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The State of It

The State of It

By: The Times
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Summary

Real reporting from the coalface of British politics.


Join The Times and The Sunday Times’s political heavyweights Steven Swinford, Patrick Maguire, Gabriel Pogrund and Lara Spirit as they dig deep into the latest tea room tip offs, reveal insider conversations and bring analysis, authority and insight.


No party loyalty. No spin. Not hosted by some old politicians. Taking you into the real business of politics, from those who live it daily.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

News UK
Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Mandelson: Starmer’s original sin comes back to haunt him
    Apr 28 2026

    Morgan McSweeney has told MPs that the revelations about Peter Mandelson's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein were like a knife through his soul. The more we learn about the appointment process, the madder it sounds. And the odd thing is that crucial decisions were not written down: there are no receipts.

    There's a mood building in the Labour Party that Keir Starmer will need to go big or go home: come up with a bold agenda, make the case for it and then deliver it. Has he got it in him? And how far to the left will he take the government?


    Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times

    Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times

    Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times


    Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson

    Executive producer: Molly Guinness


    Picture credit: Getty Images

    This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    35 mins
  • Starmer picks a fight with the wrong guy
    Apr 21 2026

    Sir Olly Robbins dropped bombshell after bombshell when he spoke to MPs. Robbins, who was sacked as the Foreign Office’s chief civil servant, has accused Downing Street of placing the department under constant pressure to get Lord Mandelson through vetting. He also said the prime minister had tried to find an ambassadorial job for Matthew Doyle, another Labour peer who's been in trouble for a friendship with a paedophile. Where does it all leave Sir Keir Starmer?

    Plus, we reveal when the next tranche of Mandelson files will be published.


    Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times

    Gabriel Pogrund, Whitehall editor, The Sunday Times

    Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times


    Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson

    Executive producer: Molly Guinness


    Picture credit: Parliament TV

    Audio credit: Parliament TV

    This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
  • BONUS: Can Keir Starmer survive the Mandelson vetting scandal?
    Apr 17 2026

    Everything you need to know about the latest instalment of the Mandelson scandal. What Labour MPs are saying about Keir Starmer; our verdict on whether he can survive it, and why Patrick thinks the prime minister is doing "the political equivalent of smoking outside a hospital".


    Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times

    Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times

    Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times


    Producer: Harry Kitson

    Executive producer: Molly Guinness


    Picture credit: Getty Images

    Audio: Reuters, x.com/KemiBadenoch, x.com/Nigel_Farage

    This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    16 mins
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