PODCAST

The New Statesman Podcast, Subscriber Only Edition

The New Statesman

Anoosh Chakelian and the New Statesman team discuss the latest in British politics

news politics

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33:32

People around the world are falling in love with AI

The New Statesman Podcast, Subscriber Only Edition ·

2026/01/24

Over 100 million people around the world have downloaded AI companion apps. Friends, therapists, lovers ... mediums - for some, their closest connection in this life is a chatbot. How did we get here? Catharine Hughes is joined by James Muldoon, sociologist and author of Love Machines: How Artificial Intelligence is Transforming Our Relationships.

28:48

What happens when an MP defects?

The New Statesman Podcast, Subscriber Only Edition ·

2026/01/23

Robert Jenrick's defection prompted a lot of listener questions. So we'll try to answer them! Last week Robert Jenrick dramatically defected to Reform after being booted out of the Conservatives by a furious Kemi Badenoch. The Tory leader claimed that she had "irrefutable evidence" that Jenrick had been planning to defect in "the most damaging way possible". So she sacked him from the government and removed the Conservative whip. This prompted a lot of listeners to write in to Daily Politics with

26:56

Is this Andy Burnham's moment?

The New Statesman Podcast, Subscriber Only Edition ·

2026/01/22

Andrew Gwynne, the MP for Gorton and Denton in Greater Manchester, has resigned. This opens up the path for another Andrew, King of the North and Labour leadership hopeful, Andy Burnham, to return to Westminster. Ailbhe Rea joins Anoosh Chakelian.

24:50

The UK must crawl back to Europe

The New Statesman Podcast, Subscriber Only Edition ·

2026/01/21

With Donald Trump threatening tariffs on the UK and eviscerating Keir Starmer on Truth Social, does the PM have no choice but run back into the arms of the EU? Many Labour MPs think yes. Tom McTague joins Rachel Cunliffe.

32:13

Student loans have screwed over a generation

The New Statesman Podcast, Subscriber Only Edition ·

2026/01/20

Cast your mind back to 2010… Apple launched the ipad, a volcano erupted in Iceland and David Cameron and Nick Clegg passed a bill that would screw over a generation of young people. This was, of course, the decision to triple university tuition fees in England to £9,000 per year Oli Dugmore is joined by Rachel Cunliffe to discuss how this has radicalised graduates.

45:56

Trump escalates Greenland threats

The New Statesman Podcast, Subscriber Only Edition ·

2026/01/19

"Considering your country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace." This is what Donald Trump wrote in a letter to Norway's prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre this weekend. And true to his word, peace is not on the US President's mind. Oli Dugmore speaks to the New Statesman's editor Tom McTague about Starmer's options, and in the second half of the episode, senior editor Katie Stallard interviews Rasmus

36:19

Is London a crime-ridden cesspit?

The New Statesman Podcast, Subscriber Only Edition ·

2026/01/17

Claims from politicians both at home and abroad paint an increasingly decrepit picture of the nation's capital. But just how much crime and chaos is there really in London? Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Will Dunn to discuss her reporting on the issue, as well as a rundown of the big and brazen ongoings in political Britain this week.

30:17

Why are we so obsessed with Japan?

The New Statesman Podcast, Subscriber Only Edition ·

2026/01/17

A professional sumo tournament in London in October 2025 offered more than sporting spectacle. It became a lens through which to view Japan's growing cultural pull in the West, a society where ancient ritual, hierarchy and Shinto belief coexist with hyper-modern life. Tanjil Rashid is joined by historian Christopher Harding to explore how Japan balances tradition and modernity, and why that balance is proving increasingly compelling to Western audiences.

28:14

Should breaking manifesto pledges be illegal?

The New Statesman Podcast, Subscriber Only Edition ·

2026/01/16

A frustrated listener calls for consequences over broken Labour promises. Anoosh Chakelian and Rachel Cunliffe answer listener questions about UK politics. In the mailbag this week: Should parliament impose legislation to force governments to honour manifesto pledges? Is it time to reform council tax? The Scottish independence referendum settled the question for "a generation". But what counts as a generation? How would politics be different if the House of Commons was a different

29:33

Jenrick defects to Reform

The New Statesman Podcast, Subscriber Only Edition ·

2026/01/15

Robert Jenrick has become the latest Tory to defect to Reform. This morning he was fired by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, after she discovered his plan. The announcement followed former Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi defecting to Reform earlier this week. Tories broke Britain, say Tories. What does it mean? How did it happen? Oli Dugmore is joined by Rachel Cunliffe and Ethan Croft.

28:59

Why Keir Starmer U-turned on digital ID

The New Statesman Podcast, Subscriber Only Edition ·

2026/01/14

How many U-turns before you admit you don't know where you're going? As little as four months ago, Keir Starmer said: "You will not be able to work in the UK if you don't have a digital ID, it's as simple as that." Now, he's done yet another 180. Oli Dugmore is joined by Anoosh Chakelian and Ailbhe Rea.

33:51

Keir Starmer: Grok imagery "disgraceful"

The New Statesman Podcast, Subscriber Only Edition ·

2026/01/13

Keir Starmer is challenging Elon Musk and x.com over AI generated non-consensual intimate images. A proliferation of these images, generated by x.com's AI chatbot Grok, has flooded the platform. Users have been instructing Grok to create these images of high profile celebrities and even of children. The British government have announced they will introduce legislation to prevent these images. This debate has raised issues of free speech, big tech, power and transatlantic relations. Oli Dugmore

14:31

Nadhim Zahawi defects from the Tories to Reform

The New Statesman Podcast, Subscriber Only Edition ·

2026/01/12

"Britain needs Nigel Farage as prime minister" said the former chancellor. Oli Dugmore is joined by Rachel Cunliffe and Ailbhe Rea.

50:47

Salman Rushdie is in "the 9th or 10th hour"

The New Statesman Podcast, Subscriber Only Edition ·

2026/01/10

Born into a Muslim family in Bombay, India, in 1947, two months before the country's partition, educated in the UK and now resident in New York, Salman Rushdie is a writer of multiple, interconnected worlds. At the heart of his work – ever since he won the 1982 Booker Prize with Midnight's Children – has been some kind of history: the world's, his own, or both at once. The latest chapter in the history of Rushdie's life sees the now 78-year-old writer – and survivor of a near-fatal assassination

32:30

Are we ready for a "Brexit reset"?

The New Statesman Podcast, Subscriber Only Edition ·

2026/01/09

Keir Starmer is planning on developing a "closer relationship" with the single market. The PM wants to realign with the EU in three key areas to help the free flow of trade: food and farm exports, electricity and emissions trading. But what will this mean for Britain, and how is it going down in Westminster? Anoosh Chakelian is joined by associate political editor, Rachel Cunliffe.

21:10

It's official: Labour are in third place

The New Statesman Podcast, Subscriber Only Edition ·

2026/01/07

Christmas polling has revealed that the Tories have edged past Labour into second place in the polls. Nigel Farage's Reform UK are still sitting pretty in the top spot, with Zack Polanski's insurgent Greens chasing Labour's tail. With elections in May incoming, this is the last thing Labour need.

42:23

Russia suggested the US "swap" Venezuela for Ukraine

The New Statesman Podcast, Subscriber Only Edition ·

2026/01/06

In 2019, according to a deposition, Russia signalled that they could ease off their support for Venezuela if Washington were to ease its own position in Ukraine. The testimony was delivered by Fiona Hill, a former senior director on the US's national security council during the first Trump administration. Fiona Hill joins Megan Gibson to discuss that Russian proposal, as well as the US's strike on Venezuela – and what this means for the global order.

37:22

Trump kidnaps Maduro, and Starmer says… nothing?

The New Statesman Podcast, Subscriber Only Edition ·

2026/01/05

Emily Thornberry MP joins us to discuss the US's actions in Venezuela, the legality, and the international response. In the second half of the podcast, the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee reflects on Starmer's moves to a closer relationship with the EU.

52:40

A look ahead to politics in 2026

The New Statesman Podcast, Subscriber Only Edition ·

2026/01/03

It's New Year's celebrations, part 2! Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Ben Walker to discuss the political climate of 2026. From the 10 year anniversary of Brexit and the UK's relationship with the US, to our ageing population and SEND Reforms, here's what to expect from next year. If you missed Part 1 of our "Look ahead", where we discussed the May elections and what's in store for our political parties, you can find that in the previous episode on your feed.

46:54

How will the May elections define UK politics in 2026?

The New Statesman Podcast, Subscriber Only Edition ·

2026/01/01

Happy New Year from the New Statesman podcast! What will 2026 have in store? Will Labour flop in the May elections? Will the Greens make gains? And will Reform overtake the ailing Conservatives? Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Ben Walker to make their political predictions.

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