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Political Fix

Political Fix

By: Financial Times
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 The Financial Times takes you into the corridors of power to unwrap, analyse and debate British politics with a regular lineup of FT correspondents and informed commentators. New episodes available every Friday.

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Financial Times Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Green grief for Starmer: by-election special

    Green grief for Starmer: by-election special
    Feb 27 2026

    The Gorton and Denton by-election was supposedly a three-horse race, but on polling day the Green Party stormed to victory by a vast margin. It was a devastating defeat for Labour, which was pushed into third place behind Reform UK. Sir Keir Starmer now faces intense pressure, while his party must battle a threat from the left as well as the right. Does this historic result – the first ever by-election triumph for the Greens – signal the end of the two-party system? And where does it leave Reform?


    Host Lucy Fisher is joined by FT political correspondent Anna Gross, northern England correspondent Jennifer Williams, and political editor George Parker.


    Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher and @lucyfisher.ft.com; George @georgewparker; Jennifer @JenWilliams_FT; Anna @AnnaSophieGross


    Sign up here for Stephen Bush’s morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insights into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free.


    Political Fix is presented by Lucy Fisher. This episode was produced by Fiona Symon and Mischa Frankl-Duval. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.


    Our email address is politicalfix@ft.com

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    32 mins
  • Farage against the machine

    Farage against the machine
    Feb 20 2026

    Reform UK leader Nigel Farage unveiled his ‘shadow cabinet’ at a glitzy event in London this week, with a newly bespectacled Robert Jenrick announced as ‘shadow chancellor’. The event was a hit with Reform’s supporters in the room – but can the party appeal to a broader base?


    One clue as to Reform’s prospects: the by-election next week in Gorton and Denton. The Manchester seat – where Reform, Labour and the Greens are all vying for victory – is a crucial bellwether.


    Host Lucy Fisher is joined by FT political correspondent Anna Gross, UK chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley, and columnist and writer of the Inside Politics newsletter Stephen Bush.


    Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher and @lucyfisher.ft.com; Robert @robertshrimsley.bsky.social Stephen @stephenkb and @stephenkb.bsky.social; Anna @AnnaSophieGross and anna.gross@ft.com


    Want more?


    Perhaps we should all be banned from social media


    Concerns were raised with Cabinet Office before Antonia Romeo appointment


    Pupils’ special needs support to be reassessed at secondary school level


    The Conservatives’ foundational sin


    Sign up here for Stephen’s morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free.


    Political Fix is presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Audio mix by Sean McGarrity. Original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.


    Our email address is politicalfix@ft.com


    Clips from Reform UK and the Independent


    Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    37 mins
  • Mandarin mayhem

    Mandarin mayhem
    Feb 13 2026
    After another torrid week for the prime minister, the focus has shifted from No 10 to Whitehall as the UK’s top civil servant is shown the door. Cabinet secretary Sir Chris Wormald had been in the job for less than 14 months, and his departure — following the resignations of Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff and communications director — has intensified questions about the PM’s judgment over key appointments.While Starmer’s cabinet appears to have rallied behind him in the short term, the impending release of further documents relating to Lord Peter Mandelson’s time as UK ambassador to the US looms large. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by the FT’s deputy opinion editor Miranda Green, columnist and writer of the Inside Politics newsletter Stephen Bush and public policy editor Chris Smyth.Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher and @lucyfisher.ft.com; Stephen @stephenkb and @stephenkb.bsky.social; Miranda @greenmiranda and @greenmirandahere.bsky.social; & Chris @Smyth_Chris and @chris-smyth.bsky.socialWant more? Keir Starmer faces backlash over ousting of Britain’s top civil servantPolitical crises lead to ‘perma-purdah’ in WhitehallWestminster fears release of ‘embarrassing’ exchanges in Mandelson data dumpKeir Starmer’s route to recoveryThe Labour Party has become devoid of purposeSign up here for Stephen’s morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free.Political Fix is presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Audio mix by Sean McGarrity. Original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Our email address is politicalfix@ft.comClip from Channel 4 News Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    31 mins
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good entertaining review would recommend to political junkies and the casual listener alike. 👍 stuff

I like this political review very accurate

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