Share
The Politics Show
SPONSORED: How can we ensure our pension funds make a difference?
This podcast is sponsored by Rio AI
As the world faces a climate emergency, what power do ordinary people have to try and shape the way big companies behave. One of the biggest areas of investment is our pension funds – but do we have the information or ability to shape how companies invest our money?
Philippa Nuttall discusses how to make our pension funds work for the environment with David Hayman from Make My Money Matter and Ros Altman, former pensions minister.
Rio ESG is an intelligent sustainability software platform that helps equip corporate, public sector, financial services and investment management entities with the knowledge and technology to do better.
From data capture to investment consultancy, Rio combines market-leading sustainability knowledge with its intelligent sustainability software platform to deliver award-winning, solution-based data analysis, governance and education tools, to help organisations of all sizes report on, and improve, their ESG metrics.
Rio partners with organisations of all sizes to deliver bespoke sustainability solutions that reduce risk, increase investment prospective and deliver lasting impact, for both corporations and the planet.
Visit www.rio.ai to begin your sustainable investment journey.
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
Nigel Farage’s £5 million “reward” from crypto billionaire | Will and Anoosh
38:19|Nigel Farage’s £5 million “reward” from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne, the NHS “I feel lucky” syndrome and the Reform councillor who wants us to crack down on extra terrestrial activity. Will Dunn and Anoosh Chakelian round up the stories of the week.
Starmer attempts business as usual
55:01|The spotlight of British politics is shining on Andy Burnham - and his “long coup” is underway.Meanwhile, Keir Starmer himself has to find a way to resume some semblance of government as usual.Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Ailbhe Rea and Tom McTague to discuss.
What is Andy Burnham’s “Manchesterism”?
41:19|Andy Burnham is running in a by-election in Makerfield, which is likely to be held on 18 June, to return to Parliament as an MP. If he wins, he will be the frontrunner in a contest to replace Keir Starmer as Prime Minister.Burnham’s personal brand of politics is often referred to as “Manchesterism”. So, what is it?Anoosh Chakelian is joined by The New Statesman’s editor-in-chief Tom McTague, who profiled Andy Burnham back in September.LISTEN: https://www.newstatesman.com/podcasts/politics-podcast/2025/09/andy-burnham-has-a-plan-for-britain-2READ: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2025/09/exclusive-andy-burnhams-plan-for-britain
Keir Starmer’s never ending chaos | Will and Anoosh’s weekly round up
32:42|Keir Starmer’s never ending cycle of political chaos, Reform’s suspended local councillors and Anoosh’s heckle of Boris Johnson.Will Dunn and Anoosh Chakelian round up the stories of the week.Read: https://www.newstatesman.com/comment/2026/05/will-progressives-ever-forgive-labour https://www.newstatesman.com/business/economics/2026/05/the-bond-markets-will-not-save-keir-starmer
Streeting resigns, but can he trigger a leadership contest?
28:38|Wes Streeting resigned as Health Secretary on Thursday morning, but Ailbhe Rea says Keir Starmer is determined to fight on.After days of speculation – and a 16-minute meeting at Number 10 – Wes Streeting has finally resigned from cabinet.On the same day, Angela Rayner has announced she has been "cleared" of wrongdoing related to unpaid property tax, which would leave her free to run in a leadership contest if one is triggered.However, sources inside Number 10 have told Ailbhe Rea that Wes Streeting does not have the backing of enough MPs to trigger a leadership contest. So what is the former Health Secretary hoping to achieve?And if a leadership contest were triggered, who else would be likely to run?Ailbhe Rea and Anoosh Chakelian discuss the latest from Westminster in The Politics Show.READ: Wes Streeting resigns with an excoriating letter to Starmer
Starmer defiantly clings to power
26:18|Over 80 MPs are calling for Keir Starmer’s resignation, reaching the threshold required for a contender to mount a leadership challenge, with ministers - including Jess Philips - resigning from government too.After a high stakes meeting this morning, several cabinet members voiced their support for the Prime Minister, as he defiantly vowed to “get on with governing”.Will the Prime Minister survive the week?READ: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/2026/05/tracked-the-labour-mps-calling-for-keir-starmer-to-go
The weirdest day in Westminster
47:32|Keir Starmer has pledged to “prove the doubters wrong” as he tries to head off a leadership challenge after the disastrous local election results last week.Fighting for his political life, the PM announced plans for stronger ties with the EU, powers to nationalise British steel and a scheme to help young people find work. But will it be enough?Many of his own party don’t seem to think so, with his former Deputy PM Angela Rayner calling for Andy Burnham to come back to Parliament.Backbench MP Catherine West even threatened to mount a leadership challenge against Starmer, but has now backed down and called on him to go by September.READ: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/westminster/2026/05/labour-faces-civil-war-to-replace-starmer
Local election results: the end of Starmer?
01:07:25|Results from the local and devolved are coming in. It has been, as many expected, a disappointing result for the Labour Party.Meanwhile, the insurgent parties, the Green Party to an extent, but especially Reform, have delivered on their promise of snowballing momentum. Anoosh Chakelian is joined by senior data journalist Ben Walker, political editor Ailbhe Rea and editor-in-chief Tom McTague. READ: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/may-2026/2026/05/live-results-map-wales-scotland-and-local-elections
The gutting of the two party system
27:53|The UK is gearing up for local and devolved elections on Thursday.As Keir Starmer looks increasingly isolated as Prime Minister, much is being made of a potentially disastrous few days for the Labour Party. If results go as badly for Labour as some are predicting, this could be the end for the PM.Meanwhile, the insurgent Reform and Green parties are looking to continue their surging momentum.