Politics Weekly

With Liz Truss likely to be the next prime minister, former government advisers Sam Freedman and Salma Shah join the Guardian’s Gaby Hinsliff to discuss what Truss’ premiership might actually do. And, after two years of disrupted GCSEs, what will Thursday’s results tell us about the impact of the pandemic on students?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

While politics might not be taking a summer holiday this year, Politics Weekly UK is snatching a quick break. So this week, the Guardian’s John Harris brings you his summer reading list: five books that shine a light on where the UK has ended up and the absurdity of everyday politics. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

The Bank of England has predicted the country will hit a recession by the end of the year. To make matters worse, energy bills are soaring and parts of the country could be brought to a standstill over the next few weeks due to strikes. The Guardian’s John Harris is joined by RMT general secretary Mick Lynch and Miatta Fahnbulleh, the chief executive of the New Economics Foundation, to talk about how to tackle this social emergency. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

The Conservative leadership race has been derailed by U-turns, highlighting the weaknesses of the candidates. But with Keir Starmer also seemingly unable to decide if Labour frontbenchers should or shouldn’t join picket lines, the Guardian’s John Harris is joined by our chief political correspondent, Jessica Elgot, and Gavin Barwell the former chief of staff to Theresa May to ask why we don’t have any political leaders of substance any more. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Another week of blue-on-blue infighting, as Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak take chunks out of each other in a series of television debates. To assess the fallout, Rafael Behr sits in for John Harris and is joined by the Observer’s Sonia Sodha and Will Tanner from the centre-right thinktank Onward. And after Wednesday’s rail strikes, we look at how the public feel when it comes to nationalisation. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Either Rishi Sunak or Liz Truss will be the next leader of the Conservative party and the country. As the UK recovers from a week of extreme weather, will the candidates prioritise this over tax cuts and the economy? The Guardian’s John Harris is joined by the former Tory minister David Gauke and the Spectator’s deputy political editor Katy Balls. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

The Conservative leadership race is in full swing. It’s been a week of awkward campaign videos, dirty tricks and wild promises on taxation. The Guardian’s Marina Hyde joins John Harris and Rafael Behr to talk through the weird and wonderful in the contest so far. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Boris Johnson is clinging on to his leadership by a thread as the number of resignations from his government continues to rise. The Guardian’s John Harris is joined by columnists Gaby Hinsliff and Rafael Behr, to discuss the future for the PM. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Glastonbury festival has a rich political history, from its roots in the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament to links to the climate crisis today. The Guardian’s John Harris was at Glastonbury to find out what is keeping political activism moving on the left and how far Labour has to go. He spoke to the shadow secretary for climate change and net zero, Ed Miliband, the mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, and the Labour MP Zarah Sultana. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

There are two important byelections this week: one in Tiverton and Honiton, the other in Wakefield. The Guardian’s John Harris has been to both places, speaking to people about how they will vote and getting a sense of whether the Conservative government is in line for a shocking defeat. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

The government’s latest refugee policy collided with reality this week as the first deportation flight to Rwanda was halted at the last minute after a ruling by the European court of human rights. Meanwhile, the UK continued to pick a fight with the EU over the Northern Ireland protocol. Guardian journalist John Harris is joined by the columnist Rafael Behr and the Observer’s chief leader writer, Sonia Sodha. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Boris Johnson has survived a vote of no confidence this week and wants to draw a line under the rebellion. But what does he really have to offer instead? Reviving Margaret Thatcher’s right to buy? Tax cuts? Ripping up the Brexit agreement? Guardian journalist John Harris is joined by former Conservative cabinet minister David Gauke and the Guardian’s deputy political editor, Rowena Mason, to ask if this is enough to save the party.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

The drip drip of letters to the 1922 Committee has now become a steady stream. Could Boris Johnson be facing a vote of no confidence as soon as next week? Gaby Hinsliff is joined by Guardian political reporter Peter Walker and Gavin Barwell, the former Conservative MP and chief of staff to Theresa May, to figure out if the Tory party has any policy plans for the future, or are they stuck in the past?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

The Sue Gray report has finally been published. Boris Johnson made a statement to parliament and took questions at a press conference. He said he was ‘humbled’ by what was in the report, but is that enough? John Harris is joined by Guardian columnist Rafael Behr and the Observer’s Sonia Sodha to discuss what the report said and Johnson’s future. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Inflation has jumped to 9% putting renewed pressure on the government to take action on the cost of living crisis. John Harris is joined by Guardian columnist Gaby Hinsliff and the Guardian political correspondent Peter Walker to talk about what the government might do, finally. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Rafael Behr stands in for John Harris this week and is joined by Gavin Barwell, the former Conservative MP and chief of staff to Theresa May, and Miatta Fahnbulleh, the chief executive of the New Economics Foundation. With tensions resurfacing over the Brexit arrangements across the Northern Ireland border, is the UK government capable of finding a solution with EU leaders? And Keir Starmer took a political gamble this week – will it pay off?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

It’s been a tough week for Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer as the public vote in local elections on Thursday. With the cloud of beergate hanging over Starmer, and sex scandals and the cost of living crisis affecting Johnson, John Harris is joined by Guardian columnist Rafael Behr and the Observer’s Sonia Sodha to talk about how this all creates deep distrust between the public and politicians. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

With a week to go until the local elections, John Harris goes to Britain’s self-styled Ocean City, which is politically split 50:50 and voted for Brexit. How angry are people about Partygate? How bad is the cost of living crisis? And as the Tories flounder, are voters interested in what Labour has to offer?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

This week Boris Johnson has apologised again for breaking his own Covid lockdown rules while his home secretary, Priti Patel, has been heavily criticised over the legality of her plans to send asylum seekers to Rwanda. Guardian columnist Gaby Hinsliff stands in for John Harris, and asks what happens when ministers no longer seem afraid to push the boundaries of the law? Gaby is joined by Guardian parliamentary sketch writer John Crace and Dr Hannah White, deputy director of the Institute for Government and author of Held in Contempt. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

On Tuesday Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak were fined by the Metropolitan police for breaching lockdown rules. But neither have resigned. John Harris is joined by the Guardian columnist Gaby Hinsliff and the former special adviser Salma Shah to talk about how damaging this is for the PM, his party and the country. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod