

154 episodes
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.

Amol Rajan announces he’s leaving BBC News/Today after a final week and launching his own YouTube show, The Amal Rajan Connection, focused on “the future” and big underlying political, social, and…
27 Aug 2026 · 56m · 26 chapters
“What If” counterfactuals about British politics, focusing on how different individuals or decisions might have altered governments and major events from 1997–2016, plus scenarios involving Trump-era…
24 Aug 2026 · 41m · 13 chapters
Sue Gray, former UK civil servant and Downing Street chief of staff, explains why working under Keir Starmer became “unbearable,” focusing on her shift from confidential ethics work to political…
20 Aug 2026 · 59m · 22 chapters
“EMQs America special: Best President there never was” mixes US politics and policy questions with personal anecdotes from Ed Balls’ Civil War battlefield trip (Gettysburg rain, Gettysburg Address)…
17 Aug 2026 · 31m · 8 chapters
Yvette Cooper, newly appointed UK Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, discusses why Keir Starmer’s government “got it wrong,” what’s changed in being a minister since 1999, and how to…
13 Aug 2026 · 58m · 17 chapters
The episode of EMQs Media special asks whether podcasts “ruined” Keir Starmer, and uses that theme to discuss media incentives, long-form political interviewing, and how books and journalists shape…
10 Aug 2026 · 38m · 9 chapters
Interview with Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch about climate/immigration/economic policy, her “no deals with Reform” stance, and how she would approach government after Andy Burnham.
6 Aug 2026 · 53m · 26 chapters
The episode argues Britain isn’t simply “lazier” than America; it discusses heatwaves/wildfires in Western Europe and media “silence,” then tackles work culture, regional economic policy (using…
3 Aug 2026 · 49m · 10 chapters
How Andy Burnham’s first two weeks as UK prime minister are changing governing style and media strategy, and what his week-two policy rollout suggests about Labour’s political strategy—especially on…
30 Jul 2026 · 1h 5m · 19 chapters
EMQs (Ex-Ministers’ Questions) discusses UK political “reshuffles” and related media moments, then pivots to mayoral devolution, Oxford college choice, and the politics of equal marriage.
27 Jul 2026 · 40m · 9 chapters
First week of Andy Burnham’s premiership and reshuffle; whether his “circuit breaker” agenda can be delivered under fiscal rules; and the surprise appointment of John Healey as Chancellor of the…
23 Jul 2026 · 1h 8m · 21 chapters
The episode of EMQs (Political Currency) is a wide-ranging discussion mixing politics, policy, and personal anecdotes.
20 Jul 2026 · 46m · 19 chapters
Ed Balls and George Osborne discuss three linked stories: the political fallout from the murder of former MP Ann Widdecombe, the immediate security/protection debate for politicians, and Labour’s…
16 Jul 2026 · 1h 4m · 20 chapters
EMQs Ex-Ministers Questions episode. Main discussion: why the UK state pension “triple lock” is politically hard to end; plus advice for junior MPs seeking promotion under a likely Andy Burnham…
13 Jul 2026 · 42m · 13 chapters
The episode links three political storylines: (1) whether Reform UK is being damaged by financial-donation scandals and Nigel Farage triggering a by-election in Clacton, (2) Andy Burnham’s rapid path…
9 Jul 2026 · 1h 6m · 19 chapters
Whether “holiday taxes” (a proposed accommodation/overnight stay tax) threaten English tourism, plus two other EMQs: (1) why UK ministers can be dismissed without employment-law protections, and (2)…
6 Jul 2026 · 42m · 16 chapters
Political Currency discusses Andy Burnham’s early premiership challenges: (1) his devolution-for-growth agenda and what it implies for the Treasury, including his “Number 10 North” plan in…
2 Jul 2026 · 1h 2m · 22 chapters
EMQs (Ex-Ministers’ Questions) focuses on ministerial reshuffles and government continuity, plus civil contingencies, classics in state schools, and a few political “what-if” scenarios.
29 Jun 2026 · 40m · 16 chapters
A conversation about Andy Burnham’s rise to become UK prime minister, his political strengths and weaknesses, and whether he should call an early general election.
25 Jun 2026 · 1h 5m · 22 chapters
Keir Starmer’s resignation as Labour leader and Prime Minister, the timetable for the leadership contest, and what it means for Labour’s prospects and UK governance.
22 Jun 2026 · 28m · 8 chapters
Ex-Minister’s Questions (EMQs) episode mixing political Q&A and commentary.
22 Jun 2026 · 47m · 11 chapters
UK politics and leadership turmoil around the Makerfield by-election; the global economy’s reaction to a US-Iran “deal”; and the 10-year anniversary of the Brexit referendum, with George Osborne…
18 Jun 2026 · 1h 12m · 24 chapters
New UK laws to protect children from online nude images, plus broader discussion of inflation vs unemployment, youth unemployment, and teaching history.
15 Jun 2026 · 39m · 13 chapters
The episode opens with Ed Balls and George Osborne reacting to Defence Secretary John Healey’s resignation, arguing it is a major blow to Keir Starmer’s authority and exposes deeper problems in…
11 Jun 2026 · 1h 16m · 21 chapters