

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.

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
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
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29 Sep 2025 · 37m
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
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
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 (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
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
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
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
“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
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
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 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
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’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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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