Best Stand Up For Southport Podcasts (2025)

When the Prime Minister said Reform’s migration policy was ‘racist’ - was that a mistake? It dominated the Labour Party conference in Liverpool this week, where Beth asked Keir Starmer about his comments... and pulled him up on Donald Trump’s remarks about Sadiq Khan. So with the May elections starting to loom in the minds of politicians, how worri…

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Wes Streeting on why he didn't want Home Secretary 35:52

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9d ago35:52

35:52

Health Secretary Wes Streeting didn't want to get moved to the Home Office in the recent reshuffle - and he planned how to get out of it if the job was offered. Beth asks also asks him about future strike action by doctors. He's clear in his warning to members of the BMA: "The NHS is hanging by a thread, don’t pull it." The interview was recorded a…

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Why Do Some Men Know Best About Pregnancy? 47:46

12d ago47:46

47:46

Donald Trump gave his two cents on what women should be doing whilst pregnant this week... and Nigel Farage followed suit with his view back here. So how damaging are their comments? And why do men think they know best about women’s bodies? Later - is Andy Burnham plotting a move on Downing Street? He claims Labour MPs are asking him to challenge S…

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Beth asks Trump about Mandelson and Epstein 30:08

19d ago30:08

30:08

Starmer and Trump meet at Chequers and the world's eyes are on them. So why did Trump say he doesn't know Peter Mandelson? The UK's former ambassador to Washington who was sacked last week? And what did Trump mean when he said that Putin had "let him down"? To match the occasion - a special episode of Electoral Dysfunction and Trump100, a Sky News …

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Mandelson sacked over Epstein 46:53

27d ago46:53

46:53

Peter Mandelson is sacked as the UK's ambassador to the US - his former cabinet colleague, Harriet, says it's shameful that he didn't resign. It's all after new revelations over his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. Ruth isn't impressed either and wonders why Keir Starmer was defending him at PMQs. Donald Trump arrives in London for his state visit …

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Is Labour too London? 37:03

29d ago37:03

37:03

A long list of women all want to be Labour’s next deputy leader - Lucy Powell, Emily Thornberry, Bridget Phillipson, Alison McGovern, Bell Ribeiro-Addy and Paula Barker have all thrown their names into the mix. Beth, Ruth and Harriet look at their prospects and reveal what sort of deputy Keir Starmer would prefer – as well as who the left of Labour…

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Rayner resigns and Starmer resets (again) 33:57

1M ago33:57

33:57

Beth, Harriet and Ruth reassemble after Angela Rayner’s resignation prompts one of the biggest cabinet reshuffles in years. She admitted she didn’t pay enough stamp duty on the purchase of a new home and, after an ethics investigation, quit as deputy prime minister and housing secretary. David Lammy takes the deputy role with a move to justice secr…

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Is Angela Rayner a "hypocrite" if she doesn't resign? 38:31

1M ago38:31

38:31

Was the deputy prime minister trying to evade and dodge tax? Is she a 'hypocrite'? Or was she simply doing what she thought was the right thing? Beth takes Ruth and Harriet behind the scenes of her interview with Angela Rayner this week as they ask whether she will survive in government, or if she will have to resign. It all emerged after Rayner ad…

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Angela Rayner admits underpaying tax - Exclusive interview 19:59

1M ago19:59

19:59

In an exclusive interview, the Deputy Prime Minister admits she considered resigning after discovering she didn’t pay enough stamp duty on her second home. After weeks of speculation in the papers, Angela Rayner reveals what really happened – she tells Beth she got inaccurate expert advice and was unable to speak out before due to confidential clau…

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Is political chaos fuelled by the media? 30:48

1M ago30:48

30:48

In their final summer Q&A, Beth, Ruth, and Harriet dig into why politics feels permanently stuck in panic mode. Why does it feel like there's an election imminent when the prime minister isn't required to call one for four years? What's fuelling the chaos? And is the media to blame? Plus, your questions on whether Reform defections are actually a p…

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Starmer’s dilemma in Trump and Putin’s shadow 25:25

2M ago25:25

25:25

Can Britain afford both welfare and warfare? Beth takes us inside the row that could define Sir Keir Starmer's premiership. From that huge Commons rebellion over welfare cuts to the looming pressure on defence spending, how can the government look after Britain at home, whilst holding the line abroad? For this special episode, Beth speaks to the fo…

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Conservatives v Reform: Battle for the Right 35:51

2M ago35:51

35:51

Nigel Farage's Reform won more than 40% of seats at May's council elections. The Conservatives lost control of 16 English councils and won 20% of seats - one of the lowest proportions in the past two decades. How do the Tories make sure they keep right-wing voters at future elections? Beth talks to shadow chancellor, and former work and pensions se…

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Is Corbyn’s comeback a headache for Starmer - or a red herring? 28:34

2M ago28:34

28:34

Jeremy Corbyn's back - with Zarah Sultana and a new party. But is it a real threat to Labour, or just political theatre? This week Beth, Ruth and Harriet answer your questions on whether Corbyn's comeback could fracture the left and hand seats to the Tories and Reform. What does it mean for Starmer? Could the Green Party seize the moment? And is th…

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What happened when I quit the government 38:11

2M ago38:11

38:11

Anneliese Dodds sits down with Beth Rigby for her first long-form interview since stepping down from Labour's front bench.Reflecting on the party's first year in power, the former International Development Minister and Women and Equalities Minister reveals what happened the moment she decided to resign from Sir Keir Starmer's government - and the "…

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Is the government preparing for a summer of riots? 40:49

3M ago40:49

40:49

Summer is here and the government is worrying about riots on the streets. In their final episode of this political term, Beth, Ruth and Harriet unpack No 10's briefing this week that Angela Rayner has warned about the risk of civil unrest, almost a year on from the murders in Southport that sparked a summer of violent protests. So what is the gover…

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The '£7 billion' government secret 47:38

3M ago47:38

47:38

Who knew what about the Afghan data leak? And could anyone in parliament have done more to help scrutinise the government at the time of the superinjunction? Harriet thinks so. So in this episode, Beth, Ruth, and Harriet talk about the massive breach, the secret court hearings, and the constitutional chaos it’s unleashed. Plus - the fallout from th…

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Is migration helping or hurting the UK? 48:08

3M ago48:08

48:08

There's a new plan for deterring migrants from crossing the channel and coming to the UK - but will it actually work? This week, Beth, Ruth and Harriet have a deep dive into one of the most divisive and defining political issues of our time: migration. In the week France's President Emmanuel Macron has been hobnobbing with the great and the good on…

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Is Labour losing Wales to Reform? 39:34

3M ago39:34

39:34

Could Reform UK get their first taste of government next year? They're the biggest party for Welsh voters, according to exclusive polling from More in Common ahead of the Senedd elections next year. But what does this mean for Labour? The party was founded in Wales and since devolution in 1999, they've run the government there. Are they now scared …

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Did Keir Starmer screw up his own anniversary? 46:31

3M ago46:31

46:31

Happy 1st anniversary, Keir Starmer. He wanted to be talking about what he sees as Labour’s achievements after 12 months in goverment and his 10-year plan for the NHS. But, after another dramatic policy U-turn and the sight of his own chancellor crying at PMQs, when he kept his support for her slightly vague, Beth Rigby, Harriet Harman and Ruth Dav…

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What will Keir Starmer learn from the Labour welfare chaos? 49:47

3M ago49:47

49:47

It sounds like concessions are being offered to the dozens of Labour MPs who had threatened to rebel over the government’s planned welfare cuts. On this episode, Beth, Ruth, and Harriet went over the possible options for the Prime Minister. They also talk about what Keir Starmer needs to learn from the chaos of the past few days. Plus, is President…

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Why won't Starmer call out Trump? 25:35

4M ago25:35

25:35

Days after Keir Starmer told Beth that a US strike on Iran wasn’t imminent, Trump ordered US bunker busters to bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities. But the UK’s position on the attacks are unclear. The focus is not on what the Prime Minister is saying – but what he isn’t saying. After a brief interview, it’s clear Keir Starmer isn’t willing to either en…

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Will Starmer have to agree to war? 45:00

4M ago45:00

45:00

Is Donald Trump about to join Israel in attacks on Iran, and will he ask Keir Starmer to help him out? If he does - would it even be legal? A lot has happened since Beth, Ruth and Harriet last got together, with further significant developments expected before a big NATO summit next week - a gathering we don't even know if the US president will tur…

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Should anyone go to prison for an abortion? 45:07

4M ago45:07

45:07

A landmark bill is due to be voted on in the House of Commons next week that could decriminalise abortion for women in England and Wales. Currently, any woman who has had an abortion after 24 weeks - without two doctors signing it off - could be jailed under a Victorian law. So why has it taken until 2025 for this vote? And who are the women whose …

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Rachel Reeves faces the numbers - can she cut it? 47:10

4M ago47:10

47:10

As Rachel Reeves prepares for next week’s spending review, Beth explains why it could be a defining moment for the government and the chancellor is faced with difficult choices. Harriet talks about the two-child benefit cap and whether the government can afford to scrap it. And as Sir Keir Starmer puts the country on a war footing, Sky's defence co…

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Why Labour needs to focus on the working class, with Andy Burnham 29:33

4M ago29:33

29:33

Beth is catching up with Andy Burnham - the Mayor of Greater Manchester – in his office for an extra episode this week, recorded on Tuesday. It’s just days to go until the chancellor unveils her Spending Review, and it’s set to be good news for the North – they are about to get billions for big transport projects. But is that a good enough offer to…

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Farage steps in whilst parliament’s out 34:09

4M ago34:09

34:09

Nigel Farage is using parliamentary recess to grab the microphone – he's been out and about during the half term holiday criticising the government and claiming Reform UK as the party for families. Harriet and Ruth ask whether he’s been smart in copying the tactics we’re used to seeing from leaders of the opposition. It’s just a week on from that E…

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Rachel Reeves vs Keir Starmer: Inside the ‘rift’ in Downing Street 55:25

5M ago55:25

55:25

Are Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves falling out over winter fuel payments? Beth tells us what she’s been hearing in Westminster about a rift between the pair and although it’s denied by Number 11, she’s heard there’s a “palpable tension” between the principal players over the change in policy. Also, with a vote on welfare reforms coming up next mont…

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What was behind Starmer’s 'Enoch Powell' moment? 45:28

5M ago45:28

45:28

Another week, another sticky situation for the prime minister and some of his MPs - this time it's centred around his language on immigration. When Sir Keir Starmer announced his White Paper, he argued that Britain "risked becoming an island of strangers" if immigration levels were not cut. So was he intentionally evoking Enoch Powell's infamous 19…

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Can a trade deal with Trump save Starmer? 53:13

5M ago53:13

53:13

With Ruth away, Beth and Harriet are joined by Salma Shah, a former Conservative special adviser from 2014-2018 and now a political commentator. They unpack Donald Trump's surprise UK trade deal announcement and what it means for Keir Starmer, who's also landed a deal with India and is gearing up for key EU negotiations. But while the global optics…

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Can Nigel Farage and Reform prove themselves? 41:29

5M ago41:29

41:29

Beth Rigby, Harriet Harman, and Ruth Davidson assemble for an elections debrief. Beth's been following a very happy Nigel Farage after Reform gained an MP in Runcorn, took the Greater Lincolnshire mayoralty and seized control of several councils. But, how does the party promising change in its very name prove itself with greater power and responsib…

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Can there ever be a calm debate on trans rights? 55:40

6M ago55:40

55:40

Beth, Harriet and Ruth discuss the UK Supreme Court's judgment on how a woman should be defined in law. They also hear from Ellie, a trans woman who says she's now afraid for her safety and her future. Harriet literally wrote the law in question, the Equality Act 2010 - she and the team dig into what the judgement means for individuals and institut…

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Who’s nicer - Lords or MPs? 24:07

6M ago24:07

24:07

Come and join us LIVE on Tuesday 20th May at Cadogan Hall in London, tickets available now: https://www.aegpresents.co.uk/event/electoral-dysfunction-live/ The two Baronesses of the podcast finally lift the lid on the House of Lords in this special Q&A episode. What’s it really like on the red benches in Parliament? And if you’re a Lord, are you a …

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Why isn’t Keir Starmer saying what he really thinks? 33:19

6M ago33:19

33:19

Come and join us LIVE on Tuesday 20th May at Cadogan Hall in London, tickets available now: https://www.aegpresents.co.uk/event/electoral-dysfunction-live/ Donald Trump has pressed pause on his higher tariffs... but not before he unleashed absolute chaos on the global economy. It all came down to the bond market - which you might remember from Liz …

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Electoral Dysfunction Live is back! 1:55

6M ago1:55

1:55

Beth, Ruth and Harriet have some mid-week news for you... Get your diaries out because they're doing another live show in May! Tickets are on sale from Friday - for more information on dates and tickets, go to https://www.aegpresents.co.uk/event/electoral-dysfunction-live/By Sky News

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Trump's sneezed – can Starmer stay calm? 47:52

6M ago47:52

47:52

Another episode, another cheap hotel room to record the podcast for Beth as she follows Keir Starmer for the Labour local election launch. Ruth and Harriet are a bit closer to home to discuss the real implications of Donald Trump's scoreboard of tariffs. It might have felt a bit Eurovision but how does the PM stay calm about what it means for the U…

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Can Starmer silence the rebels? 43:05

6M ago43:05

43:05

Beth Rigby, Ruth Davidson and Harriet Harman analyse Rachel Reeves’s spring statement and how Donald Trump may have made things worse for her. The chancellor has redone her maths to make sure she sticks to her own rules on running the economy - but in doing that she has got tougher on welfare cuts. Can Labour keep the dissenting voices within their…

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Is Rachel Reeves about to have a very tough week? 42:52

7M ago42:52

42:52

As Rachel Reeves prepares to unveil the spring statement next week, Beth, Ruth and Harriet discuss what cuts the chancellor will make to close her budget deficit and how difficult it will be for her to justify her actions. They also examine the effects of this week's welfare reforms and look at what a change in the personal independence payment, or…

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Is Keir Starmer bringing back austerity? 36:10

7M ago36:10

36:10

Sir Keir Starmer is doubling down on his bid to reduce government waste, but is his plan a fix or just more spending spin? Beth is in Hull after hearing what the Labour leader is promising, including scrapping NHS England to "cut bureaucracy" and bring management of the health service "back into democratic control". Alongside Harriet and Ruth, they…

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Rachel Reeves: "People want to talk me down... I'll prove I can do it" 1:00:22

7M ago1:00:22

1:00:22

Beth’s been to 11 Downing Street to talk to the Chancellor for Electoral Dysfunction. She took some of your questions (and a couple of Electoral Dysfunction mugs) with her. Rachel Reeves reflects on her first few months in the job, explains what she thinks of the “Rachel from Accounts” label and shares her own money-saving tip which she tries to do…

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Will a ministerial resignation dent Starmer's post Trump high? 34:35

7M ago34:35

34:35

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has returned from the US after what has been seen by Number 10 as a highly successful meeting with Donald Trump. This week, Beth Rigby, Harriet Harman and Ruth Davidson look at the preparation that went into this visit. Beth reveals how she caught the US president's attention. Plus, what is it like in the Oval Office…

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A pact between Farage and Badenoch? 28:19

8M ago28:19

28:19

What could a pact between Nigel Farage’s Reform party and Kemi Badenoch’s Conservatives look like? Are we about to see the Tory party lurch closer to the right? Beth, Ruth and Harriet answer this and more, as they go through your questions – which means we also get the backstory to the iconic Beth Rigby red lipstick. And how difficult is being marr…

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Labour WhatsApps: "If you’ve got racist thoughts then you shouldn't be an MP!" 40:10

8M ago40:10

40:10

Do MPs say one thing in public, and another in private? This week, Beth Rigby, Harriet Harman and Ruth Davidson ask what’s been going on with the two MPs suspended from the Labour party over WhatsApps messages containing offensive comments. Andrew Gwynne and Oliver Ryan both lost the whip after Sunday newspaper revelations. It’s been a difficult we…

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Is it already over for Kemi Badenoch? 38:10

8M ago38:10

38:10

This week, Ruth's changed her opinion about Kemi Badenoch – but it isn't any more favourable for the new Tory leader. Ruth had thought she'd get two years in the job – now she's thinking it might be less than 18 months. Beth's in a hotel room in Preston after an interview with Keir Starmer. She reflects on how the prime minister can push his domest…

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Can Love Island help Rachel Reeves? 39:12

8M ago39:12

39:12

You can now watch Beth, Ruth and Harriet on YouTube! Just search for "Electoral Dysfunction". The chancellor was trying to channel Love Island when she announced her plans for growth this week. But are her new ideas actually the "bombshell" her advisers hope they'll be? Can they get everyone's attention? And will the strategy be enough for Rachel R…

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Southport murders – was there a ‘cover-up’? 33:59

9M ago33:59

33:59

As Axel Rudakubana is sentenced for the murder of three young girls and the attempted murder of 10 more people last year, Electoral Dysfunction reflects on how the prime minister has handled claims that authorities covered up how much they knew about the killer in the days and weeks after. Beth discusses how Sir Keir Starmer answered her questions …

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Welcome to Trump World: How everything is changing 34:22

9M ago34:22

34:22

After "going dark" for most of the week, Beth pops up in Poland to talk world politics with Ruth and Harriet. Top security, a slow train and Russian drones are all part of the inside story of the prime minister's visit to Ukraine. Beth explores why UK solidarity with Ukraine could mean British boots on the ground. And overshadowing everything is pr…

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Introducing...Trump 100 0:47

9M ago0:47

0:47

We just want to let you know about a new Sky News podcast which is launching next week! Trump 100 will follow the daily twists and turns of Donald Trump's first 100 days in The White House with the latest updates and analysis...in under 15 minutes. Our top US team of James Matthews, Martha Kelner and Mark Stone will be joined by special guests to d…

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The grooming gang scandal: The politicians in Elon Musk's crosshairs 42:01

9M ago42:01

42:01

Beth, Harriet, and Ruth dive into the storm surrounding Elon Musk's incendiary comments about UK grooming gangs, Sir Keir Starmer, and safeguarding minister Jess Phillips. They unpack the political fallout, whether Labour's response has been enough, and if the Conservatives have been opportunistic in their approach. Plus, how Musk's influence mirro…

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Jess Phillips: The inside story 36:08

9M ago36:08

36:08

In this extra episode of Electoral Dysfunction, Jess Phillips sits down with Beth and reveals what she has lived through in the past few weeks. Elon Musk accused the Labour MP of being a "rape genocide apologist", putting her in the middle of a political storm. As the safeguarding minister, Jess Phillips also explains what the government is doing t…