

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.

EMQs “Ex-Ministers Questions” episode mixing culture recommendations with Q&A on UK economic policy, AI regulation ethics, non-dom tax politics, and constituency experiences (including rhubarb).
8 Jun 2026 · 50m · 18 chapters
The episode debates whether Nigel Farage “went too far” or scored political points after the sentencing of Vikram Digwa for murdering 18-year-old Henry Novak in Southampton.
4 Jun 2026 · 1h 6m · 21 chapters
EMQs (Ex-Ministers’ Questions) mixes political Q&A with cultural and legal/political trivia, focusing on the Makerfield by-election as a near “presidential” test of Labour’s leadership.
1 Jun 2026 · 45m · 16 chapters
A Political Currency episode (Ed Balls and George Osborne) covering the Makerfield by-election, Andy Burnham’s campaign, internal turmoil in Reform UK/Restore, and Tony Blair’s 5,700-word essay…
28 May 2026 · 1h 20m · 21 chapters
Whether retired politicians should return to Question Time; also discusses how heckling/competition in Parliament affects accountability and outcomes, and debates Bank of England policy vs…
25 May 2026 · 38m · 16 chapters
A rapid rundown of Labour’s leadership turmoil and the race to become Prime Minister, focusing on Wes Streeting’s resignation, Andy Burnham’s bid via the Makerfield by-election, and Angela Rayner’s…
21 May 2026 · 1h 5m · 23 chapters
EMQs (Ex-Ministers Questions) episode debating whether UK elections should be held on weekends and whether vote counting should happen overnight; then covering Reform/Green political targeting, UK…
18 May 2026 · 32m · 9 chapters
Labour Party leadership turmoil in the UK, debating who should replace Keir Starmer as prime minister, alongside lessons from successful centre-left governments (Canada, Australia) and a look ahead…
14 May 2026 · 1h 9m · 26 chapters
A live special edition of Political Currency analyzing Labour’s heavy election losses and whether Keir Starmer can survive, focusing on leadership pressure, a potential timetable for his exit, and…
11 May 2026 · 37m · 15 chapters
The episode uses sports (snooker, football) as metaphors for politics, then pivots to three listener questions: how TV/drama shapes political behavior (West Wing/Thick of It/House of Cards), whether…
11 May 2026 · 49m · 15 chapters
After local elections voting begins, Ed Balls and George Osborne discuss what results could mean for British politics—especially Labour’s aggressive rhetoric toward the Greens—plus Scotland/Wales…
7 May 2026 · 1h 4m · 25 chapters
Debate on whether MPs should be allowed to drink alcohol in Parliament, plus wider political discussion and a later Q&A on AI policy and skills.
4 May 2026 · 37m · 15 chapters
The episode covers (1) the UK King’s state visit to the US and what it signals for US-UK relations, (2) what to watch in upcoming local elections across England, Wales, Scotland and London…
30 Apr 2026 · 1h 3m · 26 chapters
Ed Balls and George Osborne answer listener questions about: (1) public views of ex-PMs, (2) UK vs US school preparedness for attacks, (3) whether a multilateral “defence, security and resilience…
27 Apr 2026 · 27m · 11 chapters
The episode focuses on whether Keir Starmer’s government is managing a political crisis over the appointment of former Labour minister Peter Mandelson, and how that fallout is affecting civil service…
23 Apr 2026 · 1h 4m · 32 chapters
EMQs episode covering (1) whether political leaders should be youthful or experienced, (2) Heathrow rail expansion and whether governments prioritize broader economic connectivity, (3) how a…
20 Apr 2026 · 46m · 16 chapters
Political Currency episode covering (1) the Iran ceasefire and US/Trump strategy, (2) UK domestic politics and anti-Trump rhetoric tied to Rachel Reeves and defence spending, and (3) IMF/World Bank…
16 Apr 2026 · 1h 4m · 26 chapters
A special “What If” edition of EMQs (Political Currency) where Ed Balls and George Osborne discuss counterfactual politics: (1) what if MPs had to vote yes/no instead of abstaining; (2) what if…
13 Apr 2026 · 37m · 10 chapters
The Libya conflict’s aftermath after Muammar Gaddafi’s fall in 2011, focusing on post-war chaos, security failures, UN/NATO transition, militia power, and lessons for future interventions.
9 Apr 2026 · 35m · 15 chapters
The Libya Conflict (Part Two) recounts the 2011 NATO/coalition campaign against Muammar Gaddafi, focusing on how fighting unfolded and how intelligence and political decision-making shaped operations.
6 Apr 2026 · 35m · 15 chapters
The Libya Conflict—how the UK, France, and the US built up to the 2011 intervention after Arab Spring unrest, focusing on the decision-making process and the case for/against a no-fly zone.
2 Apr 2026 · 41m · 13 chapters
EMQs (Ex-Ministers’ Questions) on whether Wes Streeting is succeeding as UK health secretary, plus questions on unconditional cash transfers for care leavers, teacher pay/retention, pedestrianising…
30 Mar 2026 · 36m · 13 chapters
The episode is a wide-ranging political news discussion plus previews of upcoming guests and segments.
26 Mar 2026 · 52m · 16 chapters
In this episode of Political Currency, hosts Ed Balls and George Osborne discuss several pressing topics regarding technology's impact on transportation, the UK's economic responsiveness to global…
23 Mar 2026 · 35m · 9 chapters