Political Fix

Trump taunts drive Starmer into EU’s arms

Donald Trump has heaped insults on Sir Keir Starmer in recent weeks over his stance on the Iran war. The US president labelled the UK prime minister “no Winston Churchill”, said Britain’s aircraft carriers were mere “toys” and told Britain to “go get your own oil” from the Gulf. So perhaps it’s unsurprising that the PM appears to be pivoting heavily towards the EU. Host Lucy Fisher unpicks the shift with colleagues Jim Pickard, Anna Gross and Robert Shrimsley. They also discuss how the Middle East conflict will play out in the upcoming local elections. Have a question for the panel? We’re planning a question and answer episode. Email your questions to politicalfix@ft.com [fix@ft.com] Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, and Bluesky: @lucyfisher.ft.com [http://lucyfisher.ft.com]; Robert: @robertshrimsley [https://x.com/robertshrimsley?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor] and @robertshrimsley.bsky.social; [https://bsky.app/profile/robertshrimsley.bsky.social] Jim @PickardJE [https://x.com/PickardJE] and @pickardje.bsky.social and Anna @AnnaSophieGross [https://x.com/AnnaSophieGross] & @annasophiegross.bsky.social Want more?  Keir Starmer signals major UK pivot towards EU after Donald Trump’s taunts [https://www.ft.com/content/9f3d05e0-d684-40be-8ecb-b8c9e69ddda5?accessToken=zwAAAZ3jY81ukdOfPQXg1oRAvtOOy7jJ5p3dpQE.MEYCIQC8AmGHZ_vyboVtatqvP6ccjk_2jopKU58zQOAYyTh6HwIhALPxspaUE-Pv2vWUNzLEQgnLD1KezZ9KDkF6-Jy8jEVQ&segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4] Lessons from history on how to survive a fuel crisis [https://www.ft.com/content/75eec95b-e566-41cd-af66-398d9eea9a82?accessToken=zwAAAZ3ojyLWkc917slb5WZBzdOvZjmNnuqaggE.MEUCIHOkcFoJ4ik4FUD0ZiL0t0In9WE_NRqQN9i4Hkyvy6hJAiEAwG29HpMUDhKyMtsMnQ2RWCjy7lXMGcaDKBQeiJ9QWN0&segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4] Cracks appear in US-UK security co-operation after Trump-Starmer tensions [https://www.ft.com/content/7b964e41-4f79-4607-af25-1ee637ba6f12?accessToken=zwAAAZ3okQDhkc97lk5BT3lGB9OvJR7mN7pvEgE.MEUCIBnjzRlBmNySUHts7PUoQ7Mi4-GVWn90SsELqGymXR8lAiEAgPRud9yXeMBQIjiEkcNltJt7XtRSAOBk_pJG-vNBuLc&segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4] Starmer strikes upbeat note amid dismal polling ahead of May 7 local elections [https://www.ft.com/content/2ba192f2-6ed1-4943-8456-bbf463f434c9?accessToken=zwAAAZ3jCNv6kc8roZLybtFJQ9OEVrv0Y_Q0yQE.MEYCIQC43GnFe1YyC2L7SE_ja9om71lXBasNdpy02D2luqRp5gIhAK7AfBDuqOwnjhGNi4a360syVquQmsEK8uP70si7nqvP&segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4] Political drama reaches heart of UK’s nuclear deterrent [https://www.ft.com/content/a9a5f54f-3e7c-4920-8132-ab28c4c6bba3?accessToken=zwAAAZ3jTD_vkdOppfVPPnxJINOBMqsoxMa7owE.MEQCICVwKPQb5cvRoGrhM5JQODM2_bWOPubIy9wGCBxHqclUAiAiSmQokJElXR0tQjkaIh_N2VJBqBXB9NfM45yWNoPGUA&segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4] Hammering Farage-Trump links could suppress Reform’s poll lead [https://www.ft.com/content/2d8a5c94-9bc4-4afb-850a-1960a8cb12d6?accessToken=zwAAAZ3jT3owkc8tilyUm8RK-9OFChlgqMsS1gE.MEUCIQCtb6MxPFt2LMTCuo1cJYmMybU1XMMzz92EHsSX9UR9MQIgGpjJB4Ar6WO6-PubOGaRJmUtvqGXRUGk1ck4EwXeIPI&segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4] Sign up here [https://www.ft.com/InsidePoliticsOffer] for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek. Get 30 days free. Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Clare Williamson. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music by Breen Turner, mix by Sean McGarrity. The broadcast engineers were Andrew Giorgiades and Petros Gioumpasis. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s global head of Audio. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com [https://www.ft.com/content//fea17155-e75b-44d7-a342-110c2b249f37?] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

The case for keeping Starmer

Sir Keir Starmer’s authority is slipping and Westminster is alive with speculation about potential successors. But chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley joins host Lucy Fisher, alongside deputy opinion editor Miranda Green and public policy editor Chris Smyth, to argue why he believes Labour may be better off sticking with Starmer. The panel also discuss the government’s plans to ban political donations in cryptocurrency and cap overseas donations at £100,000 a year. What does it mean for Reform UK, which has been a major beneficiary of overseas donors and crypto donations?  Have a question for the panel? We’re planning a question and answer episode. Email your questions to politicalfix@ft.com Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, and Bluesky: @lucyfisher.ft.com [http://lucyfisher.ft.com]; Robert: @robertshrimsley [https://x.com/robertshrimsley?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor] and @robertshrimsley.bsky.social; [https://bsky.app/profile/robertshrimsley.bsky.social] Miranda @greenmiranda [https://x.com/greenmiranda] and @greenmirandahere.bsky.social; & Chris @Smyth_Chris [https://x.com/Smyth_Chris] and @chris-smyth.bsky.social Want more?  The case for keeping Keir Starmer a little longer [https://www.ft.com/content/252dd43e-84d5-4825-9cf9-004bb7d4f2f3?accessToken=zwAAAZ3JjZJHkc8lLdQ-hNVIJdOc-QBLt9Ty8wE.MEYCIQD9qYtIG791K1Fkt-3CX0rPstJ75qwzU8LNH7K2iO_c1gIhAL2Ma9As5-lT2cPl4g8S7zZm1ub9rEAFtfkYjuC3qZiD&segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4] Starmer set to make Sadiq Khan a Lord [https://www.ft.com/content/6ea06de7-dae8-4711-931d-012159730e4f?accessToken=zwAAAZ3JlKxGkc9uoG3n2uhHEdOTHQEhWXMOTwE.MEUCIDI1c465Os7zQiz6J2yak7-tI8-iQ1CQ7-fCjGl8ak5OAiEA29QKnuJ1bU5T3vne5yR-RFumrUox0ft9C-Z4QGbmWSU&segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4]  Overseas donations to UK parties to be capped at £100,000 [https://www.ft.com/content/0c89de37-143d-4066-98f8-9390655b50d0?accessToken=zwAAAZ3Jlr3Okc8Mid43FD1AZtOY-JOQZVtQ0AE.MEYCIQDLCm1SVF0M4yf0jnVHXzboD4116sz5xke8bzWFsxA9qgIhAIbP_hI8-Ou_U4HPRsY-C8h5iQ-ax93qF0bMxZMpmg7I&segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4]  Companies face having to declare individuals behind UK political donations [https://www.ft.com/content/93298ddb-3060-486c-8f5f-d48eabe4ab8d?accessToken=zwAAAZ3JmDbdkdOTKY3bMGBIbNOPX9SOq-SrjQE.MEUCIQDP29b30iMy8WsgvifguJR9ynOCfR6JQXWkN15JmuuFxQIgM609rvmw-RYfQ_bWblahyv0E1cQh6nQJVARWqJ3gNic&segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4]  Net zero is not a zero-sum game [https://www.ft.com/content/161a9f60-0bb8-40ad-a48d-47da8d08437b?accessToken=zwAAAZ3Jm-gOkc8WGp9gC7hArdOkjUfajQhDewE.MEYCIQCXzD-cljd_sleLUzP8WkTLY2nwC2zR9AEQgEc975N3owIhAKjN9ln9394t-wqgtEvDImgJDvbO2UYZeRwCguDT1ARB&segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4]  Sign up here [https://www.ft.com/InsidePoliticsOffer] for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek. Get 30 days free. Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Nisha Patel. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and sound engineering by Breen Turner. The broadcast engineer was Bianca Wakeman and Petros Gioumpasis. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s global head of audio. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com [https://www.ft.com/content/4b79b085-613d-4158-a23c-1ac6de57b4f0] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Introducing Untold: Opus Dei

Introducing Opus Dei, a new season of Untold from the Financial Times. Host Antonia Cundy uncovers the cultural and political influence of a controversial Catholic organisation in America. Opus Dei exists to help people get closer to God, but some members say they found other agendas – and unexpected harm – entangled in that spiritual mission. The first episode of Untold: Opus Dei launches March 25.  Listen on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/untold-the-retreat/id1724826952], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1GUc0a6lsMCaTDbgIU4tgJ?si=09ccf1177eb04f24], Pocket Casts [https://pca.st/podcast/006b38d0-9135-013c-9fe5-0acc26574db2] or wherever you get your podcasts. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Angela’s ambitions

Angela Rayner heaped scorn on Sir Keir Starmer’s administration this week, fuelling fresh scrutiny of her ambitions. Does she want to return to cabinet or seize the reins? The former deputy prime minister issued a stark warning that the government is running out of time to change direction under Starmer, while also attempting to court the City. At the same time, the Greens continue to beat Labour in the polls with an unabashedly socialist platform. Does all this signal the government will shift left? Host Lucy Fisher is joined by the FT’s political editor George Parker, political correspondent Anna Gross, and Inside Politics columnist Stephen Bush to unpack what it all means. Plus FT US national editor Ed Luce shares insights on how he caught up with Donald Trump on his mobile this week. Follow: Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, and Bluesky: @lucyfisher.ft.com George: @GeorgeWParker and @georgewparker.bsky.social; Stephen: @stephenkb and @stephenkb.bsky.social and Anna: @AnnaSophieGross [https://twitter.com/AnnaSophieGross] and @annasophiegross.bsky.social Want more?  Is the Green Party too radical for Britain? [https://www.ft.com/content/a60e29d7-8810-4152-92f0-03120eed4f97?accessToken=zwAAAZ2hV7E4kdOmDinXiBBBUtOS8AMSDu1PlwE.MEYCIQDXSAMnYi-K0BZLLvZG7gYpet4SsZKqHSvphcK6-lOIBQIhAMR9C2zyoQHjd_sEIVv3ZNjkLygpCDX4XfgcnQSAz6Yu&segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4] Labour’s leftward shift and the bond vigilante threat [https://www.ft.com/content/49fe3d0d-9cb6-41a0-9730-249e6eb7d04b?accessToken=zwAAAZ2luxvAkc9J_j0NnLZBoNOXMCSebrfQSwE.MEUCIQD7pfCFP1XzqRY-1n7YGpAZSgySamPFIdPwvaXf_RTg2AIgIxmKNjoo78aF8uzDqUz5DFnDA2ae8ePRD7AU_rHPKSE&segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4] British right must not allow prejudice to be masked as principle [https://www.ft.com/content/16095282-24d4-4dba-af82-0a4892d9166d?accessToken=zwAAAZ2hYXDYkc8WCVKCJNRNutOvggpIktkWbQE.MEUCIQCkWchjOAFsne23hV1NLBzniS-8fngY2k3dLM-IX3HH_AIgf3Ej_QYZwsHUL_FjAoE5p6ILOiNiTUUqzLtGMi4mFUo&segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4] Starmer calls on Badenoch to sack shadow minister over Muslim prayer comments  [https://www.ft.com/content/b2232784-053c-4a45-bc63-6171661fc37f?accessToken=zwAAAZ2hZEa3kdOyIyeEBTxKRdO8Y2FxZh_DfwE.MEQCIEs1dT7dboKBJ1-kOSKysRXDvVc_j-GXOKmRMNa1K-z6AiBq3zWskWktw9rXFA-7oiBPeJjtrKftF4gWw3JHhkvpuw&segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4] Donald Trump warns Nato faces ‘very bad future’ if allies fail to help US in Iran  [https://www.ft.com/content/1ca6d121-760b-4ec5-b6ad-514fdaa94873?accessToken=zwAAAZ2hZ2c-kc8cptEhdgtOxdO2rVFP2qlIcwE.MEQCIGHIxPsP8OCMYYiZnSe13VCkHlDLDPktIJ0S23X-MQ1XAiBzxk7l2EK35QetAD7MDTMDB7X4gILbIJK0Lx9zLo8DBQ&segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4] Sign up here [https://www.ft.com/InsidePoliticsOffer] for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek. Get 30 days free. Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.  Our email address is politicalfix@ft.com [fix@ft.com] Clip: BBC Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com [https://www.ft.com/content/5c47a09f-d7f8-4251-8084-9643dcc367cc?] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Mandelson mess and Middle East U-turns

It has been a week of red faces for party leaders. On Thursday, Keir Starmer apologised and took personal responsibility for the appointment of Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to the US – after a first round of document disclosures suggested the prime minister was largely absent from the decision-making process. Meanwhile, Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch were both busy executing awkward U-turns on their earlier vocal support for a US war on Iran that is proving distinctly unpopular with UK voters.  Host Lucy Fisher is joined by the FT’s deputy political editor Jim Pickard, columnist and writer of the ‘Inside Politics’ newsletter Stephen Bush, and political editor George Parker to debate the twists and turns of the week in Westminster. Clip from: The Mirror Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, and Bluesky: @lucyfisher.ft.com [http://lucyfisher.ft.com]; Jim: @PickardJE and @pickardje.bsky.social; Stephen: @stephenkb and @stephenkb.bsky.social; and George: @GeorgeWParker and @georgewparker.bsky.social Want more?   Mandelson papers: what do they show? [https://www.ft.com/content/cd45e89b-ecce-4bb1-9821-9811e1ef32c9?accessToken=zwAAAZ2BLK2hkdPNReib7M5LsdOYIZgR4e8yyQE.MEQCIHp3YbXTXbn95r_v7mLrIVxbLE6PmDfmfnSrsVnjFIaVAiB3vDYg7OEAR7h1n8vEoGi5bxGpD0Y7ePv-Ym2mb2LRag&segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4] Pressure grows on Starmer over Mandelson due diligence [https://www.ft.com/content/ffe4de88-16a2-42ff-bdd3-bf3ad902591c?accessToken=zwAAAZ2BKzzZkdP_5N6IFqJC_9O907862QJZHAE.MEQCIGN8r6l-pL1PLS3OJ_ElITEqwrQQmu6EI9JSlcP6lnFHAiB-IF2qKCPRDin8Ig7dWwkTzlg7W-4cHRAgUzbGK3NbJA&segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4] Embarrassing Iran U-turn for the right, but Keir Starmer’s problems are worse [https://www.ft.com/content/2d90ff5b-e5a4-48d0-9d6f-1901e358758b?accessToken=zwAAAZ2BLXYJkc8tkP9b5aRI0NOdbxkB41h1iwE.MEYCIQDouzdif1qbqoMjv-DObVYD8k_JSMMEhi7hXaW8N7kqGAIhAJ8FMnKqr0wPpt8SgjIPJdpe8fJWttp8yx9JGtfvg9wI&segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4] The irrepressible Nigel Farage [https://www.ft.com/content/3aca829d-d523-484b-a5b8-744642ec5f70?accessToken=zwAAAZ2BLjZRkc86yoKd1SNIS9OluHRGQuxfcAE.MEMCID85PzdcphKNIrenzW8Akx8xfc1h0RUVaKyYxLTNWeZGAh95W_dXq1LVfJgGlTayM3Y5EgHDOw_dcyL3DLXnnZN6&segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4] Sign up to Stephen Bush's morning newsletter ‘Inside Politics’ for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek analysis.  Get 30 days free at https://www.ft.com/InsidePoliticsOffer [https://www.ft.com/InsidePoliticsOffer] Political FIx is presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Laurence Knight.  The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Audio mix by Breen Turner.  The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.  Our email address is politicalfix@ft.com [fix@ft.com] Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com [https://www.ft.com/content/2da8f1f9-6192-4b61-a9d9-d83f4b667368] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.