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Electoral Dysfunction

Electoral Dysfunction

By: Sky News
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About this listen

Political powerhouses Beth Rigby, Ruth Davidson and Harriet Harman unite to unravel the spin and explain what’s really going on in Westminster and beyond. Every episode, they will examine politicians, what they stand for, what they say and what they might really mean. They will work out which politicians are coming out on top and who is having an Electoral Dysfunction. WhatsApp - 07934 200444Copyright Sky News Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • What does Starmer really want from China?
    Jan 30 2026

    Beth joins the Prime Minister on his historic trip to China, where he has met the country's president Xi Jinping. It’s a trip that has sparked debate back in the UK, amid worries over espionage and security. But has it helped reset relations? And what does Starmer really hope to achieve from his visit?

    Beth, Harriet and Ruth discuss.

    Plus, Beth brings us all the behind-the-scenes gossip from the trip - including what it was like on the PM’s plane and what gift Starmer bought for Xi.

    Meanwhile, back in the UK, listeners have been sending in their questions about the recent Conservative defections to Reform UK. Has Nigel Farage managed to quieten his critics, now his party includes experience of government?

    And with the Tory right increasingly jumping ship, how has Kemi Badenoch handled the growing number of defections? Harriet and Ruth tackle your questions.

    You can WhatsApp the podcast at 07934 200 444 or email electoraldysfunction@sky.uk.

    And if you didn't know, you can also watch Beth, Ruth and Harriet on YouTube.

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    35 mins
  • EXTRA: Why Andy Burnham was blocked by Keir Starmer
    Jan 26 2026

    Andy Burnham came across as "entitled", according to Harriet Harman, when he went on social media after Keir Starmer blocked him from standing in the Gorton and Denton by-election. So what actually happened behind the scenes?

    This mini episode is your quick guide to the political chaos of the past 48 hours. Why did Mr Burnham try to get back into parliament and why did Labour’s leadership move to stop him? What does it mean for Starmer's authority, the looming by-election, and Labour's battle with Reform?

    Plus, as we go into the studio to record, there's another major Conservative defection - former home secretary Suella Braverman - to Reform. What's going on in the Conservative Party? And do Ruth Davidson and Andy Street have the answer?

    You can WhatsApp the podcast at 07934 200 444 or email electoraldysfunction@sky.uk.

    Remember, you can also watch Beth, Harriet and Ruth on YouTube.

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    23 mins
  • Is this the end of social media for teenagers?
    Jan 23 2026

    Should social media be banned for under 16s? After a dramatic vote in the House of Lords, Beth, Harriet and Ruth dig into what a ban would really mean and what impact it will have on young people, and they hear from some of them.

    And on the world stage, Donald Trump’s threats over Greenland and tariffs have rattled allies and forced an uncomfortable reckoning about the strength of the transatlantic relationship. With Davos dominated by power plays and a hard-hitting speech from Canada’s Mark Carney, the trio ask whether the rules-based world order is already breaking, and where that leaves Britain.

    You can WhatsApp the podcast at 07934 200 444 or email electoraldysfunction@sky.uk.

    Remember, you can also watch Beth, Harriet and Ruth on YouTube.

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    39 mins
All stars
Most relevant
I listen to lots of political pods and this is one of my favourites. Female voices on a range of serious topics, down to earth, interesting and humorous. Doesn't take itself too seriously.

upbeat commentary

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This podcast has settled in to be excellent: incisive and down to earth. A refreshing change from the mansplaining of other political podcasts.

no mansplaining

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Love the honesty, humour and insight into politics especially from a female perspective. Great discussions.

Honesty

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Though love the friendly chat and banter the way you break it down in a way that us who are trying to work out what on earth is going on as politics quite often seems like a massive traffic jam with everyone yelling and honking and a few just going round and round the roundabout occasionally signalling turning and then just going round again so thank you so much and hey I managed my descriptions without expletives😁😁

I understood that😁

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Someone has got to create wealth and jobs - you would not having fun podcasting if it was all about anti-business Labour …. So your pro-labour it’s best sucks. End!

Boring

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