logo
episode-header-image
Aug 2024
37m 36s

Keir Starmer: Things can only get worse

GLOBAL
About this episode

Keir Starmer has made his first major speech as Prime Minister and he had an uplifting message for the public: things can only get worse.

Jon and Lewis, firmly ensconced back in News Agents HQ analyse what the PM is up to and ask whether British politics can really sustain another project built on pessimism.

They also discuss rumoured changes of the Labour Party’s leadership rules (if that doesn’t make you click, what will?) and Oasis’ imminemt return to the stage.

Jon, predictably, swears from the start.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producers: Natalie Indge

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon & Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Up next
Today
Why has Elon Musk's AI chatbot started imitating Hitler?
Last night on X, Elon Musk's AI chatbot - Grok - started imitating Hitler in its responses to user questions. Was this intentional? Did Musk really command his AI tool to spew out anti-semitic takes? And will this lead to any sort of regulation over AI?Later, we discuss the upcom ... Show More
35m 54s
Yesterday
Would a wealth tax save Rachel Reeves?
The government has studiously avoided ruling out a wealth tax this week. Minister after minister has refused to knock down the suggestion, despite the Chancellor having dismissed the idea as recently as April. So what's changed? Could a levy on wealthy individuals be on the cards ... Show More
38m 48s
Jul 7
Does the government want to sack the BBC boss?
Labour used to be the party that leapt to the defence of the BBC. So why was the Culture Secretary this weekend calling for heads to roll, saying she was "exasperated" at the broadcaster, and refusing to express confidence its director general Tim Davie? The BBC has admitted to f ... Show More
51m 24s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2025
Starmer Starts Military Plans for Peace in Ukraine
Today, Laura and Paddy discuss UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s virtual summit with the ‘coalition of the willing’.Downing Street say representatives from 26 countries joined the Prime Minister this morning to discuss bolstering support for Ukraine by moving military planning to ... Show More
32m 41s
Aug 2024
Starmer says things can only get...worse?
It's the start of a new political season, and Keir Starmer has launched it with a downbeat speech promising a 'painful' short term future for the country with unpopular decisions ahead. The PM once more laying the blame for those decisions at the door of the Tories. But would he ... Show More
39m 27s
Sep 2024
Why has Trump just admitted he interfered with the last election?
Trump has been having what our grandmother's mght once have called 'a funny turn'. He keeps saying things out loud he then regrets. He admitted this week he had both lost the last election and tried to interfere with the result. Then he argued against the 6 week abortion ban in F ... Show More
32m 58s
May 4
Local Electioncast: The Reaction! (Part 3)
Today, we look at how the political parties are reacting to this week’s local election results.The Health Secretary Wes Streeting spoke to both Laura and Paddy to give the Labour view. Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, the Lib Dem leader Ed Davey and Reform UK chairman Zia ... Show More
31m 22s
Sep 2024
Instagram Gets Reel with Teen Safety
Today, we look at new measures that aim to protect teens on Instagram. Social media company, Meta, have announced "built-in protections" to teen accounts as well as greater controls for parents. But will it work? James is joined by the BBC’s technology editor Zoe Kleinman plus di ... Show More
34m 23s
Oct 2024
The Prime Minister on Newscast
Adam and Chris speak to the Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who’s in the studio.He opens up on “headwinds” and “choppy moments” in his first 100 days, and three priorities for the budget.We also hear what slogan he has printed on his wallet, how the Starmers have adjusted to family ... Show More
39m 31s
Sep 2024
Will the assassination attempts decide the election?
How to make sense of not one but two assassination attempts in as many months on a former president? Donald Trump says it's all down to the language that Kamala Harris and the Democrats are using. JD Vance has just called her 'the most fraudulent person to run for president'. Is ... Show More
33 m
Apr 27
How Politicians are REALLY Feeling About the Local Elections
Today we look at what politicians are saying on camera and behind the scenes about the local elections coming up on Thursday.Laura, Paddy, and Henry discuss whether it could be a good week for all the parties apart from Labour and the Conservatives.And there’s talk of a future co ... Show More
28m 6s
Apr 6
Trump’s Tariffs: Is Globalisation Over?
Today, the Prime Minister has responded to Trump’s tariffs saying the government is ready to step in to protect the UK economy. Paddy’s away so Jeremy Vine makes a guest appearance to go through it all.They also discuss the Foreign Secretary David Lammy saying it’s unacceptable t ... Show More
22m 52s
Mar 2025
The Week: NHS Reforms, Benefit Battles and Tariff Tactics
Today, Adam, Vicki, Faisal and Nick discuss Starmer’s attempts to speed up government, a possible fight over benefit changes and whether the PM is going to push back more on President Trump. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask B ... Show More
29m 54s