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154 episodes

Political Currency, page 6

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.

All episodes, page 6

EMQs: The return of the TBGBs?

In this episode, Ed Balls and George Osborne explore the unexpected resurgence of interest in New Labour among Gen Z, discussing its implications for current political dynamics.

6 Oct 2025 · 44m

Will Starmer's attack on Farage pay off?

The podcast offers insights into political decisions affecting the economy, hosted by two prominent figures from the UK political landscape.

2 Oct 2025 · 1h 2m

What REALLY goes on at party conference?

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29 Sep 2025 · 37m

Is Andy Burnham coming for Keir Starmer’s job?

UN General Assembly week in New York; UK’s recognition of Palestine; Donald Trump’s UN speech and its knock-on effects in British politics; Labour leadership speculation (Andy Burnham vs Keir…

25 Sep 2025 · 1h 1m · 24 chapters

EMQs: Is there room for optimism in politics?

A “Be Hope” podcast takeover episode of EMQs arguing for optimism in politics, using examples from global development, climate, health, online safety, and youth political participation.

22 Sep 2025 · 38m · 11 chapters

A looming coup for Starmer?

The episode of Political Currency (Ed Balls and George Osborne) covers: (1) the ongoing Trump state visit and whether it helps Keir Starmer; (2) Labour’s deputy leadership contest after Angela…

18 Sep 2025 · 1h 1m · 17 chapters

EMQs: Lasagna plots and Shakespearean AI bots

EMQs (Ex-Ministers Questions) with Ed Balls and George Osborne. They answer listener questions about (1) how ministers are inducted after reshuffles, (2) “lasagna gate” allegations of plotting to…

15 Sep 2025 · 45m · 17 chapters

Peter Mandelson OUT. George Osborne… IN?

UK politics and fallout from major personnel shocks: Peter Mandelson removed as ambassador to Washington; Angela Rayner’s resignation triggers a Labour deputy leadership contest; a large Labour…

11 Sep 2025 · 57m · 15 chapters

EMQs: Car doors, pole dancers and Diary columns

Western Europe’s extreme heat and wildfires, media “conspiracy of silence,” and how society/politics should respond; then a Q&A on (1) how constituency staff should discuss immigration/asylum blame…

8 Sep 2025 · 46m · 13 chapters

Could sacking Rayner make her a ‘backbench martyr’?

The episode focuses on (1) whether Labour Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner could be “sacked” and become a “backbench martyr,” (2) how Nigel Farage and Reform dominated the political agenda through…

4 Sep 2025 · 1h 11m · 19 chapters

EMQs: Could David Miliband have defeated the Tories in 2015?

“Sliding doors” political what-ifs, focused on: (1) what if Margaret Thatcher hadn’t been ousted in 1990; (2) what if Tony Blair hadn’t been forced out by the Gordon Brown coup in 2006-07; (3) what…

1 Sep 2025 · 52m · 12 chapters

Emily Thornberry on the Corbyn era, being left out of government and Starmer’s first year

Dame Emily Thornberry discusses the Corbyn era, her experience being sidelined/kept out of government, and Keir Starmer’s first year as Labour leader, plus how Labour should communicate and govern in…

28 Aug 2025 · 1h 8m · 22 chapters

EMQs Political Craft Special: Speeches, diaries and the art of politics

Political craft “back to basics”: whether parliamentary speeches/debates still matter; how ministers manage diaries as Chancellors; balancing constituency work with cabinet/shadow roles; and what…

25 Aug 2025 · 43m · 15 chapters

Wes Streeting on battling the Treasury, his plan for the NHS, and the reality of power

Wes Streeting discusses his first year as UK Secretary of State for Health, learning how government and the Treasury work, and his NHS reform plan focused on shifting care from hospitals to…

21 Aug 2025 · 1h 7m · 30 chapters

EMQs Young People Special: Why won’t politicians listen to the next generation?

A “summer edition” EMQs episode focused on young people and politics, using listener questions about voting, education-to-work pathways, youth mobility in Europe, and water quality/pollution amid…

18 Aug 2025 · 40m · 15 chapters

Sarah Vine on Michael Gove, the Camerons, and why she's done with "toxic" politics

Sarah Vine’s memoir How Not To Be A Political Wife, covering her marriage to Michael Gove, the impact of Brexit and political alliances, and her conclusion that modern politics is “toxic” (especially…

14 Aug 2025 · 1h 3m · 19 chapters

EMQs Books Special: Do politicians make good writers?

A summer “EMQs Books Special” where Ed Balls and George Osborne answer listener questions about what to read on holiday, political books, and books written by politicians (including whether…

11 Aug 2025 · 41m · 15 chapters

Kwasi Kwarteng on the Liz Truss meltdown, getting sacked and Kemi Badenoch’s future

Former UK Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng discusses the Liz Truss “mini-budget” meltdown, why he was sacked, and what Kemi Badenoch should do next for the Conservative Party.

7 Aug 2025 · 58m · 19 chapters

EMQs: Is a two-state solution still possible?

Whether a two-state solution for Israel-Palestine is still possible; the NHS junior doctors strike and what Wes Streeting can do; which select committee chairs are most effective; UK…

4 Aug 2025 · 48m · 15 chapters

Could the UK spiral into a ‘debt doom loop’?

The UK’s planned September recognition of a Palestinian state (conditional on Israeli actions), its international and domestic political implications, then the UK economic outlook ahead of Rachel…

31 Jul 2025 · 1h 7m · 18 chapters

EMQs: Was HS2 a complete waste of money?

A listener Q&A episode on UK politics, focusing on whether HS2 was a “waste of money,” why UK infrastructure is so expensive, voting age limits, the role of the Liaison Committee, and memorable…

28 Jul 2025 · 36m · 11 chapters

Is Labour reaching a breaking point on Palestine?

A political roundup ahead of the UK summer recess, focusing on (1) Conservative and Labour leadership/strategy, (2) potential unrest around asylum hotels and Reform’s influence, and (3) whether…

24 Jul 2025 · 1h 6m · 22 chapters

EMQs: Can we really fund everything in the NHS?

Whether the UK can “fund everything” in the NHS, and how governments should handle trade-offs, rationing-by-waiting, and funding gaps in hospice/palliative care and social care; plus related…

21 Jul 2025 · 48m · 12 chapters

Could the Epstein files cost Trump his MAGA base?

Political Currency episode covering (1) Rachel Reeves’ Mansion House speech and “Leeds reforms” for UK financial services, (2) the UK-France “Northwood Declaration” coordinating independent nuclear…

17 Jul 2025 · 59m · 18 chapters