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Whitehall Sources
A Government in Crisis Mode: Sanctions and Gemma Collins
Season 5, Ep. 23
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In this episode of Whitehall Sources, Calum Macdonald, Jo Tanner, and James Nation pull back the curtain on another busy week at Westminster. After Andy Burnham was confirmed as a candidate for the Makerfield by-election, and a likely candidate for Prime Minister, are the government now in crisis mode and will anything they do increase their approval ratings?
Also on the show today:
- Why did the UK quietly loosen sanctions on refined Russian oil and diesel behind Europe's back? We break down the late-night technical notice that left ministers fumbling for answers.
- Bridget Phillipson called criticism of a social media video with Gemma Collins "snobbery," but why did the Department for Education’s collaboration with her leave Special Educational Needs (SEND) parents and campaigners absolutely furious?
- Rachel Reeves announces a summer VAT holiday on theme parks, cinemas, and zoos while the government fights off rumours of supermarket food price caps. Is this smart cost-of-living policy or sheer desperation?
- And a brutal text exchange between Jonny Reynolds and suspended Labour MP Karl Turner goes viral on X. Is this sending completely the wrong message on mental health?
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31. Andy Burnham's Plan: Tax, Devolution & The Next Chancellor
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37:56||Season 5, Ep. 30Is Andy Burnham destined to be the next Prime Minister? In this episode of Whitehall Sources, Calum Maconald, Jo Tanner, and James Nation break down the imminent "coronation" of the former Greater Manchester Mayor as the potential next leader of the Labour Party.We are joined by Financial Times Northern England Correspondent Jennifer Williams to unpack what a decade of covering Burnham reveals about his leadership style, his weaknesses, and his "Manchesterism" vision for the UK economy. From his explosive COVID-19 showdowns to his comparisons with Boris Johnson and FDR's New Deal, we explore how Burnham plans to reinvent national renewal—and whether his famous charm will survive the ruthless central government press machine.29. Keir Starmer Resigns: How Andy Burnham is Seizing Power
41:52||Season 5, Ep. 29Sir Keir Starmer has announced he is standing down as Prime Minister. In this emergency episode of Whitehall Sources, Calum Macdonald, political strategist Jo Tanner, and former No. 10 deputy policy chief James Nation take you inside the room for one of the most shocking days in modern Westminster history.How did Starmer’s authority evaporate just two years into his premiership? From the catastrophic fallout of the budget and the Mandelson affair to the historic Makerfield by-election victory, we break down exactly why the game was up for Starmer.Plus, we look at the incredible visuals of Andy Burnham’s arrival in Westminster. With over 200 Labour MPs rushing to be in his selfie, power has officially shifted. Is a Burnham coronation inevitable? What does a Burnham government mean for the economy, devolution, and the markets? And what is it actually like inside Number 10 when a Prime Minister resigns?If you want to stay inside politics at Westminster, make sure to hit that SUBSCRIBE button and turn on notifications!
28. Andy Burnham’s Landslide Victory Changes Everything | Feed Swap
37:30||Season 5, Ep. 28FEED SWAP: We introduce you to the Political Business podcast, hosted by Nathan Parsad-Wyatt and Kevin McKeever-------Andy Burnham has secured a historic landslide victory in the Makerfield by-election, taking 55% of the vote and delivering a massive blow to Reform UK. Is this the end of the road for Prime Minister Keir Starmer? In this episode of Political Business, hosts Nathan Parsad-Wyatt and Kevin McKeever break down the dramatic ground war in Makerfield, how Burnham successfully mobilized "unicorn" non-voters, and why Westminster is preparing for an imminent shift in Labour leadership. We also sit down with polling expert Scarlett Maguire (Founder & MD of Merlin Strategy) to dissect the hard data, explore the surprising Conservative by-election win in Aberdeen, and analyze what a potential Burnham Premiership means for the future of British politics and business.📌 SUBSCRIBE for more deep dives into the intersection of British politics and business.#AndyBurnham #KeirStarmer #MakerfieldByElection #LabourParty #ReformUK #UKPolitics #PoliticalBusiness27. What is a Carent: Why Millions of Adult Children Are Secretly Burning Out
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30:35||Season 5, Ep. 25On today's episode of Whitehall Sources, Calum Macdonald, Jo Tanner and James Nation discuss a week in UK politics that was dominated by only one story.The tragic murder of 18-year-old student Henry Novak and the subsequent release of harrowing police bodycam footage has sparked political reaction from party leaders, police men and women and members of the public. Calum, Jo and James discuss the tragedy and the political fallout: has this led to a serious discussion on "two-tier policing" rhetoric? Does it need to? ... and how are political leaders are navigating the tragic murder of Henry?24. Tony Blair’s Brutal Reality Check and Alun Milburn on NEETs
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