logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2022
32m 20s

The Spin Doctor Will See You Now

BBC News
About this episode

Two former communications directors, for both Labour and Conservative governments, say they would struggle to spin their way out of the situation Liz Truss is in.

Alastair Campbell, who worked for Tony Blair, says Tory MPs are telling him they want her to go. And Craig Oliver, who worked for David Cameron, says it’s possible she won’t be prime minister at Christmas.

Also, Marianna Spring, Americast host and disinformation and social media correspondent, gives us an update on her investigation into what US voters are being fed in their social media feeds ahead of elections.

This episode of Newscast is presented by the BBC’s political editor Chris Mason and political correspondent Alex Forsyth.

It was made by Chris Flynn and Danny Wittenberg. The assistant editor is Alison Gee. The editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Up next
Oct 8
Conservative Conference: Kemi Badenoch’s Career Saving Speech?
Today, Kemi Badenoch gave a speech at the Conservative party conference. Adam, Chris, and Henry Zeffman were listening and give their immediate reaction.She announced a flurry of new policies, including abolishing stamp duty and introducing a fiscal “golden rule”. Did she manage ... Show More
34m 30s
Oct 7
Conservative Conference: “It’s Tough Being A Tory”
Today, how much political danger are the Conservative party in?Adam and Chris are at Conservative party conference in Manchester where some comments from shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick have dominated the headlines. In a recording reportedly made during a dinner and publi ... Show More
38m 39s
Oct 6
Will Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan Work?
Today, negotiators from Israel and Hamas head to Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt to start indirect talks over an end to the Israel-Gaza war. It appears this is the closest both sides have come to a deal since the war began two years ago. But Donald Trump's 20-point peace plan - which Is ... Show More
37m 28s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2023
David Cameron In, Suella Braverman Out
This morning on the Today programme the news of the sacking Suella Braverman broke and we heard the surprise announcement that former Prime Minister David Cameron would be the Foreign Secretary. In this emergency episode of The Today Podcast Amol and Nick discuss Rishi Sunak’s re ... Show More
33m 52s
Feb 2023
When Access All took over Newscast
Nikki Fox and Emma Tracey, who are standing in for Adam, speak to actor and SNP member Brian Cox about Nicola Sturgeon’s departure, and who he would like to see in charge of the party.And as Rishi Sunak travels to Belfast to discuss the Northern Ireland Protocol, they get the lat ... Show More
33m 4s
Jun 2024
Can Rupert Murdoch still decide how Britain votes?
Murdoch's Sun newspaper backing used to be 'a moment' in every UK general election campaign. Famously backing Blair in 97. Switching allegiance to Cameron over Brown in 2010. But this time around we have heard practically nothing. Is that because Murdoch hasn't made his mind up? ... Show More
27m 40s
Nov 2023
Trump’s Poll Position
As votes from Election Day 2023 were tallied up this week, wins for Democrats may have given a preview into next year’s presidential election. But new polls seem to point towards a rocky road to re-election for President Joe Biden. It’s not all good news for Trump, though. He and ... Show More
34m 9s
May 2024
Beth Rigby interviews Labour’s Angela Rayner
Labour's Angela Rayner speaks to Sky News’ political editor Beth Rigby in an extended interview for the Daily podcast. The party’s deputy leader says that she believes Diane Abbott should be able to stand as an MP - and she denied leader Sir Keir Starmer was acting "in a factiona ... Show More
22m 46s
Dec 2023
News Review of the Year
Amol and Nick review the year in news, featuring the biggest moments and their favourite interviews from the Today programme in 2023. They’re joined by some familiar voices including Chris Mason, Martha Kearney and friend of the pod, statistician Prof Sir David Spiegelhalter. Wit ... Show More
51m 22s
Jan 2024
Is democracy dying?
Why are younger voters around the world turning their back on democracy in favour of strongman leaders who are prepared to defy parliaments?In a year when more than two billion people in 50 countries will go to the polls – the biggest global election year in history – Amol and Ni ... Show More
47m 54s
Feb 2024
Will Young: popstar to politician? Plus Westminster ceasefire row
Nish and guest co-presenter Liz Bates set the scene on what went on to become a chaotic night  in the Commons, that put speaker Lindsay Hoyle’s job at risk. They call out the “pathetic and petty” political game playing that sought to use the suffering of people in Gaza to embarra ... Show More
56m 22s
Feb 2024
‘Where globalism goes to die’: inside the US right at CPAC
It’s billed as the most influential gathering of conservatives in the world: CPAC, or the Conservative Political Action Conference. In the past, it’s brought US Republican leaders together with activists on the right. In recent years, though, it’s catered to one particular leader ... Show More
23m 1s
Feb 2024
The Post Office scandal - more trouble on the Horizon?
The former chair of the Post Office, Henry Staunton, who was dismissed last month, claims he was told by a top civil servant to "hobble into the election" and delay payouts to sub-postmasters, in a newly released memo. But Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch told MPs there's "no evi ... Show More
22m 46s