logo
episode-header-image
Jun 2025
27m 10s

Starmer on standby

Financial Times
About this episode

Will he? Won’t he? President Donald Trump has given little indication as to whether America will join in the conflict between Israel and Iran. So where does this leave the UK and its assets in the region? How does the prime minister play his hand with the president, and what does that mean for his relationship with his own party, especially given Labour's track record? Host George Parker is joined by the FT’s Middle East editor Andrew England, alongside regular guests Robert Shrimsley and Miranda Green, to discuss Sir Keir Starmer's options.


Follow George on Bluesky or X: @georgewparker.bsky.social, @GeorgeWParker; Robert @robertshrimsley, @robertshrimsley.bsky.social; Miranda @greenmirandahere.bsky.social


What did you think of this episode? Let us know at politicalfix@ft.com  


Want more? Free links:   


Starmer puts UK cabinet on alert for potential US attack on Iran


The implosion of Iran’s ‘no peace, no war’ strategy 


Europe set for Iran talks as Trump signals 2-week window to decide on attack


Trump says he ‘may or may not’ strike Iran


To mark one year of the Labour government, Political Fix regulars Stephen Bush, Robert Shrimsley and Miranda Green will be answering reader questions about what's coming next on July 3 at 1pm. Take part in our live Q&A by going to FT.com/labouryear. Sign up here for 30 days free of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter. 


Presented by George Parker, and produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Manuela Saragosa. 


Read a transcript of this podcast on FT.com


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

Up next
Oct 6
Coming soon from Tech Tonic: Mission to Mars
US President Donald Trump has pledged to “plant the stars and stripes on the planet Mars”, China could send its first crewed mission to Mars within a decade, and Elon Musk wants people to actually settle on Mars, transforming the human race into an interplanetary species. In a ne ... Show More
1m 40s
Sep 30
Labour’s conference comeback?
This week, the Political Fix team comes to you from Liverpool — with all the news from the annual Labour Party Conference. Sir Keir Starmer struck a patriotic tone to the Labour faithful, promising to fight Nigel Farage’s “politics of grievance” and build a renewed, healthy Brita ... Show More
36m 27s
Sep 26
Does Starmer have a northern problem?
As the prime minister prepares for his annual party conference, the mayor for Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, seems to be mounting a thinly veiled bid for the Labour leadership. In numerous interviews given to the media this past week, Burnham said he had been privately urged b ... Show More
32m 16s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2024
Who is Robert Jenrick - and is he going to become Tory leader?
The first round of the Conservative leadership race has seen Priti Patel leave the race, and Robert Jenrick take poll position. Could he be the Conservatives next leader? And what kind of Tory is he? We talk to Tory watcher and author Ben Riley Smith from the Telegraph. Later, is ... Show More
36m 20s
Apr 2025
The elusive Ukraine peace deal
Canadians will head to the polls Monday to pick a prime minister, and a new US proposal to end the War in Ukraine would allow Russia to keep some of the territory it’s conquered. Plus, Hungary’s government may be funneling money to friendly news outlets, and major American compan ... Show More
11m 32s
Mar 2025
Americanswers... on 5 Live! Did Trump ambush Zelensky?
Presidents Trump and Zelensky clashed on Friday night in a furious exchange at the White House, during which Trump accused the Ukrainian president of “gambling with World War III.”The future of the world now seems more uncertain, and people naturally have a lot of questions.The t ... Show More
39m 27s
Jan 2025
Inside No 10: David Cameron - The First Six Months (Part 3: The World Stage)
How do you position yourself on the world stage? David Cameron might have been Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, but in this third episode he shares with Ed Balls and George Osborne the true reality of leading a small country in a big world. British soldiers in Afghanistan; R ... Show More
49m 17s
Apr 2025
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
Jan 2025
365. Trump's Mafia World Order
How many ‘early warning signs of fascism’ are we seeing in the US? Has Trump delivered a fatal blow to America’s soft power around the world? Why does Alastair admire Prince Harry and his battle with the tabloids? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more ... Show More
55m 9s
Apr 2025
The Rachman Review: Iran’s nuclear talks could reshape the Middle East
Swamp Notes is taking this weekend off so instead we wanted to share the latest episode from our fellow FT podcast, The Rachman Review. Nuclear talks between the US and Iran began last weekend in Oman, and are set to continue in the coming weeks. President Trump has warned that i ... Show More
23m 54s
Mar 2025
Will US-Canada relations ever be the same again?
Donald Trump announced this week 25% tariffs on US car imports, a move that will impact neighbours Mexico and Canada. Canadian prime minister Mark Carney has called the tariffs "unjustified" and said it marked the end of "deep ties" between the two countries.Canadian journalist a ... Show More
30m 45s
Oct 5
The Global Story: Why did Trump bring Tony Blair into the Gaza peace process?
On Monday, President Trump outlined his proposal for a peace deal in Gaza, a moment he described as ‘potentially one of the great days ever in civilisation’. In a press conference announcing the plan, the President name-dropped Sir Tony Blair and said the former UK Prime Minister ... Show More
27m 3s
Feb 2025
Trump sets his sights on Gaza property deal
Gideon talks to Andrew England, the FT's Middle East editor, about the US president's 'crazy' plan for a takeover of the Gaza Strip. And he talks to Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid about the prospects for his country as it finally returns to peace and stability. Free links to ... Show More
27m 20s