Electoral Dysfunction

Police are still trying to work out the motive for Saturday’s mass stabbing on a train from Doncaster to London. Sophy has spoken to the sole survivor of the Air India crash which killed 241 people back in June. And Wilf has heard from the US ambassador to the UK Warren Stephens, who wants the UK to keep drilling for oil and gas.

Harriet responds to your messages about the Green Party after she went viral for her take on leader Zack Polanski. How does its surge in popularity link up with the result of the Caerphilly by-election? And is the party getting more support because it's not entirely focused on climate change? Plus, rumour has it that the Labour government is planning to raise income tax in next month's budget. It would mean breaking a manifesto promise. So how believable is it? Beth, Ruth and Harriet aren't convinced. They discuss how the government could get itself out of the black hole, and what would happen if it did break its promise on tax. Remember, you can also watch Beth Rigby, Harriet Harman and Ruth Davidson on YouTube.

Sir Keir Starmer has backed safeguarding minister Jess Phillips, as a fifth abuse survivor calls on her to quit to restore trust in the grooming gangs inquiry. Beth, Ruth and Harriet explain why the national inquiry into the sexual exploitation of children by grooming gangs in England and Wales has become so poisonous and why the victims are so unhappy. Plus, as the government faces growing calls to formally strip Prince Andrew of his dukedom – what's the relationship between politics and royalty? And as membership for the Green Party surges, what's the appeal of the leader Zack Polanski? Remember, you can also watch Beth Rigby, Harriet Harman and Ruth Davidson on YouTube.

Two powerhouse Labour politicians are vying to replace Angela Rayner as deputy leader. With the winner being announced on 25 October, Beth Rigby has been speaking to both candidates about party unity, leadership, leaks, and their political vision in a special Electoral Dysfunction double-header. Lucy Powell pitches herself as the independent "shop steward" ready to speak truth to power, while Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson argues real influence comes from inside government. It's a contest that could define Sir Keir Starmer's future - who will win Labour's deputy leadership, the insider or the outsider? Remember, you can also watch Electoral Dysfunction on YouTube, and fill in our short survey here.

There are new questions about who knew what and when about the collapse of a trial of alleged Chinese spies. Beth, Ruth, and Harriet explain why a row involving names you might not know does have implications for the country – can Beijing be both a friend and a foe? And while there are questions for government and civil servants – they ask if Kemi Badenoch has made a misstep with her response. Plus, Beth was there as Donald Trump announced his plan for peace in the Middle East. She shares the stories from her last-minute trip to join world leaders in Egypt. And come back on Sunday for our bumper back to back interviews with both candidates in the Deputy Labour Leadership contest - Bridget Phillipson and Lucy Powell. Remember, you can also watch Beth Rigby, Harriet Harman and Ruth Davidson on YouTube. Fill in our survey: https://forms.gle/G72yDkjs6EmoVLp39

Fresh from the conference in Manchester, Beth gives Ruth and Harriet the inside track on her 'tetchy' interview with Badenoch - why couldn't she answer a question about Nigel Farage in the same way Keir Starmer did? And just how bad was her conference gaffe compared to ones in the past? Later, with a peace plan brokered by Donald Trump in the Middle East, what effect will it have on protests here? And has the government got it right on policing demonstrations? Remember, you can also watch Beth Rigby, Harriet Harman and Ruth Davidson on YouTube. Fill in our survey: https://forms.gle/G72yDkjs6EmoVLp39

Beth’s at the Conservative party conference – talking to the shadow environment secretary Victoria Atkins. She says that Kemi Badenoch has shown resilience and character in her first year as party leader- but it’s taken time to find confidence and her 11 months of ‘listening’ and ‘absorbing’ has come with ‘political knocks’. She acknowledges that she is sorry about the Tory proposal to leave the ECHR - but says politicians have to deal with the politics of today. She also reveals how her parents met at Tory conference and which politician makes her shout at TV. Remember, you can also watch Beth Rigby, Harriet Harman and Ruth Davidson on YouTube. Fill in our survey: https://forms.gle/G72yDkjs6EmoVLp39

When the Prime Minister said Reform’s migration policy was ‘racist’ - was that a mistake? It dominated the Labour Party conference in Liverpool this week, where Beth asked Keir Starmer about his comments... and pulled him up on Donald Trump’s remarks about Sadiq Khan. So with the May elections starting to loom in the minds of politicians, how worried are Labour that they are going to lose out to Reform? And did Andy Burnham have the impact everyone expected in Liverpool? Plus, Harriet and Ruth give their tales of conferences past. Remember, you can also watch Beth Rigby, Harriet Harman and Ruth Davidson on YouTube. Fill in our survey: https://forms.gle/G72yDkjs6EmoVLp39

Health Secretary Wes Streeting didn't want to get moved to the Home Office in the recent reshuffle - and he planned how to get out of it if the job was offered. Beth asks also asks him about future strike action by doctors. He's clear in his warning to members of the BMA: "The NHS is hanging by a thread, don’t pull it." The interview was recorded at Labour Party conference. Remember, you can also watch Beth Rigby, Harriet Harman and Ruth Davidson on YouTube.

Donald Trump gave his two cents on what women should be doing whilst pregnant this week... and Nigel Farage followed suit with his view back here. So how damaging are their comments? And why do men think they know best about women’s bodies? Later - is Andy Burnham plotting a move on Downing Street? He claims Labour MPs are asking him to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the leadership of the party. Days before the Liverpool party conference, what’s Burnham up to and will it unsettle MPs? Harriet wonders if everyone is getting over-anxious about the thought of a Reform UK government. And with the UN General Assembly coming to a close in New York, what can we be optimistic about? Ruth and Harriet give their take as part of the Hope Campaign. Remember, you can also watch Beth Rigby, Harriet Harman and Ruth Davidson on YouTube. And on Monday, we’ll have an extra episode in the feed from Labour Party Conference, after Beth sits down with Health Secretary Wes Streeting. As we talked about it on the show the advice on taking Lemsip during pregnancy can be found here: https://www.medicinesinpregnancy.org/leaflets-a-z/colds-and-flu/

Starmer and Trump meet at Chequers and the world's eyes are on them. So why did Trump say he doesn't know Peter Mandelson? The UK's former ambassador to Washington who was sacked last week? And what did Trump mean when he said that Putin had "let him down"? To match the occasion - a special episode of Electoral Dysfunction and Trump100, a Sky News podcast mashup. Beth Rigby, Harriet Harman and Ruth Davidson are joined by Mark Stone, who's been on the state visit all week. So as Team Trump leaves British soil… is Starmer better off now than he was at the start of the week? And where does that press confernece leave him as he prepares to recognise the state of Palestine. Also - Jimmy Kimmel comes off air - what does it say about free spech, both in the US and here at home? Remember you can watch all our episodes on our YouTube channel!

Peter Mandelson is sacked as the UK's ambassador to the US - his former cabinet colleague, Harriet, says it's shameful that he didn't resign. It's all after new revelations over his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. Ruth isn't impressed either and wonders why Keir Starmer was defending him at PMQs. Donald Trump arrives in London for his state visit next week. Given questions about Epstein always raise his hackles – how will the PM tackle his visit now? Remember, you can also watch Beth Rigby, Harriet Harman and Ruth Davidson on YouTube.

A long list of women all want to be Labour’s next deputy leader - Lucy Powell, Emily Thornberry, Bridget Phillipson, Alison McGovern, Bell Ribeiro-Addy and Paula Barker have all thrown their names into the mix. Beth, Ruth and Harriet look at their prospects and reveal what sort of deputy Keir Starmer would prefer – as well as who the left of Labour would prefer is rooting for. Does the next deputy need to be a Northern woman? Plus, after hot footing it between Birmingham and London, Beth reflects on her interview with Nigel Farage and if the Reform conference was hinging on the American vibes. Remember, you can also watch us on YouTube.

Beth, Harriet and Ruth reassemble after Angela Rayner’s resignation prompts one of the biggest cabinet reshuffles in years. She admitted she didn’t pay enough stamp duty on the purchase of a new home and, after an ethics investigation, quit as deputy prime minister and housing secretary. David Lammy takes the deputy role with a move to justice secretary. Keir Starmer’s had two resets in a week – can he now get on with his dream of delivery? Remember, you can also watch us on YouTube.

Was the deputy prime minister trying to evade and dodge tax? Is she a 'hypocrite'? Or was she simply doing what she thought was the right thing? Beth takes Ruth and Harriet behind the scenes of her interview with Angela Rayner this week as they ask whether she will survive in government, or if she will have to resign. It all emerged after Rayner admitted she didn't pay enough tax on her home in Hove - you can catch the exclusive 20-minute interview in the Electoral Dysfunction feed. After recording, Verrico & Associates confirmed that it had advised Ms Rayner on the purchase of the flat. Joanna Verrico, the managing director, told The Telegraph: "We acted for Ms Rayner when she purchased the flat in Hove. We did not and never have given tax or trust advice. It's something we always refer our clients to an accountant or tax expert for. "The stamp duty for the Hove flat was calculated using HMRC's own online calculator, based on the figures and the information provided by Ms Rayner. That's what we used, and it told us we had to pay £30,000 based on the information provided to us. We believe that we did everything correctly and in good faith. Everything was exactly as it should be." Remember, you can also watch us on YouTube.

In an exclusive interview, the Deputy Prime Minister admits she considered resigning after discovering she didn’t pay enough stamp duty on her second home. After weeks of speculation in the papers, Angela Rayner reveals what really happened – she tells Beth she got inaccurate expert advice and was unable to speak out before due to confidential clauses in place to protect her son, who she is opening up about publicly for the fist time. So what now? And what has the Prime Minister said to her about the saga? Remember, you can also watch us on YouTube.

In their final summer Q&A, Beth, Ruth, and Harriet dig into why politics feels permanently stuck in panic mode. Why does it feel like there's an election imminent when the prime minister isn't required to call one for four years? What's fuelling the chaos? And is the media to blame? Plus, your questions on whether Reform defections are actually a problem for the Tory party, what happens to ex-MPs, and could Donald Trump actually win the Nobel Peace Prize? Remember, you can also watch us on YouTube.

Can Britain afford both welfare and warfare? Beth takes us inside the row that could define Sir Keir Starmer's premiership. From that huge Commons rebellion over welfare cuts to the looming pressure on defence spending, how can the government look after Britain at home, whilst holding the line abroad? For this special episode, Beth speaks to the former chancellor Jeremy Hunt and ex-Labour welfare minister Jim Murphy. Also, Ruth and Harriet ask whether anything has actually changed after the Trump-Putin Alaska summit and whether European leaders can make a difference after crowding into the White House this week? Remember, you can also watch us on YouTube.

Nigel Farage's Reform won more than 40% of seats at May's council elections. The Conservatives lost control of 16 English councils and won 20% of seats - one of the lowest proportions in the past two decades. How do the Tories make sure they keep right-wing voters at future elections? Beth talks to shadow chancellor, and former work and pensions secretary, Mel Stride on this episode about that challenge. He also talks about adapting to life on the opposition benches and why he believes Kemi Badenoch is the right leader for his party. Interview with Mel Stride recorded on July 15th.

Jeremy Corbyn's back - with Zarah Sultana and a new party. But is it a real threat to Labour, or just political theatre? This week Beth, Ruth and Harriet answer your questions on whether Corbyn's comeback could fracture the left and hand seats to the Tories and Reform. What does it mean for Starmer? Could the Green Party seize the moment? And is this a political headache - or just a red herring? Plus - your questions on rebuilding the Tory party, Scottish Labour and the elections north of the border next year, and we shout out the podcasts we can't stop listening to. Remember, you can also watch us on YouTube.