you share a 12-hour flight with? Ed Balls and George Osborne dive into this very question, revealing the old foes and oppos...

Is this Rachel Reeves’ last throw of the dice?

06 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Rachel Reeves has set the stage for a dramatic Budget, seemingly signaling a "massive political gamble" by preparing to raise taxes on working people....

EMQs: TikTok, Strictly, and foreign aid

03 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Why won't Labour make rejoining the EU its new "silver bullet" against Nigel Farage? A listener challenges Ed Balls and George Osborne on tackling the...

Can Starmer hold on as PM?

30 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer has weathered one of the most brutal weeks of his tenure. The Caerphilly by-election collapse, a divisive Deputy Leadership election, and...

EMQs: Is the political centre dead?

27 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is the centre ground of British politics dead? A 15-year-old listener challenges George Osborne and Ed Balls on the surge of Reform and the Greens, fo...

Why blaming Brexit won’t save Rachel Reeves

23 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As Chancellor Rachel Reeves prepares for a tough Budget, a new narrative is emerging: it's all Brexit's fault. Ed Balls and George Osborne examine whe...

EMQs: Would you serve in your political rival’s cabinet?

20 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Could Ed Balls ever be tempted to become a Tory? And would George Osborne ever consider joining the Labour Party? The pair are forced to confront the ...

Inside the China spy crisis shaking Starmer’s government

16 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Has the collapse of the China spy trial permanently damaged the Prime Minister? Ed Balls and George Osborne discuss how the ongoing saga of who knew w...

EMQs: Could George Osborne still be a Tory MP?

13 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is the modern Conservative Party a repudiation of the Cameron-Osborne years? George Osborne is challenged by Ed Davey, who asks him to consider whethe...

Has Kemi Badenoch saved herself?

09 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Empty chairs, misspelling Britain, and a surprisingly good speech from Kemi Badenoch have brought a rollercoaster Conservative conference to a close. ...

EMQs: The return of the TBGBs?

06 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Why is New Labour suddenly going viral on TikTok? In this week’s Ex-Ministers’ Questions, Ed Balls and George Osborne respond to their Gen Z fans ...

Will Starmer's attack on Farage pay off?

02 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Keir Starmer went into the Labour Party Conference in a perilous position, fighting off a 'rolling assault' from within his own party. In a make-or-br...

What REALLY goes on at party conference?

29 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When does a party conference go well? And when does disaster strike? Ahead of the main party conferences, Ed Balls and George Osborne dive into their ...

Is Andy Burnham coming for Keir Starmer’s job?

25 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Donald Trump's wild speech at the UN General Assembly has done more than just cause a diplomatic headache; it's exposed the deep tensions simmering ju...

EMQs: Is there room for optimism in politics?

22 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Richard Curtis, rom-com extraordinaire who put Notting Hill on the map is asking a question this week: he wants to know what areas Ed Balls and George...

A looming coup for Starmer?

18 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

President Donald Trump is in town, so it’s back to Windsor Castle for our Ed Balls! A podcast recording the morning after a lavish state banquet? No...

EMQs: Lasagna plots and Shakespearean AI bots

15 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What really happens in the frantic first 24 hours of a new government job? This week on Ex-Ministers’ Questions, Ed Balls and George Osborne lift th...

Peter Mandelson OUT. George Osborne… IN?

11 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Peter Mandelson, the so-called “Prince of Darkness” got sacked this morning, thanks to fresh revelations of his lengthy friendship with sex offend...

EMQs: Car doors, pole dancers and Diary columns

08 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How should a politician respond when a voter blames all their problems on immigration? In this week's Ex-Ministers' Questions, Ed Balls and George Osb...

Could sacking Rayner make her a ‘backbench martyr’?

04 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Politics is back with a bang, and so are Ed Balls and George Osborne. As Keir Starmer declares "phase two" of his government, he's immediately engulfe...

EMQs: Could David Miliband have defeated the Tories in 2015?

01 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What if the great 'what if' moments of recent British history had turned out differently? Ed Balls and George Osborne dive into the political sliding ...

Emily Thornberry on the Corbyn era, being left out of government and Starmer’s first year

28 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Political Currency’s summer specials continue! This week, while Ed Balls is away, George Osborne is joined by one of Labour's longest-serving and mo...

EMQs Political Craft Special: Speeches, diaries and the art of politics

25 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What are the essential skills for a life in politics? In an age of TikTok soundbites, can a single speech in Parliament still change minds and topple ...

Wes Streeting on battling the Treasury, his plan for the NHS, and the reality of power

21 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What is it really like to go from nine years in the political wilderness to running one of the most challenging departments in government? For Wes Str...

EMQs Young People Special: Why won’t politicians listen to the next generation?

18 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Why do the concerns of young people barely register in political debate? Ed Balls and George Osborne take questions on the widening gap between the ca...

Sarah Vine on Michael Gove, the Camerons, and why she's done with "toxic" politics

14 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

While George Osborne is away “stirring the pot” (this time with JD Vance),Ed Balls is joined by author and columnist Sarah Vine for a powerfully c...

EMQs Books Special: Do politicians make good writers?

11 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Why haven’t Ed Balls or George Osborne written political memoirs? Broadcaster Iain Dale puts the question to them, asking what’s stopping them, wh...

Kwasi Kwarteng on the Liz Truss meltdown, getting sacked and Kemi Badenoch’s future

07 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Kwasi Kwarteng reflects on what went wrong.The former Chancellor joins Ed Balls to talk through the decisions behind the Truss mini-budget - from bypa...

EMQs: Is a two-state solution still possible?

04 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The future of a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine comes into question this week, as Ed Balls and George Osborne respond to a listener as...

Could the UK spiral into a ‘debt doom loop’?

31 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The IMF has upgraded its global growth forecast - so things aren’t quite as bleak as we feared. Still bleak, though.Ed Balls and George Osborne dig ...

EMQs: Was HS2 a complete waste of money?

28 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The UK’s high speed railway has been plagued with cost blowouts, delays and scale-backs - so Ed Balls and George Osborne consider: has it all just b...

Is Labour reaching a breaking point on Palestine?

24 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Parliament has broken up for summer, but politics shows no sign of cooling down. Ed Balls and George Osborne run through the latest from every party -...

EMQs: Can we really fund everything in the NHS?

21 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What should the NHS pay for, and what should it not? In this week’s episode, Ed Balls and George Osborne tackle one of the toughest political questi...

Could the Epstein files cost Trump his MAGA base?

17 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Donald Trump wants to know why everyone won’t just forget about the Epstein files already. As he keeps pointing out, the disgraced financier has bee...

EMQs: Is Labour the new party of the monarchy?

14 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Which side of politics loves the monarchy more? Conventional wisdom says Conservatives are the monarchy’s biggest fans. But are Ed Balls and George ...

Can the UK-France deal solve the migrant crisis?

10 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

There was a lot of ceremony and back-patting this week as Emmanuel Macron visited the UK. But behind the smiles, thorny issues like migration and post...

EMQs: Our Keir Year, modern Machiavellis and fairness in politics

07 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What is a fair way to govern? In response to a long time listener who feels a victim of his own success – disproportionately hit by taxes and inelig...

Week from Hell for Reeves and Starmer

03 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Some incredible scenes in PMQs this week - in which Chancellor Rachel Reeves was openly crying - has Ed Balls and George Osborne considering just how ...

EMQs: Can the G20 still keep the peace?

30 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is the G20 still a force for peace and diplomacy, or just a stage for political performance? Ed Balls and George Osborne kick off this week’s EMQs w...

Will the welfare rebellion be the end of Starmer?

26 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Daddy’s back in the (White) House! Ed Balls and George Osborne go over the major event of the week - starting with the NATO meeting in The Hague. Al...

EMQs: Is politics worth the family sacrifice?

23 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when politics clashes with family life? Ed Balls and George Osborne take on big questions this week, starting with Michael Gove’s ex-wi...

How far will Trump go on Iran and what could it mean for Britain?

19 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Donald Trump is keeping everyone guessing on Iran. After Israel’s surprise strike and Tehran’s retaliation, George Osborne brings fresh insight fr...

EMQs: Could PMQs save America?

16 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Could a weekly grilling like Prime Minister’s Questions fix US politics? In the wake of Original Sin - Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson’s damning acc...

Reeves's Spending Review ‘gamble’: continuity or change for Labour?

12 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Rachel Reeves has finally delivered her much-anticipated Spending Review, but has it done anything to shift Labour’s story? George Osborne calls it ...

EMQs: The art of political sacking

09 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Two Members of Parliament (and a former too!) are seeking Ed Balls’ and George Osborne’s counsel this week. The pair consider the impact of AI, co...

Welfare vs Warfare: Can Labour Afford NATO’s Demands?

05 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

With just days to go before Rachel Reeves delivers her first Spending Review, Labour is facing an uncomfortable squeeze. NATO wants defence spending r...

EMQs: Can Britain capitalise on Trump’s student crackdown?

02 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When things go wrong - very badly wrong, as with the case of the infected blood and the sub-postmasters scandals - why can’t the state act quickly t...

Labour’s looming spending review chaos

29 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If Labour was hoping for one of those quick and easy policy U-turns, they certainly haven’t got it. With Rachel Reeves’ spending review a scant tw...

EMQs: Can Kemi Badenoch cheer up the Conservatives?

26 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Can a quick political win keep the public on side while the hard work happens behind the scenes? This week on Ex-Ministers’ Questions, Ed Balls and ...

Is winter fuel U-turn a leadership 'fiasco' for Labour?

22 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Did someone say U-turn? Ed Balls and George Osborne have been saying it for a while, actually, when it comes to the matter of the controversial winter...

EMQs: Is Trump accidentally going green?

19 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

California Governor hopeful Steve Hilton has a question for Ed Balls and George Osborne this week: which American state would they choose to live in, ...