Not Another One

The team considers whether draping and painting the Union flag or the cross of St George over public spaces is patriotic or aggressive. Do we have a uniquely reluctant attitude to the UK flag or is a commendably undemonstrative national mindset now under threat from a sinister and exclusive nationalism? Warning: contains frank disagreement.

The Prime Minister has attempted to boost his team in Number 10, not least by appointing an adviser on economic policy and moving Darren Jones from the Treasury to oversee policy from Number 10. Some interpret the change as an attempt to challenge Reeves, who had total control over economic policy in opposition and the government’s opening months, but how undermining are the changes? Our team asks how they will change the political mood. How many more resets will Starmer make to a team in a state of near constant churn?

Nigel Farage has announced his plan that he claims would stop all illegal immigration. It includes leaving the ECHR and sending asylum seekers back to countries even if they face the threat of torture or death. Will it work politically in the short term for Reform and practically if Farage becomes Prime Minister. And how should a Labour government - preoccupied by Reform - respond, not least when voters also have the choice of parties to the left of Keir Starmer? Plus the latest from Steve’s shows at the Edinburgh festival and music choices for the last weeks of summer.

In our latest weekend magazine edition, the team are asked to imagine what they would do if “the ball came loose from the back of the scrum” and they won power. Which policies would they prioritise? From boosting housing, to tackling anti-social behaviour, expanding continuous vocational education and training, banning cycling on pavements and mandating the pint-sized bottle of champagne, Tim, Miranda and Iain design their manifestos. Plus, the coming constitutional crisis if Reform does win the election and has no seats in the House of Lords.

Is it just "the economy stupid" or is there a deeper malaise stoking impatience with Starmer this summer, so soon after his 2024 win? Our team ponders the context wonders and whether or not the failures are all Labour's responsibility.

With the others away, Tim and Miranda tackle some of the posers for the team that got left out of last week's episode. Keep your questions coming in!

The Veep seems an unlikely holidaymaker in the UK but the foreign secretary has been wooing him for a long time. Our team discuss political friendships across the divide, including our own. Plus: Badenoch and Britishness.

In this listeners’ question time episode, the team tackle a wide range of subjects. Is there too much doom and gloom? Is it time for ID cards? Could any government raise income tax? Why has the country forgotten Covid? And a listener asks: who are we? A good question.

An intense political battle is being fought over August, normally quiet in Westminster. It centres on the small boats and wider migration issues. But amidst the conflicting claims and policy ideas the boats keep on coming. The movement of people is a global crisis at least as challenging as the crash of 2008. Are leaders in Britain and elsewhere even close to meeting it?