The New Statesman | UK politics and culture

Is the Church experiencing an existential crisis? And what is the role of Christianity in modern Britain? Tom Gatti is joined by Pippa Bailey, David Sexton, and Madeleine Davies. Read: Conclave: this papal power struggle is high entertainment Read: The race for Lambeth Palace Read: The rise of cultural Christianity 

Hannah Barnes is joined by Will Dunn and Katie Stallard to answer your economics questions AND try to make sense of some big world events this week.

Former Labour strategist and architect of the Labour missions, Peter Hyman, joins the New Statesman podcast to discuss Keir Starmer’s “plan for change” speech on Thursday. Hyman discusses the difficulties Labour will face in implementing their missions and is scathing about Whitehall, saying resistance from staffers is stifling innovation: “Three permanent secretaries I've heard in the last month have been resisting having outsiders come in to help,” he says.  “I don't blame civil servants, particularly individual civil servants… What I do blame is the system. At the moment, there is a culture that is not geared towards innovation. It is geared to business as usual… a lot of civil servants are incredibly paranoid about taking any risks because they fear they'll be called in front of a select committee.”Read: Starmer’s pledges leave his government exposed, by Rachel Cunliffe; Keir Starmer must remember his mission, by Peter Hyman

Labour’s white paper on how further devolution might work is due to be released in the next few weeks. It has been reported that the government is considering a reorganisation of local councils including abolishing some councils and replacing them with larger unitary authoritiesHowever, there have been suggestions Labour’s plans to bring power to the people, could actually make it more distant than ever.Kate Lamble is joined by Matthew Engel, Megan Kenyon and Jack Shaw.

Artificial intelligence is fast becoming a part of life.The UK strives to become a global AI superpower.But do we have the talent, skills and regulatory framework to deliver on that?The New Statesman were media partners in a fascinating discussion hosted by 3M with technology and business leaders to explore how Britain can accelerate AI-driven innovation.Chair:Jane WakefieldPanellists:Paul Cardno, Global Digital Innovation Leader, 3MHannah Russell, CEO, British Science AssociationSarah Armstrong, Senior Sales Director - Modern Work and Generative AI, Microsoft EMEAWill Dunn, Business Editor, the New StatesmanThis episode is sponsored by 3M.

Banquet Records, in Kingston South-West London, are probably the most influential record store in the UK right now at helping an artist or a band secure a number one. How did they do it?Tom Gatti is joined by Hannah Barnes to discuss the kingmakers of the UK album charts, and also as December is upon us, how to get a Christmas number one.Read: Kingmakers of the album chartsRead: Forty years ago, Band Aid brought mad excitement to my generation

Wes Streeting is "a man in a hurry".In this episode, recorded in front of a live audience at the Labour party conference, the health secretary discusses his actions in government so far and his plans for NHS reform.Wes Streeting spoke to Hannah White, director of the Institute for Government, for this episode which is sponsored by the Institute for Government.

They're terrified of the whips - and of their tiny majorities.From a “fresher’s fair” with free sweets to the struggles of finding a place to live, joining parliament is a lot like starting at University - but with the fate of the country in your hands.Andrew Marr and Rachel Cunliffe have been speaking to the new intake of MPs and join Hannah Barnes to answer a listener question on what life is like for new Members of Parliament.Andrew, Hannah and Rachel also answer your questions on how long Labour will be able to “do the unpopular things”.🙋‍♀️ ASK a question: We answer listener questions every Friday. Submit your by commenting here, or at www.newstatesman.com/youaskus💷 SAVE Become a New Statesman subscriber:Get access to all our reporting at newstatesman.com and receive your copy of our weekly magazine. Podcast listeners can get the first two months for just £2 at https://www.newstatesman.com/save📧 FREE get our daily politics emailhttps://morningcall.substack.com

MPs are about to vote on arguably the biggest social change since abortion.***If you enjoyed this, listen to our previous episode, "Is the UK ready for Assisted Dying?"***Listen here: https://pod.fo/e/274d9c--Kim Leadbeater’s private members bill proposing to legalise assisted dying faces a free vote on Friday November 29. In a free vote, MPs are not whipped by their party to vote in a particular way.This means the debate between MPs has taken an unusual course, with seemingly unlikely alliances being formed across party lines.Andrew Marr, Hannah Barnes and Rachel Cunliffe discuss the politics of this extraordinary vote, and the impact it could have on both the UK and Keir Starmer’s Labour government.They also discuss the shock immigration statistics released Thursday, and a petition calling for another general election which has attracted two million signatures.--READBen Walker's must-read analysis of the general election petitionhttps://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2024/11/general-election-petition-should-worry-conservatives-not-labourFREEGet politics news and analysis in your inbox every day with our Morning Call newslettermorningcall.substack.comSAVEPodcast listeners can save 25% on a New Statesman subscription for yourself or a loved onewww.newstatesman.com/pod24