Shows
Political FixAre Jeremy Hunt’s plans really a ‘Budget for growth’?Why was the chancellor buoyed by forecasts that the UK would avoid a technical recession when the economy is still set to shrink? We dissect the economic and political implications of Jeremy Hunt’s Budget, including his giveaway on pension limits - set to benefit the country’s richest - which Labour seized on as helping the wrong people. Presented by George Parker, with economics editor Chris Giles, political columnist Stephen Bush, consumer editor Claer Barrett and special guest Torsten Bell, chief executive of the Resolution Foundation. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Manuela Saragossa. The sound engine...2023-03-1729 minPolitical FixRishi Sunak tackles the small-boat crossingsEven the Home Secretary Suella Braverman admitted there were questions over the legality of the tough new legislation introduced in the House of Commons this week. Others criticised it for being inhumane. We discuss the language and strategy of the policy and ask, is it workable? Plus, the UK-France summit in Paris shines a spotlight on the warmth between Rishi Sunak and Emmanuel Macron and the two countries’ post-Brexit relationship.Presented by George Parker, with deputy opinion editor Miranda Green, political correspondent Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe, Paris bureau chief Leila Aboud and special guest former UK ambassador to Fr...2023-03-1125 minPolitical FixHas Rishi Sunak’s NI deal silenced Tory Eurosceptics?Boris Johnson may have criticised the prime minister’s deal on post-Brexit trading in Northern Ireland but a number of formerly staunch Eurosceptic rebels — including Northern Ireland minister Steve Baker — have enthused about Sunak’s success. How is the PM going to manage dissent within his own ranks, or is Eurosceptic opposition crumbling? Plus, what the deal on the new-look protocol - aka the Windsor framework - means in practice for business.Presented by George Parker, with political correspondent Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe, Ireland correspondent Jude Webber, Brussels correspondent Andy Bounds and special guest former Tory cabinet minister and New...2023-03-0326 minPolitical FixNorthern Ireland: Rishi Sunak’s big testA deal to resolve the bitter dispute over post-Brexit trade in Northern Ireland was due this week but the UK prime minister appears to have a fight on his hands to stop it unravelling as he faces opposition from Tory Eurosceptics and the Democratic Unionist party. Is Sunak facing a moment of truth on his authority? Plus, a new report revealed the dire state of Britain’s public services and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer laid out his five “missions” to sort out the country.Presented by George Parker, with deputy political editor Jim Pickard, columnist Robert...2023-02-2423 minPolitical FixWhat Nicola Sturgeon’s exit means for UK politicsScotland’s first minister announced this week that she was stepping down after eight years in office. What does her resignation mean for the Scottish National party and Scotland’s independence campaign? We discuss the country’s future. Plus, presenter George Parker talks to Douglas Alexander, former Labour cabinet minister, about his Scottish Labour comeback and his party’s prospects.With Scottish correspondent Lukanyo Mnyanda and special guest constitutional expert Professor Nicola McEwen. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Manuela Saragosa. The sound engineer was Breen Turner We'd like to hear from you. What do you li...2023-02-1724 minPolitical FixSunak and the backseat former PMsLiz Truss and Boris Johnson have both been intervening this week. Could they challenge Rishi Sunak? We discuss how much of a threat to him they are. Plus, we delve into the cabinet and Whitehall shake-ups. An industrial strategy was dropped while areas like energy security and technology became priorities. Is this more than a change of labels?Presented by George Parker, with deputy opinion editor Miranda Green, columnist Robert Shrimsley and special guests Conservative MP Greg Clark and Hannah White, director of the Institute for Government. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Manuela Saragosa. The sound...2023-02-1124 minPolitical FixRishi Sunak’s first 100 daysAfter a week that’s seen mass strikes and a growing number of bullying allegations against his deputy Dominic Raab, we discuss how Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has fared during his first 100 days in office. Plus, we delve into the government’s approach to net zero and the pressure Sunak is under to ditch the ‘green crap’.Presented by George Parker, with deputy political editor Jim Pickard, deputy opinion editor Miranda Green and columnists Robert Shrimsley and Stephen Bush. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Manuela Saragosa. The sound engineer was Breen TurnerCredits: Channel...2023-02-0428 minPolitical FixZahawi £5mn tax scandal tests SunakLabour’s Sir Keir Starmer attacked Rishi Sunak as ‘weak’ as calls escalated for the Tory party chair Nadhim Zahawi to be sacked over his £5mn settlement with Inland Revenue. How much is the row damaging the PM’s credibility and his vows to clean up parliamentary standards? Plus, as Sunak and his cabinet met for an awayday at Chequers to map out strategy, we discuss the challenge of his rocky ‘narrow path’ to election victory.Presented by George Parker, with deputy political editor Jim Pickard, political correspondent Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe and columnists Robert Shrimsley and Stephen Bush. Produce...2023-01-2825 minPolitical FixWhat Keir Starmer did at DavosSir Keir Starmer and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves gave a pre-Davos interview to the FT before setting off to woo the global elite in Switzerland at the World Economic Forum in a remarkable turnround in Labour sentiment. Why were they going, with what message, while Prime Minister Rishi Sunak chose to go to Morecambe instead? And what do the financial titans make of the UK’s prospects? Plus, we discuss the UK’s controversial plans for a bonfire of more than 4,000 EU rules that would put huge power in ministers’ hands, unleash regulatory uncertainty and is causing dismay among busine...2023-01-2124 minPolitical FixA rumbustious start to 2023Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer clash at PMQs as they set out their plans for a year that could shape the outcome of the general election. The prime minister faces industrial unrest, demands to solve the Northern Ireland standoff and the ever-present threat of a resurgent Boris Johnson, and can the Labour leader show he has any answers? Plus, we look at the outlook for business and the economy.Presented by George Parker, with columnists Robert Shrimsley and Stephen Bush, chief UK business correspondent Daniel Thomas and special guest Syma Cullasy-Aldridge of the CBI. Produced by...2023-01-1426 min