Épisodes

  • Is migration helping or hurting the UK?

    Is migration helping or hurting the UK?
    Jul 10 2025
    There's a new plan for deterring migrants from crossing the channel and coming to the UK - but will it actually work?

    This week, Beth, Ruth and Harriet have a deep dive into one of the most divisive and defining political issues of our time: migration.

    In the week France's President Emmanuel Macron has been hobnobbing with the great and the good on his state visit to the UK, he's also agreed a new 'one in, one out' returns deal with the prime minister. So is this a breakthrough deal?

    Also - how could stemming migration cause problems for the UK? Are the numbers really out of control? And how does this all link back to the economy?

    Remember, you can also watch us on YouTube.
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    48 min
  • Is Labour losing Wales to Reform?

    Is Labour losing Wales to Reform?
    Jul 8 2025
    Could Reform UK get their first taste of government next year? They're the biggest party for Welsh voters, according to exclusive polling from More in Common ahead of the Senedd elections next year.

    But what does this mean for Labour? The party was founded in Wales and since devolution in 1999, they've run the government there. Are they now scared of Reform?

    So in this extra episode of Electoral Dysfunction, Beth meets Wales's first female First Minister – Labour's Eluned Morgan. She's also been taking the temperature with a group of Welsh voters.

    They talk about the "Farage surge" in Wales ahead of the Senedd elections next May as Baronness Morgan admits the threat from Reform is "very serious" and that Labour have got "a lot of work to do" to stay in power.

    Also – the first minister attempts to swerve rating the Keir Starmer's first year... but Beth's not letting her get away with it.

    Remember, you can also watch us on YouTube
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    40 min
  • Did Keir Starmer screw up his own anniversary?

    Did Keir Starmer screw up his own anniversary?
    Jul 3 2025
    Happy 1st anniversary, Keir Starmer.

    He wanted to be talking about what he sees as Labour’s achievements after 12 months in goverment and his 10-year plan for the NHS.

    But, after another dramatic policy U-turn and the sight of his own chancellor crying at PMQs, when he kept his support for her slightly vague, Beth Rigby, Harriet Harman and Ruth Davidson discuss if his start in office has been shattered by this week.

    They also wonder if the solution to make relations with his own MPs a bit easier would be to make better use of Angela Rayner.

    Remember, you can also watch us on YouTube!
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    47 min
  • What will Keir Starmer learn from the Labour welfare chaos?

    What will Keir Starmer learn from the Labour welfare chaos?
    Jun 26 2025
    It sounds like concessions are being offered to the dozens of Labour MPs who had threatened to rebel over the government’s planned welfare cuts.

    On this episode, Beth, Ruth, and Harriet went over the possible options for the Prime Minister. They also talk about what Keir Starmer needs to learn from the chaos of the past few days.

    Plus, is President Trump the "daddy" in his handling of the Israel-Iran conflict, as NATO head Mark Rutte may have suggested?

    Remember, you can also watch us on YouTube.
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    50 min
  • Why won't Starmer call out Trump?

    Why won't Starmer call out Trump?
    Jun 23 2025
    Days after Keir Starmer told Beth that a US strike on Iran wasn’t imminent, Trump ordered US bunker busters to bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities.

    But the UK’s position on the attacks are unclear. The focus is not on what the Prime Minister is saying – but what he isn’t saying. After a brief interview, it’s clear Keir Starmer isn’t willing to either endorse the strikes, or criticise President Trump.

    For this extra episode Beth, Ruth and Harriet discuss the delicate situation the UK Prime Minister finds himself after a full-blown escalation of the middle east conflict. They ask what will be going through the minds of the Prime Minister and those around him – and if there are any answers the government can and will give in the coming days.

    Remember, you can also watch us on YouTube.
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    26 min
  • Will Starmer have to agree to war?

    Will Starmer have to agree to war?
    Jun 19 2025
    Is Donald Trump about to join Israel in attacks on Iran, and will he ask Keir Starmer to help him out? If he does - would it even be legal?

    A lot has happened since Beth, Ruth and Harriet last got together, with further significant developments expected before a big NATO summit next week - a gathering we don't even know if the US president will turn up to.

    So how did we get to the point where we're asking whether the UK will allow its ally - the US - to use its airbases? And how does the current situation compare to the invasion of Iraq in 2003?

    Remember, you can also watch us on YouTube!
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    45 min
  • Should anyone go to prison for an abortion?

    Should anyone go to prison for an abortion?
    Jun 13 2025
    A landmark bill is due to be voted on in the House of Commons next week that could decriminalise abortion for women in England and Wales.

    Currently, any woman who has had an abortion after 24 weeks - without two doctors signing it off - could be jailed under a Victorian law. So why has it taken until 2025 for this vote? And who are the women whose stories have led to a potential change in the law?

    Beth, Ruth and Harriet speak to Tonia Antoniazzi, the Labour MP proposing an amendment on the Crime and Policing Bill.

    Also, are we going to see tax rises in the autumn budget after this week’s spending review? And is the Labour Party in turmoil over welfare cuts?

    Remember you can also watch us on YouTube!
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    45 min
  • Rachel Reeves faces the numbers - can she cut it?

    Rachel Reeves faces the numbers - can she cut it?
    Jun 6 2025
    As Rachel Reeves prepares for next week’s spending review, Beth explains why it could be a defining moment for the government and the chancellor is faced with difficult choices.

    Harriet talks about the two-child benefit cap and whether the government can afford to scrap it.

    And as Sir Keir Starmer puts the country on a war footing, Sky's defence correspondent Deborah Haynes joins Beth, Ruth and Harriet to talk about the strategic defence review and why there's no argument across parliament about defence spending.

    Deborah also talks about her own podcast The Wargame, which is out next week and simulates an attack on the UK.

    Remember you can also watch us on YouTube!
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    47 min