Armando Iannucci: Westminster Reimagined | a New Statesman podcast

Armando and Anoosh delve into the inner workings of British political reporting, exploring the complex world of the Lobby, the blurred relationships that many political journalists and politicians balance - trading access and trust, - and how this landscape has been evolving over the past few years with the rise of digital and alternative media. To do this they are joined by Ash Sarkar, senior editor at Novara Media, and Ian Dunt, columnist at the I and former editor of Politics.co.uk.This us the last episode of this series of Westminster Reimagined.Listen to all previous episodes of Westminster Reimagined here: https://podfollow.com/westminster-reimagined-with-armando-iannucci-the-new-statesmanDownload the app:iOS: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/new-statesman-magazine/id610498525Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.progressivemediagroup.newstatesman&hl=en_GB&gl=USSubscribe to the New Statesman WhatsApp channel:https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va9latS0wajogms2z02c Sign up to our daily politics email: https://morningcall.substack.com/

Thurrock is suffering major cuts to all its council services after it went effectively bankrupt last December, after hundreds of millions of pounds were put into risky investments that didn’t pay off. One of the services to be gravely affected by the cuts is a place called “Thameside”, an arts complex, described locally as a “mini Barbican”, which houses a theatre, library, archive and museum.Places like Thameside often serve as the heart and soul of our communities. They bring people together, foster a sense of belonging, and contribute to our overall well-being. But what happens when these vital services face budget cuts?In this episode of Westminster Reimagined we discuss The Good Life - how much value do we put on happiness in Britain? How can government policy boost happiness? And is it possible to quantify personal wellbeing? Listen to all previous episodes of Westminster Reimagined here: https://podfollow.com/westminster-reimagined-with-armando-iannucci-the-new-statesmanDownload the app:iOS: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/new-statesman-magazine/id610498525Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.progressivemediagroup.newstatesman&hl=en_GB&gl=USSubscribe to the New Statesman WhatsApp channel:https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va9latS0wajogms2z02c Sign up to our daily politics email: https://morningcall.substack.com/

Is democracy slipping away from us? How protected are we by our constitution? And do governments have the power to swiftly change this? In June, in front of a live audience, Armando and Anoosh were joined by Simon Woolley, founder and director of Operation Black Vote and Principal of Homerton College, Cambridge, and Graham Smith, CEO of the anti-monarchy campaign group Republic.This episode was recorded shortly after the first data regarding voter ID impact in elections, and also after the arrest of Graham Smith at a pre-arranged Coronation protest.Listen to all previous episodes of Westminster Reimagined here: https://podfollow.com/westminster-reimagined-with-armando-iannucci-the-new-statesmanDownload the app:iOS: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/new-statesman-magazine/id610498525Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.progressivemediagroup.newstatesman&hl=en_GB&gl=USSubscribe to the New Statesman WhatsApp channel:https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va9latS0wajogms2z02c Sign up to our daily politics email: https://morningcall.substack.com/

The writer, satirist and broadcaster Armando Iannucci returns to the New Statesman Podcast to co-host our fourth series of Westminster Reimagined.In this episode, which was recorded in the summer of 2023, Armando and Anoosh visit a group of sixth form students who will be voting for the first time in the upcoming general election. They want to know what how politics is taught in schools, how the students view the UK political party system, and whether the issues that matter to the students are represented by politicians today.Download the app:iOS: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/new-statesman-magazine/id610498525Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.progressivemediagroup.newstatesman&hl=en_GB&gl=USSubscribe to the New Statesman WhatsApp channel:https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va9latS0wajogms2z02c Sign up to our daily politics email: https://morningcall.substack.com/

Our democracy is parliamentary. Why do so many Prime Minsters want to be presidential?Alistair Campbell and Catherine Haddon of the Institute for Government join Armando and Anoosh for the final episode of season three, to discuss whether presidential-style politics is a new thing, or if prime ministers have always wanted more power. They explore the impact of the Boris Johnson era and the underrated power of a strong cabinet.GuestsAlistair Campbell was Tony Blair's director of communications and now co-hosts the hit podcast The Rest is Politics.Catherine Haddon is resident historian at the Institute for Government.--This episode was originally published in the New Statesman podcast feed on December 9, 2022.Listen to the New Statesman podcast here: https://podfollow.com/new-statesmanSubscribe to the New Statesman for full access to all our reporting and analysis.Get your first month free: www.newstatesman.com/30daytrial

Leave meant leave. Brexit meant Brexit. Brexit "got done". But can Brexit work?Armando and Anoosh meet two brothers, both entrepreneurs, divided by Brexit. The family rift encapsulates the divisions between Leave and Remain camps that continue to impact British politics. Can the Baxter brothers, and the UK, come together and unite after years of division?GuestsIan Baxter is founder and chair of Baxter Freight, a logistics and supply chain solutions company with significant dealings in Europe. He voted to remain in the European Union.Nigel Baxter is managing director of RH Commercial Vehicles, a supplier of Heavy Goods Vehicles. He voted to leave the European Union.--This episode was originally published in the New Statesman podcast feed on December 2, 2022.Listen to the New Statesman podcast here: https://podfollow.com/new-statesmanSubscribe to the New Statesman for full access to all our reporting and analysis.Get your first month free: www.newstatesman.com/30daytrial

The truth is dead. Can politics survive?Armando and Anoosh speak to journalist James Ball and political campaigner Mae Dobbs to explore the impact of misinformation and disinformation, and also meet a former BBC executive, Pat Younge, to discuss how the broadcaster could do more to tackle a culture of lying among politicians.GuestsMae Dobbs is a digital campaign strategist who worked on the presidential campaigns of Barack Obama and Joe Biden, and Anas Sarwar's campaign for the Scottish Labour leadership.James Ball is the author of Post-Truth: How Bullshit Conquered the World, and The Other Pandemic, exploring the impact of the Qanon conspiracy theory.Pat Younge is a broadcast executive with over 30 years experience at the BBC, Channel 4 and ITV, among others.--This episode was originally published in the New Statesman podcast feed on Nov 25, 2022.Listen to the New Statesman podcast here: https://podfollow.com/new-statesmanSubscribe to the New Statesman for full access to all our reporting and analysis.Get your first month free: www.newstatesman.com/30daytrial

The Tories promised to fix "broken Britain" - but they've just made it worse.Unions are striking, the NHS is buckling, and volunteers are increasingly stepping in to provide vital services after funding cuts. How can Britain carry on like this?Armando and Anoosh meet two local activists providing volunteer community services to understand the view from the front line of community work, and explore what can be done to remedy the situation.GuestsMichelle Dornelly is the founder of Children with Voices, which runs Hackney Community Food Hub.Emilie De Bruijn launched and runs Hartlepool Baby Bank, providing support to parents of babies and young children.--This episode was originally published in the New Statesman podcast feed on November 18, 2022.Listen to the New Statesman podcast here: https://podfollow.com/new-statesmanSubscribe to the New Statesman for full access to all our reporting and analysis.Get your first month free: www.newstatesman.com/30daytrial