Electoral Dysfunction

Angela Rayner has stepped back in the spotlight this week and straight into controversy.
Her blunt intervention - warning the government is running out of time, criticising its record on “change” and calling parts of Labour’s immigration policy “un-British” - has sparked a big question: is Rayner simply saying what others are thinking, or going too far?
Harriet certainly thinks it’s a bit much. She says Rayner’s approach could be undermining the government at a critical moment just weeks out from the May elections. Beth says Rayner's tax affairs could be sorted sooner than a lot of people thought.
On the elections, Beth has been in Scotland speaking to Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar. Does he still think Starmer should resign?
Plus, what support should the government be offering to help with rising energy costs because of the war in Iran? And can we even afford it as a country?
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And if you didn't know, you can also watch Beth, Ruth and Harriet on YouTube.

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?
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President Donald Trump has said he was “very disappointed” in Keir Starmer. Did the Prime Minister fall short of his reputation on the international stage? Or has he put Britain first by standing up to Trump? And will we look back at this moment as a success for him?
It’s been a huge week in the Middle East with global repercussions and Beth, Ruth and Harriet are discussing how Keir Starmer has dealt with it all.
Ruth explains why she thinks Starmer should have rained ‘fire and brimstone’ on Iran for their attack on the British bases at Akrotiri in Cyprus.
Meanwhile, Harriet explains how Iraq’s legacy still looms large over Labour and is playing into their decisions over Iran.
And Beth explains the leaks from the National Security Meetings where decisions were made over Iran and what it says about Starmer’s leadership.
Got a question for the burner phone? WhatsApp 07934 200 444 or email [email protected].
And if you didn't know, you can also watch Beth, Ruth and Harriet on YouTube.

Harriet thinks the Greens delivered a "bruising" defeat to Labour in the Gorton and Denton by-election, so is Keir Starmer now worried about the local elections in May?
The Gorton and Denton by-election result on Friday was a shock for Labour, who Beth says were convinced they would hold on to this once safe seat for the party. And the Greens now have a new MP in Hannah Spencer.
Is this a sign of things to come in the May elections? Are the Green Party a serious contender and concern for the government? What does it mean for Labour to come third behind the Greens and Reform? And have Reform got a ceiling to their support?
Beth, Ruth and Harriet also discuss the arrest of former US ambassador Lord Mandelson this week. He denies all wrongdoing and his lawyers said he wants to "clear his name".
Got a question for the burner phone? WhatsApp 07934 200 444 or email [email protected].
And if you didn't know, you can also watch Beth, Ruth and Harriet on YouTube.

Andrew – formerly known as Prince – was arrested whilst Harriet and Ruth were in the middle of answering your questions from the Burner Phone for a half term special whilst Beth is away during political recess on her holidays.
So in this episode, they react to the extraordinary news that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested (and later released under investigation) on suspicion of misconduct in public office and discuss what it means for the rule of law.
Later, they tackle questions on the government's latest U-turn over postponed local elections, and whether Reform UK is facing proper scrutiny over the Equality Act.
Plus, as Keir Starmer appoints the first woman head of the civil service, they ask why female public figures still face misogyny.
And with major Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) reforms expected next week, Harriet and Ruth hear from parents who fear change could make a broken system worse, not better.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has always denied any wrongdoing.
Responding to Harriet's comments about Reform, a Reform UK spokesman said: "Unlike Harriet, we don't need a pink bus to attract women to our party.
"Reform has high-profile women throughout our cabinet and senior women in our party staff, unlike Starmer."
And on the Equality Act, the spokesman added: "Reform UK remains committed to supporting workplace protections against discrimination. No one should be treated unfairly because of their sex, race, if they are pregnant or have a disability.
"That's why we will introduce a new 'Workplace Fairness Act' to replace the Equality Act and ensure workplace protections are maintained whilst also re-asserting the rights of individuals rather than groups under the law.
"The Equality Act has been damaging to our economy, our society, and the way government works. It has unleashed the burdensome and unfair DEI culture that plagues workspaces and has enforced discrimination and equality of outcome.
"This has led to the unacceptable situation of unfair recruitment policies, positive discrimination and anti-white working-class bias, pitting different groups against each other and dividing our country."
Got a question for the burner phone? WhatsApp 07934 200 444 or email [email protected].
And if you didn't know, you can also watch Beth, Ruth and Harriet on YouTube.