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Political Currency
Starmer’s big Sue Gray problem
As Labour feels the heat over Keir Starmer’s freebies scandal, there's a sense of glee in Tory party circles now the "holier-than-thou" party has something of a mess to clean up. Ed Balls and George Osborne mull how the government can reset their image, especially now the Sue Gray pay row is also threatening to rain on Starmer's conference parade ....
Across the benches they reflect on the celebratory Liberal Democrat conference and whether the party has finally gotten over Nick Clegg. Could they be a thorn in the side for Labour and the Conservatives?
Plus, amid the closure of the Grangemouth oil refinery they examine the dilemma Energy Secretary Ed Miliband faces in appeasing Labour’s Scottish vote and upholding their climate pledges.
Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes and receive early access to EMQs.
Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrency
Production support: Caillin McDaid
Producers: Rosie Stopher and Miriam Hall
Technical producer: Danny Pape
Executive Producers: Ellie Clifford
Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.
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115. EMQs: Can you revamp a political image?
38:50||Season 1, Ep. 115Rishi Sunak spoke at his last PMQs. But George Osborne reveals why it may not be the last time we see him in No 10... He and Ed Balls discuss whether perceptions of politicians can ever change.Former cabinet member Caroline Spelman asks if a spoiled ballot is a waste of time. And Laura Trevelyan, co-host of the podcast Heirs of Enslavement asks whether countries should apologise for their role in the transatlantic slave trade.Plus - Love the pod? We thought so. Ed and George clarify whether a declaration of love at the top of your question is a prerequisite for getting a spot on the show...Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes and receive early access to EMQs.Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrencyProduction support: Caillin McDaidTechnical Producer: Oliver GeraghtyProducers: Miriam Hall and Danny GarlickExecutive Producers: Ellie Clifford and Dino SofosPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.114. What did Rachel Reeves’ Budget miss?
01:00:27||Season 1, Ep. 114The dust has settled on Rachel Reeves’ budget, and despite a strong performance from the Chancellor, George Osborne and Ed Balls have noticed a few glaring omissions. Child poverty? Didn’t really rate a mention. How about some of the New Labour classics like getting people back to work? Pensioners? Nope. So how did this crucial economic pitch to the nation stack up? Ed and George consider how the fallout might impact Labour all the way to the next election.Meanwhile, the polls are telling us the historic US election is set to be a squeaker, with Kamala Harris and Donald Trump in a dead heat. The betting platforms and markets are telling a different story, however. George has the latest on who the world’s major financiers are expecting to be in the White House come January … And speaking of going to the polls, Japan’s snap election just backfired – did anyone in the UK notice? Ed and George question if we should be paying more attention to this major world economy.Remember, you can catch up on our Budget Hot Take here: tr.ee/pc-liveBecome a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes and receive early access to EMQs.Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrencyProduction support: Caillin McDaidTechnical Producer: Oliver GeraghtyProducers: Miriam Hall and Danny GarlickExecutive Producers: Ellie Clifford and Dino SofosPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.113. Budget Hot Take: Rachel Reeves’ Tax Raid
36:03||Season 1, Ep. 113Has Rachel Reeves done enough to get away with announcing £40 billion of new taxes? In a special YouTube LIVE episode, Ed Balls and George Osborne give their immediate reaction to the Chancellor's first budget. Was it “big and bold and historic” or a “cross your fingers and hope for the best" moment?Who wins and loses from the budget? And how big a gamble is it for Labour's fortunes?Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes and receive early access to EMQs.Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrencyProduction support: Caillin McDaidTechnical Producer: Oliver GeraghtyProducers: Miriam Hall and Danny GarlickExecutive Producers: Ellie Clifford and Dino SofosPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.112. EMQs: Budget traditions, Briefings and Brits for Trump
35:35||Season 1, Ep. 112Has the reaction to the Winter Fuel Payment cut scared Labour from making more big budget moves on welfare? And what ever happened to the tradition of the Chancellor knocking back a brandy while delivering the Budget? Ed and George discuss the best drinks of choice when outlining an economic plan to the nation… and what other Treasury traditions are in place. Plus, is it a brief, is it a leak or is it just a plain old trail? The pair breakdown the terms and mull some of the most famous, career-ending leaks in British political history. And with the US election just over a week away, what is the level of support for Donald Trump amongst the UK population? Do more Brits than we think secretly admire the Republican nominee’s approach? Finally, for all you listeners desperate to join our Record Club, Ed has followed up his first suggestion of Kuunnelmia by Jukka Perko with another Scandi recommendation: Hoven Droven.You could have been listening to this episode of EMQs early and ad-free!Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes and receive early access to EMQs.Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrencyProduction support: Caillin McDaidProducer: Rosie Stopher, Miriam Hall and Danny Garlick Executive Producers: 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.111. Who is George Osborne backing for Tory leader?
01:01:59||Season 1, Ep. 111Drumroll, please. After keeping his cards pretty close to his chest throughout the Tory leadership campaign, George Osborne is ready to name who he thinks should seize the Tory crown. With the race now whittled down to just two people – Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick – George explains why a possible exit from the European Convention on Human Rights has swayed his choice and what might put him off voting Conservative at all... Meanwhile, members of the Labour party are in hot water after Donald Trump accused them of election interference. Ed Balls thinks the party’s decision to get involved in a foreign country’s election could be described in a few ways (mainly as naive, gauche and definitely a mistake.) And, less than a week away from the first Labour budget in 14 years, has the party done enough to convince voters, the markets and business leaders there’s a plan for economic growth? Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes and receive early access to EMQs.Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrencyProduction support: Caillin McDaidTechnical Producer: Oliver GeraghtyProducers: Miriam Hall and Danny GarlickExecutive Producers: Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.110. EMQs: Can you have friends in politics?
40:29||Season 1, Ep. 110Frenemies George Osborne and Ed Balls talk about great political friendships and rivalries. What was the unspoken understanding between former Prime Minister David Cameron and George that made their allegiance last? And which Conservative friendships were soured by Brexit?They answer the question: Are economists just making it up as they go along? How can Rachel Reeves just change the definition of fiscal rules? And with questions from all over the world this week, Ed and George ponder: should we be rethinking about how we teach second languages? You could have been listening to this episode of EMQs early and ad-free!Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes and receive early access to EMQs.Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrencyProduction support: Caillin McDaidProducer: Rosie Stopher, Miriam Hall and Danny Garlick Executive Producers: 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.109. How to plug a £40bn black hole
55:49||Season 1, Ep. 109How can Rachel Reeves solve her £40 billion budget gap without breaking Labour’s manifesto promise? Ed Balls and George Osborne take a deep dive into the tax hikes she has and hasn’t ruled out - and whether she can fairly class raising employer National Insurance contributions as manifesto-friendly.Elsewhere, Labour continues to woo the business community - this time at its International Investment summit. But can an event like this overcome the very real barriers to growth that the UK faces? And, with the passing of controversial SNP titan Alex Salmond, Ed and George look back on his legacy, and the state of his former party. Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes and receive early access to EMQs.Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrencyProduction support: Caillin McDaidTechnical Producer: Oliver GeraghtyProducers: Rosie Stopher, Miriam Hall and Danny GarlickExecutive Producers: Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.108. EMQs: Can HS2 be revived from the dead?
31:54||Season 1, Ep. 108The killing of HS2 was one of the defining features of the former government’s final days but there’s now talk the high speed rail line to Manchester might happen after all. Northern Powerhouse Chief Executive Henri Murison asks what Ed Balls and George Osborne make of the chatter that it could be revived, in the form of the so-called ‘HS2 light’.How should we truly define a “pensioner”? Does it just mean someone who is actually receiving a pension, or someone who is of pension earning age? And should pensioners with wealth be treated in the same way as those without?Plus, Ed and George share their favourite moments of political barb and banter. What was George’s scariest moment as a politician? You could have been listening to this episode of EMQs early and ad-free!Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes and receive early access to EMQs.Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrencyProduction support: Caillin McDaidProducers: Rosie Stopher and Miriam Hall Executive Producers: 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.107. Cleverly: What went wrong?!
01:02:53||Season 1, Ep. 107James Cleverly has made a stunning exit from the Tory leadership race, leaving Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick as the final two to duke it out. George Osborne and Ed Balls consider if that’s thanks to some cunning political strategising or just a good old-fashioned cock up. Now, of the two who is more likely to take the crown? George thinks Jenrick is more “malleable” – is that what an opposition leader needs to be? Is Badenoch Mrs T(hatcher) or T(russ)? Meanwhile, the lead up to the budget is intensifying with the IFS Green Budget being published this week. Can Rachel Reeves change her fiscal rules without spooking the markets? Finally, what is the role of Downing Street’s Chief of Staff? With Sue Gray's departure, what can Morgan McSweeney learn from his predecessors to right her wrongs and rebuild the government’s image? Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes and receive early access to EMQs.Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrencyProduction support: Caillin McDaidProducers: Rosie Stopher and Miriam HallExecutive Producers: Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.