Keir Starmer finds himself in office without power

Keir Starmer finds himself in office without power

Author: The Irish Times May 15, 2026 Duration: 49:09

Jack Horgan-Jones and Mark Paul join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics:


·       The findings of the Irish Times and TG4 by Ipsos B&A poll throws up some interesting permutations for the Dublin Central byelection. Sinn Féin’s Janice Boylan leads the first preference vote at 21 per cent, Daniel Ennis of the Social Democrats is in second place on 18 per cent, but as Jack explains, ‘second preference intention’ could be vital for both.


·       It is now a question of when and not if for Keir Starmer after disastrous local and parliamentary election results prompted a slew of Labour MPs to call on the prime minister to resign. A defiant speech on Monday did little to inspire party members as Starmer vowed to fight any leadership challenge. Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has been given a route to challenge Starmer following Josh Simons’ decision to step down as MP for Makerfield.



·       And speaking to The Irish Times on Wednesday, former taoiseach Bertie Ahern addressed his recent comments on immigration, made while out on a canvass last week in Dublin Central. And while no apology was forthcoming, he did point out that he had “no problem with people from the Congo or Africa or anywhere else. I’ve good friends around Drumcondra, there’s a lot of the clergy in from Africa.” Could this controversy overshadow Fianna Fáil’s Ard Fheis taking place today and tomorrow as the party marks its 100th year in existence?


Plus, the panel picks their favourite Irish Times pieces of the week:


·       One Dublin mother’s 14-year wait for a bigger council house, the challenges for Ireland of a Reform-led UK government, and how difficult it has become for Irish diaspora to return home.

Would you like to receive daily insights into world events delivered to your inbox? Sign up for Denis Staunton's Global Briefing newsletter here: irishtimes.com/newsletters/global-briefing/


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Each week, Irish Times Inside Politics cuts through the noise to bring clarity to the forces shaping Ireland. Guided by host Hugh Linehan, the conversations here go beyond the headlines, offering a deeper, more considered understanding of the political landscape. You’ll hear from the newspaper’s own journalists, who provide grounded insight from the front lines, alongside a range of independent political thinkers and analysts. Occasionally, politicians themselves join the discussion, offering their perspective directly. The result is a nuanced and thoughtful examination of power, policy, and public life that values context over quick reactions. This isn't about partisan soundbites; it's about unpacking the how and why behind the day's debates and long-term shifts. For anyone looking to move past surface-level reporting and grasp the real stories unfolding in Leinster House and beyond, this podcast serves as an essential weekly briefing. The Irish Times brings its tradition of thorough journalism to the audio format, creating a space for analysis that is both accessible and substantive. Tune in for a consistently informed and engaging take on the issues that define the nation's future.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Irish Times Inside Politics
Podcast Episodes
What's the best way to make Ireland more equal? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:44
Left-leaning think-tank Tasc has published a new report to mark its 25th year. the report (The State We Are In - Inequality in Ireland 2026) suggests that the redistribution of wealth via the tax system is struggling to…
Why has Occupied Territories legislation taken so long? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:34
Inside Politics Live is coming to Cork on September 30th. Get your tickets here.Pat Leahy and Harry McGee join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics:Green leader Roderic O'Gorman has proposed a one-off €2.5bn…
P aul Mason on communism, China and the crisis of the left [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:57
British journalist Paul Mason talks to Hugh about his new book Reds: A Global History of Communism.The book traces communism’s story from early human egalitarian impulses to modern China’s controlled capitalist system. M…
What will President Connolly say to president Trump? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:30
Inside Politics Live is coming to Cork on September 30th. Get your tickets here.Pat Leahy and Cormac McQuinn join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics:Labour’s annual think-in is happening in Galway and Pat…
Where next for Simon, Micheál and Mary Lou? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:48
Hugh, Pat, Ellen and Jack took to the stage at Electric Picnic on Saturday to discuss politics and take some uestions from the audience. They discussed UK prime minister Andy Burnham's controversial comments on the possi…