Farage wins… and donation probe resumes

Farage wins… and donation probe resumes

Author: Financial Times August 14, 2026 Duration: 39:51

Nigel Farage has comfortably won back his Clacton seat but with the investigation into his finances now back on, what, if anything, has been gained by this by-election gamble? And with the Reform UK leader absenting himself from the count, and his ratings falling, we ask whether the party is losing momentum. Plus, just weeks into being prime minister, Andy Burnham is facing his first challenges. Can he keep on the front foot with his cost of living drive and tour of the nation? Host Lucy Fisher is joined by FT political editor George Parker and political correspondent Anna Gross.


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Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.com; Anna, @AnnaSophieGross and George @GeorgeWParker and @georgewparker.bsky.social;



Want more?  

Investigation into Nigel Farage resumes after he wins Clacton by-election

Farage won in Clacton. But there are bigger tests to come

Why Andy Burnham could be tempted by an early election gamble

Starmer allies warn John Healey against blowing ‘strong’ economic inheritance 

Burnham urges retailers to stop selling disposable barbecues amid wildfires



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Political Fix was presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Clare Williamson and Persis Love. Original music and audio mix by Breen Turner. Flo Phillips is the FT’s head of audio.


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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