Q&A: more pain for Starmer but 'No more Mr. Nice Guy' for Iran

Q&A: more pain for Starmer but 'No more Mr. Nice Guy' for Iran

Author: The Times April 30, 2026 Duration: 29:09

Sir Keir Starmer has dodged a bullet on the Mandelson vetting scandal but did he expend too much political capital in the process? With local elections around the corner he’s not out of the woods yet, so what can we expect from next week's results? And more than 60 days into the Iran war, Trump has proclaimed there's 'No more Mr. Nice Guy' - so are we about to see renewed military action from the USA? Hosts Manveen Rana and Luke Jones are here to answer your questions in our monthly Q&A.


This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory


Hosts: Manveen Rana and Luke Jones. 

Guest: Aubrey Allegretti, chief political correspondent, The Times.

Producers: Olivia Case and Callum Martin.


We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Read more: Iran war latest: Trump warns Tehran ‘No more Mr Nice Guy’ in Truth Social post

Further listening: ‘The punishment election’: Is Labour facing a bloodbath in Wales?

Clips: The Independent, Sky. 

Image: @realDonaldTrump / Truth Social

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.


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


Each morning, The Story arrives with a clear purpose: to move beyond the headlines and explore the forces and people shaping our world. Guided by the experienced reporting of Manveen Rana and Luke Jones, this daily podcast from The Times delves into the most significant political developments and news events with a level of depth and context that only their global network of journalists can provide. You’ll hear more than just summaries; you’ll get a nuanced understanding of why a story matters, who it impacts, and what might happen next. The analysis is sharp and the storytelling is compelling, designed to fit into your morning routine seven days a week. It’s a direct line to the frontline reporting and editorial expertise of one of the world’s most respected news organizations. This consistent, in-depth approach makes the podcast a reliable resource for anyone looking to truly comprehend the day’s events. Supported by readers of The Times and The Sunday Times, the production maintains a commitment to journalistic integrity and thorough exploration, ensuring every episode provides substance and clarity.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 108

The Story
Podcast Episodes
Why AI is making us stupid and what we can do about it [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:48
Students are getting AI to write their essays and it’s hard to spot the difference. Professor Niall Ferguson says AI is bad for our brains, but he has a plan to save education.This podcast was brought to you thanks to th…
The NHS and the changing room trans row [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:19
Sandie Peggie vs NHS Fife, the employment tribunal that gripped the nation last February, resumed this week. It all started after nurse Sandie Peggie objected to sharing a changing room with Dr Beth Upton, who is transge…
Kill list and cover-up: how I took on the government and won [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:02
For years, the British government used a court superinjunction to conceal a data leak that could have handed the Taliban a “kill list” of innocent civilians. Times defence editor Larisa Brown describes her fight to uncov…
The downfall of Gregg Wallace [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:34
The self-styled "cheeky greengrocer" and MasterChef host has been sacked by the BBC after an inquiry substantiated dozens of complaints. So how did we get here and why is the BBC in this position again?This podcast was b…
Beauty and the tweaks: is everyone you know using fillers and Botox? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:07
New figures show the beauty industry is growing four times faster than the wider economy. The fastest growth is in beauty services and non-invasive treatments. These ‘injectables’ that freeze or fill your face are becomi…
I live with two men. Both are my ex-husbands - The Sunday story [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:17
When Kristie De Garis moved two male companions into her house in rural Scotland, her neighbours assumed they were a throuple. The truth was even more unusual: she was setting up home with her exes.This podcast was broug…
How The Populists Are Coming (From Left And Right) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:21
This week the political masterminds consider what's happening on the populist left and right, with more Tories defecting to Reform UK and talk of a new party led by Jeremy Corbyn. How small has the Conservative coalition…
What Virginia Giuffre’s diary tells us about the Epstein files [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:15
This week, the FBI investigation that Trump promised would reveal all about Jeffrey Epstein concluded there was no evidence to implicate anyone else in his abuse. But diaries from Epstein’s most prominent victim, Virgini…
Are we close to a Gaza ceasefire? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:15
With people around the world calling for a lasting peace in Gaza, Israeli PM Binyamin Netanyahu has been schmoozing US President Donald Trump. What chance is there that the two will bring an end to the bloody conflict? A…
Texas floods: could the deaths have been prevented? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:15
Over 100 people, including dozens of children, are dead after flash flooding in Texas. Could this have been avoided given a nearly identical tragedy took place in 1987? Did Trump’s cuts contribute? And what went wrong wi…