This house believes private schools should be abolished
The New Statesman Podcast, Subscriber Only Edition
Release Date: 05/21/2025
Spending review: NHS wins - but tax rises are coming
The New Statesman Podcast, Subscriber Only Edition
Andrew Marr, Anoosh Chakelian and Rachel Cunliffe review Rachel Reeves's latest financial statement. LISTEN NEXT: What Keir Starmer can't say - NS editor Tom McTague on his profile of the Prime Minister https://pod.fo/e/2e40f0 -- Rachel Reeves unveiled her latest spending review this week. Andrew, Anoosh and Rachel unpack the winners and losers, and discuss what the spending review reveals about the government's priorities. READ: Rachel Reeves's economic credibility is on the line...
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What Keir Starmer can't say - New Statesman editor Tom McTague on his new profile of the Prime Minister
The New Statesman Podcast, Subscriber Only Edition
Keir Starmer had tears in his eyes as he spoke of the death of his brother. The Prime Minister was talking with the New Statesman's new editor, Tom McTague, about how his personal life informs how he runs the country. Tom has spent weeks accompanying and interviewing Keir Starmer for an extensive profile published in the latest issue of the New Statesman. In this extended interview, Tom speaks with deputy editor Will Lloyd to discuss what he learned about the man who leads the government. Read the profile on the New Statesman website: https://www.newstatesman.com...
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Jeremy Hunt: Reform's mission is to destroy the Tories
The New Statesman Podcast, Subscriber Only Edition
Jeremy Hunt held an extensive number of briefs in successive Conservative cabinets; culture secretary, health secretary, foreign secretary, and chancellor. He's now back on the back benches after just holding onto his seat, focusing his time on "reading and writing". Last week he published a new book "Can We Be Great Again? - looking at Britain’s global position, and in Hunt’s opinion, why it could be greater. Is this part of his bid for the Tory leadership? And with the rise of Reform would he consider a coalition?
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Britain is trapped in a new build nightmare
The New Statesman Podcast, Subscriber Only Edition
If you live in a new build, or know someone who does, who might already be all too familiar with the fact that Britain has a housing problem. Yes we have a severe shortage of housing, and the government has promised to build 1.5million new homes by the end of parliament - but something which is affecting many people but remains underreported is the terrible quality of the houses being built. Will Dunn is joined by Anoosh Chakelian who has written this week's cover story: Submit a question for a future episode:
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Does Andy Burnham want to be prime minister?
The New Statesman Podcast, Subscriber Only Edition
There's a gap on the left and several figures have stepped forward to fill it! Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Rachel Cunliffe and George Eaton to discuss, Andy Burnham's leadership pitch, Jeremy Corbyn's Gaza inquiry, dysfunction in no 10, and what the hell Robert Jenrick is doing on the internet. Sign up to the New Statesman's daily politics newsletter: Submit a question for a future episode:
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Why is Trump shilling crypto?
The New Statesman Podcast, Subscriber Only Edition
If there's one thing that the president loves, it's money. Recently, Trump has turned his attention to crypto - going into business with his sons and launching $TRUMP and $MELANIA memecoins. But while this is one of Donald Trump’s latest passion projects, it joins a long, long list of business ventures over his lengthy career. A story that in reality involves a long list of failed business ventures, tax evasion, and multiple bankruptcies. So how has Donald Trump manage to fail upwards for more than half a century? And who pays the price when he does? Katie Stallard is joined by...
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Who can fill the left-wing gap?
The New Statesman Podcast, Subscriber Only Edition
With Reform being a right-wing populist movement, and splitting Tory voters. Why is there a lack of a strong left-wing populist party?, one listener asks. And another listener, Damon, writes in to ask, Why are fishing rights on the agenda with regards to this latest EU deal? Do you agree that France has a disproportionate influence on the EU? Anoosh Chakelian is joined by George Eaton and Rachel Cunliffe. Sign up to the New Statesman's daily politics newsletter: Submit a question for a future episode:
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Labour are U-turning it up
The New Statesman Podcast, Subscriber Only Edition
Winter fuel cuts? Two child benefit gap? Rachel Reeves' fiscal rules? Angela Rayner? The team discuss what will stay and what will have to go for Labour in the coming weeks and months, and where Nigel Farage is lurking to capitalise on Labour and Tory struggles. Anoosh Chakelian is joined by George Eaton and Rachel Cunliffe. Sign up to the New Statesman's daily politics newsletter: Submit a question for a future episode:
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As Gaza faces famine, where does the US stand on Israel?
The New Statesman Podcast, Subscriber Only Edition
Last week, the Israeli military launched a major new ground assault on Gaza. The aim, according to Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is to force the surrender of Hamas, free the remaining Israeli hostages, and bring the entire territory under Israel’s control. The UK, France and Canada have demanded Israel halt "its military operations" and "immediately allow aid" in. While Trump spoke about his support for Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu during his campaign, in recent weeks his patience seems to be wearing this. The US ambassador to Israel maintains Hamas is...
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Gordon Brown on the “cruel” two-child benefit cap
The New Statesman Podcast, Subscriber Only Edition
The former Labour prime minister speaks to the New Statesman Podcast about how the government can reduce levels of child poverty. Read: Submit a question for a future episode:
info_outlineSeven per cent of British children attend private school – a tiny minority – and yet they retain a grip on our elite institutions. The latest figures show that 65% of judges, 44% of newspaper columnists and 23% of MPs were independently educated.
Fee-paying schools, however, do not merely cater for the privileged few, but hard-working aspirational parents who want the best for their children. They also allow for a quality that is essential in all aspects of raising children: choice. Is this two-tier system an archaic injustice that needs total reform? Or is it the route to a better education for all?
This debate was recorded at the Cambridge Literary Festival. You can watch and listen to more on cambridgeliteraryfestival.com