Political Currency

Épisodes

• 
  EMQs: Why does Farage fall out with everyone? 14.09.2026 38min

  Veteran journalist John Sweeney starts this week’s EMQs asking Ed Balls and George Osborne why Farage falls out with all his mates. From Rupert Lowe right back to his Ukip days, the Clacton MP has a long list of former friends turned bitter enemies. Is this part of the grit needed to be a successful politician? Or are Farage’s interpersonal challenges stopping him from reaching No. 10?Labour MP Jon Pearce, UK's special envoy for post-Holocaust issues, then asks about Britain’s role in Nazi Germany and how we stay honest about the past.  Ed speaks about his work with Eric Pickles, on  the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation, and how their work will help to share a true account of what Britain did and didn’t do throughout the ‘30s and ‘40s.Two listeners take us back to the 2000s, with questions on the move away from regions and the Tories abandoning their green agenda. Why have cities become more appealing than regions, pushed by the likes of John Prescott, and why is Kemi Badenoch not following David Cameron’s ‘vote blue go green’ strategy? They’re also quizzed on who the last prime minister, before Andy Burnham, to go to Cambridge was, and why Oxford has produced so many more PMs. .We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles:👉 X👉 Instagram👉 TikTokThanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency👉 Apple PodcastsPlease note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.Credits:Production: Sam BurtonProducer: Caillin McDaid Video Editor: Louis Norris Executive Producer: Henrietta HarrisonPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Has Andy Burnham gone too far on Israel? 10.09.2026 1h 5min

  Foreign affairs took centre stage in British politics this week, with Andy Burnham finally showing where he stands. Ed Balls and George Osborne examine the shake-up in rhetoric to Israel/Gaza, but suggest the policy was already planned by the Starmer government. George wonders whether Ed Miliband’s tone was too populist, and whether this was all a play for uniting the left vote. Elsewhere, they examine rising tensions over the Falklands, and just how Burnham will navigate delicate relations with both Donald Trump and the EU.The best laid economic plans can be thwarted by global events, and the pair warn that John Healey’s forthcoming coming - being billed early as a ‘boring’ budget - will be a hostage to fortune. George also questions Healey’s safe approach economically to Burnham's emphasis on a radical break, and how the two can co-exist long-term. Finally, the rise of the far-right AfD in Germany has seen a big advancement. The party came out on top in the Saxony-Anhalt state election at the weekend, and has put Chancellor Friedrich Merz under increased pressure. Will he be the German Keir Starmer? If so, what can Britain learn from this, as parties like Reform and Restore attempt to succeed with their own populist agenda.  We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles:👉 X👉 Instagram👉 TikTokThanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency👉 Apple PodcastsPlease note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.Credits:Production: Sam BurtonProducer: Caillin McDaid Video Editor: Louis NorrisExecutive Producer: Henrietta HarrisonPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  EMQs: From Athelstan to Dollywood 07.09.2026 45min

  Off the back of our preview of the Bayeux Tapestry, The Rest is History’s own Tom Holland asks Ed Balls and George Osborne about another significant English date: 926. The show is broadcast from inside the British Museum and Tom asks whether we should celebrate this date, commonly thought to be the beginning of England as we know it, and if so how?Two listeners also ask about education;  one asks if we can achieve longstanding education reform through cross-party consensus and another seeks advice ahead of going to university in the coming weeks.Renowned biographer of British premiers Anthony Seldon then asks if his latest subject, Rishi Sunak, will see his legacy rehabilitated over time like another Tory prime minister: John Major. The pair compare Sunak’s achievements to Major’s, and suggest how he can continue to make an impact in life after No. 10.Finally, Sir Peter Wanless, a former colleague of Ed’s, reminisces on their meeting with Dolly Parton to ask what matters more: charisma or evidence. They also commemorate the success of her Imagination Library and get into a heated debate over her best song.You can vote for Good Morning Britain in the National Television Awards here: https://www.nationaltvawards.com/vote We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles:👉 X👉 Instagram👉 TikTokThanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency👉 Apple PodcastsPlease note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.Credits:Production: Sam BurtonProducer: Caillin McDaid Video Editor: Louis Norris & Oliver Geraghty Executive Producer: Henrietta HarrisonPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Inside the British Museum’s Bayeux Tapestry Coup 03.09.2026 57min

  In this week’s episode, George Osborne and Ed Balls broadcast from the magnificent Bayeux Tapestry exhibition at the British Museum - the only podcast allowed in the space.   Joined by curator Michael Lewis, they discuss the dramatic diplomacy that saw the delicate masterpiece travel from France to Britain, the real story this 70 metre long tapestry tells and the parallels with politics today. They then turn from 1066 to 2026, with our new prime minister facing the Commons for the first time, they assess Burnham’s early premiership.  The pair praise his confidence in the role, but caution he has big challenges that could destabilise him; namely, early prison releases and a critical budget.Finally, they do a health check on the major opposition parties. Can Zack Polanski take Keir Starmer’s old seat? Will Kemi Badenoch’s reshuffle cement the Tories as the main opposition? And, can Reform’s conference this weekend put an agonising summer of scandal behind them?We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles:👉 X👉 Instagram👉 TikTokThanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency👉 Apple PodcastsPlease note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.Credits:Production: Sam BurtonProducer: Caillin McDaid Video Editor: Louis Norris & Oliver Geraghty Executive Producer: Henrietta HarrisonPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  EMQs solutions special: Burnham reviving Sunak’s national service plan? 31.08.2026 30min

  In this policy focused edition of EMQs, Ed Balls and George Osborne are thinking about the big ideas to help solve Britain’s big issues. They first consider whether steps should be taken to offer tax incentives for having children, as countries like Hungary have done. Ed and George explain why this is an ineffective measure, but an important debate governments must get on top of sooner rather than later. Fellow podcaster Emily Dean and actor Sarah Hadland then ask the biggest questions: should there be dogs in Parliament? Should they have the vote? If yes, then what about cats!? This sends Ed and George down memory lane about various MPs and their own pets over the years within Westminster.They then consider whether Andy Burnham should revive Rishi Sunak’s national service scheme, as a way of contending with the NEETs crisis brewing. They look at the pros and cons of national service, and other ways previous governments have addressed this issue. A Scottish listener queries whether the individual Secretaries of State for Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland are necessary given each nation has devolved parliaments. The pair explain this idea has been previously explored, but abandoned for very good reasons.We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles:👉 X👉 Instagram👉 TikTokThanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency👉 Apple PodcastsPlease note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.Credits:Production: Sam BurtonProducer: Caillin McDaidVideo Editor: Sam GruetExecutive Producer: Henrietta HarrisonPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Amol Rajan: Why I’m leaving the BBC 27.08.2026 55min

  In our final special summer interview, George Osborne sits down with Amol Rajan as he leaves the Today Programme for a new venture. Amol gives George the scoop on his latest endeavour on YouTube and how he sees the media landscape shifting from his old stomping grounds of newspapers, radio, and television.They reflect over his career, touching on rumours of feuds among the Today Programme hosts, to his upcoming role on Celebrity Traitors, and what it's like editing a newspaper in the age of social media. Amol gets into the very meaning of life with George, as they debate the impact AI will have on jobs, relationships, and podcasts like this one. They take it all the way back to Marx, before reflecting on the value of connections, which Amol will carry forward into his next undertaking.Next week we’re back to our regular schedule, but with a twist. Ed and George will be back covering politics, but not from our Hoxton studio. We’ll be broadcasting from the British Museum with the Bayeux Tapestry. Stay tuned for that, you won’t want to miss it.We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles:👉 X👉 Instagram👉 TikTokThanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency👉 Apple PodcastsPlease note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.Credits:Production: Sam Burton & Nasreen ArainProducer: Caillin McDaidVideo Editor: Oliver Geraghty Executive Producer: Henrietta HarrisonPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  EMQs What If: Ed and George had never entered politics? 24.08.2026 41min

  For our third summer EMQs we’re returning to our What Ifs. Ed Balls and George Osborne first consider how Britain would change had they never entered politics? Would the Bank of England become independent? Would there be a Manchester mayoralty? Or, would it have had no impact?What if George got the US Ambassador gig over Peter Mandelson? The pair consider how George would approach the job differently, blowback from within Labour, and whether Keir Starmer would still be in post without the controversy of Mandelson. They then go back in time to February 1974, where a hung Parliament saw Labour form a minority government. What if negotiations between the Conservatives and Liberals panned out? How long would this coalition survive? Would it stop Margaret Thatcher becoming PM? Who leads Labour after Harold Wilson? Finally, what if Labour were the largest party in 2015? If it’s a hung Parliament who do they go into coalition with? Can they work with the SNP? Does it stop Brexit? What happens with the Tories and UKIP?We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles:👉 X👉 Instagram👉 TikTokThanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency👉 Apple PodcastsPlease note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.Credits:Production: Sam BurtonProducer: Caillin McDaidVideo Editor: Sam GruetExecutive Producer: Henrietta HarrisonPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Sue Gray: Why working under Keir Starmer became ‘unbearable’ 20.08.2026 58min

  The third of our exclusive summer interviews sees Ed Balls sit down with the former Chief of Staff for No. 10 Sue Gray. In her first major interview since her dramatic split from Keir Starmer’s team, she details the lead up to entering Downing Street and just where things went wrong. Gray explains how she tried to prepare Starmer’s team for government in 2023, where things went wrong at the beginning, and what it’s like to be on the receiving end of an internal briefing war. In this tense and emotional conversation, she shares her raw reflections two years on and why things were not working at the top of government.Born in Tottenham to immigrant Irish parents, they also discuss her background, her meteoric rise through the civil service and what went on behind the scenes with her report into Partygate and the end of Boris Johnson. We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles:👉 X👉 Instagram👉 TikTokThanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency👉 Apple PodcastsPlease note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.Credits:Production: Sam Burton & Nasreen ArainProducer: Caillin McDaidVideo Editor: Sam GruetExecutive Producer: Henrietta HarrisonPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  EMQs America special: Best President there never was 17.08.2026 31min

  This week’s themed EMQs is all about America. Ed Balls and George Osborne reflect on their memories of the US from the Founding Fathers right through to Trump. They first consider whether the MAGA worldview is baked into American politics, particularly on an international level, and will affect things like NATO for decades to come.Amol Rajan, from the Today Programme, then poses an idea for Andy Burnham to borrow from the sitting President: Trump Accounts. This harkens back to New Labour’s child trust funds, which George cut whilst chancellor. Could this idea work again in Britain? Or was there a reason it was disbanded under Cameron.Finally, they delve into the What If realm: who is the best President there never was?  From the Kennedys, to Gore, to Hamilton, the pair reflect on the people who could have made the best impact in the White House. They also reflect on which previous Democratic President would have had the best chance of beating Trump in an election.We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles:👉 X👉 Instagram👉 TikTokThanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency👉 Apple PodcastsPlease note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.Credits:Production: Sam Burton & Nasreen ArainProducer: Caillin McDaid Video Editor: Sam GruetExecutive Producer: Henrietta HarrisonPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Yvette Cooper: What Starmer got wrong 13.08.2026 58min

  Our second summer interview sees George Osborne sit down with the new Health Secretary and one of Labour’s most experienced ministers, Yvette Cooper. She was the first minister to take maternity leave and is of course George’s podcasting partner’s other half. They talk about her nearly 30 years as an MP, how politics has changed and what it was like being in cabinet with her husband Ed Balls. They also discuss her new brief, how she plans to tackle Britain’s social care crisis and her plans to prioritise families. She explains how Andy Burnham’s leadership style differs from Keir Starmer’s and why those differences contributed to the latter's struggles as prime minister.  They delve into how she’s stayed at the top of Labour, across almost 30 years and the challenges keeping their family life private while being public figures. We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles:👉 X👉 Instagram👉 TikTokThanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency👉 Apple PodcastsPlease note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.Credits:Production: Sam Burton & Nasreen ArainProducer: Caillin McDaid Video Editor: Louis NorrisExecutive Producer: Henrietta HarrisonPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  EMQs Media special: Did podcasts ruin Keir Starmer? 10.08.2026 38min

  In this media themed episode of EMQs, Ed Balls and George Osborne dip into the archive of questions from the past year to put all things media and politics into the spotlight. Fellow podcasters Jane Garvey and Fi Glover send in a question to find out why there are no interviewers quite like Brian Walden anymore, and whether biographies assisted by AI should be labelled as such in future.Ed and George then look to the past to get some inspiration for the future, with a listener asking which political biographies give us the best indication of just how history may rhyme in the coming years. They then name the best political journalists from their time in politics, and who left the biggest impact in the day to day of government.Finally, the pair are challenged on whether podcasts like this one are what really doomed Keir Starmer. Was Ed saying how he would have done things differently too destabilising? Or, was the fall of the Starmer government inevitable no matter how much commentary there was?We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles:👉 X👉 Instagram👉 TikTokThanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency👉 Apple PodcastsPlease note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.Credits:Production: Sam Burton & Nasreen ArainProducer: Caillin McDaid  Video Editor: Sam GruetExecutive Producer: Henrietta HarrisonPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Kemi Badenoch: Why she won’t make a deal with 'woke' Reform 06.08.2026 53min

  In the first of our summer interviews, Ed Balls sits down with Kemi Badenoch, leader of Conservative Party and Leader of the Opposition. The wide ranging interview begins with her Nigerian upbringing, coming to the UK at 16, and how that informs her immigration policy.Badenoch also details just how different her Conservative party is from not only Labour and Reform, but also the party that lost the 2024 election. How has watching the fall of four Tory prime ministers shaped her leadership? And how does it stand apart from the ‘victim mentality of Farage and the left? She goes on to explain why the last Tory government didn’t grip the grooming gang issue, the build up to sacking Robert Jenrick, and her strategy to bring the Conservatives back to power at the next election.We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles:👉 X👉 Instagram👉 TikTokThanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency👉 Apple PodcastsPlease note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.Credits:Production: Sam Burton Producer: Caillin McDaid Video Editor: Oliver GeraghtyExecutive Producer: Henrietta HarrisonPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  EMQs: Is Britain lazier than America? 03.08.2026 49min

  Grimsby MP Melanie Onn sends in a question for this week's EMQs, querying why George went straight to Grimsby as a challenge for devolution in a recent episode. The pair delve into challenges facing Andy Burnham’s devolution agenda, and how past governments have failed and succeeded in addressing these disparities.A listener then poses a question: is Britain lazier than other countries? And, is that stalling our growth? George and Ed compare our outlook to work in comparison to superpowers like China or the US, as well as our European counterparts. George even tells a story of a pre-president Macron.They reminisce on Labour’s final shadow cabinet elections, and the heavyweights elected, their biggest sliding door moments, and why the left seemingly has a monopoly on climate issues. Look forward to our summer interviews beginning on Thursday, where Ed speaks to Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, and even asks her about climate issues. Look forward to more interviews throughout August, as well as special themed EMQs.We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles:👉 X👉 Instagram👉 TikTokThanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency👉 Apple PodcastsPlease note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.Credits:Production: Sam Burton & Nasreen ArainProducer: Caillin McDaid Video Editor: Sam GruetExecutive Producer: Henrietta HarrisonPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Can Burnham end Britain’s social care crisis? 30.07.2026 1h 4min

  Week two of the Andy Burnham premiership has come with a honeymoon and polling bounce. Ed Balls and George Osborne look at how he’s returned to a more collaborative approach with his cabinet, and the comms strategy which has seen pork scratchings become an international talking point. But what bigger political strategy is Burnham building? Despite protestations, is he still weighing up a General Election while his opponents are down?George felt many of Burnham’s initial policies were ‘small beer’ and lacked a big feeling. That wasn't the case this week with massive reforms to education and social care brought forward by the PM. But can they succeed? Both have been issues for successive governments, yet never solved. They caution that social care will be difficult to build without a strong narrative, and true cross-party consensus.Finally, as always, the buck still stops with the US. With new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh announcing no change to interest rates yesterday, it raises the question on how much the cost of living can improve in the US or UK. It also calls into question just what kind of Fed chair Warsh will be. Is he going to be too dovish? Or will he live up to his previous rhetoric?We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles:👉 X👉 Instagram👉 TikTokThanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency👉 Apple PodcastsPlease note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.Credits:Production: Sam Burton & Nasreen ArainProducer: Caillin McDaid Video Editor: Sam GruetExecutive Producer: Henrietta HarrisonPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  EMQs: The reality of reshuffles 27.07.2026 40min

  South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard is our first questioner on this week’s EMQs, asking whether other MPs will follow in Andy Burnham’s footsteps and leave Westminster to become mayors. Ed Balls and George Osborne speak about the career opportunities that could come with these positions and how they can uniquely prepare you for No. 10 more than any cabinet role can.A civil servant then enquires why Burnham’s reshuffle took so long, and what MPs are thinking during the tense hours that follow one. Ed recounts his own anxiety when first entering government, while George explains the complications in moving ministers who are not keen for new jobs and how governments stop the house of cards from toppling. They also give advice on how to pick the right college at Oxford, recalling their own time at school. The pair then reflect on the behind the scenes debates that led to the vote for equal marriage in 2013, with George venting long held frustrations at some MPs for their opposition... We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles:👉 X👉 Instagram👉 TikTokThanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency👉 Apple PodcastsPlease note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.Credits:Research: Sam BurtonProducer: Caillin McDaidVideo Editor: Sam GruetExecutive Producer: Henrietta HarrisonPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Will Burnham’s radical reshuffle work? 23.07.2026 1h 8min

  A new dawn has broken, with the Andy Burnham premiership finally beginning. Ed Balls and George Osborne dive deep into the packed first week of PM Burnham, from his first words at Downing Street, to his massive reshuffle, and initial policy announcements. Is he being too ambitious out of the gate? Can he do politics differently? Will this really be a circuit breaker for Britain?The big surprise of Burnham’s cabinet is also the biggest role: Chancellor John Healey. Why did he go for the ex-defence secretary rather than presumed frontrunners Ed Miliband or Shabana Mahmood? Ed and George recall their own memories of Healey to assess whether he will be a creature of the Treasury or make the Treasury his creature. They also speculate whether these initial announcements could lay the groundwork for an Autumn election…Finally, despite the best efforts of the new PM and chancellor, global conflicts will determine what they can do. With the situation in Iran heating up once more, how will Burnham respond to foreign dilemmas? Is appointing Ed Miliband a canny move or will it spark new conflict with the Trump White House? We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles:👉 X👉 Instagram👉 TikTokThanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency👉 Apple PodcastsPlease note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.Credits:Research: Sam BurtonProducer: Caillin McDaidVideo Editor: Sam GruetExecutive Producer: Henrietta HarrisonPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  EMQs: Why don’t politicians apologise? 20.07.2026 45min

  This week, Ed Balls and George Osborne hear from a current and former Member of Parliament. Former Tory minister Greg Clark asks if Andy Burnham’s pledge for ‘devolution in every postcode’ is attainable, while Starmer loyalist John Slinger puts forward his proposals for a ‘youth triple lock’ to improve prospects for young people in the UK. Should there be guarantees on above-inflation maintenance loans and free bus travel? And should there be youth advisors in all government departments? Ed and George praise the initiative behind the idea.The pair also hear from a London cyclist frustrated by a council's ban on Lime bikes, the question is: has some devolution given away too much control? George recalls his approaches to devolution during the coalition government, while Ed evaluates the regulation of e-bike rentals.And lastly, Ed and George explain why politicians resist apologising - citing Nick Clegg’s now infamous apology on student loans as an example. Can senior politicians ever recover from apologising about a decision they have made?We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles:👉 X👉 Instagram👉 TikTokThanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency👉 Apple PodcastsPlease note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.Credits:Research: Sam BurtonProduction: Caillin McDaid & Nasreen ArainVideo Editor: Sam GruetExecutive Producer: Ellie Clifford & Henrietta HarrisonPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  How Ann Widdecombe’s killing has reshaped British politics 16.07.2026 1h 4min

  The shocking killing of Ann Widdecombe has set a sombre tone in British politics in the last week. Ed Balls and George Osborne delve into the political implications of this tragedy, examining the changing police messaging and debating what the solution for protecting politicians should be. They also share memories of Widdecombe, who they both worked with throughout the years. ‘The King of North’ (Andy Burnham) is set to enter Downing Street on Monday, after receiving  the backing of over 90% of Labour MPs. But what is he going to do? The unknowns of the incoming Burnham premiership has resulted in breathless speculation hitting a fever pitch. George argues Burnham is focusing too much on the past in his messaging and must look to the future, while Ed cautions that Burnham should not assume he will be popular in the country off the bat.  As Keir Starmer’s time in No. 10 comes to an end, and Rachel Reeves time in No. 11 is likely to follow suit, the pair reflect on their political legacies and obituaries. They deliver a harsh sentence on their reigns, explaining why they were stuck in a doom loop the last two years, and how it speaks to wider problems in Britain in the last 10 years.  We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles:👉 X👉 Instagram👉 TikTokThanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency👉 Apple PodcastsPlease note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.Credits:Research: Sam BurtonProduction: Caillin McDaid & Nasreen ArainVideo Editor: Sam GruetExecutive Producer: Henrietta HarrisonPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  EMQs: Why no one will end the triple lock 13.07.2026 42min

  Hot off Centrist Dad’s sellout show last week, two listeners at the gig have sent in questions.  Our Kitchen Cabinet winner, Douglas Law, asks a question on the mind of every junior Labour MP right now: will Burnham promote them? Ed Balls and George Osborne explain what ministers must do to secure a promotion in government, and what Burnham will look for.Then, they answer a question that has plagued every recent government: can you end the triple lock? Despite its salience amongst some, George argues why it is neither politically or fiscally sensible to do so. Ed more or less agrees, though proposes a possible path to reducing the burden on public finances.Former Olympic gold medalist, and mind behind the Bee Network, Chris Boardman then asks how the work in Manchester and across devolved administrations can be scaled in order to replicate things like the Bee Network. The pair explain why Chris and Andy Burnham’s work was successful, and how cross-party collaboration is key for long-term viability.Finally, they look at the perks received by former PMs. As Keir Starmer becomes the ninth living ex-prime minister, and with Burnham eventually taking it to ten, many wonder if the expense paid to these leaders is becoming too much of a strain. George explains why they were brought in to begin with, and why they can still prove beneficial long after each person has left Downing Street.We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles:👉 X👉 Instagram👉 TikTokThanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency👉 Apple PodcastsPlease note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.Credits:Research: Sam BurtonProduction: Caillin McDaidExecutive Producer: Henrietta HarrisonPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Is Reform unravelling? 09.07.2026 1h 5min

  The Nigel Farage donation scandal reached a breaking point on Tuesday when he took the extreme step of triggering his own by-election. But was this a shrewd move or has it backfired? Ed Balls and George Osborne examine the risks to Reform, how Kemi Badenoch may use it to her advantage, and whether Count Binface could really be Clacton’s next MP. While some see Farage as future PM, the next man set to lead the country remains Andy Burnham. With nominations opening for Labour leader today, and no other candidate in the race, it’s all set to be a coronation. But is this a good thing? George’s Labour sources have all voiced anxieties about the lack of scrutiny on Burnham, while Ed counters that a heated contest could have boxed in the next Labour leader.And finally, Ed explains his latest Harvard-Kings paper on regional growth, which details where Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves went wrong and how Andy Burnham can move the country forwards. Last night, he was at a talk discussing the paper with Michael Gove and Angela Rayner, and the former Tory MP made a surprising endorsement for the ex-deputy PM…We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles:👉 X👉 Instagram👉 TikTokThanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency👉 Apple PodcastsPlease note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.Credits:Research: Sam BurtonProduction: Caillin McDaid Video Editor: Louis Norris Executive Producer: Henrietta HarrisonPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.