The New Statesman Podcast

It's Tory manifesto Tuesday and the party is leading with pledges to make homes more affordable for first time buyers as well as a fresh new batch of tax cuts. But where is the money coming from to afford this? When the Conservatives say "welfare reform", what exactly do they mean?

Hannah Barnes, associate editor, is joined by political editor Andrew Marr. Together they also discuss the rise of the far right in Europe and what this might mean for a Labour-led Britain.

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It's manifesto week! It's week three of the election campaign and parties are set to deliver their manifestos in the coming days. This was kicked off today with the launch of the Lib Dem manifesto. So what have they pledged? Do the numbers add up? And does it really matter if they don't?

The team also discuss what's been happening politically over the weekend, including Friday's seven headed debate, the continuation of Sunak's D Day-gate, and Macron's decision to call a snap election.

Hannah Barnes, associate editor, is joined by Rachel Cunliffe, associate political editor; Chris Deerin, Scotland editor; and Will Dunn, business editor.

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Freddie, Ben and podcast newcomer Finn McRedmond answer listener questions.

By deserting the D-day commemorations, Rishi Sunak has dealt his own campaign a massive blow and handed Keir Starmer and Nigel Farage explosive attack lines.

In this special election edition of You Ask Us, the team answer your questions about the threat to the Conservatives from Reform UK and the impact of TV debates. Also polling expert Ben Walker reveals the shocking impact tactical voting could have on the Liberal Democrats election hopes.

See the latest polls on the New Statesman's State of the Nation: https://sotn.newstatesman.com/

Read:

Rishi Sunak's D-Day departure was far worse than a gaffe

https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2024/06/rishi-sunaks-d-day-departure-was-far-worse-than-a-gaffe

The Conservative party may not survive this election

https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2024/06/conservative-party-may-not-survive-election-nigel-farage

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The most powerful person on the left of British politics is not Keir Starmer. So who is it?

This week the New Statesman published the 2024 Left Power List, which ranks the 50 most influential people in British politics. George Eaton edited the list and joins Hannah Barnes and Freddie Hayward on the New Statesman podcast to discuss who's up, who's down, and what their influence means for the general election.

Hannah, Freddie and George also discuss the latest events from the general election campaigns including Vaughan Gethin's confidence vote, more questionable Tory donations and Ed Davey's moving campaign video.

See the Left Power List in full here: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/2024/06/new-statesman-left-power-list-2024

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Starmer and Sunak went head to head for the first time last night in their TV debate. Did we learn anything new? Not particularly. But the story dominating the headlines today is Sunak's claim that people would pay around £2,000 more in tax if Labour wins the election. He said that figure had been calculated by "independent Treasury officials". Starmer called this "garbage".

So who's telling the truth?

Hannah Barnes, associate editor, is joined by political correspondent Freddie Hayward, and senior data journalist Ben Walker, who also takes us on a deep dive of the polls.

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Nigel Farage is back ... what does this mean for the Conservatives and the future of the right in Britain?

The team also discuss the Lib Dems pledge for social care, and why the main two parties refuse to talk about this issue which is affecting a high proportion of the electorate.

Hannah Barnes, associate editor, is joined by political editor Andrew Marr, and political correspondent Freddie Hayward.

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Labour have launched their defence plans, leading with their 'triple lock' which focuses on nuclear submarines and a constant at sea deterrent for the UK. Does this departure from Labour's 2016 stance represent a change in the party or a change in the state of global affairs?

Meanwhile, today the Conservatives have focused their energy on the Equality Act and its positioning on gender and biological sex.

Hannah Barnes, associate editor at the New Statesman, is joined by Freddie Hayward, political correspondent.

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Could the Conservatives become the third party? Is Ed Davey being too frivolous? Has Rishi Sunak made a huge mistake? And why do we still talk about older people like they're the Second World War generation?

Rachel Cunliffe, associate political editor, and Freddie Hayward, political correspondent, answer listener questions and give their campaign highlights thus far.

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One week down, five to go.

The Diane Abbott row continues to be a tricky thorn in Keir Starmer's side, and in the past 24 hours there have been more reports that candidates and MPs have been barred from standing. Is this a purge on the left of the party?

Hannah Barnes, associate editor, and Rachel Cunliffe, associate political editor, also discuss the launch of the Green Party's campaign, who are hoping to win four seats, and today's announcements on VAT and the economy.

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Today Labour announced some bold plans for the NHS, stating that they would clear the Tory backlog in their first time. However this has been completely overshadowed by the mishandling of Diane Abbott's position in the party.

This morning, Abbott, who has served as Labour MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington since being elected in 1987, has announced that she has been barred by the party from standing in the next general election. By lunchtime Starmer was saying that no decision had been taken to block her from standing for Labour. So what's going on and will this botched stage handling backfire for Labour?

Hannah Barnes, associate editor at the New Statesman, is joined by Freddie Hayward, political correspondent, and Rachel Cunliffe, associate political editor.

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Submit a question for a future episode: You Ask Us

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For the next six weeks we’re bringing you new episodes every weekday, with updates on the party campaigns, reaction from around the UK and the best polling analysis with our experts. 

Hannah Barnes, associate editor, is joined by Andrew Marr, political editor, and Freddie Hayward, political correspondent, to discuss the developments over the busy bank holiday weekend: National Service, Triple Lock Plus, 'Sleepy Keir', and the unravelling of the Conservative party.

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Political advertising in the UK has been a largely regulated space, that us up until about a decade ago.

Historically, political advertising has been banned from broadcast aside from a small allotted period of time in the run up to an election. However, as the times are-a-changin, and technology and advertising formats have evolved, political parties have found and embraced some legal loopholes. Our screens are now awash with political adverts, character attacks, and sometimes factually inaccurate messaging - created and paid for by our government and the opposition.

So what does it mean now that our leaders are playing dirty? What can we expect to see in the lead up to the general election? And will this have any effect on voters, or is it just Westminster name-calling?

Rachel Cunliffe, associate political editor, is joined by Jonn Elledge, journalist, author and New Statesman columnist.

This episode was recorded prior to the calling of the general election last week.

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On Monday we published an investigation by business editor Will Dunn into England's water and sewage crisis. Will joins Hannah Barnes, associate editor, and Freddie Hayward, political correspondent, on this episode of You Ask Us to answer some listener questions on the water companies.

The team also give their 90:50:10 predictions for this year in British politics.

Read: The Great Stink: Britain’s pollution crisis

Listen: The Great Stink: how England came to swim in sewage

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After a day of increasing speculation, Rishi Sunak called the next general election which will take place on the 4th of July. Sadly, for him, he was almost drowned by the pouring rain, and drowned out by the pounding of D:Ream's ‘Things Can Only Get Better', the song widely known as Labour's 1997 anthem.

To kick of the New Statesman's general election coverage, the team review yesterday's events, the prime minister's potential motives, and the kickstarting of campaigns.

Hannah Barnes, associate editor, is joined by Freddie Hayward, Rachel Cunliffe, and George Eaton.

Have you got a question about the election? Get in touch here

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Fuel poverty is on the rise with millions of households in England having to choose whether to “heat or eat”.

Last year, the Government estimated almost 9 million households could be classed as “fuel poor”. This means that, after housing costs, more than 10 per cent of their household income would be spent on heating.

Covid supply disruptions and the war in Ukraine have contributed to the problem alongside the UK’s economic crisis. 

In this episode host Zoë Grünewald is joined by British Gas Energy Trust Chief Executive Jessica Taplin, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice Rhondda Cynon Taff, Ashley Comley and Chief Executive Officer of Bromley by Bow Centre, Ellen De Decker. They explore reasons for the sharp rise in fuel poverty, what’s being done to support those in need and what needs to change to ensure Government funding gets through to those who need it most.

This New Statesman podcast episode is sponsored by The British Gas Energy Trust, an independent charitable trust funded solely by British Gas. The Trust offers financial support for vulnerable households and is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

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The sea is no longer safe to swim in, tomatoes are growing on beaches from seeds in undigested human faeces, and rivers are awash with pig’s blood. When did everything start to go wrong, and who bears the brunt of this grotesque responsibility? 

The Great Stink by Will Dunn is this week’s cover story and you can find it here

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It's a defection listener questions special.

We’ve had lots of questions come in this week about defection, prompted by the surprise and somewhat contentious defection of the once Conservative MP for Dover and Deal, Natalie Elphicke, to Labour last week.

To help guide us through Hannah Barnes, associate editor, is joined in the studio by Rachel Cunliffe, associate political editor at the New Statesman, and down the line by David Gauke, former Conservative MP for South West Hertfordshire and New Statesman columnist.

Read: Do Tory defections to Labour herald a realignment?

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This morning Keir Starmer has laid out six key pledges for a Labour government, should they win power this election year.

So what is the Labour leader promising, and will those promises be kept?

Hannah Barnes, associate editor, is joined on the New Statesman podcast by Freddie Hayward, political correspondent, and George Eaton, senior editor.

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Just over a month ago Dr Hilary Cass published her landmark review of gender identity services for children and young people.

In her last UK media interview before her team wrap up, she spoke to the New Statesman about the four years it took to compile and complete the review, as well as the reflections she’s had since it was published and criticisms that have been leveled against both her findings and her own professionalism.

You can read the accompanying article to this interview here: Hilary Cass: “Do I regret doing it? Absolutely not”

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Are any Tories desperate enough to take over as Prime Minister?

In our listener questions episode, You Ask Us, Rachel Cunliffe, George Eaton and Freddie Hayward answer your questions on whether any Conservative MPs would really want to take over as PM before the next election, and how on earth they will explain Britain's failing economy during the election campaign.

To submit a question, visit www.newstatesman.com/youaskus

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