The State of It

After Donald Trump took an almighty shellacking in the US midterms, Andy Burnham is left waiting to see what the American president does next. Will Trump escalate the war in Iran or find a way out? The difference could mean the difference between soaring inflation and higher energy bills, or falling oil prices, stronger growth and relief for households. With Britain largely powerless to influence the decision, Westminster is watching Washington closely.

Meanwhile, Russell Brand’s conviction has reopened questions about Labour’s embrace of him in 2015. What are the political consequences for Ed Miliband and Andy Burnham? And could the controversy over the defence barrister’s arguments about rape myths lead to changes in how judges direct juries?

Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times
Ben Riley-Smith, political editor, The Sunday Times
Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times

Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson
Executive producer: Molly Guinness

Picture: Getty Images
This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brexit is back, but did it ever really go away? Andy Burnham is preparing to make some big concessions to the EU to get his latest deal over the line. On the table? Youth mobility, equal university fees for EU students and Britain aligning with EU tariffs on Chinese electric cars — all while the bloc pushes ahead with its ‘Made in Europe’ protectionist plan, which threatens to shut British industry out.

Meanwhile, Shabana Mahmood has been forced to water down her immigration reforms to head off a rebellion of more than 100 Labour MPs. Care workers who meet their visa conditions will keep a five-year route to settlement, rather than face the tougher new rules; around 300,000 fewer people will be caught by the changes. Has she suffered a humiliating climbdown, or has she still pushed through one of the biggest shake-ups of legal migration in decades?

Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times
Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times
Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times

Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson

Pictures: Getty Images
This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John Healey’s first Budget is being dubbed the “Bronski Beat Budget”: a Chancellor running away from the big decisions on welfare and defence. With growth downgraded, energy bills set to soar and taxes at record highs, how much room for manoeuvre does he really have? And is this Burnham’s economy now, with the Chancellor merely keeping the engine running until the Prime Minister’s 10-year plan arrives?

Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times
Ben Riley-Smith, political editor, The Sunday Times
Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times
Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times

Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson

Pictures: Getty Images
This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arguing in the Labour party is ramping up. Andy Burnham has further fuelled the Brexit wars, floating a return to free movement and even EU membership, even though he claimed there was “nothing socialist” about free movement a decade ago. Is this political manoeuvring, or does Burnham himself know where he wants to end up?

Meanwhile, Labour’s cabinet is split over North Sea drilling and immigration, with ministers publicly contradicting one another. Is Burnham a sort of Scouse Boris, coasting on charisma alone?

And then there’s Wednesday's Budget. A fuel duty freeze, help with energy bills and a possible bank tax are all in the mix — but with the public finances under pressure, could John Healey have a rabbit up his sleeve?

Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times
Ben Riley-Smith, political editor, The Sunday Times
Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times
Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times

Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson

Pictures: Getty Images

00:00 - The Free Movement Bombshell
00:33 - The Scoop: How Andy Burnham Reopened the Brexit Debate
01:22 - Did Burnham Cross His Own Red Lines?
03:41 - Testing the Waters: Tactical Leak or Honest Mistake?
05:46 - A Scouse Boris? Burnham’s High-Risk Politics
07:44 - European Summit Secrets & Whitehall Panic
09:20 - Cabinet Mutiny: The Ministers Pushing Back
12:10 - Rejoining vs Growth: The Threat to British AI & Industry
13:30 - Burnham vs His Past Self: The 2016 Anti-EU Speech
15:48 - Cabinet Split Round 2: The Rosebank Oil War
18:24 - Resignation Watch: Will Ed Miliband Walk?
21:17 - The Brutal Pile-On Against Shabana Mahmood
23:26 - Leaked Budget: OBR Warns of Record-Breaking Taxes
25:04 - Cost of Living: Fuel Duty, Energy Hikes & "Puffin" Borrowing
26:55 - John Healey's Warning: "An Economic Storm Is Coming"
29:40 - The Global Crisis: Why the Government Can’t Save Your Wallet
31:25 - Final Predictions & Tomorrow's Budget Special
This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former Bank of England chief economist Andy Haldane, a close ally of Andy Burnham, has sounded the alarm over the upcoming budget, warning the Prime Minister can’t “vibe-code his way to growth”.
Patrick joins John Healey on the road, getting a glimpse of the Chancellor’s pro-business pitch — and the bottle of HP Sauce he keeps in his briefcase.
Ben takes us inside the budget, unpacking four key areas: help with business costs, support for households facing rising energy bills, a fuel duty freeze and a package to tackle youth unemployment. Can Healey’s budget deliver meaningful change, or is the big stuff still being kicked down the road?
Ben reflects on his time with Andy Burnham, exploring the mayor’s ambitions, political instincts and frustration with Westminster — and what his first 100 days reveal about his wider national project.

Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times
Ben Riley-Smith, political editor, The Sunday Times
Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times

Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson
Executive producer: Molly Guinness

Pictures: Getty Images
This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.