The News Agents

Rishi Sunak launched the Conservative manifesto today at Silverstone. We’ve been trying to swerve the racing metaphors but the odd one crept in. He talked a LOT about tax cuts - doubling down on his disproven claim of Labour tax rises, but offered few new policies.

The performance was polished. But has the public stopped listening? We talk to Home Secretary James cleverly and Deputy Foreign Secretary Andrew Mitchell.

Later WE HAVE THE QUIZ RESULTS. And A WINNER is crowned.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Zeynel Can Yuce

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: : Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Angela Rayner has told Lewis she carries the weight of working class women on her shoulders, and doesn't ever want to be the Labour Leader.

Meanwhile in Paris, President Macron has thrown caution to the wind and 'done a Rishi'. He's called a snap parliamentary election to take on the party of Marine Le Pen. How should centrist leaders tackle their Far right parties? By bringing their policies into the fold - or defeating them and shutting them down? Does either really work?

And in London, Lib Dem Leader Ed Davey pledges to put social care at the heart of his manifesto to 'Save the NHS'.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Zeynel Can Yuce

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: : Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

It's manifesto week - Lib Dems announce theirs on Monday. Tories Tuesday. And Labour Thursday.

But the cloud of Sunak's speedy D Day departure still hangs over him. Will this be terminal for Sunak?

Later Lewis is in Leigh with North West voters there.

And we have a QUIZ for you. Stay to the end.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: : Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

In this week's general election Q&A special Emily, Jon and Lewis answer your questions on safe seats, compulsory voting, and the constituency they'd choose to stand in if they were running for parliament. All that and more.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: : Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

This week on The Sports Agents,

The extraordinary story of Khalida Popal - the first ever captain of the Afghanistan Women's National Football Team - hounded out of her country by those who believed women have no right to play and who orchestrated her team's daring escape from Afghanistan, when the Taliban returned.

Then, as Manchester City announced legal action against the Premier League, Gabby & Mark found out if this new legal action could influence the outcome of their long-awaited hearing into 115 alleged breaches of the Premier League's financial rules - Sports lawyer Daniel Geey gave us his verdict.

And former footballer-turned-agent, Paul Dalglish, joined us to discuss the ethics and issues in football agency, their role in multi-million pound transfers and why the industry needs to evolve.

Just scroll back through The Sports Agents feed to listen to these interviews in full.

New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

Overnight, Richard Holden, The Tory Party chair parachuted himself into the safe seat of Basildon & Billericay. Which is 280 miles away from his former seat - North West Durham.

Today, his former colleague and former Tory cabinet minister tells us why he's 'disgusting', and what she thinks will happen to Rishi's Tory party now. Does she accept that the rot set in with the lies, hypocrisy and calumny of Boris Johnson?

You'll find out.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Zeynel Can Yuce

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: : Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Rishi Sunak accused Keir Starmer of planning to put people's taxes up by £2,000 if he got into power - sums he said had been independently verified. This morning we learned they werent, after a top civil servant put the record straight.

Labour are calling the PM a liar (he repeated his claim 11 times), but the Tories are standing by their figure - and say all's fair in love and campaign war.

We discuss what TV debates do for viewers' understanding of policy, and find out what voters in Leigh took away from the TV clash. Later, Richard Holden, the actual Tory chairman, seems to be vacating one seat and parachuting himself into a safer one down south. His colleagues are up in arms.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Zeynel Yuce

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: : Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

The first election debate is done. Sunak and Starmer had it out live, on television, for an hour. Did we learn anything? Jon and Emily watched from home and give their analysis. Meanwhile Lewis has been in the dreaded “spin room” in Salford, trying to parse through the politicians’ bluster. At the end of it all- will any of it make a difference?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Social Media Editor & Video Production: : Rory Symon

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

We’re in Clacton-on-Sea today. So, coincidentally, is Nigel Farage the new leader of the Reform party and prospective parliamentary candidate.

We caught up with him, with the ex-leader Richard Tice, and with their Conservative opponent Giles Whatling. We also hear from people in the town about what they make of the latest offering from Farage. Can his soap box speeches stand up to scrutiny on any single policy?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

So Nigel Farage is standing to be the Reform MP in Clacton. He’s stood before - (seven times if anyone is counting) but Clacton clearly feels to him like a pretty safe bet if he wants to be in the House of Commons for the next parliament.

What is his game plan? And does this make Tory wipeout more likely?

Later, does Kemi Badenoch understand the difference between sex and gender? She announced her new policy this morning but ended up sounding more confused than when she began.

And our official pollsters More in Common bring you an exclusive MRP (general election style) poll ... with quite a few surprises.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Keir Starmer has had one of the toughest weeks as Labour leader, and yet the polls still show electoral wipeout for the Tories - as Starmer's personal ratings improve.

Why is the tide not turning against Labour? And can the Tories do anything about it?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Social Media Editor: Rory Symon

Video Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Lewis and Jon answer your questions on the Tory leadership, private schools, and downing pints. Plus much more.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon & Arvind Badewal

Production: Abigail Brierley

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

This week on The Sports Agents,

UK cyclist Lizzy Banks joined Gabby & Mark in the studio, following her 10-month battle with UK Anti-Doping, for an insight into what actually happens when you fail a drugs test and the reality of trying to live as a 'clean' athlete under the current rules.

The youngest executive in English football history, and current West Ham Director, Jack Sullivan, joined us later in the week to to help us find out how the big calls, like replacing the head coach, or voting on whether or not to scrap VAR, are actually made at Premier League clubs.

Just scroll back through The Sports Agents feed to listen to these interviews in full. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

Trump is found guilty in New York.

Just before 5pm on Thursday New York time the airwaves started cracking with news of an imminent verdict. Twenty minutes later the jury in a Manhattan court returned. And pronounced Donald Trump guilty on each one of the 34 counts.

Donald Trump can still run for president. So in one respect this may change nothing.

But let’s not let this moment of history escape - a former and possible future president who is now a convicted felon. What happens to his freedom, his vote and his temper now? And how should the Democrats play it?

Editor: Gabriel Radus

Video Production: Rory Symon

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents USA"!

The News Agents USA is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

Find our store here: https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Sir Keir Starmer is on a warpath. But not against the Tories but his own side. At least, what is nominally his own side.

Starmer has poured petrol on the fire of the Diane Abbott imbroglio by deselecting several of his own left-wing candidates and MPs. Why is Starmer engaging in bloodletting in the middle of a general election campaign? Jon and Lewis discuss a party addicted to civil war.

And we’re joined by the playwright of the moment, Jez Butterworth to discuss theatre, working with Harvey Weinstein, Baby Reindeer and his latest show, The Hills of California.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Production: Abigail Brierley

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Video Production: Rory Symon & Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

It's day two of the Diane Abbott fiasco and the Labour party look no closer to getting to grips with the situation.

Keir Starmer insists that no decision has been made on Abbott, but she says she's been banned from standing. How damaging could this be for the Labour campaign? And how has Starmer allowed it to dominate the headlines for the past 48 hours?

Later, we discuss Nigel Farage's role in the campaign so far, and ask why he's getting so much airtime and being treated like he's a party leader.

And we speak to The News Agents' official polling partner for the general election, More in Common, on whether the Tory proposed policy of National Service is actually a lot more popular than you first might think.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Video Production: Rory Symon & Arvind Badewal

Production: Abigail Brierley

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Rishi Sunak has had a gaffe-filled weekend amidst new policy announcements over the triple lock and compulsory National Service. Lib Dem leader Ed Davey has fallen into a 'sewage-stricken' lake whilst paddleboarding. It's only day 5 of the general election campaign, and it already feels like the campaign teams can't get away from awkward videos and uncomfortable photos. Why are the campaigns off to such a strange start?

The two leaders have agreed to debate each other next week, as per The Telegraph.

And when will Labour decide what to do with Diane Abbott?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Production: Abigail Brierley

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Video Production: Shane Fennelly, Rory Symon & Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

The News Agents has new episodes every Sunday as we run-up to July 4th's UK General Election.

We react as Lewis speaks to Home Secretary James Cleverly about why the Conservatives now want to introduce national service for every UK teenager, and we discuss whether election coverage provides a disproportionately large platform to minor parties with fringe views.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon & Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

James O'Brien joins us in The News Agents bunker to talk all things client journalism, talk radio, and whether he'll be as harsh on Labour as he has been this Conservative government, should Starmer win July's election.

A final hurrah from... Laura FitzPatrick

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

This week on The Sports Agents,

We brought you an exclusive interview between The News Agents' own Jon Sopel and the Arsenal and Ukraine defender Oleksandr Zinchenko - who reflected Arsenal's season and waning support for the war.

A special insight into how world title fights are actually scored from the referee at the centre of what was described as the 'biggest robbery in boxing history'.

Gabby & Mark then sat down with the Football League Chairman Rick Parry to discuss the widening gulf between the Premier League and The Championship, ahead of this weekend's Play-Off final.

Plus, reaction to Gareth Southgate's provisional squad for this summer's Euros with Joe Cole and much more...

New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.