Political Fix

One of the gravest security lapses in UK history came to light this week after a judge lifted a superinjunction on a catastrophic data leak that could have affected 100,000 Afghans, as well as British spies and special forces members. Political Fix’s Lucy Fisher, one of the journalists who broke the story, returns to the show to talk with host George Parker about how the FT uncovered the secret scheme, the superinjunction that was imposed on her, and the political fallout from the exposé. And the FT’s Jim Pickard and Ashley Armstrong join to discuss the reaction to Rachel Reeves’ Mansion House speech, as well as Keir Starmer’s suspension of more MPs.  Follow George Parker on Bluesky or X: @georgewparker.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/georgewparker.bsky.social], @GeorgeWParker [https://x.com/GeorgeWParker?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor]; Lucy Fisher @lucyfisher.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/lucyfisher.bsky.social], @LOS_Fisher [https://x.com/LOS_Fisher?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor]; Jim Pickard @pickardje.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/pickardje.bsky.social]; Ashley Armstrong @aarmstrongsays.bsky.social  [https://bsky.app/profile/aarmstrongsays.bsky.social] What did you think of this episode? Let us know at politicalfix@ft.com [politicalfix@ft.com]   Want more? Free links:    UK set up secret Afghan immigration scheme after data leak and gagged media [https://on.ft.com/44D6a0I]  The British state's battle to contain the fallout from catastrophic Afghan data leak [https://on.ft.com/44AYvzY] ‘What reforms?’ City leaders underwhelmed by Rachel Reeves’ financial strategy [https://on.ft.com/3GQDubk]  Keir Starmer suspends four rebel Labour MPs [https://on.ft.com/412N0Po] Sign up here [https://www.ft.com/newsletter-signup/inside-politics/trial] for 30 days free of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter.  Presented by George Parker, and produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Manuela Saragosa.  Read a transcript of this podcast on FT.com [https://www.ft.com/content/9a7688db-57ee-49af-8e20-a1a2fab2ff78] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Emmanuel Macron made his state visit to the UK this week – the first EU leader to do so since Brexit. It heralded a reset between France and Britain, dubbed the ‘entente amicale’ by King Charles. Macron and Starmer announced a joint crackdown on migration with a ‘one-in one-out policy’ for asylum seekers and closer cooperation on defence. But it wasn't all hard talk, with much of the limelight focused on a soft-power push: the announcement that the Bayeux Tapestry will be returning to the UK for the first time in more than 900 years. Host George Parker is joined by Stephen Bush, Anna Gross and the FT’s Europe editor Ben Hall to discuss what this ‘entente amicable’ might mean for the UK. Follow George on Bluesky or X: @georgewparker.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/georgewparker.bsky.social], @GeorgeWParker [https://x.com/GeorgeWParker?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor]; Stephen @stephenkb.bsky.social [http://@stephenkb.bsky.social]‬, @stephenkb [https://x.com/stephenkb?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor]; Anna @annasophiegross.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:cziinxmnokyc55ubnogfyct4]   What did you think of this episode? Let us know at politicalfix@ft.com [politicalfix@ft.com]   Want more? Free links:    Britain, France and the necessary relationship [https://on.ft.com/4lI8zN5]  Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron announce migrant returns deal [https://on.ft.com/4lmV05Y] How the British Museum secured chance to host Bayeux Tapestry after 900 years   [https://on.ft.com/408DYQK] Small boat crossings to UK soar in first half of year  [https://on.ft.com/4nE41JH] Inside Politics: Jake Berry’s defection signals Tory party is in deep trouble  [https://on.ft.com/4eM8Ts2] Sign up here [https://www.ft.com/newsletter-signup/inside-politics/trial] for 30 days free of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter.  Presented by George Parker, and produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Manuela Saragosa. Read a transcript of this podcast on FT.com [https://www.ft.com/content/219d9f23-971c-4ac8-b425-a2cf09513b90] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

This week marks a year of Keir Starmer’s government. But if Labour was expecting to celebrate the anniversary – it didn't pan out that way. Despite claiming a narrow victory with the contentious welfare bill, the government appeared to have one of its roughest weeks on record. Host George Parker is joined by Stephen Bush, Miranda Green and Robert Shrimsley to discuss how Labour got here, and where it can go next. To mark the occasion, they are also joined by a cut-price supermarket cake.   Follow George on Bluesky or X: @georgewparker.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/georgewparker.bsky.social], @GeorgeWParker [https://x.com/GeorgeWParker?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor]; Robert @robertshrimsley [https://x.com/robertshrimsley?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor], @robertshrimsley.bsky.social; [https://bsky.app/profile/robertshrimsley.bsky.social] Miranda @greenmirandahere.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/greenmirandahere.bsky.social]; Stephen @stephenkb.bsky.social [http://@stephenkb.bsky.social]‬, @stephenkb [https://x.com/stephenkb?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor]  What did you think of this episode? Let us know at politicalfix@ft.com [politicalfix@ft.com]   Want more? Free links:       How Keir Starmer fumbled his first year in power [https://on.ft.com/44KjpfU] Why Starmer and Reeves got this one wrong [https://on.ft.com/4eEJj8q] Robert’s column: Crying for a lost Labour government [https://on.ft.com/4nu4wWm] Which UK taxes are expected to rise in the autumn budget? [https://on.ft.com/3TonqjW]  Sign up here [https://www.ft.com/newsletter-signup/inside-politics/trial] for 30 days free of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter.  Presented by George Parker, and produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Manuela Saragosa.  Read a transcript of this podcast on FT.com [https://www.ft.com/content/aaaa8449-98d5-4f24-9941-ead7da4dfe58] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Sir Keir Starmer faced a huge rebellion from within his own party this week after scores of MPs opposed changes to make it tougher to collect some disability benefits. This episode — recorded just before the prime minister’s concessions on welfare reform — unpacks why the rebellion took place, what it says about Starmer’s leadership and where next for Labour. Host Miranda Green is joined by Stephen Bush and Jim Pickard — check out their recent articles below for fresh analysis on the government climbdown.  Plus, FT chief foreign affairs commentator Gideon Rachman on Starmer’s performance at the Nato summit and the impact on the UK of global uncertainty.   Follow Miranda on Bluesky: @greenmirandahere.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/greenmirandahere.bsky.social]; Jim @pickardje.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/pickardje.bsky.social]; Stephen on Bluesky or X @stephenkb.bsky.social [http://stephenkb.bsky.social/]‬, @stephenkb [https://x.com/stephenkb?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor]; Gideon @gideonrachman.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/gideonrachman.bsky.social], @gideonrachman [https://x.com/gideonrachman?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor] What did you think of this episode? Let us know at politicalfix@ft.com [politicalfix@ft.com]   Want more? Free links:     How Starmer averted ‘civil war’ with Labour MPs after diluting welfare cuts  [https://on.ft.com/3Giw2FC] Welfare U-turn permanently alters Labour’s playbook [https://on.ft.com/44mKMLA] Morgan McSweeney: Labour’s election fixer under fire as welfare rebellion looms [https://on.ft.com/4l8kNyW] A defeat Keir Starmer cannot afford [https://on.ft.com/3GgNdrb] The latest episode of The Rachman Review: ‘Too soon to celebrate peace between Israel and Iran?’   [https://on.ft.com/4k7x0SZ] To mark one year of the Labour government, Political Fix regulars Stephen Bush, Robert Shrimsley and Miranda Green will be answering readers' questions on July 3 at 1pm. Take part in our live Q&A by going to FT.com/labouryear [http://ft.com/labouryear]. Sign up here [https://www.ft.com/newsletter-signup/inside-politics/trial] for 30 days free of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter.  Presented by Miranda Green, and produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Original music by Breen Turner, mix by Jean-Marc Ek. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Manuela Saragosa.  Read a transcript of this podcast on FT.com [https://www.ft.com/content/5979164c-a7ee-479f-8547-6a0b2af2881b] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Will he? Won’t he? President Donald Trump has given little indication as to whether America will join in the conflict between Israel and Iran. So where does this leave the UK and its assets in the region? How does the prime minister play his hand with the president, and what does that mean for his relationship with his own party, especially given Labour's track record? Host George Parker is joined by the FT’s Middle East editor Andrew England, alongside regular guests Robert Shrimsley and Miranda Green, to discuss Sir Keir Starmer's options. Follow George on Bluesky or X: @georgewparker.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/georgewparker.bsky.social], @GeorgeWParker [https://x.com/GeorgeWParker?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor]; Robert @robertshrimsley [https://x.com/robertshrimsley?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor], @robertshrimsley.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/robertshrimsley.bsky.social]; Miranda @greenmirandahere.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/greenmirandahere.bsky.social] What did you think of this episode? Let us know at politicalfix@ft.com [politicalfix@ft.com]   Want more? Free links:    Starmer puts UK cabinet on alert for potential US attack on Iran [https://on.ft.com/461VARO] The implosion of Iran’s ‘no peace, no war’ strategy  [https://on.ft.com/3ZAEuqo] Europe set for Iran talks as Trump signals 2-week window to decide on attack [https://on.ft.com/43QXinH] Trump says he ‘may or may not’ strike Iran [https://on.ft.com/43SWOO2] To mark one year of the Labour government, Political Fix regulars Stephen Bush, Robert Shrimsley and Miranda Green will be answering reader questions about what's coming next on July 3 at 1pm. Take part in our live Q&A by going to FT.com/labouryear [http://ft.com/labouryear]. Sign up here [https://www.ft.com/newsletter-signup/inside-politics/trial] for 30 days free of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter.  Presented by George Parker, and produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Manuela Saragosa.  Read a transcript of this podcast on FT.com [https://www.ft.com/content/56cb68b3-22b7-4372-8ba5-b5f399285b7f] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.