Politics Weekly UK
Episodes
Grooming gang inquiry U-turn; and how will the UK respond to Israel-Iran conflict? - Politics Weekly Westminster
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss the UK’s reaction to the Israel-Iran conflict, and whether Gaza has influenced the government’s response. An...
Reeves relaunches – but will it save Labour from Farage? – Politics Weekly UK
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The chancellor has announced extra money for housing, energy, the NHS, defence and more, so is this the start of a new phase for the government? And s...
Winter fuel U-turn and spending review standoff – Politics Weekly Westminster
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss Rachel Reeves’s U-turn on winter fuel payments: will it be enough to undo the damage done by the policy? Plus,...
Missing in the Amazon: the disappearance – episode 1
06 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Three years ago, British journalist Dom Phillips and Brazilian indigenous defender Bruno Pereira vanished while on a reporting trip near Brazil’s re...
Will Labour’s spending squeeze kill its big housing promise? – Politics Weekly UK
05 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Labour’s pledge to build 1.5 million homes is reportedly under serious threat. What’s gone wrong? And what happens if the government breaks its pr...
Is the UK ready for war? – Politics Weekly Westminster podcast
02 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Keir Starmer promised to make Britain ‘battle-ready’ as he announced the government’s defence spending plans. But what does that actually look l...
Is Labour being outflanked on the left by Nigel Farage? – Politics Weekly UK
29 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Nigel Farage seems to have upstaged the Labour government, pledging to scrap the controversial two-child benefit cap and reverse the cuts to the winte...
Labour takes action over Gaza: what took them so long? – Politics Weekly UK
22 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The government has suspended trade talks with Israel and denounced its actions in Gaza. But why are we only now seeing this kind of action and moral o...
Ghosts of Brexit past haunt new UK-EU deal – Politics Weekly Westminster
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The UK and EU have reached a deal, in what Downing Street hopes will be a reset with Brussels after Brexit. But with negotiations coming down to the w...
Starmer’s migrant rhetoric: a squalid chapter? – Politics Weekly UK
15 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Keir Starmer has defended the language he used in a speech on immigration this week. But many Labour MPs have criticised his choice of words, with som...
How Labour plans to ‘take back control’ on migration – Politics Weekly Westminster
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss the government’s plans to drastically reduce net migration. Will it work? And how will it land with the public...
Rage against the mainstream: did UK politics just change for good? – Politics Weekly UK
08 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As Reform UK reaches new highs in the polls, it feels more and more likely that Nigel Farage’s triumph at local elections will be remembered as a hu...
Farage here to stay: the local elections that changed everything– Politics Weekly Westminster
05 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After Reform UK stormed to victory at local elections, has its leader reshaped politics for ever? And how will Labour and the Conservatives respond? P...
‘Reform all the way’: on the road in Doncaster – Politics Weekly UK
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Before this week’s local elections, John Harris is on the road in Doncaster – which could prove to be a canary in the coalmine for the government....
Could Reform be the big winners at local elections? – Politics Weekly Westminster
28 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss whether Nigel Farage can translate Reform UK’s rise in the polls into success at the ballot box as local elect...
Will rising child poverty be Labour’s legacy? – Politics Weekly UK
24 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The government began to roll out its free breakfast club scheme this week as part of plans to help struggling families. But with predictions that chil...
How the Beatles helped my autistic son find his voice – Today in Focus
21 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
John Harris speaks to the Today in Focus podcast about how music helped him connect with his autistic son, James. He tells Helen Pidd what he’s lear...
What’s next for British Steel? – Politics Weekly UK
17 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The future of the steelworks in Scunthorpe has been hanging in the balance after the government stepped in to try and save it from collapse. So what h...
Trump triggers global meltdown while Starmer scrambles – Politics Weekly UK
09 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As fears of a global recession continue in the wake of Donald Trump’s tariffs, Keir Starmer insists the UK should keep a cool head. But with markets...
Trump explodes the world economy: what should the UK do? – Politics Weekly UK
03 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After weeks of cosying up to Donald Trump, the UK has still been hit with 10% tariffs on exports to the US, which is bad news for the economy and the ...
Will Starmer’s approach to Trump tariffs pay off? – Politics Weekly Westminster
31 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s shaping up to be another tricky week for the government, with Donald Trump’s tariffs threatening to blow up everything the chancellor announc...
Wes Streeting’s plan to fix the NHS – Politics Weekly Westminster
28 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The government has put improving the NHS at the heart of its plans, but will it be able to deliver on its promises? And how long could it take to turn...
Spring statement: Should a Labour government be making these cuts? – Politics Weekly UK
26 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Amid poor economic growth forecasts and global instability, Rachel Reeves is trying to balance the books by cutting spending on benefits. So why is a ...
Spring statement: What to expect – Politics Weekly Westminster
24 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey walk us through what we can expect to hear when Rachel Reeves makes her spring statement on Wednesday. With the governme...
A day on the frontline of England’s social care crisis – Politics Weekly UK
20 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
An ageing population, a funding squeeze and a recruitment crisis have taken England’s adult social care system to breaking point. This week, John Ha...
Politics Weekly Westminster: cabinet fears over benefit cuts
17 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss whether the backlash to the government’s planned benefit cuts will result in a U-turn. And which other departm...
Labour loses its way on benefits reform – Politics Weekly UK
13 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After months of speculation, the government will soon lay out plans to change the benefits system. Keir Starmer argues that the current system is ‘t...
Ed Miliband on net zero in the age of Trump – Politics Weekly Westminster
10 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey are joined by Ed Miliband, the energy security and net zero secretary, to discuss Labour’s plans to tackle the climate...
Is Trump’s America still an ally to the UK? – Politics Weekly UK
06 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The news that the US had suspended military aid to Ukraine stunned world leaders and led to a rapid reassessment of how much we can really rely on our...
Will Starmer’s peace plan work after the Trump-Zelenskyy clash? – Politics Weekly Westminster
03 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey reflect on the momentous events of the last few days, after the jaw-dropping exchange between Donald Trump and Volodymyr...
Special episode: Inside the room when Starmer met Trump – Politics Weekly Westminster
28 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey have a behind-the-scenes look at Keir Starmer’s trip to meet Donald Trump at the White House, after Pippa travelled wi...
On the road in south Wales: why is Reform UK on the rise?
27 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Politics Weekly UK is on the road in south-east Wales, hearing from those in traditional Labour heartlands. But with people increasingly fr...
Can Starmer stop Trump’s Ukraine sell-out? – Politics Weekly Westminster
24 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey look ahead to a pivotal week of diplomacy for Keir Starmer as he prepares to visit the White House. With Donald Trump’...
What role could the UK play in ending the Ukraine war? – Politics Weekly
20 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Donald Trump’s plans to end the war in Ukraine have taken centre stage this week. But, with Ukraine excluded from US-Russia talks, could they really...
Is the assisted dying bill doomed? – Politics Weekly UK
13 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The spotlight was back on the assisted dying bill this week after it was revealed that the requirement for a high court judge to decide on cases was t...
Can Kemi and Keir combat the rise of Reform UK? – Politics Weekly Westminster
10 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As Reform UK creeps up the polls, Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey look at how the Conservatives and Labour are responding to the threat from Nigel Farag...
Special episode: Behind the scenes of David Lammy’s Ukraine trip
07 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Almost three years after Russia invaded Ukraine, what is the situation like on the ground in Kyiv? And is there a path to peace? Pippa Crerar travelle...
Starmer’s diplomatic dance with Trump and the EU – Politics Weekly UK
06 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Keir Starmer is treading a fine line as he avoids picking sides between the EU and US. But with Donald Trump saying he wants to ‘take over’ Gaza a...
Jeremy Hunt on Trump and the Tories’ future – Politics Weekly Special
04 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey chat to the veteran Conservative MP Jeremy Hunt about how to handle Donald Trump’s trade wars, his new life in opposit...
Back to Brexit – Politics Weekly Westminster
03 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss Keir Starmer’s trip to Brussels this week, as he attempts a post-Brexit reset. But how risky is seeking closer...
Fury over Reeves’ climate climbdown – Politics Weekly UK
30 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In her big plan to get the economy growing again the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has prioritised growth over almost everything else. But at what cost? ...
Trump speaks with Starmer, and Reeves tries to reset – Politics Weekly Westminster
27 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey talk through what Keir Starmer’s first phone call with Donald Trump since the inauguration means for the ‘special re...
Could the Southport attack have been prevented? – Politics Weekly UK
23 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The government has announced a public inquiry into why authorities failed to stop Axel Rudakubana before he killed three girls in Southport. But is it...
The return of President Trump – Politics Weekly Westminster
20 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey look at what Donald Trump’s second term in the White House might mean for the US, the UK and the world. And with the G...
Can Labour fix the broken NHS? – Politics Weekly UK
16 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With A&E departments at breaking point and the NHS on its knees, what is the government doing to repair the health service? Will it be enough? John Ha...
Could AI save the UK economy? – Politics Weekly Westminster podcast
13 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey look at just how serious warnings about the UK’s financial position really are, and what this means for the chancellor...
Grooming gangs: do we need another inquiry? – Politics Weekly UK podcast
09 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode talks about grooming, rape and trafficking, which some listeners might find upsetting. The government has resisted calls for another inqu...
Elon Musk v UK Politics – Politics Weekly Westminster
06 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey are back in Westminster. This week, they discuss the tech billionaire Elon Musk’s fascination with UK...
Politics Weekly UK’s 2024 culture list
02 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Guardian’s John Harris gives his top book, music and TV recommendations from 2024.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/p...
Politics Weekly UK is on holiday
26 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Politics Weekly UK is taking a break over Christmas. John Harris will be back on Thursday 2 January with his cultural highlights, and in the meantime ...
Review of the year: how will we remember 2024? – Politics Weekly UK
19 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
John Harris is joined by the Guardian’s Politics Weekly Westminster hosts, political editor Pippa Crerar and correspondent Kiran Stacey, to look bac...
Chinese spy allegations stun UK establishment – Politics Weekly Westminster
16 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss the news that a Chinese businessman has been accused of spying. Just how widespread is state-ba...
What next for Britain’s Syrian refugees? – Politics Weekly UK
12 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The UK government has announced it is suspending Syrian asylum claims, after the fall of the decades-long Assad regime. So, what will happen to the Sy...
How does the UK respond to the regime change in Syria? – Politics Weekly Westminster
09 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss how the UK government will approach the change of regime in Syria after the fall of Bashar al-A...
Revisited: Carla Denyer and the Green party: four MPs v the climate crisis
05 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Green party made history in the general election, winning four seats for the first time. But how much will it be able to achieve in parliament whe...
Labour’s missions and what next for the Assisted Dying bill – Politics Weekly Westminster
02 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey look at why the government is laying out their ‘plan for change’ five months in. Also, after being ...
MPs’ big assisted dying moment, and the people watching every move – Politics Weekly UK
28 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As MPs prepare to vote on a bill that would, for the first time, pass assisted dying into UK law, what are the arguments on either side? The Guardian’...
‘No alternative’: is Rachel Reeves channelling Thatcher? – Politics Weekly Westminster
25 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss how Rachel Reeves’s budget has upset businesses, as the annual CBI conference takes place. Pl...
Starmer and the farmer’s revolt – Politics Weekly UK
21 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Thousands of farmers descended on Westminster this week, to protest against changes made in last month’s budget over inheritance tax. The government...
China, Ukraine and the assisted dying bill – Politics Weekly Westminster
18 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss Keir Starmer’s attempts to reset the UK’s relationship with China at the G20. Plus, rows flare in the Labour...
Britain, Ukraine and the climate crisis in Donald Trump’s world – Politics Weekly UK
14 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
After Donald Trump has announced his new defence secretary to be the former Fox News host Pete Hegseth, John Harris speaks to the Guardian’s defence...
Trump, Cop29 and Ukraine – Politics Weekly Westminster
11 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey look at the impact of president-elect Donald Trump’s victory in the US on the Labour party, defence, ...
President Trump: Maga strikes back – Politics Weekly UK
06 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Donald Trump is going to be president of the United States for a second time. The Guardian’s John Harris is joined by Jonathan Freedland, the column...
Can Kemi Badenoch save the Tories? Plus, the US election – Politics Weekly Westminster podcast
04 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey look at Kemi Badenoch’s plan to get the Conservatives back in power, and consider what she will be li...
The budget: Labour returns to tax and spend – Politics Weekly UK
30 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Rachel Reeves has finally laid out Labour’s spending plans in the party’s first budget in almost 15 years. The Guardian’s John Harris is joined ...
Can Rachel Reeves deliver a historic Labour budget? – Politics Weekly Westminster
28 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey look ahead to Rachel Reeves’s budget. Can Labour persuade the country it is on the right track or wil...
On the road in Birmingham: can the budget save this bankrupt city – Politics Weekly UK
24 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ahead of the budget next week, the Guardian’s John Harris is in Birmingham, where the city council in effect declared itself bankrupt in 2023. He sp...
Labour wants your views on the NHS – Politics Weekly Westminster
21 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey look at Wes Streeting’s plan for a ‘national conversation’ on NHS reform. Plus, with the budget j...
Assisted dying: the arguments and the MP who wants change – Politics Weekly UK
17 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Labour MP Kim Leadbeater has introduced a private member’s bill on assisted dying for terminally ill adults. John Harris speaks to her about whe...
Can Labour woo investors while standing up for workers? – Politics Weekly Westminster
14 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey look at the government’s international investment summit, and how talk of slashing ‘red tape’ is ...
Tories choose between Badenoch and Jenrick. Plus, Labour’s reset – Politics Weekly UK
10 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Kemi Badenoch or Robert Jenrick will be the next leader of the Conservatives, after MPs selected the pair to go to a final vote before party members. ...
How Sue Gray was ousted – Politics Weekly Westminster
07 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss what led to the resignation of Keir Starmer’s chief of staff. Plus, the Conservative leadersh...
Tory leadership contenders square off at conference – Politics Weekly UK
02 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Conservative leadership hopefuls took to the stage for the Tory party conference finale on Wednesday. John Harris is joined by the Guardian politi...
Kemi Badenoch dominates as Tory conference starts – Politics Weekly Westminster
30 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey are in Birmingham this week for the Conservative party conference, where the four leadership candidates...
Starmer’s speech: Banger or word salad? – Politics Weekly UK
24 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Keir Starmer has made his first conference speech as prime minister, hoping he can persuade the country there is light at the end of the tunnel. But d...
Labour in crisis at conference? – Politics Weekly Westminster
23 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey are in Liverpool this week for the Labour party conference. Can the government shake off headlines abou...
‘Frockgate’ and Starmer’s love-in with Meloni – Politics Weekly UK
19 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The row over ‘frockgate’ continues to trouble the prime minister this week, while his decision to visit his far-right Italian counterpart, Giorgia...
Politics Weekly Westminster: Starmer meets Meloni
16 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey talk about Keir Starmer’s trip to Rome to meet Italy’s far-right PM, Giorgia Meloni, and discuss mi...
Winter fuel allowance cut: who voted for this? – Politics Weekly UK
12 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The government saw off a rebellion over its plans to cut winter fuel allowance this week. John Harris speaks to Caroline Abrahams from Age UK about wh...
Politics Weekly Westminster: Winter fuel payments test for Labour
09 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey talk about Labour’s first big test in parliament over their winter fuel payments policy. Plus, will K...
The final Grenfell inquiry report and what it means for families – Politics Weekly UK
05 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The 2017 Grenfell Tower fire in London was the result of ‘decades of failure’ by central government, the public inquiry into the catastrophe has f...
Politics Weekly Westminster: Labour’s doom-and-gloom message
02 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey talk about whether Labour can move away from the doom-and-gloom messaging and towards a more hopeful to...
Carla Denyer and the Green party: four MPs v the climate crisis
29 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Green party made history in the general election, winning four seats for the first time. But how much will it be able to achieve in parliament whe...
Politics Weekly UK is on holiday
22 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Politics Weekly UK is taking a break for the summer. John Harris will be back on Thursday 29 August, and in the meantime you can listen to our previou...
Politics Weekly UK’s summer culture list - podcast
15 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Guardian’s John Harris gives his review of the best books, music and TV from 2024 so far. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian...
Will the threat of arrests be enough to stop far-right violence? Politics Weekly UK
07 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Far-right mobs have continued to threaten communities this week, with violence expected at asylum centres and law firms on Wednesday night. Keir Starm...
Are Southport riots a sign of our political future? Politics Weekly UK
01 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Merseyside police have said members of the far-right English Defence League took part in the riots in Southport on Tuesday night. The clashes followed...
Labour suspensions and the Tory leadership race - Politics Weekly UK
25 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Keir Starmer has suspended seven of his MPs who rebelled against the whip to scrap the two-child benefit cap. So why won’t Labour scrap the controve...
Politics Weekly Westminster: Biden drops out and Starmer enjoys a honeymoon period
22 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the US presidential race and whether the honeymoon peri...
The king’s speech: can Labour keep the optimism going?
17 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There were more than 35 bills in Labour’s first king’s speech. So what does it tell us about the party’s ambitions? And with world events turnin...
Politics Weekly Westminster: Trump, the king’s speech and Europe
15 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss the assassination attempt on Donald Trump and the implications for UK politics. Plus, a preview...
Politics Weekly Westminster: Starmer in the US, Badenoch and the PopCons
10 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey are on two sides of the Atlantic this week. They discuss Keir Starmer’s first foreign trip, and wheth...
Politics Weekly Westminster: Starmer’s first week
08 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey look ahead to the first week of the new Labour government. Plus, Pippa is going to be in Washington wit...
Labour wins a landslide: Is this a new dawn? Politics Weekly UK
05 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Labour has won a landslide victory, with Keir Starmer saying ‘change begins now’. Is this a new era for the country? The Guardian’s John Harris ...
On the road in Redcar: can Labour offer fresh hope?
03 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week Politics Weekly UK is in Redcar in north-east England, where the seat turned blue in 2019. Steelworks closures hit the region hard, but unde...
Politics Weekly Westminster: The final week of campaigning
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey look ahead to the final week of campaigning before the election. Help support our independent journalis...
On the road in Boston: Why is this a Reform UK target?
28 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week Politics Weekly UK is in Boston, Lincolnshire, to where large numbers of eastern Europeans moved to work as vegetable pickers on farms. In 2...
Politics Weekly Westminster: The last TV debate
27 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey dissect the last TV head-to-head between Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak before the election. Help support...
On the road in Chingford and Woodford Green – Politics Weekly UK
20 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Politics Weekly UK is in the London suburb of Chingford and Woodford Green, where a spat between Labour and its former candidate is threatening to spl...
Politics Weekly Westminster: Reform’s threat to the Conservatives
17 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey look ahead to Reform UK’s manifesto launch and why Nigel Farage might be spooking the Conservatives. ...