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154 episodes
Political Currency
by Persephonica · English
Ed Balls and George Osborne take us behind closed doors into the rooms where decisions are made. Having battled it out across the despatch box, the former Chancellor and shadow chancellor now meet in the studio to discuss the decisions that affect the nation’s pockets. Our frenemies have the knowledge and experience to explain how good politics follows the economics - and expose how the powerful become powerless when faced with market forces and political currents they can’t control. Join us every Thursday. Send your messages or voice notes to [email protected] Find us on social media @polcurrency Political Currency is a Persephonica production. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest episodes
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What Russell Brand’s conviction means for politics
The episode uses Russell Brand’s UK conviction and sentencing (rape and sexual assault) plus a David Walliams documentary to debate how politics and media handle sexual misconduct, whether safeguards…
12 Nov 2026 · 1h 5m · 18 chaptersEMQs: Regrets, leaks and data centres
EMQs episode with Ed Balls and George Osborne answering listener/podcast questions on (1) political regrets, (2) freedom of movement, (3) political leaks, and (4) winning local support for AI data…
9 Nov 2026 · 43m · 11 chaptersCould the midterms be bad news for Burnham?
The episode analyzes results from US midterm elections and argues the dominant driver was cost of living, with implications for Donald Trump, US party politics, and UK Labour leader Andy Burnham.
5 Nov 2026 · 1h 5m · 25 chaptersEMQs: Will Burnham return to free movement?
A Q&A episode on EMQs Ex-Minister’s Questions covering (1) whether Andy Burnham could make “EU free movement” a winnable argument for a UK election or referendum, (2) charity trusteeship and hymn…
2 Nov 2026 · 41m · 10 chaptersWill Burnham risk it all on an early election?
Discussion of the UK Labour government’s first budget under Prime Minister Andy Burnham and whether it signals an early general election; then analysis of Burnham’s communication strategy…
29 Oct 2026 · 1h 1m · 22 chapters
HOT TAKE: Was Healey’s Budget inconsequential?
A “hot take” on UK Chancellor John Healey’s first budget, arguing it was unusually “inconsequential” and may function as an election-launchpad rather than a big policy reset.
28 Oct 2026 · 32m · 6 chapters
EMQs: Are the Tories against welfare cuts?
Ed Balls and George Osborne discuss (1) whether Labour should argue for rejoining the EU, focusing on how to persuade voters in former Leave areas like Ashfield; (2) why welfare reform is politically…
26 Oct 2026 · 47m · 14 chaptersWill Healey’s budget burst the Burnham bubble?
The Burnham government’s upcoming budget and a week-before decision to restart North Sea gas drilling (Jackdaw field), plus how riots in France may shape European politics and the French presidential…
22 Oct 2026 · 1h 3m · 19 chapters
EMQs: Who Lifts Heavier, Ed or George?
EMQs (Ex-Minister’s Questions) episode mixing politics and public policy with health/fitness and a listener Q&A.
19 Oct 2026 · 41m · 12 chaptersDoes Burnham have a foot in mouth problem?
UK politics and economics amid US-led shifts on Ukraine, energy prices, and an upcoming UK budget; plus Andy Burnham’s renewed push for a closer EU relationship.
15 Oct 2026 · 1h 5m · 23 chapters
EMQs: The truth about government war gaming
Ex-Minister’s Questions discusses “government war gaming” and how internal exercises prepare ministers for crises, plus a wide-ranging Q&A on UK politics and policy “small fixes.”
12 Oct 2026 · 43m · 14 chaptersHave Burnham & Badenoch restored two-party politics?
The hosts debate whether the Hoban and St Pancras by-election (triggered by Keir Starmer’s resignation) and the Conservative Party conference show a return to mainstream two-party politics, focusing…
8 Oct 2026 · 1h 9m · 31 chapters
EMQs: Should John Healey recruit ex-chancellors?
EMQs (Ex-Minister’s Questions) with George Osborne and Ed Balls answering audience questions about political conference “spies,” fringe meetings, Holocaust education, economic “star chambers,” local…
5 Oct 2026 · 40m · 11 chaptersWill Burnham’s big and bold speech backfire?
The episode discusses the political fallout from Labour leader Andy Burnham’s big conference speech and what it means for social care, pensions, Europe/Brexit, and Labour’s chances of winning the…
1 Oct 2026 · 1h 7m · 31 chapters
HOT TAKE: Our verdict on Burnham’s conference speech
Ed Balls and George Osborne give a “hot take” on Andy Burnham’s first major Prime Minister/Labour conference speech, focusing on its emotional delivery and specific policy pledges—especially social…
29 Sep 2026 · 36m · 12 chapters
EMQs: Biggest conference clangers
A “political Q&A” episode (EMQs) where Ed Balls and George Osborne answer questions about party conferences, international politics, economic policy, and a UK by-election.
28 Sep 2026 · 48m · 14 chaptersCan the Burnham & Trump love-in last?
Political Currency discusses UK and US politics, focusing on Labour leader Andy Burnham’s UN trip and meeting Donald Trump, debates over UK AI regulation policy, and the outlook for upcoming US…
24 Sep 2026 · 1h 7m · 18 chapters
EMQs: The challenges criticising Netanyahu with rising anti-semitism?
EMQs (Ex-Ministers’ Questions) episode mixing political debate and “hope” listener questions.
21 Sep 2026 · 38m · 8 chaptersHas Burnham wasted his honeymoon?
The episode connects three “plan A to plan B” shifts: (1) the Federal Reserve raising US interest rates despite political pressure, (2) UK economic expectations worsening for Andy Burnham and…
17 Sep 2026 · 1h 7m · 24 chapters
EMQs: Why does Farage fall out with everyone?
The episode of EMQs mixes studio banter with three main political questions.
14 Sep 2026 · 38m · 11 chaptersHas Andy Burnham gone too far on Israel?
The episode is about whether UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has gone too far on Israel/Gaza, and what that signals for Britain’s foreign policy and wider politics.
10 Sep 2026 · 1h 5m · 18 chapters
EMQs: From Athelstan to Dollywood
EMQs (Ex-Minister’s Questions) filmed at the British Museum, moving from the Bayeux Tapestry area to the chair’s suite; then a rapid-fire Q&A spanning Anglo-Saxon history, education policy,…
7 Sep 2026 · 45m · 17 chaptersInside the British Museum’s Bayeux Tapestry Coup
The British Museum’s unveiling of the Bayeux Tapestry in London, framed as “politics and power,” then a discussion of Andy Burnham’s early prime-ministership and Labour’s political challenges, plus…
3 Sep 2026 · 57m · 24 chapters
EMQs solutions special: Burnham reviving Sunak’s national service plan?
A summer “EMQs solutions special” where Ed Balls and George Osborne answer listener questions on (1) whether the UK should use tax incentives to raise fertility, (2) whether “modern national service”…
31 Aug 2026 · 31m · 15 chaptersWe use cookies.They keep VO running smoothly and help us improve it. Privacy policy