Politics Weekly UK

Politics Weekly UK

Author: The Guardian Language: English Episodes: 100
Every seven days, the whirlwind of Westminster, Holyrood, and beyond offers more headlines than anyone can easily digest. That’s where Politics Weekly UK comes in, offering a necessary pause for reflection and analysis. Hosted by Guardian columnist John Harris, the conversation is joined by the paper’s political editor Pippa Crerar and policy editor Kiran Stacey. Together, they don’t just recount the events; they pull apart the parliamentary manoeuvres, scrutinise the policy announcements, and trace the human stories behind the soundbites. You’ll hear informed debate that cuts through the noise, drawing on the deep reporting resources and editorial insight that The Guardian is known for. This isn't about partisan point-scoring, but a clearer understanding of the forces shaping the country. Tuning into this podcast provides a coherent narrative through the complexity, making sense of what just happened and what might come next. It’s an essential companion for anyone trying to look beyond the day-to-day frenzy and grasp the deeper currents in British public life.
Episodes
Has Starmer’s sacking of Olly Robbins backfired? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:08
After Keir Starmer’s statement to the Commons and gripping evidence from the sacked top civil servant Olly Robbins, Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey talk about how the story of Peter Mandelson’s vetting for his job as UK am…
Judgment day for Starmer? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:40
Keir Starmer has updated the House of Commons on what he knew, and when, in regard to Peter Mandelson’s vetting for the post of UK ambassador to the US. Was what the PM said enough to convince his party and the public th…
Is Keir Starmer ‘complacent’ on defence? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:11
Keir Starmer has hit back at Labour peer George Robertson’s criticisms about defence funding. Why has the government been slow to prioritise defence and what trade-offs is Keir Starmer willing to make in order to increas…
Hormuz, Hungary and the UK shifting closer to the EU [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:04
After 16 years in power in Hungary, Viktor Orbán has been defeated, marking a huge shift in the European Union. Meanwhile, Keir Starmer has defended potential legislation that will align the UK with European rules – with…
Trump and the Middle East: can Starmer do anything? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:16
Keir Starmer and the UK government are scrabbling to keep up with Trump’s fast-changing position on Iran and the Middle East. While a two-week ceasefire is in place, how long will it hold for? Peter Walker and Alexandra…
The Greens, Reform and the end of two-party politics? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:07
In part two of our interview, Kiran Stacey speaks to the political scientist Prof Rob Ford about the voters Labour and the Conservatives are losing to the Greens and Reform, and how May’s elections could play out. Help s…
Labour’s mistakes: is it too late to turn things around? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:56
In part one of a special two-part interview, Kiran Stacey talks to the political scientist Prof Robert Ford about Labour’s so-called ‘landslide win’, the long-lasting impact of Brexit on our politics, and the lessons tha…
How will the Iran war play at the ballot box in May? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:27
Pippa Crerar and Jessica Elgot look at how the continuing and deepening conflict in the Middle East will hit people in the UK, and how it could impact May’s elections. Plus, as parliament breaks for recess, has the assis…
Wes Streeting: ‘I don’t want to see Keir challenged in May’ [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:11
Wes Streeting gave a speech outlining his performance on the NHS and plans for the future. Was this his unofficial leadership pitch? Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey sit down with the health secretary to find out. Help supp…
Trump rows back on strait of Hormuz threat – what next? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:43
The US president has extended by five days his deadline to ‘hit and obliterate’ Iran’s power stations and energy infrastructure if Tehran does not allow shipping to move freely. Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss what…