Political Currency

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

Rishi Sunak is facing dismal polling and Nigel Farage out on manouevers. In our first Election Hot Take, George Osborne reveals the sense of resignation that has set in among Tory MPs. Is the only thing that can save the Tories now a massive policy play? George thinks they may be working something up on inheritance tax.Meanwhile in Labourland, the fall out from the Diane Abbott saga continues. Angela Rayner has stepped in to defend her, opening the door for the long-time Hackney MP to stand again. What does it reveal about the power Rayner holds in the party?And the TV debates are imminent. What must the leaders convey about themselves if they want to win the keys to No.10?\We just can't get enough of the election, so we've launching this extra HOT TAKE. Become a member of the🏅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!Executive Producer: Ellie CliffordTechnical Producer: Oliver GeraghtyPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

Gimmicks and gaffes have been a feature of the first week of the election campaign. Inspired by Ed Davey’s attempt to raise awareness of river pollution by falling off a paddleboard – multiple times – George and Ed reflect on the nation’s (and their own) cringiest political stunts. And George  finally reveals all –  how did he end up doing the ultimate Tory power stance?It’s not just PR moves though, policy debate is in full swing. Ed and George disagree on Labour’s planned tax on private school fees and mull the consequences the election could have for the markets. Plus, Ed offers his top tips to Michael Gove, amid rumours he might be about to trade in his spot in the cabinet for a place on the Strictly dance floor… Remember to send us your questions to questions@politicalcurrency.co.ukWe just can't get enough of the election, so we're launching an extra HOT TAKE every Tuesday during the election. Join our🏅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: Ellie Clifford and Ned MilesProduction 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. 

After a faltering start in the rain, Rishi Sunak’s campaign seems to be gaining momentum. Is it enough to prove he was right to gamble on a snap election? While it might not all be plain sailing for the Conservatives, things have certainly been looking up as trouble brews in the Labour Party. Ed Balls thinks Keir Starmer's handling of Diane’s Abbott’s candidacy has been a “terrible mess”. Could it have real ramifications for his hopes at the polls? But elsewhere George Osborne thinks a nightmare could be brewing for the Tories in the form of Nigel Farage. Could the so-called “honorary president” of Reform UK be looking for a Conservative seat? We just can't get enough of the election, so we're launching an extra HOT TAKE every Tuesday. Can't wait? Subscribe to POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to get early access on Monday afternoons, as well as getting EMQs on Friday and every episode AD-FREE! Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrencyRemember to send us your questions to questions@politicalcurrency.co.ukProducer: Rosie Stopher and Ned MilesProduction support: Miriam HallTechnical Producer: Oliver Geraghty Executive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

Ed Balls and George Osborne have election fever and won’t be stopped from answering your EMQs. How did George get the election date so wrong? Is the public too despondent with the state of politics to bother voting at all? And could the Liberal Democrats stun us all to become a credible opposition? Plus, George reveals what he thinks the Tories’ attack line on Keir Starmer will be, and Ed tries to nail him down on just who the incompetent junior minister in his treasury was…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 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 Stopher and Ned MilesProduction support: Miriam HallTechnical Producer: Will Gibson SmithExecutive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.