Political Currency

Ed Balls and George Osborne hear from former BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg, who asks them to reflect on their biggest regrets in politics. It turns out that both have the same issue that nags at them after all of these years.

An expat in Germany wonders why debates around Freedom of Movement in the UK focuses so much on immigration rather than on emigration. Ed and George discuss whether it is viewed as a one way street, its implications for Brexit, and the similarities and differences vis-a-vis the German framing of this issue.

They also discuss their experiences of unauthorised leaks, with both having accidentally informed a front page splash, and whether Michael Gove’s reputation as a serial leaker is well earned. And they conclude with a question from Katie Prescott, Technology Business Editor at The Times, who asks about selling the benefits of data centres to the public.

We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency.co.uk and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles:

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Credits:

Production: Sam Burton

Producer: Jarek Zaba

Video Editor: Louis Norris & Sam Gruet

Executive Producer: Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

The midterms were an enormous rejection of Donald Trump’s Republicans – but what are the lessons to be learned, in the US and closer to home? Ed Balls and George Osborne unpack the implications of the ‘blue tsunami’, asking whether analysis that pins it entirely on the cost of living and Iran are too narrow. They also question whether they represent an opportunity or a threat for Andy Burnham.

A week on from the budget, the Treasury can breathe a sigh of relief after a lack of major backlash, but when does the prime minister have to start making unpopular decisions? And is he opening a Pandora’s box with Europe?

Over in the Caribbean, King Charles has expressed sorrow for the transatlantic slave trade but has stopped short of a full apology. Ed and George discuss the history of formal state apologies, and why Commonwealth nations may be demanding one now.

We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency.co.uk and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles:

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Credits:

Production: Sam Burton

Producer: Jarek Zaba

Video Editor: Louis Norris & Sam Gruet

Executive Producer: Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

Sunday Times political editor Ben Riley-Smith asks Ed Balls and George Osborne a question on this week’s EMQs, off the back of his Andy Burnham profile interview. Can the prime minister win the argument on free movement, either at a referendum or General Election? The pair are sceptical, conceding it could be done but pose massive risks to the Labour coalition.

Then, the hymns chat inspires a flurry of questions. One, from Ed’s former Treasury colleague, on why obscure hymns are chosen. Another leads into a question about charity trustees. The final, on what it takes to be a qualified chancellor.

Finally, CEO of Crisis, Matt Downie, asks how Andy Burnham can fulfill his pledge to eradicate rough sleeping. Ed and George explain the complexities of it, compared to the New Labour era, and Ed gets a call from a former PM during the discussion…

We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency.co.uk and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles:

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Credits:

Production: Sam Burton

Producer: Caillin McDaid

Video Editor: Oliver Geraghty, Louis Norris &Sam Gruet

Executive Producer: Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

The Budget is over, and John Healey may want you to forget about it already. That’s what Ed Balls and George Osborne debate on this week’s episode, where they interrogate whether this Budget was biding time until an election or a sign that the Burnham government is even more hemmed in than previously thought. Will they go early and risk losing their majority? Or are they going to whittle through with a manifesto and global environment that makes big changes near impossible?

While the Budget should have been this week’s big story, Andy Burnham himself stole the spotlight by further indicating he wanted back in the EU. Is he flying kites and testing the ground for the next election? Or, is this vibes based comms strategy authentic Burnham? If so, will it backfire in a crisis? George argues it leaves him open to parody, while Ed believes Burnham cannot only communicate through social media.

Finally, they turn to the king of vibes: Donald Trump. The midterms are days away, and it’s set to be a bruising result for the Republicans if polls are to be believed. With Trump spending the last week of campaigning feuding with Obama, are the last two years of his Presidency set to be a deadlock? George argues this could benefit Republicans in 2028, while Ed suggests the next Democrat candidate may emerge next week.

We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency.co.uk and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles:

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Credits:

Production: Sam Burton

Producer: Caillin McDaid

Video Editor: Oliver Geraghty, Louis Norris &Sam Gruet

Executive Producer: Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

Ed and George went live this afternoon to give their Hot Take on John Healey’s Budget. They concluded the new chancellor was comfortable in his style, but the substance was not there.

George declares it an inconsequential Budget, and wonders if Healey’s plan is to do nothing. Ed speculates if this looks like a pre-election Budget.

We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles:

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Credits:

Production: Sam Burton

Producer: Caillin McDaid

Video Editor: Oliver Geraghty

Executive Producer: Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

After the great response to Ed Balls’ scepticism on Burnham trying to rejoin the EU, former Labour MP Gloria De Piero got in touch. She asks Ed and George Osborne just how they would make the case for rejoining, to their former constituents. With Gloria’s seat now held by Lee Anderson, it’s clear that the case in some leave voting areas will be a hard one to make…

Then, Times writer and former Spectator editor Fraser Nelson asks if the political costs of welfare cuts outweigh their benefits. George explains how it was the right, not the left, who prevented him making greater cuts while in office. Ed cautions that for the Milburn reforms to work, a careful line will have to be taken by the government.

Roads minister Justin Madders then attempts to correct George on the situation surrounding driving tests and takes a trip down memory lane. He was the Labour candidate against George in 2005 and asks if any candidates the pair beat in elections went on to great or surprising things. Ed recalls he beat one Andy Burnham in the 2010 Labour leadership race…

Finally, off the back of their angelic renditions of hymns last week, a listener submits a favourite hymn of their own, and shares a story of a young George Osborne encountering a future Labour cabinet minister…

We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency.co.uk and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles:

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Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.

Credits:

Production: Sam Burton

Producer: Caillin McDaid

Video Editor: Louis Norris &Sam Gruet

Executive Producer: Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

The Budget is less than a week away, and the pressure is on for Andy Burnham and John Healey to deliver. Ed Balls and George Osborne debate whether the right moves are being taken for the new chancellor’s first budget, or if the bold rhetoric from the PM will not be matched by what is set to be a small Budget.

George is in Paris this week, days after the media was dominated by scenes of rioting across France. What impact will these events have on the forthcoming Presidential election? Does it shore things up for Le Pen on the far right? How is it impacting Europe more broadly? Will it complicate Burnham’s position in the forthcoming EU summit?

Finally, the scenes in France last weekend are not unheard of in Britain.The Brixton riots in 1981, fuel protests in 2000, and the London riots in 2011. Ed and George were in government for the latter two, and know what it’s like to be in the room for these moments of high tension on the streets. How should a government react in these moments? Should the PM get directly involved? Can you address the concerns of rioters without being seen to capitulate?

We’re going LIVE next Wednesday at 3pm, on YouTube, to give our Hot Take on the Budget, so make sure to stay tuned for more information on that.

We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency.co.uk and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles:

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Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:

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Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.

Credits:

Production: Sam Burton

Producer: Caillin McDaid

Video Editor: Louis Norris &Sam Gruet

Executive Producer: Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

Author Philip Delves Broughton asks Ed Balls and George Osborne whether Britain could survive an energy shock like the 1973–74 oil crisis, which ended with a three-day week and the fall of the Heath government. George warns of voters blaming the government while Ed argues that the real danger, like in the ‘70s, is the energy shock landing alongside other collapsing post-war assumptions.

They then debate who is more of a gym bro, and reveal which politicians are the most ripped. Ed shares Gordon Brown’s fitness regime as chancellor, while George reveals an unexpected training partner - David Beckham!

A listener challenges Ed and George’s stance on Kemi Badenoch's proposed inheritance tax. As a divorced mum in a modest home in the South East, she explains why the tax isn’t just for the wealthy.

Finally, off the back of Ed attending the 100th anniversary of the BBC broadcasting Choral Evensong, the pair share their favourite hymns and choral music. They even perform a few renditions of their own…

Make sure to listen to Bridget Phillipson on Dig It with Jo Whiley and Zoe Ball, alongside Mariella Frostrup, here:

👉 EXCLUSIVE Bridget Phillipson MP & Mariella Frostrup: Menopause, Misogyny & Missing School

We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency.co.uk and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles:

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Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:

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Credits:

Production: Sam Burton & Annie Ackerman

Producer: Caillin McDaid

Video Editor: Oliver Geraghty &Sam Gruet

Executive Producer: Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

International politics can disrupt the best laid plans of any government, and this week was no different. Ed Balls and George Osborne delve into a week that has been dominated by the war in Ukraine, and how Andy Burnham has chosen to navigate it. Donald Trump has made a deal with Russia on diesel, which Zelenskyy said was a betrayal. Burnham has to walk a careful line to side with Ukraine, but not anger the President. Has his diplomacy worked?

An attack in Saudi Arabia at the weekend only highlights how precarious the whole Middle East is, which draws attention back to the price of oil. This is a tough background for John Healey, with the budget less than two weeks away. Healey is attempting to spin the positive message, but is this the right strategy? Ed feels the messaging needs to be tough, and that selling hope won’t help with heating costs.

Of course, one way to counterattack the challenges Healey and Burnham face with growth is establishing closer ties to Europe. Burnham has continued to make those gestures this week, while also suggesting Russia interfered with the results of the EU referendum. After revising and walking back the statement all week, this is the latest in a series of off the cuff remarks from the PM. Is he going for a Trumpian approach of speaking freely? Is this the right approach for a British leader? Can Andy be Andy, without needing to issue so many corrections?

We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency.co.uk and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles:

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Credits:

Production: Sam Burton & Annie Ackerman

Producer: Caillin McDaid

Video Editor: Oliver Geraghty &Sam Gruet

Executive Producer: Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

Money saving expert Martin Lewis sends in a question for Ed Balls and George Osborne this week, all about the tiny fixes. He tasks the pair with contributing to his new Small Ideas Initiative, proposing their own solutions to the most annoying problems in Britain. Ed goes for football tickets, while George hits on driving tests.

They then turn to a former FT colleague of Ed’s, who asks whether the biggest decisions a chancellor makes happens between budgets. They weigh up the case for and against this, hitting on some of the biggest economic moments in recent decades.

A fan from Instagram then asks if Andy Burnham has failed the Makerfield test, with George feeling his constituents wouldn’t be taken by PR or rejoining the EU. Fellow podcaster Abbie Bennington then asks them about wine and Brexit, off the back of George appearing on her show.

Finally, they reveal their experience with war gaming. How much does the government prepare for the worst? Does it work in the end? Ed reveals one instance that left the government much more prepared for the financial crisis than they otherwise would have been…

Make sure to listen to George’s appearance on Vintage Politics here:

👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/george-osborne-candid-conversations-on-brexit-ai-the/id1881977789?i=1000793761417

We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency.co.uk and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles:

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Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:

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Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.

Credits:

Production: Sam Burton

Producer: Caillin McDaid

Video Editor: Louis Norris &Sam Gruet

Executive Producer: Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

Party conference season is over, and it went out with a bang. The Greens have been engulfed by controversy over Zionism, and the Tories have been repositioning as the leading party on the right. Ed Balls and George Osborne delve into what the troubles for the Greens means for Labour, who now couldn’t do a deal in the event of a hung parliament. George argues the Greens are now diminished post-Starmer, and have lost their purpose amidst various controversies.

Fortunes are higher for the Tories, with Kemi Badenoch cementing her control over the party. The pair praise their mock Bayeux Tapestry, and their sense of confidence, and the new strategy Badenoch has taken on Reform. With Burnham moving back the 70s in his rhetoric, they observe that Badenoch will feel comfortable fighting the next election on a Thatcherite economic message.

Finally, prompted by the new book ‘Generation Maybe’, the pair touch on the declining birth rate worldwide. The book is written by Camilla Cavendish, ex-Cameron policy adviser and colleague of Ed’s at Harvard, and looks at this tough area with no easy answers. Is it the government's place to act on this issue? Do measures tackling the birth rate ever really succeed?

If you want to read Ed’s new Harvard paper on AI in policymaking, you can find the link here:

👉 Exploring the Role and Limitations of Generative AI in Policymaking: Initial Findings and Next Steps

We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency.co.uk and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles:

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Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:

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Credits:

Production: Sam Burton

Producer: Caillin McDaid

Video Editor: Louis Norris &Sam Gruet

Executive Producer: Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

A questioner from Instagram takes Ed Balls and George Osborne back 20 years in this week’s EMQs, reminiscing on fringe events at party conferences that drew no audience. They reflect on how to handle hosting a sparsely attended event, and the awkwardness George got into when asked a question about his childhood.

Natalie Livingstone, author of the new book The Nuremberg Women, then asks how we can ensure young people continue to learn about the Holocaust and Nuremberg trials. The pair share the importance of incorporating the Holocaust into the curriculum. George also informs Ed of a viral TikTok on the price of coffee at Auschwitz.

A fan from YouTube then proposes a star chamber of ex-chancellors & economists as a measure John Healey should take. George explains how he did something similar whilst in No. 11, but why it shouldn’t be a public group.

Finally, the pair recall impromptu run-ins with famous people, which spurs Ed to explain how he played football with the captain of the England team, and how George introduced Boris Johnson to Monica Lewinsky…

We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles:

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Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:

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Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.

Credits:

Production: Sam Burton & Nina Marinkovic

Producer: Caillin McDaid

Video Editor: Louis Norris &Sam Gruet

Executive Producer: Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

The dust has settled on Andy Burnham’s conference speech, and the verdict is positive. However, there are lingering questions. Ed Balls and George Osborne, fresh off their Hot Take, set out to answer the most pressing ones. Is the PM moving too early on the triple lock? Has the National Care Service been thought through? Should he be taking inspiration from George on Brexit? Does all of this play into Reform’s hands?

The Tories will be laying the groundwork for their conference this weekend, with Kemi Badenoch attempting to rain on Burnham’s parade. But can she? George lays out the tough position she’s in, with no clear lane for the party to stake out, she still risks being outflanked by both Labour and Reform. Can she create a strong position on the economy, the EU, and immigration? Or will the message to voters be ‘vote Tory, get Farage’.

Finally, the beginning of the week was dominated by the uncertain headlines surrounding the potential attack on RAF Fairford. But what actually happened? Is this part of a larger proxy war, with states like Russia and Iran targeting Europe? How should Britain respond? Is Wes Streeting right to say we’re closer to war with Russia than any point in the last 50 years?

We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles:

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Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:

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Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.

Credits:

Production: Sam Burton and Nina Marinkovic

Producer: Caillin McDaid

Video Editor: Louis Norris &Sam Gruet

Executive Producer: Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

Andy Burnham’s first Labour conference speech was pitched as a break from your standard conference speech, but did it deliver? Ed Balls and George Osborne went live earlier this afternoon to give their verdict on the speech.

How will reform of the triple lock work? Has he sewn up a coalition with the Lib Dems? Is his social care plan too ambitious? All of this and more is answered on this Hot Take episode.

We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles:

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Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:

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Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.

Credits:

Production: Sam Burton

Producer: Caillin McDaid

Video Editor: Louis Norris & Oliver Geraghty

Executive Producer: Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

In a star studded edition of EMQs, Sky News political editor, and rival podcaster, Beth Rigby asks Ed Balls and George Osborne for their biggest party conference cock-ups over the years. George takes us behind the scenes and back to 2007 to a moment that could have ended his and David Cameron’s careers, while Ed recounts the moment that changed British political history.

Labour’s party Chair, Bridget Phillipson, asks a more upbeat conference themed question: Which are Ed and George’s favourite speeches? This takes them from Thatcher’s triumphant defence of her policy in 1980, to Tony Blair in the wake of 9/11.

Elsewhere they discuss measures to combat inflation and the far-right in France working with Reform. Plus ex-MP Robert Buckland asks if a decisive win for Labour, in the Holborn and St. Pancras by-election, could prompt Andy Burnham to call an early election.

We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency.co.uk and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles:

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Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:

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Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.

Credits:

Production: Sam Burton

Producer: Caillin McDaid

Video Editor:Louis Norris & Oliver Geraghty

Executive Producer: Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

Andy Burnham has finally met Donald Trump, and George Osborne concludes it went as well as it possibly could. He and Ed Balls delve into the two leaders’ meeting in New York this week, and just how Britain navigates the rising tensions around AI in the wake of Australia’s health data breach. George also proposes Trump’s meeting with President Xi could be the start of a global consensus forming on AI regulation.

The walls could close in very quickly on Trump, however, as we race towards the midterms in November. Heavy losses could see him lose both chambers of Congress, and render his last two years in office a lame duck. The pair cast ahead to some key races, including a potential future President in Jon Ossoff.

While fortunes are rising for the US Democrats, the Liberal Democrats are in a tough spot. Their party conference was overshadowed by Royal controversy, and increased pressure on Ed Davey. Is his strategy working? Would a Charles Kennedy-esque leader make a bigger impact? How prepared are they for a coalition after the next election?

We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency.co.uk and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles:

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Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:

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Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.

Credits:

Production: Sam Burton

Producer: Caillin McDaid

Video Editor: Louis Norris & Oliver Geraghty

Executive Producer: Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

How do you unite leaders to come together and work for a common goal? Tom Fletcher, who works for the UN on Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief, asks this very question to Ed Balls and George Osborne on this week’s EMQs. As part of the Be Hope podcast takeover, Tom asks the pair how to make a global philanthropic message land in a divided, economically challenged world. 

Off the back of Ed’s reminiscence about Dolly Parton, someone from Dollywood corrects the record on the civil service’s more pessimistic view of the Imagination Library. She details just how effective the initiative has been and explains the impact it has had on children’s lives.

An Israeli listener then questions George on his comments on how some British Jews are reacting to the sanctioning of West Bank settlements. Ed and George debate the challenge of navigating criticism of the Israeli government amidst rising anti-semitism.  

Ed’s King’s College colleague, Nick Butler, then asks how the Burnham government can continually delay a decision on North Sea drilling and if it is really all part of a play to win over Green voters.

Finally, the music of Centrist Dad inspired a listener to ask when music has had a real impact on politics. This takes the pair from the French Revolution all the way to Britain joining the EU…

This episode is part of the BE HOPE Podcast Takeover, bringing podcasts around the

world together to explore the theme of hope and how we can continue to make progress

in a rapidly changing world.

We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question or send a question to our social media handles:

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Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:

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Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.

Credits:

Production: Sam Burton

Producer: Caillin McDaid 

Video Editor: Sam Gruet

Executive Producer: Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

The budget crunch is on for Andy Burnham’s new government, with Ed Balls and George Osborne warning that the economic outlook has got much worse from when the new PM entered No. 10. The Fed raising interest rates, and the Bank of England likely to follow this autumn, create a stark picture for Burnham and John Healey. George reports a lack of confidence internationally, and wonders if the honeymoon period has been wasted.

George is just back from Canada, and reports on the confidence stirred up by their PM Mark Carney. Carney has just met Burnham, and is in talks to join the EU as a new associate member. What lessons should Burnham draw from Carney? Will closer ties to the EU place pressure on Burnham to follow? 

And finally, are we heading for an AI apocalypse? Warning shots were fired last week, from an ex-Anthropic employee, with a 10% chance of humanity being extinct in a decade. George pours some cold water on this, but the pair agree the pressure is on to regulate this rapidly accelerating tech. How can governments regulate without losing their edge to China? Should Burnham follow in Sunak’s footsteps as a leader in this area? Is AI the biggest threat to humanity since the atomic bomb?

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Credits:

Production: Sam Burton

Producer: Caillin McDaid 

Video Editor: Sam Gruet

Executive Producer: Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

Veteran journalist John Sweeney starts this week’s EMQs asking Ed Balls and George Osborne why Farage falls out with all his mates. From Rupert Lowe right back to his Ukip days, the Clacton MP has a long list of former friends turned bitter enemies. Is this part of the grit needed to be a successful politician? Or are Farage’s interpersonal challenges stopping him from reaching No. 10?

Labour MP Jon Pearce, UK's special envoy for post-Holocaust issues, then asks about Britain’s role in Nazi Germany and how we stay honest about the past.  Ed speaks about his work with Eric Pickles, on  the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation, and how their work will help to share a true account of what Britain did and didn’t do throughout the ‘30s and ‘40s.

Two listeners take us back to the 2000s, with questions on the move away from regions and the Tories abandoning their green agenda. Why have cities become more appealing than regions, pushed by the likes of John Prescott, and why is Kemi Badenoch not following David Cameron’s ‘vote blue go green’ strategy? 

They’re also quizzed on who the last prime minister, before Andy Burnham, to go to Cambridge was, and why Oxford has produced so many more PMs. .

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Executive Producer: Henrietta Harrison

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

Foreign affairs took centre stage in British politics this week, with Andy Burnham finally showing where he stands. Ed Balls and George Osborne examine the shake-up in rhetoric to Israel/Gaza, but suggest the policy was already planned by the Starmer government. George wonders whether Ed Miliband’s tone was too populist, and whether this was all a play for uniting the left vote. Elsewhere, they examine rising tensions over the Falklands, and just how Burnham will navigate delicate relations with both Donald Trump and the EU.

The best laid economic plans can be thwarted by global events, and the pair warn that John Healey’s forthcoming coming - being billed early as a ‘boring’ budget - will be a hostage to fortune. George also questions Healey’s safe approach economically to Burnham's emphasis on a radical break, and how the two can co-exist long-term. 

Finally, the rise of the far-right AfD in Germany has seen a big advancement. The party came out on top in the Saxony-Anhalt state election at the weekend, and has put Chancellor Friedrich Merz under increased pressure. Will he be the German Keir Starmer? If so, what can Britain learn from this, as parties like Reform and Restore attempt to succeed with their own populist agenda.  

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Executive Producer: Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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Off the back of our preview of the Bayeux Tapestry, The Rest is History’s own Tom Holland asks Ed Balls and George Osborne about another significant English date: 926. The show is broadcast from inside the British Museum and Tom asks whether we should celebrate this date, commonly thought to be the beginning of England as we know it, and if so how?

Two listeners also ask about education;  one asks if we can achieve longstanding education reform through cross-party consensus and another seeks advice ahead of going to university in the coming weeks.

Renowned biographer of British premiers Anthony Seldon then asks if his latest subject, Rishi Sunak, will see his legacy rehabilitated over time like another Tory prime minister: John Major. The pair compare Sunak’s achievements to Major’s, and suggest how he can continue to make an impact in life after No. 10.

Finally, Sir Peter Wanless, a former colleague of Ed’s, reminisces on their meeting with Dolly Parton to ask what matters more: charisma or evidence. They also commemorate the success of her Imagination Library and get into a heated debate over her best song.

You can vote for Good Morning Britain in the National Television Awards here: https://www.nationaltvawards.com/vote 

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Producer: Caillin McDaid 

Video Editor: Louis Norris & Oliver Geraghty 

Executive Producer: Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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In this week’s episode, George Osborne and Ed Balls broadcast from the magnificent Bayeux Tapestry exhibition at the British Museum - the only podcast allowed in the space.   Joined by curator Michael Lewis, they discuss the dramatic diplomacy that saw the delicate masterpiece travel from France to Britain, the real story this 70 metre long tapestry tells and the parallels with politics today. 

They then turn from 1066 to 2026, with our new prime minister facing the Commons for the first time, they assess Burnham’s early premiership.  The pair praise his confidence in the role, but caution he has big challenges that could destabilise him; namely, early prison releases and a critical budget.

Finally, they do a health check on the major opposition parties. Can Zack Polanski take Keir Starmer’s old seat? Will Kemi Badenoch’s reshuffle cement the Tories as the main opposition? And, can Reform’s conference this weekend put an agonising summer of scandal behind them?

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Producer: Caillin McDaid 

Video Editor: Louis Norris & Oliver Geraghty 

Executive Producer: Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

In this policy focused edition of EMQs, Ed Balls and George Osborne are thinking about the big ideas to help solve Britain’s big issues. They first consider whether steps should be taken to offer tax incentives for having children, as countries like Hungary have done. Ed and George explain why this is an ineffective measure, but an important debate governments must get on top of sooner rather than later. 

Fellow podcaster Emily Dean and actor Sarah Hadland then ask the biggest questions: should there be dogs in Parliament? Should they have the vote? If yes, then what about cats!? This sends Ed and George down memory lane about various MPs and their own pets over the years within Westminster.

They then consider whether Andy Burnham should revive Rishi Sunak’s national service scheme, as a way of contending with the NEETs crisis brewing. They look at the pros and cons of national service, and other ways previous governments have addressed this issue. 

A Scottish listener queries whether the individual Secretaries of State for Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland are necessary given each nation has devolved parliaments. The pair explain this idea has been previously explored, but abandoned for very good reasons.

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Producer: Caillin McDaid

Video Editor: Sam Gruet

Executive Producer: Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

In our final special summer interview, George Osborne sits down with Amol Rajan as he leaves the Today Programme for a new venture. Amol gives George the scoop on his latest endeavour on YouTube and how he sees the media landscape shifting from his old stomping grounds of newspapers, radio, and television.

They reflect over his career, touching on rumours of feuds among the Today Programme hosts, to his upcoming role on Celebrity Traitors, and what it's like editing a newspaper in the age of social media. 

Amol gets into the very meaning of life with George, as they debate the impact AI will have on jobs, relationships, and podcasts like this one. They take it all the way back to Marx, before reflecting on the value of connections, which Amol will carry forward into his next undertaking.

Next week we’re back to our regular schedule, but with a twist. Ed and George will be back covering politics, but not from our Hoxton studio. We’ll be broadcasting from the British Museum with the Bayeux Tapestry. Stay tuned for that, you won’t want to miss it.

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Producer: Caillin McDaid

Video Editor: Oliver Geraghty 

Executive Producer: Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

For our third summer EMQs we’re returning to our What Ifs. Ed Balls and George Osborne first consider how Britain would change had they never entered politics? Would the Bank of England become independent? Would there be a Manchester mayoralty? Or, would it have had no impact?

What if George got the US Ambassador gig over Peter Mandelson? The pair consider how George would approach the job differently, blowback from within Labour, and whether Keir Starmer would still be in post without the controversy of Mandelson. 

They then go back in time to February 1974, where a hung Parliament saw Labour form a minority government. What if negotiations between the Conservatives and Liberals panned out? How long would this coalition survive? Would it stop Margaret Thatcher becoming PM? Who leads Labour after Harold Wilson? 

Finally, what if Labour were the largest party in 2015? If it’s a hung Parliament who do they go into coalition with? Can they work with the SNP? Does it stop Brexit? What happens with the Tories and UKIP?

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Production: Sam Burton

Producer: Caillin McDaid

Video Editor: Sam Gruet

Executive Producer: Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

The third of our exclusive summer interviews sees Ed Balls sit down with the former Chief of Staff for No. 10 Sue Gray. In her first major interview since her dramatic split from Keir Starmer’s team, she details the lead up to entering Downing Street and just where things went wrong. 

Gray explains how she tried to prepare Starmer’s team for government in 2023, where things went wrong at the beginning, and what it’s like to be on the receiving end of an internal briefing war. In this tense and emotional conversation, she shares her raw reflections two years on and why things were not working at the top of government.

Born in Tottenham to immigrant Irish parents, they also discuss her background, her meteoric rise through the civil service and what went on behind the scenes with her report into Partygate and the end of Boris Johnson. 

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Credits:

Production: Sam Burton & Nasreen Arain

Producer: Caillin McDaid

Video Editor: Sam Gruet

Executive Producer: Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

This week’s themed EMQs is all about America. Ed Balls and George Osborne reflect on their memories of the US from the Founding Fathers right through to Trump. They first consider whether the MAGA worldview is baked into American politics, particularly on an international level, and will affect things like NATO for decades to come.

Amol Rajan, from the Today Programme, then poses an idea for Andy Burnham to borrow from the sitting President: Trump Accounts. This harkens back to New Labour’s child trust funds, which George cut whilst chancellor. Could this idea work again in Britain? Or was there a reason it was disbanded under Cameron.

Finally, they delve into the What If realm: who is the best President there never was?  From the Kennedys, to Gore, to Hamilton, the pair reflect on the people who could have made the best impact in the White House. They also reflect on which previous Democratic President would have had the best chance of beating Trump in an election.

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Credits:

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Producer: Caillin McDaid 

Video Editor: Sam Gruet

Executive Producer: Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

Our second summer interview sees George Osborne sit down with the new Health Secretary and one of Labour’s most experienced ministers, Yvette Cooper. She was the first minister to take maternity leave and is of course George’s podcasting partner’s other half. They talk about her nearly 30 years as an MP, how politics has changed and what it was like being in cabinet with her husband Ed Balls. 

They also discuss her new brief, how she plans to tackle Britain’s social care crisis and her plans to prioritise families. She explains how Andy Burnham’s leadership style differs from Keir Starmer’s and why those differences contributed to the latter's struggles as prime minister.  

They delve into how she’s stayed at the top of Labour, across almost 30 years and the challenges keeping their family life private while being public figures. 

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Producer: Caillin McDaid 

Video Editor: Louis Norris

Executive Producer: Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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In this media themed episode of EMQs, Ed Balls and George Osborne dip into the archive of questions from the past year to put all things media and politics into the spotlight. Fellow podcasters Jane Garvey and Fi Glover send in a question to find out why there are no interviewers quite like Brian Walden anymore, and whether biographies assisted by AI should be labelled as such in future.

Ed and George then look to the past to get some inspiration for the future, with a listener asking which political biographies give us the best indication of just how history may rhyme in the coming years. They then name the best political journalists from their time in politics, and who left the biggest impact in the day to day of government.

Finally, the pair are challenged on whether podcasts like this one are what really doomed Keir Starmer. Was Ed saying how he would have done things differently too destabilising? Or, was the fall of the Starmer government inevitable no matter how much commentary there was?

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Producer: Caillin McDaid  

Video Editor: Sam Gruet

Executive Producer: Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

In the first of our summer interviews, Ed Balls sits down with Kemi Badenoch, leader of Conservative Party and Leader of the Opposition. The wide ranging interview begins with her Nigerian upbringing, coming to the UK at 16, and how that informs her immigration policy.

Badenoch also details just how different her Conservative party is from not only Labour and Reform, but also the party that lost the 2024 election. How has watching the fall of four Tory prime ministers shaped her leadership? And how does it stand apart from the ‘victim mentality of Farage and the left? 

She goes on to explain why the last Tory government didn’t grip the grooming gang issue, the build up to sacking Robert Jenrick, and her strategy to bring the Conservatives back to power at the next election.

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Producer: Caillin McDaid 

Video Editor: Oliver Geraghty

Executive Producer: Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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Grimsby MP Melanie Onn sends in a question for this week's EMQs, querying why George went straight to Grimsby as a challenge for devolution in a recent episode. The pair delve into challenges facing Andy Burnham’s devolution agenda, and how past governments have failed and succeeded in addressing these disparities.

A listener then poses a question: is Britain lazier than other countries? And, is that stalling our growth? George and Ed compare our outlook to work in comparison to superpowers like China or the US, as well as our European counterparts. George even tells a story of a pre-president Macron.

They reminisce on Labour’s final shadow cabinet elections, and the heavyweights elected, their biggest sliding door moments, and why the left seemingly has a monopoly on climate issues. 

Look forward to our summer interviews beginning on Thursday, where Ed speaks to Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, and even asks her about climate issues. Look forward to more interviews throughout August, as well as special themed EMQs.

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Production: Sam Burton & Nasreen Arain

Producer: Caillin McDaid 

Video Editor: Sam Gruet

Executive Producer: Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

Week two of the Andy Burnham premiership has come with a honeymoon and polling bounce. Ed Balls and George Osborne look at how he’s returned to a more collaborative approach with his cabinet, and the comms strategy which has seen pork scratchings become an international talking point. But what bigger political strategy is Burnham building? Despite protestations, is he still weighing up a General Election while his opponents are down?

George felt many of Burnham’s initial policies were ‘small beer’ and lacked a big feeling. That wasn't the case this week with massive reforms to education and social care brought forward by the PM. But can they succeed? Both have been issues for successive governments, yet never solved. They caution that social care will be difficult to build without a strong narrative, and true cross-party consensus.

Finally, as always, the buck still stops with the US. With new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh announcing no change to interest rates yesterday, it raises the question on how much the cost of living can improve in the US or UK. It also calls into question just what kind of Fed chair Warsh will be. Is he going to be too dovish? Or will he live up to his previous rhetoric?

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Credits:

Production: Sam Burton & Nasreen Arain

Producer: Caillin McDaid 

Video Editor: Sam Gruet

Executive Producer: Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard is our first questioner on this week’s EMQs, asking whether other MPs will follow in Andy Burnham’s footsteps and leave Westminster to become mayors. Ed Balls and George Osborne speak about the career opportunities that could come with these positions and how they can uniquely prepare you for No. 10 more than any cabinet role can.

A civil servant then enquires why Burnham’s reshuffle took so long, and what MPs are thinking during the tense hours that follow one. Ed recounts his own anxiety when first entering government, while George explains the complications in moving ministers who are not keen for new jobs and how governments stop the house of cards from toppling. 

They also give advice on how to pick the right college at Oxford, recalling their own time at school. The pair then reflect on the behind the scenes debates that led to the vote for equal marriage in 2013, with George venting long held frustrations at some MPs for their opposition... 

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Credits:

Research: Sam Burton

Producer: Caillin McDaid

Video Editor: Sam Gruet

Executive Producer: Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

A new dawn has broken, with the Andy Burnham premiership finally beginning. Ed Balls and George Osborne dive deep into the packed first week of PM Burnham, from his first words at Downing Street, to his massive reshuffle, and initial policy announcements. Is he being too ambitious out of the gate? Can he do politics differently? Will this really be a circuit breaker for Britain?

The big surprise of Burnham’s cabinet is also the biggest role: Chancellor John Healey. Why did he go for the ex-defence secretary rather than presumed frontrunners Ed Miliband or Shabana Mahmood? Ed and George recall their own memories of Healey to assess whether he will be a creature of the Treasury or make the Treasury his creature. They also speculate whether these initial announcements could lay the groundwork for an Autumn election…

Finally, despite the best efforts of the new PM and chancellor, global conflicts will determine what they can do. With the situation in Iran heating up once more, how will Burnham respond to foreign dilemmas? Is appointing Ed Miliband a canny move or will it spark new conflict with the Trump White House? 

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Credits:

Research: Sam Burton

Producer: Caillin McDaid

Video Editor: Sam Gruet

Executive Producer: Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

This week, Ed Balls and George Osborne hear from a current and former Member of Parliament. Former Tory minister Greg Clark asks if Andy Burnham’s pledge for ‘devolution in every postcode’ is attainable, while Starmer loyalist John Slinger puts forward his proposals for a ‘youth triple lock’ to improve prospects for young people in the UK. Should there be guarantees on above-inflation maintenance loans and free bus travel? And should there be youth advisors in all government departments? Ed and George praise the initiative behind the idea.

The pair also hear from a London cyclist frustrated by a council's ban on Lime bikes, the question is: has some devolution given away too much control? George recalls his approaches to devolution during the coalition government, while Ed evaluates the regulation of e-bike rentals.

And lastly, Ed and George explain why politicians resist apologising - citing Nick Clegg’s now infamous apology on student loans as an example. Can senior politicians ever recover from apologising about a decision they have made?

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Credits:

Research: Sam Burton

Production: Caillin McDaid & Nasreen Arain

Video Editor: Sam Gruet

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford & Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

The shocking killing of Ann Widdecombe has set a sombre tone in British politics in the last week. Ed Balls and George Osborne delve into the political implications of this tragedy, examining the changing police messaging and debating what the solution for protecting politicians should be. They also share memories of Widdecombe, who they both worked with throughout the years. 

‘The King of North’ (Andy Burnham) is set to enter Downing Street on Monday, after receiving  the backing of over 90% of Labour MPs. But what is he going to do? The unknowns of the incoming Burnham premiership has resulted in breathless speculation hitting a fever pitch. George argues Burnham is focusing too much on the past in his messaging and must look to the future, while Ed cautions that Burnham should not assume he will be popular in the country off the bat.  

As Keir Starmer’s time in No. 10 comes to an end, and Rachel Reeves time in No. 11 is likely to follow suit, the pair reflect on their political legacies and obituaries. They deliver a harsh sentence on their reigns, explaining why they were stuck in a doom loop the last two years, and how it speaks to wider problems in Britain in the last 10 years.  

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Executive Producer: Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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Hot off Centrist Dad’s sellout show last week, two listeners at the gig have sent in questions.  Our Kitchen Cabinet winner, Douglas Law, asks a question on the mind of every junior Labour MP right now: will Burnham promote them? Ed Balls and George Osborne explain what ministers must do to secure a promotion in government, and what Burnham will look for.

Then, they answer a question that has plagued every recent government: can you end the triple lock? Despite its salience amongst some, George argues why it is neither politically or fiscally sensible to do so. Ed more or less agrees, though proposes a possible path to reducing the burden on public finances.

Former Olympic gold medalist, and mind behind the Bee Network, Chris Boardman then asks how the work in Manchester and across devolved administrations can be scaled in order to replicate things like the Bee Network. The pair explain why Chris and Andy Burnham’s work was successful, and how cross-party collaboration is key for long-term viability.

Finally, they look at the perks received by former PMs. As Keir Starmer becomes the ninth living ex-prime minister, and with Burnham eventually taking it to ten, many wonder if the expense paid to these leaders is becoming too much of a strain. George explains why they were brought in to begin with, and why they can still prove beneficial long after each person has left Downing Street.

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The Nigel Farage donation scandal reached a breaking point on Tuesday when he took the extreme step of triggering his own by-election. But was this a shrewd move or has it backfired? Ed Balls and George Osborne examine the risks to Reform, how Kemi Badenoch may use it to her advantage, and whether Count Binface could really be Clacton’s next MP. 

While some see Farage as future PM, the next man set to lead the country remains Andy Burnham. With nominations opening for Labour leader today, and no other candidate in the race, it’s all set to be a coronation. But is this a good thing? George’s Labour sources have all voiced anxieties about the lack of scrutiny on Burnham, while Ed counters that a heated contest could have boxed in the next Labour leader.

And finally, Ed explains his latest Harvard-Kings paper on regional growth, which details where Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves went wrong and how Andy Burnham can move the country forwards. Last night, he was at a talk discussing the paper with Michael Gove and Angela Rayner, and the former Tory MP made a surprising endorsement for the ex-deputy PM…

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The proposed holiday tax from the King’s speech is a subject of controversy in the hospitality sector, and on this week’s EMQs Ed Balls and George Osborne speak to these concerns. Does this drive away tourism? Or, can they follow in the footsteps of other European cities and help inject funding into these destinations through the extra cashflow?

Then, they delve into the lack of employment rights for ministers.  They explain why discrimination laws don’t apply to heads of office and debate the possible route if a minister was harassed at work and wanted to take it further. 

A question to Ed takes us back to his trip to the playground with Andy Burnham. One listener asks how might the incoming PM revive New Labour-era play strategies and support for children and families? 

Another listener spotted Ed at the opera last week and wonders how politicians can increase support for the arts without perpetuating class divisions or stereotypes. 

Finally, the pair are put to a test when a listener sends ChatGPT’s assessment of who would come out on top in a 10-pin bowling game. They debate the outcome, but agree the answer demonstrates the striking advancements in tone and humour of these AI language models. 

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Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford & Henrietta Harrison

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Andy Burnham is now prime minister-in-waiting and is laying out his vision for Britain. On Monday he outlined his approach to the economy, but is his vision any different to Keir Starmer’s? Ed Balls and George Osborne worry the speech lacks a theory of change, and sets him up for the same troubles Starmer faced. George puts forward the two key challenges Burnham will face: defence and communication. Starmer’s Defence Investment Plan leaves a £5bn gap and stray briefings are confusing Burnham’s messaging. If he can’t get on top of these, is he destined to fail as Starmer has? 

The primary policy laid out in Burnham’s speech was a No. 10 in the North, based in Manchester. But this plan comes with risks. Ed worries this could lead to increased divisions between No. 10 and the Treasury, which will kneecap the government’s agenda. George feels these changes are too radical mid-Parliament, and distract from policy. 

And finally, this Saturday marks the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence and, to mark this historic milestone, Ed and George reflect on the country’s history. They look at the founding fathers, their own relationship with the country, and what future relations will look like with the UK under Burnham.  

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Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford & Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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Should Andy Burnham appoint an entirely new Cabinet or resist the temptation for a full reshuffle? Ed Balls and George Osborne discuss whether constant ministerial churn is a hindrance to effective government, and who the new Prime Minister should keep in post to provide stability.

They also revisit one of the biggest political "what ifs" of the year. Was Keir Starmer wrong to stop Burnham returning to Westminster earlier? Looking back, could allowing him to fight Gorton and Denton have changed the course of events, or was Starmer's fate already sealed?

A listener's memories of school evacuation drills before the Iraq War prompt a wider conversation about how governments prepare the public for crises. From terrorist attacks and pandemics to extreme weather, Ed and George reflect on the challenge of planning for events that may never happen.

Elsewhere, they discuss why Classical Civilisation remains out of reach for many pupils, whether today's political infighting has more in common with Ancient Rome than we might like to admit, and reveal the surprisingly practical advice they'd give to an ambitious young Conservative hoping to enter Parliament, including where politicians really go to get suited and booted. 

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Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford & Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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The pathway from Makerfield to Downing Street seems inevitable. Andy Burnham was sworn in to Parliament hours after Keir Starmer resigned and now seems set to be crowned as prime minister next month. But who is he? Ed Balls and George Osborne have known him for over 25 years, and speak to how the man they know will govern once he enters No. 10. How will his style as a footballer be reflected in his governing?

Ed and George then examine the likelihood of whether Andy Burnham will call an early General Election. Either way he risks repeating the mistakes of Gordon Brown or Theresa May. Ed lays out the three tests Burnham must ask himself before going to the polls, while George lays out how a General Election could play out for the opposition parties.

Finally, they turn to the man still in Downing Street. What will Keir Starmer’s final weeks in post look like? Ed and George look back on the final moments of Brown’s and Cameron’s premierships, and what the thinking will be in the Starmer team in these final days and weeks.

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Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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After Keir Starmer delivered his resignation speech this morning, Ed Balls and George Osborne reflect on what comes next for the government, for the country, and for the outgoing Prime Minister. Was Starmer’s ‘clinical’ address a sign of a weak legacy and further inability to communicate his successes? The pair argue the performance was lacking in both emotion, and in recognition for the work of his cabinet colleagues.

Plus, as Wes Streeting backs down and a coronation of Andy Burnham seems imminent, will any other Labour MPs dare to stand against the King of the North? Or will they now start trying to book a spot at the next Cabinet table instead? Ed suggests an outsider candidate could launch a pre-contest to have their moment in the limelight and give Burnham some scrutiny. Meanwhile, George speaks of the need for Andy Burnham to nail down a plan for the government and get ahead of the tide of public opinion.

Lastly, they discuss where this leaves the Labour government two years on from its landslide majority. Has Starmer fallen into the same trap as previous governments of not sticking to a clear plan, as George says? And, as Ed theorises, is the Starmer legacy now tied to the performance of a future Burnham government?

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Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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Al Carns revealed in the wake of his resignation he only met Keir Starmer in an official capacity once. On this week’s EMQs, Ed Balls and George Osborne break down how unusual this is for a PM and why it may explain the problem at the heart of the Starmer operation. 

Baroness Jan Royall, Chair of the Jo Cox Foundation asks what lessons have been learned in the decade since her tragic murder and what more needs to be done to protect MPs.

The pair then tackle the big political debate: is ‘white van man’ always right? Ed recalls a near disaster for the treasury with ‘white man van’, while George offers politicians advice on how to balance their personal views with meeting the public where they are.

Ed and George also answer ‘Emily’s’ question on free childcare benefits and whether it should be stopped completely when you earn over £100,000.  Ed and George bring their experience to the question and discuss the pros and cons of benefits tapering rather than ending on a salary cliff edge.   

Plus a Canadian listener hits back at George’s recent derogatory comments on Ottawa and asks George and Ed for their predictions if significant election results had gone another way. 

Don’t forget if you’re a Kitchen Cabinet member and want to win a chance to see Centrist Dad live at the Water Rats on the 2nd July make sure to send in an EMQ to questions@politicalcurrency.co.uk with the subject ‘CENTRIST DAD’.

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Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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Keir Starmer’s legacy is on the line, no matter who wins in Makerfield. A flurry of announcements from social media bans to the defence strategy have seen the PM attempt to recentre himself in the narrative as his greatest rival comes closer and closer to re-entering Westminster. This week, Ed Balls and George Osborne delve into what it means for Labour, whether Wes Streeting is still a contender, and if ‘last chance saloon’ legacy building ever works.

No matter who the PM is later this year one thing is certain: the fallout of Iran. Positive or negative the worldwide economy has been affected by the war, and with Trump signing a peace deal we may start to see what the true impact will be long term.  

Finally, the 10th anniversary of the Brexit vote is on Tuesday and after turning down the Today Programme, Newsnight, and Channel 4, George gives us his verdict on the Brexit legacy. Is Britain poorer, weaker and less influential outside the EU, as George argues, or was Brexit ultimately inevitable, as Ed suggests? And have George’s personal relationships recovered?

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Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford & Henrietta Harrison

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How effective will new UK laws be at protecting children online? Ed Balls and George Osborne hear a question from Natalie Fleet, the Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls. They discuss the technology that can help, the importance of legislation keeping pace with risks, and the legal decision that made social media platforms more likely to host misleading content.

Plus, why is the government now prioritising inflation over low unemployment? Is it possible to tackle them both at the same time? And what could a future Prime Minister do towards this? Ed and George assess the history and economics behind it.

They also discuss the importance of historical education as a politician and an economist. Ed talks about the importance of learning from mistakes of the past, and George recalls how two paintings in No 11 Downing Street paid tribute to an influential 1925 dinner between then-Chancellor Winston Churchill and economist John Maynard Keynes.

And finally, how do Ed and George feel about comedians rarely impersonating them? The pair show off their own impressions of William Hague, Gordon Brown, and Peter Mandelson.

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Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford & Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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The shock resignation of defence secretary John Healey has prompted an emergency input from Ed Balls and George Osborne for this week’s episode. They react to why he went, what it means for the government and how defence spending will become a bigger crunch point than it was already.

In one week’s time voting will open for the by-election of the century. Will Andy Burnham return to Parliament and enter Downing Street? If he does, how can he learn from not just the mistakes of Keir Starmer but previous PMs who entered mid-government. The pair examine the challenges facing the King of the North, and lay out what he must do immediately to right the ship. 

They then turn their focus to Burnham’s biggest challenge: the economy. He says Manchesterism is the answer, but what is it? Does it work? And if it does, can it be effectively applied to the whole country? 

Finally, with the World Cup kicking off tonight the pair take some time to look at the interplay of politics and football. Is this the most politically charged World Cup ever? What can be expected from Donald Trump, who has a testy relationship with co-hosts Canada and Mexico? What will be the impact of Iran’s participation?

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Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford & Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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In this week’s EMQs George Osborne and Ed Balls take on a question from Jeremy Hunt who asks if chancellors are under pressure to push through new reform as soon as they are in office.  Ed and George bring their experience to the query. 

Following the Pope’s letter on the topic of AI, one listener asks for Ed and George’s reaction to the papal intervention.   In the Pope’s encyclical, he asks if AI is a force for good or bad. George and Ed applaud Pope Leo’s early engagement into the topic and, like the Pope, think human dignity needs to be at the heart of all new technological advancements. 

MP, Minister and mountain rescue volunteer Josh MacAlister asks a question that takes George back to his constituency in Tatton and prompts Ed to share his knowledge and his appreciation for rhubarb.  Also a query from Australia triggers a debate on politicians shaping policy to benefit their loved one.  Plus there’s confirmation of what’s NOT going to be on the setlist at the upcoming Centrist Dad’s gig at the Water Rats in London.

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Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

British politics has been dominated this week by the horrifying murder of student Henry Novak and the political storm that followed the release of police bodycam footage. Ed Balls and George Osborne examine the tragedy, the questions it raises around “two-tier policing” and the political firestorm it has ignited. 

The pair analyse the contrasting responses from Nigel Farage, Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch. Has Farage gone too far in his ‘emergency address to the nation’ in which he called for “cold rage”. Is this the path for someone who wants to be PM or a return to the political margins? And while Badenoch has found her strongest footing on such cultural issues, can the Conservatives afford to focus on them when the economy remains the central battleground?

They then turn to the Makerfield by-election, where Andy Burnham is navigating a local contest and a national movement. As questions grow about his leadership ambitions, can he campaign as both constituency candidate and potential prime minister? And what do the latest Mandelson files reveal about the state of Labour's government and the pressure building on Starmer?

Finally, Ed and George take a brief look at Germany where Chancellor Friedrich Merz is struggling in the polls just a year into office. With a popular regional leader already being discussed as a successor, are there lessons for Britain from Berlin's political troubles?

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Video Editor: Sam Gruet

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford & Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

Was George Osborne about to abandon David Cameron in the 2005 Tory leadership race? That’s the first question on this week’s EMQs, where George recounts the mistakes made by the David Davis campaign that allowed Cameron to ascend.  Ed Balls shares similar mistakes of David Miliband’s 2010 campaign, and the pair offer their own advice to all backbench MPs assessing the current Labour leadership contest.

Then they turn to the man who may win said contest: Andy Burnham. They ponder if Makerfield is the closest thing the UK has seen to a presidential election, with the voters knowing they may well elect our next PM.

From one political giant to another they then debate why the £5M donation to Nigel Farage hasn’t blown up, and how he could end up on the path of Boris Johnson should this go poorly for him.

Finally, George unveils an underdiscussed power of the chancellor that could see the government expel any of their political rivals. They also get into religion and culture…

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Video Editor: Avi Asher

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford & Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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The battle for Makerfield is on, so this week Ed Balls and George Osborne dig into this consequential by-election’s frontrunners. Andy Burnham is radical in tone, but are his policies more conservative when you dig in? Reform’s Robert Kenyon has lost his shine as sexist and remain leaning views have been dug up but a spokesperson for the party said they "fully back" him and added that the "comments were made before he was in politics".  The fringe right party Restore has picked up momentum, will this damage Nigel Farage’s grip on the right of British politics?

Tony Blair’s scathing essay on the state of British politics has ignited a new debate in the Labour leadership dilemma, but is this the argument for the moment? Ed agrees with the diagnosis, but thinks Blair is stuck in 2006 and not meeting the moment for 2026. George argues the case for Blair, citing the inability of governments to tackle the major issues he highlights.

Finally, the pair zero in on one issue that may define a Burnham premiership: social care. As health secretary Burnham tried to forge a national care service, but 16 years on no progress has been made in this area. Why are successive governments stunted on this? Are unwanted tax rises the only solution? Could this be the issue that undoes the King of the North should he make it to Downing Street?

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Video Editor: Avi Asher

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford & Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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Following Green MP Hannah Spencer’s comments on drinking culture at Westminster, Ed Balls and George Osborne answer whether MPs should be better behaved in general during Parliamentary sessions. They make the case for heckling and jeering, comparing it to more civilised Parliaments and systems to explain how it helps hold our leaders accountable. 

They then reflect on their experience on Question Time, and whether they would follow Michael Gove’s move and go on as retired politicians. This sparks a trip down memory lane, and there may be more to come in the summer…

Things get serious with a listener posing Adam Tooze’s argument that the Bank of England is instilling fear in governments following the Truss fiasco. They explain their objections to this, and explain how the Bank of England has kept things in check for Britain, particularly post-2008.

Finally, they answer the ultimate question: are Centrist Dad playing the Trinity College Oxford ball? Ed reveals the process behind the band’s booking, and they recount the bands that played their own balls. George also recounts his encounter with a literary legend that he’d really rather forget…

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Credits:

Research: Sam Burton

Production: Caillin McDaid & Nasreen Arain

Video Editor: Avi Asher

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford & Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

British politics has moved at a rapid pace the last week, with Andy Burnham securing his root to parliament, Wes Streeting reigniting Brexit debates, and a defiant No. 10 fighting on through all of it. Ed Balls and George Osborne examine the leadership race, the manoeuvres being made by Streeting to court the Labour faithful and how Burnham is having to campaign on two fronts. Why is the cabinet silent? Is Starmer right to cling on? Will the King of the North be coronated should he return to parliament? What if he loses? 

The pair then examine the economic prospectus of both Burnham and Streeting, contrasting it with the cost of living support announced by Rachel Reeves today. They detail the limitations of any government to combat inflation, the holes in plans both contenders have spoken of and the risk a governing party faces openly debating policy like this.

Finally, they take a trip across the Atlantic to California and the final stages of the gubernatorial primary. George’s mate Steve Hilton has maintained his frontrunner status amidst a split Democratic field, but can he actually win come November? The odds are stacked against him, but Ed and George caution not to count him out.

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Video Editor: Sam Gruet

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Last week’s local elections saw votes counted during the Friday to save costs, and inspired one listener to ask Ed Balls and George Osborne why that isn’t always the case. He also wondered why we don’t vote at weekends like other European countries. The pair explain the historical roots of the tradition and the benefits of weekday votes and overnight counts for general elections.  Plus they recall their own experiences as commentators during the last 3 elections. 

They then address the divisive policies and language seen in the Greens and Reform campaigns, and whether this is a sign of the centre losing ground or an opportunity to seize. They also take a question from an Australian listener, who wonders if we’re moving too fast in the energy transition.

Finally, a listener returns to the assisted dying debate from a few weeks ago and proposes their own case for the legislation. We also hear the pair debating the possibility of immortality…

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Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford & Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

Wes Streeting’s resignation is the latest domino to fall amid the threat to Keir Starmer’s premiership, in a chain reaction that could lead to months of chaos. Ed Balls and George Osborne evaluate where the government and Keir Starmer can go from here. Should he resign? And how would Andy Burnham, Angela Rayner, Ed Miliband, and the wildcard option of Al Carns, fare against him in a leadership contest? 

News of Streeting’s departure came between our live YouTube stream and recording of this episode – so listen for Ed and George’s instant reaction.

Fresh from a trip to Canada, George suggests the success of Mark Carney, or Australia’s Albert Albanese, could be a template used as a template for a Labour government to rebound, regardless of leader. Does it show Labour needs to take a bolder stance on issues like fossil fuels and immigration? 

And finally, as President Trump continues his consequential trip to Beijing, the pair assess how the China-US relations could be vital for Trump in this year’s mid-terms. Does Trump need Xi more than he needs him? And are the two countries inseparable no matter the strength of their relationship? 

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Research: Sam Burton

Production: Caillin McDaid & Nasreen Arain

Video Editor: Avi Asher & Oliver Geraghty 

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford & Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

The fallout of the local elections was as many had predicted, but the chaotic aftermath demanded a reaction. Ed Balls and George Osborne went live on YouTube earlier today to give their thoughts on just how bad things are for Keir Starmer.

They reflect on the heavy defeat Labour suffered on Thursday, and the prime minister’s fightback. Why did he bring back Gordon Brown and Harriet Harman? Why did he stake things on today’s speech with a King’s Speech in only two days?

The biggest question mark of all though, is Catherine West. The little known MP created an earthquake over the weekend by announcing she would challenge the PM if no one else would. She has now pivoted to calling for a timetable, but still has damaged Starmer, and placed all eyes on what Andy Burnham, Wes Streeting, and Angela Rayner do next…

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Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford & Henrietta Harrison

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Fresh off his trip to the Crucible to see the snooker, Ed Balls brings a question for him and George Osborne to answer on just how similar politics and snooker are. Is it all about the long game? Or do you take the risky shot when the opportunity arises? Are the two even similar? And do Ed and George know enough about the sport to say for certain?

Sunday Times columnist Charlotte Ivers then asks whether politicians are just copying TV shows like The Thick of It and The West Wing in their communications. George explains the truth in this, while Ed argues The West Wing displays an idealised version of politics and that the script writers often draw from the real life drama in politics. 

Former Tory Chairman Andrew Feldman and one of our listeners then ask a pair of questions related to the public acceptance of AI, with our own guru George explaining how companies can sell the public on the benefits of AI and bust some of the myths around job losses caused by AI.

Finally, Ed and George answer the biggest question of all: do podcasts like this one influence voters? They explain how it’s been seen to happen already in the US, what things might look like in the next general election, and even manage to discuss Celebrity Traitors…

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Video Editor: Carla Mercer & Ryan Finnigan

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford & Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

It’s polling day, and the tensions have never been higher for Keir Starmer. The threat to his left, with the Greens, or to his right, with Reform, makes this a defining moment of his premiership. Ed Balls and George Osborne take this time to look at the future of the devolved governments, which could all be led by nationalist parties for the first time. Which parties will be willing to work together? Will there be another independence referendum? Is the UK at risk of breaking up?

The war in Iran is still ongoing, despite Donald Trump still maintaining a peace deal is imminent. With the market shocks seen in recent days over the Strait of Hormuz and the status of peace talks being unclear, George wonders why Britain has been hit worse than any G7 economy. Ed explains why the Bank of England must keep a clear inflation target, and why he thinks they will cut interest rates despite what others have said.

Finally, it’s been nearly 10 years since the Brexit referendum but the debate rages on. Keir Starmer was at a meeting with European allies earlier this week and has signalled closer relations. Will Starmer take us back into the single market? Will the EU budget debates return? Could we even see another referendum? Ed and George explain how the government must navigate relations with Europe to stabilise the economy, while not repeating the mistakes of the 2019 election. 

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Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford & Henrietta Harrison

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Before getting into questions this week, Ed Balls and George Osborne take on the big talk around Westminster: should MPs be allowed to drink? They respond to the criticism by new Green MP Hannah Spencer, who said MPs smelling of alcohol while voting made her uneasy. Ed and George offer the pros and cons of this, and even how drinking in parliament getting out of hand may have led to Jeremy Corbyn…

Is it in Kemi Badenoch’s best interest for Keir Starmer to stay on? The pair explain why this mindset is too clever by half, and how opposition leaders should always focus on their message and expose a PM’s weak points, rather than hope to gain by keeping a flawed leader in place.   

They then receive a pair of questions on AI, looking at the lack of training among certain industry leaders and the idea of British sovereignty on AI. George brings his expertise to explain why training is important and the limits for any country on sovereignty, while Ed illuminates us on some of his own musical AI discoveries.

Finally, they answer just why cabinet ministers seem reluctant to lay out their own vision for government even when Starmer appears so weak. Is this a sign of No. 10 clamping down on ministers? The rise of soundbite social media? Or, does it demonstrate how no cabinet member is confident enough in their leadership ambitions to make a move? 

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Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford & Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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A dramatic week in UK politics has seen the successful state visit to the US by King Charles and another hit on Keir Starmer in the ongoing Mandelson scandal. Ed Balls and George Osborne break down all the moving parts of these events. Is the special relationship saved? Did Kemi Badenoch move too early against Starmer? And what does this all mean going into a seismic set of local elections?

On said elections, the pair break down the vulnerable positions for both main parties. They argue Kemi Badenoch needs an ethical reset from the tumultuous Boris Johnson era if she hopes to fend off Reform and make serious gains for the Conservatives. On the Labour side, they believe Keir Starmer has not got a diagnosis for why Labour are unpopular, and this risks his position should any cabinet member decide to stick the knife in after the elections.

Finally, they return to assisted dying to analyse why the bill stalled out in the Lords and debate just how it can come back. Is it a slow process to such a big reform? Or is it best to strike when the iron is hot, or risk losing this debate for a generation? The pair disagree on what exactly is the best route forward…

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Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford & Henrietta Harrison

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Off the back of last week’s EMQs, Tamara Finkelstein sends in a correction to the idea that UK schools don’t prepare for attacks like those in the US. She highlights that Jewish schools have to prepare and feel threatened in this current environment.  Ed Balls and George Osborne highlight the worrying trend of antisemitism in the UK and the need for public figures to actively combat it.

Aldershot MP Alex Baker then chimes in with a proposal to adopt a multilateral defence, security and resilience bank, much like Mark Carney is championing in Canada. This poses a challenge for the pair, who recognise the necessity of improving defensive relations with our allies but see the economic challenges 

How do prime ministers prepare for PMQs? Is it usual for the opposition to send questions in advance, as Kemi Badenoch did last week? George explains the procedure and conventions in the chamber, and how the opposition aims to catch out PMs. 

And finally, pollsters from More in Common reached out following the discussion of ex-PMs, on the main show, with some fascinating insight into who the public most wants to hear from. Ed and George are included for good measure, and even rival podcasters get a mention…

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Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford & Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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Another dramatic revelation in the Mandelson scandal has reignited the tensions around Keir Starmer’s leadership and the future of his government. Ed Balls and George Osborne reflect on the latest developments, and look forward to how this will impact the local elections in just two weeks' time. The pair question the sacking of Olly Robbins, assess Kemi Badenoch’s performance at PMQs, and look at the bleak tone of the cabinet. 

With an extension of the ceasefire in Iran, George and Ed debate the likelihood of a lasting peace agreement. George argues there may be a workable deal on the table, while Ed is more cautious saying Iran doesn't trust the Americans, and that it’s unclear who they actually should be negotiating with.

Ed and George’s pal Kevin Warsh faced the Senate Banking Committee ahead of his approval as Fed Chair on Tuesday, with some particularly tough questioning from Democratic senator Elizabeth Warren. The pair discuss his political savvy in the hearing and, if confirmed, how he will navigate his relationship with Donald Trump when in post. 

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Production: Caillin McDaid

Video Editor: Carla Mercer

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford & Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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Fresh off the back of our latest episodes Ed Balls and George Osborne get an answer to their queries around the curate eggs and a follow up to the Libya crisis series on age in politics. In politics, particularly the Tories, you’re considered young at 40 or 50 while in tech it makes you ancient. Why is this? Youth is often seen as a negative in politics, but is there value to not being weighed down by your experiences? 

Then the pair answer a question from the Barclays Brief podcast on the gilt markets, and options open to Rachel Reeves should higher energy prices limit her fiscal headroom. They explain why her options are severely limited coming into the second half of this the parliament and what options are still available for her.

Baroness Jo Valentine then asks a question around rail development at Heathrow should the third runway be developed. They point to past projects like the Millennium Dome and Olympic Park as pointers on what you should and shouldn’t do, while exploring why planning often takes so long in Britain.

Finally, they address a question on many people’s minds: what happens if we’re plunged into active war? They discuss whether the government should better prepare the public for this event, and what areas of weakness the government should address to better protect the public in future. 

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Production: Caillin McDaid & Nasreen Arain

Video Editor: Carla Mercer

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford & Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

The Middle East conflict raged on during our Easter break and George Osborne comes back to us with news from Washington and word from friends in high places, like incoming Fed Chair Kevin Warsh. He and Ed Balls discuss the failed peace talks from George’s other mate, JD Vance, and where things go from here. 

They then weigh in on the UK’s shifting tone towards the Trump administration, and why they’re becoming more critical. It’s aiding them for now, but will it come back to bite them? The ongoing defence spending dilemma also rears its head with Labour peer George Robertson openly critcising the Government. The pair predict this will come to be the biggest challenge for Rachel Reeves and the Treasury in this year’s budget.

Earlier this week the International Monetary Fund forecast that Britain would be one of the countries worst hit by the Iran war. Ed explains why he disagrees with this assessment, and how the Bank of England can avoid debilitating inflation. George cautions that Reeves is in a tough spot, and faces some unpopular choices should the IMF’s forecast come to fruition. 

Finally, George sheds some light on emerging cybersecurity threats particularly Anthropic’s Mythos model. Alarms are ringing in Washington over this model, with the new threats of AI on defence and security becoming clear. George highlights the risk and opportunity inherent in these technological innovations, and they call for regulation as these models become more and more advanced.

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Production: Caillin McDaid & Nasreen Arain

Video Editor: Carla Mercer

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford & Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

In another special ‘What If’ edition of EMQs George Osborne and Ed Balls consider the would be worlds and outcomes, if just one historical event went another way. In a more theoretical ‘What If’ they consider what would happen if MPs couldn’t abstain and had to vote aye or nay on every bill. Ed believes this could lead to a breakdown in our system, while George thinks it could reprimand a mistake made by the recent Tory governments. 

An anonymous question from someone in government poses a radical change to our recent history: What if Trump became a unifying anti-gun and violence figure after the attempted assassination in 2024? This would have had massive implications for our current world, but would it be believable? George is sceptical, while Ed wonders if Trump would have gone on to a greater landslide victory or if the MAGA movement would have turned on him.

Finally, a pair of EU related ‘What Ifs’. Had the Brexit results been flipped, who leads the country into 2020 and the pandemic? George? David Cameron? Or is it still Boris Johnson? Also, what if the Maastricht or Lisbon treaties had been put to the country as referendums? Would Brexit still have happened? Would we still be in the EU? Would it have saved or ended the premierships of John Major and Tony Blair?

We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question.

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Research: Sam Burton

Production: Caillin McDaid

Video Editor: Avi Asher

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford & Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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How can it be ensured countries will face a better future after a large-scale military intervention? It’s a question which applies to both politicians dealing with the war in Iran today, and for politicians dealing with the aftermath of Muammar Gaddafi’s killing in 2011.

In this third and final part of this series, Ed Balls, George Osborne, and Sir John Sawers reflect on the fallout of the 42-year regime in Libya coming to an end. Who was responsible for post-war failures? Was there a case for putting boots on the ground? And what were the unexpected repercussions for geopolitics?

They also discuss their immediate reactions to Gaddafi’s death and the shocking way in which he was killed.

Ed and George then press Sir John on what this all could mean for the ongoing situation in Iran, plus what he really thinks of how Keir Starmer has handled it.

Thanks for listening. To listen to all three parts of Inside the Room: The Libya Conflict now, join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. You will also get early and ad-free access to our regular episodes of EMQs. For even more perks, including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:

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Research: Monica Lillis, Ayla Krachai, and Sam Burton

Production support: Tom Jackson

Production: Caillin McDaid and Nasreen Arain

Video Editor: Avi Asher and Oliver Geraghty

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford and Henrietta Harrison

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

Planes are in the air and the military intervention in Libya has now begun. But how does the operation progress from here? And what actually happens in a war room?

In the second part of this mini series, Ed Balls and George Osborne ask Sir John Sawers about how MI6 gathered intelligence to guide the path forwards. He tells the story of leaving William Hague "aghast" by securing a visa for the Libyan foreign minister, who he then flattered with dinner at one of the service’s secure locations in return for crucial information… 

The pair also speak to former deputy national security adviser Hugh Powell about why David Cameron always felt that action was better than inaction, and hear from Cathy Ashton about why the fall of Tripoli was a moment of success for the PM and Nicolas Sarkozy.

However, with Gaddafi still alive and the UN mandate not accounting for regime change,  there was still reason to be apprehensive about the “huge challenge ahead”. Sawers and Powell discuss Gaddafi's skill of staying hidden, why MI6 doesn’t actually have a “license to kill”, and their approaches to negotiations with the dictator in his final weeks – including asking Tony Blair for help.

Thanks for listening. In our third episode we take you right behind the scenes of the day Gaddafi was killed, and ask who was responsible for the post-war failures… Can’t wait? Subscribe now to get all three parts of Inside the Room: The Libya Conflict. You will also get access to our debrief episode The Inquiry, as well as early and ad-free access to our regular episodes of EMQs. 

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Research: Monica Lillis, Ayla Krachai, and Sam Burton

Production support: Tom Jackson

Production: Caillin McDaid and Nasreen Arain

Video Editor: Avi Asher and Oliver Geraghty

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford and Henrietta Harrison

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

As renewed violence erupts across the Middle East, governments have been forced into crisis mode... but when is the right time to intervene, how involved should you get and when, if ever, is it time for 'boots on the ground'?

It's these dilemmas and more that are currently facing Keir Starmer and other world leaders, but it's not the first time a UK government has had to find answers for such big questions about international intervention. 

Fifteen years ago the civil unrest of the Arab Spring spread to Libya. The violent crackdowns against anti-government protestors that followed sparked seven months of NATO military intervention and led to the killing of Muammar Gaddafi, putting an end to his 42-year dictatorship.

In this special mini series, Ed Balls and George Osborne are joined by former MI6 Chief Sir John Sawers to discuss the key decisions, missteps, and aftermath of the Libya crisis. We take you inside the war rooms and hear unique insights from John, George and two other officials who saw key decisions being made first-hand: former EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Cathy Ashton, and deputy national security adviser to the coalition government, Hugh Powell. 

What can the wars of the past can teach us lessons for the wars of today?

In part one, we look at how the UK government reacted to the escalating situation, why David Cameron and then-French President Nicolas Sarkozy pushed for military action, and the steps that led to the first bomb being dropped… and how it managed to surprise Britain.

Thanks for listening. In our next episode we take you right behind the scenes of the military action and hear about all of the drama that ensued, including the moment Sir John Sawyers took an informant for a secret dinner… 

Can’t wait? Subscribe now to get all three parts of Inside the Room: The Libya Conflict. You will also get access to our debrief episode The Inquiry, as well as early and ad-free access to our regular episodes of EMQs. 

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Credits: 

Research: Monica Lillis, Ayla Krachai, and Sam Burton

Production support: Tom Jackson

Production: Caillin McDaid and Nasreen Arain

Video Editor: Avi Asher and Oliver Geraghty

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford and Henrietta Harrison

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

Fellow ex-MP and former health minister Steve Brine sends in a question asking Ed Balls and George Osborne how we judge the performance of a health secretary, and in particular Wes Streeting. They lay out the historical challenges of the role, and where Streeting has risen or succumbed to them thus far.

A colleague of Ed’s from King’s College then asks how useful it is for benefits to be so conditional, in particular for care leavers. They debate the fairness in having conditional benefits systems, and why people are more sympathetic to care leavers than other disadvantaged groups. 

They then discuss the perks of pedestrianising Bruton, George’s stomping ground, in a manner similar to Paris. Would George lead the campaign to see this through? Or is it an enticing but unrealistic idea? 

Finally, a former Tory parliamentary candidate raises his concerns around Nick Timothy’s controversial comments on a Ramadan event in London. They discuss the dangerous direction these comments represent for both the Tories, and British politics more widely. 

We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question.

This podcast is sponsored by Chip. Join 400,000 customers building long term wealth.

T&Cs apply, you must be a new Chip customer, over 18, a UK tax resident, and it’s app only. Chip is a trading name of Chip Financial Limited. Savings products are provided by Clearbank and are protected up to the FSCS limit. When investing, your capital is at risk.

Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:

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Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.

Credits:

Research: Sam Burton

Production: Caillin McDaid & Henrietta Harrison

Video Editor: Avi Asher

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

Nearly a month into the war in Iran, and the White House’s objectives are no clearer. Donald Trump is sending conflicting signals - peace overtures in one moment, threats of further escalation in the next. The consequences of this instability is rippling far beyond the Middle East. Ed Balls and 

George Osborne examine what Trump actually wants, and what his mixed messages might mean for allies like Britain, struggling to keep track.  

At home, Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves are on the backfoot. With the local elections just weeks away, and both Reform and the Greens on the rise, is the Prime Minister facing down an electoral battering at the polls? Is this the moment Labour's difficulties harden into something more lasting - could the May elections be a dress rehearsal for the next general election? Oh, and what on earth happened to Morgan McSweeney’s phone?

Finally, from political vulnerability, to political victory. Ed and George reflect on the one year anniversary of Mark Carney’s premiership. How has he managed to turn around the fortunes of the Liberal Party in remarkably difficult circumstances - and what lessons Starmer and other leaders facing similar headwinds might take from his playbook. 

We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question.

This podcast is sponsored by Chip. Join 400,000 customers building long term wealth. Also Chip have agreed that just for our listeners, for your first £10,000 deposited into Chip before midnight 20 March 2026, they’ll give you a Fortnum & Mason hamper after holding it for 90 days - just head to getchip.uk/politicalcurrency.

T&Cs apply, you must be a new Chip customer, over 18, a UK tax resident, and it’s app only. Chip is a trading name of Chip Financial Limited. Savings products are provided by Clearbank and are protected up to the FSCS limit. When investing, your capital is at risk.

Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:

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Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.

Credits:

Research: Sam Burton

Production: Caillin McDaid & Caitlin Caitlin Hanrahan  

Video Editor: Avi Asher

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

Fresh off regaling us with his tales in a Silicon Valley robotaxi, George Osborne is asked if they’re bound for  London and what risks they may pose, in this week’s EMQs. Ed Balls echoes some of our listener’s  concerns, but George argues this is no different than other tech evolutions like Uber.

The pair are then asked why Britain often appears reactive and not proactive for big economic shocks like the wars in Ukraine or Iran. Is this emblematic of problems within the Treasury? Problems in government? Or, an uncharitable read of tough political circumstances.

Finally, an anonymous police officer asks if the Home Office should focus more on retaining experienced officers, rather than recruitments and mergers, to improve services. He also poses a possible solution to this problem - should the police be permitted to take industrial action? Ed and George debate the merits of recruitment drives and what endemic issues need solving to help improve the police. 

We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question.

This podcast is sponsored by Chip. Join 400,000 customers building long term wealth. Also Chip have agreed that just for our listeners, for your first £10,000 deposited into Chip before midnight 20 March 2026, they’ll give you a Fortnum & Mason hamper after holding it for 90 days - just head to getchip.uk/politicalcurrency.

T&Cs apply, you must be a new Chip customer, over 18, a UK tax resident, and it’s app only. Chip is a trading name of Chip Financial Limited. Savings products are provided by Clearbank and are protected up to the FSCS limit. When investing, your capital is at risk.

Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:

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Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.

Credits:

Research: Sam Burton

Production: Caillin McDaid & Henrietta Harrison 

Video Editor: Avi Asher

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

The war in the middle east has entered its third week. Tensions rose overnight when Israel hit a natural gas field in Iran, and Iran retaliated by bombing gas facilities in Qatar. The result was oil prices skyrocketing. Ed Balls and George Osborne discuss what appears to be a communication breakdown between Israel and the US, and question whether they are aligned in their respective endgames. 

Earlier this week the Chancellor Rachel Reeves gave the Mais lecture at the Bayes Business School. She said fiscal devolution, closer relations with Europe, AI and innovation would bring growth in the UK. But was the speech too partisan and lacking economic theory?

And, Angela Rayner is back - delivering a speech criticising the government’s proposed immigration reforms. Is she planning to stick the knife in Keir Starmer, à la Michael Heseltine and Margaret Thatcher, and if so - does she have the right qualifications to lead the country? Ed and George look at past transitions mid-government for Labour and more widely, and examine how Rayner’s strengths and weaknesses may impact her chances at No. 10.

We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question.

This podcast is sponsored by Chip. Join 400,000 customers building long term wealth. Also Chip have agreed that just for our listeners, for your first £10,000 deposited into Chip before midnight 20 March 2026, they’ll give you a Fortnum & Mason hamper after holding it for 90 days - just head to getchip.uk/politicalcurrency.

T&Cs apply, you must be a new Chip customer, over 18, a UK tax resident, and it’s app only. Chip is a trading name of Chip Financial Limited. Savings products are provided by Clearbank and are protected up to the FSCS limit. When investing, your capital is at risk.

Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:

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Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.

Credits:

Research: Sam Burton

Production: Caillin McDaid & Henrietta Harrison   

Video Editor: Avi Asher

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

The saga of Gordon the chicken continues this week with Beatrice Gove, Michael’s daughter, sending in a question to tell us more about the incident. Ed Balls and George Osborne then answer her question about polling showing Labour and Reform out in front as the parties most trusted by business. Is this a concern for Keir Starmer? What does it mean when business starts gravitating towards opposition parties? 

The pair then consider the great cultural exchanges across British history, in light of the Bayeux Tapestry coming to the British Museum this year. The examples range from Beatlemania all the way to K-Pop. Do these moments help strengthen bonds between countries? What impact do shared cultural experiences have on our diplomatic relations around the world?

They then debate the fairness of Shaban Mahmood’s proposed changes to indefinite leave to remain, and the potential consequences of being less stringent on high-earning workers as compared to low-earners. 

Finally, a listener stuck in Dubai enquires about what goes on behind the scenes during crises and whether negative comments from the likes of Ed Davey in response to the ex-pats was misjudged. They cite past examples from Afghanistan to Libya, how governments handled those situations behind the scenes, and when the right time to make large scale interventions like that are necessary. 

We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question.

This podcast is sponsored by Chip. Join 400,000 customers building long term wealth. Also Chip have agreed that just for our listeners, for your first £10,000 deposited into Chip before midnight 20 March 2026, they’ll give you a Fortnum & Mason hamper after holding it for 90 days - just head to getchip.uk/politicalcurrency.

T&Cs apply, you must be a new Chip customer, over 18, a UK tax resident, and it’s app only. Chip is a trading name of Chip Financial Limited. Savings products are provided by Clearbank and are protected up to the FSCS limit. When investing, your capital is at risk.

Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:

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Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.

Credits:

Research: Sam Burton

Production: Caillin McDaid, Caitlin Hanrahan & Eve Jones 

Video Editor: Avi Asher

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

After weeks of speculation we finally saw the first release of the files concerning Peter Mandelson’s appointment and sacking as US Ambassador. Ed Balls and George Osborne delve into the revelations within the files, and whether any of the new information damages the government or prime minister. Was there a smoking gun in the files? Is the worst information now out there? Or, are there more damaging revelations to come?

Then, they return to the Iran conflict and reassess what Trump’s strategy is. Can he declare victory now and avoid risking his reputation? Or has this war created problems he can’t outrun? They also discuss the emerging energy crisis, and whether central banks should cut, hold, or raise interest rates in light of the conflict. 

Finally, with Tony Blair saying the government should have followed America into Iran, Gordon Brown weighing in on Mandelson, and Boris Johnson pushing for boots on the ground in Ukraine, we’ve seen an increasing number of interventions by ex-PMs. Is this a new trend? If so, what are these ex-PMs hoping to achieve? How effective are their interventions in shifting government policy?

We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question.

This podcast is sponsored by Chip. Join 400,000 customers building long term wealth. Also Chip have agreed that just for our listeners, for your first £10,000 deposited into Chip before midnight 20 March 2026, they’ll give you a Fortnum & Mason hamper after holding it for 90 days - just head to getchip.uk/politicalcurrency.

T&Cs apply, you must be a new Chip customer, over 18, a UK tax resident, and it’s app only. Chip is a trading name of Chip Financial Limited. Savings products are provided by Clearbank and are protected up to the FSCS limit. When investing, your capital is at risk.

Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:

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Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.

Credits:

Research: Sam Burton

Production: Caillin McDaid & Richard Attley  

Video Editor: Avi Asher

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

Fresh off the absolute victory for the Greens in Gorton and Denton, Ed Balls and George Osborne debate whether the betting markets - which accurately predicted the results - are reliable forecasters in elections in this week’s EMQs. George ponders if, unlike official polling, it might be possible to influence the odds in your favour?

Fellow ex-MP Gyles Brandreth asks the brutally honest question: did their careers peak when they were politicians? Despite all their success in podcasting and elsewhere, was being in government the best days of their lives? The pair debate the idea which ends up causing them to reminisce about Michael Gove’s dog and a chicken named Gordon.

Finally, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire David Skaith asks the best way a mayor can promote growth in their region, particularly one as rural as his. After offering David some useful ideas, the pair wander down a Wuthering Heights tangent and Ed gifts listeners with his slightly dubious Kate Bush impression. David also asks Ed for some personal advice on being a public figure with a stammer.

We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question.

This podcast is sponsored by Chip. Join 400,000 customers building long term wealth. Also Chip have agreed that just for our listeners, for your first £10,000 deposited into Chip before midnight 20 March 2026, they’ll give you a Fortnum & Mason hamper after holding it for 90 days - just head to getchip.uk/politicalcurrency.

T&Cs apply, you must be a new Chip customer, over 18, a UK tax resident, and it’s app only. Chip is a trading name of Chip Financial Limited. Savings products are provided by Clearbank and are protected up to the FSCS limit. When investing, your capital is at risk.

Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:

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👉 Apple Podcasts

Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.

Credits:

Research: Sam Burton

Production: Caillin McDaid, Caitlin Hanrahan & Eve Jones 

Video Editor: Avi Asher

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

After weeks of warnings from George Osborne and Ed Balls, Donald Trump has rolled the dice and launched Operation Epic Fury and Operation Rising Lion against Iran. The strikes sent shockwaves around the world, with many wondering what Trump’s real motivations were. Why did Trump act now? What is his endgame? And what could the domestic and geopolitical consequences be?

Ed and George unpack the strategic calculations behind the decision, from Middle East security to access to oil, and discuss the geopolitical fallout that may follow.

The conflict in Iran has also brought about the starkest moment of disagreement between UK and US since the Vietnam war. Keir Starmer refused to follow the US and Israel, but how much was that position based on internal disagreements within Labour and the long political shadow of the Iraq War?

Finally, the pair turn to Rachel Reeves’ Spring Statement. Did the Chancellor miss the mark? With defence spending pressures rising and unresolved questions around student loans, they ask if the statement was unusually partisan despite delivering few major policy changes.

We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question.

Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:

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Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.

Credits:

Research: Sam Burton

Production: Caillin McDaid & Caitlin Caitlin Hanrahan  

Video Editor: Avi Asher

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

On the heels of the AI Impact Summit, former advisor to Nick Clegg and author Verity Harding asks how Ed Balls and George Osborne’s experiences of the dot com bubble and rise of social media can inform the current government’s approach to AI. They also discuss whether AI is heading for its own Dot Com crash.

And, what’s in a Department Name? More than you’d think apparently. The pair get surprisingly passionate about the joys of a government department rebrand - reminiscing on the coalitions unpicking of the Whitehall reorganisation done by New Labour. Ed is still bitterly disappointed at the abandonment of the DCSF.

And, turning to the appointment of Antonia Romeo as Cabinet Secretary - and the wave of misogynistic commentary that followed - Ed and George ask, given her obvious qualifications, why didn’t Keir Starmer appoint her sooner? 

Finally, former civil servant Tamara Finkelstein asks why investment into UK deep tech startups is so lacking, and what can be done to close the gap with the US? Ed and George pose a challenge to the government to address this issue sooner rather than later.

We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question.

Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:

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Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.

Credits:

Research: Sam Burton

Production: Caillin McDaid, Caitlin Hanrahan & Eve Jones 

Video Editor: Avi Asher

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

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

Should a government hold a referendum on tax? A civil servant messages in to pose this idea to Ed Balls and George Osborne on this week’s EMQs. The two debate the merits of holding any referendum, reminisce on how easily they become about more than their central question, and ponder whether tax policy is suited to the form of a referendum. 

Former MP Luke Hall asks the pair about charities funding and tax changes, and George relays the surprising difficulty he found in crafting the appropriate policy for this sector whilst Chancellor. 

And, is Peter Mandelson leaking information to Jeffrey Epstein a betrayal to the Labour party on the scale of the SDP forming in ‘81 or Ramsay MacDonald’s National government? Or, is it something even greater? Ed explains the ways that the Mandelson scandal is uniquely perfidious.

Finally, is the shelf life for a British politician shorter than the rest of the world? Why is it so rare to see someone re-enter the Commons after leaving? Ed and George weigh up the reasons for greater churn in British political life than in other democracies. 

We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question.

Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:

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Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.

Credits:

Research: Sam Burton

Production: Caillin McDaid, Caitlin Hanrahan & Eve Jones 

Video Editor: Avi Asher

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

We’re one week from the Gorton and Denton by-election, which could prove another brutal blow to Keir Starmer’s already unstable premiership. Could Reform gain another MP or will this be the Green Party’s first by-election victory? And is a Labour hold out of the question? 

Ed Balls and George Osborne explore the state of play for the parties, including the U-turn on postponing 30 local elections, the Labour Together scandal, and Reform unveiling their ‘shadow cabinet’. 

Then, following last weekend’s Munich Security Conference, the pair turn their attention to further calls for Europe to increase defence spending. The question for the UK is: can the Treasury afford the proposed 3% defence spending by the end of the parliament? And would the British public accept spending cuts needed to hit that target? 

Finally, George gives the inside scoop on the AI Impact Summit in India. He explains what opportunities and concerns are being addressed by world leaders, as well as why it represents an achievement for Britain.

We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question.

Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:

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Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.

Credits:

Research: Sam Burton

Production: Caillin McDaid & Caitlin Caitlin Hanrahan  

Video Editor: Avi Asher

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

Is it in the best interest of opposition leaders to see weak Prime Ministers resign? In this week’s EMQs Ed and George debate whether it benefits the opposition to depose a vulnerable Prime Minister. What are the consequences if their successor is a better leader? What comes first for the Leader of the Opposition - the country, or the party? 

And - can just anyone become Prime Minister? Do party leaders need to be MPs or might Britain see its own Mark Carney emerge? The pair discuss historical examples in favour of and against this notion and how it could happen again. They then weigh up an even bigger question: has the podcast turned them into influencers? With so many high profile people in the political world tuning in, are they taking notes on what Ed and George say?

Finally, Sky News political reporter Ben Bloch chimes in with a response to our question last week about what would happen in the event a PM was incapacitated. He consulted the Labour Party rule book, and it got him wondering if Britain should adopt a US style line of succession for government. Is it time to codify the unwritten rules?

We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question.

Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:

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👉 Apple Podcasts

Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.

Credits:

Research: Sam Burton

Production: Caillin McDaid, Caitlin Hanrahan & Eve Jones 

Video Editor: Avi Asher

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

Keir Starmer’s standing has gone from bad to worse this week, with the Peter Mandelson scandal giving way to a series of resignations in No. 10 and the Scottish Labour leader openly calling for Starmer to go. Ed Balls and George Osborne look at what might be Starmer’s worst week yet, and assess if he can survive or if we’re reliving the final days of Boris Johnson, and Theresa May.

Away from Westminster, the Munich Security Conference begins this weekend, which means we’re one year on from JD Vance’s consequential address in which he claimed the greatest threat to the continent came from within. Has that speech set the tone for the Trump administration’s relationship with Europe? What reverberations has that had for the UK? How will European leaders manage in a world without America as a reliable ally? 

Finally, they tackle one of the great debates in British politics: what do you do about the Palace of Westminster? The British parliament has been crumbling for decades and the dilemma of how to fix a working government building has been a live issue since Ed and George first left the Commons. As the issue is delayed, the costs continue to rise. They ponder the solution to this while reminiscing about crumbling offices, leaks and mice running across their feet. Is it in the British public’s interest to spend billions refurbishing the Palace of Westminster? 

We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question.

Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:

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👉 Apple Podcasts

Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.

Credits:

Research: Sam Burton

Production: Caillin McDaid, Caitlin Caitlin Hanrahan, & Eve Jones

Video Editor: Avi Asher

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

What would happen if Keir Starmer were incapacitated? Who would be acting prime minister - David Lammy, Lucy Powell, or someone else entirely? And how does scandals and replacing cabinet ministers work with no clear line of succession? Ed and George debate the uncertainties of the parliamentary system in this week’s EMQs. 

They also look at the burgeoning crisis around student loan repayments, reflecting on their own roles in governments that helped get us here, and and on the consequences of successive governments ignoring an issue of such magnitude. A civil servant asks just what MPs mean when they talk about ‘civil service reform’, and the reveal why ministers are always complaining about it. 

Finally, one of Ed’s former students puts them to the test - why do new MPs not receive training on essential policy areas when they arrive in Westminster. They use the experience of new MP Jake Richards and compare it to their own from 20 years ago.

We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question.

Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:

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👉 Apple Podcasts

Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.

Credits:

Research: Sam Burton

Production: Caillin McDaid & Caitlin Hanrahan  

Video Editor: Avi Asher

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

In this episode we discuss details from the Epstein files, with references to sexual exploitation and some strong language.

We begin this week with the growing political fallout from the Epstein files, following the release of thousands of emails by the US Department of Justice detailing Peter Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. The revelations have prompted comparisons with the Profumo affair and raised serious questions about judgment, power, and trust at the heart of British politics. 

Ed Balls and George Osborne discuss their shock at the extent of the released emails , how it has reignited scrutiny of Keir Starmer’s decision-making, and whether this crisis could bring the Prime Minister down.

Epstein’s connections with British elites goes beyond Westminster however. His well documented friendship with the former Prince, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, has once again put the Royal Family under pressure. How can King Charles deal with a scandal of this magnitude? And for others implicated in these files, like the Clintons and Donald Trump, what might follow?

Overshadowed in the noise of the Epstein files was the long-awaited appointment of Jerome Powell’s successor as chair of the Federal Reserve, and it was announced last week that Kevin Warsh was Trump’s pick. Ed and George reflect on their personal interactions with Warsh. What kind of Central Banker will he be? How will he differ from Powell? And, how might he handle political pressure from Trump’s White House? 

We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question.

Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad-free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks, including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:

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👉 Apple Podcasts

Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.

Credits:

Research: Sam Burton

Production: Caillin McDaid & Caitlin Caitlin Hanrahan  

Video Editor: Avi Asher

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

Are Robert Jenrick and Suella Braverman’s defections a blessing in disguise for Kemi Badenoch? In this week’s EMQs, Ed Balls and George Osborne explain the pros and cons of the Tories losing MPs from the right of the party, and how Badenoch can take advantage of Labour’s unpopularity. 

Then, the pair consider whether the UK could adopt a US style primary system for candidates and explain how they got selected for their seats in parliament. They also confront the surprising fact that no prime minister has come to power and been ejected through a General Election since the 1970s and answer whether Britain is actually a democracy?

They then answer if any British politician is capable of inspiring people the way Mark Carney did at Davos. George and Ed use their past experiences writing and delivering speeches to debate whether Carney's speech was inspiring because of what was written, or how and where it was said.

We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question.

Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:

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👉 Apple Podcasts

Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.

Credits:

Research: Sam Burton

Production: Caillin McDaid   

Video Editor: Avi Asher

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

It’s official: we are the champions. Fresh from two wins at last night’s Political Podcast Awards, a victorious Ed Balls and George Osborne look at two fairly drastic political recalibrations at home and abroad. 

Keir Starmer flew to China this week, amidst renewed tensions over his leadership, marking the first prime minister to visit the country in 8 years. Ed and George question why Number 10 played down this significant geopolitical moment, and how it reflects the tension surrounding Starmer leadership. They also look at Andy Burnham’s failed return to Westminster and Kemi Badenoch’s threats to her left and right.

Meanwhile, in the United States, Donald Trump is forced to de-escalate his position on immigration following multiple fatal shootings on the streets of Minnesota. Has the White House lost control of the narrative? And if so, what does this tell us about the limits of a hardline on the politics of immigration?

Also, the pair highlight a new Institute for Fiscal Studies paper, which looks into how the house price boom and intergenerational wealth is affecting home ownership and social mobility in the UK today. What impact is this having on people’s life chances? And is the Labour government able to tackle it in light of its watered down planning reforms?

We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question.

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Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.

Credits:

Research: Sam Burton

Production: Caillin McDaid & Caitlin Hanrahan

Video Editor: Avi Asher

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

Why didn’t Nick Clegg become Chancellor of the Exchequer in the 2010 coalition government? Ed Balls and George Osborne take you inside the negotiations that formed the Conservative-Lib Dem coalition in this week’s EMQs. They also discuss why Gordon Brown didn’t make Ed chancellor, and whether it was the original sin of his premiership.

They also discuss the role of academics in policy making, and why American scholars end up more favored than their British counterparts. And, how many U-turns can a government sustain? Ed and George look at the impact of U-turn politics on trust and authority, and discuss how the coalition survived the omnishambles budget? 

Finally, the pair consider whether MPs who defect - including recent high profile Tories like Robert Jenrick - should stand down to trigger by-elections. They explain where this has gone wrong historically, and the dangerous precedent it would set for future political rebellions in all major parties. 

We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question.

Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad-free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:

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Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.

Credits:

Research: Sam Burton

Production: Caillin McDaid, Caitlin Hanrahan & Sam Psyk. 

Video Editor: Avi Asher

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

Fresh off a week of anxiety and uncertainty, George Osborne reports to Ed Balls from Davos to give the inside track on what it was like to see Trump’s address in person and the murmurs from the Alps about what the President really wants. The pair also look at the reactions from Keir Starmer, European allies, and the Mark Carney speech that got everyone talking. 

The pair then reflect on Robert Jenrick’s sacking and defection to Reform one week on. Has he truly put national interest above personal interest? Should the two parties come to an agreement to reunite the right of British politics? And could the defection of other Tories such as Andrew Rosindell help Kemi Badenoch change the party for the better?

Ed has also been on the European continent this week, visiting Versailles for the annual Franco-British Colloque. He speaks of his insights into growing acceptance of victory for the far-right National Rally in next year’s presidential election, a rumoured Macron return in 2032, and the need, now more than ever, for a stronger relationship across the Channel.

We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question.

Thanks for being a valued member of our Kitchen Cabinet or a Gold subscriber. Remember Kitchen Cabinet members get exclusive access to live EMQs recordings, briefings from the team, and an exclusive Political Currency mug.

Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.

Credits:

Research: Sam Burton

Production: Caillin McDaid, Caitlin Hanrahan & Sam Psyk. 

Video Editor: Avi Asher

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

Fellow ex-minister Edward Timpson sends in a question this week, asking Ed Balls and George Osborne how they stayed mentally and physically healthy during their time in government. The pair share their guide for what all ministers should do to remain fit in and out of office.

Shevaun Haviland, Director General for the British Chambers of Commerce, then asks how the ongoing issues with business rates are solved permanently. George explains why this tax is one that causes issues for every government, and the problems inherent to reforming it. 

A listener sends in a question from Tokyo, allowing Ed and George to delve into the decades-long standstill of the Japanese economy and the cult-like following new prime minister Sanae Takaichi has gained. 

Finally, George explains why it’s easier to make promises in opposition than stick to them in government, revisiting plans by the Tories to downsize government cars before the coalition, and why it didn’t work out that way.

We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question.

Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:

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Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.

Credits:

Research: Sam Burton

Production: Caillin McDaid, Caitlin Hanrahan & Sam Psyk. 

Video Editor: Avi Asher

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

The dramatic news of Robert Jenrick’s sacking and rumoured plot to defect to Reform broke mid-record this week, meaning Ed Balls and George Osborne give a live reaction to the news. Has Kemi Badenoch secured her leadership or is this the next Tory psychodrama? And, could Nigel Farage be inviting the biggest threat to his leadership by accepting Jenrick? 

The pair look at the ongoing protests in Iran, and Donald Trump’s changing stance on whether American forces will be deployed in the region. They also look at how Labour should respond, and question the silence from certain political voices on the left. 

After a roundup of U-turns last week the Labour government has delivered yet another rollback with their mandatory Digital ID cards. Why can’t the government, in Wes Streeting’s words, get it right the first time? 

And finally, the ongoing feud between Fed Chair Jerome Powell and Trump turned from a cold war to a hot one last weekend, with a criminal investigation into Powell being launched and the Fed releasing a response. Ed and George examine the possible repercussions of this, and the threats Trump’s demands of the Fed pose. 

We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question.

Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:

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Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.

Credits:

Research: Sam Burton

Production: Caillin McDaid, Caitlin Hanrahan & Sam Psyk. 

Video Editor: Avi Asher

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

In the first EMQs of 2026 Ed Balls and George Osborne answer the most important question for any politician: what was your snakiest move? The pair share each of their proudest (and least proud) moments of cunning, as well as some hard-won advice on when being snakey can pay off. 

They then turn to a question missed from our last ‘What If’ episode from Australian cabinet member Chris Bowen, who wonders what would happen if John Smith had lived. What would have become of Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, and, most importantly, Ed?

George’s old Downing Street colleague Craig Oliver also asks a question concerning the gap between establishment and public opinion on AI which allows George to flex his new OpenAI knowledge. Finally, they answer the question on everyone’s minds: what was their favourite song from the Eras Tour? 

We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question.

Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:

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Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.

Credits:

Research: Sam Burton

Production: Caillin McDaid and Caitlin Hanrahan

Video Editor: Avi Asher

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

2026 has begun dramatically, with Donald Trump ordering an attack on Venezuela, plus has had aggressive rhetoric against Greenland and other parts of Latin America. Ed Balls and George Osborne discuss how leaders in Europe should respond. Why has the US set their sights on securing Greenland? Is Keir Starmer’s careful response the right approach? And just how much is Trump being motivated by oil?

As Donald Trump sets the tone internationally, Keir Starmer is under pressure to make his latest domestic relaunch cut through. By focusing on the cost of living, can the government tap into one of the British public’s key policy concerns? Or is this mission too broad, and a hostage to fate?

Finally, the pair examine whether Labour is becoming the U-turn government… From farmer’s inheritance tax, to a potential U-turn on pubs’ business rates, is it a timely course correction? Or does it give the impression that the government doesn't know what they are doing?

We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question.

Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:

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Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.

Credits:

Research: Sam Burton

Production: Caillin McDaid and Caitlin Hanrahan

Video Editor: Avi Asher

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

What if the Brexit vote was flipped? Would George Osborne actually be our… former Prime Minister? And what would have happened during the Covid-19 outbreak in that case?

George Osborne and Ed Balls are back with another ‘What if’ episode, thinking about some of the most consequential sliding doors moments in modern politics. 

Looking further back, what if it was actually Neil Kinnock who had won the 1992 election? How might Black Wednesday have played out under a Labour government?

Finally, they imagine a showdown between Obama and Trump for a third term in 2028. Can Trump really stand constitutionally? Would it be wise for the Democrats to run Obama or is there a better candidate to beat Trump?  

Thanks for listening. Remember Kitchen Cabinet members get exclusive access to live EMQs recordings, briefings from the team, and an exclusive Political Currency mug.

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Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.

We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question. 

Credits:

Research: Sam Burton

Production: Paige Reynolds and Caillin McDaid

Video Editor: Avi Asher 

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

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

Education secretary Bridget Phillipson joins George Osborne on the podcast this week for a special conversation, giving him another sit down with a rising cabinet member after his interview with Wes Streeting in the summer. 

The pair talk about the challenges of entering government and whether Labour (or any party) still prioritises education, education, education. They debate the effectiveness of scrapping the two-child benefit cap versus reviving plans like Sure Start, and what to expect from the education department in 2026. 

They also talk about Phillipson’s deputy leadership campaign, how she felt about being ‘No. 10’s candidate’, and whether she would contest any future leadership bids…

Finally, they turn to the challenge on every Labour MP’s mind: Reform. Phillipson’s Sunderland constituency is at the heart of the Reform challenge to Labour, which means she is acutely aware of the looming threat. How can her party can beat Nigel Farage?

Don’t forget to vote for us as the Political Podcast Awards People’s Choice of the year. Follow the link to vote: https://politicalpodcastawards.co.uk/the-peoples-choice-award/ 

And we love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question.

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Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.

Credits:

Production: Paige Reynolds and Caillin McDaid

Video Editor: Avi Asher

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

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

Pop the champagne, Ed and George are feeling Christmassy in the Political Currency studio, answering some very special questions. 

Claudia Winkleman asks who the ultimate political traitor is? Who do they pick for 2025… and of all time? Plus, our listeners ask Ed and George about the gifts they have bought for their loved ones - did George ever get David and Sam Cam any wallpaper… and also what books they’d recommend as stocking fillers. 

Rob Rinder asks George whether he really thinks he could have done better than Ed on Strictly Come Dancing. And he also asks a more serious question: why do they think anti-semitism has been on the rise?

Then, seeing as it’s the season, a listener asks about Ed and George’s favourite Westminster pubs and finally, it’s Ed’s time to shine as a listener asks for his ultimate Christmas recipes.

Thank you so much for all your support in 2025. We have loved hearing from you and we can’t wait to hear more of your questions in 2026. Send them to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question.

Don’t forget to vote for us as the Political Podcast Awards' People’s Choice of the Year. Follow the link to vote: https://politicalpodcastawards.co.uk/the-peoples-choice-award/ 

Thanks for listening. Remember Kitchen Cabinet members get exclusive access to live EMQs recordings, briefings from the team, and an exclusive Political Currency mug

👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency

👉 Apple Podcasts

Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.

Credits:

Production: Paige Reynolds and Caillin McDaid

Video Editor: Avi Asher

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

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

Can Sir Ed Davey really take the fight to the right when it comes to the next election? In this special episode of Political Currency, Ed Balls speaks to the Liberal Democrat leader - and his politician of the year from 2024. 

In this wide-ranging conversation, the two Eds talk about Ed Davey’s passion for care provision and his deeply personal connection to the issue. Ed Balls also asks Ed about his time in the Coalition government with George Osborne and they reflect on their shared school days - including time spent out of the classroom. But will Ed Balls finally return the history notes he lost?

Plus, with Nigel Farage’s Reform rising up the ranks, Ed Balls asks Ed Davey if he would go into a coalition with Nigel Farage at the next general election. 

Don’t forget to vote for us as the Political Podcast Award’s People’s Choice of the year. Follow the link to vote:https://politicalpodcastawards.co.uk/the-peoples-choice-award/ 

And we love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question.

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Thanks for listening. Remember Kitchen Cabinet members get exclusive access to live EMQs recordings, briefings from the team, and an exclusive Political Currency mug:tr.ee/gift-pc

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Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.

Credits:

Production: Paige Reynolds and Caillin McDaid

Video Editor: Avi Asher

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

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

What’s the most embarrassing moment you’ve ever had caught on camera? Good Morning Britain’s Susanna Reid asks George and Ed to walk down an excruciating memory lane. And she puts a question from ChatGPT to them, in light of George’s new gig. But which question is better?

George reveals William Hague’s incredible method for making sure meetings run on time and Ed helps a Gold listener finally understand the joke at the front of the show? Why on earth would George think he was on the Titanic?

A listener shares their experience as a Jewish person in the UK, after the attack on Bondi Beach. 

And, Nick Thomas-Symonds, cabinet member and famed biographer of Harold Wilson compliments George on his impression of the former Prime Minister - though makes a slight correction. He wants to know when Ed and George think the leaders they served were most resilient. 

Finally - seeing as it’s nearly Christmas - Ed and George muse on where Santa does his Christmas shopping… 

Don’t forget to vote for us as the Political Podcast Award’s People’s Choice of the year. Follow the link to vote: https://politicalpodcastawards.co.uk/the-peoples-choice-award/ 

And we love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question.

Plus, why not give the gift of Political Currency this Christmas! Kitchen Cabinet members get a Christmas card from Ed and George, a Political Currency mug and even more exclusive perks including our newsletter and access to live events. Sign yourself or a loved one (or an enemy) up today: tr.ee/gift-pc

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Credits:

Research: Sam Burton

Production: Paige Reynolds and Eve Jones

Video Editor: Maha Al-Badrawi

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

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

How has 2025 changed the outlook for Britain’s political parties? George Osborne and Ed Balls reflect on the events that have defined public opinion and led to unprecedented changes in the polls. What went wrong for Keir Starmer’s government? Why does Kemi Badenoch’s leadership now look more stable? 

They also name what could potentially be the four most influential moments of 2026. Are losses in the Scottish, Welsh and local elections inevitable for Labour? Will the US mid-terms signal a resurgence or decline for Donald Trump? Could US-China state visits present an opportunity for a stronger relationship between the countries? And just how significant will the first OBR forecast since the Budget be, when it arrives in the spring?

Finally, Ed and George crown their Politicians of the Year, and take a look back at some of the best, worst, and most surprising political moments of 2025.

Don’t forget to vote for us as the Political Podcast Award’s People’s Choice of the year. Follow the link to vote: https://politicalpodcastawards.co.uk/the-peoples-choice-award/ 

And we love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question.

Plus, why not give the gift of Political Currency this Christmas! Kitchen Cabinet members get a Christmas card from Ed and George, a Political Currency mug and even more exclusive perks including our newsletter and access to live events. Sign yourself or a loved one (or an enemy) up today: tr.ee/gift-pc

Please note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.

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Credits:

Research: Sam Burton

Production: Paige Reynolds and Eve Jones

Video Editor: Maha Al-Badrawi

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

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

George Osborne and Ed Balls reminisce on their most challenging interviewers…school children. George recalls being asked what seven times eight was, while Ed recounts misfires over school lunches. They also speculate on which Tory MP was glad to be sacked by Rishi Sunak…

Elsewhere, they look at the peculiar case of the Canadian Conservatives where election loser Pierre Poilievre has continued on as leader, and wonder if there are any British equivalents. This allows George to show off his unexpected Harold Wilson impression. 

They also question Labour’s continued refusal to consider rejoining the Customs Union, and whether the US/India trade deals are an acceptable substitute. Finally, they give Keir Starmer some benefit of the doubt, as a passionate listener makes the case for Labour’s vision and successes from their first year in government.

We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question.

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Thanks for listening. Remember Kitchen Cabinet members get exclusive access to live EMQs recordings, briefings from the team, and an exclusive Political Currency mug PLUS a very special Christmas card from Ed and George: tr.ee/gift-pc

Credits:

Research: Sam Burton

Production: Caillin McDaid & Ellie Jay 

Video Editor: Danny Pape

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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