Political Currency

With the general election in sight, has Nigel Farage made a campaign misstep? His claim that the west provoked the Russian invasion of Ukraine has been met with international indignation – but will it have any on his polling?And as we enter the final 10 days of campaigning, things aren’t looking great over at Conservative HQ – has Rishi Sunak accepted his party’s dismal fate? The Tory leader appears to be switching to a strategy of damage control, but it’s unclear if it will be enough to entice Conservative voters out… Plus, George Osborne marks 10 years since his first major speech on the Northern Powerhouse. What should an incoming Labour government learn from the mistakes of the past? JOIN OUR POLITICAL PARTY! Sign up to POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes, receive early access to EMQs and to listen on Mondays to our brand new ELECTION EXTRAS. Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrencyRemember to send us your questions to questions@politicalcurrency.co.ukTechnical Producer: Will Gibson SmithExecutive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie Clifford

Will shy Tories (or Reform UK-ers) deny Keir Starmer his landslide? If not, who should the Conservatives install as leader to provide stability – perhaps somebody with international and domestic credibility... say ... David Cameron?Plus, does your postal vote count if you die before the big day? And, who would you invite to your ultimate political party? Please make sure you’ve got your karaoke song at the ready.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, receive early access to EMQs and to listen on Mondays to our new ELECTION EXTRAS! Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrencyRemember to send us your questions to questions@politicalcurrency.co.ukProducer: Ned MilesTechnical Producer: Oliver Geraghty and Will Gibson SmithExecutive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

Keir Starmer looks on track for a victory that could even surpass the landslide of ‘97. But how much is this a rejection of the Tories? George Osborne warns that unless the Labour leader can offer more, he may find himself turfed out after just one term. Ed suggests Starmer and Rachel Reeves should be thinking now about their first year in office, not just making it through the next fortnight.Plus, inflation has hit the Bank of England target of 2%. It should be good news for Rishi Sunak, so why do Ed and George think it proves he’s gotten his election strategy all wrong? And, should the “two-child limit” be abolished? Labour are under increasing pressure to scrap the policy George implemented. George and Ed go head to head on what’s fair and right when it comes to kids, tax breaks and who gets them… You could have been listening to this episode early and ad-free! Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes, receive early access to EMQs and to listen on Mondays to our brand new ELECTION EXTRAS. Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrencyRemember to send us your questions to questions@politicalcurrency.co.ukProduction support: Miriam Hall Producer: Ned MilesTechnical Producer: Will Gibson Smith and Oliver Geraghty Executive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie Clifford

Can Rishi Sunak do anything to rescue his flailing election campaign? Some advisors have suggested the answer may lie in ramping up negative attacks on Keir Starmer. Why does George Osborne think that approach would be a “disaster” for Sunak?And, have you noticed which MPs are missing from the airwaves? Ed Balls says it tells you more about the parties’ upcoming problems than you might first realise.Plus, Rachel Reeves has been working hard to court British businesses. But will her strategy pay off?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, receive early access to EMQs and to listen on Mondays to our brand new election HOT TAKES. Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrencyExecutive Producer: Ellie CliffordTechnical Producer: Will Gibson SmithPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What more can be done to tackle childhood obesity? George Osborne and Ed Balls answer a question from Jamie Oliver on whether a future government could further Wes Streeting’s commitment to banning energy drinks and tackle childhood obesity. Is a protest vote ever worthwhile? And, former Tory MP Margot James asks: where are all the women in the campaigns?  Plus, what is it like to be kicked out of Number 10 at speed? And perhaps more importantly, what are the political souvenirs that get left behind? Ed reveals a surprising artefact left behind by Tony Blair…You could have gotten this episode early and ad-free by subscribing to POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 Enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes, receive early access to EMQs and to listen on Mondays to our brand new ELECTION EXTRAS.  Remember to send us your questions to questions@politicalcurrency.co.ukProducer: Rosie StopherTechnical Producer: Oliver GeraghtyExecutive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. 

After a rocky moment over his support of Jeremy Corbyn, Keir Starmer was determined to get his campaign back on track with the launch of his manifesto. George Osborne asks what it tells us about a potential incoming Labour government and Ed Balls warns it could be a financial straitjacket, making life for the party ‘very difficult’. Meanwhile, Rishi Sunak suffered a series of embarrassing media gaffes this week. Has bad polling sealed his fate or can he do anything to turn things around now?And in America, President Biden’s son Hunter is facing prison after being found guilty on criminal gun charges. What does it mean in the race for the White House?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, receive early access to EMQs and to listen on Mondays to our brand new ELECTION EXTRAS. Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrencyRemember to send us your questions to questions@politicalcurrency.co.ukProducer: Rosie StopherTechnical Producer: Oliver Geraghty Executive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

Have the wheels well and truly fallen off the Conservative election campaign? After a dismal D-Day debacle and news that social media campaigning is suspended, Ed Balls and George Osborne question whether Rishi Sunak is just giving up.Regardless, it’s manifesto launch week for the Conservatives, Labour and the Lib Dems, and an opportunity for each party to commit to their election promises. But do manifestos actually matter? And what’s going on behind the scenes as they’re finalised?And election chaos seems to be spreading - in the aftermath of far-right success at the EU election, French President Emmanuel Macron has called a snap election. How does this bode for the UK’s own election?We’ve got election fever, so we're launching this ELECTION EXTRA Hot Take! 🏅 Subscribe to POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD party, to get the episodes a day early, on Monday, as well as EMQs on a Friday and every episode ad-free!Producer: Rosie StopherExecutive Producer: Dino SofosTechnical Producer: Will Gibson SmithPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.Subscribe now on Patreon.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Labour and the Tories can’t stop arguing about whether things are getting better, or if they’ve never been worse: So what’s the truth? Ed Balls and George Osborne weigh up whether the two are mutually exclusive. Rob Burley wants to know if we’re seeing the consequences of the demise of the long-form interview in this election campaign, and we take a look at Labour’s candidates.  Plus, in light of Nigel Farage’s milkshake incident, Ed takes us back to another time when a politician had an unwelcome interaction with a member of the public’s food: John Prescott’s egg incident. 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, receive early access to EMQs and to listen on Mondays to our brand new election HOT TAKES. Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrencyRemember to send us your questions to questions@politicalcurrency.co.ukProducer: Rosie StopherProduction support: Miriam HallTechnical Producer: Oliver GeraghtyExecutive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

The first election TV debate might be over, but the ripples of Rishi Sunak’s £2000 tax claim are still being felt around Westminster and beyond. Ed Balls and George Osborne wonder whether this could become the defining issue of this election - and question how on earth Keir Starmer was so underprepared for it. As the party leaders continue on their tours of constituency hotspots, what’s the real story behind their campaigns? Handily, George knows a thing or two, having run an election campaign himself, and he draws back the curtain on what’s really going on.And if there’s one thing Ed and George love, it’s a budget - so when can we expect the first post-election fiscal event? Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes, receive early access to EMQs and Inside The Room, and to live show tickets. Try for free: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrencyRemember to send us your questions to questions@politicalcurrency.co.ukProducer: Rosie StopherProduction support: Miriam HallTechnical Producer: Oliver GeraghtyExecutive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie Clifford