Show Notes
Keir Starmer has already admitted appointing Peter Mandelson as US Ambassador was a mistake. But after the first batch of documents was released, Beth, Ruth and Harriet ask the big question: we still don’t know how big that ‘mistake’ it was – could it get worse with what is yet to come out about what the Prime Minister knew about Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein? In this episode we break down: What’s in the first tranche of documents around Peter Mandelson’s appointmnet (and what’s still missing) The red flags raised before Mandelson was appointed and why the process looks so rushed What “developed vetting” actually is, and why it could become the key detail The growing political risk for Starmer, including questions around what was said in the Commons
Peter Mandelson has consistently denied any criminal wrongdoing and he is cooperating with the police investigation. Plus, a powerful moment in Parliament this week as Labour MPs Charlotte Nichols and Natalie Fleet speak about their own experiences as victims. How do their stories feed into the government’s legal reforms? And what would the plans mean for justice, juries and the courts backlog? Got a question for the burner phone? WhatsApp 07934 200 444 or email [email protected].
More from Electoral Dysfunction
It’s been almost 100 days since Andy Burnham became PM, but do the people who voted him in in Makerfield feel he has been living up to their expectations – and do they think he will be able to take on the electoral minefields of immigration and welfare policy? Beth Rigby, Ruth Davidson and Harriet Harman are joined by polling expert Luke Tryl, who has been speaking to ordinary voters to take the temperature of the nation. Plus – did the government make the right call in allowing drilling at the Jackdaw gas field to go ahead? And will Rosebank be the next project to get the green light? Tickets for our London live show are available now, join us on 26 November: https://cadoganhall.com/whats-on/electoral-dysfunction-live/book/1391434/ To listen without ads, get exclusive bonus episodes, and much more, become a Sky News Insider. Find out more and subscribe at https://skynews.com/electoraldysfunction Got a question for the burner phone? WhatsApp 07934 200 444 or email [email protected]. Sky News Insider requires a paid subscription and is available to UK listeners aged 18 and over.
Is the UK Government ready for artificial intelligence (AI) – and will there be any jobs left for the next generation? Former technology secretary Liz Kendall joins Beth Rigby, Ruth Davidson and Harriet Harman to discuss her push to get the UK to the forefront of AI development – and tackle some of the fears of the public. Plus, she reflects on her time in the Department for Work and Pensions, and why she wasn’t able to get her welfare reforms through. And, closing out conference season, Beth, Ruth and Harriet discuss the Scottish National Party, and why they’re making they’re making another big push for a second referendum. Tickets for our London live show are available now, join us on 26 November: https://cadoganhall.com/whats-on/electoral-dysfunction-live/book/1391434/ To listen without ads, get exclusive bonus episodes, and much more, become a Sky News Insider. Find out more and subscribe at https://skynews.com/electoraldysfunction Got a question for the burner phone? WhatsApp 07934 200 444 or email [email protected]. Sky News Insider requires a paid subscription and is available to UK listeners aged 18 and over.
No matter how they try to spin it, it's been a difficult week for Zack Polanski's Green Party. The party leader didn't win the by-election to become the MP for Holborn and St Pancras (Sir Keir Starmer's former seat), losing to Labour's Sagal Abdi-Wali, in the week his party faced huge criticism over a motion passed at their autumn conference. So how does the Green's "Zionism is racism" motion affect Polanski's future? Did it have a part to play in him losing the by-election? Or is Prime Minister Andy Burnham's popularity - the so-called "Burnham bounce" - behind the fade in the Green Party's popularity? Beth, Ruth and Harriet are joined by More in Common's Luke Tryl to go through the detail and reflect on Kemi Badenoch's speech at the Conservative Party conference and her divisive inheritance tax policy. Tickets for our London live show are available now, join us on 26 November: https://cadoganhall.com/whats-on/electoral-dysfunction-live/book/1391434/ To listen without ads, get exclusive bonus episodes, and much more, become a Sky News Insider. Find out more and subscribe at https://skynews.com/electoraldysfunction Got a question for the burner phone? WhatsApp 07934 200 444 or email [email protected]. Sky News Insider requires a paid subscription and is available to UK listeners aged 18 and over.
Andy Burnham set out his stall during an emotional speech at the Labour Party conference – pledging to scrap the triple lock, create a national care service, and reform the first-past-the-post voting system. Beth Rigby, Ruth Davidson and Harriet Harman discuss whether he can deliver on his promises, and if the odds of an early election have just shortened. And has he inadvertently given Kemi Badenoch her attack lines for the Conservative Party conference? To listen without ads, get exclusive bonus episodes, and much more, become a Sky News Insider. Find out more and subscribe at https://skynews.com/electoraldysfunction Got a question for the burner phone? WhatsApp 07934 200 444 or email [email protected]. Sky News Insider requires a paid subscription and is available to UK listeners aged 18 and over.
Can Andy Burnham bring back hope - or is he all style and no substance? Following the prime minister's meeting with Donald Trump in New York, Beth Rigby, Ruth Davidson and Harriet Harman discuss whether Mr Burnham's leadership has brought about a sense of change in the Labour Party - and the country - and make their predictions ahead of the party conference next week. Plus - are the Liberal Democrats irrelevant on the national stage, despite being the third biggest party at Westminster? To listen without ads, exclusive bonus episodes, and much more, become a Sky News Insider. Find out more and subscribe at https://skynews.com/electoraldysfunction Got a question for the burner phone? WhatsApp 07934 200 444 or email [email protected]. Sky News Insider requires a paid subscription and is available to UK listeners aged 18 and over.