Guardian Politics Weekly

Politics Weekly

Political analysis from the Guardian and Observer's top journalists and commentators.
English United Kingdom News
637 Episodes
280 – 300

Senate Democrats fail to pass voting rights bill: Politics Weekly Extra

As Joe Biden marks his first year in the White House, Democrats will be reeling from their loss to Republicans in the Senate, after Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema chose to let an important voting rights bill fail over a technicality. The Freedom to Vote: John R Lewis Act would…
20 Jan 2022 26 min

Should he stay or should he go? Politics Weekly podcast

After a chaotic prime minister’s questions on Wednesday, rumours circulated about which Tories were sending in letters of no confidence about Boris Johnson, and which were taking them back. Jessica Elgot and Polly Toynbee look at what lies ahead for the PM. Plus, Stewart Wood and Sonia Khan on the…
19 Jan 2022 29 min

Is the United States heading for civil war? Politics Weekly Extra

Jonathan Freedland speaks to Barbara Walter, a former CIA adviser, about her new book about how civil wars start, and what politicians and the public should be doing to prevent another one in the US. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
13 Jan 2022 23 min

Is Boris Johnson now a ‘dead man walking’?: Politics Weekly podcast

As the prime minister finally apologises (sort of) for a lockdown party at Downing Street, Heather Stewart and Gaby Hinsliff look what the future holds for Boris Johnson. Plus, Peter Walker, Larry Elliott and Miatta Fahnbulleh discuss the impending cost of living crisis.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
12 Jan 2022 28 min

Ministers struggle to combat Omicron: Politics Weekly podcast

Rowena Mason and Sonia Sodha look at the problems facing the NHS and schools, as the government lifts some restrictions. Plus, Peter Walker, Jon Henley and Severin Carrell look at how Westminster’s Covid-19 plan differs from the rest of the UK and Europe.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
5 Jan 2022 32 min

Will Johnson survive as prime minister in 2022? Politics Weekly podcast

Scandals were rampant throughout the halls of parliament in 2021, with sleaze, affairs, party leadership tussles, and lockdown parties at No 10 Downing Street. So what should we expect from UK politics next year? Jessica Elgot, Heather Stewart and Rafael Behr make their predictions. Help support our independent journalism at…
22 Dec 2021 27 min

Boris Johnson’s most humiliating rebellion yet: Politics Weekly podcast

Rowena Mason and Peter Walker look at what’s behind the revolt within the prime minister’s own party and how damaging it could be to his leadership. Plus: Aubrey Allegretti and Patrick Wintour wonder if Liz Truss would be the one to succeed Johnson if there was a vacancy. Help support…
15 Dec 2021 29 min

Why Georgia is a battleground state to watch: Politics Weekly Extra

A week after Stacey Abrams announced she was running for Georgia governor again, Jonathan Freedland speaks to Oliver Laughland about why the southern state is shaping up to be one of the most interesting to pay attention to for the 2022 midterm elections. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
9 Dec 2021 27 min

Johnson exposed in Christmas party scandal: Politics Weekly podcast

Rowena Mason and Zoe Williams look at the potential consequences of the bombshell video that has thrown doubt on Boris Johnson’s repeated denials that there was a Christmas party at No 10 last year. Plus: Aubrey Allegretti, Peter Walker and Jessica Elgot look at what the byelections tell us about…
8 Dec 2021 33 min

Republicans accused of Islamophobia? Politics Weekly Extra

Rep Lauren Boebert was recently filmed saying she experienced a ‘Jihad squad’ moment with the Muslim Rep Ilhan Omar. The party leadership hasn’t rebuked her, and some colleagues are defending her words. This week Jonathan Freedland speaks to Dr Abdul El-Sayed about Islamophobia in American politics. Help support our independent…
2 Dec 2021 25 min

Boris Johnson’s battle to save Christmas: Politics Weekly podcast

As the PM contradicts his own scientists, Jessica Elgot and Gaby Hinsliff discuss the government’s response to the new Covid-19 Omicron variant. Plus: is Keir Starmer’s new shadow cabinet an election-winning Labour team? Starmer’s former director of communications Ben Nunn gives us his take in an exclusive first interview since…
1 Dec 2021 29 min

Can the Republican party escape Trump? Politics Weekly Extra

This month, 13 House Republicans crossed party lines and voted in favour of Joe Biden’s infrastructure bill. This prompted anger from colleagues, voters and the former president Donald Trump. And the Republican leadership was slow to jump to their defence. Jonathan Freedland and Tara Setmayer discuss what this says about…
25 Nov 2021 22 min

Has Boris Johnson lost his grip? Politics Weekly podcast

Heather Stewart and Polly Toynbee discuss the government’s narrowly approved social care plan and Boris Johnson’s bizarre CBI speech. Plus: can Priti Patel solve the issue of Channel crossings? Rowena Mason is joined by Rajeev Syal and Sunder Katwala. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
24 Nov 2021 25 min

Is Kamala Harris being shunned by the US president? Politics Weekly Extra

After reports came out suggesting the vice-president was being underused, the White House came to her defence at the weekend. Jonathan Freedland and Lauren Gambino discuss the various rumours shrouding Biden and Harris’ relationship. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
18 Nov 2021 24 min

‘A coward not a leader’: Politics Weekly podcast

As row over MPs’ second jobs escalates, the Conservative party’s sleaze scandal is not going away. Jessica Elgot and Rafael Behr assess how damaging this could get for the Tories. Plus: the Guardian’s sketch writer John Crace on writing satire during a year of chaos in Westminster. Help support our…
17 Nov 2021 26 min
280 – 300