Political Fix12 Dec 2025

Political Fix Live: Labour’s year in review

It’s been another turbulent year in politics. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has faced down rebellions from within his own party, overseen scandals and sackings, and delivered a constant barrage of bad news from health and housing to small boats and the Budget. He’s fared a little better on the world stage – with successful state visits, securing a comparatively competitive trade deal with Trump, as well as a tentative rapprochement with Europe. But with every international success, Starmer’s standing domestically seems to diminish: he ends the year, on some measures, as the most unpopular PM ever.

In this special live episode of Political Fix, host George Parker is joined by Anna Gross, Stephen Bush and Chris Giles to analyse how the Labour party got here – and where it goes next.

Follow George on @georgewparker.bsky.social; Stephen on @stephenkb.bsky.social; and Chris on @chrisgiles.ft.com

Political Fix has been nominated for a People’s Choice Award at the Political Podcast Awards. Vote for us here.

Want more? Free links:

Return to EU customs union would ‘unravel’ UK trade deals, Starmer warns

Inside Politics: Neither Keir Starmer nor Kemi Badenoch wants to reverse Brexit

Nigel Farage rejects allegations of teenage racist abuse

Wes Streeting calls for better ‘storytelling’ from Starmer’s ‘technocratic’ government

Chris Giles: Why UK borrowing costs are so high

George and Anna’s FT scoop on Labour’s tax U-turn

Presented by George Parker, and produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. Our broadcast engineers this week were Bianca Wakeman, Petros Gioumpasis and Andrew Georgiades. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Manuela Saragosa.

What did you think of this episode? Let us know at politicalfix@ft.com

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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

Det här avsnittet är hämtat från ett öppet RSS-flöde och publiceras inte av Podme. Det kan innehålla reklam.

Avsnitt(599)

Live special: Ten years after Brexit

Ten years ago, the UK voted in a referendum to leave the EU. Since that Brexit vote, the country has been through six prime ministers, the political landscape has splintered, relations with the EU hav...

25 Juni 57min

Can anyone challenge Andy Burnham for PM?

Can any other Labour MP amass sufficient support to challenge Andy Burnham for the top job, or is his ascent to No 10 now all but assured? Just 24 hours after Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation as prime m...

23 Juni 35min

Exit Starmer, enter Burnham

With Andy Burnham sworn in as an MP and on track to become the UK’s seventh prime minister in 10 years after Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation today, host Lucy Fisher is joined by political editor George...

22 Juni 24min

Unseating Starmer: Burnham’s next move

Andy Burnham has stormed the Makerfield by-election, clearing the pathway for him to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the top job in Downing Street. Starmer has vowed to defend his position, but will Bu...

19 Juni 40min

Makerfield or bust: Burnham goes for broke

With a week to go until Makerfield heads to the polls in what may turn out to be the most consequential by-election in British history, host Lucy Fisher, northern England correspondent Jen Williams an...

12 Juni 45min

The Nowak murder: when tragedy meets politics

What began as a local tragedy in Southampton has quickly become a national flashpoint. Questions about policing and trust in UK institutions are dominating the debate, as party leaders compete to shap...

5 Juni 45min

Should Labour heed Tony Blair?

Tony Blair’s lengthy – and excoriating – 5,600-word essay on the future of the Labour Party and Britain has set Westminster alight this week. The former prime minister's critique has sparked a lively ...

29 Maj 38min

Game on: All eyes on Makerfield by-election

Andy Burnham running for the Makerfield by-election has become far more than a contest for a safe Labour seat. It is being seen as a proxy battle over Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership, Labour’s direction...

22 Maj 45min