Why is the Labour party in such a mess?

Why is the Labour party in such a mess?

Author: The Guardian November 12, 2025 Duration: 35:30
John Harris is joined by Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey as an attempt to halt leadership manoeuvres against Keir Starmer has spectacularly backfired and put Starmer’s potential rival Wes Streeting on the front foot. Plus, the BBC is in crisis again – but this time it involves a $1bn lawsuit filed by Donald Trump. Jane Martinson, the former head of media at the Guardian, discusses the future of the BBC. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politicspod">theguardian.com/politicspod</a>

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.
Author: Language: en-gb Episodes: 100

Politics Weekly UK
Podcast Episodes
Can the BBC survive this crisis? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:00
Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss the resignations of the BBC’s director general, Tim Davie, and its head of news, Deborah Turness. Plus, the growing unease within Labour about Keir Starmer’s leadership and what MPs…
Nicola Sturgeon on leadership, scandal and trolling the trolls [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:37
In a special, bonus episode of Politics Weekly, Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey sit down with Scotland’s former first minister Nicola Sturgeon for a frank conversation about her time in office and the future of nationalist…
What does Faragenomics look like? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:13
Nigel Farage promised to set out his fiscal stall in a major speech in the City of London, but what did he actually say? Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss Farage’s retreat from its election promise to cut £90bn of ta…
The budget, the black hole and the Brexit blame game [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:53
Rachel Reeves is facing difficult choices before her second budget next month and has been busy preparing the ground. In a significant shift in the government’s narrative, Reeves has – at last – stressed the long-term da…
Trump’s fragile ceasefire plan: what next for Gaza? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:46
As the Gaza ceasefire continues to hold, what road lies ahead in the peace process? John Harris speaks to the Guardian’s diplomatic editor, Patrick Wintour. Plus, what is at the heart of the Chinese spying case row? Why…
Gaza ceasefire: what is the UK’s role? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:17
All eyes are on the Middle East where there have been emotional scenes in Israel as hostages were released, while tens of thousands of Palestinians are able to return to the ruins of their homes in Gaza. As global leader…