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The Standard
Labour manifesto launch & general election data journalism
Season 1
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Labour launched its general election manifesto on Tuesday as Sir Keir Starmer sought to reassure millions of voters across middle England with a pledge of “stability” after years of Tory “chaos”.
Sir Keir declared the party would be “pro-business and pro-worker”, ruling out some tax rises, including on VAT, income tax and National Insurance.
But how - and what’s still at risk of rising or being cut?
For the latest, we’re joined by Evening Standard political editor Nicholas Cecil.
Plus, stats, names, numbers and percentages will come in thick and fast from hundreds of constituencies on 4 July - and the Evening Standard’s news team has preparing fresh ways to present results metrics to our audience.
Interactive maps, charts and graphs will also help readers to digest the data leading up to the general election.
Evening Standard business and technology correspondent Simon Hunt tells Mark Blunden about preparations for their data journalism project to go live soon at standard.co.uk.
More episodes
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The Standard’s 2026 travel hot list
19:48||Season 1Blue Monday is behind us – and January is often the best time of year to book a holiday.In this bumper travel episode, The Standard’s lifestyle director Suzannah Ramsdale joins travel journalist Alicia Miller to unpack the trendiest destinations for 2026. From meadows in Cantabria to the sandy beaches of the new Maldives, the two select options for different budgets and trip lengths – and break down our current sauna obsession.
Trump’s first year back
19:19||Season 1It has been one year since Donald Trump returned to the White House for a second term.So how much has he changed the US — and the world — in just twelve months? And what might the rest of his presidency look like?In this episode, The Standard’s Political Editor Nicholas Cecil takes stock of Trump’s first year back in office with Laurel Rapp, Director of the US and North America Programme at Chatham House. Laurel previously served as Deputy Director on the US Secretary of State’s Policy Planning Staff, working on American grand strategy under Presidents Obama, Biden and Trump — twice. Together, they reflect on the key moments of Trump’s first year back, what is different this time around, and what it all means for America’s role on the world stage.
The Future of Britain’s Pubs, with Tom Kerridge
16:29||Season 1Is the government doing enough to support the country’s hospitality sector?In this episode, the London Standard's Going Out editor David Ellis sits down with Michelin-starred chef, restaurateur and publican Tom Kerridge to discuss the realities of running a hospitality business today. From soaring business rates to rising costs and shrinking margins, Kerridge explains why pubs are under unprecedented pressure and what the government could do to help the sector survive – and even grow
Exclusive Interview: Laila Cunningham hopes to reform London
15:21||Season 1It has been a busy start to the year for Laila Cunningham, the Westminster councillor newly selected as Reform UK’s candidate for the London 2028 Mayoral election. In today’s episode, The Standard’s City Hall Editor Ross Lydall sits down with Laila Cunningham to discuss controversial remarks she made earlier this week about London not being a “Muslim city”. During this interview, Cunningham sets out plans to make wearing face coverings, including the burqa, grounds for police to stop and search Londoners. She also discloses that, despite leading Reform’s campaign for the May borough elections, she will not be standing as a candidate herself.
Gary Brecka on Brave New World (Preview)
12:19||Season 1A special preview from our sister podcast Brave New World, featuring a new episode from its latest series.For Episode Four, host Evgeny Lebedev is joined by human biologist, longevity science monolith and founder of The Ultimate Human, Gary Brecka. Together, they explore why so many people feel stuck at a “six out of ten,” what Gary believes to be the cause of fatigue, brain fog, poor sleep, soreness, low mood, and why poor exercise recovery is often driven by nutrient deficiencies.Listen to the full conversation on the Brave New World podcast
Iranian Londoners stand for change
12:44||Season 1As protests continue across Iran amid a rising death toll and a record number of arrests, members of the Iranian diaspora in London, home to an estimated 40,000 Iranian-born residents, are gathering publicly to express support and show solidarity.In this episode of The Standard, host Tamara Kormornick is joined by Laila Jazayeri, Director of the Association of Anglo-Iranian Women in the UK. They discuss the unfolding situation in Iran, why so many are mobilising in London, and how international support could help usher in a new era for the country.Clip: Sky News
Is London Lawless?
19:15||Season 1Last year saw one of London’s lowest rates of homicides, with less than 100 fatalities. How is the city tackling crime, and how safe is London?In this episode of The Standard, Tamara Kormornick is joined by the Director of The London Mayors Violent Crime Reduction Unit, to discuss the status of violent crime in London — and whether the city is as lawless as Donald Trump makes it out to be.
Wet January: Why the Worst Month to Go Dry Is January
13:08||Season 1Every January, campaigns like Dry January and Veganuary encourage restraint and self-denial at the coldest, darkest point of the year. But what if we’ve misunderstood both health and the seasons?In this episode of The Standard, host Alan Leer is joined by journalist Melanie McDonagh as she makes the case for “Wet January” — arguing that winter is the worst possible time to give things up, and that our modern wellness habits have lost touch with how people have historically lived through the colder months.We discuss seasonality, comfort, self-denial, and what our obsession with restraint says about modern life.
'It speaks straight to the heart': The Royal's Opera's Netia Jones on a misunderstood art form
16:50||Season 1Is there anything better than a cultural escape as winter sets in?Today we're debunking one of the lesser-known art forms - opera - as the timelessly classical La Traviata show opens in the capital, which is the most performed opera in the world.We're joined by Netia Jones, the Associate Director of Opera at the Royal Opera, to discuss the origins of the art forum, how technology is changing it, tips for first-time opera attendees and much more.And if you’re keen to experience some new culture this year, then read more about some of our top cultural picks for the year ahead.