Political Currency

Episoder

• EMQs: Is Makerfield the UK’s presidential election? 01.06.2026 45min

  Was George Osborne about to abandon David Cameron in the 2005 Tory leadership race? That’s the first question on this week’s EMQs, where George recounts the mistakes made by the David Davis campaign that allowed Cameron to ascend.  Ed Balls shares similar mistakes of David Miliband’s 2010 campaign, and the pair offer their own advice to all backbench MPs assessing the current Labour leadership contest.Then they turn to the man who may win said contest: Andy Burnham. They ponder if Makerfield is the closest thing the UK has seen to a presidential election, with the voters knowing they may well elect our next PM.From one political giant to another they then debate why the £5M donation to Nigel Farage hasn’t blown up, and how he could end up on the path of Boris Johnson should this go poorly for him.Finally, George unveils an underdiscussed power of the chancellor that could see the government expel any of their political rivals. They also get into religion and culture…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: Avi AsherExecutive 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.
• Is Tony Blair the Logan Roy of Britain? 28.05.2026 1t 19min

  The battle for Makerfield is on, so this week Ed Balls and George Osborne dig into this consequential by-election’s frontrunners. Andy Burnham is radical in tone, but are his policies more conservative when you dig in? Reform’s Robert Kenyon has lost his shine as sexist and remain leaning views have been dug up but a spokesperson for the party said they "fully back" him and added that the "comments were made before he was in politics".  The fringe right party Restore has picked up momentum, will this damage Nigel Farage’s grip on the right of British politics?Tony Blair’s scathing essay on the state of British politics has ignited a new debate in the Labour leadership dilemma, but is this the argument for the moment? Ed agrees with the diagnosis, but thinks Blair is stuck in 2006 and not meeting the moment for 2026. George argues the case for Blair, citing the inability of governments to tackle the major issues he highlights.Finally, the pair zero in on one issue that may define a Burnham premiership: social care. As health secretary Burnham tried to forge a national care service, but 16 years on no progress has been made in this area. Why are successive governments stunted on this? Are unwanted tax rises the only solution? Could this be the issue that undoes the King of the North should he make it to 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 McDaid & Nasreen ArainVideo Editor: Avi AsherExecutive 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.
• EMQs: Should retired politicians go on Question Time? 25.05.2026 37min

  Following Green MP Hannah Spencer’s comments on drinking culture at Westminster, Ed Balls and George Osborne answer whether MPs should be better behaved in general during Parliamentary sessions. They make the case for heckling and jeering, comparing it to more civilised Parliaments and systems to explain how it helps hold our leaders accountable. They then reflect on their experience on Question Time, and whether they would follow Michael Gove’s move and go on as retired politicians. This sparks a trip down memory lane, and there may be more to come in the summer…Things get serious with a listener posing Adam Tooze’s argument that the Bank of England is instilling fear in governments following the Truss fiasco. They explain their objections to this, and explain how the Bank of England has kept things in check for Britain, particularly post-2008.Finally, they answer the ultimate question: are Centrist Dad playing the Trinity College Oxford ball? Ed reveals the process behind the band’s booking, and they recount the bands that played their own balls. George also recounts his encounter with a literary legend that he’d really rather forget…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: Avi AsherExecutive 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.
• Burnham, Streeting, and Rayner’s race to No. 10 21.05.2026 1t 5min

  British politics has moved at a rapid pace the last week, with Andy Burnham securing his root to parliament, Wes Streeting reigniting Brexit debates, and a defiant No. 10 fighting on through all of it. Ed Balls and George Osborne examine the leadership race, the manoeuvres being made by Streeting to court the Labour faithful and how Burnham is having to campaign on two fronts. Why is the cabinet silent? Is Starmer right to cling on? Will the King of the North be coronated should he return to parliament? What if he loses? The pair then examine the economic prospectus of both Burnham and Streeting, contrasting it with the cost of living support announced by Rachel Reeves today. They detail the limitations of any government to combat inflation, the holes in plans both contenders have spoken of and the risk a governing party faces openly debating policy like this.Finally, they take a trip across the Atlantic to California and the final stages of the gubernatorial primary. George’s mate Steve Hilton has maintained his frontrunner status amidst a split Democratic field, but can he actually win come November? The odds are stacked against him, but Ed and George caution not to count him out.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: 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.
• EMQs: Should we vote on weekends? 18.05.2026 32min

  Last week’s local elections saw votes counted during the Friday to save costs, and inspired one listener to ask Ed Balls and George Osborne why that isn’t always the case. He also wondered why we don’t vote at weekends like other European countries. The pair explain the historical roots of the tradition and the benefits of weekday votes and overnight counts for general elections.  Plus they recall their own experiences as commentators during the last 3 elections. They then address the divisive policies and language seen in the Greens and Reform campaigns, and whether this is a sign of the centre losing ground or an opportunity to seize. They also take a question from an Australian listener, who wonders if we’re moving too fast in the energy transition.Finally, a listener returns to the assisted dying debate from a few weeks ago and proposes their own case for the legislation. We also hear the pair debating the possibility of immortality…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: Avi AsherExecutive 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.
• Who should be the next prime minister? 14.05.2026 1t 9min

  Wes Streeting’s resignation is the latest domino to fall amid the threat to Keir Starmer’s premiership, in a chain reaction that could lead to months of chaos. Ed Balls and George Osborne evaluate where the government and Keir Starmer can go from here. Should he resign? And how would Andy Burnham, Angela Rayner, Ed Miliband, and the wildcard option of Al Carns, fare against him in a leadership contest? News of Streeting’s departure came between our live YouTube stream and recording of this episode – so listen for Ed and George’s instant reaction.Fresh from a trip to Canada, George suggests the success of Mark Carney, or Australia’s Albert Albanese, could be a template used as a template for a Labour government to rebound, regardless of leader. Does it show Labour needs to take a bolder stance on issues like fossil fuels and immigration? And finally, as President Trump continues his consequential trip to Beijing, the pair assess how the China-US relations could be vital for Trump in this year’s mid-terms. Does Trump need Xi more than he needs him? And are the two countries inseparable no matter the strength of their relationship? 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: Avi Asher & Oliver Geraghty Executive 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.
• HOT TAKE: Is it over for Starmer? 11.05.2026 36min

  The fallout of the local elections was as many had predicted, but the chaotic aftermath demanded a reaction. Ed Balls and George Osborne went live on YouTube earlier today to give their thoughts on just how bad things are for Keir Starmer.They reflect on the heavy defeat Labour suffered on Thursday, and the prime minister’s fightback. Why did he bring back Gordon Brown and Harriet Harman? Why did he stake things on today’s speech with a King’s Speech in only two days?The biggest question mark of all though, is Catherine West. The little known MP created an earthquake over the weekend by announcing she would challenge the PM if no one else would. She has now pivoted to calling for a timetable, but still has damaged Starmer, and placed all eyes on what Andy Burnham, Wes Streeting, and Angela Rayner do next…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: Oliver Geraghty and Ryan FinniganExecutive 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.
• EMQs: Is politics like snooker? 11.05.2026 49min

  Fresh off his trip to the Crucible to see the snooker, Ed Balls brings a question for him and George Osborne to answer on just how similar politics and snooker are. Is it all about the long game? Or do you take the risky shot when the opportunity arises? Are the two even similar? And do Ed and George know enough about the sport to say for certain?Sunday Times columnist Charlotte Ivers then asks whether politicians are just copying TV shows like The Thick of It and The West Wing in their communications. George explains the truth in this, while Ed argues The West Wing displays an idealised version of politics and that the script writers often draw from the real life drama in politics. Former Tory Chairman Andrew Feldman and one of our listeners then ask a pair of questions related to the public acceptance of AI, with our own guru George explaining how companies can sell the public on the benefits of AI and bust some of the myths around job losses caused by AI.Finally, Ed and George answer the biggest question of all: do podcasts like this one influence voters? They explain how it’s been seen to happen already in the US, what things might look like in the next general election, and even manage to discuss Celebrity Traitors…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: Carla Mercer & Ryan FinniganExecutive 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.
• Why are Labour so aggressive on the Greens? 07.05.2026 1t 4min

  It’s polling day, and the tensions have never been higher for Keir Starmer. The threat to his left, with the Greens, or to his right, with Reform, makes this a defining moment of his premiership. Ed Balls and George Osborne take this time to look at the future of the devolved governments, which could all be led by nationalist parties for the first time. Which parties will be willing to work together? Will there be another independence referendum? Is the UK at risk of breaking up?The war in Iran is still ongoing, despite Donald Trump still maintaining a peace deal is imminent. With the market shocks seen in recent days over the Strait of Hormuz and the status of peace talks being unclear, George wonders why Britain has been hit worse than any G7 economy. Ed explains why the Bank of England must keep a clear inflation target, and why he thinks they will cut interest rates despite what others have said.Finally, it’s been nearly 10 years since the Brexit referendum but the debate rages on. Keir Starmer was at a meeting with European allies earlier this week and has signalled closer relations. Will Starmer take us back into the single market? Will the EU budget debates return? Could we even see another referendum? Ed and George explain how the government must navigate relations with Europe to stabilise the economy, while not repeating the mistakes of the 2019 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:Research: Sam BurtonProduction: Caillin McDaid & Nasreen ArainVideo Editor: Carla Mercer and Ryan FinniganExecutive 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.
• EMQs: Should MPs drink in parliament? 04.05.2026 37min

  Before getting into questions this week, Ed Balls and George Osborne take on the big talk around Westminster: should MPs be allowed to drink? They respond to the criticism by new Green MP Hannah Spencer, who said MPs smelling of alcohol while voting made her uneasy. Ed and George offer the pros and cons of this, and even how drinking in parliament getting out of hand may have led to Jeremy Corbyn…Is it in Kemi Badenoch’s best interest for Keir Starmer to stay on? The pair explain why this mindset is too clever by half, and how opposition leaders should always focus on their message and expose a PM’s weak points, rather than hope to gain by keeping a flawed leader in place.   They then receive a pair of questions on AI, looking at the lack of training among certain industry leaders and the idea of British sovereignty on AI. George brings his expertise to explain why training is important and the limits for any country on sovereignty, while Ed illuminates us on some of his own musical AI discoveries.Finally, they answer just why cabinet ministers seem reluctant to lay out their own vision for government even when Starmer appears so weak. Is this a sign of No. 10 clamping down on ministers? The rise of soundbite social media? Or, does it demonstrate how no cabinet member is confident enough in their leadership ambitions to make a move? 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: Carla Mercer & Ryan FinniganExecutive 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.
• Why no one can 'land a glove' on Farage 30.04.2026 1t 2min

  A dramatic week in UK politics has seen the successful state visit to the US by King Charles and another hit on Keir Starmer in the ongoing Mandelson scandal. Ed Balls and George Osborne break down all the moving parts of these events. Is the special relationship saved? Did Kemi Badenoch move too early against Starmer? And what does this all mean going into a seismic set of local elections?On said elections, the pair break down the vulnerable positions for both main parties. They argue Kemi Badenoch needs an ethical reset from the tumultuous Boris Johnson era if she hopes to fend off Reform and make serious gains for the Conservatives. On the Labour side, they believe Keir Starmer has not got a diagnosis for why Labour are unpopular, and this risks his position should any cabinet member decide to stick the knife in after the elections.Finally, they return to assisted dying to analyse why the bill stalled out in the Lords and debate just how it can come back. Is it a slow process to such a big reform? Or is it best to strike when the iron is hot, or risk losing this debate for a generation? The pair disagree on what exactly is the best route forward…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: Carla Mercer & Ryan Finnigan Executive 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.
• EMQs: What do the public think of Ed and George? 27.04.2026 26min

  Off the back of last week’s EMQs, Tamara Finkelstein sends in a correction to the idea that UK schools don’t prepare for attacks like those in the US. She highlights that Jewish schools have to prepare and feel threatened in this current environment.  Ed Balls and George Osborne highlight the worrying trend of antisemitism in the UK and the need for public figures to actively combat it.Aldershot MP Alex Baker then chimes in with a proposal to adopt a multilateral defence, security and resilience bank, much like Mark Carney is championing in Canada. This poses a challenge for the pair, who recognise the necessity of improving defensive relations with our allies but see the economic challenges How do prime ministers prepare for PMQs? Is it usual for the opposition to send questions in advance, as Kemi Badenoch did last week? George explains the procedure and conventions in the chamber, and how the opposition aims to catch out PMs. And finally, pollsters from More in Common reached out following the discussion of ex-PMs, on the main show, with some fascinating insight into who the public most wants to hear from. Ed and George are included for good measure, and even rival podcasters get a mention…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: Carla MercerExecutive 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.
• Is the clock ticking for Keir Starmer? 23.04.2026 1t 3min

  Another dramatic revelation in the Mandelson scandal has reignited the tensions around Keir Starmer’s leadership and the future of his government. Ed Balls and George Osborne reflect on the latest developments, and look forward to how this will impact the local elections in just two weeks' time. The pair question the sacking of Olly Robbins, assess Kemi Badenoch’s performance at PMQs, and look at the bleak tone of the cabinet. With an extension of the ceasefire in Iran, George and Ed debate the likelihood of a lasting peace agreement. George argues there may be a workable deal on the table, while Ed is more cautious saying Iran doesn't trust the Americans, and that it’s unclear who they actually should be negotiating with.Ed and George’s pal Kevin Warsh faced the Senate Banking Committee ahead of his approval as Fed Chair on Tuesday, with some particularly tough questioning from Democratic senator Elizabeth Warren. The pair discuss his political savvy in the hearing and, if confirmed, how he will navigate his relationship with Donald Trump when in post. 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: Carla MercerExecutive 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.
• EMQs: Should PMs be youthful or experienced? 20.04.2026 45min

  Fresh off the back of our latest episodes Ed Balls and George Osborne get an answer to their queries around the curate eggs and a follow up to the Libya crisis series on age in politics. In politics, particularly the Tories, you’re considered young at 40 or 50 while in tech it makes you ancient. Why is this? Youth is often seen as a negative in politics, but is there value to not being weighed down by your experiences? Then the pair answer a question from the Barclays Brief podcast on the gilt markets, and options open to Rachel Reeves should higher energy prices limit her fiscal headroom. They explain why her options are severely limited coming into the second half of this the parliament and what options are still available for her.Baroness Jo Valentine then asks a question around rail development at Heathrow should the third runway be developed. They point to past projects like the Millennium Dome and Olympic Park as pointers on what you should and shouldn’t do, while exploring why planning often takes so long in Britain.Finally, they address a question on many people’s minds: what happens if we’re plunged into active war? They discuss whether the government should better prepare the public for this event, and what areas of weakness the government should address to better protect the public in future. 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.Thanks 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: Carla MercerExecutive 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.
• Is it risky for the Chancellor to attack Trump? 16.04.2026 1t 4min

  The Middle East conflict raged on during our Easter break and George Osborne comes back to us with news from Washington and word from friends in high places, like incoming Fed Chair Kevin Warsh. He and Ed Balls discuss the failed peace talks from George’s other mate, JD Vance, and where things go from here. They then weigh in on the UK’s shifting tone towards the Trump administration, and why they’re becoming more critical. It’s aiding them for now, but will it come back to bite them? The ongoing defence spending dilemma also rears its head with Labour peer George Robertson openly critcising the Government. The pair predict this will come to be the biggest challenge for Rachel Reeves and the Treasury in this year’s budget.Earlier this week the International Monetary Fund forecast that Britain would be one of the countries worst hit by the Iran war. Ed explains why he disagrees with this assessment, and how the Bank of England can avoid debilitating inflation. George cautions that Reeves is in a tough spot, and faces some unpopular choices should the IMF’s forecast come to fruition. Finally, George sheds some light on emerging cybersecurity threats particularly Anthropic’s Mythos model. Alarms are ringing in Washington over this model, with the new threats of AI on defence and security becoming clear. George highlights the risk and opportunity inherent in these technological innovations, and they call for regulation as these models become more and more advanced.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.Thanks 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: Carla MercerExecutive 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.
• What If: George was PM during Covid? 13.04.2026 37min

  In another special ‘What If’ edition of EMQs George Osborne and Ed Balls consider the would be worlds and outcomes, if just one historical event went another way. In a more theoretical ‘What If’ they consider what would happen if MPs couldn’t abstain and had to vote aye or nay on every bill. Ed believes this could lead to a breakdown in our system, while George thinks it could reprimand a mistake made by the recent Tory governments. An anonymous question from someone in government poses a radical change to our recent history: What if Trump became a unifying anti-gun and violence figure after the attempted assassination in 2024? This would have had massive implications for our current world, but would it be believable? George is sceptical, while Ed wonders if Trump would have gone on to a greater landslide victory or if the MAGA movement would have turned on him.Finally, a pair of EU related ‘What Ifs’. Had the Brexit results been flipped, who leads the country into 2020 and the pandemic? George? David Cameron? Or is it still Boris Johnson? Also, what if the Maastricht or Lisbon treaties had been put to the country as referendums? Would Brexit still have happened? Would we still be in the EU? Would it have saved or ended the premierships of John Major and Tony Blair?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.Thanks 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: Avi AsherExecutive 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.
• Inside The Room - The Libya Conflict: The Aftermath (Part Three) 09.04.2026 35min

  How can it be ensured countries will face a better future after a large-scale military intervention? It’s a question which applies to both politicians dealing with the war in Iran today, and for politicians dealing with the aftermath of Muammar Gaddafi’s killing in 2011.In this third and final part of this series, Ed Balls, George Osborne, and Sir John Sawers reflect on the fallout of the 42-year regime in Libya coming to an end. Who was responsible for post-war failures? Was there a case for putting boots on the ground? And what were the unexpected repercussions for geopolitics?They also discuss their immediate reactions to Gaddafi’s death and the shocking way in which he was killed.Ed and George then press Sir John on what this all could mean for the ongoing situation in Iran, plus what he really thinks of how Keir Starmer has handled it.Thanks for listening. To listen to all three parts of Inside the Room: The Libya Conflict now, join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. You will also get early and ad-free access to our regular episodes of EMQs. For 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: Monica Lillis, Ayla Krachai, and Sam BurtonProduction support: Tom JacksonProduction: Caillin McDaid and Nasreen ArainVideo Editor: Avi Asher and Oliver GeraghtyExecutive Producer: Ellie Clifford and Henrietta Harrison Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Inside The Room - The Libya Conflict: The Campaign (Part Two) 06.04.2026 34min

  Planes are in the air and the military intervention in Libya has now begun. But how does the operation progress from here? And what actually happens in a war room?In the second part of this mini series, Ed Balls and George Osborne ask Sir John Sawers about how MI6 gathered intelligence to guide the path forwards. He tells the story of leaving William Hague "aghast" by securing a visa for the Libyan foreign minister, who he then flattered with dinner at one of the service’s secure locations in return for crucial information… The pair also speak to former deputy national security adviser Hugh Powell about why David Cameron always felt that action was better than inaction, and hear from Cathy Ashton about why the fall of Tripoli was a moment of success for the PM and Nicolas Sarkozy.However, with Gaddafi still alive and the UN mandate not accounting for regime change,  there was still reason to be apprehensive about the “huge challenge ahead”. Sawers and Powell discuss Gaddafi's skill of staying hidden, why MI6 doesn’t actually have a “license to kill”, and their approaches to negotiations with the dictator in his final weeks – including asking Tony Blair for help.Thanks for listening. In our third episode we take you right behind the scenes of the day Gaddafi was killed, and ask who was responsible for the post-war failures… Can’t wait? Subscribe now to get all three parts of Inside the Room: The Libya Conflict. You will also get access to our debrief episode The Inquiry, as well as early and ad-free access to our regular episodes of EMQs. For 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: Monica Lillis, Ayla Krachai, and Sam BurtonProduction support: Tom JacksonProduction: Caillin McDaid and Nasreen ArainVideo Editor: Avi Asher and Oliver GeraghtyExecutive Producer: Ellie Clifford and Henrietta Harrison Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Inside The Room - The Libya Conflict: The Build Up (Part One) 02.04.2026 40min

  As renewed violence erupts across the Middle East, governments have been forced into crisis mode... but when is the right time to intervene, how involved should you get and when, if ever, is it time for 'boots on the ground'?It's these dilemmas and more that are currently facing Keir Starmer and other world leaders, but it's not the first time a UK government has had to find answers for such big questions about international intervention. Fifteen years ago the civil unrest of the Arab Spring spread to Libya. The violent crackdowns against anti-government protestors that followed sparked seven months of NATO military intervention and led to the killing of Muammar Gaddafi, putting an end to his 42-year dictatorship.In this special mini series, Ed Balls and George Osborne are joined by former MI6 Chief Sir John Sawers to discuss the key decisions, missteps, and aftermath of the Libya crisis. We take you inside the war rooms and hear unique insights from John, George and two other officials who saw key decisions being made first-hand: former EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Cathy Ashton, and deputy national security adviser to the coalition government, Hugh Powell. What can the wars of the past can teach us lessons for the wars of today?In part one, we look at how the UK government reacted to the escalating situation, why David Cameron and then-French President Nicolas Sarkozy pushed for military action, and the steps that led to the first bomb being dropped… and how it managed to surprise Britain.Thanks for listening. In our next episode we take you right behind the scenes of the military action and hear about all of the drama that ensued, including the moment Sir John Sawyers took an informant for a secret dinner… Can’t wait? Subscribe now to get all three parts of Inside the Room: The Libya Conflict. You will also get access to our debrief episode The Inquiry, as well as early and ad-free access to our regular episodes of EMQs. 👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency👉 Apple PodcastsPlease note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.Credits: Research: Monica Lillis, Ayla Krachai, and Sam BurtonProduction support: Tom JacksonProduction: Caillin McDaid and Nasreen ArainVideo Editor: Avi Asher and Oliver GeraghtyExecutive Producer: Ellie Clifford and Henrietta Harrison Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• EMQs: Is Wes Streeting a good health secretary? 30.03.2026 36min

  Fellow ex-MP and former health minister Steve Brine sends in a question asking Ed Balls and George Osborne how we judge the performance of a health secretary, and in particular Wes Streeting. They lay out the historical challenges of the role, and where Streeting has risen or succumbed to them thus far.A colleague of Ed’s from King’s College then asks how useful it is for benefits to be so conditional, in particular for care leavers. They debate the fairness in having conditional benefits systems, and why people are more sympathetic to care leavers than other disadvantaged groups. They then discuss the perks of pedestrianising Bruton, George’s stomping ground, in a manner similar to Paris. Would George lead the campaign to see this through? Or is it an enticing but unrealistic idea? Finally, a former Tory parliamentary candidate raises his concerns around Nick Timothy’s controversial comments on a Ramadan event in London. They discuss the dangerous direction these comments represent for both the Tories, and British politics more widely. 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.This podcast is sponsored by Chip. Join 400,000 customers building long term wealth. T&Cs apply, you must be a new Chip customer, over 18, a UK tax resident, and it’s app only. Chip is a trading name of Chip Financial Limited. Savings products are provided by Clearbank and are protected up to the FSCS limit. When investing, your capital is at risk.Thanks 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 & Henrietta HarrisonVideo Editor: Avi AsherExecutive Producer: Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.