Share
Daily Politics from the New Statesman
Left Behind: the failed revolutions of the 2010s
The 2010s were a decade that many hoped would usher in a new era of leftist revolutions. Yet, as we look back, the question looms large: What went wrong?
In this episode of the podcast Alona Ferber, senior editor, is joined by William Davies, writer and Professor in Political Economy at Goldsmiths, University of London, to look back at the 2010s, the figures, events, and politics that defined this decade - and ask why did the left's aspirations for revolution during the 2010s fall short?
Read William Davies' essay The 2010s: a decade of revolutionaries without a revolution
Audio featured from: BBC, Channel 4, Sky News, Garlic Toothpaste, The Telegraph, CNN, The Hill
SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:
⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2
LISTEN AD-FREE:
📱Download the New Statesman app
MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:
❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday
⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning
✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday
More episodes
View all episodes
It's official: Labour are in third place
21:09|Christmas polling has revealed that the Tories have edged past Labour into second place in the polls.Nigel Farage’s Reform UK are still sitting pretty in the top spot, with Zack Polanski’s insurgent Greens chasing Labour’s tail.With elections in May incoming, this is the last thing Labour need.
Russia suggested the US “swap” Venezuela for Ukraine
42:22|In 2019, according to a deposition, Russia signalled that they could ease off their support for Venezuela if Washington were to ease its own position in Ukraine. The testimony was delivered by Fiona Hill, a former senior director on the US’s national security council during the first Trump administration.Fiona Hill joins Megan Gibson to discuss that Russian proposal, as well as the US’s strike on Venezuela – and what this means for the global order.
Trump kidnaps Maduro, and Starmer says… nothing?
37:21|Emily Thornberry MP joins us to discuss the US's actions in Venezuela, the legality, and the international response. In the second half of the podcast, the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee reflects on Starmer's moves to a closer relationship with the EU.
A look ahead to politics in 2026
52:39|It’s New Year’s celebrations, part 2!Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Ben Walker to discuss the political climate of 2026. From the 10 year anniversary of Brexit and the UK’s relationship with the US, to our ageing population and SEND Reforms, here’s what to expect from next year. If you missed part one of our “Look ahead”, where we discussed the May elections and what’s in store for our political parties, you can find that in the previous episode on your feed.
The May elections will define UK politics in 2026
46:53|Happy New Year from the New Statesman podcast!What will 2026 have in store? Will Labour flop in the May elections? Will the Greens make gains? And will Reform overtake the ailing Conservatives?Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Ben Walker to make their political predictions.
The biggest stories of 2025
01:03:25|As 2025 draws to a close Anoosh Chakelian joined by the New Statesman's associate political editor Rachel Cunliffe, and editor in chief Tom McTague to discuss the biggest domestic and international stories of the year.Daily Politics will return on 1 January 2026.
Merry Quizmas!
38:58|How did Trump's tariffs affect the price of Labubus? Which bear was voiced by Volodymyr Zelensky? And what, crucially, did Katy Perry describe California girls as?Join the New Statesman team for our quiz of the year!
The greatest aviation disaster that didn't happen
30:17|Months before 9/11, a passenger seized control of a Boeing 747 and nearly crashed it into the Sahara.Everyone survived - including a curious ensemble of famous passengers - but no one quite recovered.Kate Mossman tells the story of Flight 2069 to Oli Dugmore.READ: The strange fate of Flight 2069
Predictions for the year ahead
40:09|Is the New Statesman too soft on Wes Streeting? Are the Lib Dems an unserious party?Plus our journalists make their predictions for what will happen in 2026, and listen back to their guesses from last year…Oli Dugmore is joined by Anoosh Chakelian and Rachel Cunliffe.