Not Another One

After Morgan McSweeney’s first public appearance - in front of the Foreign Affairs committee - we explore the dependence of some prime ministers on their chiefs of staff. Why do they make themselves dependent even when the dependency can lead towards their doom? Plus, did McSweeney emerge as a more complex figure than his caricature and where does this all leave Starmer? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The former NATO Secretary General and Labour peer, George Robertson , has accused Keir Starmer of being complacent in relation to defence, arguing Britain’s national security and safety are in “peril”. Is he right? Plus, Reform and the local elections.Warning: apologies for the sound quality on Iain’s recording. Do not be alarmed. He sounds ill but that is the result of a problem with the microphone. Please enjoy the rest of the episode and normal service resumes next week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the campaigns well under way for parliament and government in Scotland and Wales, plus local fights across much of England, the team debate how high the stakes might be for both Labour and the Conservatives. Could it prove a terminal catastrophe for Starmer and Badenoch? And will the electoral splintering to the right and left to Reform and the Greens be permanent? Spoiler: we do not agree. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the conflict in its third week, the team debates the consequences of the war and assesses where the British and American public are on the military action and the pressure on prices. Yes, the team also dares to debate energy policy and net zero polarisation. Plus: has Ed Davey gone too far? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With a regional conflict spreading beyond Iran and Israel, Prime Minister Keir Starmer is far from "shoulder to shoulder" with the US president. As Trump rains down disapproval on his head, the team hotly debate American strategy and ask whether the so-called special relationship is collateral damage. Plus: the fascinating political backdrop to the Chancellor’s deliberately dull spring statement. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What will be the political consequences when the full Mandelson documents are published? Modern politicians are robotic enough, but if all their private exchanges risk becoming public will they dare to be human? Can we combine transparency with the need for ministers to have space to be human? Or do we have the right to full disclosure when power appears to have been abused? Plus, will the Education Secretary’s SEND reforms work? And the team assess the prospects ahead of this week’s crucial by-election. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nigel Farage has given Robert Jenrick responsibility for Reform economic policy, while making Richard Tice his formal deputy. Suella Braverman has the education portfolio. Will such appointments boost Reform’s credibility as an alternative government? Or is there big trouble to come as Nigel Farage becomes a leader of a team rather than a one man show? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There have been countless resets and changes of personnel in Number 10 but so far little has changed in terms of Keir Starmer’s style of leadership. With the departure of Morgan McSweeney what should Starmer do to show he has learnt the lessons of his stormy premiership, or is it too late? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For such a powerful politician, a key lieutenant to three Labour prime ministers, to be so dramatically disgraced is a seismic moment. As Downing St reels from the latest revelations, our team debates whether the end of Peter Mandelson's unique career marks the close of an entire generation's chapter - and what kind of Labour politics might now follow. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In our weekend episode, Miranda, Tim and Iain chew over the international tensions laid bare this week, and ask whether Andy Burnham or other potential rivals to Starmer have answers to the wider questiions of the age. Warning: contains pyjamas. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is the British Right going deeper into crisis or is it mending? The Not Another One team examine the implications of Robert Jenrick's defection to Reform. And Steve quizzes Tim about the role he played in the now former Tory MP's move. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this weekend edition, Tim Montgomerie and Iain Martin discuss the unfolding counter-revolution as brave protestors take on the regime. What are the implications if the uprising is successful? And why was the media here so slow to give these events the coverage they merit? Plus - Brexit is back, with Labour pushing hard for a much closer relationship with the EU and Nigel Farage pledging to resist the reset. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.