logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2023
45m 28s

How to U-turn and get away with it

POLITICO
About this episode
Host Aggie Chambre explores the best and worst political U-turns of recent times — and ponders how and why certain politicians get away with abrupt changes of heart. Former Lib Dem Cabinet Minister David Laws recalls the tuition fee furor that sunk his party, while former Downing Street chief of staff Fiona Hill discusses Theresa May's swiftly-abandoned 'Dem ... Show More
Up next
Jun 14
Andy Burnham: the man who wants to be PM
In a bonus episode of Westminster Insider, host Sascha O’Sullivan sits down with Jack Blanchard to find out who is the real Andy Burnham. Jack talks through the journey Burnham has made from loyal minister in the new Labour years to the man he is today — and the most pivotal mome ... Show More
23m 33s
Jun 12
What's the point of political protests?
Climate change, Palestine, Brexit, the Iraq War. Westminster has seen it all when it comes to protests, and the inhabitants of Parliament are largely desensitised to the angry cries at the gates. This week on Westminster Insider host Sascha O'Sullivan asks: what's the point of ma ... Show More
40m 57s
Jun 5
The Brexit Referendum: Ten years on
Ten years — and six prime ministers — ago Britain was on the brink of voting to leave the European Union. Host Patrick Baker was in his first job as a TV news producer during the referendum campaign. A decade on, he’s gone back to the people who lived through its biggest moments ... Show More
40m 48s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2022
What caused the turmoil in British politics?
After the resignation of Liz Truss the UK will soon have its third prime minister this year. Britain has long been considered a politically stable nation. So has something changed? The governing Conservative Party is divided on many issues, including the country’s future directio ... Show More
49m 11s
Jan 2024
Who’s behind the Tory plots?
<p>The FT’s Whitehall Editor Lucy Fisher is joined by the FT’s George Parker and Robert Shrimsley to lift the veil on the Tory party plots against the prime minister. As rightwingers prepare to launch the new Popular Conservatives (PopCons) group and the demand for a new directio ... Show More
31m 6s
Jan 2024
A Return To Stormont: DUP Ends Boycott of Northern Ireland's Government
The Democratic Unionist Party has agreed to end its boycott of Northern Ireland's power-sharing assembly, concluding two years of post-Brexit paralysis. Our reporter Olivia Fletcher joins us from Belfast on the latest deliberations. Plus: Reg Empey, former leader of the Ulster Un ... Show More
25m 11s
Feb 2022
Resetting the Boris Johnson government
<p>We examine the abrupt departure of Met Police commissioner Cressida Dick, what it means for the police investigation into the “partygate” scandal and how it plays into Boris Johnson’s hopes of resetting his government. We also look at the mini Cabinet reshuffle and the new No1 ... Show More
35m 37s
Jun 2024
Election ’24 Update – Stella Creasy on Labour’s tightrope walk
In our latest Election update: If Labour are set for a massive majority, why are they still so cautious on policy? Labour’s Stella Creasy tells Andrew Harrison why the party refuses to over-promise – why Starmer won’t talk about rejoining the EU – where she stands on the controve ... Show More
48m 30s
Mar 2024
Labour’s worst nightmare?
<p>Veteran agitator George Galloway is returning to parliament after storming a divisive by-election in Rochdale. He claims his victory puts “scores” of other Labour seats at risk. Lucy Fisher is joined by FT colleagues George Parker, Robert Shrimsley and Jim Pickard to analyse t ... Show More
29m 18s
Oct 2023
Labour’s historic by-election wins
<p>The UK's Labour party has pulled off two stunning by-election victories. The FT’s Lucy Fisher is joined by colleagues Miranda Green, Jim Pickard and Stephen Bush to discuss whether Keir Starmer’s party is now on track for a 1997-style landslide, and what the Tories’ dismal res ... Show More
32m 12s
Sep 2023
Cancelling HS2 and GB News + Lib Dem Layla Moran
The Conservative Party heads to Manchester for its Conference as rumours swirl that Rishi Sunak is going to axe the Birmingham to Manchester leg of the HS2 high speed rail line that was supposed to unlock the potential of The North - a bit awkward then! Coco and her special guest ... Show More
55m 32s
May 2021
Elections ’21: Nothing Breaks Like A Hartlepool
On the eve of what looks like a not-great election day for everyone who isn’t Boris Johnson, the SNP, a Labour metro mayor or Count Binface, are we witnessing the final mopping up of the 2019 General Election? The Independent’s sketchwriter TOM PECK joins us for Election Doomwatc ... Show More
55m 55s