Political Fix Live: Labour’s year in review

Political Fix Live: Labour’s year in review

Author: Financial Times December 12, 2025 Duration: 38:01

It’s been another turbulent year in politics. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has faced down rebellions from within his own party, overseen scandals and sackings, and delivered a constant barrage of bad news from health and housing to small boats and the Budget. He’s fared a little better on the world stage – with successful state visits, securing a comparatively competitive trade deal with Trump, as well as a tentative rapprochement with Europe. But with every international success, Starmer’s standing domestically seems to diminish: he ends the year, on some measures, as the most unpopular PM ever. 


In this special live episode of Political Fix, host George Parker is joined by Anna Gross, Stephen Bush and Chris Giles to analyse how the Labour party got here – and where it goes next. 


Follow George on @georgewparker.bsky.social; Stephen on @stephenkb.bsky.social; and Chris on @chrisgiles.ft.com 


Political Fix has been nominated for a People’s Choice Award at the Political Podcast Awards. Vote for us here.


Want more? Free links:    

 

Return to EU customs union would ‘unravel’ UK trade deals, Starmer warns 


Inside Politics: Neither Keir Starmer nor Kemi Badenoch wants to reverse Brexit


Nigel Farage rejects allegations of teenage racist abuse 


Wes Streeting calls for better ‘storytelling’ from Starmer’s ‘technocratic’ government


Chris Giles: Why UK borrowing costs are so high 


George and Anna’s FT scoop on Labour’s tax U-turn


Sign up to Stephen's morning newsletter Inside Politics here, and to Chris’ newsletter on Central Banks here


Presented by George Parker, and produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. Our broadcast engineers this week were Bianca Wakeman, Petros Gioumpasis and Andrew Georgiades. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Manuela Saragosa. 


What did you think of this episode? Let us know at politicalfix@ft.com  


Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com


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


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.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Political Fix
Podcast Episodes
Trump’s trade war: trouble ahead for Britain [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:19
Donald Trump has shaken up the global economy with his seismic new tariffs this week. UK exports to the US will now face a 10 per cent levy – less than many other countries, but still a major headache for Britain’s fragi…
Doom, gloom and not much headroom: Spring Statement [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:13
Rachel Reeves was forced to slash spending to balance the books in her Spring Statement this week. Welfare spending will be cut more deeply than initially trailed, prompting warnings that 250,000 people — a fifth of them…
Austerity redux? Spring Statement lookahead [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:44
It’s crunch time for chancellor Rachel Reeves next Wednesday, when she will present her Spring Statement to parliament. Downgraded growth forecasts and deep spending cuts to unprotected departments loom. Host Lucy Fisher…
Starmer’s ‘Project Chainsaw’: the NHS, Whitehall, welfare [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:22
“The world’s largest quango is scrapped” – that’s how the government framed the abolition of the NHS management body this week. It was the latest target in Sir Keir Starmer’s so-called ‘Project Chainsaw’, his plan to str…
Will Starmer sink or swim in Trump’s world? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:35
Sir Keir Starmer has won plaudits from across the political spectrum for his handling of the rapidly growing rift between the US, Europe and Ukraine – but can the UK prime minister sustain this diplomatic balancing act?…
The Starmer-Trump love-in [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:57
Donald Trump showered praise on Keir Starmer during the UK prime minister’s visit to the White House this week, describing him as ‘special’, a ‘beautiful man’ and a ‘tough negotiator’. Host Lucy Fisher speaks to George P…
‘America is now an adversary’ [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:31
The future of Ukraine and the defence of Europe will dominate when Keir Starmer jets out to the White House for talks with Donald Trump next week. Can the UK prime minister help save 80 years of Pax Americana? Or is the…
The right to die: who should have the final say? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:06
The bitter and emotional wrangling over the assisted dying bill reached new heights in parliament this week, following proposed changes to a key safeguard. Is it a sensible efficiency to remove the need for a High Court…
Trump and Reform: Is US-style populism set to sweep the UK? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:06
Donald Trump has stunned the world with a raft of extraordinary interventions this week, prompting Keir Starmer to keep his head down. But what happens when it’s Britain’s turn in the new US administration’s headlights?…
Growth – and damn the consequences? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:37
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has sought to place rocket-boosters under the UK economy this week – with a vow to prioritise growth over the environment or nimbyism. But how long will her plan take to work, is it too concentra…