logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2023
36m 22s

Spads vs Civil Servants?

THE TIMES
About this episode

Has the relationship between the civil service and politicians and their advisers been permanently damaged? Matt speaks to Lord McDonald, permanent secretary at the Foreign Office until 2020, former civil servant Jill Rutter, and Hugh Bennett, former special adviser to Boris Johnson and Liz Truss. 


Plus: Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss Rishi Sunak's lack of political energy, British women's binge drinking habits, and why politicians are bunking off work more than ever before. 


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

Up next
Yesterday
Another 'Omnishambles' Budget?
<p>Rachel Reeves has told Labour MPs she'll survive Wednesday's budget, and be back for years to come. Is it set to be worse than previous budget disasters, including George Osborne's 'omnishambles' in 2012?</p><br><p>Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Ed Vaizey an ... Show More
32m 31s
Nov 24
Is the Chancellor Still In Control?
<p>It’s been a year since Rachel Reeves told the CBI she'd steer clear of extra borrowing or new tax rises. After a weekend spent defending her position, is the Chancellor really in control?</p><br><p>Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Charlotte Ivers ... Show More
30m 31s
Nov 20
Ministers 'Dragging Heels' Over Single-sex Spaces
<p>The Times today reveals the guidance on transgender people using single-sex spaces like toilets and changing rooms. It's been sitting on the government's desk - are ministers trying to avoid a political backlash?&nbsp;</p><br><p>Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day wit ... Show More
30m 56s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2021
‘I genuinely believe that the UK is not remotely a corrupt country’
<p>This week we examine the row about outside interests for British MPs. Is it acceptable to be earning hundreds of thousands of pounds a year on top of their parliamentary work? And do voters care? Chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley will analyse the situation with poli ... Show More
33m 45s
Jan 2022
The row over Number 10 parties during the 2020 lockdown
<p>This week we’re devoting the episode to the “partygate” row which has blown up in Westminster. After the prime minister revealed he attended a party, calls for his resignation grew in and outside of the Tory party. Can he survive? Does his fate lie in the hands of a senior civ ... Show More
35m 9s
Jul 2022
31. Rishi Sunak vs. Liz Truss
And then there were two... After finding out that Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak will compete to be the next UK Prime Minister, Rory and Alastair recorded a special episode devoted to that very topic. They discuss Truss and Sunak's reputation among Tory members, their suitability fo ... Show More
35m 45s
Feb 2022
The net tightens for Boris Johnson
<p>We ask whether the prime minister can survive the latest scandal engulfing his government. Is the departure of his closest and longstanding aide Munira Mirza the beginning of the end? Or the start of a reset? Chief political correspondent Jim Pickard will discuss with chief po ... Show More
34m 17s
May 2023
Fruitful Endeavours: A Look at Work, Strikes and Suella
Home Secretary Suella Braverman says it should be British workers picking fruit, but the latest jobs data shows record levels of economic inactivity. Senior economics reporter Philip Aldrick and Markets Today blog writer David Goodman dig into what that means for Prime Minister R ... Show More
29m 46s
May 2023
The art of the political interview
POLITICO’s Ailbhe Rea takes us inside the art of the political interview. In a rare conversation on the other side of the microphone, Today programme presenter and ex-BBC political editor Nick Robinson opens up about what’s going through his mind in the middle of a high-profile g ... Show More
49m 42s
Apr 2024
Angela Rayner tax claims: Smear, story or both?
Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner is facing questions about whether she paid enough tax on a house sale, almost a decade ago.       She denies any wrongdoing and has been backed by the party's leader Sir Keir Starmer, with some colleagues claiming she's being "smeared".       ... Show More
18m 47s