Political Fix

As Russia expands its campaign for hybrid warfare, what can Britain and Europe do to respond? Recorded onboard the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales docked in Oslo, host Lucy Fisher is joined by FT UK chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley and defence correspondent Charles Clover.

Together, they assess Europe’s response to Moscow's grey-zone tactics and the strategic role of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) - a grouping of northern European countries led by Britain including the Nordics, Baltics and the Netherlands. Is it a focused response to the threat of Russia in the north, or could it weaken the power of Nato?

And we hear from the secretary of state for defence, Wes Streeting, who told the FT this week that the UK and Russia need new back channels to avoid “miscalculation”. Plus, how does Britain balance its ambitious defence spending commitments against tight domestic budgets and political pressure?

This week’s episode is supported by Equinor. Everything we discuss is editorially independent.

Follow Lucy on X or Bluesky @LOS_Fisher, @lucyfisher.ft.com; Charles Clover on X @charles_clover; Robert Shrimsley on X @robertshrimsley

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What’s wrong with my gilet? By Robert Shrimsley
Secretary of State on the need for new back channels between the UK and Russia.
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Our email address is politicalfix@ft.com

Presented by Lucy Fisher. The executive producers are Manuela Saragosa & Kate Ford. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. Location crew is Sam Osbourne. The FT’s head of audio is Flo Phillips.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US President Donald Trump received a body blow to his presidency as the Republican Party was routed in the US midterms this week. What will be the impact on this side of the Atlantic — and the wider world? Is a weakened Trump good news for a progressive, left-leaning government? Or could the results encourage Trump to lash out via foreign policy, especially regarding Iran and Ukraine? And what does it mean for Nigel Farage and his long-term links with Trump? Host Lucy Fisher discusses the fallout of this monumental week for global politics with deputy political editor Jim Pickard and deputy comment editor Miranda Green. Plus, the panel gets into Labour’s shift in immigration policy and the dispute over reparations for Britian’s historical role in the slave trade which dominated the Commonwealth summit.
Follow Lucy on X or Bluesky @LOS_Fisher, @lucyfisher.ft.com; Miranda:@greenmiranda and @greenmirandahere.bsky.social and Jim @PickardJE and @pickardje.bsky.social

Want more?
A weakened Trump still leaves Britain on edge
Democrats look to reshape America after historic midterm victories
How corruption became a top voter issue in the US midterms
The beginning of the end of the age of Trump
Donald Trump’s endgame
MPs summon Poundland’s owner to select committee grilling
Giving 16-year-olds the vote is only half the job

Our email address is politicalfix@ft.com

Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The broadcast engineers are Andrew Giordgiades and Bianca Wakeman. The FT’s head of audio is Flo Phillips.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham’s chancellor John Healey delivered his maiden budget on Wednesday. With ballooning debt, poor growth and rising inflation, the mantra was very much ‘steady as we go’ – with only modest announcements on tax and spending. Households have been helped with energy costs while banks, landlords and savers have been hit. Healey insisted he was doing his best to help, but was it enough to secure long-term economic health and security for the UK? Host Lucy Fisher discusses these questions and lots more from FT subscribers with UK political editor George Parker, markets columnist Katie Martin and economics editor Sam Fleming.

This is a recording of an FT Live subscribers’ webinar.

Follow Lucy @lucyfisher.ft.com & @LOS_Fisher; George @georgewparker.bsky.social & @GeorgeWParker and Sam @Sam1Fleming

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John Healey hits banks and savers to fund modest Budget handout
UK Budget 2026: Healey defends Budget as economic warnings grow
Budget in brief: what you need to know
Healey fiddles while the UK stagnates
Property tax rise will push more landlords to sell, Healey warned
Britain’s Budget buys time but ducks the hard choices
Our email address is politicalfix@ft.com
Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The broadcast engineers are Colleen Velle and Petros Gioumpasis. The FT’s head of audio is Flo Phillips.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Andy Burnham winning over voters with his promise to put ‘hope in every heart and growth in every postcode’? As the prime minister marks almost 100 days in the job, the FT has been polling swing voters in Sheffield to discuss his performance, the state of the country and how he stacks up against the other political parties. Host George Parker discusses the findings with pollster Scarlett Maguire, deputy political editor Jim Pickard and political correspondent David Sheppard. Plus, the panel discusses the government’s controversial decision to develop the Jackdaw gasfield in the North Sea.

Follow George @GeorgeWParker and @georgewparker.bsky.social; David @OilSheppard and @oilsheppard.bsky.social and Jim @PickardJE and @pickardje.bsky.social

Want more?
Has Andy Burnham won over British voters?
UK approves development of Jackdaw gasfield in North Sea
Andy Burnham’s North Sea ‘pragmatism’ is no big shift from Keir Starmer’s
John Healey to quash visa hopes for wealthy in UK Budget
The people shaping the Budget
Stratford moves closer to international rail upgrade with Budget boost

What will the UK Budget mean for Britain? Join Lucy Fisher and political editor George Parker, markets columnist Katie Martin, economics editor Sam Fleming and north of England correspondent Jen Williams for an exclusive FT subscriber webinar on October 29. To register, and send us your questions, go to ft.com/budget2026 (Registration includes access to the video replay.)

Our email address is politicalfix@ft.com

Presented by George Parker. Produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The broadcast engineers are Andrew Giorgiades and Petros Gioumpasis. The FT’s head of audio is Flo Phillips.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Andy Burnham's habit of speaking off the cuff getting him into trouble? From Brexit interference and Scottish independence to Manchester City, the prime minister's impromptu interventions are making headlines. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by deputy opinion editor Miranda Green and UK chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley to discuss whether Burnham's style is an asset or liability. Plus, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visits Number 10, the Liberal Democrats are growing restless with their leader, and public policy editor Chris Smyth brings us the latest on the government's welfare reforms.

Follow Lucy on X or Bluesky @LOS_Fisher, @lucyfisher.ft.com; Chris: @Smyth_Chris and @chris-smyth.bsky.social; Miranda:@greenmiranda and @greenmirandahere.bsky.social and Robert: @robertshrimsley and @robertshrimsley.bsky.social

Want more?
Russia ‘interfered’ in 2016 Brexit vote, says Andy Burnham
One in 6 UK disability benefit claimants should not receive cash, says think-tank
Young people to receive less cash but more job support under Milburn welfare plan
How the Greens lost their party to the hard left
EU leaders to urge Zelenskyy to rein in criticism of Trump
Are the Liberal Democrat birds angry or just disappointed?
Andy Burnham’s own goal
Why I don’t write about the Liberal Democrats

What will the UK Budget mean for Britain? Join Lucy Fisher and colleagues political editor George Parker, markets columnist Katie Martin, economics editor Sam Fleming and North of England correspondent Jen Williams for an exclusive FT subscriber webinar on October 29. To register, and send us your questions, go to ft.com/budget2026 Registration includes access to the video replay.

Our email address is politicalfix@ft.com

Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The broadcast engineers are Andrew Giorgiades and Bianca Wakeman. The FT’s head of audio is Flo Phillips.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.