Is Keir Starmer Britain's Joe Biden?

It took Merseyside police less than two hours to release information about the suspect who'd been arrested in the Liverpool parade crash which injured close to 50 people. The force told the public that it was a 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area who had been detained. Right wing commentators and conspiracy theorists had already started speculating about the potential ethnicity and the motives behind the man alleged to have been involved. So was it sensible policing aimed at quelling the misinformation? Or did the decision reveal just how close we are to unrest - like we saw in Southport - spook the police into revealing more than they normally would? LBC's crime correspondent Andy Hughes assesses the mood within the police.Later, what if that much heralded "unprecedented" second state visit for Donald Trump never happened? Jon has heard that in Palace circles, there's an increasing suspicion that the carpet might not be rolled out for POTUS after all....The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal -> https://nordvpn.com/thenewsagents Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee

27 Touko 42min

Jake Tapper of CNN is one of America’s most famous newsmen, someone who knows Washington inside and out. He - quite literally - had a ringside seat at the most consequential presidential debate in American history, as the presenter in charge as President Joe Biden melted down before the eyes of the world; his frailties and diminishment on display for all to see. Along with Alex Thompson of Axios, he has written a new book 'Original Sin' which, through conversations with over 200 White House and Democratic Party officials, tells the story of the tragic decline of Joe Biden. A history so many lived through but could not bring themselves to see, up to and including the President and his inner circle themselves. Jake joins Lewis to discuss the book, the remarkable 2024 campaign and whether the Democrats can find a future until, and unless, they reckon with their most recent past.The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal -> https://nordvpn.com/thenewsagents Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee

23 Touko 33min

This week on The Sports Agents...England captain Leah Williamson, who lifted the Euros trophy at Wembley, talks to us about her 19-year Arsenal career culminating in the Champions League final this weekend. (03:00)We have a laugh with the man responsible for Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney taking over Wrexham, Humphrey Ker. (07:30)As Netflix launch a new Drive to Survive series for the F1 Academy, where 18 women compete to make a name for themselves in motorsport, we speak to Susie Wolff, former F1 development driver and now Managing Director of the F1 Academy. (14:30)Tottenham ended their 17-year wait for a trophy by winning the Europa League, rewriting the worst season in 120 years, so we caught up with The Athletic's Spurs reporter, Jay Harris. (19:45)Got a question for The Sports Agents - email us at thesportsagents@global.com New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

23 Touko 25min

Two Israeli embassy staff were shot dead outside the Jewish museum in Washington DC. The suspect chanted "Free Palestine" as he was taken into custody. World leaders - including the PM - have condemned the killings. He said in a statement: "Antisemitism is an evil we must stamp out wherever it appears." Earlier this week, the UK, France and Canada issued a statement about the "intolerable" humanitarian situation in Gaza, and threatened sanctions against Israel. That response has led to some Israeli ministers blaming Keir Starmer, Emanuel Macron and Mark Carney of emboldening the forces of terror, and of making "false accusations" which paved the way for the violence. Why?Later, Emily speaks to the chair of the independent sentencing review. David Gauke is proposing radical changes to the way we treat offenders in an attempt to stop our prisons from bursting and to get reoffending rates down. Will it work?The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal -> https://nordvpn.com/thenewsagents Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee

22 Touko 36min

At PMQs, Kemi Badenoch asked Keir Starmer when “the inevitable U-turn on winter fuel" would come. Unfortunately for her, he’d already announced it. Admittedly, it was quietly done. With a bit of hedging and fudging. But if you were following closely, you’d have heard him commit to a rethink at "the next fiscal statement" to a Labour MP who stood up before the Tory leader. When will the backtrack come into force? And does this alleviate pressure on the Treasury on benefits - or just ramp it up? We speak to the Labour backbencher Brian Leishman, who wants to see his leader go further and faster. And ahead of a major shakeup in our prisons and justice system - does the government want to reduce prisoner numbers out or principle, or is it just a result of a system on its knees? Aggie Chambre has the exclusive.The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal -> https://nordvpn.com/thenewsagents Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee

21 Touko 38min

The frustration in Keir Starmer's voice was palpable. He’s joined forces with France and Canada to pressure Israel to stop the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Gaza. How far are these leaders prepared to go? And will Trump support them? Later, what is the political fallout from the EU trade deal? And what would the Lib Dem’s do differently? We hear from Ed Davey on Brexit, Nick Clegg and his new book “Why I care“.The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal -> https://nordvpn.com/thenewsagents Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee

20 Touko 41min

Late on Friday, the Newsagents learnt that Gary Lineker could part ways with the BBC as soon as Monday. On today’s episode we piece together the conversations that explain the timing, and ask where it leaves both parties. More widely, do the BBC rules work when it comes to talent tweeting? And was this relationship already over? Later, the big EU - UK reset has provoked a lot of white flag rhetoric of surrender and defeat. But 8 years on from Brexit, might the problem really be that the government hasn’t been braver in terms of jump starting our economy?And we look at the rumours of a cover up as Joe Biden announces his cancer diagnosis.The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal -> https://nordvpn.com/thenewsagents Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee

19 Touko 37min

Jon and Lewis are back for a second News Agents live Q&A taking your questions. In the week of the PM's "island of strangers" speech, they discuss why some voters feel "hoodwinked" by Keir Starmer's government, who in Labour ranks is in prime position to succeed him when the moment arrives, and whether the media is responsible for the spike in Reform's poll numbers - or if liberals need to figure out a better way to take the fight to the populist right. They also reveal the weirdest places they have been sent on assignment...The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal -> https://nordvpn.com/thenewsagents Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee

16 Touko 41min