Political Currency

Keir Starmer has caved and returned thousands of pounds in freebies given to him by a Labour donor, in an attempt to close a rather embarrassing chapter for the government. But has he successfully hosed it down? Ed Balls and George Osborne consider whether it's a textbook case of what not to do when you have a PR snafu on your hands. Meanwhile, tensions are escalating in the Middle East. Is there a risk of the conflict intensifying, or is the situation under control? And what does it mean for the West?And with the highly anticipated budget now merely weeks away, they take a look at what Rachel Reeves has on her plate. Is this shaping up to be the “relaunch” budget Labour needs, or are we on the verge of a new era of anti-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 McDaidProducers: Rosie Stopher and Miriam HallExecutive Producers: Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

Has the Tory leadership contest just been decided? Our man on the ground George Osborne is reporting directly back to Ed Balls from today’s Conservative Party Conference leadership hustings. Is the crown James Cleverly’s for the taking after a storming speech? Plus, George is joined by Tory watchers-extraordinaire, Michael Gove and Danny Finkelstein, for their post-hustings analysis.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/politicalcurrencyVideo Producer: Mikey NissenbaumProducer: Rosie StopherExecutive Producers: Ellie Clifford and Dino SofosPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

Ed Balls and George Osborne open up this week on their most ardent, contrarian views. Is reincarnation real? Political reincarnation, perhaps. George shares how his thoughts have moved with the times and how he has reached some fresh conclusions on cannabis   – conclusions with which, it turns out, Ed completely disagrees. And, they field questions straight from the Labour party conference. Tips for the new Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones? Ed and George are happy to oblige. And what do they make of the demands for food security and environmental improvements amid rumours about cuts to the agricultural budget?  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/politicalcurrency Production support: Caillin McDaidProducer: Rosie Stopher and Miriam Hall Technical producer: Ollie GeraghtyExecutive 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.

Who’s hungry enough to seize the Tory crown? As the Conservative Party Conference nears, the leadership contest is heating up. Of the four hopefuls, who will get the backing of the party’s elder statesmen Michael Gove and Boris Johnson? George knows who Boris wants as leader, and that person isn’t currently in the race… Labour’s wrapped up its party conference, which was light on announcements and heavy on gloom. Both George Osborne and Ed Balls are wondering why so sad? A trip to the UN seems like a break at this point for Keir Starmer, so what can they do to turn those frowns upside down?And across the Atlantic, it's a story of Trump’s tariffs and Kamala’s capitalism – with the US presidential race reaching the pointy end, how much is the economy playing a role in the campaign? 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 HallTechnical producer: Ollie GeraghtyExecutive Producers: Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. 

Rachel Reeves took to the stage at the Labour Party Conference in a wet and gloomy Liverpool, hoping to brighten her party’s fortunes. After a tumultuous few weeks for the new government with rows over ‘Keir’s gear’, Sue Gray and the Winter Fuel Payment, the new chancellor hoped to prove that after 14 years of the Tories, Labour were all set to deliver a bright new future. But it was a speech that was heavy on rhetoric, light on policy and disrupted by a pro-Palestine protestor. Has she done enough to shake off accusations that she’s the next ‘austerity chancellor’? Ed Balls and George Osborne pick over her speech and ask whether she’s managed to convince voters they’ve made the right choice… Our next episode of EMQs will be a Labour Party Conference special - Political Currency Gold subscribers get first dibs on questions. 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/politicalcurrencyProducer: Rosie StopherExecutive Producers: Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

Rachel Reeves takes to the Labour party conference stage today, but hopefully not before she has chance to listen to Ed Balls and George Osborne’s sage advice on how to give a great conference speech. We take a stroll down memory lane and reflect on some of the most rousing speeches in British party conference political history – from the funny to the formative. Which MPs have tattoos? Ed and George list out the candidates most likely, bu have either of them got a decorative dolphin or butterfly somewhere discreet?!And does anyone in the Treasury actually read budget representations? Or is it a huge waste of time and effort?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 and Miriam Hall Technical producer: Danny PapeExecutive Producers: Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. 

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/politicalcurrencyProduction support: Caillin McDaidProducers: Rosie Stopher and Miriam HallTechnical producer: Danny PapeExecutive Producers: Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

Are eloquent middle class people hogging valuable public service resources? Ed Balls and George Osborne debate the case for co-payments to ease the burden. How can both Ed and George be correct on their analyses of the 2010 financial situation? And why do politicians continue to trot out their media spin lines when it’s clear to everyone that they’re not answering the question?Plus, Ed and George share their favourite conference memories as party conferences get underway. 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 and Miriam Hall Technical producer: Will Gibson SmithExecutive Producers: Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

The NHS must “reform or die”, says Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Is he channelling his “inner Tony Blair” in a gutsy move on our health service or is this another policy which will end in controversy, much like the winter fuel allowance or early prison releases? Across the pond, the US Presidential TV debate gave Kamala Harris an edge as she took on Donald Trump for the first time. But perhaps even more of a win was Taylor Swift’s endorsement, which soon followed. But do celebrity supporters make any real difference in politics? And, back in Europe, George gives us the inside track on the effect his former counterpart, France’s new Prime Minister Michel Barnier, will have on future relations with our neighbours across the Channel. 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 HallTechnical producer: Will Gibson SmithExecutive Producers: Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.