Starmer in a spin as the ‘Dark Lord’ bites the dust
Political Fix12 Sep 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.

Episoder(579)

Momentum for Brexit and fixing migration in the U.K.

Momentum for Brexit and fixing migration in the U.K.

With Martin Wolf, Janan Ganesh and Lisa Pollack from the Financial Times - plus Labour commentator Ayesha Hazarika. Presented by Sebastian Payne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inform...

4 Jun 201623min

Immigration vs. economics

Immigration vs. economics

With Jim Pickard, Robert Shrimsley and John Burn-Murdoch from the Financial Times, plus Matt Singh from Number Crunch Politics. Presented by Sebastian Payne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...

27 Mai 201626min

US election countdown: Emailgate returns, and Sanders continues to fight

US election countdown: Emailgate returns, and Sanders continues to fight

Will another report criticising Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server haunt her presidential campaign? Why is Bernie Sanders sticking out the rest of the Democratic race? The FT's Demetri Se...

26 Mai 201611min

The Queen's Speech and Borismania

The Queen's Speech and Borismania

With George Parker, Gideon Rachman, Henry Mance and James Blitz of the Financial Times. Presented by Sebastian Payne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

21 Mai 201624min

US election countdown: Can Donald Trump get the female vote?

US election countdown: Can Donald Trump get the female vote?

How will Donald Trump's treatment of women affect his race to the White House? Will the Republican establishment come around on their candidate now that he has agreed to joint fundraising efforts with...

19 Mai 201611min

Week two of the EU referendum campaign

Week two of the EU referendum campaign

With Sarah Gordon, Jonathan Ford and James Blitz from the Financial Times, plus political commentator Iain Martin. Presented by Sebastian Payne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informa...

14 Mai 201623min

US election countdown: Trump and the GOP attempt to make nice

US election countdown: Trump and the GOP attempt to make nice

What will it take for House speaker Paul Ryan and the Republican establishment to fully endorse Donald Trump? How will Hillary Clinton tackle Mr Trump's wavering policies in the general election? The ...

12 Mai 201611min

2016 local and regional elections special

2016 local and regional elections special

With the FT's George Parker, Philip Stephens and Jim Pickard, plus Labour commentator John McTernan. Presented by Sebastian Payne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

6 Mai 201626min

Populært innen Politikk og nyheter

giver-og-gjengen-vg
aftenpodden
forklart
popradet
aftenpodden-usa
stopp-verden
lydartikler-fra-aftenposten
rss-gukild-johaug
det-store-bildet
fotballpodden-2
i-retten
dine-penger-pengeradet
rss-ness
nokon-ma-ga
aftenbla-bla
hanna-de-heldige
frokostshowet-pa-p5
rss-penger-polser-og-politikk
bt-dokumentar-2
rss-dannet-uten-piano