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- The State of It
89 episodes
The State of It
by The Times · English
What’s really being said inside the corridors of power. Join Steven Swinford, Patrick Maguire, Ben Riley-Smith and Lara Spirit for exclusive interviews, political scoops and the best analysis from Westminster. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest episodes
All episodes
Has Burnham bitten off more Brexit than he can chew?
The episode debates two Labour/UK political flashpoints: (1) whether Andy Burnham’s planned “reset”/re-engagement with the EU will be coherent and publicly acceptable, given polling and cabinet…
13 Nov 2026 · 27m · 8 chaptersIs Labour losing the argument on welfare?
The episode debates whether Labour is losing the argument on welfare reform ahead of major reports.
10 Nov 2026 · 29m · 12 chaptersBritain’s fate in Trump’s hands
The episode of The State of It focuses on two linked stories: Britain’s economic fate being shaped by Donald Trump’s next moves on Iran, and the political/legal fallout from Russell Brand’s rape…
6 Nov 2026 · 27m · 7 chaptersHow far will Burnham go for Europe?
The State of It discusses (1) what concessions Andy Burnham may make to secure a UK-EU Brexit deal by Nov 20, focusing on youth mobility, tuition fees (“home fees”), and potential UK alignment on…
3 Nov 2026 · 29m · 9 chapters
" Run away, turn away, run away, turn away" - Healey's Bronski Beat budget
A post-budget discussion of John Healey’s first UK budget, framed as a “Bronski Beat” retreat from big decisions.
28 Oct 2026 · 33m · 16 chapters
Brexit, oil and immigration: Labour's three rows
The episode argues that Labour’s government is showing deep internal splits across three “rows”: Brexit/free movement, North Sea oil drilling (Rosebank), and legal migration rules.
27 Oct 2026 · 33m · 17 chapters
You can't vibe-code your way to growth
A warning ahead of Labour’s budget that delaying tough fiscal decisions could trigger a “Liz Truss-style” bond-market crisis; debate over whether the government is “tax and spend” versus…
23 Oct 2026 · 33m · 9 chapters
Andy Burnham's welfare plan: spend first, cut later
Labour welfare reform and migration policy. The episode focuses on Andy Burnham’s plan to shift welfare spending toward employment support first, with benefit cuts later, following an Alan Milburn…
20 Oct 2026 · 28m · 11 chapters
AI rows and pre-budget jitters – The State of It Live
A live political discussion on the UK budget and Labour’s next political priorities, plus a cabinet row over artificial intelligence and upcoming welfare reforms (Milburn Review).
19 Oct 2026 · 34m · 13 chapters
Burnham brings back Brexit wars: what’s the strategy?
Andy Burnham’s push to reopen Brexit and possible EU rejoining options; cabinet unease and electoral strategy; then the upcoming budget aimed at “the high street” and small businesses.
13 Oct 2026 · 32m · 15 chapters
Zack Polanski on the brink
The episode of The State of It focuses on two issues: (1) the Holborn and St Pancras by-election and what it means for Green Party leader Zack Polanski, and (2) Labour’s return to Parliament and the…
9 Oct 2026 · 23m · 8 chapters
Kemi Badenoch bets the house on the economy
Kemi Badenoch’s Conservative Party conference speech, focusing on an economy-first pitch, major inheritance tax changes, and a hard line against any “uniting the right” with Reform UK; plus…
7 Oct 2026 · 32m · 15 chapters
Andy Burnham's radical British reset
The State of It podcast discusses Andy Burnham’s major Labour Party conference speech as Prime Minister, framing it as an early “manifesto” for a future election.
29 Sep 2026 · 18m · 9 chapters
Labour parties like it's 1997
Live coverage from Labour Conference focused on Andy Burnham’s leadership momentum and his upcoming major speech, especially social care funding, alongside looming fiscal/budget pressures.
28 Sep 2026 · 32m · 13 chapters
EXCLUSIVE - John Healey: budget will prove I'm pro-business
Interview with UK Chancellor John Healey ahead of the Oct 28 budget, focusing on cost of living and cost of business, welfare reform, fiscal rules/headroom, fuel prices, defense spending commitments,…
26 Sep 2026 · 35m · 14 chapters
A snap election - surely not?
The Labour Party’s Liverpool conference and whether Prime Minister Andy Burnham should call a snap election, amid polling and internal party tensions.
25 Sep 2026 · 28m · 10 chapters
Raise taxes, fix welfare later: Labour's tough sell
Labour Party conference and Andy Burnham’s “hope/vibes” pitch versus economic reality ahead of the Oct 28 budget.
22 Sep 2026 · 33m · 7 chapters
Trump and Burnham meet: what could go wrong?
The episode (The State of It) focuses on UK politics and the risks around Andy Burnham’s first meeting with Donald Trump at the UN General Assembly, plus the UK economic outlook and the Liberal…
18 Sep 2026 · 30m · 11 chapters
Mr Hope and Mr Sensible step into the danger zone
UK politics and economics in a “danger zone” as government borrowing costs rise, shrinking fiscal headroom and forcing likely tax rises or spending cuts; Labour’s internal split between “Mr Hope”…
15 Sep 2026 · 36m · 10 chapters
Assisted dying is dead. What next?
UK Parliament vote kills assisted dying legislation “until 2030 or beyond”; episode also covers Andy Burnham’s leftward political strategy (welfare and Israel-related trade ban) and the delayed…
11 Sep 2026 · 23m · 6 chapters
Why the UK is risking US anger with Israel sanctions
The UK Labour government’s new sanctions/trade ban on West Bank settlement exports, why it’s being introduced now, and the risk of US (Trump administration) backlash; the Reform UK conference fallout…
8 Sep 2026 · 30m · 10 chapters
Reform's conference begins with a crisis
The State of It (Times/Sunday Times) reports on Reform UK’s conference in real time, arguing it was dominated by a Channel 4 scandal and a leadership purge rather than migration.
4 Sep 2026 · 25m · 11 chapters
Starmerism with a human face: when vibes meet reality
Return of Parliament and the Labour government’s “vibes vs reality” problem—especially defence spending (3% by 2030), “public control” for Thames Water, and deferred economic decisions—plus Kemi…
1 Sep 2026 · 31m · 12 chapters
West Bank sanctions: the snag - and Burnham's blockbuster autumn
UK politics “on hyperspeed” after Parliament returns, focusing on (1) potential UK sanctions over Israeli settlements in the West Bank, (2) early-release plans and police warnings about mass release…
25 Aug 2026 · 28m · 11 chaptersWe use cookies.They keep VO running smoothly and help us improve it. Privacy policy