The Politics Show

One of the first big decisions of Andy Burnham’s premiership is looming: whether to drill for North Sea oil and gas. Labour made a manifesto promise not to grant new licences for oil and gas exploration, but the question of whether to go ahead and drill at the Rosebank and Jackdaw sites - offshore oil and gas fields that have pre-existing licences - remains.After a summer of wildfires and heatwaves, but with our energy security and cost-of-living precarious, the new Prime Minister faces a political dilemma.Anoosh Chakelian is joined by political editor Ailbhe Rea.

What constitutes a wealthy society, Richard Tice saying we should “enjoy” climate change and the clamour around Harry and Meghan’s return to the UK. Anoosh Chakelian and Oli Dugmore discuss the stories of the week.

On the one hand, Burnham may never be as popular as he is now. On the other, the PM could lose an election if he calls it soon, bringing his long-held dream of being prime minister to a horribly premature end.Anoosh Chakelian is joined by political editor Ailbhe Rea.

The UK still sends millions of tonnes of waste to landfill, creating environmental risks while losing resources that could be put to better use.Given there will always be some waste that we cannot reuse or recycle, what role should government and industry play in finding a more sustainable alternative?Host Emma Haslett is joined by Toby Perkins MP, chair of the Environmental Audit Select Committee and Karl Smyth, Director of External Affairs and Strategic Policy at enfinium.Our panel discusses the UK’s recycling ambitions and the gap between a circular economy and the reality of unavoidable waste, as well as the environmental and community impact of landfill.They talk about the role of Energy from Waste in diverting waste from landfill, supporting energy resilience and contributing to wider decarbonisation efforts. They also consider political consensus, community support and the action needed from government and industry.This New Statesman podcast episode is sponsored by enfinium.

After its victory in Clacton, Reform has announced plans to slash the welfare state.Over the weekend, Robert Jenrick claimed a Reform government would cut £50 billion from the welfare bill, excluding foreign nationals from most benefits.Meanwhile, a parliamentary investigation into Nigel Farage’s finances has resumed, after he was found to have accepted a £5 million gift from billionaire Christopher Harborne.Anoosh Chakelian is joined by political editor Ailbhe Rea.

Labour overtaking Reform in opinion polls for the first time in over a year, travel chaos for government ministers and the controversial grave of Dobby the house-elf. Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Oli Dugmore to discuss the stories of the week.

Sorry about all the bangs, things got a little crazy at Clacton Leisure Centre.After a long and fairly ridiculous night, Nigel Farage has been reinstated as MP for Clacton. What happens now? Could it be another by-election?Anoosh Chakelian is joined by senior data journailst and Labour councillor, Ben Walker.

Clacton is heading for a by-election on Thursday, triggered by Nigel Farage, amidst the Reform leader's financial scandals.Anoosh Chakelian spends the day in Clacton, getting the perspective of locals.READhttps://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2026/08/hes-made-us-look-like-right-plonkers-clacton-prepares-for-more-farage

Andy Burnham’s vision – to reground the Labour party in a sense of place, tradition and belonging – began over a decade ago, rising from the rubble of the Blair and Brown years. Off the back of the party’s 2010 defeat, figures now key to his government argued that Labour had become too centralised; too detached from working class voters.Now, Burnham wants to revive “community” as both a value and a means of reforming the UK.Is this the era of “Woke Blue Labour”?Anoosh Chakelian is joined by editor-in-chief Tom McTague.Read: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2026/08/are-we-living-under-woke-blue-labour