Could Angela Rayner’s comeback rescue Labour?

Could Angela Rayner’s comeback rescue Labour?

Author: Sky News March 20, 2026 Duration: 53:36

Angela Rayner has stepped back in the spotlight this week and straight into controversy.

Her blunt intervention - warning the government is running out of time, criticising its record on “change” and calling parts of Labour’s immigration policy “un-British” - has sparked a big question: is Rayner simply saying what others are thinking, or going too far?

Harriet certainly thinks it’s a bit much. She says Rayner’s approach could be undermining the government at a critical moment just weeks out from the May elections. Beth says Rayner's tax affairs could be sorted sooner than a lot of people thought.

On the elections, Beth has been in Scotland speaking to Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar. Does he still think Starmer should resign?

Plus, what support should the government be offering to help with rising energy costs because of the war in Iran? And can we even afford it as a country?

Got a question for the burner phone? WhatsApp 07934 200 444 or email electoraldysfunction@sky.uk.

And if you didn't know, you can also watch Beth, Ruth and Harriet on YouTube.


Three formidable figures from the heart of British politics-Beth Rigby, Ruth Davidson, and Harriet Harman-sit down together each week for a conversation that cuts through the noise. This isn't a staged debate, but a frank, often surprising look behind the curtain of power. In Electoral Dysfunction, brought to you by Sky News, they apply their combined decades of frontline experience to dissect the real motives, the unspoken strategies, and the personal ambitions driving the headlines. You’ll hear them parse the language of politicians, questioning not just what is said but the meaning lurking between the lines. The core of this podcast is its unique dynamic: a blend of insider insight from across the political spectrum that identifies who is gaining ground and who, truly, is struggling with their own electoral dysfunction. It’s a masterclass in understanding the mechanics of politics, from policy to personality. Each episode feels like you’re eavesdropping on a private, knowledgeable discussion that makes sense of the week’s events in Westminster and across the country, offering clarity where there is often only confusion. For anyone trying to navigate the complexities of modern political life, this series provides an essential and deeply informed perspective.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Electoral Dysfunction
Podcast Episodes
Is it already over for Kemi Badenoch? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:10
This week, Ruth's changed her opinion about Kemi Badenoch – but it isn't any more favourable for the new Tory leader. Ruth had thought she'd get two years in the job – now she's thinking it might be less than 18 months.…
Can Love Island help Rachel Reeves? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:11
You can now watch Beth, Ruth and Harriet on YouTube! Just search for "Electoral Dysfunction".The chancellor was trying to channel Love Island when she announced her plans for growth this week.But are her new ideas actual…
Southport murders – was there a ‘cover-up’? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:59
As Axel Rudakubana is sentenced for the murder of three young girls and the attempted murder of 10 more people last year, Electoral Dysfunction reflects on how the prime minister has handled claims that authorities cover…
Welcome to Trump World: How everything is changing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:22
After "going dark" for most of the week, Beth pops up in Poland to talk world politics with Ruth and Harriet. Top security, a slow train and Russian drones are all part of the inside story of the prime minister's visit t…
Introducing...Trump 100 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:46
We just want to let you know about a new Sky News podcast which is launching next week!Trump 100 will follow the daily twists and turns of Donald Trump's first 100 days in The White House with the latest updates and anal…
The grooming gang scandal: The politicians in Elon Musk's crosshairs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:00
Beth, Harriet, and Ruth dive into the storm surrounding Elon Musk's incendiary comments about UK grooming gangs, Sir Keir Starmer, and safeguarding minister Jess Phillips. They unpack the political fallout, whether Labou…
Jess Phillips: The inside story [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:08
In this extra episode of Electoral Dysfunction, Jess Phillips sits down with Beth and reveals what she has lived through in the past few weeks. Elon Musk accused the Labour MP of being a "rape genocide apologist", puttin…
Behind the scenes of the Tory government’s fall from power - Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:38
Former Conservative cabinet ministers Penny Mordaunt and Gillian Keegan join Beth, Ruth and Harriet in the studio to take us behind the scenes of the final days of the last government. For their final podcasts of 2024, B…
Behind the scenes of the Tory government’s fall from power - Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:34
Former Conservative cabinet ministers Penny Mordaunt and Gillian Keegan join Beth, Ruth and Harriet in the studio to take us behind the scenes of the final days of the last government. For their final podcasts of 2024, B…