The Leader | Evening Standard daily

Rishi Sunak is to weaken some of the government’s key green commitments in a major policy shift.The Prime Minister reckons it’s possible to meet 2050 net zero carbon emissions goals but in a “more proportionate way”.With an eye on a general election expected next year, Sunak risks triggering a feud with Conservative party members who are progressive on green issues.His speech on Tuesday was pushed forward after a leak to the BBC suggested major u-turn include delaying a ban on the sales of new petrol and diesel cars by five years, and the phasing out of gas boilers.While the government’s 2030 target for banning new internal combustion engine cars could also reportedly be pushed back by half a decade.The Leader podcast’s joined by Luke Murphy, associate director for energy and climate at the Institute for Public Policy Research think tank.

Exclusive Ipsos poll for the Standard finds six in ten adults want the next election to take place before the end of next June. Rishi Sunak V Keir Starmer: who’s in the driving seat? Does an earlier or later election benefit the Conservatives? Ipsos Director of Politics Keiran Pedley discusses the survey results, and when the PM might call the next general election. In this episode:Why there’s still everything to play for ahead of the general electionChances of a hung parliament explainedSunak V Starmer: popularity ratingsWhy the ball is in Labour’s court to convince the public to vote for themFollow us on X or on Threads.

Sir Ian McKellen and Roger Allam discuss their new play Frank & Percy at The Other Palace, London. Talking to our culture editors, Nancy Durrant and Nick Clark, Allam describes the show as a 'gay rom com', and McKellen says it ‘will appeal to anyone’. This episode is a cut down version of an in-depth interview from the The Evening Standard Theatre Podcast, to hear the full interview click here. For all the latest news head to standard.co.uk

This is a special episode taken from our business podcast, How to be a CEO.Tjodolf Sommestad is the President of King Games, creators of Candy Crush. One of the earliest 'freemium' games, over the last decade it's become the most downloaded match game in the world, with three billion downloads across platforms.

Kate Winslet, Stormzy, Victoria Beckham and Princess Beatrice all feature at Vogue World event. Burberry’s Bond Street takeover and more. How emerging designers are dealing with the cost of living crisis. Our Fashion Director Victoria Moss discusses the up-and-coming fashion designers to look out for this year, and why London Fashion Week is so significant for the city. In this episode:How Burberry’s taking over parts of LondonThe home-grown emerging talent featuring at the eventDesigner’s innovative ways of dealing with the cost of living crisisHow LFW boosts London’s economy and imageFollow us on X or on Threads.

More than half of all London roads now have 20mph limits. Do the stats back the low-speed zones? Air quality, MPG and community benefits explained. Our City Hall and Transport Editor Ross Lydall and Jeremy Leach from 20’s Plenty For Us discuss the rationale behind the 20mph zones, and whether they’re working for London. In this episode:How do we know that 20mph zones work?Why London drivers are opposed to the low-speed zonesMayor Sadiq Khan’s ambitions targets for collisionsCould 20 become the new 30 everywhere?Follow us on X or on Threads.

Is Vladimir Putin trying to secure arms from Kim Jong Un? Reports North Korea want Russian satellite technology in return. How will western leaders respond? Our Defence Editor Robert Fox describes the significance of these talks, and considers what they may lead to. In this episode:Why the meeting was a ‘marriage driven by necessity’What weaponry could North Korea provide for Russia?How a successful satellite would make North Korea more dangerousCould the consequences of this meeting affect upcoming US and UK elections?Should we be worried about this meeting?Follow us on X or on Threads.

Sir Mark Rowley: still ‘hundreds’ of Met officers who should’ve been sacked. London crime stats for the past 12 months revealed. Why the Daniel Khalife re-arrest showed ‘what the Met Police can do’. Our Home Affairs Editor Martin Bentham and our Crime Correspondent Anthony France discuss the Met Police Chief’s first twelve months as commissioner, and look ahead to what he’ll have to deal with next. In this episode:‘No sign’ of government officials losing confidence in Sir MarkHow the Met Police will be used as a ‘political football’ ahead of the general electionThe Met Chief’s priorities for the next yearHow crime figures stack up over the last 12 monthsSir Mark’s mission to ‘cut the cancer’ of rogue officers out of the forceFollow us on X or on Threads.

Despite the grim economic outlook, London’s enjoying an unprecedented boom in luxury hotel launches that will see thousands of lavish new rooms opening over the next two years.The Standard’s front page reports at least 13 high-end hotels are scheduled to open by 2025, many from world-renowned operators launching in the capital for the first time, while others get major refurbishments to tempt elite customers from their cash.It comes as the £1.1 billion Peninsula London near Hyde Park Corner prepares to open its doors, with the starting price at £1,300-a-night - but does that include breakfast?The Peninsula will be followed by the £1.5 billion Raffles London, which has been built in Whitehall’s cavernous former War Office building, rebranded Raffles London at The Owo, The Leader podcast is joined by Evening Standard business editor Jonathan Prynn and John O’Ceallaigh, founder of luxury travel consultancy Lute.