Political Currency

In the first EMQs of 2026 Ed Balls and George Osborne answer the most important question for any politician: what was your snakiest move? The pair share each of their proudest (and least proud) moments of cunning, as well as some hard-won advice on when being snakey can pay off. They then turn to a question missed from our last ‘What If’ episode from Australian cabinet member Chris Bowen, who wonders what would happen if John Smith had lived. What would have become of Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, and, most importantly, Ed?George’s old Downing Street colleague Craig Oliver also asks a question concerning the gap between establishment and public opinion on AI which allows George to flex his new OpenAI knowledge. Finally, they answer the question on everyone’s minds: what was their favourite song from the Eras Tour? We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question. Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency👉 Apple PodcastsPlease note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.Credits:Research: Sam BurtonProduction: Caillin McDaid and Caitlin HanrahanVideo Editor: Avi AsherExecutive Producer: Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

2026 has begun dramatically, with Donald Trump ordering an attack on Venezuela, plus has had aggressive rhetoric against Greenland and other parts of Latin America. Ed Balls and George Osborne discuss how leaders in Europe should respond. Why has the US set their sights on securing Greenland? Is Keir Starmer’s careful response the right approach? And just how much is Trump being motivated by oil?As Donald Trump sets the tone internationally, Keir Starmer is under pressure to make his latest domestic relaunch cut through. By focusing on the cost of living, can the government tap into one of the British public’s key policy concerns? Or is this mission too broad, and a hostage to fate?Finally, the pair examine whether Labour is becoming the U-turn government… From farmer’s inheritance tax, to a potential U-turn on pubs’ business rates, is it a timely course correction? Or does it give the impression that the government doesn't know what they are doing?We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question.Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency👉 Apple PodcastsPlease note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.Credits:Research: Sam BurtonProduction: Caillin McDaid and Caitlin HanrahanVideo Editor: Avi AsherExecutive Producer: Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

What if the Brexit vote was flipped? Would George Osborne actually be our… former Prime Minister? And what would have happened during the Covid-19 outbreak in that case?George Osborne and Ed Balls are back with another ‘What if’ episode, thinking about some of the most consequential sliding doors moments in modern politics. Looking further back, what if it was actually Neil Kinnock who had won the 1992 election? How might Black Wednesday have played out under a Labour government? Finally, they imagine a showdown between Obama and Trump for a third term in 2028. Can Trump really stand constitutionally? Would it be wise for the Democrats to run Obama or is there a better candidate to beat Trump?  Thanks for listening. Remember Kitchen Cabinet members get exclusive access to live EMQs recordings, briefings from the team, and an exclusive Political Currency mug.👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency👉 Apple PodcastsPlease note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question. Credits:Research: Sam BurtonProduction: Paige Reynolds and Caillin McDaidVideo Editor: Avi Asher Executive Producer: Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Education secretary Bridget Phillipson joins George Osborne on the podcast this week for a special conversation, giving him another sit down with a rising cabinet member after his interview with Wes Streeting in the summer. The pair talk about the challenges of entering government and whether Labour (or any party) still prioritises education, education, education. They debate the effectiveness of scrapping the two-child benefit cap versus reviving plans like Sure Start, and what to expect from the education department in 2026. They also talk about Phillipson’s deputy leadership campaign, how she felt about being ‘No. 10’s candidate’, and whether she would contest any future leadership bids…Finally, they turn to the challenge on every Labour MP’s mind: Reform. Phillipson’s Sunderland constituency is at the heart of the Reform challenge to Labour, which means she is acutely aware of the looming threat. How can her party can beat Nigel Farage?Don’t forget to vote for us as the Political Podcast Awards People’s Choice of the year. Follow the link to vote: https://politicalpodcastawards.co.uk/the-peoples-choice-award/ And we love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question.Thanks for listening. Subscribe now for ad-free listening and early access. Kitchen Cabinet members also get exclusive access to live EMQs recordings, briefings from the team, and an exclusive Political Currency mug. Sign up today.👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency👉 Apple PodcastsPlease note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.Credits:Production: Paige Reynolds and Caillin McDaidVideo Editor: Avi AsherExecutive Producer: Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pop the champagne, Ed and George are feeling Christmassy in the Political Currency studio, answering some very special questions. Claudia Winkleman asks who the ultimate political traitor is? Who do they pick for 2025… and of all time? Plus, our listeners ask Ed and George about the gifts they have bought for their loved ones - did George ever get David and Sam Cam any wallpaper… and also what books they’d recommend as stocking fillers. Rob Rinder asks George whether he really thinks he could have done better than Ed on Strictly Come Dancing. And he also asks a more serious question: why do they think anti-semitism has been on the rise?Then, seeing as it’s the season, a listener asks about Ed and George’s favourite Westminster pubs and finally, it’s Ed’s time to shine as a listener asks for his ultimate Christmas recipes.Thank you so much for all your support in 2025. We have loved hearing from you and we can’t wait to hear more of your questions in 2026. Send them to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question.Don’t forget to vote for us as the Political Podcast Awards' People’s Choice of the Year. Follow the link to vote: https://politicalpodcastawards.co.uk/the-peoples-choice-award/  Thanks for listening. Remember Kitchen Cabinet members get exclusive access to live EMQs recordings, briefings from the team, and an exclusive Political Currency mug👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency👉 Apple PodcastsPlease note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.Credits:Production: Paige Reynolds and Caillin McDaidVideo Editor: Avi AsherExecutive Producer: Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can Sir Ed Davey really take the fight to the right when it comes to the next election? In this special episode of Political Currency, Ed Balls speaks to the Liberal Democrat leader - and his politician of the year from 2024. In this wide-ranging conversation, the two Eds talk about Ed Davey’s passion for care provision and his deeply personal connection to the issue. Ed Balls also asks Ed about his time in the Coalition government with George Osborne and they reflect on their shared school days - including time spent out of the classroom. But will Ed Balls finally return the history notes he lost?Plus, with Nigel Farage’s Reform rising up the ranks, Ed Balls asks Ed Davey if he would go into a coalition with Nigel Farage at the next general election. Don’t forget to vote for us as the Political Podcast Award’s People’s Choice of the year. Follow the link to vote: https://politicalpodcastawards.co.uk/the-peoples-choice-award/ And we love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question.EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/politicalcurrency Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee!Thanks for listening. Remember Kitchen Cabinet members get exclusive access to live EMQs recordings, briefings from the team, and an exclusive Political Currency mug: tr.ee/gift-pc👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency👉 Apple PodcastsPlease note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.Credits:Production: Paige Reynolds and Caillin McDaidVideo Editor: Avi AsherExecutive Producer: Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.