Helen and Stephen discuss the chances of a Brexit deal passing through parliament, and take a look at what Jeremy Corbyn has been up to recently. If you are a New Statesman digital subscriber you can get advert free access to this podcast by visiting newstatesman.com/nssubscribers. If you haven't signed up yet, visit newstatesman.com/subscribe ...…

Helen and Stephen discuss the results of the US midterm elections, rumours of a cooling in the relationship between Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell, and what might have happened in British politics if the 2017 general election had never happened. If you are a New Statesman digital subscriber you can get early, ad free access to this podcast by ...…

Helen and Stephen discuss the ongoing fallout from the Budget, a new play about women's football, and answer a pressing question: was Waitrose right to get rid of their magazine editor after an ill-judged joke about vegans? If you are a New Statesman digital subscriber you can get early, ad free access to this podcast by visiting newstatesman.c ...…

Helen and Stephen are joined by Sir Howard Davies, chairman of RBS and former deputy governor of the Bank of England, to dissect this year's budget. What has Philip Hammond kept up his sleeve for Brexit? Is austerity really 'coming to an end'? And what's the deal with the tax cut for higher earners? All these questions, and many others, answere ...…

Helen and Stephen discuss the ongoing trials and tribulations of Tory Brexiteers. Then, they're joined by Labour MP and Shadow Treasury Minister Jonathan Reynolds to discuss the upcoming budget. Finally, Jonn Elledge pops in to answer a listener question: is Doctor Who best when it is just trying to be a children's programme? If you are a New S ...…

Helen and Stephen attempt to bring some calm rationality to the discussion of Brexit and "the backstop" — whatever that turns out to be. Then Helen talks to the American author Rebecca Solnit about reporting on Trump and her new book Call Them by Their True Names. Finally, a listener question: what's going on with universal credit? If you are a ...…

Helen and Stephen have been on a podcast school trip to David Hare's new play I'm Not Running, and they have some thoughts about how accurately it portrays contemporary Labour politics. Then Emily Sargent from the Wellcome Collection joins to discuss buildings, council estates and housing design. If you are a New Statesman digital subscriber yo ...…

Helen, Stephen and Anoosh digest the happenings at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham, discuss Boris Johnson's Telegraph column and the new left media, and answer a listener question: can we still enjoy the work of Kanye West?

Stephen and Anoosh are straight off the train from the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, and they discuss why the mood felt more upbeat in previous years and how Labour are handling Brexit. Plus: a listener question — why do people care more about Jeremy Corbyn's euroscepticism than Theresa May's? Send us your questions for future episodes ...…

Helen is joined by Anoosh Chakelian to discuss the shaming of Donald Trump by Stormy Daniels, plus why Labour Party conference gives her serious deja vu. Then Jonn Elledge reports back from Lib Dem conference, and hands out some TV recommendations too. Send us your questions for future episodes via Twitter @ns_podcasts, @helenlewis, @anoosh_c, ...…

Helen and Stephen itemise the worst ministers and shadow ministers in politics at the moment and explain why these people are failing so badly at their briefs. Then, Helen talks to John Ridding, CEO of the Financial Times and chairman of the Room to Read charity, about literacy and activism. Finally, they answer a popular listener question: whe ...…

Helen and Stephen are joined by New Statesman editor Jason Cowley to discuss his recent interview with the shadow chancellor, John McDonnell. Then, Helen talks to the feminist campaigner Caroline Criado-Perez about the anti-Brexit Women For A People's Vote campaign. Finally, they tackle a listener question: what's going on with Labour's NEC ele ...…

Helen and Stephen discuss the coming autumn crunch over Brexit and how the parliamentary votes over the deal will go. Then, Helen talks to director Jude Christian about her upcoming production othellomacbeth and the ways in which we politicise Shakespeare. Finally, they tackle a listener question: should Vince Cable resign? Send us your questio ...…

Helen and Stephen discuss jerk rice and cultural appropriation, interview Emily Andrews from the Institute for Government about the state of Britain's public services, and look at the evidence for a possible Labour Party split. Send us your questions for future episodes via Twitter @ns_podcasts, @stephenkb, @helenlewis or join us on Facebook fo ...…

Helen and Stephen discuss the row over Jeremy Corbyn's attendance at a 2014 wreath-laying event in Tunis and what it tells us about the current internal state of the Labour Party. Then, for this week's "anything but Brexit section", they are joined by schools expert Laura McInerney (@miss_mcinerney) to talk about the UK's teacher shortage and w ...…

Helen and Stephen discuss Boris Johnson's Telegraph column about the burqa, talk to Frances Crook of the Howard League about prisons and penal reform, and answer a listener question: how radical is Jeremy Corbyn's programme for government? Send us your questions for future episodes via Twitter @ns_podcasts, @stephenkb, @helenlewis or join us on ...…

Helen and Stephen discuss the ongoing row over anti-Semitism in the Labour Party, as well as the internal politics of the party's NEC elections and the possible deselection ballots against pro-Brexit MPs Kate Hoey and Frank Field. They also answer a popular listener question: will and should there be a “people's vote” on the exit deal Theresa M ...…

Helen and Stephen look back at the parliamentary year – taking in discussions of new parties, luxury communism and climate change. Then Helen interviews the author Laurence Scott about his new book Picnic Comma Lightning. And you ask them: should parliament cancel recess to work on Brexit?

Helen and Stephen discuss the news that the Vote Leave campaign has been found to have broken electoral law and explore whether Theresa May can face a no confidence vote while Parliament is on summer recess. They they're joined by Helen Thompson, Professor of Political Economy at Cambridge University and a regular on the Talking Politics podcas ...…

Helen and Stephen discuss the ongoing resignations and battles in the Tory party over Brexit, and then Stephen is joined by NS political correspondent Patrick Maguire to test out some Labour Party counterfactuals (warning: includes Liz Kendall content). Subscribe to the New Statesman's World Cup podcast, Political Football, now — find it at new ...…

Helen and Stephen react to the resignations of David Davis and Boris Johnson (and who knows who else by the time you listen to this), and analyse what the upheaval in the Cabinet means for Theresa May's tenure as prime minister and the chances of a Brexit deal with the EU27.

Helen talks to former White House aide Ben Rhodes, who was an advisor to Barack Obama, about Trump, US foreign policy, and the collapse of the Iran deal. Then, she and Stephen answer a listener question: is there now a stronger chance of a no-deal Brexit? The World as It is: Inside the Obama White House by Ben Rhodes is out now from Bodley Head ...…

Helen is joined by the New Statesman's US editor Nicky Woolf to discuss the child detention scandal on America's borders and the "blue wave" of left wing candidates winning primaries. Then, they answer a provocative listener question: what's annoying you most at the moment? (Spoiler, it's a lot, and some of it is Brexit-related.) Subscribe to t ...…

Stephen is joined by LabourList editor Sienna Rodgers (as Helen is on holiday) to pick over Theresa May's mythical "Brexit dividend" for the NHS, and to discuss what's going on with Labour's NEC elections. Finally, they answer a pressing question: why is Jeremy Corbyn pushing for a free vote on Heathrow expansion? Send us your questions for fut ...…

Helen and Stephen discuss the Brexit votes in the Commons this week and how a Lords amendment on the EU Withdrawal Bill will work. Then, they analyse Paul Dacre's departure as editor of the Daily Mail and what it will mean for the paper. Finally, they answer a listener question: why hasn't the press picked up more on claims of Islamophobia in t ...…

Stephen and Anoosh discuss Labour's shift on Brexit, reflect on the year since the 2017 general election, and look at how austerity is affecting people around the country. Send us your questions for future episodes via Twitter @ns_podcasts, @anoosh_c or join us on Facebook for a live Q&A. Become a paying newstatesman.com subscriber and get the ...…

Helen and Stephen discuss the Yes vote in the Irish referendum on repealing the eighth amendment, and then go head to head on whether referendums are a good way of making political decisions. Send us your questions for future episodes via Twitter @ns_podcasts, @helenlewis or join us on Facebook for a live Q&A.…

Helen and Stephen are joined by Tom Hamilton to discuss the prospect of an early election and the history of PMQs, and then they answer a listener question: is the media in trouble, or better than ever? Send us your questions for future episodes via Twitter @ns_podcasts, @helenlewis or join us on Facebook for a live Q&A. Get a copy of Punch and ...…

Can you tell your customs partnership from your max-fac? Helen and Stephen untangle the latest Brexit wrangling, and then discuss Stephen's recent trip to Israel and the moving of the US embassy to Jerusalem. Finally, they answer a listener question: what would the London mayoral race have looked like if Tessa Jowell had won the Labour nominati ...…

Helen is joined by Sienna Rodgers, editor of LabourList, to discuss the local election results — was it a good night or a bad night for Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour party? Then the American playwright Rajiv Joseph joins to tell us about his new play, Describe the Night, which covers almost a hundred years of Russian political history. Send us y ...…

Helen and Stephen discuss the politics of the new home secretary Sajid Javid, yet more Brexiteer nonsense about the customs union, and whether it's possible for a Conservative to be progressive. Send us your questions for future episodes via Twitter @ns_podcasts, @helenlewis, @stephenkb or join us on Facebook for a live Q&A.…

Helen and Stephen discuss the Brexiteers' magical thinking on the customs union, Len McCluskey's forthright intervention on anti-Semitism in the Labour party in this week's New Statesman magazine, and the new statue of Millicent Fawcett in Parliament Square. Send us your questions for future episodes via Twitter @ns_podcasts, @helenlewis, @step ...…

Helen and Stephen discuss the immigration controversy now surrounding the handling of the Windrush generation and analyse what Theresa May's "hostile environment" policy could mean for her politically. Then contributing editor Mehdi Hasan joins from Washington DC to talk about Donald Trump's extraordinary run of outrageous scandals. Finally, th ...…

Helen and Stephen discuss the conflict in Syria and the tests for any possible UK intervention. Then they take a close look at the return of crime as a political issue in Britain. Finally, they answer a listener question: are the conditions for a successful new centrist party unique to France? Send us your questions for future episodes via Twit ...…

Helen is back! She and Stephen discuss anti-Semitism in the Labour party, and then answer a listener question: should there be a new centrist party and should David Miliband lead it? Send us your questions for future episodes via Twitter @ns_podcasts, @helenlewis, @stephenkb or join us on Facebook for a live Q&A. Further reading: Stephen's colu ...…

Stephen and Anoosh discuss the ongoing story of Cambridge Analytica and the allegations of Vote Leave's overspending during the EU referendum. Then they answer a listener question about whether there is any truth in the accusation that Labour's anti-Semitism row is a smear. Finally, they look at an example of a dodgy election leaflet from Haver ...…

Stephen is away this week, so Anoosh is at the helm. First, she is joined by Citymetric editor and known Brexit loather Jonn Elledge to discuss the transition deal and why fish were thrown into the Thames at Westminster. Then, she interviews Francisco Cantú, a former border guard on the US-Mexico border and the author of The Line Becomes a Rive ...…

Stephen and Anoosh discuss the unfolding story of the Russian spy attack in Salisbury, and wonder whether Jeremy Corbyn's previous foreign policy statements will cut through to voters. Then they analyse Philip Hammond's Spring Statement and the Conservatives' contradictory position on the economy. Finally, they answer a listener question: is Vi ...…

Stephen and Anoosh discuss Theresa Mays housing speech and the politics of homeowning vs renting. Then, they talk about the polling around awareness of Momentum, and whether it's a good attack line for the Tories (spoiler: no). Finally, they answer a listener question: is there any possibility of a second referendum on EU membership? Send us yo ...…

Stephen and Anoosh discuss Jeremy Corbyn's Brexit speech and Labour's new position on the customs union. Then, they talk about the #LabourToo report on harassment in the party and give a brief guide to the left-wing blogosphere (can you tell your Canary from your Skwawkbox?). Finally, they answer a listener question: why do Brexiteers care so m ...…

Stephen and Anoosh discuss the story of Jeremy Corbyn's alleged meeting with a Czech spy in the 1980s and why it has received so much coverage. Then, they analyse the Labour leader's response, including his pledges to crack down on the right wing press and tax exile media moguls. Finally, they answer a listener question: why does Boris Johnson ...…

Stephen and Anoosh discuss Boris Johnson's disingenuous Brexit intervention. Then they talk about a recent trip to see the Labour MP Laura Pidcock in Durham, and the art of a good political interview. Finally, they (try to) answer a very good listener question: what actually is the government's plan for the Northern Irish border after Brexit? S ...…

Stephen and Anoosh discuss Theresa May's inept speech about the suffragettes. Then they answer a popular listener question: can the Conservatives can win a majority by maximising the white vote? Send us your questions for future episodes via Twitter @ns_podcasts, @anoosh_c or @stephenkb.

Helen and Stephen discuss the controversy surrounding Labour and the Haringey Development Vehicle (no wait, come back, it's really interesting). Then they answer a listener question: how does the Conservative no confidence process work? Send us your questions for future episodes via Twitter @ns_podcasts, @helenlewis or @stephenkb.…

Helen and Stephen discuss Boris Johnson's terrible intervention on the NHS before getting very angry about the sleazy all-male fundraiser exposed by the FT this week. Send us your questions for future episodes via Twitter @ns_podcasts, @helenlewis or @stephenkb. Further reading: The FT exclusive about the Presidents Club fundraiser. Helen's pie ...…

What do Mary Stuart, Elizabeth Tudor, and the future leaders of both the Conservative and Labour parties have in common? They are all the subject of this bumper discussion between Helen and Stephen about women, power and political succession. Send us your questions for future episodes via Twitter @ns_podcasts, @helenlewis or @stephenkb.…

Helen and Stephen dissect Theresa May's reshuffle and wonder what on earth the PM was thinking, getting rid of Justine Greening. Then Helen interviews the playwright David Eldridge about his upcoming play Beginning and theatre's problems with diversity and access. Finally, they tackle a big and serious question: how do we fix the NHS crisis? Se ...…

Helen and Stephen look back at everything they missed in politics over the Christmas break and make some predictions for the year ahead. Contact us with your predictions or questions on Twitter @ns_podcasts, @helenlewis or @stephenkb.

Helen and Stephen are joined by Dorian Lynskey of the Remainiacs podcast to look back at Britain's Brexit travails in 2017. They pick the best and worst Brexiteers, wonder if they ended the year feeling worse about politics than they did at the start, and look ahead to what political joys 2018 might bring. Contact us on Twitter @ns_podcasts, @h ...…

Stephen is joined by guest host Anoosh Chakelian (get well soon, Helen!) to discuss whether there is anything an MP can do these days to get the sack. They talk about the cases of Anne Marie Morris, Jared O'Mara and Damian Green, among others. Then, they address a listener question: what is a "meaningful" vote? You can subscribe to the podcast ...…