Episodes
Keir Starmer has faced down his first rebellion by removing the whip from 7 Labour rebels who voted with the SNP to end the cap on child benefits for families of more than two children. Did Starmer overreact? Or does it look decisive? And is this really the policy he wants to hold out on? A decade old policy of Osborne austerity.We speak directly to one of the rebels who lost the whip and ask what happens now.Editor: Tom HughesProducers: Natalie Indge & Zeynel Can YuceDigital Editor: Michaela WaltersVideo Production: Shane FennellyYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ...
Kamala Harris raised a hundred million dollars in the day and a half since Joe Biden announced he wouldn't be standing for re-election.She has now passed the delegate threshold to stand as the candidate - and as we record no one else has thrown their name into the ring.Republicans are meanwhile having to accommodate the new reality of having the oldest candidate in the race.Later, we look at the UK broadcasting landscape with Ofcom regulator Melanie Dawes. Does Ofcom have teeth? And will it use them?Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Natalie IndgeVideo Production: Sha...
There is a dizziness to American politics right now - Vice President Kamal Harris raised 49 million dollars in the first twelve hours following Joe Biden's announcement that he would exit the race. She spent ten hours hitting the phones to garner Democratic support and is insisting she must 'earn' the votes of the delegates. But is the race already sewn up? Or might other candidates throw their names in the mix? And how well do we really know the figure who could be America's first female president? We talk to Ambassador Tony Gardner - a man right at the centre of the Democrats presidential...
Chaos reigns in the Democratic party. In a virtually unprecedented move President Joe Biden has stepped aside from the presidential race weeks before he was due to become the Democrats’ candidate at their national convention in Chicago. Biden has endorsed his VP Kamala Harris. But is she assured of the crown? In a hastily assembled emergency podcast Jon, Emily and Lewis discuss the implications for the Dems, the election and the rest of the world.Editor: Tom HughesVideo Production: Shane FennellyYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Ag...
This week on The Sports Agents, Gareth Southgate resigned following England's Euro 2024 final defeat, and the world's best golfers tee'd it up for the 152nd Open Championship... The man who hired Gareth, former FA Managing Director Martin Glenn, joined Gabby & Mark for an insight into the process of finding his replacement and The Athletic's Jack Pitt-Brooke joined us in the studio to help assess the leading candidates. After Rory McIlroy defended his own caddie ahead of his first appearance at a major tournament since his US Open collapse, we were also joined by caddies Billy Foster (Matt ...
Lewis is joined in the studio by one of the most senior women in British political history, former Labour Deputy Prime Minister, Harriet Harman.Two weeks into a new Labour government, she joins us for an extended conversation about her political life and journey, her memories of working alongside Gordon Brown and Tony Blair, and her advice to her successors in the party.Editor: Tom HughesProducer: Natalie IndgeVideo Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind BadewalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"The News Agents is brought to you...
It feels like the walls are finally closing in on President Biden. His closest political allies, the leaders of the Democratic Party in Congress, are abandoning him. Every interview he does poses more questions than it answers. How long can he fight on? Jon, Lewis and Emily discuss. Talking of Emily - have you ever thought she might need to get her head examined? Kari Lake, the Republican candidate for Senate in Arizona, thinks so. Meanwhile, Nigel Farage thinks she has no friends. Listen to both interviews to reveal all.Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Natalie Ind...
Keir Starmer promised "national renewal" in today's King's Speech, where he outlined his policy plans for the next parliament.So did we get our first glimpse of what Starmerism might look like? Is the state back? And do we now have the most interventionist government for decades? Later in the show we return to Milwaukee and the Republican Party National convention. Emily is there speaking to senior party figures and asking where all the traditional Republicans have gone, as Trump and his acolytes take over the GOP.Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Natalie IndgeSocial...
Emily is live from the Republican Party National Convention in Milwaukee, a room full of "cranks and weirdos", as we react to the news that Ohio Senator J.D Vance will be Trump's running mate in the 2024 Presidential election. What does Vance stand for? Will he change the trajectory of the campaign? And is he even more Trump than Trump himself?Later in the show we discuss two men who have resigned from their jobs today. Welsh First Minister Vaughan Gething, and England manager Gareth Southgate. Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Natalie IndgeSocial Media Editor: Georg...
Emily is in Milwaukee for the Republican Party National Convention, just 36 hours after an assassination attempt on their Presidential candidate Donald Trump.As both he and President Biden call for unity, we ask whether the shooting on Saturday will help both candidates. Is it an easier race now for Trump? Has it ensured a stay of execution for Joe Biden? And how long will this new-found unity last?Later in the show, historian and journalist Nick Bryant joins the show to talk about American's violent and constant battle with itself.Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: N...
Hours after Presidential candidate Donald Trump was shot at a rally in Pennsylvania, Jon and Lewis take a look at how the assassination attempt will impact the election in November.Will it strengthen Trump's campaign? And does it mean Joe Biden will now definitely stand against him?Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents
This week on The Sports Agents, We reflected on England's run to today's Euro 2024 final, Lewis Hamilton's record 9th British GP win and Novak Djokovic turning on the centre court crowd at Wimbledon. But you asked us to find out what's going on at Manchester United, after it emerged that the Women's side would be moved to 'portacabins' in order to accommodate the men - so we were joined by a host of guests including the former Head of Women's football at United, Polly Bancroft, to investigate a growing sense that the club's new owners simply don't care about the Women's game.With England v ...
A week on from a Labour landslide in the 2024 General Election, Lewis and Emily answer the questions that have been bugging you over the past seven days.They're asked why Tories are giving speeches in America, whether Reform are now getting too much media attention, and when the next General Election be held. That and much more.Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Natalie IndgeSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind BadewalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agent...
Last night, the pressure on Joe Biden ramped up a notch - George Clooney called on the President not to stand in November, through a piece in the New York Times. It's being reported today he ran the op-ed past Barack Obama - who didnt try and dissuade him. Nancy Pelosi - arguably the Dem's most formidably woman -suggested Biden should 'make his decision...as time was running out'. And two senators spelled out the words the White House was dreading - Biden will lose to Trump if he doesn't quit the race.Will Biden reckon he can sit this one out until the media storm passes - or will the focus...
PM Starmer has just arrived in Washington to meet President Biden for the first time. Arguably at a time when Biden needs Starmer more than Starmer needs the US president.He’s there to talk NATO - and our commitment to Ukraine. But questions about our own defence spending will pursue him. We’ll talk to the shadow foreign secretary Andrew Mitchell about Sir Keir's first week and the Tories last (in government for now). What lessons are his own party gleaning from their election defeat? And we reflect on billionaire brexiteer household appliance maker James Dyson’s fortunes as he fires a thou...
A tale of two thinktanks - you lucky things. Jon has spent the day at the Tony Blair Institute and Emily has been with the Popular Conservatives (PopCons), Liz Truss' former parish. After the worst result in their history, how does the Conservative party rebuild?And what lessons are those on the right of the party taking away from Thursday night's defeat? Lewis talks to former party treasurer and donor, Lord Michael Spencer, about the direction for the party now. Later, crunch time for Joe Biden - will his own party really seek to remove him before the week is done?Editor: Tom HughesSenior...
Last night the final exit polls of the French election were revealed to a collective stunned gasp. The far-right RN party of Marine Le Pen - and Jordan Bardella - is in third place. Macron's centrist grouping is in second place - but the dominant bloc emerging is a collective of radical left parties - with the controversial figurehead of Jean-Luc Melenchon at its helm. Macron's PM has stayed on -for now - as caretaker. But there is a collective political fog over the shape of France’s next parliament. Has Macron's gamble paid off? Macron will argue he kept fascism at bay - but for how long...
Now that PM Sir Keir Starmer has assembled his first cabinet, the first Labour cabinet in 14 years - who are the people now running the country? What will they do?Just hours after becoming the Official Opposition, the Tories turn to their next task - who will be their next leader? Contenders have already started to hit the airwaves. And the second round in France as the far-right National Rally edge closer to parliamentary power.Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusVideo Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly, Arvind BadewalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alex...
This week on The Sports Agents, As the French public head to the polls on Sunday for the final round of voting in their own National Election, Gabby and Mark reflect on the significance of France's Euros campaign after Kylian Mbappe and co. urged young voters to resist the rise of the far-right.Gabby & Mark caught up with French football writer Tom Williams and our own Jon Sopel to explore a complicated history between the country and it's men's national team. And ahead of the British Grand Prix, McLaren's Lando Norris joined us in studio for a fascinating interview, just days after his Aus...
Labour are the new government. Sir Keir Starmer is our new Prime Minister. He's in Downing Street, and he's about to appoint his cabinet...what next?Plus, we recap on the likes of Liz Truss losing her seat. Yes, LIZ TRUSS.Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusVideo Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly, Arvind BadewalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents
Keir Starmer’s Labour has won a landslide. Rishi Sunak’s Tories have had their worst defeat in history. Beneath the bonnet of that is perhaps the weirdest election of the modern era. Bleary-eyed and caffeine-fuelled after a night of live broadcasting Jon, Emily and Lewis bring you the results of the 2024 general election and analyse what this decision we’ve all made will mean now.Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusVideo Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly, Arvind BadewalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!The ...
A special polling day Q&A.Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusVideo Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly, Arvind BadewalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents
Fourteen years is a long time for any one party to be in government. Today we reflect on some of the moments of the last five Conservative governments and how things have shifted - societally, economically and in the media. We also bring you news of George Galloway's big donor - a man accused of human trafficking - and discuss the missing postal vote saga and the impact it might have.Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusVideo Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly, Arvind BadewalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!...
We sit down with Boris Johnson's director of communications, Lee Cain.In the last 48 hours Rishi has accused Starmer of being a threat to national security and a delight for Putin, a work-shy sloth who clocks off at 6pm, and a leader who's going to rig the electoral system forever more. Is this the sound of a man who thinks his campaign is going to plan? Perhaps the problem began long long before Rishi Sunak called the election - or even got into power. We ask the man who presided over Boris Johnson's 2019 campaign - Director of Comms Lee Cain - if he accepts the rot set in with him. The li...
Live from Paris, Lewis and Jon react to the news that the far-right have stormed the French parliamentary elections in the first round - putting Macron in severe peril and the radical right, formed decades ago from the embers of Nazism, at the top of power in France. Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusVideo Production: : Rory SymonYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents
Jon and Lewis in France ahead of the first round of the French elections, which could see the far-right of French politics became the main political force in France. And we report from Birmingham, following round an independent candidate who thinks he has a chance of beating Labour MP Shabana Mahmood. He's pretty controversial, and for good reason. Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusVideo Production: : Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!The News Agents is brought to yo...
This week on The Sports Agents,We asked if the media actually has any responsibility to help build the confidence of the England National team, after Harry Kane and other members of the squad responded to recent criticism of their performances at Euro 2024...Conor Coady - part of Gareth Southgate's last two England squads for major tournaments - joined Gabby & Mark for insight into the 'meticulous' nature of the England manager, how difficult social media has made it for players to ignore abuse while stuck in a Euros camp and which young players are ready to step up and lead in the absence ...
With now less than a week to go, we answer your General Election questions.Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusVideo Production: : Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents
This was a TV debate unlike any other. Excruciating doesn’t even cover it. Whilst Trump confidently lied his way through the facts, Biden barely reached the end of his sentences without meandering off into a far distant phrase. It was painful to watch and it will raise serious questions now amongst senior Democrats. Can they, must they replace Joe Biden as their presidential candidate?And if so who will be the first top figure to say it out loud?We take you through the most painful moments of the night and the conversations after the debate and ask if the voters will forgive this more easil...
A week today your Twitter feed will be filing up with dogs at polling station memes. Yes dear listeners the marathon is almost done.On today's episode we will be looking at two TV debates - last night we saw the prime ministerial candidates on stage for the last time. Tonight it’s the turn of the US presidential candidates in Atlanta, Georgia. Do these debates ever change minds or just let audiences get things off their chest?We will hear from the Trump campaign team and ask if the stakes are higher for Biden or Trump, or Sunak or Starmer?Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProd...