Best Jake Thatcher Podcasts (2025)

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Andy Burnham: the next Prime Minister? | Politics with Anoosh Chakelian 20:50

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29m ago20:50

20:50

The Mayor of Manchester is the most popular choice to replace Keir Starmer as Prime Minister. Keir Starmer is now less popular than Donald Trump. Despite the Labour Party's historic election win just over one year ago, popularity ratings for leading Labour figures have plummeted. Economic woes, crunching u-turns, unrest over Gaza and asylum hotel p…

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Why are people talking about an English civil war? | Politics with Anoosh Chakelian 32:51

23h ago32:51

32:51

Following last year’s riots, in the wake of the Southport murders, Elon Musk predicted civil war in the UK was “inevitable”. So far, however, no civil war… Over the last century, people in British politics at times of turmoil have raised the prospect of civil war, repeatedly, in ways not unlike today. What did they fear, and why? And what might we …

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Trump meets Zelenskyy: hope for peace in Ukraine? | Geopolitics with Katie Stallard 26:47

2d ago26:47

26:47

Yesterday, Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Washington, flanked by seven European leaders, in order to meet with Donald Trump and push forward talks to end the war in Ukraine. This came just three days after Trump’s carefully choreographed meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska. Could this be the beginning of the end for the drawn o…

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Palestine Action arrests "will bring the law into disrepute" | Jonathan Dimbleby interview 34:41

3d ago34:41

34:41

In 1978, the broadcaster and journalist Jonathan Dimbleby, and photojournalist Don McCullin, published The Palestinians - a book that sought to tell the human story behind one of the world’s most intractable conflicts. This year, in the wake of the ongoing and constantly escalating war, the book will be republished with a new foreword. In this epis…

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The New Statesman’s ultimate beach reads 38:48

5d ago38:48

38:48

There’s one thing you need this summer. A good book. Will Lloyd is joined by culture editor Tanjil Rashid, and staff writer Finn McRedmond to discuss the New Statesman's ultimate beach reads for 2025 and beyond. Download the app Host: Will Lloyd Guests: Tanjil Rashid, Finn McRedmond Producer: Catharine Hughes Video producer: Rob Le Mare Executive p…

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The government must address the graduate job crisis | Politics with Anoosh Chakelian 28:00

6d ago28:00

28:00

Will Starmer face a vote of no confidence? What does Reform UK mean by scrap Net Zero? Should the Democrats distance themselves from the Clintons? Anoosh Chakelian is joined by George Eaton and Will Lloyd to answer listener questions. Download the app Ask a question Host: Anoosh Chakelian Guest: George Eaton Guest: Will Lloyd Producer: Catharine Hu…

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UK economy "fastest growing in the G7 this year" | Politics with Anoosh Chakelian 25:21

6d ago25:21

25:21

On Thursday morning, data was released showing that UK economic growth has slowed to 0.3%. Also, JD Vance has been holidaying in the UK, recently meeting with a who’s who of right-wing populists - from Robert Jenrick, to Nigel Farage, to, somewhat bizarrely, enjoying a BBQ with ex-Apprentice contestant and social media star, Thomas Skinner. Anoosh …

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Branding pensioners terrorists: "ridiculous... and deeply disturbing" | Sir Jonathon Porritt, arrested at Palestine Action Protest 21:57

7d ago21:57

21:57

On Saturday, in Westminster, police arrested more than 500 people under the Terrorism Act. That’s more in a single day than have ever been charged with terrorist-related activity in a whole year. Many of those arrested were pensioners. Their crime: holding cardboard signs which read “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.” One of those 532 …

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What happens in Alaska won't stay in Alaska | Geopolitics with Katie Stallard 32:12

8d ago32:12

32:12

US President Donald Trump will meet with Russian president Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday for a high stakes summit to discuss the war in Ukraine. Trump has been upping the ante with his rhetoric around Putin in recent months. On July 14, the US president set Putin a 50 day deadline to agree a ceasefire with Ukraine. On July 28th, he reduced it …

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Labour students revolt over Gaza | Politics with Anoosh Chakelian 14:44

9d ago14:44

14:44

Youth membership for the Labour party has collapsed – from 100,000 to just 30,000 under Starmer’s leadership. The relationship between Labour HQ and its members on university campuses has soured over the past year, reaching boiling point following the prime minister’s decision to conditionally recognise a Palestinian state in September unless Israe…

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WASP movie | Whit Stillman interview 50:02

11d ago50:02

50:02

Whit Stillman is something of a cult film director. He rose to prominence in 1990 with his debut film Metropolitan, which became the first in the so-called “Doomed. Bourgeois. In love” trilogy: Barcelona came out in 1994 and The Last Days of Disco in 1998. Set among America’s so-called “Preppy” class, the films are comedies of manners in the tradit…

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Are the Tories more back-stabbing than Labour? | Politics with Anoosh Chakelian 19:18

12d ago19:18

19:18

Is Keir Starmer sucking up to Donald Trump, and what do politicians get up to during parliamentary recess? Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Rachel Cunliffe and George Eaton to answer listener questions. Download the app Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Starmer is now less popular than Trump | Politics with Anoosh Chakelian 22:12

13d ago22:12

22:12

New polling has found that Keir Starmer is now less popular amongst British voters than Donald Trump. Today, we’re talking about Keir Starmer’s first year in government and the rapid decline in his personal popularity. From a triumphant election victory to sliding approval ratings, where has it gone wrong for the Labour leader? Anoosh Chakelian is …

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Eurostarmer | Politics with George Eaton 17:06

14d ago17:06

17:06

Nine years after the Brexit referendum, the dream of 'Singapore-on-Thames' has quietly evaporated. Instead, we’ve got a Labour government embracing high taxes, stronger workers’ rights, even state ownership. What’s behind Labour’s European turn and is Starmer quietly reversing Thatcher’s legacy? Rachel Cunliffe is joined by George Eaton. Hosted on …

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Divided and dormant Democrats | US politics with Anoosh Chakelian 22:50

15d ago22:50

22:50

The dormant Democrat party must find a way to revive itself if it is to have any hope of challenging the Maga movement, Donald Trump, and his eventual successor. The party is split on whether Trump is simply an aberration to endure, or whether he represents the death of democracy, justifying a dirtier form of opposition politics. Anoosh Chakelian i…

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Nigel Farage won't take a day off | Politics with Anoosh Chakelian 22:04

16d ago22:04

22:04

Parliament is in recess for the next four weeks, a time when Westminster usually goes quiet, but this year there’s one man who’s determined to keep working. Nigel Farage. Today the Reform UK leader delivered his third weekly conference as part of his campaign on “Lawless Britain”, broadening out (slightly) from the party's usual single-issue politi…

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Who really owns Britain's houses? | Susan J. Smith interview 42:52

18d ago42:52

42:52

Britain is in the grip of a housing crisis and politicians from all sides claim to have the solutions. But as prices rise, renters struggle and investors profit - are we seeing housing policy serve the public good? Will Dunn, the New Statesman's business editor, is joined by Susan J. Smith, the new president of the British Academy and honorary prof…

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Do politicians understand the internet? | Politics with Rachel Cunliffe 22:21

19d ago22:21

22:21

The team answer listener questions on the practicalities of the online safety act, a Labour-Lib Dem coalition, and the revival of the commonwealth. Submit a question for a future episode: You Ask Us Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Britain's summer of discontent | Cover Story with Anoosh Chakelian 25:06

20d ago25:06

25:06

Asylum protests. NHS strikes. A faltering economy. Is the Labour government facing a summer of discontent? Last year, riots sparked by the brutal murder of three young girls at a dance class in Southport rocked the UK. Rioters targeted hotels housing asylum seekers, wrongly connecting the murders to Muslim immigration. Now, asylum protests persist.…

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Starmer's threat to recognise Palestine | Politics with Megan Gibson 18:42

21d ago18:42

18:42

The UK will recognise Palestinian statehood in September unless Israel abides by a ceasefire, commits to a two-state solution and agrees not to annex the West Bank.Yesterday, Keir Starmer marked a clear shift on the UK’s position on the Israel Gaza war. However, this has prompted backlash from all sides. So what is there to gain? Megan Gibson is jo…

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Why can't Trump shake Epstein? | US politics with Katie Stallard and Freddie Hayward 27:39

22d ago27:39

27:39

Once upon a time Donald Trump loved to talk about conspiracy theories. Now, well, not so much. Why can’t Trump shake the Epstein story - and what could it mean for his presidency? -- Last week, Katie Stallard and Freddie Hayward talked about how Donald Trump wanted his supporters to move on and stop talking about Jefrey Epstein, and how that seemed…

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All hail Emperor Trump | Politics with Tom McTague 27:52

23d ago27:52

27:52

As Donald Trump visits Scotland, world leaders - including Keir Starmer - flock to pay tribute at the emperor's feet. Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2DHAQOeEg-Z-4trARDXHRA?sub_confirmation=1 The US President is on a 4-day trip to his golf courses in Scotland. He has met with Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European C…

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Tax Netflix now! | Peter Kosminsky interview 50:41

26d ago50:41

50:41

Director, writer and producer Peter Kosminsky, who directed of the BBC's adaptation of Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall, has worked in the television industry for 45 years. The BAFTA and Golden Globe winner is one of the most respected voices in the industry. Kosminsky spoke to the New Statesman's Hannah Barnes in a wide ranging discussion about the state…

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If you care about Gaza, why vote Labour? - Listener questions episode 38:25

26d ago38:25

38:25

Our Listeners ask: With Keir Starmer and his government under fire over their approach to Gaza, and the emergence of Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana's new party, why vote Labour? And with infrastructure and public services in such a terrible state, and the prospect of taxes and bills rising, what are we paying for? Tom McTague is joined by Megan Ke…

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The fraying of the social fabric | Politics with Rachel Cunliffe 19:37

27d ago19:37

19:37

This week - Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has identified immigration, economic insecurity and time spent online as key causes of unrest and rioting in the UK following last year's Southport attacks. Also, Can Rachel Reeves avoid another fiscal crisis? Rachel Cunliffe is joined by Andrew Marr and George Eaton to discuss. READ Can Rachel Reeves…

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Kemi Badenoch isn't working | Cover Story with Tom McTague 40:50

28d ago40:50

40:50

She was the Tory saviour. Now, by November, she could be gone. Where did it all go wrong for Kemi Badenoch? -- For this week's New Statesman magazine, Will Lloyd has written a powerful and revealing profile of the Nigerian immigrant who rose to lead the Conservative Party. Will joins Tom McTague to discuss what he discovered in the course of his re…

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The Trump, Epstein and MAGA saga 39:49

29d ago39:49

39:49

Could Donald Trump’s plea to his support base to “not waste time and energy on Jeffrey Epstein” finally drive a wedge between the US president and his MAGA faithful? And what are Trump and Vice President JD Vance doing in the UK this summer? Katie Stallard is joined by the New Statesman’s US correspondent Freddie Hayward to discuss. READ A conspira…

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Now, re-nationalise water | Politics with Anoosh Chakelian 21:03

1M ago21:03

21:03

Water regulator Ofwat is to be abolished - but Labour should go further. *** On Monday the results of an independent review of the water industry were published. The results were damning for the regulator, Ofwat, which will be abolished in response to the report. Megan Kenyon attended the announcement for the New Statesman and joins Anoosh Chakelia…

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What does "Blue Labour" really mean? - Morgan Jones interview 26:47

1M ago26:47

26:47

As Keir Starmer's government appears to be buffeted by internal storms, multiple factions are influencing the flow of power. Not least, the oxymoronically-named 'Blue Labour'. But what is Blue Labour? And what do those in the movement actually want? In this episode, Anoosh Chakelian and Rachel Cunliffe are joined by the author Morgan Jones, who spe…

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Is AI coming for our jobs? - Listener questions episode 23:51

1M ago23:51

23:51

The government are pursuing AI developments, but at what cost? Why aren't Labour rebels protesting about stealth taxes? And will Jeremy Corbyn join the Green Party? Rachel Cunliffe is joined by Will Dunn and Andrew Marr to answer your questions. READ Magic and divination in the age of AI - Will Dunn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more i…

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Is Keir Starmer "bold and brave" to suspend rebels? 29:01

1M ago29:01

29:01

On Wednesday, the prime minister removed the whip from the group of MPs for breaches of discipline. The group of MPs have persistently rebelled against the Labour leader. The government are also reckoning with a revelation that leaked information compromised the safety of Afghans who supported the British military, and inflation has risen higher th…

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Israel is committing war crimes - former Supreme Court judge Jonathan Sumption exclusive interview 38:41

1M ago38:41

38:41

Jonathan Sumption, Lord Sumption, served on the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom between 2012 and 2018. He has written a powerful and sobering essay for the New Statesman in which he argues that Israel is committing war crimes in Gaza. In this exclusive interview, Tom McTague meets Jonathan Sumption to discuss why he has come to this conclusion …

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Is English literature dying - and does it matter? 36:57

1M ago36:57

36:57

English literature no longer makes the top ten of A-level subject choices. English departments at universities are regularly closing. Studies show dramatic drops in literacy and reading, particularly amongst teenagers. Today we’re asking: is English literature dying? The New Statesman’s deputy editor Will Lloyd is joined by the New Statesman’s new …

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🚨 How to defeat Reform - Exclusive with political polling analyst Steve Akehurst 22:21

1M ago22:21

22:21

Nigel Farage and Reform UK are a real threat to Labour and the Conservatives alike. We've heard a lot about the strengths of the challenger party - who would be likely to form the next government if an election was held tomorrow. But one political polling analyst has been exploring where the Reform brand is most vulnerable to attack - and he reveal…

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Exclusive Green Party leadership debate 49:56

1M ago49:56

49:56

In a New Statesman exclusive, two of the Green Party's leadership candidates, Zack Polanski and Adrian Ramsey, present their visions for the party to host Anoosh Chakelian. READ Can the Green Party ever work with Jeremy Corbyn? - Megan Kenyon Sign up to the New Statesman's daily politics newsletter: Morning Call Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priva…

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How can the UK take the lead in the skills revolution? | Sponsored 23:34

1M ago23:34

23:34

As the UK faces economic and technological change, building a skilled workforce is critical - but what should that workforce look like? And how can employers, educators and policymakers align to prepare people for what’s next? Host Zoë Grünewald is joined by Pearson’s UK Lead Sharon Hague and Vice Chair of Skills England Sir David Bell, to explore …

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How is Sultana's new party ever going to work? - Listeners questions episode 24:36

1M ago24:36

24:36

Our listeners ask: How will Zarah Sultana's new party on the left ever be able to square wildly different views among those involved? Also in the show, listeners ask how well, or badly, have Labour been dealing with the media and whether Reform will now pull their support for voting reform. Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Rachel Cunliffe and Megan Ke…

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Large parts of the State a 'complete car crash' 28:01

1M ago28:01

28:01

With resident doctors set to strike yet again, the courts log jammed and the OBR sounding the alarm over Britain's financial trajectory, what can and should be done to arrest the decline? Anoosh Chakelian is joined by colleagues George Eaton, Rachel Cunliffe and Will Dunn to unpack the latest symptoms of the British State's interminable malaise. RE…

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Robert Jenrick: Genuine PM potential or just foreshadowing Farage? 31:36

1M ago31:36

31:36

'Some of his views are pretty extreme... I found it pretty sinister' - Harry Lambert, contributing writer to the New Statesman, talks to Anoosh Chakelian and Will Lloyd about his cover story profiling the Conservative MP and leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick. Can he really become PM, why is he so popular online and how did his politics get so radic…

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Are Oasis in fact the greatest Irish band ever? 18:35

1M ago18:35

18:35

With the biggest reunion tour in years kicking off in Cardiff last weekend, the culture show asks if Oasis were just too Irish to be the best Britpop band in the first place? The New Statesman's commissioning editor Finn McRedmond sits down with colleagues George Eaton, Nick Harris and Faye Curran to discuss the Gallagher brothers real allegiances.…

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SEND: Labour's next backbench battle 18:53

2M ago18:53

18:53

After the bruising passage of the government's welfare reform bill, attention on the backbenches is now turning to another lightning rod issue - the potential overhaul of the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system. Anoosh Chakelian discusses the battles looming with colleagues Hannah Barnes, Will Dunn and Pippa Bailey. READ Starme…

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Jake Richards MP on the welfare bill and ECHR reform 21:21

2M ago21:21

21:21

Labour MP Jake Richards sits down with Anoosh Chakelian to discuss the drama over the government's welfare reform bill and why he thinks the European Convention on Human Rights needs a desperate overhaul. Sign up to the New Statesman's daily politics newsletter: Morning Call Submit a question for a future episode: You Ask Us Hosted on Acast. See ac…

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Was exorcising "the ghost of Jeremy Corbyn" a fatal mistake for Labour? - Listeners questions episode 22:28

2M ago22:28

22:28

Our listeners ask: Can we really argue that Keir Starmer has a plan after yet another disaster over the welfare reform bill? Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Tom McTague and Rachel Cunliffe. This episode was recorded before MP Zarah Sultana announced she is launching a new political party with Jeremy Corbyn. Sign up to the New Statesman's daily politi…

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One year of Labour rule: Can things still only get better? 40:38

2M ago40:38

40:38

'We've not been here since the 70s' As the government marks one year in office, Anoosh Chakelian sits down with Andrew Marr, Tom McTague and Rachel Cunliffe to discuss Keir Starmer's highs, lows and the many, many challenges that lie ahead. READ We must prepare for Prime Minister Farage - Andrew Marr LISTEN JUST RAISE TAX Sign up to the New Statesm…

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JUST RAISE TAX 34:03

2M ago34:03

34:03

'You walk around the country and you know something's off' - After a bruising passage of the government's heavily altered welfare reform bill, for the sake of just a few billion pounds, many are left wondering where does the government and the country go now? In this episode, Anoosh Chakelian is joined by colleagues Tom McTague, Will Dunn and Megan…

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Glastonbury's political hangover rages on 34:18

2M ago34:18

34:18

With some calling for the Director-General of the BBC to resign, Somerset police launching a criminal investigation and the US Deputy Secretary of State revoking visas, the political fireworks at this year's Glastonbury were even more sensational than the pyramid stage's. But what was it like on the ground? In this edition of the New Statesman cult…

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Welfare warfare just the start of Starmer's problems 34:08

2M ago34:08

34:08

With yet another U-turn from the government, the fate of the welfare bill is left in the hands of the backbenchers. In this episode, Rachel Cunliffe is joined by Editor-in-Chief Tom McTague and business editor Will Dunn to discuss the potential consequences of defeat in Tuesday night's vote, Rachel Reeves‘ precarious position and how we got here in…

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Iain Dale on debunking the myths around Margaret Thatcher 32:47

2M ago32:47

32:47

Was Margaret Thatcher really some 'evil dictator' who's legacy still looms large over Britain? Or was she something else entirely? Broadcaster and author Iain Dale talks to Rachel Cunliffe about his new book, Margaret Thatcher, and why he wanted to dispel some of the myths and mistruths about the Iron Lady. READ Inside the false economy of Rachel R…

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Addressing the dementia diagnosis waiting game | Sponsored 24:23

2M ago24:23

24:23

Too many people in the UK are stuck anxiously waiting up to a year for a dementia diagnosis — and even longer in more deprived areas. In this episode, we explore why early and accurate diagnosis matters, and what must change to fix the system. Host Sarah Dawood is joined by Samantha Benham-Hermetz, Executive Director at Alzheimer’s Research UK; Chr…

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"Why won't Keir Starmer stand up to Israel?" - Listener questions episode 25:49

2M ago25:49

25:49

Our listeners ask: How long will the government continue to support Israel after its actions in Gaza? Also in the show, one listener asks why longstanding issues like council tax reform are perennially ignored, another whether there could ever be a true 'red tory' faction in the Conservative party. Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Tom McTague and Rach…