<description>&lt;p&gt;After another torrid week for the prime minister, the focus has shifted from No 10 to Whitehall as the UK’s top civil servant is shown the door. Cabinet secretary Sir Chris Wormald had been in the job for less than 14 months, and his departure — following the resignations of Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff and communications director — has intensified questions about the PM’s judgment over key appointments.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;While Starmer’s cabinet appears to have rallied behind him in the short term, the impending release of further documents relating to Lord Peter Mandelson’s time as UK ambassador to the US looms large.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;Host Lucy Fisher is joined by the FT’s deputy opinion editor Miranda Green, columnist and writer of the Inside Politics newsletter Stephen Bush and public policy editor Chris Smyth.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher and @&lt;a href="http://lucyfisher.ft.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;lucyfisher.ft.com&lt;/a&gt;; Stephen &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/stephenkb" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;@stephenkb&lt;/a&gt; and @stephenkb.bsky.social; Miranda &lt;a href="https://x.com/greenmiranda" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;@greenmiranda&lt;/a&gt; and @greenmirandahere.bsky.social; &amp;amp; Chris &lt;a href="https://x.com/Smyth_Chris" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;@Smyth_Chris&lt;/a&gt; and @chris-smyth.bsky.social&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Want more? &lt;/em&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ft.com/content/841d1425-440a-4bb7-99ba-f23cea3789ea?accessToken=zwAAAZztHBv9kdOEHRQlRApLt9OZuvI86jeJ6gE.MEUCIQDyzjBwXAKCDqbVprw_UqEW-B7558Mbl5hOF-tX5UuYMgIgdoE8dUGqehs9pH_LoNKKgfi4tcVhVQRUaZtoWjrRgr8&amp;amp;segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Keir Starmer faces backlash over ousting of Britain’s top civil servant&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ft.com/content/efecb0b0-da30-40ec-87b6-6883fbf1f391?accessToken=zwAAAZzxC7SFkdPv7LCw2jBA7NOHtmiD-_HzkQE.MEUCIQCIVwNJhZhtOoFAmXsEqJsoojWyVWkoNG3WILnopI1jdgIgG9fPeLA35eY7k7fmJn_Webm_D_qaXaSIh8KHvUFjz6Y&amp;amp;segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Political crises lead to ‘perma-purdah’ in Whitehall&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ft.com/content/ffcc06d6-7096-4e60-85e7-34bd8aaec1ad?accessToken=zwAAAZztHISOkdP_zAbWcJZOYNOF5zS9iq7BrQE.MEQCIC1zJD1uWiMpM26I9VKszDv9alb-_iQfU9HFHfoEPWwZAiAraKYhYfprmOEFdPmJg3oSE4OjYIyC3cBzhtSCqFN0nA&amp;amp;segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Westminster fears release of ‘embarrassing’ exchanges in Mandelson data dump&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ft.com/content/e0d58a22-0a85-45c7-b067-8f868d446aa7?accessToken=zwAAAZzteSdMkdPg1YoiCoVFx9OwZ4-GjURqpwE.MEUCIQDJG8ECuHieTXDzE9CbC3CFSiaMMsCDAUyxHLb94UL9lwIgDTTUxR68Mw2eybi42pZOex6ORDqGt0-LaRZlBV4WuiY&amp;amp;segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Keir Starmer’s route to recovery&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ft.com/content/1f5ce448-e46a-48f9-91d5-e63d87e63a09?accessToken=zwAAAZzxXEaZkc8fXORI5GpI-dOR1eY9h-Y6CQE.MEQCIDKuDfi4AjE4tHu71NcmDA051y3p3ftnywm3iMJisc3aAiA-7kCB4y_kh73ZaJLsINXv4x1LOCZGeqT4fWWlQOPvsg&amp;amp;segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;The Labour Party has become devoid of purpose&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;Sign up &lt;a href="https://www.ft.com/InsidePoliticsOffer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;here f&lt;/a&gt;or Stephen’s morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;Political Fix is presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Audio mix by Sean McGarrity. Original music by Breen Turner.&amp;nbsp;The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;Our email address is political&lt;a href="mailto:fix@ft.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;fix@ft.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Clip from Channel 4 News &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ft.com/content/d42a596d-c36d-476f-a6aa-a256c7e49b29" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;hr&gt;&lt;p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'&gt; Hosted on Acast. See &lt;a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'&gt;acast.com/privacy&lt;/a&gt; for more information.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Starmer’s judgment comes under scrutiny after more close aides leave office

After another torrid week for the prime minister, the focus has shifted from No 10 to Whitehall as the UK’s top civil servant is shown the door. Cabinet secretary Sir Chris Wormald had been in the job for less than 14 months, and his departure — following the resignations of Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff and communications director — has intensified questions about the PM’s judgment over key appointments. While Starmer’s cabinet appears to have rallied behind him in the short term, the impending release of further documents relating to Lord Peter Mandelson’s time as UK ambassador to the US looms large.&nbsp; Host Lucy Fisher is joined by the FT’s deputy opinion editor Miranda Green, columnist and writer of the Inside Politics newsletter Stephen Bush and public policy editor Chris Smyth. Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher and @<a href="http://lucyfisher.ft.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">lucyfisher.ft.com</a>; Stephen <a href="https://twitter.com/stephenkb" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@stephenkb</a> and @stephenkb.bsky.social; Miranda <a href="https://x.com/greenmiranda" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@greenmiranda</a> and @greenmirandahere.bsky.social; &amp; Chris <a href="https://x.com/Smyth_Chris" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@Smyth_Chris</a> and @chris-smyth.bsky.social Want more? &nbsp;<a href="https://www.ft.com/content/841d1425-440a-4bb7-99ba-f23cea3789ea?accessToken=zwAAAZztHBv9kdOEHRQlRApLt9OZuvI86jeJ6gE.MEUCIQDyzjBwXAKCDqbVprw_UqEW-B7558Mbl5hOF-tX5UuYMgIgdoE8dUGqehs9pH_LoNKKgfi4tcVhVQRUaZtoWjrRgr8&amp;segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Keir Starmer faces backlash over ousting of Britain’s top civil servant</a><a href="https://www.ft.com/content/efecb0b0-da30-40ec-87b6-6883fbf1f391?accessToken=zwAAAZzxC7SFkdPv7LCw2jBA7NOHtmiD-_HzkQE.MEUCIQCIVwNJhZhtOoFAmXsEqJsoojWyVWkoNG3WILnopI1jdgIgG9fPeLA35eY7k7fmJn_Webm_D_qaXaSIh8KHvUFjz6Y&amp;segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Political crises lead to ‘perma-purdah’ in Whitehall</a><a href="https://www.ft.com/content/ffcc06d6-7096-4e60-85e7-34bd8aaec1ad?accessToken=zwAAAZztHISOkdP_zAbWcJZOYNOF5zS9iq7BrQE.MEQCIC1zJD1uWiMpM26I9VKszDv9alb-_iQfU9HFHfoEPWwZAiAraKYhYfprmOEFdPmJg3oSE4OjYIyC3cBzhtSCqFN0nA&amp;segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Westminster fears release of ‘embarrassing’ exchanges in Mandelson data dump</a><a href="https://www.ft.com/content/e0d58a22-0a85-45c7-b067-8f868d446aa7?accessToken=zwAAAZzteSdMkdPg1YoiCoVFx9OwZ4-GjURqpwE.MEUCIQDJG8ECuHieTXDzE9CbC3CFSiaMMsCDAUyxHLb94UL9lwIgDTTUxR68Mw2eybi42pZOex6ORDqGt0-LaRZlBV4WuiY&amp;segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Keir Starmer’s route to recovery</a><a href="https://www.ft.com/content/1f5ce448-e46a-48f9-91d5-e63d87e63a09?accessToken=zwAAAZzxXEaZkc8fXORI5GpI-dOR1eY9h-Y6CQE.MEQCIDKuDfi4AjE4tHu71NcmDA051y3p3ftnywm3iMJisc3aAiA-7kCB4y_kh73ZaJLsINXv4x1LOCZGeqT4fWWlQOPvsg&amp;segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Labour Party has become devoid of purpose</a> Sign up <a href="https://www.ft.com/InsidePoliticsOffer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here f</a>or Stephen’s morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free. Political Fix is presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Audio mix by Sean McGarrity. Original music by Breen Turner.&nbsp;The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.&nbsp; Our email address is political<a href="mailto:fix@ft.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">fix@ft.com</a> Clip from Channel 4 News <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/d42a596d-c36d-476f-a6aa-a256c7e49b29" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com</a><hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Mandarin mayhem

<description>&lt;p&gt;Fresh revelations about Peter Mandelson’s relationship with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have sparked a political explosion in Westminster, reopening questions about Keir Starmer’s decision to return him to the heart of public life. Mandelson, the former UK ambassador to Washington, has resigned from the House of Lords and from the Labour Party, while a criminal investigation has been launched into allegations that he shared sensitive information with Epstein during his time as business secretary under Gordon Brown.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;Starmer has apologised for appointing Mandelson and pledged to publish the files relating to his vetting for the ambassadorship, but with pressure growing on his leadership, how can the prime minister and the Labour Party hope to move on?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;Host Lucy Fisher is joined by Jim Pickard, Stephen Bush and Ashley Armstrong to discuss the fallout.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;Follow the panel on Bluesky - Lucy &lt;a href="https://bsky.app/profile/lucyfisher.ft.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;@lucyfisher.ft.com&lt;/a&gt;; Jim &lt;a href="https://bsky.app/profile/pickardje.bsky.social" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;@pickardje.bsky.social&lt;/a&gt;; and Stephen &lt;a href="https://bsky.app/profile/stephenkb.bsky.social" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;@stephenkb.bsky.social&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Want more? Free links:&amp;nbsp;&lt;/em&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ft.com/content/584aec03-6eaa-4aee-8751-88592253d3bc?accessToken=zwAAAZzNnDwvkc9YSuwDbqpK7tOHUYhZIlPTvAE.MEUCIQCZKtp6OcIHJvk4fBAKL9IGV8Dk6j7dIOcKY7DmQlCmJAIgH9MKf4QQRICqv2qItUeMlm_58_FM0x9CttV_3CLBf4Y&amp;amp;segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Keir Starmer apologises to victims of Jeffrey Epstein&amp;nbsp;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ft.com/content/7a1669c5-4915-49f6-9fa7-583d1385405c?accessToken=zwAAAZzNgPx8kc96FmnFSRVJ9tOfp1g9E4VAXAE.MEYCIQDZLfkaHsXQ8Vg1DcC9PBD-Ibm4MsLT4evFbGtlizn1HQIhAKgZeRAQOuRLVliIMlYcjvPiUrY8dhd9NSV9ZIoAx31-&amp;amp;segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Pressure grows on Keir Starmer’s chief of staff over Peter Mandelson ambassador appointment&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ft.com/content/22bccc4e-2047-4998-9a8d-b7acf1d93d8e?accessToken=zwAAAZzNqhfLkc8ivMxOIEdJmNOajbes8dk9jgE.MEQCIBhD7QlqS8UWNZFabid25swtjL0NkYn7oDuTCykzKSCWAiAY2lJ0gPngbq2lq5AS8ILJrycKpV8TW37fIC6F0rcyxQ&amp;amp;segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Every doomed prime minister has a moment – this is Starmer’s&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ft.com/content/1a296ae4-a19d-4650-bdf9-4a3a1d1b25f7?accessToken=zwAAAZzIeRoukc8aKWrkoZ1GUNO9-Uo6HRsl9wE.MEUCIF0azxKHqYYMt0K6VtJCjjkDgR6Tngow4AOwiQhZVlfzAiEAqwVP5MrfY4lQQer1gTJkXQN6rlSLyapSRoNkU-6ILnk&amp;amp;segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Mandelson and the money that never sleeps&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ft.com/content/fdf7afe9-9ad3-4325-8843-f590dcdd7e57?accessToken=zwAAAZzIeHw8kdP996_pmtNDJdOIQ_WQ3N1-VwE.MEYCIQCjY1ayOc2WSH59kX1SjMtNgCtmmYtB-pJ7p-5TrG0iXwIhAM0MUozwQYU5NpFxJBVhlsUcPn-wPMdhAHjrxQ9KVqel&amp;amp;segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Peter Mandelson leaked sensitive UK government tax plans to Jeffrey Epstein&amp;nbsp;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;George Parker’s interview from 2025 – &lt;a href="https://www.ft.com/content/085e20be-0e98-4c9b-8db7-ed52ea279575?accessToken=zwAAAZzIdTFMkc8IXiC-DphMm9ONt-1S6ieVdQE.MEYCIQCph8_TPUDZfMRYqM4Nw8sHovSkdQtVmAGu5TYaiY1-5QIhAMPqM42fXhAst-FFBXuxjzSyykatGa5Ls7HaHmJjYLv7&amp;amp;segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Peter Mandelson’s back: The Prince of Darkness returns&amp;nbsp;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;Sign up &lt;a href="https://www.ft.com/InsidePoliticsOffer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;here f&lt;/a&gt;or Stephen Bush's morning newsletter ‘Inside Politics’ for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek analysis. Get 30 days free.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;Presented by Lucy Fisher, and produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What did you think of this episode? Let us know at &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;a href="mailto:politicalfix@ft.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;politicalfix@ft.com&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ft.com/content/547eba92-c7f2-480e-a731-44d6811a7778" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;hr&gt;&lt;p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'&gt; Hosted on Acast. See &lt;a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'&gt;acast.com/privacy&lt;/a&gt; for more information.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Could revelations about Peter Mandelson’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein bring down Keir Starmer?

Fresh revelations about Peter Mandelson’s relationship with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have sparked a political explosion in Westminster, reopening questions about Keir Starmer’s decision to return him to the heart of public life. Mandelson, the former UK ambassador to Washington, has resigned from the House of Lords and from the Labour Party, while a criminal investigation has been launched into allegations that he shared sensitive information with Epstein during his time as business secretary under Gordon Brown. Starmer has apologised for appointing Mandelson and pledged to publish the files relating to his vetting for the ambassadorship, but with pressure growing on his leadership, how can the prime minister and the Labour Party hope to move on? Host Lucy Fisher is joined by Jim Pickard, Stephen Bush and Ashley Armstrong to discuss the fallout. Follow the panel on Bluesky - Lucy <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/lucyfisher.ft.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@lucyfisher.ft.com</a>; Jim <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/pickardje.bsky.social" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@pickardje.bsky.social</a>; and Stephen <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/stephenkb.bsky.social" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@stephenkb.bsky.social</a>&nbsp;&nbsp; Want more? Free links:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/584aec03-6eaa-4aee-8751-88592253d3bc?accessToken=zwAAAZzNnDwvkc9YSuwDbqpK7tOHUYhZIlPTvAE.MEUCIQCZKtp6OcIHJvk4fBAKL9IGV8Dk6j7dIOcKY7DmQlCmJAIgH9MKf4QQRICqv2qItUeMlm_58_FM0x9CttV_3CLBf4Y&amp;segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Keir Starmer apologises to victims of Jeffrey Epstein&nbsp;</a> <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/7a1669c5-4915-49f6-9fa7-583d1385405c?accessToken=zwAAAZzNgPx8kc96FmnFSRVJ9tOfp1g9E4VAXAE.MEYCIQDZLfkaHsXQ8Vg1DcC9PBD-Ibm4MsLT4evFbGtlizn1HQIhAKgZeRAQOuRLVliIMlYcjvPiUrY8dhd9NSV9ZIoAx31-&amp;segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Pressure grows on Keir Starmer’s chief of staff over Peter Mandelson ambassador appointment</a> <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/22bccc4e-2047-4998-9a8d-b7acf1d93d8e?accessToken=zwAAAZzNqhfLkc8ivMxOIEdJmNOajbes8dk9jgE.MEQCIBhD7QlqS8UWNZFabid25swtjL0NkYn7oDuTCykzKSCWAiAY2lJ0gPngbq2lq5AS8ILJrycKpV8TW37fIC6F0rcyxQ&amp;segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Every doomed prime minister has a moment – this is Starmer’s</a> <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/1a296ae4-a19d-4650-bdf9-4a3a1d1b25f7?accessToken=zwAAAZzIeRoukc8aKWrkoZ1GUNO9-Uo6HRsl9wE.MEUCIF0azxKHqYYMt0K6VtJCjjkDgR6Tngow4AOwiQhZVlfzAiEAqwVP5MrfY4lQQer1gTJkXQN6rlSLyapSRoNkU-6ILnk&amp;segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mandelson and the money that never sleeps</a> <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/fdf7afe9-9ad3-4325-8843-f590dcdd7e57?accessToken=zwAAAZzIeHw8kdP996_pmtNDJdOIQ_WQ3N1-VwE.MEYCIQCjY1ayOc2WSH59kX1SjMtNgCtmmYtB-pJ7p-5TrG0iXwIhAM0MUozwQYU5NpFxJBVhlsUcPn-wPMdhAHjrxQ9KVqel&amp;segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Peter Mandelson leaked sensitive UK government tax plans to Jeffrey Epstein&nbsp;</a> George Parker’s interview from 2025 – <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/085e20be-0e98-4c9b-8db7-ed52ea279575?accessToken=zwAAAZzIdTFMkc8IXiC-DphMm9ONt-1S6ieVdQE.MEYCIQCph8_TPUDZfMRYqM4Nw8sHovSkdQtVmAGu5TYaiY1-5QIhAMPqM42fXhAst-FFBXuxjzSyykatGa5Ls7HaHmJjYLv7&amp;segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Peter Mandelson’s back: The Prince of Darkness returns&nbsp;</a> Sign up <a href="https://www.ft.com/InsidePoliticsOffer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here f</a>or Stephen Bush's morning newsletter ‘Inside Politics’ for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek analysis. Get 30 days free. Presented by Lucy Fisher, and produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. What did you think of this episode? Let us know at <a href="mailto:politicalfix@ft.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">politicalfix@ft.com</a> <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/547eba92-c7f2-480e-a731-44d6811a7778" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com</a><hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Mandelson, money - and the risk to the prime minister

<description>&lt;p&gt;Sir Keir Starmer is 5,000 miles away in China, meeting President Xi Jinping to drum up investment and deepen relations, but back on the home front the PM’s leadership looks increasingly beset. Manchester mayor Andy Burnham’s ambitions may have been thwarted for now, but the plotting continues in rival contenders’ camps. In a bid to wrestle back control of the agenda, the government is pressing on with fresh policy announcements. Meanwhile, the Tories have seen more MP defections to Reform, as senior centrist figures seek to drag the Conservatives away from the right. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by Political Fix regulars Jim Pickard, Jennifer Williams and Robert Shrimsley – plus George Parker is on the ground in Shanghai.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;Follow Lucy: @&lt;a href="http://lucyfisher.ft.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;lucyfisher.ft.com&lt;/a&gt; or &lt;a href="https://x.com/LOS_Fisher" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;@LOS_Fisher&lt;/a&gt;;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;George: &lt;a href="https://bsky.app/profile/georgewparker.bsky.social" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;@georgewparker.bsky.social&lt;/a&gt;, or &lt;a href="https://x.com/GeorgeWParker?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;@GeorgeWParker&lt;/a&gt;;&amp;nbsp;Robert: &lt;a href="https://bsky.app/profile/robertshrimsley.bsky.social" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;@robertshrimsley.bsky.social&lt;/a&gt; or &lt;a href="https://x.com/robertshrimsley?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;@robertshrimsley&lt;/a&gt;, Jim: @pickardje.bsky.social or &lt;a href="https://x.com/PickardJE" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;@PickardJE&lt;/a&gt; and Jennifer: @jenwilliamsft.bsky.social or &lt;a href="https://x.com/JenWilliamsMEN" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;@JenWilliamsMEN&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Want more? &lt;/em&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ft.com/content/1f6504be-9ee3-4a71-ab46-1e9fb139e2f1?accessToken=zwAAAZyo7FM7kc8fZQS-nuNKcdOrRh6fsTni8QE.MEUCIAf1uh-ZlazKvfmh9mnbG85GvT0P3FQEpycqFS5JhsfCAiEA-EXc5OSU-Mjp0PGgOXvjJSuzeQJhVmKZgkKWKgGGlH8&amp;amp;segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Donald Trump warns Keir Starmer against closer business ties with China&amp;nbsp;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ft.com/content/0ac69fd8-e2ab-4a94-8c64-05ed3c621ab1?accessToken=zwAAAZypqXM2kc8Kxp_Y4qtKlNOMZAXtPGIasQE.MEQCIAgek1lHunDC0-UPlbVTSwzAYW0YxDyDzFJWTllzOEcTAiBtfb7XyOoyAJYw4FEat6Bhmz7dSqgw2bdzSMZrABQ5eA&amp;amp;segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;China rolls out the red carpet for Keir Starmer&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ft.com/content/9bfe5659-751b-43b2-b69d-93d49c845e99?accessToken=zwAAAZyo7WjzkdOb_lZZdRtDstO2nZPUnIRemQE.MEUCIQCq8J_YPiziYWs295LO61S0zwNBKKXyciW2xuLRxVN1VQIgIf6AXPFpdm0ma1Cqkp_g_9RMuy3V8-rmdq8EliG4T30&amp;amp;segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Government plans to tighten scrutiny of Chinese influence in UK&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ft.com/content/f2e9a815-dc8d-4e3e-ada5-36bce90d2548?accessToken=zwAAAZyo6Jq6kdPy6agV3I1OPtOtpTa86Q0lSAE.MEUCIQCxgXgSJ8h8zJje0xZQbdyK4cbqzczvXIm7SAlRQVbQpQIgLN_-F8_sGXSzhAtIfTVcsoUGN5q3Zt0d9Y9-AeqbG6I&amp;amp;segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;The prisoner of Downing Street&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ft.com/content/c553a072-432b-42ca-aa9f-bfb4df98f0e1?accessToken=zwAAAZyo5zBckdPFU6ByQytCytOqn7-035jw4QE.MEYCIQD09Aem3gYU0IceMzTWvmtMiXbUrefuY_lIvrjzjQ3M_AIhAOCAzXQ0s1DwIggRt7z0Yon3gmj165bbNGva4hcsOWBZ&amp;amp;segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Labour triggers early by-election to limit fallout from Andy Burnham row&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ft.com/content/550c3c74-36a0-427a-bc13-16e6b99c1330?accessToken=zwAAAZypqGI0kc9VDDx0NqBCetO8ExbmuZwTMAE.MEUCIBBAZ9Lj8rOIF4w3tFyCAuGX9AlDlaSHMaVMZWRCE2TKAiEAwVf-LeCjb_wVqWxrhDItU0q1Ws8a8XKUdPUTFgROyn8&amp;amp;segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Reform UK picks Matt Goodwin for Gorton and Denton by-election&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ft.com/content/81e95e72-b59e-44b4-9639-e33c407b1ad7?accessToken=zwAAAZyo6WyBkdOB6V5ytZ5EtNOWOeM8QHsa1wE.MEUCIQC3hwMu6C9z6xkjpbW060veBp-Dw4H0GUsAPaJ69L6RpQIgWRFaTiUqBlzag_MgwT3VHpGir_XhNOC7mweGdNRvvIA&amp;amp;segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;UK government caps ground rents paid to freeholders&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;Sign up &lt;a href="https://www.ft.com/InsidePoliticsOffer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;here f&lt;/a&gt;or Stephen Bush's morning newsletter ‘Inside Politics’ for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek analysis. Get 30 days free.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;Political Fix is presented by Lucy Fisher.&amp;nbsp;The producer is Clare Williamson and the executive producer is Flo Phillips. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner.&amp;nbsp;The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;Our email address is political&lt;a href="mailto:fix@ft.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;fix@ft.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;Clip from:&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Reuters&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ft.com/content/f8536698-eb27-4ce0-ba33-58073b32ff38" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;hr&gt;&lt;p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'&gt; Hosted on Acast. See &lt;a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'&gt;acast.com/privacy&lt;/a&gt; for more information.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Starmer and Xi talk ties and trade while leadership challengers plot and plan in Westminster

Sir Keir Starmer is 5,000 miles away in China, meeting President Xi Jinping to drum up investment and deepen relations, but back on the home front the PM’s leadership looks increasingly beset. Manchester mayor Andy Burnham’s ambitions may have been thwarted for now, but the plotting continues in rival contenders’ camps. In a bid to wrestle back control of the agenda, the government is pressing on with fresh policy announcements. Meanwhile, the Tories have seen more MP defections to Reform, as senior centrist figures seek to drag the Conservatives away from the right. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by Political Fix regulars Jim Pickard, Jennifer Williams and Robert Shrimsley – plus George Parker is on the ground in Shanghai. Follow Lucy: @<a href="http://lucyfisher.ft.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">lucyfisher.ft.com</a> or <a href="https://x.com/LOS_Fisher" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@LOS_Fisher</a>;&nbsp;&nbsp;George: <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/georgewparker.bsky.social" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@georgewparker.bsky.social</a>, or <a href="https://x.com/GeorgeWParker?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@GeorgeWParker</a>;&nbsp;Robert: <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/robertshrimsley.bsky.social" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@robertshrimsley.bsky.social</a> or <a href="https://x.com/robertshrimsley?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@robertshrimsley</a>, Jim: @pickardje.bsky.social or <a href="https://x.com/PickardJE" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@PickardJE</a> and Jennifer: @jenwilliamsft.bsky.social or <a href="https://x.com/JenWilliamsMEN" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@JenWilliamsMEN</a> Want more? &nbsp;<a href="https://www.ft.com/content/1f6504be-9ee3-4a71-ab46-1e9fb139e2f1?accessToken=zwAAAZyo7FM7kc8fZQS-nuNKcdOrRh6fsTni8QE.MEUCIAf1uh-ZlazKvfmh9mnbG85GvT0P3FQEpycqFS5JhsfCAiEA-EXc5OSU-Mjp0PGgOXvjJSuzeQJhVmKZgkKWKgGGlH8&amp;segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Donald Trump warns Keir Starmer against closer business ties with China&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.ft.com/content/0ac69fd8-e2ab-4a94-8c64-05ed3c621ab1?accessToken=zwAAAZypqXM2kc8Kxp_Y4qtKlNOMZAXtPGIasQE.MEQCIAgek1lHunDC0-UPlbVTSwzAYW0YxDyDzFJWTllzOEcTAiBtfb7XyOoyAJYw4FEat6Bhmz7dSqgw2bdzSMZrABQ5eA&amp;segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">China rolls out the red carpet for Keir Starmer</a><a href="https://www.ft.com/content/9bfe5659-751b-43b2-b69d-93d49c845e99?accessToken=zwAAAZyo7WjzkdOb_lZZdRtDstO2nZPUnIRemQE.MEUCIQCq8J_YPiziYWs295LO61S0zwNBKKXyciW2xuLRxVN1VQIgIf6AXPFpdm0ma1Cqkp_g_9RMuy3V8-rmdq8EliG4T30&amp;segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Government plans to tighten scrutiny of Chinese influence in UK</a><a href="https://www.ft.com/content/f2e9a815-dc8d-4e3e-ada5-36bce90d2548?accessToken=zwAAAZyo6Jq6kdPy6agV3I1OPtOtpTa86Q0lSAE.MEUCIQCxgXgSJ8h8zJje0xZQbdyK4cbqzczvXIm7SAlRQVbQpQIgLN_-F8_sGXSzhAtIfTVcsoUGN5q3Zt0d9Y9-AeqbG6I&amp;segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The prisoner of Downing Street</a><a href="https://www.ft.com/content/c553a072-432b-42ca-aa9f-bfb4df98f0e1?accessToken=zwAAAZyo5zBckdPFU6ByQytCytOqn7-035jw4QE.MEYCIQD09Aem3gYU0IceMzTWvmtMiXbUrefuY_lIvrjzjQ3M_AIhAOCAzXQ0s1DwIggRt7z0Yon3gmj165bbNGva4hcsOWBZ&amp;segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Labour triggers early by-election to limit fallout from Andy Burnham row</a><a href="https://www.ft.com/content/550c3c74-36a0-427a-bc13-16e6b99c1330?accessToken=zwAAAZypqGI0kc9VDDx0NqBCetO8ExbmuZwTMAE.MEUCIBBAZ9Lj8rOIF4w3tFyCAuGX9AlDlaSHMaVMZWRCE2TKAiEAwVf-LeCjb_wVqWxrhDItU0q1Ws8a8XKUdPUTFgROyn8&amp;segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Reform UK picks Matt Goodwin for Gorton and Denton by-election</a><a href="https://www.ft.com/content/81e95e72-b59e-44b4-9639-e33c407b1ad7?accessToken=zwAAAZyo6WyBkdOB6V5ytZ5EtNOWOeM8QHsa1wE.MEUCIQC3hwMu6C9z6xkjpbW060veBp-Dw4H0GUsAPaJ69L6RpQIgWRFaTiUqBlzag_MgwT3VHpGir_XhNOC7mweGdNRvvIA&amp;segmentId=1f56959f-51cc-c373-0eed-368092f34da4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">UK government caps ground rents paid to freeholders</a> Sign up <a href="https://www.ft.com/InsidePoliticsOffer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here f</a>or Stephen Bush's morning newsletter ‘Inside Politics’ for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek analysis. Get 30 days free. Political Fix is presented by Lucy Fisher.&nbsp;The producer is Clare Williamson and the executive producer is Flo Phillips. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner.&nbsp;The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.&nbsp; Our email address is political<a href="mailto:fix@ft.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">fix@ft.com</a> Clip from:&nbsp;Reuters <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/f8536698-eb27-4ce0-ba33-58073b32ff38" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com</a> <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Chinese whispers — at home and abroad 

<description>&lt;p&gt;From ‘brilliant ally’ to ‘weak and stupid’ within the same paragraph, it’s hard to know how to handle the impulsive outbursts from America’s 47th President. And yet, this is the position in which the British prime minister found himself this week as he stood firm in the face of Donald Trump’s threats to Greenland.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;Some back channel diplomacy in Davos helped put US European relations back on an even keel but it’s clear the so-called ‘special relationship’ is under strain. So where does Keir Starmer turn now? Does he stick with the decades-old transatlantic alliance, does he push for more European integration, or does he look further afield to China?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;To discuss this and more, political editor George Parker is joined by Whitehall editor Lucy Fisher, columnist and writer of the ‘Inside Politics’ newsletter Stephen Bush, and the FT’s foreign editor Alec Russell.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;Follow: George on X &lt;a href="https://x.com/GeorgeWParker" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;@GeorgeWParker&lt;/a&gt; or Bluesky: @georgewparker.bsky.social,&amp;nbsp;Lucy &lt;a href="https://x.com/LOS_Fisher" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;@LOS_Fisher&lt;/a&gt; or @&lt;a href="http://lucyfisher.ft.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;lucyfisher.ft.com&lt;/a&gt;; Stephen: &lt;a href="https://x.com/stephenkb" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;@stephenkb&lt;/a&gt; @stephenkb.bsky.social &amp;amp; Alec Russel on X:https://x.com/alecurussell&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Want more?&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://bit.ly/49TISoI" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;UK ‘will not yield’ on Greenland, Keir Starmer warns Donald Trump&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://bit.ly/4b8YiHX" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Trump’s Davos rant should alarm Starmer&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://bit.ly/4beeRSU" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;‘Thank you Tony’: Blair’s ‘Board of Peace’ role prompts Trump praise and Westminster anger&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://bit.ly/4bOxnRT" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Westminster ‘riding it out’ is not a strategy for UK-US relations&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://bit.ly/4sUb7fF" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Flatter or confront? How world leaders are dealing with Trump&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;And sign up here for Stephen's morning newsletter, Inside Politics, for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue-(mostly)-in-cheek analysis. &lt;a href="https://www.ft.com/newsletter-signup/inside-politics/signup/landing?segmentId=0a28e852-ce05-d192-aa9b-79b0c0e6be8c" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Get 30 days free&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;Political Fix was presented by George Parker and produced by Clare Williamson. Flo Phillips is the executive producer. Sound engineering by Breen Turner. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s global head of audio.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Clip from Channel 4&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;What did you think of this episode? Let us know at: politicalfix@ft.com&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ft.com/content/87581d72-e391-4f1f-a2ac-870562ebdc4f" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;hr&gt;&lt;p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'&gt; Hosted on Acast. See &lt;a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'&gt;acast.com/privacy&lt;/a&gt; for more information.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Is Starmer’s approach to Trump now in tatters?

From ‘brilliant ally’ to ‘weak and stupid’ within the same paragraph, it’s hard to know how to handle the impulsive outbursts from America’s 47th President. And yet, this is the position in which the British prime minister found himself this week as he stood firm in the face of Donald Trump’s threats to Greenland.&nbsp; Some back channel diplomacy in Davos helped put US European relations back on an even keel but it’s clear the so-called ‘special relationship’ is under strain. So where does Keir Starmer turn now? Does he stick with the decades-old transatlantic alliance, does he push for more European integration, or does he look further afield to China? To discuss this and more, political editor George Parker is joined by Whitehall editor Lucy Fisher, columnist and writer of the ‘Inside Politics’ newsletter Stephen Bush, and the FT’s foreign editor Alec Russell. Follow: George on X <a href="https://x.com/GeorgeWParker" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@GeorgeWParker</a> or Bluesky: @georgewparker.bsky.social,&nbsp;Lucy <a href="https://x.com/LOS_Fisher" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@LOS_Fisher</a> or @<a href="http://lucyfisher.ft.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">lucyfisher.ft.com</a>; Stephen: <a href="https://x.com/stephenkb" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@stephenkb</a> @stephenkb.bsky.social &amp; Alec Russel on X:https://x.com/alecurussell&nbsp; Want more?<a href="https://bit.ly/49TISoI" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">UK ‘will not yield’ on Greenland, Keir Starmer warns Donald Trump</a><a href="https://bit.ly/4b8YiHX" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Trump’s Davos rant should alarm Starmer</a><a href="https://bit.ly/4beeRSU" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">‘Thank you Tony’: Blair’s ‘Board of Peace’ role prompts Trump praise and Westminster anger</a><a href="https://bit.ly/4bOxnRT" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Westminster ‘riding it out’ is not a strategy for UK-US relations</a><a href="https://bit.ly/4sUb7fF" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Flatter or confront? How world leaders are dealing with Trump</a> And sign up here for Stephen's morning newsletter, Inside Politics, for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue-(mostly)-in-cheek analysis. <a href="https://www.ft.com/newsletter-signup/inside-politics/signup/landing?segmentId=0a28e852-ce05-d192-aa9b-79b0c0e6be8c" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Get 30 days free</a> Political Fix was presented by George Parker and produced by Clare Williamson. Flo Phillips is the executive producer. Sound engineering by Breen Turner. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s global head of audio. Clip from Channel 4 What did you think of this episode? Let us know at: politicalfix@ft.com<a href="https://www.ft.com/content/87581d72-e391-4f1f-a2ac-870562ebdc4f" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com</a><hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

When the ‘special relationship’ isn’t so special

<description>&lt;p&gt;First he was pushed and then he jumped: high drama at Westminster after Kemi Badenoch sacked her rival for the Tory leadership Robert Jenrick - his crime was plotting a defection to Reform UK. Hours later, Jenrick appeared at Nigel Farage's side, branding his former party "rotten".&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;Did Badenoch’s decisive action help the Tory recovery plan? Which party is left weaker and which stronger in the fight for the right - could this, the most significant defection so far, further fuel Farage’s claim that the Conservative Party’s days are numbered?&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;Deputy opinion editor Miranda Green hosts a discussion about the ‘psychodrama’ that has rocked Westminster this week with the FT’s deputy political editor Jim Pickard, columnist and writer of the ‘Inside Politics’ newsletter Stephen Bush, and FT’s chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;Follow &lt;a href="https://bsky.app/profile/greenmirandahere.bsky.social" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Miranda&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="https://bsky.app/profile/pickardje.bsky.social" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Jim&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="https://bsky.app/profile/stephenkb.bsky.social" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Stephen&lt;/a&gt; &amp;amp; &lt;a href="https://bsky.app/profile/robertshrimsley.bsky.social" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Robert&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Want more?&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://on.ft.com/3Nx4Tlw" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Betrayal, plots and a mole who derailed Jenrick’s defection to Reform&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://on.ft.com/3LPFP8S" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Robert Jenrick joins Reform UK after being sacked from Tory shadow cabinet&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://on.ft.com/4qUf1TI" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Jenrick’s sacking is both threat and opportunity for Badenoch&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://on.ft.com/49oTYTx" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;&lt;em&gt;Lunch with the FT&lt;/em&gt; Robert Jenrick: ‘I’m unashamedly provincial in my attitudes’&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://on.ft.com/4sJWYBu" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Latest U-turn raises renewed questions over Keir Starmer’s judgment&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;And sign up for Stephen's morning newsletter, Inside Politics, for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue-(mostly)-in-cheek analysis.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ft.com/newsletter-signup/inside-politics/signup/landing?segmentId=0a28e852-ce05-d192-aa9b-79b0c0e6be8c" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Get 30 days free&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;Political Fix was presented by Miranda Green, and produced by Julia Webster. Flo Phillips is the executive producer. Sound engineering by Breen Turner. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s global head of audio.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Clips from BBC, X&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;What did you think of this episode? Let us know at: politicalfix@ft.com&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ft.com/content/70899c42-cb2a-415c-87c0-7a86e47dea01" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;hr&gt;&lt;p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'&gt; Hosted on Acast. See &lt;a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'&gt;acast.com/privacy&lt;/a&gt; for more information.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Robert Jenrick's accelerated leap to Team Farage. Plus, Labour's U-turns fuel cabinet  discontent.

First he was pushed and then he jumped: high drama at Westminster after Kemi Badenoch sacked her rival for the Tory leadership Robert Jenrick - his crime was plotting a defection to Reform UK. Hours later, Jenrick appeared at Nigel Farage's side, branding his former party "rotten". Did Badenoch’s decisive action help the Tory recovery plan? Which party is left weaker and which stronger in the fight for the right - could this, the most significant defection so far, further fuel Farage’s claim that the Conservative Party’s days are numbered?&nbsp;&nbsp; Deputy opinion editor Miranda Green hosts a discussion about the ‘psychodrama’ that has rocked Westminster this week with the FT’s deputy political editor Jim Pickard, columnist and writer of the ‘Inside Politics’ newsletter Stephen Bush, and FT’s chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley. Follow <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/greenmirandahere.bsky.social" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Miranda</a>, <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/pickardje.bsky.social" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Jim</a>, <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/stephenkb.bsky.social" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Stephen</a> &amp; <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/robertshrimsley.bsky.social" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Robert</a> Want more? <a href="https://on.ft.com/3Nx4Tlw" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Betrayal, plots and a mole who derailed Jenrick’s defection to Reform</a> <a href="https://on.ft.com/3LPFP8S" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Robert Jenrick joins Reform UK after being sacked from Tory shadow cabinet</a> <a href="https://on.ft.com/4qUf1TI" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Jenrick’s sacking is both threat and opportunity for Badenoch</a> <a href="https://on.ft.com/49oTYTx" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lunch with the FT Robert Jenrick: ‘I’m unashamedly provincial in my attitudes’</a> <a href="https://on.ft.com/4sJWYBu" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Latest U-turn raises renewed questions over Keir Starmer’s judgment</a> And sign up for Stephen's morning newsletter, Inside Politics, for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue-(mostly)-in-cheek analysis.<a href="https://www.ft.com/newsletter-signup/inside-politics/signup/landing?segmentId=0a28e852-ce05-d192-aa9b-79b0c0e6be8c" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Get 30 days free</a> Political Fix was presented by Miranda Green, and produced by Julia Webster. Flo Phillips is the executive producer. Sound engineering by Breen Turner. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s global head of audio. Clips from BBC, X What did you think of this episode? Let us know at: politicalfix@ft.com <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/70899c42-cb2a-415c-87c0-7a86e47dea01" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com</a><hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Disloyalty and defection: the Tory-Reform psychodrama

The Financial Times takes you into the corridors of power to unwrap, analyse and debate British politics with a regular lineup of FT correspondents and informed commentators. New episodes available every Friday.<hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

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