Politics Weekly

As Michael Gove launches his 12 ‘levelling up’ missions, Rowena Mason and Peter Walker discuss why Keir Starmer has switched attack lines. Plus, Dan Sabbagh explains why Boris Johnson took a trip to Ukraine this week. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Jonathan Freedland and Julian Borger discuss Joe Biden’s strategy when it comes to potential war with Russia over Ukraine, as well as some potentially good news at home for the president as he gets the chance to nominate a liberal pick to the supreme court. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

As we wait patiently for Sue Gray to wrap up her inquiry into various alleged lockdown parties at Downing Street, the Met police have launched their own investigation. Heather Stewart and Jonathan Freedland discuss the potential fallout from it all. Plus, Aamna Mohdin looks into alleged Islamophobia in the Conservative party. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

As Joe Biden marks his first year in the White House, Democrats will be reeling from their loss to Republicans in the Senate, after Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema chose to let an important voting rights bill fail over a technicality. The Freedom to Vote: John R Lewis Act would have helped bolster voting rights for many minorities who have felt disenfranchised by recent legislation.Jonathan Freedland speaks to Errin Haines of The 19th about how black voters – who were instrumental in getting Biden elected in 2020 – think the president has done in his first year.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

After a chaotic prime minister’s questions on Wednesday, rumours circulated about which Tories were sending in letters of no confidence about Boris Johnson, and which were taking them back. Jessica Elgot and Polly Toynbee look at what lies ahead for the PM. Plus, Stewart Wood and Sonia Khan on the working culture in No 10 Downing Street. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Jonathan Freedland speaks to Barbara Walter, a former CIA adviser, about her new book about how civil wars start, and what politicians and the public should be doing to prevent another one in the US. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

As the prime minister finally apologises (sort of) for a lockdown party at Downing Street, Heather Stewart and Gaby Hinsliff look what the future holds for Boris Johnson. Plus, Peter Walker, Larry Elliott and Miatta Fahnbulleh discuss the impending cost of living crisis.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Jonathan Freedland speaks to the House Representative from Maryland about last January’s Capitol riots, leading an impeachment trial against Trump, investigating colleagues and how his own grief influenced his work in 2021. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Rowena Mason and Sonia Sodha look at the problems facing the NHS and schools, as the government lifts some restrictions. Plus, Peter Walker, Jon Henley and Severin Carrell look at how Westminster’s Covid-19 plan differs from the rest of the UK and Europe. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

A note from Jonathan Freedland as we ring in the new year. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

A note from the Guardian’s chief political correspondent, Jessica Elgot, as we head into 2022. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

A holiday note from Jonathan Freedland. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Scandals were rampant throughout the halls of parliament in 2021, with sleaze, affairs, party leadership tussles, and lockdown parties at No 10 Downing Street. So what should we expect from UK politics next year? Jessica Elgot, Heather Stewart and Rafael Behr make their predictions. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Jonathan Freedland and Joan Greve look back on a chaotic year in US politics and attempt to offer some predictions of might be coming down the tracks in 2022. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Rowena Mason and Peter Walker look at what’s behind the revolt within the prime minister’s own party and how damaging it could be to his leadership. Plus: Aubrey Allegretti and Patrick Wintour wonder if Liz Truss would be the one to succeed Johnson if there was a vacancy. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

A week after Stacey Abrams announced she was running for Georgia governor again, Jonathan Freedland speaks to Oliver Laughland about why the southern state is shaping up to be one of the most interesting to pay attention to for the 2022 midterm elections. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Rowena Mason and Zoe Williams look at the potential consequences of the bombshell video that has thrown doubt on Boris Johnson’s repeated denials that there was a Christmas party at No 10 last year. Plus: Aubrey Allegretti, Peter Walker and Jessica Elgot look at what the byelections tell us about the need for a progressive alliance. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Rep Lauren Boebert was recently filmed saying she experienced a ‘Jihad squad’ moment with the Muslim Rep Ilhan Omar. The party leadership hasn’t rebuked her, and some colleagues are defending her words. This week Jonathan Freedland speaks to Dr Abdul El-Sayed about Islamophobia in American politics. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

As the PM contradicts his own scientists, Jessica Elgot and Gaby Hinsliff discuss the government’s response to the new Omicron Covid variant. Plus: is Keir Starmer’s new shadow cabinet an election-winning Labour team? Starmer’s former director of communications Ben Nunn gives us his take in an exclusive first interview since he resigned last summer. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

This month, 13 House Republicans crossed party lines and voted in favour of Joe Biden’s infrastructure bill. This prompted anger from colleagues, voters and the former president Donald Trump. And the Republican leadership was slow to jump to their defence. Jonathan Freedland and Tara Setmayer discuss what this says about the direction for the party. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod