Is Starmer’s leadership on the line?

Is Starmer’s leadership on the line?

Author: Financial Times November 14, 2025 Duration: 32:09

It has been a whirlwind week in Westminster with the BBC in crisis and a supposed challenge to the prime minister’s leadership. So, was there a putative coup from within Keir Starmer’s own cabinet? Is there a “toxic culture” in Downing Street? Plus: the panel’s take on the runners and riders for the top job at the national broadcaster. Host George Parker is joined by Anna Gross, Stephen Bush and Jim Pickard to discuss. 


This episode was recorded before the FT broke the story about the chancellor scrapping proposals to raise income tax. Read the article here:

Starmer and Reeves drop proposal to increase income tax rates in Budget  


Plus, stay tuned for our panel discussion next week ahead of the Budget on November 26. 


Follow George @georgewparker.bsky.social; Jim @pickardje.bsky.social and Stephen @stephenkb.bsky.social


Want more?  


Self-inflicted leadership crisis unites factions against Starmer 


‘He’s played a blinder’: How Wes Streeting won the week


Brain-dead Labour retreats to its comfort zone: campaigning


Who will be the next director-general of the BBC?


And sign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek analysis. Get 30 days free.


Plus, the FT is hosting a live webinar on November 28 on what the UK Budget will mean for your money. You can put questions to FT journalists Claer Barrett, Stuart Kirk, Tej Parikh and special guest, tax expert Dan Neidle. Get your pass now at ft.com/budgetwebinar


Our email address is politicalfix@ft.com


Political Fix was presented by George Parker and produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Original music by Breen Turner, mix by Odinn Ingibergsson. The video engineers are Petros Gioumpasis and Andrew Georgiades. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Manuela Saragosa.


Clip from BBC


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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