Farage against the machine

Farage against the machine

Author: Financial Times February 20, 2026 Duration: 36:59

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage unveiled his ‘shadow cabinet’ at a glitzy event in London this week, with a newly bespectacled Robert Jenrick announced as ‘shadow chancellor’. The event was a hit with Reform’s supporters in the room – but can the party appeal to a broader base?


One clue as to Reform’s prospects: the by-election next week in Gorton and Denton. The Manchester seat – where Reform, Labour and the Greens are all vying for victory – is a crucial bellwether. 


Host Lucy Fisher is joined by FT political correspondent Anna Gross, UK chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley, and columnist and writer of the Inside Politics newsletter Stephen Bush.


Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher and @lucyfisher.ft.com; Robert @robertshrimsley.bsky.social Stephen @stephenkb and @stephenkb.bsky.social; Anna @AnnaSophieGross and anna.gross@ft.com 


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Political Fix is presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Audio mix by Sean McGarrity. Original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. 


Our email address is politicalfix@ft.com


Clips from Reform UK and the Independent


Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com


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Every Friday, the team behind Political Fix gathers to make sense of the week's political turbulence. This isn't just a recap of headlines; it's a deep, often lively conversation that pulls back the curtain on how decisions are really made in Westminster and beyond. You'll hear from the Financial Times journalists who are actually there, in the corridors and committee rooms, paired with expert voices who provide crucial context. Together, they untangle complex policy debates, analyse the shifting alliances, and question the strategies defining Britain's future. The result is a clear-eyed, authoritative look at the forces shaping the nation, delivered with the FT's signature rigor and insight. Tuning into this podcast feels like gaining access to a private briefing, one that prioritizes substance over noise. It’s for anyone who wants to move past the soundbites and understand the real stories and personalities driving the political agenda. New episodes arrive weekly, offering a consistent and essential perspective on a landscape that never stops moving.
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