Politics Weekly UK

New Mandelson files: how embarrassing are they? 01.06.2026 21min

More than 1,000 pages of emails and WhatsApp messages have been released relating to Peter Mandelson’s appointment as the UK’s ambassador to the US. The documents show Mandelson’s criticism of Keir Starmer, and his desperation to become the Oxford University chancellor – but the controversial vetting file from when he was appointed ambassador is missing. Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey explain what these files show us. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politicspod">theguardian.com/politicspod</a>

Tony Blair and the battle for Labour’s soul 28.05.2026 31min

Peter Walker is joined by pollster Luke Tryl of More in Common to discuss Sir Tony Blair’s intervention in the Labour leadership saga and the party’s prospects in the Makerfield byelection Please send your questions and messages for Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey to politicsweeklyuk@theguardian.com. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politicspod">theguardian.com/politicspod</a>

The byelection, Wes Streeting and Europe: your questions answered 25.05.2026 23min

Can Andy Burnham do a better job than Keir Starmer? Is Makerfield more important for Reform than Labour? Can the UK rejoin the EU? Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey answer your messages and emails. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politicspod">theguardian.com/politicspod</a>

Stateside with Kai and Carter – Why the fight over abortion in US isn’t finished 24.05.2026 42min

The US supreme court has preserved nationwide access to mail-order abortion pills – for now. As Carter Sherman explains, the fight to protect this medication is far from over, as a nationwide, near-total abortion ban could be on the horizon. Carter speaks with Dr Angel Foster, co-founder of the Massachusetts Medication Abortion Access Project, who reveals how the legal battle over abortion pills has affected patients across the US – and what could happen next. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politicspod">theguardian.com/politicspod</a>

Wes Streeting: ‘Andy Burnham doesn’t live rent free in my head’ – podcast 22.05.2026 39min

Pippa Crerar sits down with Wes Streeting a week after his resignation from Keir Starmer’s cabinet. We find out what the former health secretary really thinks about Andy Burnham, where Labour has got it wrong and his vision for the leadership. Watch the full episode in video on YouTube here. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politicspod">theguardian.com/politicspod</a>

Andy Burnham’s first election hurdle: Brexit 18.05.2026 24min

Andy Burnham may already be facing a tricky obstacle in his push to return to Westminster. Past comments about rejoining the EU have come back to haunt him, particularly given that the Makerfield constituency voted overwhelmingly to leave in the Brexit referendum. Plus, Wes Streeting has confirmed he will stand in any leadership contest, raising fresh questions about where all this leaves Keir Starmer. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politicspod">theguardian.com/politicspod</a>

NEW: Stacey Abrams on why gutting of the US Voting Rights Act is ‘evil’ – Stateside with Kai and Carter 17.05.2026 35min

The US supreme court demolished the 1965 Voting Rights Act when they ruled in Louisiana v Callais in April that states can’t consider race in redistricting. Southern states from Tennessee to Alabama have rushed to erase majority Black districts, sparking chaos for the midterm elections. Kai Wright talks with Stacey Abrams, voting rights activist and former Georgia house minority leader, about the fallout from the decision, and why, even now, she thinks the way forward is still through engaging more voters to participate in democracy: “They have fractured communities and said we’re going to scatter these seeds. Our job is to grow.”. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politicspod">theguardian.com/politicspod</a>

Is Andy Burnham about to return to Westminster? 14.05.2026 26min

Andy Burnham has announced he will attempt to return to Westminster after the Labour MP Josh Simons said he will vacate his Makerfield seat in order for Burnham to run in a byelection. It follows a day of breaking news in which the health secretary, Wes Streeting, resigned, saying he has lost confidence in the prime minister, and Angela Rayner announced she had been cleared by the HMRC. Where does this leave Keir Starmer, the leadership of the Labour party, and the country?. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politicspod">theguardian.com/politicspod</a>

Labour plotters v stubborn Starmer: will he resign? – Today in Focus: The Latest 12.05.2026 11min

Tensions are running high in Westminster as Keir Starmer has told his cabinet he’s not going anywhere. But with several ministers quitting the government, and more than 80 MPs calling for him to go, how much longer has he got? Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s political editor, Pippa Crerar. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politicspod">theguardian.com/politicspod</a>

A messy day for Starmer: is Labour ungovernable? 11.05.2026 36min

Keir Starmer kicked off the day with a speech aimed at persuading MPs against launching any kind of leadership challenge. By lunchtime, Angela Rayner was speaking at the CWU conference calling for Andy Burnham to return. In the afternoon the list of MPs calling on him to resign was slowly creeping up but no challenge has materialised. Why is the Labour party in such a muddle over Starmer?. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politicspod">theguardian.com/politicspod</a>

Reform UK gains at Labour’s expense in local elections 08.05.2026 33min

It has been a crushing set of local and devolved elections for Labour, with Reform UK making huge gains across the country and the Greens winning in London. Keir Starmer is under pressure to announce a timeline for his departure – yet he insists he will not walk away. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politicspod">theguardian.com/politicspod</a>

Can the Greens and Reform win big in London? podcast 04.05.2026 34min

This week Politics Weekly is on the road with the Greens in Hackney and Reform UK in Bromley ahead of the local elections to see why people are turning their backs on the traditional parties in London. This episode was recorded on Monday 26th and Tuesday 27th April.. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politicspod">theguardian.com/politicspod</a>

Will Reform dominate the local and devolved elections? 30.04.2026 34min

Pippa Crerar is joined by the election analyst Prof Rob Ford to look at the upcoming local and devolved elections. Will Reform dominate across England? Can the Greens remove Labour’s longstanding hold over London? And will the nationalists win in Scotland and Wales?. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politicspod">theguardian.com/politicspod</a>

Will this be another nightmare week for Keir Starmer? 27.04.2026 33min

Keir Starmer is facing another tumultuous week. His former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney will be grilled in front of MPs on Tuesday over the Peter Mandelson vetting scandal, there are rumours that Labour MPs are working out how to transition Starmer out of power and the prime minister might be forced to appear in front of the privileges select committee to defend himself against accusations he misled parliament. How long can this go on?. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politicspod">theguardian.com/politicspod</a>

Has Starmer’s sacking of Olly Robbins backfired? 23.04.2026 35min

After Keir Starmer’s statement to the Commons and gripping evidence from the sacked top civil servant Olly Robbins, Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey talk about how the story of Peter Mandelson’s vetting for his job as UK ambassador to the US, which was first broken by the Guardian last Thursday, has unfolded this week. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politicspod">theguardian.com/politicspod</a>

Judgment day for Starmer? 20.04.2026 25min

Keir Starmer has updated the House of Commons on what he knew, and when, in regard to Peter Mandelson’s vetting for the post of UK ambassador to the US. Was what the PM said enough to convince his party and the public that he should not resign?. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politicspod">theguardian.com/politicspod</a>

Is Keir Starmer ‘complacent’ on defence? 16.04.2026 30min

Keir Starmer has hit back at Labour peer George Robertson’s criticisms about defence funding. Why has the government been slow to prioritise defence and what trade-offs is Keir Starmer willing to make in order to increase spending?. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politicspod">theguardian.com/politicspod</a>

Hormuz, Hungary and the UK shifting closer to the EU 13.04.2026 20min

After 16 years in power in Hungary, Viktor Orbán has been defeated, marking a huge shift in the European Union. Meanwhile, Keir Starmer has defended potential legislation that will align the UK with European rules – without a vote in parliament. Plus the government confirms the UK will not support Donald Trump’s planned blockade of the strait of Hormuz, but what will it offer instead?. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politicspod">theguardian.com/politicspod</a>

Trump and the Middle East: can Starmer do anything? 09.04.2026 28min

Keir Starmer and the UK government are scrabbling to keep up with Trump’s fast-changing position on Iran and the Middle East. While a two-week ceasefire is in place, how long will it hold for? Peter Walker and Alexandra Topping look at what happens now. And, with the local election campaign under way, how are the different parties responding to the conflict?. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politicspod">theguardian.com/politicspod</a>

The Greens, Reform and the end of two-party politics? 06.04.2026 24min

In part two of our interview, Kiran Stacey speaks to the political scientist Prof Rob Ford about the voters Labour and the Conservatives are losing to the Greens and Reform, and how May’s elections could play out. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politicspod">theguardian.com/politicspod</a>