Keir Starmer's Mandelson Scandal

Keir Starmer's Mandelson Scandal

Author: Institute for Government February 6, 2026 Duration: 32:45
The revelations about what contact Peter Mandelson had with Jeffrey Epstein, what the government knew, and what it did or is now doing about it is the story that is dominating Westminster. The FT’s Jim Pickard joins the podcast team to look back at an explosive week in UK politics, and the serious questions being asked about Starmer’s judgement, the vetting process, and the ability to eject unfit members from the Lords – from which Peter Mandelson is on a voluntary leave of absence.   Presented by Hannah White. With Alex Thomas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Inside Briefing with the Institute for Government picks up the conversation where the headlines leave off. With a new Labour administration in place after fourteen years, the sheer scale of its agenda comes into sharp focus. This podcast, from the Institute for Government, digs into the practical realities of governing. Each episode moves beyond the political rhetoric to examine how policies are actually made and implemented, exploring the pressures on public services and the civil service tasked with delivering change. We consider the government's ambitious missions and whether ideas like leveraging AI or fostering a new culture can genuinely "rewire" the state to meet complex challenges. The discussions aim to identify where government is functioning effectively and, just as importantly, where the obstacles lie. By speaking with experts, analysts, and those with firsthand experience, the series provides a clear-eyed look at the mechanics of power and the ongoing effort to turn political goals into tangible results. It’s for anyone curious about the forces that shape our public institutions and the day-to-day work of making government happen.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Inside Briefing with the Institute for Government
Podcast Episodes
STARMER LAYS DOWN THE RULES [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:07
Partygate, revolving doors, freebiegate and cash for questions... stories about misbehaviour in public life are never far away, and this week the government has set out new plans for toughening up the rules. Doug Chalmer…
The scandal and the superinjunction [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:59
The Afghan data leak – and the unprecedented superinjunction which followed – has dominated the week in Westminster. The FT’s Lucy Fisher – whose reporting has led coverage of the story – joins the podcast team to discus…
Starmer and Macron: Le Spécial Relationship? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:46
The Prime Minister has racked up the visits, tours and summits over the last year, but this week he turned host and invited President Macron for a state visit. Former Europe minister David Lidington joins the podcast tea…
Ending in tears: Labour’s first year in government [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:11
It is one year since the general election brought Labour back to government and since Keir Starmer walked into Number 10. Instead of a smooth anniversary, the government has been forced to confront a major parliamentary…
Starmer vs the Labour rebels [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:23
The government’s controversial plans to cut the welfare budget have caused serious disquiet on the Labour benches. Luke Sullivan, former political director to Keir Starmer, joins the IfG podcast to explore how serious a…
What do the Nolan Principles mean today?   [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:26
To conclude the IfG’s conference on the Nolan Principles, our panel will discuss the impact of the Nolan Principles in public life today. How have they changed the standards landscape in the UK? What do the public think…
Iran-Israel conflict: Will Trump (and Starmer) go to war? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:49
With conflict in the Middle East is dominating the headlines, the New Statesman’s Rachel Cunliffe joins the podcast team to explore Keir Starmer’s attempts to influence Donald Trump and ask whether the UK has a role to p…
The morning after the Spending Review before [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:59
It’s the morning after one of (perhaps the) most significant days in this government’s lifetime to date. Gideon Skinner of IPSOS joins the podcast team to weigh up what Rachel Reeves’ Spending Review told us about the go…
What choices did the government make in the 2025 spending review? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:01
Join IfG experts for instant analysis of the 2025 spending review – a critical moment for Keir Starmer’s government. Were the spending allocations sufficient to improve public services, deliver growth and make progress o…
In conversation with Jeremy Hunt MP: Britain's place in the world [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:13
Britain has been through a difficult period since the global financial crisis, leading many to conclude the country is doomed to inevitable decline. But Jeremy Hunt, who was at the top of government as both Foreign Secre…