logo
episode-header-image
Aug 2024
32m 36s

Can Starmer reset Britain’s relationship...

GLOBAL
About this episode

Keir Starmer is in Berlin, this time for some real politics, not a football match. He’s meeting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, unveiling a new UK/Germany defence agreement. Later he’s heading to Paris to meet President Macron. The new government is on a charm offensive, with much lofty talk of a reset of UK/EU relations post-Brexit. But is that really possible? How much is just vibes? Lewis and Jon analyse what has happened and crucially what has not happened, and are joined in News Agents HQ by German Ambassador Miguel Berger.

We also talk about whether there’s any truth that Mr Mandelson might be going to Washington and Jon is shilling for his book again. What fun.

To enter Jon’s competition head over to www.waterstones.com/win/strangeland-prize-draw to find out more

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
Feb 2025
What does Trump really want from Putin?
In a remarkable and rapid rapprochement, Donald Trump's Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been in Riyadh meeting a Russian delegation to kick off talks about a deal to end the conflict in Ukraine. Who's not at the talks? Ukraine - or any other European leader. Is Russia calling ... Show More
37m 32s
Apr 23
Can Trump Force Zelensky To Do A Deal?
Today, Donald Trump took to Truth Social to accuse Zelensky of harming Ukraine peace negotiations following the Ukrainian president telling a news conference he would not recognise Crimea as Russian.Adam is joined by James Landale, diplomatic correspondent, and Sumi Somaskanda, B ... Show More
37m 6s
Dec 2024
111. Angela Merkel: Putin, Trump, and Europe's future
What lessons on leadership does Angela Merkel have after 16 years served as Chancellor of Germany? Does she have any regrets from her tenure? What was it like being in East Germany when the Berlin wall fell? And what should Europe do to ensure the future security of Ukraine? Rory ... Show More
1h 8m
Mar 2025
Trump turns congress into a MAGA rally
Trump promised his state of the Union speech would be BiG. He meant Long. It was 99 minutes. We watched so you didn’t have to. Today, we bring you the high lights and low points. And we speak to the man who would now be Secretary of State - if Kamala Harris had won the 2024 elect ... Show More
35m 44s
Mar 2025
Trump puts the ball in Putin’s court
The origins of a peace deal have emerged in Saudi Arabia. There’s just one problem: whilst Zelensky is offering to sign up, there’s no word from Putin. How does a 30 day ceasefire work if the aggressor isn’t on board? And why is Trump convinced he will be? Later, presidency or sh ... Show More
36m 18s
Apr 28
Power Cuts in Spain and Portugal
Today, Spain and Portugal have been hit by large power cuts. The Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez says the cause is still unknown. Adam is joined by Rachel Morison, Energy Editor at Bloomberg, and Professor Keith Bell, Professor of Future Power systems at the University of St ... Show More
34m 1s
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 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
Trade Wars: EU Hits Back At Trump
Today, we look at responses and retaliations to President Trump’s universal tariffs on steel and aluminium. Adam is joined by Caitríona Perry, Chief Presenter BBC News in Washington, and Dharshini David, chief economics correspondent to discuss retaliatory tariffs from the EU and ... Show More
37m 27s