Best Podot Podcasts (2024)

1
America's Foreign Policy Stalemate: how is war in the Middle East impacting the election cycle? 29:24

7d ago29:24

29:24

In an historic week for relations in the Middle-East, which saw Israel launch a ground invasion of Lebanon and Iran fire hundreds of missile towards the Israeli capital, The Political Cyclists gather to discuss the impact that war in the region is having on the American election. The US is widely seen as the most influential foreign policy actor in…

1
Labour's New Test: can public services be revived in gruelling economic conditions? 54:20

12d ago54:20

54:20

Live from Labour Party conference, The Power Test returns to look at the Labour's first months in power. Ayesha Hazarika and Sam Freedman are joined by Georgia Gould, Labour MP and Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office, Helen MacNamara, former Deputy Cabinet Secretary, and Marc Stears, director of the UCL Policy Lab, who supported this spe…

1
Sri Lanka's Realignment: has AKD changed the political power balance of South Asia? 31:14

13d ago31:14

31:14

This week we're turning our attention (with Tom off to Liverpool for the Labour party's first conference in power) to Sri Lanka. Raisa Wickrematunge, deputy editor of Himal Southasian magazine, joins Rohan and Emily to discuss this month's election and how Anura Kumara Dissanayake (aka AKD) has re-aligned Sir Lanka's political compass. What has hap…

1
Pet Hate: why is Donald Trump stirring up more anger against immigrants? 26:04

21d ago26:04

26:04

Last week, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump took to the stage for the first – and, increasingly likely, the only – Presidential debate. In it, Trump propounded a conspiracy theory about Haitian migrants eating the pets of residents in Springfield, Ohio. What was going on there? And why does the Trump campaign want to keep talking about immigration in…

1
Barn(ier) Raising: what does the elevation of Michel Barnier mean for French politics? 33:33

28d ago33:33

33:33

On today's episode of The Political Cycle, with Emily Tamkin away and American politics on hold until last night's debate (more on that next week), we've decided to peddle over to France where Emmanuel Macron has named Michel Barnier as his new Prime Minister. Barnier is well known to British audiences as the EU's chief negotiator on Brexit, but wh…

1
Deutschland's Dilemma: is there a way to stop the far-right in Germany? 29:20

1M ago29:20

29:20

This week, for the first time since the Second World War, elections in Germany provided significant victories for the far-right. In Thuringia, candidate Björn Höcke of the AfD (Alternative für Deutschland) hailed an "historic victory". But what does this mean for German and European politics? And what broader trends might we look at in terms of inc…

1
The Lost Art of Letting Go: Has Biden provided a roadmap for Modi's eventual departure? 25:46

2M ago25:46

25:46

In the weeks since the announcement that Joe Biden would no longer be the Democratic candidate in the 2024 Presidential election, the narrative has shifted from one of senile intransigence to graceful benevolence. As Biden appeared – tearful – on-stage at the DNC, Emily Tamkin asks whether the reframing of this decision to hand the baton to Kamala …

1
Turning Tides: have the Trump campaign and the British far-right begun to flounder? 30:27

2M ago30:27

30:27

Recent polling shows that the Democrat's shiny new candidate – Kamala Harris – is ahead in almost all the swing states. Meanwhile, the British far-right, who seemed so potent last week, have bee repelled by anti-fascist campaigners and the criminal justice system. Is the tide beginning to turn in favour of reasoned debate? Emily Tamkin and Tom Hami…

1
Disunited Kingdom: how are right-wing forces stoking disorder and dissent around the world? 29:57

2M ago29:57

29:57

They call it 'midsummer madness', the fit of rash and often violent behaviour that seems to strike in the long, hot days. In the UK, right-wing thuggery has descended on a number of cities following the tragic murder of three young girls. What is motivating these riots? And who is stoking the flames of this racially-motivated disorder? Tom Hamilton…

1
Let's Get Weird: is a return to normalcy the new fault-line in US politics? 24:20

2M ago24:20

24:20

Are Donald Trump and JD Vance quite a weird political combo? That's the attack line coming out of Kamala Harris's camp, as the Democrats gear up for their new candidate's campaign. Emily Tamkin discusses the changing landscape in the US election scene, while Rohan Venkat reports back on Rahul Gandhi's attempts to cast aspersions about the Hindu cre…

1
Biden's Bow: where does the President's departure leave the US election? 31:58

3M ago31:58

31:58

After months of growing pressure, Joe Biden has finally ditched his bid for a second term in the Oval Office, paving the way for his VP, Kamala Harris, to lead the Democratic ticket. But who really is Harris, the former California senator? What challenges will she face in the campaign crucible? And what does Team Trump make of all this toing and fr…

1
Shots Heard Around the World: how political violence shapes elections across the continents 26:42

3M ago26:42

26:42

When secret service agents ushered Donald Trump offstage at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, there was much confusion as to what had actually happened. The events, as they came to light over the next few hours, reshaped the narrative of the election, with Trump surviving a very real assassination attempt. Reshaped, sure, but has it changed the cour…

1
Now for the Real Work: can Labour execute its vision for Britain? 46:42

3M ago46:42

46:42

With Labour now firmly in the driver’s seat of government, Sam Freedman and Ayesha Hazarika are joined by Power Test co-founder and former Chief Executive of the Centre for Progressive Policy, Charlotte Aldritt, and Ryan Wain, the Executive Director of Politics at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, to look at where Britain goes next. How c…

1
The Lukewarm Landslide: Labour romps to victory but are there cracks in the voter coalition? 36:28

3M ago36:28

36:28

A new day has dawned in the UK, with Keir Starmer's Labour romping to a landslide victory in the General Election, ending 14 years of Tory rule. Tom Hamilton – himself a former Labour advisor – talks Emily Tamkin and Rohan Venkat through the results, the rise of Reform, and the other big stories of the night. Did the landslide result paper over som…

1
Anatomy of an Election: are Labour prepared for the challenges of power? 32:51

3M ago32:51

32:51

July 4th, 2024: the date that Labour returned to power. After 14 years in the political wilderness, Keir Starmer has led the party to a landslide victory. With the keys to No.10 Downing Street in his hands – and a crack team of ministers assembled – it's time to look back on how Labour has changed under the Starmer premiership, and ahead to how it,…

1
Sloppy Joe: has Biden's debate performance handed the impetus to Trump? 32:05

3M ago32:05

32:05

It's the morning after the night before (well, a few nights before) and America is still reeling from the first Presidential debate. The earliest TV debate in history ended in renewed fears about Joe Biden's competence to continue as US President – let alone as the Democrat candidate. Emily Tamkin leads us through the fallout to both the debate and…

1
S2 Ep3: There's Nothing Tacti-Cool About Tactical Voting – or is there? 27:17

3M ago27:17

27:17

The election is just a few days away, and here at The Polling Station we are gripped by election fever. Marie has been in Scotland, finding out all about what the Scots think (spoiler: lots of quite contradictory things) while Joe explains what the polls say about Scotland (spoiler: almost nothing). Then we're talking about tactical voting. Does it…

1
Can Labour pull off its Great British Energy plan? 45:32

3M ago45:32

45:32

Just before we head hurtling into election week, Sam Freedman and Ayesha Hazarika are on hand to take you through the reality of Labour’s pledge on energy - together with think tank Third Way’s Josh Freed who leads its Climate and Energy work and Brett Christophers, author of The Price is Wrong: Why Capitalism Won't Save the Planet. Labour has made…

1
Between a Rock and un Endroit Dur: is Macron under siege from both Left and Right? 34:47

3M ago34:47

34:47

On this week's episode of The Election Tricycle we're talking to Art Goldhammer to talk about what's going on in France's parliamentary elections. Was Macron "totally insane" to call this surprise election? Who, on both the Left and the Right, is a danger to the President? How has the far-Right – particularly the National Rally – evolved over time?…

1
S2 Ep2: "I Pipy the Fool Who Doesn't Understand Mr. P!" 33:36

4M ago33:36

33:36

Order, order! The Polling Station is in session once again (if that doesn't mix too many political metaphors). Joe and Marie are back with another look at the 2024 General Election, answering all the big questions: how do you pronounce "polling"? Did Marie enjoy her trip on the battle bus? Why are MRP polls like Lego? Is it ethical to bet in market…

1
The Immigration Conundrum: does Labour have a positive solution for the UK's borders? 46:39

4M ago46:39

46:39

As the issue drives Nigel Farage’s return and the Conservatives seek to sharpen attacks on Labour in a last ditch attempt to breakthrough in the campaign, this week Ayesha Hazarika and Sam Freedman look into Labour’s pledge on immigration. Ayesha and Sam probe further into Labour’s policies on immigration with former Home Office adviser Matt Cavana…

1
Party Favors: Are smaller parties getting their shot in India and the UK? 36:00

4M ago36:00

36:00

Rohan takes us to the Lok Sabha – the lower house of the Indian parliament – to look at how the fallout from the general election is impacting the vote there. A new Speaker will be elected at the end of June, but will the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) secure the post? In London, Tom talks us through the impact that Nigel Farage and his Reform party is h…

1
S2 Ep1: Keir Starmer's Prix Fixe Manifesto 30:10

4M ago30:10

30:10

Joe and Marie are back and Polling Politics has a new name. Introducing... The Polling Station! For the course of the General Election 2024, Joe and Marie will be crunching the numbers and giving their verdicts on the big stories. From Rishi Sunak's D-Day debacle to Keir Starmer's safe ol' hands and Ed Davey's slippery kayak, Joe and Marie will bri…

1
Manifesto Destiny: will Keir Starmer's 'Change' manifesto live up to its name? 49:53

4M ago49:53

49:53

On this special manifesto episode of The Power Test, Ayesha Hazarika and Sam Freedman are joined by two special guests: Nick Pearce, one of the authors of Labour's 2010 manifesto, and Claire Ainsley, who was Keir Starmer's policy guru from 2020 to 2022. Together, this quartet dissect and discuss the Labour party's 2024 manifesto (titled, simply, 'C…

1
Europe's Move to the Right: have the EU elections exposed a new fault-line in European politics? 34:46

4M ago34:46

34:46

The Trike makes a brief detour this week, over to mainland Europe where EU elections have rocked the continent. A strong showing from the far and hard right has led President Macron to call a snap election in France. So what's really going on in Europe? To discuss this, the podcast is joined by Zselyke Csaky from the Centre for European Reform, who…

1
Paying for Crime: can Labour reignite the "respect agenda"? 39:25

4M ago39:25

39:25

The academic who inspired Blair’s “respect agenda" on tackling crime and anti-social behaviour urges Labour to ensure that there is effective investment in community support alongside law and policing. Talking to Ayesha Hazarika and Sam Freedman, Professor Richard Sennett, Professor of Sociology at the London School of Economics, says he recognises…

1
Welcome Surprises: Modi humbled, Trump guilty, and Farage's (unwelcome) return 29:57

4M ago29:57

29:57

A week is a long time in politics, or so they say. And this has been one looooong week. But at the end of it, The Tricyclists are united by a sense of welcome surprise, with Narendra Modi and the BJP humbled in the Indian elections, with their majority slashed and coalition required. Meanwhile in New York a court has found former President, and cur…

1
From Pledges to Prevention: can Labour fix the NHS? 46:39

4M ago46:39

46:39

Sam Freedman and Ayesha Hazarika sit down with the Chief Executives of the The King's Fund and NHS Confederation, Sarah Woolnough and Matthew Taylor, to discuss Labour's health pledge on waiting lists and what lies ahead. This week as the general election campaign hits full swing, and The Power Test is focused once again on one of the top issues fo…

1
Snap! The UK is heading to the polls on July 4th 29:10

4M ago29:10

29:10

Shortly after we recorded last week, on a drizzly Wednesday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that the long-awaited UK General Election would take place in July. So, this week Emily Tamkin is quizzing Tom Hamilton – a former strategist for the Labour party, who are heading for a huge victory – about what's going on over in the UK, and whether t…

1
Getting Schooled: Can Labour reform our schools? 43:17

5M ago43:17

43:17

Schools expert, and Teacher Tapp co-founder, Laura McInerney, joins Sam Freedman and Ayesha Hazarika to speak about Labour’s commitment to recruit extra teachers by removing the VAT exemption on private schools - as well as the party’s other plans on education. With election fever setting in, The Power Test is not being knocked off course. With jus…

1
India, America, and Indian Americans: how demographics are shaping two huge elections 37:08

5M ago37:08

37:08

With Rohan away and Tom – *cough* – busy (until the Premium section), Emily is joined by Karishma Mehrotra, south Asia correspondent for the Washington Post. They'll be discussing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pitch to women voters, demographic difference between Indian and American electorates, and the way that Indian-American voters lean in the …

1
The State of the Unions 41:14

5M ago41:14

41:14

With Labour under pressure from trade unions to remain committed to its 'New Deal for Working People', this week Ayesha Hazarika and Sam Freedman look at the party's relationship with the unions and the future ahead. They're joined by the General Secretary of the Prospect trade union, Mike Clancy, to look at Labour’s relationship with the union mov…

1
It's the Economy, Stupid! How economic turmoil is shaping elections in India, the UK and the US 33:37

5M ago33:37

33:37

The shape of an economy is inevitably a big vote-mover in an election, and 2024 is no different. In India, the stock market has slumped during the election period, while, in the UK, the country's has formally left recession territory. But do these facts impact elections? And how has the economic revival under Joe Biden been perceived by American vo…

1
Squeezed Middle: detangling the local elections 39:36

5M ago39:36

39:36

In the aftermath of last week's local elections, Sam Freedman and Ayesha Hazarika, together with author and Political Science Professor Rob Ford, look at what the results might mean for a future Labour government on this week's episode of The Power Test podcast. Under the surface of a very good set of elections for the party, and another very bad f…

1
Indian Politics and the Media: how is political news evolving in India? 26:37

5M ago26:37

26:37

Rohan Venkat and Emily Tamkin are joined by Manisha Pande – standing in for Tom – to discuss the relationship between the media and the elections in India, which have begun in earnest. Is mainstream TV news still dominating the political cycle? Or are alternatives emerging, as the population becomes more digitally engaged? You can now subscribe to …

1
A Very Scottish Drama 38:08

5M ago38:08

38:08

In a week of drama in Scottish politics, Ayesha Hazarika and Sam Freedman are joined for this week’s episode of The Power Test by former Labour leader in Scotland, Kezia Dugdale. They discuss where Scottish politics goes next following the shock resignation of Humza Yousaf, whether the SNP's attack lines on independence have been blunted, and wheth…

1
The Students are Revolting! How youth protests do, and don't, intersect with the national conversation 35:04

5M ago35:04

35:04

On this week's episode of The Election Tricycle, we're looking at the wave of student protests – from New York to LA – which are sweeping America. Is this something that will come into play once election season begins in earnest? Are universities also hubs of revolutionary thought in India? Meanwhile, in the UK, Scotland's First Minister, Humza You…

1
The Case for Defence 35:24

6M ago35:24

35:24

This week, Ayesha Hazarika and Sam Freedman are joined by none other than Sam’s dad, Sir Lawrence Freedman, to discuss future foreign and defence policy under a Labour Government. How will Labour confront the range of security threats that the UK faces across the world? Sir Lawrence Freedman, renowned academic, historian and author on foreign polic…

1
Complacency vs Confidence: how do heavily favored candidates beat inertia? 31:14

6M ago31:14

31:14

As voting begins in India, we're looking at the question of whether the favourites, in our three races, are confident or complacent. With all the polls indicated a big win for Labour in the UK and Modi's BJP in India, does complacency sneak in? And with the race between Donald Trump and Joe Biden still on a knife edge, does the dynamic of the elect…

1
Power behind the scenes 37:49

6M ago37:49

37:49

Is Labour capable of reversing the curse facing centre-left governments around the world? Josh Simons, Director of the highly influential think tank Labour Together says the party must be ready to confront the challenge of thinking about how it can govern and win a second term. Josh joins Ayesha Hazarika and Sam Freedman to speak about how Labour i…

1
Digital Campaigning 101 28:40

6M ago28:40

28:40

This week, the Tricycleers are joined by Matthew McGregor, CEO or 38 Degrees and veteran of digital campaigns in the UK and the US. How has digital campaigning evolved over the years? Are the right better at using these tools than the left? How impactful is cash on digital results, or can organic results be produced with even the tightest of budget…

1
Binfire of the Localities: a look at the local elections 34:15

6M ago34:15

34:15

On this week's episode of The Power Test, we're looking at all things local elections - including bins! - New Statesman Britain Editor Anoosh Chakelian joins Sam and Ayesha on the pod and discussed how these will have an impact on Labour and whether it can deliver real change in government. Episode notes: The Tories are trying to make headway by pu…

1
Change vs Continuity: are incumbents masquerading as insurgents? 24:15

6M ago24:15

24:15

This week on The Election Tricycle, Emily returns from vacation and updates us on that Slovakian election (spoiler alert: it didn't go well). Then the gang gather to compare their elections and look at the question of 'change'. Is Rishi Sunak a change Prime Minister or a continuity Prime Minister? How does Donald Trump keep running as an outsider? …

1
Let's Get Fiscal! 33:14

6M ago33:14

33:14

Following last week's episode with Ed Balls, former Treasury boss Nick Macpherson joins Sam and Ayesha to interrogate the economic environment facing the next government. We’re hearing a lot from Labour about economic security, fighting off the party’s reputation for ‘spendonomics’, but is the party being too far too cautious and harming its plans …

1
Tech and Elections: could social media and AI imperil democracy? 25:54

6M ago25:54

25:54

On this week's episode of The Election Tricycle, with Emily on holiday (or "vacation", as she calls it), we're looking at the interaction of elections and technology. To discuss this, we're joined by Yashraj Sharma, an India-based reporter who has written about YouTube, social media and AI, especially in the context of the upcoming elections in Ind…

1
Levelling Up: Substance not slogans? 41:21

6M ago41:21

41:21

As Labour announces its plans to reclaim 'Levelling Up', Sam Freedman and Ayesha Hazarika are joined by Ed Balls to discuss the dual challenges of tackling economic and regional inequality and going for growth Boris Johnson’s claim to end the North-South divide has been a spectacular disaster in terms of going from a box office slogan to something …

1
How do the Indian elections actually work? 26:16

7M ago26:16

26:16

With only a few weeks remaining before India goes to the polls, we thought it was a good moment to get Tom and Emily to interrogate Rohan about how the elections actually work in India. What is the structure of the voting? How does such a large, unwieldy electorate go to the polls and maintain the integrity of the vote? How long will it take for a …

1
Full Fat Ermine 31:08

7M ago31:08

31:08

In this first episode of 2024, the duo discuss the news that Ayesha will soon become Baroness Hazarika of Coatbridge in the County of Lanarkshire and the role of the House of Lords in legislating before focusing on the current political landscape and the challenges and opportunities ahead for Labour as the party prepares for its return to governmen…

1
The Slovakian Parallels: do returning leaders and complacent oppositions reign the world over? 27:49

7M ago27:49

27:49

The Slovakian election is just round the corner, so we decided to dial up Dalibor Roháč, a Washington-based Slovak to talk about the elections and the return of former Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini. Then the gang look at the parallels between what's happening in central Europe and their own elections. Oh, and we now have a date for the Indian ele…

1
Immigration Rhetoric: how is discourse about migrants shaping elections? 32:17

7M ago32:17

32:17

With news emerging this week that a 2019 citizenship law in India, intended to exclude Muslims from the naturalisation process, is shortly to come into action, the Tricycle gang gather to discuss how rhetoric about immigration is shaping these elections. With Trump confirmed as the Republican nominee, will we see a repeat of the anti-immigration rh…

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