Starmer in a spin as the ‘Dark Lord’ bites the dust
Political Fix12 Syys 2025

Starmer in a spin as the ‘Dark Lord’ bites the dust

After the toe-curling revelations about Lord Peter Mandelson’s connections with the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, the ambassador’s departure seemed inevitable to all - with the exception of some in Downing Street. Questions about the speed of his sacking, what Sir Keir Starmer knew and why the New Labour grandee was hired in the first place will plague the prime minister as he prepares for US President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit. Host George Parker is joined by FT columnist Stephen Bush, deputy opinion editor Miranda Green, and deputy political editor Jim Pickard to discuss the political fallout for the PM and look ahead at the two-horse race to replace deputy Labour party leader Angela Rayner.


Want more?:

Labour MPs are increasingly doubting Keir Starmer’s leadership

Why the Mandelson affair raises questions about Starmer’s judgment

Exit Mandelson — but not Number 10’s problems

Peter Mandelson’s back: the Prince of Darkness returns

Bridget Phillipson faces Lucy Powell in final stage of Labour deputy leader race


Follow George on Bluesky @georgewparker.bsky.social and on X at @GeorgeWParker; Jim @PickardJE, Stephen @stephenkb and Miranda on @greenmiranda


Sign up to Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek. Get 30 days free at https://www.ft.com/InsidePoliticsOffer


Political Fix is presented by George Parker and produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s acting head of audio is Manuela Saragosa.


CLIPS: Parliament TV


Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com


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

Jaksot(574)

Election battle lines drawn up

Election battle lines drawn up

Sir Keir Starmer has unveiled his party’s six core pledges ahead of the general election – in the same week that Rishi Sunak claimed the country would be less safe under a Labour government. As both p...

17 Touko 202442min

Live special: Who will win the UK general election?

Live special: Who will win the UK general election?

As politicians and commentators digest the disastrous Tory local election results, FT experts answer subscribers’ questions about what this might mean for the forthcoming general election – and beyond...

9 Touko 202448min

Election special — local poll results roll in

Election special — local poll results roll in

The Tories suffered sobering losses in local elections across England in the last big electoral test before a general election.Labour also trounced the Tories in the parliamentary by-election in Black...

3 Touko 202436min

Chinese spying claims in the UK – and beyond

Chinese spying claims in the UK – and beyond

‘In a world that is the most dangerous it has been since the end of the cold war, we cannot be complacent,’ Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said at a news briefing alongside Nato secretary-general Jens Sto...

26 Huhti 202434min

Prime ministers’ legacies: Sunak, Truss and Brown

Prime ministers’ legacies: Sunak, Truss and Brown

Rishi Sunak has had an eye on his legacy this week with his flagship smoking ban clearing another hurdle in the Commons – though not without a Tory backlash. Lucy Fisher is joined by Political Fix reg...

19 Huhti 202440min

The great stink of England’s sewage crisis

The great stink of England’s sewage crisis

The raw sewage being pumped into rivers and seas in England has become a seismic election issue. The musician turned environmentalist Feargal Sharkey joins the FT’s Lucy Fisher, George Parker and Robe...

12 Huhti 202431min

Tory ‘red wall’ seats under threat

Tory ‘red wall’ seats under threat

Many ‘red wall’ constituencies across northern England, the Midlands and north Wales switched from Labour to the Conservatives in the 2019 general election partly thanks to then prime minister Boris J...

3 Huhti 202433min

 Britain’s China conundrum

Britain’s China conundrum

The government is preparing a crackdown on Chinese entities operating in the UK, following malicious cyber campaigns linked to Beijing. But there are tensions among ministers over how to protect the U...

28 Maalis 202434min

Suosittua kategoriassa Politiikka ja uutiset

aikalisa
rss-ootsa-kuullut-tasta
tervo-halme
ootsa-kuullut-tasta-2
politiikan-puskaradio
viisupodi
otetaan-yhdet
rss-podme-livebox
rss-asiastudio
et-sa-noin-voi-sanoo-esittaa
rss-vaalirankkurit-podcast
the-ulkopolitist
linda-maria
rss-kaikki-uusiksi
rss-mina-ukkola
rss-pykalien-takaa
rss-merja-mahkan-rahat
rss-kuka-mina-olen
rss-raha-talous-ja-politiikka
rss-kyselytunti