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Politics Unpacked
When to Hold a General Election
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When it comes to holding a general election, timing is everything. With Rishi Sunak reportedly hoping to pull off a surprise win late in 2024, Patrick Maguire is joined by historian Phil Tinline and former advisers Ayesha Hazarika and Giles Kenningham to discuss when to go early, and when to go late.
Plus columnists Manveen Rana and Matthew Syed on Liz Truss' speech to a US think-tank, why a former Tory party chair has said Suella Braverman's rhetoric is racist, and Kirstie Allsop's call to cut stamp duty for the elderly.
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Not Your Traditional Socialist Government
32:36|With the public finances under pressure, the unions meet John Healey and make a series of demands ahead of the Budget. Can Andy Burnham avoid the sense that he's running a 'traditional tax and spend socialist government'?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Sarah Ditum and Andy Silvester.
Trusting The Tech Broligarchy
31:17|Open AI boss Sam Altman says people are "right to be afraid" of artificial intelligence but that firms like his can be trusted to "do the right thing" - so should we rely on Silicon Valley to regulate itself?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Jane Mulkerrins and Robert Crampton.
Trump and the AI 'Hoax'
30:35|Donald Trump dismisses warnings about AI as a “hoax” by those who want to regulate the industry. But how worried should we be - and what happens if the president doesn’t take the threat seriously?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with James Marriott and Charlotte Ivers.
Reform's Record-Breaking Donations
33:13|Reform UK is confident that the £72m in donations it received from two crypto-billionaires are legal, but could the government still change the law to force them to return the money?Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Sonia Sodha.
Burnham's Winter of Gloom
29:29|Britons face an expensive winter with rising bills and the prospect of higher taxes. Can Andy Burnham still deliver on his promise to make people feel “hopeful” as the cold sets in?And on the anniversary of 9/11, is Britain safer or more dangerous than it was 25 years ago?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Alys Denby and Michael Binyon.
Burnham’s Early Election Dilemma
30:24|A successful party conference could tempt Andy Burnham to call an early general election, but will he take the risk?Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Parris and Cindy Yu.
PMQs: National Security vs Social Security
46:19|At PMQs, Andy Burnham says that national security "can't come at the expense of social security". But if he won't cut benefits to fund defence, where will he find the money?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges with Lara Spirit, Deputy Political Editor of The Sunday Times, and Chris Ward, Labour MP and former aide to Keir Starmer.Picture: House of Commons
Burnham Risks Trump's Anger
33:27|Andy Burnham's first policy move risks angering President Trump, will there be a backlash from the US? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte Ivers and James Marriott.
Healey Promises 'Growth Britain'
35:35|John Healey made his first major speech since becoming Chancellor, saying the economy is 'turning a corner' and promising growth. Is his optimism justified? Hugo Rikfind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Patrick Kidd.