How to fix British politics — with help from around the world
From Westminster Insider by POLITICO
March 27, 2026 · 38 min · Season 21 · Episode 8
About this episode
Sascha O'Sullivan explores solutions to British political issues by examining systems from Australia to Italy.
As Westminster rolls into recess, host Sascha O'Sullivan looks at some of the problems which bedevil SW1 from voter disengagement to constant reshuffles to find out if political systems from Australia to Italy might have the solutions. Sascha speaks to Australian-raised Labour MP Lauren Edwards about the push for compulsory voting here in Britain and how it makes Australians more involved in the democratic processes which run their country. Italian journalist Marco Varvello explains the polling ban in Italy which makes it illegal to forecast the result 15 days before an election. Mark Paul, London correspondent for the Irish Times, gives Sascha the run-down on citizens assemblies which might be trialled in the UK on digital ID, but have been used in Ireland for decades now. And Jack Blanchard, managing editor and author of POLITICO's Playbook in the US, reflects on how an American-style Cabinet prevents the reshuffles British politics is so accustomed to. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
People in this episode
Host: Sascha O'Sullivan
Guests: Lauren Edwards, Marco Varvello, Mark Paul, Jack Blanchard
Topics covered
- British politics
- voter engagement
- compulsory voting
- citizens assemblies
- political systems
- reshuffles
- democracy
Keywords
- British politics
- voter disengagement
- compulsory voting
- polling ban
- citizens assemblies
- American-style Cabinet
- democratic processes
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Labour, Irish Times, POLITICO
Places: Australia, Italy, Britain, UK, SW1
More episodes of Westminster Insider
- What's the point of political protests? · June 12, 2026 · 41 min
- The Brexit Referendum: Ten years on · June 5, 2026 · 41 min
- Why the Conservatives are so cheery: inside the Tory reboot · May 29, 2026 · 38 min
- How to replace a Prime Minister and get away with it · May 22, 2026 · 42 min
- Starmer’s week from hell: Inside the Number 10 bunker · May 15, 2026 · 33 min
- Defense deals and Thomas Tuchel's chances: inside the new Anglo-German bromance · April 17, 2026 · 36 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Westminster Insider podcast page.