Best Westminster Online Podcasts (2025)

1
Ex MI6 Chief On The Future of UK Defence 32:08

2h ago32:08

32:08

Today, we look at the future of defence for the UK, ahead of a major strategic defence review from the government. Defence Secretary John Healey has said there is "no doubt" that UK defence spending will rise to 3% of GDP by 2034. Sir Alex Younger, former head of MI6, joins Laura and Paddy to talk about where the threats are, and what it should be …

1
Another Round: Bernie Sanders breaks down how to beat the billionaires 32:28

8h ago32:28

32:28

Bernie Sanders is a busy man these days. When he's not holding Trump's cabinet to account, he's speaking to record-breaking crowds with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as part of his Fighting Oligarchy tour. The Senator for Vermont was in the UK this week, and took time out of his busy schedule to speak to us about Donald Trump, the billionaires ruling th…

1
What I didn't get to say on Question Time 16:03

1d ago16:03

16:03

Ava was in Cheltenham at Question Time on Thursday night and came back to the PolJOE dungeon to talk about it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
The Week: Starmer v Farage, Trump Tariffs and Political Stunts 28:58

1d ago28:58

28:58

Today, Adam, Alex, James and Vicki discuss Keir Starmer’s attack on Nigel Farage saying he would “crash the economy”. And, in light of Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick filming himself confronting fare evaders on the London Underground, the team compare their most memorable political stunts. Plus, what does legal uncertainty around Trump’s ta…

1
Liverpool Parade Crash Charge + Trump Tariff Chaos 33:04

1d ago33:04

33:04

Today, we look at whether President Donald Trump will be allowed to continue with his tariffs plan. On Wednesday a court put them on hold, saying they’re beyond his power, then another court reinstated them pending an appeal. Adam is joined by chief presenter in the US, Caitríona Perry, Americast’s Justin Webb, and FT columnist Gillian Tett. And we…

1
A deep dive into online relationships with Ipsos 30:57

2d ago30:57

30:57

Today we are joined by Director of Politics at Ipsos UK Kieran Pedley after the pollsters conducted research in partnership with JOE Media Group investigating the world of dating, feminism, masculinity and the changing world of human relationships in the digital age. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

1
Are (Even More Of) Israel’s Allies Turning Against Them? 34:24

3d ago34:24

34:24

Today, we discuss the new aid distrubition model in Gaza and why the EU’s top diplomat has gone further in criticising Israeli strikes and aid distribution. The BBC’s chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet joins Adam in the studio to discuss the video footage of chaotic scenes at an aid distribution centre in Rafah. They discuss the controve…

1
Does Lucy Connolly belong in prison? 48:27

3d ago48:27

48:27

This week Oli and Ava talk Tommy Robinson's release, Trump's crackdown on free speech, and go head-to-head on Lucy Connolly's 31 month sentence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
Everything We Know About The Liverpool Crash, So Far 23:38

4d ago23:38

23:38

Today, a man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a car crashed into fans during a parade to celebrate Liverpool’s title victory. The 53 year old from West Derby, in Liverpool, has also been arrested on suspicion of driving while unfit through drugs and dangerous driving offences. 50 people were treated in hospital after the inc…

1
The Newscast Summer Tour 55:07

5d ago55:07

55:07

Recorded live at Hay Festival, Adam and Alex look at whether President Trump has changed his mind about President Putin and how politician’s use statistics. Plus, Newscast continues trying to work out if the goverment’s change of policy on winter fuel allowance counts as a U-Turn. They are joined by Anne Applebaum, journalist, historian and author …

1
Will Starmer Scrap the Two-Child Benefit Cap? 28:23

7d ago28:23

28:23

Today we look at whether the government is about to row back on another policy - the two-child benefit cap. It prevents parents from claiming universal credit or child tax credit for a third child, with a few exemptions. Speaking to Laura this morning, the Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner refused to confirm whether it was going to be scrapped. R…

1
Could More Government U-Turns Be On The Way? 24:15

7d ago24:15

24:15

Today, we look at whether this week’s winter fuel U-turn could lead to the government changing course on other spending cuts. Paddy’s taken to the streets of Camden to find out what the public think of their local MP, Keir Starmer. And we hear from some of the 18 year old Newscasters who have got in touch to tell us what they think about the curren…

1
Another Round: Feminism vs the Algorithm 42:55

8d ago42:55

42:55

Cyber brothels in Berlin. Deepfake pornography in schools. AI "girlfriends". Oli speaks to activist and author Laura Bates about how AI is revolutionising how men and women interact. Her new book The New Age of Sexism: How AI is Reinventing Misogyny is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

1
Labour MP on why Starmer shouldn't cut welfare 35:09

8d ago35:09

35:09

Neil Duncan-Jordan came by JOETowers to break down his party's crusade against benefits claimants, and why it's the worst possible idea. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
The Week: Migration Falls, Winter Fuel Changed And Chagos Deal Done 29:56

9d ago29:56

29:56

Today, the government are claiming credit for a fall in migration numbers - but should they? Adam and Chris are joined by economics editor Faisal Islam and political correspondent Leila Nathoo to discuss that + the controversial Chagos deal. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play N…

1
What's In The Government's Plan To Fix Prisons? 32:39

9d ago32:39

32:39

Today, we’re looking at what the government is doing to deal with overcrowding in prisons in England and Wales. It’s responding to an independent report into the issue by former justice secretary, David Gauke, who’s on the podcast. We’re also looking at a pay rise for the public sector, with teachers and doctors getting 4%. Health editor Hugh Pym a…

1
Kneecap member charged with terror offence, and Labour want to castrate nonces 30:33

9d ago30:33

30:33

Today we're reacting to the news that KNEECAP's Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh has been charged with a terror offence after a video of a gig resurfaced after their Coachella gig, and to news the Justice Secretary is considering mandatory castration of sex offenders on early release from prison. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

1
Starmer’s Winter Fuel U-Turn 44:37

10d ago44:37

44:37

Today, we look at a U-turn from the government, after the Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced plans to ease cuts to winter fuel payments. More than 10 million pensioners lost out on the payments, worth up to £300, when the pension top-up became means-tested last year. Adam and Chris Mason discuss with Starmer’s former political director Luke Sull…

1
PMQs analysis 47:34

10d ago47:34

47:34

After Keir Starmer hinted at another u-turn at PMQs today, we ran down to the dungeon to bring you another morsel of analysis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
Are Israel’s Allies Turning Against Them? 35:24

11d ago35:24

35:24

Today, we discuss the Foreign Secretary suspending trade negotiations with Israel over its “cruel and indefensible” blockade of Gaza. The UK, France and Canada previously said they’d “take further concrete actions” if Israel doesn’t stop its latest offensive and allow aid in, as Palestinians face more strikes and starvation. The BBC’s international…

1
Virgin Island's therapists on radical sex therapy 46:56

11d ago46:56

46:56

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
Gary Lineker and Ed's Tales from the Country 46:01

12d ago46:01

46:01

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
Brexitcast: The EU-UK Deal (and our Rachel Reeves interview) 40:34

12d ago40:34

40:34

Today, the UK and EU have come to a deal that covers fishing, trade, defence, energy and more. Adam and Chris, in true Brexitcast style, go through the detail as the Prime Minister says it is time to move on from “political fights” about Brexit. Plus, Adam sits down with Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer, as she explains the benefits of th…

1
Is The UK About To Rejoin The EU Passport Queue? 29:17

14d ago29:17

29:17

Today, we’re looking at more details of what could be in a deal between the UK and the EU, set to be revealed tomorrow. Laura’s been talking to the lead negotiator from the UK side, the European relations minister Nick Thomas-Symonds. He says he’s pushing for UK passport holders to be able to use EU e-gates at airports, and that he’s "confident" ab…

1
What's Starmer's EUro Vision? 31:06

14d ago31:06

31:06

Today we’re looking at what could be in a deal between the UK and European Union expected to be announced at a summit on Monday. Keir Starmer’s former chief of staff Sam White is on to give an insight into what the PM really thinks about Europe. And, Eurovision expert Paddy tells Laura what to watch out for in the final on Saturday night. You can n…

1
The Week: Immigration, Diplomacy and….Tolstoy? 29:21

16d ago29:21

29:21

Today, the UK is in talks with other countries to set up overseas “return hubs” for failed asylum seekers. Adam and Chris are joined by Caitriona Perry chief presenter for BBC News and diplomatic correspondent James Landale. They also discuss the will they, won’t they of the last 24 hours over a meeting between Putin, Trump and Zelensky. You can no…

1
How to fix the UK's broken planning system with Labour's Chris Hinchliff 17:21

15d ago17:21

17:21

Labour MP Chris Hinchliff swung by JOE Towers to run us through his proposals to overhaul Britain's planning system. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
Zelensky In Turkey, But Where’s Putin? 30:44

16d ago30:44

30:44

Today, we look at talks between world leaders and their officials in Turkey, where a breakthrough on peace in Ukraine was hoped for. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the country's capital Ankara, but Russian President Vladimir Putin stayed away despite having proposed talks. Russia editor Steve …

1
Talking Assisted Dying with Gay Star News 36:51

16d ago36:51

36:51

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
Trump’s Big Middle East Trip (Continued) 36:40

17d ago36:40

36:40

Today, what is President Trump achieving with his tour of the Middle East? On Wednesday President Trump met with the leaders of Syria and Qatar on his first major foreign trip as President. James is joined by the BBC’s diplomatic correspondent James Landale and BBC’s chief presenter in Washington Caitriona Perry to discuss Also, James and Alex expl…

1
PMQs Analysis with Paul Chowdhry 45:29

17d ago45:29

45:29

Today we're getting into the meat and veg of PMQs with comedian Paul Chowdhry after Keir Starmer faced aggro from within the Labour ranks over his "island of strangers" comments at his migration policy announcement on Monday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
It’s Not Just A Cyber Attack, It’s An M&S Cyber Attack 33:08

18d ago33:08

33:08

Today, we’re looking at a cyber attack on Marks and Spencer, which started three weeks ago. The retailer said today that some personal customer information has been taken. To understand what has been going on, James speaks to Joe Tidy, BBC’s cyber correspondent, and to Ciaran Martin, the founding Chief Executive of the National Cyber Security Centr…

1
Is Labour invoking the language of Enoch Powell? 30:31

18d ago30:31

30:31

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
(Another) Plan to Fix "Broken" Migration System 56:21

19d ago56:21

56:21

Today, we look at Labour’s plan to fix the UK’s ‘‘broken’’ migration system. James speaks to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to comb through the details including a degree-level requirement for overseas workers, ending automatic settlement after five years for most visas, and a tightening of English tests for all visa applicants. We also look at how t…

1
Keir Starmer goes Tory on immigration 53:22

19d ago53:22

53:22

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
EXPLAINED: Keir Starmer's pivot to the right on immigration 20:36

19d ago20:36

20:36

As the Labour government look to take pages out of Reform and the Tories' book on immigration, we take a deep dive on what the move means for Keir Starmer's party. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
Has Putin Been Forced To The Table? 31:12

21d ago31:12

31:12

Today, we’re looking at what’s behind a change in position from the Russian President Vladimir Putin, who’s called for "direct talks" with Ukraine on 15 May. European leaders met in Kyiv to demand a 30-day ceasefire, and spoke with President Donald Trump, on Saturday. We also hear from the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, who was on Laura’s show this …

1
Another Round: Why the right abandoned neoliberalism with Quinn Slobodian 46:58

20d ago46:58

46:58

Ed sits down with historian Quinn Slobodian on the release of his new book Hayek's Bastards: The Neoliberal Roots of the Populist Right. In this conversation, we get into the history of the populist right, its origins in the dismantling of the state, and the contradictions at the heart of its modern rise. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for …

1
India and Pakistan Agree Ceasefire 29:31

21d ago29:31

29:31

Today, we look at the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan. The US President Donald Trump announced the news to the world via social media and it was his secretary of state and vice president doing the mediation. International editor Jeremy Bowen joins Laura and Paddy to talk about how the agreement was reached. They also talk about a pos…

1
Has Brexit hurt UK Music? 16:34

22d ago16:34

16:34

We were joined in the PolJOE dungeon by Luke Pritchard of The Kooks to chat Brexit, the music industry, and what Labour need to do to save the jewel of Britain's cultural crown. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
The Week: Who Benefits Most From the UK-US Deal? 42:12

23d ago42:12

42:12

Today, the UK and US have both described the deal as a success - but who really benefits from their tariff agreement? Adam and Alex are joined by Dharshini David, BBC deputy economics editor and James Landale the BBC’s diplomatic correspondent to discuss the deal, and whether this has turned around a tricky week for the PM. You can now listen to Ne…

1
The First American Pope: Pope Leo XIV 33:49

23d ago33:49

33:49

Today, Robert Prevost has become the first American Pope, and will be known as Pope Leo XIV. Adam is joined by the BBC’s Religion editor Aleem Maqbool to talk through how the news broke from the Vatican, and what we know about Chicago-born Prevost who worked for many years as a missionary in Peru before being made an archbishop there And, the UK an…

1
Could the India-Pakistan Conflict Escalate? 48:27

24d ago48:27

48:27

Today, we’re looking at the conflict between India and Pakistan. On Tuesday night, India launched missile strikes in Pakistan and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir. Adam talks to the BBC’s international editor Jeremy Bowen and Journalist Arunoday Mukharji about what’s happening, how Pakistan is reacting, and whether things could get worse. Americast’s Ju…

1
PMQs reaction: Starmer needs to be more Australian 52:59

24d ago52:59

52:59

Today we're reacting to Keir Starmer's newfound rage against the Lib Dems, Kemi Badenoch finding her voice and the government's continued refusal to recognise a genocide in Gaza. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
The Biggest Trade Deal Since Brexit(cast) 1:03:56

25d ago1:03:56

1:03:56

Today, after three years of on-off negotiations the UK and India have agreed a “landmark” trade deal. Will it make goods cheaper for people in the UK? What does it mean for the number of Indian students coming to the UK? And, does this change the UK’s approach to President Trump’s tariffs? Adam and Chris are joined by Faisal to discuss. Also, Adam …

1
Reform versus the Greens: A New Era of British Politics? 43:14

25d ago43:14

43:14

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
Old Newscast: The Fall of the Berlin Wall, 1989 (Part 2) 35:50

27d ago35:50

35:50

On this episode of Old Newscast, we look at the consequences for the world of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Adam is joined by world affairs editor John Simpson, as well as historian and author of Beyond the Wall, Katja Hoyer. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It work…

1
How to beat Reform at their own game (with Zack Polanski) 22:56

26d ago22:56

22:56

Zack Polanski is running to be the new leader of the Green Party. He wants to turn the party into the left-wing alternative to Reform. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
Old Newscast: The Fall of the Berlin Wall, 1989 (Part 1) 44:25

27d ago44:25

44:25

On this episode of Old Newscast, we look at what led to, and what happened on the day of, the fall of the Berlin wall. Adam is joined by world affairs editor John Simpson, as well as historian and author of Beyond the Wall, Katja Hoyer. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newsca…

1
Local Electioncast: The Reaction! (Part 3) 31:22

28d ago31:22

31:22

Today, we look at how the political parties are reacting to this week’s local election results. The Health Secretary Wes Streeting spoke to both Laura and Paddy to give the Labour view. Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, the Lib Dem leader Ed Davey and Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf were all on Laura’s Sunday show. We also look at what party st…

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