Starmer's superpower: soft power?

Starmer's superpower: soft power?

Author: Financial Times August 15, 2025 Duration: 27:53

Maga arrived in Chipping Norton this week, heralding an intense round of British diplomacy ahead of the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska on Friday. Ukraine is top of the agenda and both Prime Minister Keir Starmer and foreign secretary David Lammy have been doing their bit liaising between US vice-president JD Vance and President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and several European leaders. In this week’s episode, host George Parker is joined by Europe editor Ben Hall and Whitehall editor David Sheppard to discuss how the UK is playing its hand on the global stage and the role of soft power in its negotiations. 


The FT Weekend Festival returns for our 10th edition on Saturday September 6 at Kenwood House Gardens in London. Get details and tickets here


Follow George on Bluesky or X: @georgewparker.bsky.social, @GeorgeWParker; Ben Hall @hallbenjamin and David Sheppard @OilSheppard


Want to get in touch? Email politicalfix@ft.com  


Want more? Free links:   


Putin hails Trump’s ‘energetic and sincere’ efforts to end Ukraine war

Zelenskyy faces his ‘moment of maximum pressure’

JD Vance to meet Reform’s Nigel Farage after talks with Tory MP Robert Jenrick

George Osborne arranged Cotswolds holiday for JD Vance

How the Bayeux Tapestry became a tool of soft power


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CLIPS: Manchester Evening News


Presented by George Parker, and produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Original music and mix by Breen Turner.


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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