Is this the election that makes Nigel Farage unstoppable?

Is this the election that makes Nigel Farage unstoppable?

Author: Sky News April 17, 2026 Duration: 50:13

Are voters about to hand Nigel Farage his biggest win yet? Reform are polling in second place in Scotland, and while Farage’s party might not win in May, could the result change politics in the UK as we know it?

This podcast was recorded on Thursday morning before the news that Peter Mandelson failed his security vetting.

Beth, Ruth and Harriet dive into what’s really driving this moment for Reform and whether it’s a protest vote against Scottish independence or something more permanent. And Beth reports back on her trip north of the border with Farage this week, which is part of a series of interviews she is conducting with all the leaders.

Plus, pollster Luke Tryl from More in Common is back with a focus group of voters to help us understand what could happen across the board in the May elections and what it means for Labour, the Conservatives, and the future of two-party politics.

For a list of all candidates standing in your area, check the Electoral Commission website: https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/your-election-information

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


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 Starmer still a player in Trump’s world? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:49
“We feel bullied” - former Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt joins Beth, Harriet, and Ruth on this week’s Electoral Dysfunction, as Denmark finds itself at the centre of a growing international crisis over Gre…
The vote that fractured politics | 10 Years of Brexit Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:32
This is the first episode of our two-part New Year special. Ten years on from the referendum that rewired British politics, Beth, Ruth and Harriet are joined by one of the architects of Brexit, Michael Gove, to rewind th…
Which Prime Minister had the worst Christmas? | Q&A [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:28
Put down the eggnog and stop the washing up because it’s a Merry Christmas from Electoral Dysfunction as Beth, Harriet and Ruth answer your questions.They’re joined by special guests including the Dish podcast’s Nick Gri…
How do you raise boys in a culture of misogyny? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:36
Do we have a cultural problem when it comes to teaching boys about sexual violence? The Labour government certainly thinks so with its new strategy.Home Office minister and former podcaster Jess Phillips tells Beth in th…
Does Starmer need his mates more than ever? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:45
Westminster is restless, and the team are digging into why. Beth, Ruth and Harriet discuss the growing unease inside Labour, as somebody new joins the cabinet table. We also go over the damning findings of Baroness Amos'…
Did Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves mislead us? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:32
The chancellor is being accused of "lying" over what she knew and when ahead of her budget – so did Rachel Reeves and Sir Keir Starmer actually mislead the public? Beth walks us through a detailed timeline of the OBR for…
Is the government gaslighting us over tax rises? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:13
With all the speculation, it was always going to be a big one, but Rachel Reeves's second budget turned into a political earthquake before she even stood up at the dispatch box.In this bumper budget special, Beth, Ruth a…
Shabana Mahmood – the new Margaret Thatcher? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:17
The home secretary is going hard on immigration and she's taking a lot of people with her, not least Kemi Badenoch and the Reform party.Shabana Mahmood is using her identity – as a British Asian Muslim – to prove why she…