EMQs: Should PMs be youthful or experienced?

About this episode

The episode discusses the value of youth versus experience in politics, fiscal challenges, rail development, and government preparedness for potential war.

Fresh off the back of our latest episodes Ed Balls and George Osborne get an answer to their queries around the curate eggs and a follow up to the Libya crisis series on age in politics. In politics, particularly the Tories, you’re considered young at 40 or 50 while in tech it makes you ancient. Why is this? Youth is often seen as a negative in politics, but is there value to not being weighed down by your experiences?  Then the pair answer a question from the Barclays Brief podcast on the gilt markets, and options open to Rachel Reeves should higher energy prices limit her fiscal headroom. They explain why her options are severely limited coming into the second half of this the parliament and what options are still available for her. Baroness Jo Valentine then asks a question around rail development at Heathrow should the third runway be developed. They point to past projects like the Millennium Dome and Olympic Park as pointers on what you should and shouldn’t do, while exploring why planning often takes so long in Britain. Finally, they address a question on many people’s minds: what happens if we’re plunged into active war? They discuss whether the government should…

People in this episode

Guests: Ed Balls, George Osborne

Topics covered

• age in politics
• youth vs experience
• fiscal policy
• rail development
• government preparedness
• public safety

Keywords

• politics
• youth
• experience
• fiscal policy
• rail development
• government preparedness
• public safety
• Libya crisis
• Heathrow

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Barclays Brief

Books & works: Millennium Dome, Olympic Park

Places: Heathrow

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