Daily Politics from the New Statesman
News
Helping you make sense of politics – every weekday.
Anoosh Chakelian, Oli Dugmore and the New Statesman team bring you sharp reporting, clear analysis and thoughtful conversations to help you understand what’s really going on in Westminster and beyond.
The New Statesman is Britain’s leading source of news and commentary on politics and culture with a progressive perspective. On Daily Politics, our journalists and expert guests cut through the noise of the headlines to explain the forces shaping our world. From the battles inside the Labour Party to the future of the Conservatives, from the rise of Reform UK to the debates that dominate Parliament, we provide the clarity you need to follow UK politics.
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START HERE:
▶︎ Kemi Badenoch isn't working | Cover Story with Tom McTague
▶︎ Do billionaires really benefit the UK?
▶︎ One year of Labour rule: can things still only get better?
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Hosts:
Anoosh Chakelian
Oli Dugmore
Regular contributors and co-hosts:
Tom McTague, Editor-in-chief
Will Lloyd, Deputy editor
Andrew Marr, Political editor
George Eaton, Senior editor, politics
Hannah Barnes, Associate editor
Rachel Cunliffe, Associate political editor
Will Dunn, Business editor
Megan Gibson, Foreign editor
Katie Stallard, Global affairs editor
Tanjil Rashid, Culture editor
Kate Mossman, Senior writer
Production team:
Senior podcast producer: Catharine Hughes
Video producer: Rob Le Mare
Assistant producer: Biba Kang
Executive producer: Chris Stone
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Location:
United Kingdom
Description:
Helping you make sense of politics – every weekday. Anoosh Chakelian, Oli Dugmore and the New Statesman team bring you sharp reporting, clear analysis and thoughtful conversations to help you understand what’s really going on in Westminster and beyond. The New Statesman is Britain’s leading source of news and commentary on politics and culture with a progressive perspective. On Daily Politics, our journalists and expert guests cut through the noise of the headlines to explain the forces shaping our world. From the battles inside the Labour Party to the future of the Conservatives, from the rise of Reform UK to the debates that dominate Parliament, we provide the clarity you need to follow UK politics. -- START HERE: ▶︎ Kemi Badenoch isn't working | Cover Story with Tom McTague ▶︎ Do billionaires really benefit the UK? ▶︎ One year of Labour rule: can things still only get better? -- LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱Download and subscribe in the New Statesman app to enjoy all our episodes without the ads. -- MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a question - we answer them on the podcast every Friday ⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter in your inbox every morning ✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday -- Hosts: Anoosh Chakelian Oli Dugmore Regular contributors and co-hosts: Tom McTague, Editor-in-chief Will Lloyd, Deputy editor Andrew Marr, Political editor George Eaton, Senior editor, politics Hannah Barnes, Associate editor Rachel Cunliffe, Associate political editor Will Dunn, Business editor Megan Gibson, Foreign editor Katie Stallard, Global affairs editor Tanjil Rashid, Culture editor Kate Mossman, Senior writer Production team: Senior podcast producer: Catharine Hughes Video producer: Rob Le Mare Assistant producer: Biba Kang Executive producer: Chris Stone Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Language:
English
Episodes
Iran war: Trump is playing into Putin's hands.
3/2/2026
While the US bombs Iran, the Kremlin will see immediate advantages for Russia.
Vladimir Putin expressed “deep condolences” to the people of Iran over the killing of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei by US and Israeli forces.
The Russian president – currently leading his own brutal and illegal war in Ukraine – condemned what he called Khamenei’s “assassination” as a “cynical violation of all norms of human morality and international law”.
Russia and Iran are long-term “strategic partners”. They signed a new treaty in January last year.
But while Putin offers consoling words to Iran, the Kremlin will undoubtedly have eyes on the potential benefits to them of a US-Israel war on Russia’s ally.
So, is Trump’s war in Iran playing into Russia’s hands?
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Duration:00:23:24
Does Trump have an endgame in Iran?
3/1/2026
Fiona Hill, former presidential advisor, joins Megan Gibson.
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Duration:00:45:20
Rare diseases: from lived experience to lasting treatments | Sponsored
3/1/2026
To mark Rare Disease Day, this special Spotlight episode explores why rare diseases - affecting an estimated one in 17 people in the UK – still face years of diagnostic delays and limited treatment options.
Host Sarah Darwood speaks to CEO of LifeArc Dr Sam Barrell and Terry Pirovalakis, whose son Michael has been diagnosed with the rare neurological disorder SPG50.
Their discussion looks at the reality of the “diagnostic odyssey”; gaps in data, investment and regulatory pathways; and the financial and structural challenges that limit progress in rare conditions.
They also explore the growing role of parents as advocates and innovators, the case for a national rare disease champion, and why a more joined-up approach across government, regulators, industry and charities is essential to delivering faster diagnoses and access to life-changing therapies.
This New Statesman podcast episode has been fully funded by LifeArc.
Find out more about LifeArc’s Taskforce Report and recommendations.
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Duration:00:21:16
"I'll handle a sea bass however I like" | Anoosh & Will's weekly round-up
2/28/2026
Martin Lewis ambushed Kemi Badenoch, Your Party think bureaucracy will stop nuclear war, and the Sea Bass handling committee have released exciting new guidance.
Anoosh Chakelian and Will Dunn round up the week's political news you might have missed.
READ:
Abandon all hope at the Your Party hustings
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Duration:00:34:16
The end of the Starmer project?
2/27/2026
Does the Greens' decisive victory in Gorton & Denton spell the end of Keir Starmer's Labour?
After the worst possible outcome for Labour in the Gorton & Denton by-election, Ailbhe Rea joins Tom McTague on Daily Politics from the New Statesman.
They discuss what this means for Keir Starmer, for the Labour party - and for the future of politics in Britain.
READ: Inside the Greens' seismic Gorton and Denton win
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Duration:00:50:50
Historic win for the Greens
2/27/2026
Hannah Spencer, a plumber and Green Party councillor, is now the MP for Gorton and Denton.
The Party takes the seat from right under Labour, following weeks of what was seen to be a three way race with Reform.
Megan Kenyon is joined by Ben Walker.
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Duration:00:14:12
Puberty blockers, blocked
2/26/2026
Should some children be given drugs to stop them going through puberty?
That’s the question the NHS, the government and an independent research and ethics committee have been trying to answer.
The “Pathways” trial, backed by the NHS and led by a team from King’s College London, aims to test the effectiveness and safety of puberty blockers for children experiencing gender dysphoria.
At the end of 2025, the trial was approved to go ahead. Health Secretary Wes Streeting reassured parliamentary colleagues it “could not have received more oversight and scrutiny”.
But now the agency in charge of medicine regulation has U-turned. The study is now paused because of ethical and safety concerns. All of which, Hannah Barnes reports today on the New Statesman website, they knew about when they first approved it.
So how did the study get approved in the first place? And what does this tell us about the systems we trust to ensure medical research is safe and ethical?
Also: Baroness Amos has released the interim findings from her review into England's maternity care, and says the system is "not working".
Oli Dugmore is joined by Hannah Barnes to discuss.
READ MORE
Inside the decision to pause the puberty blockers trial
England's maternity system "not working" for anyone, report says
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Duration:00:27:46
Andrew, Epstein and the crumbling crown
2/25/2026
Last Thursday, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He has since been released under investigation. The police have searched Andrew’s former home, Royal Lodge.
The former Prince’s relationship to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein is triggering a reckoning for not just Andrew, but the monarchy itself.
Oli Dugmore is joined by Will Lloyd to discuss.
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Duration:00:40:01
A three horse race in Gorton and Denton
2/24/2026
On Thursday, a by-election in a Southern Manchester constituency, Gorton and Denton, is shaping up to be a seismic litmus test for British politics.
After the previous MP, Labour’s Andrew Gwynne, stepped down in January, an opening for a new MP has set in motion a battle between Labour and their insurgent challengers, Reform and the Green Party.
Oli Dugmore is joined by our senior data journalist Ben Walker to discuss.
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Duration:00:24:46
What if Russia wins?
2/23/2026
It has been four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The war has settled into a grinding and uncertain stalemate.
Despite proving remarkably resilient, Ukraine, and the rest of the world, must face the question: What if Russia wins?
Katie Stallard explores this urgent question with German political scientist, Professor Carlo Masala.
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Duration:00:35:41
Labour Together’s attack on press freedom
2/21/2026
Why has Keir Starmer ordered an investigation into Labour Together? What the hell is going on with our local elections? And what are we meant to make of Reform UK’s new “shadow cabinet”?
You asked, we’ll answer.
Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Rachel Cunliffe for the listener questions episode of Daily Politics from the New Statesman.
📚 READ: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/2026/02/dismay-as-no-10-works-with-brendan-cox-after-misconduct-claims
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Duration:00:27:45
Rutger Bregman “This Trump phenomenon really is fascism”
2/20/2026
This week we launched another, that’s right ANOTHER, podcast.
The Exchange is the New Statesman’s long-form interviews show, featuring some big names you know, and some big names you’ll be glad to learn of.
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Duration:00:22:04
Andrew arrested
2/19/2026
The King’s brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, has been arrested.
The alleged offence: misconduct in public office.
The arrest came after claims Andrew allegedly shared official documents during his time as UK Trade Envoy, with two emails in particular showing up in the latest Epstein files – although police haven’t yet released the specifics of their investigation.
Police have searched Andrew’s homes, and at the time of recording the former Prince is in custody. He’s not yet been charged, and has previously – strenuously – denied any wrongdoing on these matters related to Epstein.
The King has said “the law must take its course”.
Oli Dugmore is joined by Will Lloyd in the studio.
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Duration:00:28:20
Is Bridget Phillipson really the most dangerous woman in Britain?
2/18/2026
From “Nazi” to “Marxist” Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary, has faced intense criticism from all sides.
But how exactly is she trying to reform the British education system?
For the cover of this week’s New Statesman magazine, our executive editor Pippa Bailey has written an extended profile of Phillipson - exploring what motivates the education secretary, and how consequential the next few months could be for her - and the Labour Party.
She joins Oli Dugmore in the studio.
📚 READ: https://www.newstatesman.com/cover-story/2026/02/is-bridget-phillipson-the-most-dangerous-woman-in-britain
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Duration:00:36:02
Has Starmer killed Welsh Labour?
2/17/2026
Eluned Morgan, the first minister of Wales speaks to Megan Kenyon about her relationship with Keir Starmer, Welsh Labour’s prospects in the upcoming Senedd election and the threat of Plaid Cymru and Reform.
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Duration:00:27:29
Should we ban social media for under-16s?
2/16/2026
Will Keir Starmer ban kids from social media?
Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2DHAQOeEg-Z-4trARDXHRA?sub_confirmation=1
The PM has promised a crackdown on social media and said he’s “open-minded” to a full on, Australia-style ban for under 16s.
Oli Dugmore is joined by senior editor George Eaton.
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Duration:00:32:05
The Labour Party's "unpopularity contest"
2/14/2026
Labour’s unpopularity contest, the joys of figure skating and bonkers advice from RFK Jr's nutrition chatbot.
Anoosh Chakelian and Will Dunn explore the most ludicrous and laughable stories of the week.
Including calls for Britain to set up a “Ministry of Sex”...
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Duration:00:33:23
£100k salary, feeling poor – is tax killing ambition?
2/13/2026
A listener paying 67% in tax asks if Labour are destroying UK productivity.
From the new and improved New Statesman podcast studio, Anoosh and Rachel answer listener questions on tax, student loans and Nigel Farage MP's second (and third, and fourth) jobs.
In the mailbag this week:
A listener earning over £100,000 writes in to ask why the government is failing to address the "tax trap" that means high-earning parents are "penalised".
Would the British public back student loan forgiveness?
And why can Nigel Farage and other parliamentarians present TV shows, run consultancies, and earn money on the side of their MP job?
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Duration:00:24:24
Exclusive investigation: England's maternity scandal
2/12/2026
55 babies died at the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust between 2019 and 2023. They may have survived with better care.
The New Statesman's investigations editor Hannah Barnes joins Anoosh Chakelian to explore the findings of her investigation.
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Duration:00:27:50
Is the Labour party having an ideological crisis?
2/11/2026
Morgan McSweeney – Keir Starmer’s closest aide and confidante – has left the Number 10 operation.
Our editor-in-chief Tom McTague asks, is it the beginning of the end for the Prime Minister – or the end of the beginning?
He speaks to deputy editor Will Lloyd.
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Duration:00:28:43