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- The State of It
89 episodes
The State of It, page 3
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.
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"They're going to have to drag him out" - Starmer prepares for a leadership battle
The episode analyzes the fallout from an unprecedented local-election night, focusing on Keir Starmer’s leadership survival, potential Labour leadership challenges, and how Reform and the Greens are…
5 May 2026 · 31m · 15 chapters
Mandelson: Starmer’s original sin comes back to haunt him
The episode of The State of It argues that Keir Starmer’s decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as UK US ambassador is the “original sin” now driving a Privileges Committee fight in Parliament.
28 Apr 2026 · 35m · 10 chapters
Starmer picks a fight with the wrong guy
The episode argues that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office pressured civil service security vetting to approve Lord Peter Mandelson as US ambassador despite UK security vetting (UKSV) concerns,…
21 Apr 2026 · 32m · 15 chapters
BONUS: Can Keir Starmer survive the Mandelson vetting scandal?
A “Mandelson vetting scandal” threatens Keir Starmer’s premiership, focusing on claims that Starmer’s government sent Lord Peter Mandelson to Washington despite a formal UK security vetting…
17 Apr 2026 · 16m · 6 chapters
Guns or Butter: the great defence spending row
The State of It episode “Guns and Butter: the great defence spending row” focuses on the UK government’s delayed 10-year defence investment plan and the Treasury’s fiscal constraints.
14 Apr 2026 · 32m · 13 chapters
Get ready for a pub brawl, it's local election time
The State of It podcast episode focuses on UK politics ahead of May 7 local elections (England, Wales, Scotland), framing them as “carnage” and a “pub brawl” among multiple parties, especially Reform…
7 Apr 2026 · 26m · 10 chapters
Keir Starmer's fight with "reckless" striking doctors. And Labour's Zack Polanski problem
The episode of The State of It focuses on Labour politics and current negotiations.
31 Mar 2026 · 28m · 9 chapters
Angela Rayner's next move and Morgan McSweeney's missing messages
In this episode of "The State of It," hosted by political heavyweights from *The Times* and *The Sunday Times*, the discussion revolves around several pressing topics in British politics, including:
24 Mar 2026 · 31m · 12 chapters
Why Starmer is happy to argue with Trump — and how he might help him over Iran
A political podcast from The Times and The Sunday Times featuring insights and analysis from leading political commentators.
17 Mar 2026 · 26m · 13 chapters
The key to the Keir Starmer puzzle: bonus with How To Win An Election
Patrick Maguire, Gabriel Pogrund
14 Mar 2026 · 19m · 7 chapters
How bad are the Mandelson files for Starmer?
A deep dive into British politics with insights from political experts at The Times and The Sunday Times, focusing on real reporting without party loyalty or spin.
12 Mar 2026 · 17m · 11 chapters
Oil and trouble for the British economy
Real reporting from the coalface of British politics with insights from The Times and The Sunday Times’s political heavyweights.
10 Mar 2026 · 28m · 7 chapters
How Starmer's Iran response alienates everybody
This episode delves into the complexities of Keir Starmer's foreign policy regarding Iran and its implications for the Labour Party's electoral viability amid shifts in public sentiment.
3 Mar 2026 · 31m · 13 chapters
The end of the Labour party as a going concern in electoral politics?
The end of the Labour party as a going concern in electoral politics?
27 Feb 2026 · 19m · 10 chapters
Ukraine extra: burner phones and lost children
In this special episode of *The State of It*, host Caroline Wheeler visits Ukraine on the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion.
26 Feb 2026 · 16m · 8 chapters
A by-election reckoning — and unexploded bombs everywhere
A by-election reckoning — and unexploded bombs everywhere
24 Feb 2026 · 32m · 12 chapters
Gabriel Pogrund speaks out on Labour Together scandal
Real reporting from the coalface of British politics, hosted by political heavyweights from The Times and The Sunday Times, providing insights and analysis without party loyalty or spin.
17 Feb 2026 · 39m · 16 chapters
Wes Streeting bottles it and Labour's left grabs the steering wheel
In this episode of *The State of It*, the panel reviews the tumultuous events in Westminster surrounding Labour leadership, the recent challenges faced by Keir Starmer, and the implications of Wes…
10 Feb 2026 · 30m · 16 chapters
Bonus episode: Epstein tried to befriend me
In this bonus episode of *The State of It*, hosts Gerry Baker and Katy Balls provide insights into the latest political developments surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, particularly focusing on…
4 Feb 2026 · 29m · 9 chapters
How the Mandelson scandal threatens Starmer
In this episode of *The State of It*, political editors from *The Times* and *The Sunday Times* delve into the explosive revelations surrounding Lord Peter Mandelson's communications with Jeffrey…
3 Feb 2026 · 30m · 11 chapters
Bonus episode: Flying to China with the PM
This bonus episode of "The State of It" features Caroline Wheeler and Steven Swinford reporting from the Prime Minister's plane as they approach Beijing for a significant visit.
28 Jan 2026 · 19m · 12 chapters
Lose this by-election and all hell breaks loose
In this episode of "The State of It," the political landscape in the UK is examined, focusing on the implications of blocking Andy Burnham from standing in the Gorton and Denton by-election.
27 Jan 2026 · 36m · 15 chapters
Widespread bafflement and anger
Widespread Bafflement and Anger
20 Jan 2026 · 36m · 20 chapters
No one likes us, we don't care
Real reporting from the coalface of British politics by The Times and The Sunday Times political experts.
13 Jan 2026 · 37m · 11 chapters