Political Fix3 Apr 2024

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 Johnson’s energetic pledge to revitalise struggling communities outside the south-east. It was a seismic shock to Britain’s political landscape but can the Tories hold on to these seats in May’s local and mayoral elections and in an upcoming general election? Host Lucy Fisher, the FT’s Whitehall editor, discusses with colleagues Jim Pickard and Stephen Bush, and is joined by Luke Tryl, the UK director of More in Common, a strategy and communications consultancy focused on explaining public opinion to policymakers.

Want more? Free links:

Will the ‘red wall’ reshape British politics again?

UK’s electoral landscape swings into volatility

Only 10% of UK levelling up funds spent, say MPs

Sketchy Politics: can anything save Sunak?

Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher

Sign up here for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award.

Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Audrey Tinline with Leah Qiunn. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.

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(602)

Farage in a fix; Burnham unbeatable

Is Nigel Farage regretting his move to trigger a by-election now that his main rival is the novelty candidate Count Binface? What do Reform’s supporters think, and has he blown his chances of broadeni...

10 Juli 35min

Nigel Farage tries to ‘take back control’

Has Nigel Farage played his trump card by announcing that he will resign as MP for Clacton and fight a by-election there, or will the move backfire? After mounting pressure over donations from wealthy...

7 Juli 16min

Power to the North: Burnham’s big idea

Andy Burnham’s big idea for government is to shift power out of Westminster. In his first major speech setting out his plans for government, he outlined his vision this week for a No 10 North and to d...

3 Juli 43min

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